pumpkinstrokemarrow

Prompted by Drane, have now read my first book of the Old Testament, the book of Nahum. But before you think I have been busy, you should know that this is one of the shortest books of the bible running to just over two pages, spread over 3 in my copy of the authorised version and with just 3 chapters.

I could not make a great deal of sense of it but as luck would have it we had occasion to visit St. Mary's at Cuddington which gave me an opportunity to read the book in a more up-to-date translation. The book was set out as verse and turned out to be a paean of praise to the destruction of a bronze age city in what is now northern Iraq and which was called Ninevah. In the round, a peal of joy in the face of the destruction, rape and pillage of the enemy. Perhaps entirely appropriate to the rather smash and grab style of politics which characterized the region at the time, but perhaps rather unhealthy that many of today's Israelites should look to stories such as this for their inspiration as they re-establish themselves in their one-time homeland. I wonder if they have rebadged some part of their government 'The Department of Homeland Security' (see http://www.dhs.gov/) after the pattern of their sponsors?

The church was about 100 years old and was built in response to the growth of what is now the posh part of Worcester Park. Lots of rather grand houses, quite handy to Worcester Park station, almost as convenient as a commuter station as Epsom and rather nearer Waterloo. The church was quite handsome, particularly the chancel, at first entrance, but it grew cold on one. Not impressed by the sight of the vicar in what looked like his running gear. Not for me to say, but I don't think I would have been very impressed if I had been a prospect. Clerics should wear clerical gear and not demean themselves by trying to be one of the chaps; the same pratfall into which the likes of our late leader Mr. Blair dive with great gusto.

The second of our two visits on this heritage weekend was the nearby Shadbolt Park, once the garden of a tree enthusiast of the same name and now the property of the council - with the house having been found good used as a surgery for a GP. A small park, but a peaceful place just to sit and ponder. To let the eyes wander over the interesting trees. Sadly, not so small that the council can afford to keep it fully up to scratch. Signs of neglect around the edges.