18th April is World Heritage Day. Something close to Paul's heart, as a conservationist, is the destruction of archaeological sites. He was always angry about the destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas in Afghanistan in 2001 and wrote quite a lot about them on his blog. They lay along the Silk Road and were blown up by the Islamic Taliban. It would be impossible to put the pieces together again. So on this day I mark out the futility of war and especially religious wars.
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For a favourite bird. A/F mentioned the curlew he had heard up on the moors yesterday, they are here, their bubbling joyous voices sounding over the grass land. The video is four minutes long and there are plenty of videos of the curlew' songs that are much shorter, but the one below was recorded at Hadrian's Wall.
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And as its Easter, the little Scottish girl musing on eggs, rabbits and Jesus.
I remember the destruction of the Buddha statues. It was just terrible, and not a way to win people and make friends.
ReplyDeleteJohn Piper the artist painted Coventry Cathedral on fire in 1940 is a sad reminder of destruction but of course it got rebuilt. The Buddhas represent calmness and peace but they came up against angry forces.
DeleteI reminded of the song lyrics: "War! What is it good for? Absolutely nothing!"
ReplyDeleteI had to check and it looks like we don't have curlews in Illinois. Lovely sound - thanks for sharing.
I think they are more a Northern bird Ellen either living here over winter or migrating North.
DeleteWe have Curlews here on the moorland nearby. Always good to see/hear one. As for the destruction - desecration - of ancient irreplacable archaeology. I hope Karma has been to visit them already.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen one but have seen black grouse up on the moors Jennie. Curlews are incredibly graceful with the long beak and legs. But I have always loved to hear them in spring.
ReplyDeleteThe sound of the curlew - so plaintive with an element of accusation. Clever how the father set up the charming interaction with Isla. The destruction of the ancient Buddhas - heartbreaking and fuelled by ignorance.
ReplyDeleteAs all war destruction is Y/P. Buddha was such a peace loving god though.
ReplyDeletecurlew, meadow pipit, even some geese in there...... very nice soundtrack
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it. It is a sound that makes me think of the moors.
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