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'.

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 . . .

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!!

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

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!

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:

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.

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!

Dumfries House
Redwoods at Dumfries House