Arisaig

This is a memorial to the Czech and Slovak soldiers who were trained as SOE agents in this area.
Their job was to cause chaos in Europe during WW2.
I took these photos last week, posted them earlier today, and thought no more about them.
Until this morning I met someone from the Czech Republic who told me a story of political bravery in his family.
So, in honour of some brave people I recommend these links to you:
                                                                                    Czech Republic - read especially the section after                                                                                         WW2

Charter 77

The Idea of North

On the journey north from Glasgow there were a lot
of scenes like these. I ended up taking pictures of the trees
I tried to get the various kinds. Spruce, fir, pine, larch. Also lots of  silver birch and oak.

Then suddenly we got a view like this. I think it's Ardgartan Hotel in Arrochar  on Loch Long.

We had a bit of excitement when the train passengers realised that the emergency vehicle was a bomb disposal unit! 

This should have been the first picture - it is the Clyde between Cardross and Helensburgh

This is Loch Sheil from the Glenfinnan Viaduct

Not sure, but this has the feel of Loch Lomond about it - we were coming south again at this point.

Provand's Lordship

Provand's Lordship is the oldest house in Glasgow - 500 years old. It is the last remaining original building of the cathedral precinct.

When my father was a minister in the Church of Scotland, we lived in a manse with walls this thick in the pre Reformation part of the house.It was sooo cold - until the night storage heaters were installed!

The garden at the back is designed in a Renaissance style - and there is quite a large herb garden round the front and right hand side. I suppose that is from the days when the house had connections with St Nicholas Hospital .

I loved the richly-carved heavy dark wood furniture - it is just so right with the stone walls.

Evie, for some reason this single red brick caught my eye and made me think of you!

We did wonder if we would get back in this tiny doorway!

more information here

and if you get this far , you really must go across the road to the St Mungo Museum of  Religious Life and Art. This museum have an excellent café on the ground floor (even if they happen to be serviing lentil soup every time I go!) It looks out on to a Zen garden. And from the top floor there are excellent views of the Cathedral and the Necropolis.
St Mungo's Museum of Religious Life and Art

The Necropolis near Glasgow Cathedral

This is a high place in the east end of Glasgow - behind the Cathedral and the Royal Infirmary - and with good views over the city in all directions.

The first photos reminded me of the meaning of Glasgow - a dear green place.
I am fascinated by the idea of life coming out of stony places.
And impressed by the detail of the art carved into the stone.

More information here

Walton on the Naze

Yesterday we went to Walton on the Naze. It was a day of mixed emotions. From the train going we could see fields and fields of barley - golden brown in the sunshine. Suddenly, all I could think of was that if I'd passed Higher Science at school. I could have studied agriculture as I'd planned and now I would be part of a landscape like that somewhere - instead of just looking at it from a train window.

As we walked down the hill from the station I could see a white building in the distance - at the other end of the beach. Thats how far we need to go I thought. And eventually a while later we got there.
There was a beach shop just before it, and as we approached it, I had a flashback moment. I saw the children from my class  going into that with their spending money.

Then it all came flooding back - the years of settling the children after the troubled times in the life of that school he head teacher who saw himself as a father figure and wanted to take the whole school on an outing to the seaside. The ten double decker coaches he hired, and the fact that the one I was had a problem on the A128 going home. The problem caused the top deck to sway alarmingly. Even the people on the coach beh nd could see this happening.

That was the last time I ever took a party of children on a double decker bus outside London!
He was actually not a bad head teacher

Creations in the last few months

The cushions are for home, the scissors holder for Evie's birthday, the cardigan for Alyssa and the silver bags for the two little bridesmaids.

A few more photos from Dover Castle

When I came round the corner and saw this view, I thought I was in southern Europe. The red tiles I think. 

 Its a trebuchet! or a replica since it was used in the middle ages to catapult rocks into fortified castles.

 I liked this view as well. Its from one of the mediaeval tunnels - and looks out onto the moat I think. Can you see any of the strange sheep grazing there?

The autumn leaves on the grass caught my eye. They reminded me of the yellow planta genista (broom) sprig which the Plantagenet kings wore in their caps. Perhaps even when they built this interesting castle!