Long time no blog
Sorry about the delay in blogging, but life got a bit busy. The thing that was overshadowing me the last few weeks was the Easter Camp I was talking at last weekend. I did a series on 2Peter – Everyday Spirituality -founded on the verse “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness.”
The downside was prepping four talks when I had to do it either first thing in the morning (5-7) or last thing at night (10-11:30), and never when I was in the mood. The upside was getting to got to Albany for the camp (the camp itself was pretty good too – Ed). Albany has to be my favourite place in Australia – 420 kms from Perth and 420kms from Perth summer. Summer in Albany is always cooler, indeed it was only about 22 or 23 degrees C down there – and positively cold at night. Perth’s summer has been five months long and going strong (Englanders reading this be careful what you wish for – Ed) and it is driving us stir-crazy.
Albany is the oldest settlement in WA, has a beautiful but lethal coastline, and is full of old houses (old for WA anyway). Easter Camp in Albany is a bit of an institution. It has been running for years and the camp leader couple this year met at camp. That their 20 year old son was at camp tells you it’s been around a while.
More blogs soon
March 30th, 2008 at 12:39 am
It was brilliant catching up on Sat afternoon between your camp talks. As a dweller in one of the old Albany houses you mention, I naturally concur with your assessment. Apparently the number one reason in poles taken of people who have moved to Albany is for the weather. Its a pity that traditionally, as with many regional WA centres and towns, the perception among many in the demographic at the Easter camp (18 to 25) is that Albany is a place you must leave to find yourself. Somehow the magnetic pull of the large metropolis – inflated housing costs, hour long commutes, traffic congestion – can’t be resisted. As you know Rachael and I have found the opposite – having moved here in our late 20’s early 30’s. Its a bit difficult to feel like you’re missing something terribly important when you can be suit and tie in the office at 4:55pm and body surfing with the kids at 5pm (usually sans suit and tie). I have always sensed your jealousy, and I confess to a strange sense of satisfaction reading it officially in your blog! See you (and Jill, Sophie and Conor) down here again soon mate …..
BTW – have heard excellent feedback re the camp. You struck a real chord
March 30th, 2008 at 6:09 am
Welcome back.
Which beach is that?
You like Albany more than Perth?
We used to get taken from camp to the beach on the back of a cattle truck do they still do that?
March 30th, 2008 at 8:48 am
Hi Muz
Yeah – love the place and the trip down there confirmed it. Five months of hot weather here has left me stir crazy. I would move there tomorrow (with the family of course), but think it probably is not what I should do. Really enjoyed Easter Camp and have had some positive feedback. Talk soon
And Jonathan
I realised that you are from the Albany of old. No cattle trucks anymore on the beack, but quite a few four wheel drives. Loved the place and I drove dad past your old house for old-times sake.