First published MyT 08/11/09. Revised.
Today, for about the fourth time in 30 years or more, I did not attend my usual Remembrance Day service. I didn’t want to.
In November 1914, Heart of Midlothian Football Club were sitting proudly atop of the League after an unbeaten run of 20 matches. Then Lord Kitchener called for his volunteer Army. Continue reading “My Remembrance Day”
Now I realise that posting pictures of any sort of beer might be seen as slightly provocative in the present climate.
But I just have to share this.
When the Threshers empire belly flopped, I had three of their Wine Rack branches within a five minute drive. They closed, festered and got festooned with Festival Fringe posters. Then some local franchise acquired them and, mindful of the fact that us Jocks have a severe thirst at most times, refurbished and re-opened them. Continue reading “Probably the Best-named Beer in the World”
Remembrance Sunday always stirs deep emotions in me. I am sure that it does the same for most of you as well.
For the last three years and ever since I first came across it on MyT, part of my remembrance of the day has been reading the Nokamis blog which he first published on 3rd November 2007.
On checking MyT, I see that he is back and last posted on 3rd November 2010. Good and I hope that he will not mind if I repeat myself again this year and post yet another link to said blog which says it all , in my opinion.
‘It’s cold here, colder than on the tube coming up, colder than the short walk from the station. At least, it seems so. A capricious wind is whipping the downed leaves in golden whirlwinds round my feet. I’m feeling the cold particularly badly because I’m not wearing a coat. My funereal black mohair overcoat is gracing a hook in Florida, and I’m not sporting my natty bright red goose-down lined parka, just didn’t seem right.’
http://my.telegraph.co.uk/nokamis/nokamis/3993861/One_of_our_memories_is_missing/#disqus_thread
Continue reading “‘One of our Memories is Missing’ by Nokamis”
We’re all going to have to face up to this in the very near future, in my opinion. The Series starts on Bearsy’s patch in 22 days. But ‘we’re’ already down under and the first match is this coming Friday against WA in the ersatz Perth. To be fair, they gave the real place two black swans in the early 60’s and I used to enjoy watching the pair of them gliding up and down the Tay on my way home from school. Continue reading “The Elephant in the Long Room”
My entry for Bearsy’s New Competition
Aeneas fled Troy’s epic, tragic ending.
Obeyed the Gods and journeyed ever West.
Tired of miles of endless, aimless wending.
Found rest and peace and love on Dido’s breast.
A brief respite. The Gods renewed their call.
He left. She wept, her love still unabated.
Then, hopeless. spurn’d and sworn to end it all,
She built her pyre, expired and immolated.
Ladies, mark her case. Try not to follow.
Don’t give your love to men whose paths are driv’n.
Their passions spent, their honey’d words ring hollow.
They leave, nor care if they are unforgiv’n.
Take care. Perhaps, like her, your heart’s pyre lurks,
He’ll not stay true despite remember’d fireworks.
Here we go then. 11 entries this time from 10 authors and every one a joy. I’ve made my choice but it took a while and was not easy. Continue reading “October CW Result”
See Proust and thon madeleines bringing memories flooding back. I know what he meant.
What brings back my childhood, more clearly than any other memory, and particularly at this time of year is the smell of a turnip lantern as it gently toasts in the heat of the candle giving it life. You deprived souls south of Hadrian’s Wall call them swedes, apparently, but the neep is a fine beast whether it is lying mashed on a plate beside a haggis that has been caught in its prime or being carried around the neighbourhood to keep the ghosts and ghoulies at bay on Hallowe’en. Continue reading “A la Recherche…………….”
Right then. ‘Time’s winged chariot’ definitely says that I am now 61 and I’m not prepared to call it a liar. And yet, and yet!
I am fairly sure that I am, in reality, still somewhere between 17 and 25 and that it’s all been a horrible mistake. Most of the time this is just a vague feeling that floats around in my mind, but, every so often, it comes to the fore.
Take three weeks ago. I am lucky enough to have close friends from University of Embra days who we go away with at least once a year. No changes in personnel. All still married to the same people and all still friends. Been doing it for 30 years now. Rules are a castle, a river, a cathedral and approximate equidistance between the Great Wen and Embra. First one was in York and we go back there every 10 years. Continue reading “I Demand a Recount”
Two weeks ago, I was visiting my roots. One side of my ancestry is Lowland, East Neuk of Fife for as many generations as we have been able to trace to date. The other side is Easter Ross, but, two generations back, it seems that we came out of the West from Lewis or Harris. As part of my 60th birthday celebrations, my close friends funded my first trip to the Outer Hebrides.
I was, of course, 60 in October last year, but the blood of the islands runs true in me and I did not get around to organising the trip until late September of this year. Totally unforgettable. The weather was dreadful, the scenery was spectacular, the various golden eagles, sea eagles, herons and seals were glorious and the people were memorable.
On the second day at lunchtime, we were right on the southern tip of Harris, looking out towards Skye and North Uist. We drove past a hotel which looked like it had closed for the season, but tried it anyway. It turned out to have one more day to go and they were happy to make us lunch. Continue reading “Hebridean Humour”
Another outdoor bowling season draws to a close. This is the last end of my last game on a sunny Sunday afternoon. My first indoor game is tomorrow night, so I’m going to miss Boa’s ‘S’ quiz unless it’s really, really difficult or the usual suspects have left a few scraps for those arriving late at the feast.
Boadicea's Chariot 
You must be logged in to post a comment.