- Home
- Books
- Personal
- Blogs
- Resources
- Gallery
- H2U
- Contact
- Site Map
- Search
There was a flood and a man had to scramble onto his roof in order to not be swept away and drowned. All around all he could see was the tops of trees, other roofs and floodwater. He was also staunchly a believer in God.
Another man came past in a small boat:
"Hey!" he called up "do you want help?"
"No, no" said the man on the roof, "I´ve prayed to God and I know he´ll help me."
So the man rowed away.
An hour later a lifeboat came along.
"Hey!" they called up, "do you want help?"
"No, no" said the man on the roof, "I´ve prayed to God and I know he´ll help me."
So the lifeboat went away.
Another hour passed and a helicopter flew past.
"Hey!" they called down, "do you want help?"
"No, no" said the man on the roof, "I´ve prayed to God and he´ll help me."
So the helicopter flew away.
The rain started again and the wind blew, and the man lost his grip on the wet roof tiles, slipped, fell into the water and was drowned.
In Heaven he marched angrily up to God and demanded: "I prayed for you to help me – but you didn´t, you are a fraud!"
God looked at him and said... "I sent a row boat, a lifeboat and a helicopter, but you didn´t want my help, so it´s your loss isn´t it?"
Evening Shep,
This is my ‘please excuse me note’ (you know like the fake ones delivered, supposedly written by Mum to ’Sir’ when homework had not been done). Except this one isn’t fake, and not written by my mum, who has long gone to the Great W.I. Coffee Morning in the Sky. So, please excuse me if I nod off before even the Spotlighters* arrive tonight. Its all your fault, of course…
There I was snuggled in my cosy bed at 06:35 this morning when the phone rang. Well we all know that the phone ringing at that unmentionable hour can only mean its an ‘uh-oh’ call…
"Have you got two Exmoor ponies and a donkey?" says the voice on the other end.
"Yes…" says I tentatively, wondering how a spam call centre in India could know this information.
"Well, you haven’t now - I’ve got them!" comes the merry laugh from my neighbour of about one mile away up the lane.
The four-legged so-and-sos had got out and toddled off to explore hadn’t they. (What’s wrong with the grass in their own field I ask?)
And that wasn’t all! Coming back down the lane with said three Houdinis, a load of sheep (not ours!) had got out as well, so it was quite a parade coming back along the lane.
"We need a shepherd!" we cried. But of course, YOU didn’t respond to said urgent plea, so we were left sorting out ponies, a donk (who is called Wonky Donk) and half-a-dozen awkward sheep at 07:30 in the morning.
Which means by the time you start babbling on tonight about not much at all, I’ll probably be in the land of nod. HAD you appeared when we needed you then I’d be wide awake and listening to whatever it is you’re nattering about this evening. Wouldn’t I? But you didn’t so I’m not.
Helen with the Hat
(p.s. I forgive you.)
"The characterisation is superb, the action scenes memorable, and the grasp of the political machinations is so good it's like an extra fix of Game of Thrones!
Arthur is at times very unlikeable: no modern man in fancy dress here but a man of his time - and that time was brutal.
As for Gwenhwyfar, I thought she was a brilliant heroine, at times strong, at times horribly vulnerable. Their relationship is compelling and feels true - no sickly romance here either!"
"Don't read this book (or any of the trilogy) expecting a tale of mystery, magic and Merlin. Rather a historian's view of what the real Arthur and Britain in the post-Roman, pre-Saxon age might have been like.
This is a time when Rome has deserted the British and the English are only just arriving from 'Germany' bringing with them upheaval and a constant struggle for power. A time when 1,000 soldiers is considered a major force and tribal and ethnic loyalties are constantly shifting.
As in real life many people are looking to the past and the glory of Rome while others want to look to the future. Not as clear a distinction as it sounds. Dirt, death, tragedy and a nicely dispassionate view of life and death keeps the books rocking along even though they are quite substantial.
I did manage to put it down but it did certainly keep me popping back as often as possible."