Happy New Year

So the end of 2004 is nigh and 2005 beckons, this evening I will welcome it in traditional Scottish fashion, in the company of those I love, full of good food and accompanied by the sound of a piper as midnight strikes.

It has not been a year of particular note in my life, no earth shattering changes or decisions made but by virtue of that not a bad year either just a normal 'pottering' year.

Perhaps one of the most notable changes was this, my foray into the blogosphere, something I began in the belief that I likely wouldn't continue for long and having no idea of the friends I would make all over the world. Those friends are now people who are so firmly part of my life, as is this blogging lark, that I find it hard to imagine that a year ago I had no idea of any of it and certainly not of the impact it would have in my life! What on earth did I do with my free time 'pre-blogosphere'?

All that remains then of 2004, before I rush off and make plans for the day, is to spare a thought for those around the world who are suffering and to wish all of you a very happy new year, may it bring to you peace, happiness and love......'meeting' you all has been a blast, long may it continue!

A VERY HAPPY 2005 TO YOU ALL


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The visit

This afternoon I'm off to collect my parents who's long awaited and much anticipated visit has finally arrived. I can't wait, patience has never been one of my virtues! Consequently this morning gemmaks-ville is a hive of activity and it's all systems go as I make the final preparations. Much food and beverage has been purchased and prepared, even I can make an effort in the culinary department when necessary and plans have been made.

To a point it's a cheat, it could be more involved but for the fact that as PG and I reside in only a one bedroom flat the parents choose to stay in a local hotel rather than oust us from our bed onto the floor. They tell me it's 'age', they are used to their creature comforts and prefer an en-suite and room service to four adults stumbling over one another in a space made for two!

Now there by hangs a tale, the hotel they have chosen is some cause for concern to PG and I. It is a perfectly nice establishment in a beautiful village not 5 miles away, unfortunately it also houses the bar frequented by the local rugby club who are not renowned for 'drinking quietly' on festive occasions and more pointedly PG's ex-wife (draw your own conclusion there) who to this day remains somewhat 'unfriendly' where we are concerned. You have to bear in mind here this is a very small area where all and sundry like to and indeed do, for the most part, take a great 'interest' in the lives of others! We did our best, we warned them but they where not to be put off....all we can do now is attempt to maintain a low profile and hope that on new years eve we can party late enough into the night that the decibel level has dropped by the time we return them to the place!

So what are we going to do in this gale swept corner of Scotland during the visit, I have no idea, well I have a few ideas, aside from eating, drinking and much chattering but most options are dependent on the weather conditions so only time will tell. New years eve we are booked into a local hostelry complete with excellent fare, real ale (a must for my father) and complete with a piper to see in 2005. I did attempt to persuade PG to hire the full bit, kilt, sporran etcetera, etcetera, for the night but it was not to be!

So for now I'm gone....off to make my final preparations in the hope that all runs smoothly.....famous last words! heh.

Today's sunset was ok too!

It's been an odd day here today...........rain all day accompanied by dark skies but at sunrise and sunset....spectacular! This evening everywhere was bathed in a strong purple and orange light for a time changing the colours of everything, completely beautiful.

I promise I did nothing more to get these pics than 'point and shoot' and have not manipulated them subsequently.


Sunset ~ 29.12.2004


Sunset.

Red sky

I think the saying goes: "Red sky at night shepherds delight, red sky in the morning shepherds warning".....and today it was borne out with uncanny accuracy. Within 5 minutes of these pictures being shot the sky was black and heavy rain was falling. Not I might add the snow that seems to have been forecast locally for days on end and is yet to materialise!


On fire ~ Sunrise 19.12.04


Sunrise 29.12.2004

10 things......

..... we learned about blogs.... courtesy of 'TIME Magazine'.

Regulars here might notice a recurring subject in this item!

Tsunami, a sad irony

I like the rest of the world have sat over the last few days listening to news reports concerning the disaster that is unfolding in Asia. For us in the Western world and certainly for me, the sheer scale and numbers involved is barely conceivable. Whole villages and families wiped out in a few minutes, thus far over 20000 people have lost their lives and millions have been rendered homeless, losing everything they posses in the world. It is with a tragic certainty that we know these figures will only rise in the coming days.

As I have listened and watched these reports with a heavy heart and disbelief I have been struck strongly by a strange and perhaps sad irony in the human condition and psyche.

How many of us, myself included, have spent hours over the holiday season in pursuit of 'entertainment' in the form of televised drama, be it the durge that is soap opera or man made horrors committed to DVD and video? We tune into the likes of Coronation Street, Eastenders and Emmerdale and lap up the small disasters and traumas that writers have penned for us. We sit on the edge of our seats in anticipation to enjoy films such as The day after tomorrow, Twister and Titanic and we follow avidly the likes of Casualty as it's inhabitants suffer one disaster and death after another.

I am no different in this, I watch these 'gems', nay, even look forward to some of them and yet I am struck again as we watch a true horror unfold for millions in Asia, of how odd, we as a species can be. On one hand we feel genuine sympathy and horror for the individuals and countries concerned, we mobilise aid in various forms and for those with a faith (and maybe even those without) pray for these poor souls whilst on the other hand we choosing to attempt to experience as closely as possible via film and television these very types of events for entertainment!

Of course we know as rational beings that what is committed to film is 'only a film' it is not real, we can differentiate and set one part of our mind aside for the strange pleasure derived from the perceived excitement, whilst feeling genuine sadness for the reality of true human suffering but I wonder, how many of us would still find such box office hits entertainment had we been unfortunate enough to be in Asia this week?

Add to that irony for one moment another, the ever present issue of economics. Here we have a world, that with barely a thought will spend millions of whatever currency in the making of a box office hit depicting disaster on a massive scale for our 'enjoyment'. Conversely, the same world considered just last year, that the millions required to set up an early warning sysytem in the Indian Ocean, to warn the population of a forthcoming natural disaster, was not economically viable......somewhere we have got it very wrong.

Good food, good times and a cat!

I was invited for Boxing day to a neighbours, a couple who moved in about a year ago and have become firm friends. I have to admit to being very slightly daunted at the prospect of spending the day with their families, who I had never met, but off I went at the appointed time to walk the journey to my destination.....3 doors away!

What a fab day! The welcome was warm as ever it is by the Scots, a band of merry folk all having a traditionally merry time. We ate copious amounts of excellent food, played games, watched a film and laughed all day long. The children present had long since heard of Ditto's existence, she 'visits' my neighbour on frequent occasions for 'treats' and so after lunch a request was made that she be bought to join in the festivities.

PG arrived home from work and came to join us.......cat in arms...... and the party continued. Ditto of course became the star turn for the children, she performed suitably in her usual fashion. She attacked the tree, chewed the wires behind the television, ate turkey and finally made her way to our hosts bedroom, made a nest in their bed and fell asleep for a few hours! Hell.....and they say kids will always let you down!

By late evening we were all fading fast, we gradually made our respective exits and headed into the cold frosty night for home. As our new friends scraped their windscreens and started their engines we pottered the few yards to our door........with cat trailing a few feet behind, none to happy at having been ousted from her new found bed!

Golf??

It would seem I was a little premature in my excitement at the onset of the snowfall last night, just as it began to settle and create the perfect white Christmas image it stopped and the as ever strong winds blew it all into little piles in the gutter! Pffttt.

PG on his homeward journey from his day at work was heartily relieved, knowing full well that should any substantial accumulation of the white stuff be present by the time he arrived home he would be badgered into donning wellies and going for a 'quick' walk to make the most of the winter wonderland! Well, one can't just leave it there all white and pristine and untouched by human footprint can one?

It was not to be and instead, to his greater happiness, he collapsed infront of the tv clutching an assortment of festive victuals and watched golf! Golf?? on Christmas night?? Yup, golf it was.......I could hardly deny him I suppose!

Yayyyyy.....

........it's snowing!!!

Guacamole and chocolate

Who needs the gift?

Despite the fact that I doubt there are many people out there in the blogosphere today to read this, the temptation to post on Christmas day was too strong and thus here I am. It's my first blogging Christmas, I am alone, I just had to do it!

PG and I were woken at a reasonably civilised hour by my niece 'testing' her new cell phone, I should perhaps put the word 'reasonable' in context here for we are talking about a 10 years old child in full Christmas swing. It was before 8am! My only surprise was that it was not 5am! I'm not sure it was her parents ideal choice of gift for her but months of wearing down by well honed juvenile pressure saw them give in. It is however said child's ideal gift, though I think it highly unlikely she will have any credit left past this evening!

So having been woken from our slumber we ventured toward what had been yesterday evening been a large, tidy pile of gifts under our tree........Ditto had seemingly had a fun filled night dragging those she could move to various new locations about the living room and into the hallway!

The morning was pleasant, we did the 'unwrapping thing', called a few friends and family and got called a few more times by same niece still in 'testing mode' and then PG had to leave for work.

It's quite peculiar to be alone on Christmas day...... very quiet though it does have it's benefits. If I must be on my own then I'm gonna make the most of it. I have soaked in the bath, watched White Christmas on tv (something PG would have grumbled about had he been here, heh) and stuffed my self with copious amounts of tortilla chips, humous, guacamole, olives and every conceivable permutation known to woman-kind, of chocolate. This may not be traditional Christmas fare but it's not a traditional Christmas for me so I can eat untraditional things!

Things could be a lot worse, for the remainder of the day I have various bits of new gadgetry to fiddle with, two new books to peruse, Coronation Street to watch unfettered by anyone complaining and my one person Christmas dinner is ready and waiting to hit the oven.

Oh.....and I doubt many of you out there can boast a pair of subtly (not) fuschia coloured meowing slippers to amuse yourselves with! Yes, they really meow......much to Ditto's consternation!

Yes, things could be alot worse. :o)

HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF YOU.


Meow!

A Christmas message

Some of you, my friends in the blogosphere asked to hear my accent...... so you got it!

My apologies for the slightly less than professional sound quality and for perhaps sounding a little terrified, talking to the wall is not the easiest task I have undertaken! heh.

To listen to the message click here.

The file is 587kb and will need downloading from the host page.

A VERY HAPPY AND PEACEFUL CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!

An all too familiar sight!

Merry Christmas from Ditto and Poppy!

Christmas excitement and howling gales

21 hours, 13 of them spent driving, 587 miles and some horrendous gales later we finally made it home this morning in the wee small hours.

Yesterday's journey south to visit my sister and nieces was an eventful one to say the least. As luck would (n't) have it we woke to what the met. office referred to as 'severe gales' and lashing rain, the thought that perhaps we shouldn't be driving so far in such inclement conditions crossed our minds but with two small children to disappoint at the other end and no other day to make the journey we set off undaunted.

Never have I driven in such a wind, for a large part until the route brings one into Newcastle city the road is unsheltered from the sea and we took a sustained battering from heavy sidewinds. Having made it to the 'real world' things didn't improve....... there were sections of trees dismembered by the force of the gale, overturned lorries and long, long hold up's to be circumnavigated and tolerated. The miles dragged on slowly and tiringly, I don't recall ever having to hang onto a car to such a degree that my arms ached and my hands went 'dead'.

Having finally made it to a service station to partake of some much needed coffee and to avail ourselves of the 'facilities' we were, to add to our aggravation, confronted with a 'roving reporter', satellite truck a-glow with technology, endeavouring to interview for 'Radio 5 live' on how the days intrepid travellers might make the roads better! No chance, we were not in the mood, I doubt anything we had to say at that moment would have been fit for broadcast anyways..... he didn't miss in us his best interview of the day, he can be rest assured!

Horror of horrors, once inside this delightful 'service'(not) station we discover they have the audacity to only serve instant coffee, out of desperation for caffeine in any form, we suffered that along with a rigid Danish pastry that I doubt had ever even heard of Denmark, paid the outrageous price that is as ever inherent for such obnoxious fare in these nasty ports of call and set off on our way again, with PG firmly behind the wheel for the second stage.

Eventually we made it to our destination and unbelievably only an hour or so later than our ETA, fell through the door to a caffetiere of heavenly coffee and two children full of glee...... who required peeling off the ceiling intermittently as a result of excitement at the forthcoming occasion. It was all worth it!

We played, we chatted, we laughed and we snuck bags of gifts from the car to hiding places in the house with some difficulty, whilst maintaining secrecy from two small excited children, who are still young enough to believe in Father Christmas.

My parents arrived mid afternoon and the group was complete, at last it felt like Christmas. It felt good to all be together, we rarely are nowadays and the conversation, food and fun flowed freely.....a nice, warm feeling pervaded, along with much hilarity at the antics of the offspring......and then it was time for us to go. How is it that things one looks forward to for so long are over so quickly?

Off we set again into the night and the gales, small children, as anticipated hanging onto us begging us to remain.....like we needed to be persuaded!! Somehow the fact of earning a living and the necessity of going to work on Christmas day is lost and inconceivable to 7 and 10 year olds.....and so it should be..... but it was no help to us! :o) We departed amid promises of phone calls on Christmas morning and emailed photographs of the children 'unwrapping' almost as it happens.

My brother in law's parting shot, over the sound of wind and children's excitement was that my exhaust sounds like it's 'blowing'....oh happiness!

The return journey was no improvement on the outbound one, though one small and unexpected pleasure was gleaned when we stopped at services to inflict on ourselves once again, the insipid and noxious instant coffee. PG's lighter ran out (yes we both smoke!), in desperation he asked another intrepid traveller for a light, the guy he asked turned round to respond and with laughter and much amazement the pair of them realised they where friends from long ago who have since lost contact! Some rapid catching up followed to the accompaniment of the roof still rattling in the wind and off we all set again. The guy in question, even more coincidentally was travelling to and from exactly the same destinations as us, just in the opposite direction...... Small world!!

And so we finally arrived home, fed two cats, opened the days mail and fell into bed without further ado.

This morning the gale seems to have subsided and we have snow forecast. PG is on the road again headed for Edinburgh with a friend. The pair of them leave their Christmas shopping always until Christmas eve and go together, I think it's a male bonding thing! I seem to have a mountain of last minute chores to do.....how do they grow when one dares to take one day away?.........oh, and having been absent for 22 hours and asleep for 6, courtesy of Ditto I have a Christmas tree in dire need of some repair and re-arrangement!!!

Sleeping bag!

A rapid offering before we hit the road....Ditto's take on helping with the shopping yesterday!


Sleeping bag

Check out the timestamp...ugh!