Seven Swans and other things...
The croft was wonderfully isolated, with a good walk [note: felt like a trek with 25kg of coal on your back, as Andrew will attest) over some boggy ground, through a 'wee gorge' and along a fairly rugged sheep track. We loved the place. It was a former working croft, and the ripple effect on the ground was quite poignant - each one representing a furrow for potato crops that were once the staple. Once Andrew had mastered the fire and the Rayburn (read Aga), we were cosy. No electricity meant that our bodies quickly tuned into the natural light. It was quite peculiar (well... late, late dusks 23.30 or so, and early, early dawns. Really though, there was a constant mellow glow. We read a lot about the crofting life, and one of the things I did not envy was the days that only lasted from 10.30 sunrise to 16.00 sunset that were nonetheless packed with relentless chores of peat cutting, winkle picking, and tending the cattle.
While we were there, all notion of discipline went to the wind really. We ate like... hmm. well, I don't know - we ate WELL. We gathered mussels and cooked them, gathered nettles (carefully) and made Nettle soup and risotto (not on the same night). We made a slow-aga baked rice pudding, bread, and a lovely crumble. We also bought smoked Brie and Salmon from a local Smokehouse. mmm. Suffering.
I nearly forgot the catalogue of wildlife we saw/alarmed... Red deer, sheep (including one character who kept running away from his mum...), an adult badger and two babies (kits?), golden eagles, a smallish herd of highland cattle, cuckoos, and Andrew's most intimate - a tick.
Since we've come back - it has been non-stop really. But we are very thankful for the time away. It is hard to believe we've been married for two years. Harder still to believe that this year is nearly half-way over! Apart from that...
Been thinking a lot about liberation theology, identifying with the poor, simplicity, technological materialism, beauty and the church. Had long conversations about discipline in small groups, and the intimacy they develop. Been trying to write a paper for Monday (gulp... not finished, hence the time!) A sermon for Sunday (mercifully done!) and a lot of other outstanding things that somehow have crept up on me (JUNE is SO FAR AWAY!!).
Et puis,
Welcome home Derk and Sandra and Lev.
Come on baby McCulloch, we can't wait to meet you!
Thanks for introducing us to Sufjan Stevens 'Untamed Be' - we owe you one.
We miss you Jenkins!
While we were there, all notion of discipline went to the wind really. We ate like... hmm. well, I don't know - we ate WELL. We gathered mussels and cooked them, gathered nettles (carefully) and made Nettle soup and risotto (not on the same night). We made a slow-aga baked rice pudding, bread, and a lovely crumble. We also bought smoked Brie and Salmon from a local Smokehouse. mmm. Suffering.
I nearly forgot the catalogue of wildlife we saw/alarmed... Red deer, sheep (including one character who kept running away from his mum...), an adult badger and two babies (kits?), golden eagles, a smallish herd of highland cattle, cuckoos, and Andrew's most intimate - a tick.
Since we've come back - it has been non-stop really. But we are very thankful for the time away. It is hard to believe we've been married for two years. Harder still to believe that this year is nearly half-way over! Apart from that...
Been thinking a lot about liberation theology, identifying with the poor, simplicity, technological materialism, beauty and the church. Had long conversations about discipline in small groups, and the intimacy they develop. Been trying to write a paper for Monday (gulp... not finished, hence the time!) A sermon for Sunday (mercifully done!) and a lot of other outstanding things that somehow have crept up on me (JUNE is SO FAR AWAY!!).
Et puis,
Welcome home Derk and Sandra and Lev.
Come on baby McCulloch, we can't wait to meet you!
Thanks for introducing us to Sufjan Stevens 'Untamed Be' - we owe you one.
We miss you Jenkins!
posted by erdreid at 00:45
3 Comments:
Can't believe you were bloggin at that time! I see that you and Andrew both work late shifts!
Not sure about the come on baby McCulloch just yet. Be patient as we still need these 3 weeks!
However, if he/she arrived soon it's good to know you would be around!
J
Seven Swans is incredible. Krista and I were just listening to that last night. I love the one about the Transfiguration.
goodness. maybe now we can catch up with you guys. i have missed you and thought of you often during the year. a year. wow. has it really been that long? anyhow, now that we've found you, we'll not loose touch. my blog has moved. it's lifeinsuburbia.typepad.com
hello to you both from all the swansons.
Post a Comment
<< Home