Monday, June 15, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
Last Saturday went well, I think.
We set off for the Lost Valley at around 11am. It was a nice day for walking - quite cool, no midges to speak of, and the sun kept peering out from behind the clouds every now and then. The odd shower, but nothing to worry about. The walk was just as I remembered it. Short, but quite hard-going at times, and clambering over the rocks was a trial with an urn full of Ian's ashes on my back. But we got to the top and stopped to eat our packed lunch. Then off down to the valley floor to find a suitable place.
I found a lovely little rowan tree with mossy rocks around it's base, and when we approached it a pair of chaffinches landed on the largest rock and twittered for a few seconds before flying away. Ian loved the birds and would have thought it suitable, so that was the decision made. I had chosen a lovely little passage from the Talmud to read which seemed appropriate, but me and Ian's sister were too emotional to read it, so my friend Puddy stepped in and read it for us.
And this is the way of the world: When a child is born, all rejoice; when someone dies, all weep. We should do the opposite. For no one can tell what trials and travails await a newborn child; when a mortal dies in peace, we should rejoice, for he has completed a long journey, and there is no greater boon than to leave this world with the imperishable crown of a good name.
We then took turns to scatter some ashes around the tree, and then a we all had a tot of his favourite whisky - Bhunahabhainn - and said a toast to Ian. I sprinkled a tot of whisky around the tree as well. Then we all took a few rocks and built a small cairn at the base of the tree. Spike had the idea of getting a plaque made on a stainless steel chain that could be hung from a branch and not harm the tree, and to come back next year to place it. I think that would be a lovely thing to do.
I would like to thank everybody who came along - it meant so much to me to have the support of my friends there and if Ian could have seen our little ceremony I know he would have been chuffed to bits.
I couldn't get any photos, except a shot of the valley floor from where we stopped for lunch. However, others took some nice shots so I will post them here when I have copies.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
The Sex Pistols ... yay! This is Anarchy In The UK.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
This is Tenpole Tudor - Swords of a Thousand Men
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Another one of my favourites from 1979 - *Blondie* - *Picture This*
Thursday, June 04, 2009
A man boarded an aircraft at London ’s Heathrow Airport for New York , and taking his seat as he settled in, he noticed a very beautiful woman boarding the plane. He realised she was heading straight toward his seat and bingo - she took the seat right beside him.
"Hello", he blurted out, "Business trip or vacation?"
She turned, smiled enchantingly and said, "Business. I'm going to the annual nymphomaniac convention in the United States ."
He swallowed hard. Here was the most gorgeous woman he had ever Seen sitting next to him, and she was going to a meeting for Nymphomaniacs!
Struggling to maintain his composure, he calmly asked, "What's your business role at this convention?"
"Lecturer," she responded. “I use my experience to debunk some of the popular myths about sexuality."
"Really", he smiled, "what myths are those?"
"Well," she explained, "one popular myth is that African-American Men are the most well endowed when, in fact, it's the Native American Indian who is most likely to possess that trait. Another popular myth is That French men are the best lovers, when actually it is the men of Greek descent. We have also found that the best potential lovers in all categories are the Irish."
Suddenly the woman became uncomfortable and blushed. "I'm sorry," She said. "I really shouldn't be discussing this with you; I don't even know your name!"
"Tonto," the man said. "Tonto Papadopoulos, but my friends call me Paddy."
There will no more Tune of the Day until Monday.
I will be leaving tomorrow to travel up to Glen Coe to scatter Ian's ashes in the Lost Valley and will not return until Sunday.
See you when I get back.
Possibly the coolest Scot ever ... I didn't discover this guy until I was 21 back in 1989 ... he sadly died in January this year.
This is *John Martyn* - *May You Never
*
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
This is the lass that shocked the nation back in the 80s by flashing her hairy oxters on Top of the Pops! Yay! It's *Nena* with *99 Red Balloons!
*
Monday, June 01, 2009
A blast from the past for me - my sister was a big fan of Tubeway Army and as a younger sister I was subjected to long hours listening to it - and you know, some of those songs really got under my skin!
This song is called *Down in the the Park*
Sunday, May 31, 2009
This is is one of my personal favourites - *Rammstein - Engel*
Saturday, May 30, 2009
see more Lol Celebs
Anybody who hasn't been to see the new Star Trek movie better get themselves along to see it while they still can. Don't like Star Trek? You'll like this. It is quite unlike any of those cheesy movies that came before, and has all of the chemistry between characters that was prevalent in the classic series (although you may be a little surprised at the love interest). You'll not regret it.
Todays classic is *Killing Joke - Love Like Blood*
Friday, May 29, 2009
Well, didn't I get off to a good start, eh? I missed a day already! Blame a busy day at work followed by dinner out with a friend ... yeah, that's it!
Anyway, today's choice is *Prayer *by *Disturbed*
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Those of you who are coming on the walk to the Lost Valley on Saturday better prepare for cold and showery weather!
Right. In an attempt to cheer myself up I have decided that from now on and on a daily basis, until I run out of ideas, which may be tomorrow, I am going to post a video of one of my favourite songs/musicians.
Todays gem is *The Buzzcocks - Ever Fallen in Love*
Right! I have spoken to the lady at the Red Squirrel campsite and told her that there will be approx 11 people/7 small tents and 1 dog turning up on 5th and staying till 7th June. She is looking forward to us turning up so be there!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
I think part of the reason I am finding stuff so hard to deal with right now is because I've been on a bit of a downer since Saturday.
It was my birthday. And for the first time in my life I spent it on my own. I opened my gifts and cards alone. I didn't see anyone until the evening. I felt more lonely on Saturday than I think I ever have and that's really really hard to bear.
Been having a hard time trying to smile since then.
Despite many letters (including copies of death certificates), phone calls and letters sent by my solicitor, I am still receiving demanding letters from creditors regarding outstanding debts that I was left with after Ian died. The latest is a default notice that I am to pay the full outstanding amount by 2 June otherwise they will start legal proceedings to recover the full amount. The latest from one of the companies stated that I hadn't contacted them despite their previous letters, and I have records of loads of correspondence with them! Another company had addressed 2 of the letters to Ian! It's not like they aren't going to get paid, just that I don't have access to funds to pay them yet because of all the red tape involved. All of this paperwork, form filling and waiting for responses takes time. All they have to do is wait a bit longer, but no. They want their money now and they are prepared to do whatever they have to to get it. To be honest I have been through quite enough recently and right now I don't feel I have the strength to cope with all this any longer.
I went to see Combichrist last night in Sunderland. A good dose of Norwegian trance inducing EBM was just what I needed to forget about my worries. I think I danced so much my legs were like jelly at the end of the night! I had originally bought two tickets for me and Ian months ago so I let Ian's best friend, Geoff, have the spare ticket.
Tomorrow I will take the latest batch of letter to my solicitor and see if he can reason with them.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
For those of you who will be coming along to the scattering of Ian's ashes, here's some info I found on the web ... somewhere ...
GLEN COE
Accommodation: Wild camping is still tolerated north of the river at the rear of the Kings House Hotel, and between the road and the river in the upper reaches of Glen Etive, though is generally discouraged elsewhere in Glen Coe. About a third of the way down the back road from Clachaig Inn - Glencoe village lie the Youth Hostel (tel: 01855 811219), Leacantuim Farm Bunkhouse and Red Squirrel Campsite (tel: 01855 811256). The National Trust Campsite is located in the forest on the west side of the A82, 1.1miles/1.8km SE of Glencoe Village. There are also Caravan and Camp Sites nearby at Invercoe (tel: 01855 811210), 0.5km from Glencoe Village; at Caolasnacon (tel: 01855 831279), 3.5 miles/5km down the B863 road to Kinlochleven; and Corran Caravans, Onich (tel: 01855 821208). Bunkhouses: Inchree, Onich (tel: 01855 821287); West Highland Lodge, Kinlochleven (01855 831471). Mountaineering Club Huts at Lagangarbh (SMC); Blackrock Cottage, White Corries (Ladies Scottish Climbing Club); Inbhir-fhaolain, Glen Etive (Grampian MC); Smiddy, Glen Etive (Forventure Trust); Kinlochleven (Fell & Rock); Alex Macintyre Hut, Onich (BMC/MC of S); Manse Barn, Onich (Lomond MC). Many hotels en route to Fort William, together with numerous b&b and guest houses in Glencoe, Ballachulish and Onich.
Amenities: The Clachaig Inn (tel: 01855 811679) and the Kings House Hotel (tel: 01855 811259), located at either end of the Glen, are the two most popular places for an apres climb pint for most climbers. Both also offer bar meals. All the other hotels en route to Fort William also serve bar meals. For provisions, there is a late opening Spar supermarket in Ballachulish village, 1 mile/1.6km west of Glencoe village. There are also a couple of small grocery shops and a post office in Glencoe village, together with a couple of cafes - try the River Coe Restaurant on east side of the A82. Petrol Station in Glencoe village. For outdoor equipment, maps, guides etc. Glencoe Guides and Gear (tel: 01855 811402) is conveniently situated at Tighphuirst, on the south side of the A82 just west of Glencoe village.
My plan is to drive up there on Friday evening and to camp at the National Trust campsite. My understanding is that there is usually no pre-booking available for National Trust sites and that they are operated on a first come first served basis. I therefore don't want to leave home any later than 4pm. I'll be using SatNav so hopefully I won't get too lost, but if anybody wants to get lost with me rather than get lost on their own, we can arrange a time to leave together.
See you there.
