I sat in the train. We passed Peterborough Cathedral, Durham Cathedral, York Minster. I stared glumly out of the window. What was I doing - and why?
I felt a bit better when the sun came out and I saw Holy Isle of Lindisfarne - don't always see that on this journey.
Leaving the train at Waverley, I lost my nerve and took a taxi. The bus was a step too far!
I asked the driver to let me of at Holy Corner so I could approach on foot, and,looking back, decide if it was safe to enter.
Now I began to rehearse the instructions which I'd memorised on the train: up the close between. . .through the gate on the left . . .
And yes there it was, leading into a tidy little courtyard with plant pots. This would be a nice place to sit in summer. But this is not summer - its December. . . it will be very cold.
The key turned quite easily when I found the right door. Up the stone steps with a little twist, along the corridor past the other flats . . . ah, the key for the flat door takes a bit more manouvring and manipulating.
I blew out - and couldn't see my breath so it's not that cold I thought.
Next challenge - turn on the water, outside the flat, in a cupboard full of ladders and cobwebs, turn and turn and turn . . . and hissss, Phew! That's on then,
Into the kitchen, below the sink, ah yes there's the gas lever. An immediate hiss this time and the match lit the gas ring.
After that it was a matter or negotiating the little tables and rugs all over the place, of keeping track of where I'd put the torch and wearing my hat in bed.
And why? well an unoccupied flat gave me the same feeling as an untrained child, or an unweeded garden or field. Something needs to be done to make them productive. Otherwise what do we mean when we pray 'Thy kingdom come.'
I felt very at home in that little flat with no electricity - and was somewhat overwhelmed by the luxurious normality of the next place I stayed.
Sunday, December 28, 2014
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Four generations of hair!
There have been issues with hair in my family for many years. It started, as far as I know with my mother, in about 1914. She cut hers at the front - and it never grew again.
After cutting her own hair, my sister went to the hairdresser to get it straightened up. She thought he hadn't noticed until just as she paid and left he said.'Now next time, no knifeadaforkada, please'! I have a photo of her showing the knife and fork effect but rather than showing that one . . . this is the view she was looking at at the time.
Our oldest son was very fair when he was a very small child and we told him he looked like Kojak. Soon after that he got hold of the scissors and helped himself to look even more like the bald TV detective. He was a bit older than this, but his hair was still invisible from any distance!
Then during the year living in Guadeloupe, Charis, our granddaughter, cut off the very piece of hair that she twiddled while she sucked her thumb! She compensated by taking the similar piece from the opposite side.
I myself have never cut my own hair - well, not so as you'd notice, but once in a time of depression I decided to have it permed - with disastrous results. I looked like the Queen Mother! I should say I was a fraction of her age at the time. That taught me not to yearn for curly hair.
In more recent years I asked one hairdresser to cut it like Camilla Parker Bowles. That wasn't a success either. Nice at the time, but it soon degenerated into this wild look
Last week I asked the hairdresser (another one) to cut it like Annie Lennox . She was a bit doubtful but when she saw the result she was delighted and clapped her hands and complimented me on my decision!
Of course the best times were when our neighbour, Tony, cut it. He would tell me when it needed cutting and then do it with such care, not exactly one hair at a time but not far off. It was a very relaxing experience. I always thought he was a trained hairdresser, until the morning of Heather's wedding . . .
PS. When Alyssa heard about this blog, she asked if she could be in it as well. 'But you never cut your own hair,' I said. 'No, she replied, 'But there was that time when I asked Lisa (their hairdresser friend) to cut it like George in The Secret Seven' ! I was there that day and had a photo, but had no idea about George!
So here you are, Alyssa - just for you!
Our oldest son was very fair when he was a very small child and we told him he looked like Kojak. Soon after that he got hold of the scissors and helped himself to look even more like the bald TV detective. He was a bit older than this, but his hair was still invisible from any distance!
Then during the year living in Guadeloupe, Charis, our granddaughter, cut off the very piece of hair that she twiddled while she sucked her thumb! She compensated by taking the similar piece from the opposite side.
I myself have never cut my own hair - well, not so as you'd notice, but once in a time of depression I decided to have it permed - with disastrous results. I looked like the Queen Mother! I should say I was a fraction of her age at the time. That taught me not to yearn for curly hair.
In more recent years I asked one hairdresser to cut it like Camilla Parker Bowles. That wasn't a success either. Nice at the time, but it soon degenerated into this wild lookLast week I asked the hairdresser (another one) to cut it like Annie Lennox . She was a bit doubtful but when she saw the result she was delighted and clapped her hands and complimented me on my decision!
PS. When Alyssa heard about this blog, she asked if she could be in it as well. 'But you never cut your own hair,' I said. 'No, she replied, 'But there was that time when I asked Lisa (their hairdresser friend) to cut it like George in The Secret Seven' ! I was there that day and had a photo, but had no idea about George!
So here you are, Alyssa - just for you!
Monday, October 20, 2014
The best kitchen window!
Eventually I spoke to the engineer in charge . . . who immediately told me that I wasn't local and that his firm did lots of work in Scotland! They are working in Edinburgh at present.
He did tell me though, that the problem was a leak in a 36 inch mains pipe, the top of which is 2 metres down.
We remembered that in 1613 Sir Hugh Myddelton had organised the bringing of water into Islington from near Ware in Hertfordshire, and that it comes along past our house. Its underground at this point so - in a large pipe.
To the south of us the water is open again and we have the very pleasant New River Walk - a long narrow park which leads to the Angel where there is a statue of Sir Hugh Mydellton. The water comes to an end near Sadlers Wells theatre where the water supply was used for Aqua Drama.
To the north the water is under the grass in the centre of Petherton Road dual carriageway. This photo is actually only a fraction of the view from one of our two kitchen windows - this one a very wide bay window.
It is possible to walk the entire length of the New River - almost 40 miles. We have done this - but not all at once!
One friend suggested that during the war, Petherton Road may have been targeted for bombing because of this water supply. There is a website which shows you the location of every bomb in London. However there were so many that I don't think it is possible to say Petherton Road was specifically targeted. It is easy to see where the bombs landed - the places where the old houses give way to much newer flats.
 |
| Three views of the New River Walk |
 |
| Another view from the kitchen window - looking up Petherton Road. |
History is all around!
Friday, October 17, 2014
Impressions of an SNP meeting - in London.
I might have to revise my idea of heaven! The top floor of The Hoop and Grapes last Tuesday evening, a roomful of people talking sense in Scottish accents. At the very least I felt that I'd come home.
We listened to an introduction to the Smith Commission https://www.smith-commission.scot/
and then the floor was opened to all comers to describe their experiences of the Referendum - the big day and the lead up to it. The actual floor was not to be seen - covered with the bodies of those who weren't able to get a chair or got tired standing -phew - it was hot! So many people - 60 + possibly, I couldn't see behind me.
Many had traveled north to help in campaigning, leafleting, marching, meeting people and talking to them about why they should vote yes. Places mentioned were Motherwell, Coatbridge, Paisley, Greenock, the Isle of Skye, Aberdeen and Edinburgh (Craigmillar).Mostly people mentioned the good atmosphere and the buzz, a largely positive response. However one person had spent time - albeit a very short time - in a Better Together office . . . and there were loud groans when someone mentioned no voters who were now regretting their decision.
Some described the opposition from corporations such as BP and Shell who told their employees how they would suffer financially as a result of independence and it was also alleged that Labour party members had targeted vulnerable pensioners telling them they would lose their pensions in the event of a yes vote winning.
Issues mentioned included the need for more pro Independence media in Scotland and the need to complain when lies were published in the press or other media.
We need to find out the answers to the questions people have so we can explain things to them, also how to complain about racism against a group as opposed to against an individual.
Some of this stuff confirmed my suspicions, some of it was new to me, but all of it made a lot of sense.
The convener was being realistic when he summed up the evening's proceedings when he said that we had won the argument but not the vote. There is work to be done. The atmosphere in the room was such that I felt that that work would be done and that it would make a much bigger difference next time as 'come it will for a' that'.
We listened to an introduction to the Smith Commission https://www.smith-commission.scot/
and then the floor was opened to all comers to describe their experiences of the Referendum - the big day and the lead up to it. The actual floor was not to be seen - covered with the bodies of those who weren't able to get a chair or got tired standing -phew - it was hot! So many people - 60 + possibly, I couldn't see behind me.
Many had traveled north to help in campaigning, leafleting, marching, meeting people and talking to them about why they should vote yes. Places mentioned were Motherwell, Coatbridge, Paisley, Greenock, the Isle of Skye, Aberdeen and Edinburgh (Craigmillar).Mostly people mentioned the good atmosphere and the buzz, a largely positive response. However one person had spent time - albeit a very short time - in a Better Together office . . . and there were loud groans when someone mentioned no voters who were now regretting their decision.
Some described the opposition from corporations such as BP and Shell who told their employees how they would suffer financially as a result of independence and it was also alleged that Labour party members had targeted vulnerable pensioners telling them they would lose their pensions in the event of a yes vote winning.
Issues mentioned included the need for more pro Independence media in Scotland and the need to complain when lies were published in the press or other media.
We need to find out the answers to the questions people have so we can explain things to them, also how to complain about racism against a group as opposed to against an individual.
Some of this stuff confirmed my suspicions, some of it was new to me, but all of it made a lot of sense.
The convener was being realistic when he summed up the evening's proceedings when he said that we had won the argument but not the vote. There is work to be done. The atmosphere in the room was such that I felt that that work would be done and that it would make a much bigger difference next time as 'come it will for a' that'.
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
A funeral.
I only went to the funeral to support some good friends in our church family. How I enjoyed singing real hymns! Dear Lord and Father of mankind, Nearer my God to Thee, - and seven others!
I loved the fact that there was no time pressure that we get so much of these days. Anyone and everyone who wanted to speak was welcome to do so. And of course the service over ran badly! So what? It was no problem.
The officiating minister was 82 years old and had the most wonderfully deep, resonant voice and he said things like, 'Do you hear me, church? Church, say Amen!' So of course we did. And tried to mean it.
Outside the church the mother of the deceased came up to me and said, I recognise you! You taught my granddaughter.' There was a click in my brain and I suddenly realised whose funeral I was at. And I became a real part of it. Which meant that at the graveside I could join in the singing and dancing! even if I had to make up the words when I didn't understand the Shona language! Wonderful! I have to tell you that not much gets rid of sadness and grief like loud singing and energetic dancing.
I knew the dead woman quite well. She came into my classroom twice a day, most days. What a privilege to meet someone else that I taught to read, now studying law at university. This is one of the benefits of staying in one place for decades!
There might have been a couple of hundred people at the graveside, and it seemed like the same in the house. Thats twice in 24 hours I have been in rooms with standing room only! I found myself next to a delightful Zimbabwean lady and we had quite a chat about education in Zimbabwe, coming to live in England and so on. Then when she realised I was Scottish, she said that when she read about the Scottish referendum she thought to herself, ' Here comes Zimbabwe all over again.' So I need to read up about the history of Zimbabwe.
On the train home I sat beside a Russian from Latvia. He told me about Latvia getting their independence . . .
I loved the fact that there was no time pressure that we get so much of these days. Anyone and everyone who wanted to speak was welcome to do so. And of course the service over ran badly! So what? It was no problem.
The officiating minister was 82 years old and had the most wonderfully deep, resonant voice and he said things like, 'Do you hear me, church? Church, say Amen!' So of course we did. And tried to mean it.
Outside the church the mother of the deceased came up to me and said, I recognise you! You taught my granddaughter.' There was a click in my brain and I suddenly realised whose funeral I was at. And I became a real part of it. Which meant that at the graveside I could join in the singing and dancing! even if I had to make up the words when I didn't understand the Shona language! Wonderful! I have to tell you that not much gets rid of sadness and grief like loud singing and energetic dancing.
I knew the dead woman quite well. She came into my classroom twice a day, most days. What a privilege to meet someone else that I taught to read, now studying law at university. This is one of the benefits of staying in one place for decades!
There might have been a couple of hundred people at the graveside, and it seemed like the same in the house. Thats twice in 24 hours I have been in rooms with standing room only! I found myself next to a delightful Zimbabwean lady and we had quite a chat about education in Zimbabwe, coming to live in England and so on. Then when she realised I was Scottish, she said that when she read about the Scottish referendum she thought to herself, ' Here comes Zimbabwe all over again.' So I need to read up about the history of Zimbabwe.
On the train home I sat beside a Russian from Latvia. He told me about Latvia getting their independence . . .
Friday, October 10, 2014
A moment in time.
4.30pm on Friday 11th October 2014
I took a cup of tea, in my favourite bee mug- the yellow one I got at the Sea Life centre in North Berwick the time I took Alyssa to Edinburgh,
and went to sit on the back door step at Heather's house.
Slowly I relaxed and became aware first of the wind rustling in the leaves of the poplar tree. They sounded very dry. Then I heard t he wind in the branches of all the other trees, especially the high ones in Martin's garden next door. The leaves on the cherry tree hung down like bunting, and the blue spruce hardly moved.
The rooks were cawing in Martin's high trees.
I could hear the roar of the planes on the tarmac at City Airport, then a quieter sound as they flew over high above.
The washing on the line was dancing and flapping in the breeze. The sun was shining on the hens' feathers making them a rich chestnut colour as they scratched and pecked on the bright green grass.
The sun was bright but there was a coolness on my bare arms, and very occasional drop of rain on my face. My fingers curled round the warm mug and traced the relief pattern of the bees.
I could smell the chicken pie cooking in the oven.
Behind me I could hear the children's conversation as they acted out the Great British Bake Off. Then . . . I will stop there as the rest of the conversation would spoil the atmosphere as did the incident that sparked it off!!
I took a cup of tea, in my favourite bee mug- the yellow one I got at the Sea Life centre in North Berwick the time I took Alyssa to Edinburgh,
and went to sit on the back door step at Heather's house.
Slowly I relaxed and became aware first of the wind rustling in the leaves of the poplar tree. They sounded very dry. Then I heard t he wind in the branches of all the other trees, especially the high ones in Martin's garden next door. The leaves on the cherry tree hung down like bunting, and the blue spruce hardly moved.
The rooks were cawing in Martin's high trees.
I could hear the roar of the planes on the tarmac at City Airport, then a quieter sound as they flew over high above.
The washing on the line was dancing and flapping in the breeze. The sun was shining on the hens' feathers making them a rich chestnut colour as they scratched and pecked on the bright green grass.
The sun was bright but there was a coolness on my bare arms, and very occasional drop of rain on my face. My fingers curled round the warm mug and traced the relief pattern of the bees.
I could smell the chicken pie cooking in the oven.
Behind me I could hear the children's conversation as they acted out the Great British Bake Off. Then . . . I will stop there as the rest of the conversation would spoil the atmosphere as did the incident that sparked it off!!
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Highlights from September in Scotland
I've been home a week now and the highlights of my time in Scotland have remained constant.
Being able to go into the church across the road from my childhood home. I had never been in it despite growing up within yards of it. It is so beautiful that I was moved to tears which were partly caused by the fact that such beauty was close by and I was unaware of it.
There's a sermon there!
Photos were the last thing on my mind so have a look at the links:
St John's RC church, Cumnock
The church website
This is Clanadonia playing outside the Concert Hall in Glasgow. I watched them for ages especially the one on the right. He played with real passion, and made me think 'this is how I want to live my life, and worship my God.'
Being able to go into the church across the road from my childhood home. I had never been in it despite growing up within yards of it. It is so beautiful that I was moved to tears which were partly caused by the fact that such beauty was close by and I was unaware of it.
There's a sermon there!
Photos were the last thing on my mind so have a look at the links:
St John's RC church, Cumnock
The church website
 |
| These are the Islands of Eigg and Rum viewed from Arisaig. When I got here, I realised this is where I had been aiming at - the end of this particular journey, but showing further horizons for future occasions. Out of 1700 photos its one of the best, and since it has become the most significant one for me. |
This is Clanadonia playing outside the Concert Hall in Glasgow. I watched them for ages especially the one on the right. He played with real passion, and made me think 'this is how I want to live my life, and worship my God.' |
| People said how relaxed and happy I looked in the photos from this time - and this is my favourite one. I haven't mentioned the people I met, and I'm not going to because I'd be sure to miss someone out. However its safe to say that everyone I met made a difference and contributed to the best time I have ever had in Scotland. Even although the Referendum ended with a no vote. |
Birmingham
 |
| The Library of Birmingham - I could have spent the day here! What a perfect place! Books, books, books, internet access (plenty) , cafe, a place to eat your packed lunch, theatre, (they were perfoming Romeo and Juliet while I was there), interesting architecture, views of all of Birmingham and the hills around. And more. I had to drag myself away! |
 |
| Then to the Art Gallery . . . which painting to share . . . pre Raphaelite stuff? Pissaro? Modigliani? Sisley? I was tempted for a while by the smouldering looks of the very sexy Captain Gilbert Heathcote RN, but eventually I settled on an old friend - Erasmus Darwin. I last met him in his house in Lichfield. He's the grandfather of Charles. |
 |
| I meant to spend some time in the Cathedral - but was seduced by the Morris Dancers outside! |
 |
| and followed them back to Victoria Square to watch some more of their high jumps and stick bashing dances! |
 |
| Before heading back to the station to meet Evie, I got talking to a large group of Salvation Army people, who quickly introduced me to one of their number who came from Stranraer! |
 |
| One taken from the library roof. In the middle of the picture I could actually see green hills - but sadly this is the moment when my camera battery died - so back the phone! |
Saturday, October 4, 2014
Birmingham (photos for Malcolm)
Evie had a day's photographic work in Birmingham and asked me if I'd like to accompany her. While she went to the Home for Good conference, I had the day to myself in the city centre.
First on the list was to take some photos for Malcolm:
First on the list was to take some photos for Malcolm:
 |
| This is the Oratory in Hagley Road. When I went in, and sat down, I was quite amazed by the wave of emotion that swept over me. I knelt and prayed for quite a while. I gave thanks for all the good that has come from Catholicism, prayed about the divisions through the centuries, and prayed too for the victims of different aspects. |
 |
| Add caption |
 |
| This is Perrott's Folly - quite near the Oratory. Its thought it may have been the inspiration for The Two Towers ( sorry Malc, I didn't see the second tower !) |
 |
| And this is 37 Duchess Rd . . . The point of these photos is that these places all had some connection to JRRTolkien. |
Friday, October 3, 2014
Dumfries House
 |
| There are certain trees that make me feel happy and excited - and Redwoods are definitely in that category! I was delighted to see them as we parked the car at Dumfries House. |
 |
| This is another place that I'd grown up close to, but never seen. I had passed it on weekly trips to Ayr. My sister was close friends with the daughter of one of the estate game keepers. It was in the news recently when Prince Charles became involved in saving the house and the estate for the nation. Thank you for taking me, Anne, it was a good afternoon! We weren't allowed to take photos in the house - but the chairs were covered in fabrics to die for - yellow and blue - beautiful stuff! And there is a Chippendale sideboard - worth £20 million - at least! |
Redwoods at Dumfries House
Cumnock
I started of my holiday with a visit to Cumnock, where I was overwhelmed by the warm welcome from the Historical Society folks and from one of my oldest friends, Agnes. I had arranged to visit her on Thursday morning but when I arrived on Wednesday evening, I couldn't wait any longer!
Agnes took me to see her church - which was across the road from where I lived. I'd never been in before - but more of that in the highlights blog which will come soon.
The house I was brought up in is just behind my shoulder. When I lived here all that grass was covered with trees and bushes and I had never seen the church until a few years ago.
Agnes took me to see her church - which was across the road from where I lived. I'd never been in before - but more of that in the highlights blog which will come soon.
The house I was brought up in is just behind my shoulder. When I lived here all that grass was covered with trees and bushes and I had never seen the church until a few years ago.
 |
| I spent 2 very comfortable nights in the Mercat Hotel where I was treated as one of the family. However I shall always remember that the window below the l of Hotel is where I sat up all night get increasingly despondant as the Referendum results came in! |
 |
| It was weird to be sleeping across the road from the church I went to every Sunday! |
 |
| I liked this view though because this is the scene of my earliest memory - I can remember walking past the white building in the middle of the picture with a red handbag in one hand and the other holding my father's hand. I was juat over 3 years old at the time. |
 |
| Always a visit to an old friend - who posed - after I had wiped the cobwebs from his face! |
 |
| The view from the hotel kitchen - we walked under here to school every day. |
 |
| The Mercat Cross in the Square at Cumnock. |
Thursday, October 2, 2014
A little bit of flora and fauna from Arisaig!
 |
It would be a great place for birdwatchers - saw plenty I didn't recognise. Also the most sparrows I have seen in ages.
Could this be a heron on the left?
The brambles (blackberries) have been over for weeks in London!
 |
| Add caption |
 |
| Can you see the blue scabious in this photo, and orange coltsfoot? |
 |
| and a little vetchy thing in this one? |
 |
| and of course, honeysuckle, which has also been over for a few weeks in London. |
 |
| All these were on the roadside as we climbed up to the station and when we got there . . . |
 |
| the dreaded Japanese knotweed! |
 |
| and finally Convolvulus arvensis |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)