Fegrig

Squelch!

2012-01-29T13:51:00.001Z

A lot of rain has fallen recently, too much for the clay soil to handle.

So the water sits atop of the ground, collecting in pools behind the raised edge of the last print of the boot to pass through.

Waiting for either a mass to push it down to the stream or more likely at this time of year for it to freeze into cracknel topped puddles.

I hasten to add this is not my garden which although waterlogged does not yet resemble this picture. Having the advantage of a downward gradient allows for a certain degree of run off.

It's still muddy, squelchy even and clearly the conditions where Wellington boots need to be worn.

Like in this picture really, these boots are not Wellingtons and their waterproof ability is not what it was. Must go before I get wet socks.

Park run pics

2012-01-28T13:59:00.001Z

Finally some pics from this morning.
The information board and the masses waiting on the "gun" well the guy who said
"1 to get ready, 2 to get steady and 3 to GO!"
(he didn't really)

Park run part 2

2012-01-28T13:16:00.001Z

Puff, pant, nnng.
I did it, I finished not the best of efforts but happy with it. At least I finished before the old runner with legs like pipe cleaners, one of the three dogs and most of the children.
Here's some video taken afterwards.
Sorry about the width of the video I'm still experimenting.
Finally a big thanks to the Edinburgh Parkrun team, my first today but not the last (have to beat the other two dogs!) and I will help out with marshalling too.

YouTube Video

Park run part 1

2012-01-28T12:52:00.001Z

Hello
So up at the crack of dawn, well actually before that to get some fuel down my throat for this mornings exertions.
Back to bed for a nap, then up again to get myself ready for the Parkrun.

YouTube Video

Spring is coming

2012-01-28T00:27:00.001Z

Walking back from the post office a few hours ago I was aware that despite the time the darkness had not yet enveloped everything.

The setting sun provided an orange back drop to the mundane street scene. The still bare trees stood out very well against the lighting and scenery.

With the light staying around that little bit longer each day and
song birds providing the sound track it did indeed feel as if Spring was not far away.

I've come back

2012-01-26T16:53:00.001Z

Hello,
I have decided to come back to blogger from Posterous which is a good blog hosting site, no doubt but in my opinion changes it has made have made the "back end" more difficult to navigate. In that respect it is easier here.

So here I am and hopefully I will stay here for a bit.

You will see from the imported posts from elsewhere that some of the images are way too big and don't look too clear but they will fade into the past and over time images will be formatted for blogger.

The video and audio posts made onto Posterous will stay there but a link to the original post sits at the bottom. One of the problems is that you cannot easily move your own content from Posterous and so it stays.

I have decided to post audio to AudioBoo and video to You Tube, why not everybody else does. This will at least work around the concern that my own content is locked in.

So here we go into the brave renewed blogger world......

Dusk

2012-01-20T21:50:00.000Z

Taken with picplz.

Brush strokes in the sky

2012-01-20T01:25:00.000Z

Taken with picplz.

Shadow

2012-01-16T20:41:00.000Z

Taken with picplz.

The road to.......

2012-01-15T11:33:00.002Z

Taken with picplz.

Trees

2012-01-12T00:25:00.000Z

Taken with picplz.

Meccano for grown ups?

2012-01-10T21:21:00.000Z

Taken with picplz.

175 stairs to street level

2012-01-09T20:18:00.000Z

9th January 2012

Walking off the street into the tiled foyer of the underground station I was met by a wall of song.

At first I thought it was a group of South Sea Islanders indulging in the performance art of "flash haka". No it was not the choreographed (but not really) and spontaneous (not that either) collection of men performing a Polynesian call to arms.

The makers of the noise were just out of sight but it soon became clear that this was no choir readying itself to serenade a young lady into submission before her beau "pops the question" on the tube. No it was a herd of men singing themselves into a football frenzy en route to their game.

How tiresome and noisy. I certainly did not want to share the lift downwards with this scarf wielding rock opera. I spied the stairs and descended.

The sign said 175 stairs, the disembodied voice from the overhead tannoy added the descriptor that the 175 stairs = 15 storeys. Not a problem and I had gravity to help me down.

Gravity of the liquid variety, falling down juice to some certainly had a grip of the bloke in front as he weaved from the broad edge to the stairs narrow centre. The dribbling he was involved in was from his nose. As I followed I wondered if he would be soon travelling the quicker route down, sliding on his rear.

The desired level was soon reached and as I sat waiting on my train the musical efforts of the football groupies cruised through the tunnels. I don't know who will win and I don't particularly care. I do wonder, by the nights end who will be singing for joy and who will be treading the football stairs that lead to "going down"?

Light at the End?

2012-01-08T22:20:00.000Z

8th January 2012

Up the darkened path, through the short tunnel the railway towards the meeting.

What will it bring?
More of the same?
What will prevail reactivity or pro activity ?
Will there be light.......?

I'm out and about

Metal & Light

2012-01-07T18:19:00.000Z

Taken with picplz.

Flow the video

2012-01-06T23:28:00.000Z

6th January 2012

I'm out and about

Flow

2012-01-06T22:03:00.000Z

6th January 2012

Last day of my hols and I decided to venture a bit further afield to a woodland that I haven't walked through for five years.

It was free from the usual soundtrack of the modern world. The spaces that were open are now wooded providing a familiar but unknown landscape. Only the sights and sounds of nature providing an accompaniment to the footfall of our collective feet.

The water still flows its path as it has done since I last walked there. Despite the chill, the calm kept me warm as I sat and watched, thinking of the good times past and those still to flow.

Shadows

2012-01-05T22:04:00.000Z

Taken with picplz.

Force of nature

2012-01-04T13:26:00.000Z

p41.mov Watch on Posterous

4th January 2012

New Town, old lights

2012-01-03T21:59:00.000Z

3rd January 2011

The city today has had the strongest winds for many years whistling through it. Some newer housing had their roof fly away, some had chimneys crash to the road below, others had their windows fall in.

These houses in the "New Town" have been sitting taking whatever the elements have thrown at them for over 200 years and are still standing, apparently not the worse for wear.

I think they knew how to build back then.

I'm out and about

Inspiration for imagination

2012-01-02T21:30:00.000Z

2nd January 2012

I was driving through Edinburgh this evening just as dusk was falling. This failing light coupled with weather, that was at the least indecisive, at most vindictive displayed another side of the city's personality. The rain then sleet then rain thrown around in a biting wind provided a chill that visitors may recognise but residents are attuned to.

The brooding conditions could easily have provided the background for some mystery or detective tale. It is no surprise that the likes of Stevenson, Doyle and Rankin found these streets to be such a rich and fertile field on which to sow their crop of prose.

My rug

2012-01-01T22:10:00.000Z

1st January 2012

I'm not one of life's collectors, a hoarder on occasion perhaps but not really a collector. However if I had money and more importantly rooms to house them in, I would collect rugs.

My liking for such things first came to light during the time I worked in Saudi Arabia in the early 1990's. Finding rugs there was not a hard thing to do with most malls and streets having stores that sold rugs and carpets. Such is the Arabian tradition for rugs and carpets.

The best examples of these are hand made with wool. Some of the more expensive examples are woven from silk. Like a fine wine or foodstuff the provenance of each of these carpets could be supplied. Some design styles are particular to certain areas of Asia minor and the near east. Each tells a tale or like a meticulously prepared modern day Bayeux Tapestry, captures the events of their maker's day.

The design, the colours used, the quality and number of the knots on the underside are all part of the story.

This rug below was purchased one evening in the souk devoted to rugs and carpets, known rather imaginatively by English speaking visitors as the "carpet souk".

This was a small collection of ramshackle shops under a modern carriageway that flows over this old part of Jeddah.

The shop was small and smelt of carpets, mint tea and Arabic coffee. The walls were invisible, it seemed that the roof of the shop was being held up by pillars of flat, tightly knotted wool.

The visit which lasted several hours, included being shut in the shop during evening prayer. Shops and businesses have to close during prayer which enables those within to attend their local mosque or not as was the case.

Once the size was decided upon, the appropriate heap of rugs was peeled back layer by layer. If a rug appealed it was laid aside. All deliberations fuelled by the mint tea that the shop "junior" had been instructed to collect from the local tea shop.

At the end of this scrutiny process the handful were further pared down to the final two choices.

With my string tied bundle atop my shoulder I walked into the warm evening, hailed a taxi and returned to my side of town.

I'm out and about

A Single Candle

2011-12-31T21:07:00.000Z

31st December 2011

The old year is almost done, like a candle that has ran it's course.

Or could the candle signify the new year, newly lit, it burns brightly illuminating whatever dark times may be lurking in 2012.

Personally it's just the subject for today's picture and more importantly an aid to think positively for the year ahead.

Without meaning to sound like Radio 4's "thought for the day", two sentences come to my mind in relation to this candle

Firstly a proverb

"it is better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness"

In other words I think it's better to do something positive however small than to dwell on the perceived negatives of a situation.

Secondly a quotation from Buddha

"thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared."

Have a happy and peaceful 2012

The end

2011-12-30T10:50:00.000Z

Taken with picplz.

I'm not leg less!

2011-12-29T21:19:00.000Z

Taken with picplz.

Criminal records

2011-12-28T15:29:00.000Z

27th December 2011
Like many of you I have records.

No, not a criminal one, although some would say the sound playing in the background is!

I mean vinyl.

I have uncovered my limited collection of albums and the singles are still lurking somewhere in order to record them onto my computer hard drive and from there onto whatever digital thing is in my pocket.

I don't have that many, partly because I couldn't afford them at the time and partly because in some moment of madness my Dad gave them away!

Do you detect an emotional scar there?

So here I am with vinyl spinning at 33rpm on a turntable connected by a cable to the lap top which is sucking in the songs.

On leafing through the pieces of plastic I've found that most of the songs I want I've actually purchased on a later CD or indeed as a single track download.

Playing just now is an early Simple Minds album, the music is taking me back to a sweaty club venue in Edinburgh about 30 years ago. It was a still, cold December night outside but as these venues can be it was hot, sweaty and jumping inside.

On stage the band thumped out their early limited repertoire, mega stardom and vast stadia tours still a few years hence. The front man Jim Kerr was dressed in some style cross over of new age romanticism with a hint of le desert by Gaddafi.

His limbs cavorted around, it seemed at times independently from his body as he led the throng in the dance.

To be honest I had little idea of who they were. The memory of asking for their single
"I Go"
Rather than the correct
"I Travel"
Still brings a warmth to my cold cheeks at the recollection.

So here I sit listening, reminiscing and wondering what happened to my wardrobe from that era now that would be a blog post. It can't be replicated either the designer having recently met with an unfortunate (for him) end. His own criminal records catching up with him.

National Gallery of Scotland

2011-12-28T10:02:00.000Z

Taken with picplz.

St Giles

2011-12-23T21:31:00.000Z

Taken with picplz.

Waiting for Christmas

2011-12-21T21:21:00.000Z

Taken with picplz.

The Clock Tower, SW1A 0AA

2011-12-19T20:46:00.000Z

Taken with picplz.

Icing sugar woods

2011-12-19T20:04:00.000Z

p66.mov Watch on Posterous

19th December 2011

Occasionally a walk in the makes you realise that the woods are not just there for having a beautiful place to take the dogs.

Timber!

2011-12-18T14:38:00.000Z

Taken with picplz.

Jaws!

2011-12-18T12:30:00.000Z

18th December 2011

20111217_100147.m4a Listen on Posterous

3 ?

2011-12-17T09:20:00.000Z

Taken with picplz.

The labyrinth

2011-12-16T13:50:00.000Z

Taken with picplz.

Impressionist?

2011-12-12T23:52:00.000Z

Taken with picplz.

City Hall, Belfast

2011-12-11T23:50:00.000Z

Taken with picplz.

BOGOF

2011-12-11T21:06:00.000Z

p27.mov Watch on Posterous

10th December 2011
The eggs that one of the chickens has been popping have been of the XXL variety, here's why.....

200th photo, thanks for your support

2011-12-08T22:15:00.000Z

Taken with picplz.

The iced coffee experience @ TimHortons

2011-11-25T19:43:00.000Z

25/11/2011
The whole cold coffee thing has certainly moved on from the now cold cup that someone made you two hours ago. Sitting cold and unloved.

No now it's all iced that and frappe this. Some bring high expectations after you hand over the cash and most fail to deliver.

All the coffee chains and the small independents provide this beverage for you and I have largely been moved just a little by the experience.

However a new winner has emerged on my top ten list that of the chilled latte from the Canadian fast food and coffee chain - Tim Hortons.

This is just want I've looked for as it's basically a coffee slush puppy. Good coffee taste, not too sweet, chilled and it refreshes.

Along with a maple frosted doughnut it's pretty sound as a mid morning or mid anything num num.

There is however a problem, it's 3000 miles away!

This is not one but a poor example of the genre.

I'm out and about

The toughest job in the world?

2011-11-23T22:10:00.000Z

22/11/2011

It was my decision I - unlike certain English Rugby Players in the 2011 World Cup - could have walked out of the bar.

No, my stomach decided otherwise it needed food and the bar diner was what it had in mind.

As I walked in, I saw the faux chalk board announcing that Karaoke was starting every Wednesday, and tonight was the night.

I ordered my food, checked out the X Factor wannabe location and picked a table in another room. Far away I hoped but not as far away as the speed of sound.

Now I don't know your views on the old 'Oke. I've thought about it as something that might be fun. In 1999 we considered stepping into a bar in Toronto to bash out a song. However as our relationship was at an early stage we made a mutual excuse not to. Perhaps a smart move as neither of us are song thrushes and we're still happily together.

In Tokyo the four of us considered booking a room in a Karaoke venue. Much more civilised, you buy your own space and submit your own group to the vocal torture, rather than the UK version of alienating your bar peers. However when you can torture your teen sons for free with your warbling at home why subject them to mortal embarrassment overseas?

So tonight we've had some really ropey renditions. I think though it's one table comprising of the Woman who likes Madonna who sounds as if many hours have been spent in front of the mirror with the hair brush. Sitting beside her we have the guy who thinks he's a rock god who must be bald as he has had no time with his hairbrush in front of the mirror. These two have even duetted - joy!

We've had various others signing up to do their bit to clear pigeons or loitering youth with their musical efforts. High pitched, low pitch and no pitch along with all types of deafness of the tone variety.

Some have quite clearly been taking advantage of the goods on offer with the beer and wine adding nothing at all to their performance, apart from making the song words harder to read perhaps.

It's getting worse I think three chums are singing now? "Think we're alone now" the song by Tiffany from the early1980's.
They really are with the bar emptying rapidly they really are S***. Forgive the French but it's true, honestly, they are!

The guy is charge, is there a noun? Is a great liar as he has clearly stated without faltering that there is "talent in tonight". He perhaps could be referring to the waiting staff and their waiting expertise. Perhaps he is referring the the little known Italian town of Tonight where retired Diva's live.

The strange thing about the KJ? Is that he is Australian and I would think he is either deranged or desperate. Why else would you travel from there to here to be in charge of a Karaoke?

It surely must be the worst job in the world?

I'm out and about but not singing.

Winter where are you?

2011-11-22T00:44:00.000Z

21/11/2011

Since the return from my holidays I have decided that I need a better climate. Nothing wrong with the one I live in - well there is, but more of that later.

By better I mean seasons, proper seasons.

I'm not picky I'm not looking for the traditional four, perhaps in these days of global warming four is a distant, never to be seen again memory type thing. So two or three would be fine, thank you.

I want a summer that is a summer, I can deal with the heat just now at time age but not too hot thanks, wouldn't do the growing any good, just a right degree of hotness. Shorts, sandals and a hat, with some freckles on my arms and other exposed bits.

What I really want though is a winter not this guffy, damp, mild thing that's going about just now. I'm back into shorts and the heating has gone off again because the house is just too hot.

On our walks today the sun was out early this morning and in my fleece jacket I was heating up and this evening the dogs were having a reaction as if it was spring, all hot and panting.

We have had midges buzzing around!, there are buds on some of the trees! I just want a cold and preferbaly crisp, bright day. Hovering about 1 degree centigrade would be fine. Wind, no you can keep that. Rain no, let the moisture fall as snow.

I'm not asking much and perhaps I might spend 6 months here and 6 months in a North American or Scandinavian winter, but perhaps I should try them for a week or two before signing up?

Abbey Road

2011-11-20T10:54:00.000Z

20/11/2011

In a tribute today the Chickens decided to present their version of the famous cover from the Beatles album "Abbey Road".

This album from April 1969 was the Liverpudlians most popular release.

When asked if they were to take the homage further the Chickens said that an album would follow including such classics as "A Hard Lays Night"

"We Can Push It Out"

"Henny Lane"

"Egg Shell"

"And Your Hen Can Cluck"

When asked if they liked Beatles the unanimous reply from the Clucking Combo was that they preferred worms.

I'm out and about

Chains

2011-11-19T23:58:00.000Z

19th October 2011

The chain lay against the quay side. One end connected to the anchor point on the harbour wall the other submerged.

The water was still, clear but you could sense chillingly cold. The ducks and fish were the only things moving in the water. The flotilla of small boats bobbed in the gentle swell. None occupied, all closed with hatches battened down for the winter. Hibernating and waiting for the sun to return with more warmth than the day of the photo. Was that the chain clinking against the stone quay side or my teeth?

I'm out and about

Telephone Line

2011-11-18T22:48:00.000Z

18th October 2011

During our recent trip to North America we experienced the earliest snow falls to New England for forty years.

Being so early - relatively speaking - the snow caused more trouble than would be usual. The snow fell on the trees or more specifically the autumnal leaves still sitting on the trees. The increased weight caused the trees to be top heavy and many, many trees toppled over that night.

As some toppled they did so against the overhead power and telephone lines. Snapping lines as they fell.

It seemed strange that first of all in this corner of a world power they take so little care of their over head cabling. The second was that the lines look so flimsy, as the picture shows.
Finally why were the trees allowed to grow near the overhead lines anyway?

So 600,000 people experienced snapped lines that night and some several weeks later were still without power.

Seems strange all for the want of a chain saw.

Boston Canyon?

2011-11-16T21:10:00.000Z

16th November 2011

Boston, Massachusetts is considered to be the cradle of the modern United States.

As you wander around the city or indeed if you chose to follow the "Freedom Trail", (the tourist path that passes by many historic sites), you see dates that mirror the early New England settlers.

A date that would be one in a millennia of Scottish history. Met there with muted interest when compared with the depth of history we have at home. In Boston though it is a different story the dates from the early 1600's are cherished, revered, unique in this lands history.

The contrast between old and new is striking one street has a graveyard with early patriots and pilgrims resting in peace. Around the next corner the stereotypical American landscape, a man made landscape of steel and stone. Accentuated by the narrow streets still there from yesteryear.

What would those early European inhabitants say about present day Boston and its modern day canyons?

HMS Sunset

2011-11-16T00:32:00.000Z

I'm out and about

Scooby Doo?

2011-10-24T14:17:00.000+01:00

23rd October 2011
The other night whilst out walking I decided to explore the dark, wind swept end of Brighton Pier.

During the summer months I have no doubt it has a life of its own as families pay their money and indulge in the roller coasters. Keeping their candy floss from flying into their hair on the log flume and trying vainly to prevent whip lash on the dodgem cars.

On an early winters night it was so different, the rides locked and covered for the season. Familiar shapes becoming eery in the gloom. The wind adding the required atmospheric to the imagination as I felt I had walked onto the set of a " Scooby Doo" cartoon mystery.

Walking around I felt that the ghost from the horror house would appear and scare me off the site. This of course would be no ghost but Mr Smith the wicked developer. Who by scaring the fayre ground visitors away would then offer the beleaguered fayre owners a paltry sum, before using the land in some shady property / natural resource type scandalous deal.

Have taken the required photo's and spent longer walking around than I had intended, my stomach advised me that Scooby Snacks were required so off I went to find dinner. Of course constantly keeping a watch over my shoulder for Mr Smith dressed as a ghost!

I'm out and about

Autumnal Calm

2011-10-16T23:56:00.000+01:00

16th October 2011
Hello,

Great walk today, sunny, quiet, the occasional breeze undressing the leaves from the trees. The branches swaying gently.

So if you can excuse the shoogly camera, the back ground snuffles of a dog rooting around the autumnal carpet.

Lose yourself in the Autumnal calm it's 30 seconds well spent.

I'm out and about

Fly tipping

2011-10-10T23:29:00.000+01:00

10th October 2011
Out with the wolves this evening and at the start of the path into the woods, This!

Smashed and broken bathroom porcelain dumped by some selfish ? (complete with the descriptor of your choice).

Just to save whoever, a bit extra effort or the fee to properly dispose of the building waste, they dump their rubbish.

Not in some waste centre but in the countryside to cause a non biodegradable eye sore. Not wishing to sound like some fervent right winger, it is a disgrace and makes me angry and sad that people care so little for our green space.

Speech over :(

Pass the paracetamol

2011-10-10T00:31:00.000+01:00

9th October 2011
A mental challenge, an assault on ones psychological equilibrium. That's the sort of afternoon and evening it's been.
Home and now fed, the headache being treated with paracetamol and bed.
Unbowed and already possible solutions are coming to mind on the best way forward for when we do it all over again in four weeks time.
Activism here we come!

I'm out and about

Run, Fegrig Run

2011-10-08T22:01:00.000+01:00

8th October 2011

One constant all these years has been my ability to run.

Running in some playground game, or with a ball in hand, sometimes over obstacles and my favourite, running as fast as my wee legs will carry me in a straight line. I can remember occasions when I've put my running shoes on as if they were only yesterday. The joy at achieving the goal, of facing the challenge. Perhaps never the fastest but it's all relative.

My running shoes have travelled far and wide, sometimes packed for a specific event but mostly to trundle somewhere new.

In thunderstorms, in snow, in searing heat, city and country, night and day I've chugged along.

Injuries have been experienced, strains, sprains, tears. Some leaving scars, others healing with the assistance of people in white coats. My attitude is sanguine, all of these injuries being an experiences, each one a story, an adventure. There are many with much worse to tell and endure.

So that's my shoes the latest pair to help me

run Fegrig run.

I'm out and about

Grey

2011-10-05T22:53:00.000+01:00

5th October 2011
I was driving past a primary school today. The time was pick up time. Even without looking at the clock in the middle of the dash board, one could tell it was that time.

The give away, the chronological prompt? It was the line of cars on both sides of the street, some occupied, some empty as the driver waited on the pavement.
It was school "collect child" time.

The weather was mild, windy and soon to be rainy. Not an unusual meteorological set of conditions for this neck of the woods.

The lines of cars though would suggest that many of the children would be transported in their own mini climate back to their home and another mini climate. Exposure to the elements not allowed, it seems.

Now there will have been some of these cars whose owners had a legitimate reason for driving to the school but the majority. C'mon?

I remember having a good 30 minute walk from primary school to home with not a car in sight. They had been invented but we didn't have one.

Regardless of the weather up and down to school I trudged in my little pair (I was little) of grey shorts, grey jumper with black collar, grey below knee socks with again the black ribbed top - school colours, school shirt probably grey again, and my black and white striped tie. On a day like today the school wool blazer would have kept me warm. If the weather was particularly cold however the duffle coat was brought into service.

It did me no harm. Even though the roads were probably more dangerous and before global warming gave us wet and mild rather than proper winters.

So have today's youth got soft because their parents don't want them to walk/get run over/become the victim of some unknown thing?

Is it just too easy to jump in the car rather than walking themselves and picking junior up from school?

Should there be an exclusion zone for cars thereby encouraging walking for all and all the social and psychological benefits it provides.

The strange thing is that the school has a flag to say it's a green school. Conveniently the car parking lot must not be included or that may make the green school application very grey indeed.

A bit like my school uniform?

I'm out and about

Primal fear?

2011-10-04T21:51:00.000+01:00

4th October 2011

In the northern hemisphere each day brings added gravitas to the Scottish saying of

"the nights are fair drawing in"

As in the nights are getting longer. Each day twilight comes a bit earlier and the evening walk that just a few weeks ago started in bright light is now shrouded in gloom.

I usually take a torch with me not to see so much but more in case I had to see more than my eyes could manage in the dim light. My eyes accommodate for the fading light fairly well and can make the best of whatever wattage the heavenly light bulb has provided that evening.

However the light gradually ebbing away gives strength to the unseen "thing" that created "that" noise, the far of bovine bawling ends up being some night beast in ones imagination ready to lick you to death with it's sand paper like tongue. If the e-coli doesn't get you first!

If it conjures up such images and thoughts in my mind what does it do to my canine companions?

During the daylight they are seldom near my heel. They are either lagging behind due to that irresistible scent or far in front like some over zealous path finder, blazing the trail.

When night falls however the scent is never quite so enticing, the trail not so much blazed as embered. My heel seems to take on the canine equivalent of a safe haven in a storm.

Do the dogs get scared or at least less confident in the dark? Do they sense that I am less confident in the dark and they move from broad and general support to close protection mode?

Perhaps they are worried in case that primal fear envelopes them and they have nightmares of the beast?

I'm out and about

How many feet?

2011-10-02T18:28:00.000+01:00

2nd October 2011

I took this picture a few days ago whilst on a business trip to Dublin. I had a few hours spare before my flight home and paid a visit to the national museum of Ireland, that was just along the street from my hotel.

The photograph made me think of that old adage,

"if only they could talk".

How many pairs of feet clad in boots and shoes have trod on these stairs. They look newish but I'm sure it's only cosmetic sprucing with a paint brush and elbow grease. The stairs have been the connection between the ground and first floors for approximately 220 years.

The building and it's grounds served for many years as a barracks for first the British army and then the Irish defence force. A row of photographs and sketches show very little has changed over the years other than the uniforms worn and the weapons carried.

So I wonder how many feet, have gone up and down these stairs?

Seeking contentment

2011-09-30T19:35:00.000+01:00

30/09/2011
The chickens have not made an appearance for a while. In the time since their last video recording they have certainly grown.

Coffee the Indian game hen has come on very well and is looking much heavier and that covering of feathers is really splendid.

Tea as you can see is still quite skittish and wary, ready to scarper at the slightest movement.

Milk remains the noisiest and most objective to human intrusion into her world.

Beaker our old battery hen is still keeping them in line but is much more acceptable and sociable.

We've had a few born free moments when they have found a hole in their fence and discovered the wider garden.

Just now for them it's a case of enjoying the unseasonal warmth and trying to find that elusive treat of corn kernels.

Me, I'll just sit here on the garden chair, watching the dusk enveloping the view, finding the calm. Perhaps seeking out the psychological corn of contentment?

IMG_2586.MOV Watch on Posterous

I'm out and about

Indian Summer

2011-09-29T23:29:00.000+01:00

29th September 2011

Almost October, who would have thought the weather would be so good at this time of year.

Pale skin has been exposed and will probably be pink tomorrow it's not mine that will be sore but some of less careful country folk.

Unlike this window I usually have some covering to protect me from the streaming sun.

I'm out and about

In Dublin

2011-09-28T00:25:00.000+01:00

27th September 2011
I'm in Dublin for work purposes for a few days, normal service will return in due course.

I'm out and about

Mr Rain & Miss Wind

2011-09-25T20:52:00.000+01:00

25th September 2011

Podcast.m4a Listen on Posterous

I'm out and about

Turkish delight

2011-09-22T22:52:00.000+01:00

22nd September 2011

In London for work, my last night of three. After deciding to stay on in the office in that never ending attempt to cut through the swathe of emails I realised it was getting late and I needed some vitals.

What to have? Nothing too heavy, soup no, something noodley no, salady nothing nearby, mmm.

On my way back to the hotel I remembered a Turkish/Mediterranean restaurant I had noted in the dim and distant past, somewhere to visit but never had. So I decided to pop in there.

Turkish food has been a favourite of mine since a holiday to that country in the early 90's. Tonight's offering only enhanced this appeal. My food was fresh, full of flavour and well prepared and all without any Turkish Delight.

I decided to plump for the mezze selection and this is what they served me....

Bottom left mint & tomato salad,
Bottom middle red lentil ball,
Bottom right aubergine ratatouille, Middle left leek & feta borek,
Middle humus, Middle right spinach & feta borek,
Top left nut salad,
Top middle falafel,
Top right baby broad salad,
Bread,
On a separate plate I had a small portion each of Grilled Lamb, Grilled chicken,
Grilled kofta.

The place is Sade - a smooth operator indeed, on Exmouth Market and I would suggest you give it a try.

Bon Appetit!

I'm out and about

Eyes are funny!

2011-09-20T11:12:00.000+01:00

20th September 2011

Sitting in the passenger seat being driven to the airport and I'm thinking I must be tired things don't look sharp.

I then do the old eye hokey pokey you know the thing "left eye shut, right eye shut (not at same time obviously) and blink them all about..."

This diagnostic discovered that it was the right eye that was the problem.

The check continues -do I still have the contact lense in place Affirmative
- is it curled, kinked, wandering or exhibiting any other deviant behaviour Negative

The eye hokey pokey continues, anybody watching would think I had a chronic blink thing going on or I was a terrible flirt.

I could still see but just not as sharp as usual. Sharp being a relative concept as far as my eyes are concerned.

On arrival at the airport it was the case of going through the security process to the other side. Like some child entering the wardrobe in the hope of meeting a lion.

I did a quick swap just in case the lenses had been put in the incorrect eyes - as in left to right and right to left. Not me putting my lenses into someone else. Yeugh!

Although I could imagine some commerce based comedy, a swap shop in the airport concourse perhaps?

"who'll swap me a base curve 8.5, diameter 14.2, strength -2.25 for a -5.0?"

Yes I'm very unbalanced visually.

So I sat and decided to get a new lense for my right eye. The carry on case was unzipped, the required clear plastic zip lock bag containing my mini toiletries selection opened.

As an aside I would recommend the bags on offer at Belfast City Airport security They are slightly bigger, stronger and close better than others in my experience. Actually this could be a description of the robust security staff themselves.

So back to the contents I took out the packed lense strips each containing enough for my time away.

Ah!

2 x 4 lenses for the left eye!

In my defence I packed my toiletries this morning without my eyes in. Fortunately I had not made other mistakes - moisturiser for toothpaste, lady niff instead of gents niff. It's all there.

There was nothing to be done (apart from perhaps rushing to Boots, buying a patch for the right eye and feigning some injury or pretending I was an ex pirate), but laugh.

I have my emergency glasses as back up so all is not lost!

The patch though sounds appealing.........

Ideas!

2011-09-19T23:26:00.000+01:00

19th September 2011
When was the last time you had a light bulb moment? That space in time when you have an idea. An idea that throws light on the intellectual darkness, bathing all in a bright light of creativity.

Personally I've had no light bulb moments lately. It feels that the best I can do is keep the candles from burning out.

That's great as long as I don't lose the matches!

Lifes journey

2011-09-19T01:06:00.000+01:00

18th September 2011
You are travelling along and then your road is blocked, detour and break down.

What doesn't help is the person who should be driving, it's their vehicle, is content to be a passenger.

The family bus never seems to run free?

I'm out and about

Straight & Tall

2011-09-18T00:05:00.000+01:00

17th September 2011
I did wonder tonight as I walked along the woodland path how many of these trees will survive the forthcoming winter.

Not much of a thought perhaps but it took my mind away from the feeling that I looked like a refugee from the Sound of Music with my boots, thick socks, shorts, waistcoat and woolly hat.

Either that or a reject from the village people?

I'm out and about

Just Can't Get Enough

2011-09-15T23:19:00.000+01:00

15th September 2011

I'm not really a car fiend, a petrol head who lathers love on their tin box and 5 wheels as if applying wax to the body work. A car to me is a tool, a vehicle that allows me to carry dogs, wool, wood, shoping, family members and their paraphanalia and any old thing that the space will carry.

What I like about the present tin box is the ability to have the contents of my i thingy relayed by a blue tooth connection to the cars audio system. From the steering wheel there is a couple of up and down buttons that enable the driver to move onto the next or previous track. This allows me to indulge in a form of music Attention Defecit Disorder, unable to settle on one track I will shuffle after a few bars to the next until I settle on a song that matches my mood.

Tonight I stumbled across this one, that took me right back to Wednesday, October 20, 1982. The venue was the Edinburgh Playhouse with me in the third row left of centre stage. The memory can't recall what was worn but probably some pastel coloured trousers and some sort of collared informal shirt arrangment on the top half. The hair was of course fully coiffured and product laden as any young mas would be in 1982.

The dancing in the aisles was probably not that removed from what you see the lead singer Dave Gahan displaying here. I was a "Dad dancer" even then. So there you have it, a blast from my musical path.

Press play and enjoy or if not leave your own musical memories.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0NuvwTuHV0]

....to me.....

2011-09-13T23:17:00.000+01:00

13th September 2011
It's been my birthday today so I'm having a day off.

Thanks to all who wished me well today and to any astral twins out there hope our birthday was good for you!

Lost and found

2011-09-12T23:50:00.000+01:00

12th September 2011
The woods have the ability to offer the unexpected. As our collective ten legs squished through the mud topped paths we came upon this.

A small right shoe wedged into the space between two limbs of a young tree.

It raised many questions in my mind.

Did the child walk after losing the shoe?

Did it walk before losing the shoe?

Was the child carried before and afterwards and therefore didn't really mind if the forest floor was muddy, shoe loss a mere trifle?

Had Mum and Dad recently purchased one of those 4 x 4 buggy's that promise to travel over all terrains. The loss of footwear being the price of the test drive?

Was it the consequence of some bizarre hopping ritual performed by a sect of small footed folk?

Had we stumbled across a rare tree that bears coloured shoe fruit but only on the date that the sun, moon, wind and waves converge in a unique spiritual confluence?

What do you think?

I'm out and about

What's the score? #RWC2011

2011-09-11T16:53:00.000+01:00

11th September 2011

The Rugby World Cup is on again down in deepest New Zealand.

The Scottish team had their first game yesterday and perhaps the pre-match assumption that their first game would be a more comfortable victory was a little presumptious. However win they did, against a spirited Roumanian side.

In the UK, ITV had the coverage rights a broadcaster not known for their rugby connection but every four years they dust out their rugby paraphanalia and present the tournament. I usually tune in for the pictures only and try to find an audio alternative.

This morning I saw the start of the Wales vs South Africa game before heading out with the dogs for their constitutional. Along the way I had a wee explore to see if any radion stations were broadcasting the game by looking at the TuneIn radio application on my phone. A few stations from New Zealand came up as choices and I plumped for Radio Sport 1332AM Auckland. The commentary was impartial and knowledgable without any irrelevant twittering on.

However as I was meandering through the trees the signal ebbed and flowed depending on the overhead foliage. One moment the Welsh had the ball then .............. the South African ran back............ then the referee had blown the whistle. The game outcome veered from one side in the lead to the other, it sounded like a closely contested game. Perhaps the breaks in the signal added to the sporting tension.

With a few minutes left and a point difference in the score I decided to sit down on a tree stump and listen to the end of the game, hopeful that my Celtic cousing from Wales could claw back that one point deficit. The signal decided to be just as variable though, regardless of how stable the target for the signal had become.

We sat and waited and the dogs seemed to be interested too, with each coming up close as if to enquire

"What's the score?"

The thingy is......

2011-09-10T23:24:00.000+01:00

10th September 2011
Some people have asked what the cycle thingy is?
It's an
Elite crono gel trainer
from the online shopping people at Wiggle, google them if your interested.
Lots of nice things there, makes a change from wool?

Tour de Lounge

2011-09-10T23:15:00.000+01:00

10th September 2011
We bought an indoor cycle roller trainer thingy and today I broke out an old bicycle, spruced it up, hooked it up and off we cycled in our very own, Tour de Lounge!

I'm out and about

Halfway Down

2011-09-09T22:56:00.000+01:00

9th September 2011

A guest post from a certain Alan Alexander Milne,

Halfway down the stairs
is a stair
where i sit.
there isn't any
other stair
quite like
it.
i'm not at the bottom,
i'm not at the top;
so this is the stair
where
I always
stop.

Halfway up the stairs
Isn't up
And it isn't down.
It isn't in the nursery,
It isn't in town.
And all sorts of funny thoughts
Run round my head.
It isn't really
Anywhere!
It's somewhere else
Instead!

The Fegrig X & Y weather chart

2011-09-07T21:38:00.000+01:00

7th September 2011

Podcast.m4a Listen on Posterous

I'm out and about

Off to bed

2011-09-07T00:02:00.000+01:00

6th September 2011

Up the stairs to bed for me, long day, tired need sleep...

I'm out and about

Thoughts of a seagull

2011-09-04T22:30:00.000+01:00

4th September 2011
It's good to have ambition.

I did wonder if this seagull was thinking,

"one day they will capture my image in stone"

Or perhaps it had delusions of grandeur and thought the carving was of them. Sitting atop the carving for their adoring public.

Perhaps wondering if the sculpture caught their best side?

I'm out and about

Ask a shepherd?

2011-09-03T22:45:00.000+01:00

3rd September 2011

Great sky tonight and to match the "video" the soundtrack was just as special.

Lots of birdsong and nothing much else, no far away traffic noise, no airplanes traversing the sky, lovely.

The kind of evening that allows you to stand and watch the sky move, the clouds wafting over head as the earth swirls on it's axis.

However it doesn't solve one question that sprung to mind in this philosophical mode.
I know what a red sky means to the shepherding community or should that be flock?

What though does a lilac sky mean?

I'm out and about

Reflections

2011-09-03T00:39:00.000+01:00

2nd Semptember 2011

I'm out and about

Meccano?

2011-09-02T01:14:00.000+01:00

1st September 2011
One Christmas a long time ago Santa Claus left Meccano in my "stocking". It was the plastic variety with long and short bits and nuts & bolts to join them together.

Wonder what happened to it? Possibly someone bought my set and others, to use as scale modelling for projects like this?

I'm out and about

Yellow

2011-09-01T00:02:00.000+01:00

I'm out and about

Earnest?

2011-08-31T14:49:00.000+01:00

31st August 2011

Podcast.m4a Listen on Posterous

I'm out and about

Shadow...

2011-08-30T23:11:00.000+01:00

30th August 2011
Job done, result achieved, allowing myself the time to sit and reflect, smiling and happy, without a shadow of a doubt......

I'm out and about

Light @ the end of the tunnel

2011-08-30T08:07:00.001+01:00

> > > 29th August 2011
> Almost there, follow the light they say, tunnel vision required no interruptions 12 stages to complete.......
>

> > > > > I'm out and about

Light @ the end of the tunnel

2011-08-30T08:07:00.000+01:00

> > > 29th August 2011
> Almost there, follow the light they say, tunnel vision required no interruptions 12 stages to complete.......
>

> > > > > I'm out and about

Head down......

2011-08-28T21:42:00.000+01:00

28th August 2011
And read, read, read, study, study, study, write, write, write and reflect, reflect, reflect ........

I'm out and about

The Discovery Line?

2011-08-27T17:37:00.000+01:00

27th August 2011

Lots of interesting discussion and sharing of ideas in Castle Fegrig today. The start of some lines of conversation not reaching their expected end but finishing somewhere else altogether.

Other lines took the conversation along new unexplored routes stopping at places to view web sites, video and still images.

The most exciting line of communication was the one that to my mind was like a mystery tour not sure what might be said next. The creative juices were given free rein to explore. Happy and enthusiastic travellers traversing the intellectual network with the abandon that a pre paid and secure travel card brings.

Unlike this image of a deepening stair to a seemingly empty travel system, I'm pleased to say my travel card was a family one.

I'm out and about

Thunderbird 7?

2011-08-27T01:48:00.000+01:00

I'm out and about

Bright or night?

2011-08-25T23:24:00.000+01:00

25th August 2011

The continual struggle the dark side or the light side.

Some are drawn to the bitter some to the sweet.

Disciples see it as a test of strength.

Religion, Star Wars, Vampires.....

No of course not, more fundamental

TEA!

With milk or not, sugar or are you sweet enough, tea bag in for a quick dip or a tea bag wrinkling long soak?

Where are you in relation to the yellow line?

Taken with picplz.

Just the thing?

2011-08-24T13:30:00.000+01:00

23rd August 2011

Trawling around the internet looking for things I came across this.

This could be the answer to the question

"How to enable winter, cold, chilly evening sitting on the patio looking at the view type behaviour?"

I could off course have considered this but I feel that this is more flimsy and perhaps not up to the winter westerly that blows in these parts.

Another alternative could have been this too silly perhaps and the neighbours looking over the fence may think a large furry creature inhabits our back garden leading to all types of embaressment and confusion when the joint police , SSPCA, Edinburgh Zoo response team arrive.

The price though is a bit steep, perhaps for Christmas, it's cold then.

It's getting cold!

2011-08-22T20:39:00.000+01:00

22nd August 2011

I'm sitting waiting, take off delayed by technical problems on the inbound plane. I've had some tea and toast and am quietly working away, the only background noise of note coming from the occupants of an adjoining table.

A couple (I'm assuming married to each other) face each other hardly any words passing between the two. What is the point?

He sits making calls, sending emails, sorting out his business plans before his holiday. Although the impression is that this would continue to be his default situation during their sojourn to sunny climes. He told various people the phone would still be on when he was away.

She sits and waits.

The breakfast arrives she starts to eat. He is on the phone.
"it's getting cold" she mouths.

Perhaps a comment on her marriage?

He breaks and they eat in silence. The phone rings he converses between mouthfuls of bacon, beans and egg.

Perhaps she tolerates this because of the life style and the holidays that his work provides? Perhaps she only needs his money and she has a life elsewhere with someone else?

Whenever holiday calls for me the contact with work is cut and the blackberry consigned to the rest home for work mobile technology. I'm on holiday.

She's gone now perhaps to the rest room, perhaps with her bag, the credit cards and the money. Perhaps she was saying nothing as she waited for the final pieces of her plan to fall into place? Too excited to speak, not that he would notice.

She has now boarded a flight, zooming off to a continental hub and from there to anywhere in the world.

How long before he realises that this is a rather long "look at the shops"she is having. Or perhaps he'll never notice, his phone just rang and he's off again.

I'm out and about

It's getting cold!

2011-08-22T10:46:00.000+01:00

22nd August 2011

A couple (I'm assuming married to each other) face each other hardly any words passing between the two. What is the point?

She sits and waits.

The breakfast arrives she starts to eat. He is on the phone.
"it's getting cold" she mouths.

Perhaps a comment on her marriage?

He breaks and they eat in silence. The phone rings he converses between mouthfuls of bacon, beans and egg.

Perhaps she tolerates this because of the life style and the holidays that his work provides? Perhaps she only needs his money and she has a life elsewhere with someone else?

Whenever holiday calls for me the contact with work is cut and the blackberry consigned to the rest home for work mobile technology. I'm on holiday.

She has now boarded a flight, zooming off to a continental hub and from there to anywhere in the world.

How long before he realises that this is a rather long "look at the shops"she is having. Or perhaps he'll never notice, his phone just rang and he's off again.

I'm out and about

The Chickens - " Tea"

2011-08-21T14:01:00.000+01:00

> > 21st August 2011
> Finally the last of the new birds this time a Cream Leg Bar type we have called > "Tea"
>

IMG_2295.MOV Watch on Posterous

> > > > > I'm out and about

The Chickens - "Milk"

2011-08-21T13:50:00.000+01:00

21st August 2011
The second of the new birds is a white Leghorn we are going to call her
"Milk"

IMG_2292.MOV Watch on Posterous

I'm out and about

The Chickens - "Coffee"

2011-08-21T13:47:00.000+01:00

21st August 2011
The first of the new chooks an Indian Game Hen we have called
"Coffee"

IMG_2291.MOV Watch on Posterous

I'm out and about

Chickens - "Beaker"

2011-08-21T13:43:00.000+01:00

21st August 2011
The chickens are "Beaker"

IMG_2300.MOV Watch on Posterous

I'm out and about

Let me out!

2011-08-20T12:47:00.000+01:00

20th August 2011

The best laid plans for an introduction to the chickens went off plan this morning with some rushing off the door type behaviour.
Watch this space though once calm has been restored.......

IMG_2290.MOV Watch on Posterous

I'm out and about

Chicken update

2011-08-18T23:45:00.000+01:00

18th August 2011

Evening from Castle Fegrig the chickens old & new are settling into a little flock.

Beaky the older re homed battery chook with the cross beak has settled down and accepted the squatters. Her pacing and high volume clucking now consigned to history. Although as oldest resident she seems to be ruling the roost and her younger chook mates seem at times intimidated. Barriers are being broken down though.

Twig the chook who decided she would try the arboreal approach, now has two claws firmly on the ground.

The other two the white one and the speckly wavy one have still to be christened. Having said that Twig may not be Twig.

It's all up to the Hen Mutter who is still deciding.

Pictures and video will be coming soon though after they have finished their media training.

Although the three youngsters have adopted a sleeping position of head to tail in some type of fan arrangement in the nest box. It's quite endearing but will this harmony reign ? As they grow bigger they will find it increasingly difficult to squeeze into the same space.

Red please!

2011-08-17T10:25:00.000+01:00

17th August 2011
Want a van?
You can have any colour, we've got

Cherry
Apple,
Winter cheek,
Flush,
Fire,
Fall,
Sunset,
Post box,
Embarrass,
Blood,
Strawberry,
Crimson,
Oh and Red!

The chickens again

2011-08-16T23:31:00.000+01:00

Chickens don't want to go the bed... Because there is a hedgehog in the run!

Chicken tree?

2011-08-16T00:35:00.000+01:00

15/08/2011

A new batch of chickens have arrived. First night and we've had some interesting behaviour thus far.

But all good things come to sleep in the end and with the night falling we went out to put the chooks to bed.

1 (old one) present
2 (new one) present
3 (new one) present
4 (new one) absent!

A look here and there and everywhere in between came to nought, a situation that lasted 10
minutes. Then a suggestion followed by a possible sighting led us to a young chook nestling in the branches of a tree looking down on the hen house. Not a little tree, a proper 10 year old one and there she was sitting on a branch getting ready for the night, 6 feet above the ground.

She was extracated, chased and caught then placed in the chook house.

From now on we shall look skyward quicker if a chicken is AWOL at curfew!

I'm out and about

Chillin' with Clapton

2011-08-14T11:56:00.000+01:00

14th August 2011

Sunny day, relaxin' and chillin' to Clapton.....

Turn up the volume Dog!

IMG_2225.MOV Watch on Posterous

I'm out and about

Food of the gods?

2011-08-13T13:25:00.000+01:00

13th July 2011

I've had a notion for a while. It's been calling on me for some time like some long lost memory. Each time the drawer was opened it gave me a wave to say hello.

Next time you say, the weekend perhaps, definately then you promise. All in the end they are filed in that part of the rain marked "later".

This morning however in a internal filing error the "later" file seeped into the "yes please" file.

I gathered my ingredients and began the process under the inquisitive eye of junior, who watched with interest. I had offered this to him to eat, hoping there might be enough in the store cupboard for me too.

Add, splosh, stir, sticky, pour, cook, water, sultanas, soften , swell, plump and rest. I thought I would get into the cookery description style of the moment, all suggestive double entendres, licking lips and sultry eyes. I have and they are.

After a while with the food cooked junior served himself and ate. Ate in that style that would suggest you have just given a mouse with a gastric band the run of the rice store. The excuses tumbled forth
"too rich"
"you made it with milk"
"it's different"
"I'll have it later"

Not wishing to see good food going to the pigeons I told him to leave it and move on.

As it had barely been touched it offered reinforcements to the meagre surplus that had been left for me. What am I wittering on about? It's one of my comfort food and if one believed advertising it is the food of the gods - Ambrosia. However home made is far better than the tinned stuff which in my opinion is too soft. This is the same fate that befalls the oven baked variety.
With me it's all cooked on the stove top in a pot.

It's rice pudding! And in my case with added sultanas yum, yum.

I'm out and about