16/12/2006, 15:52
Well, it's almost Christmas week. Rain is still pissing down among the highways and byways of this part of the world. Indeed, we viewed Duck Bay Marina and its environs on Thursday and were amazed to see that the road dyke, some three or four feet high, was level with the level of the loch.
Water is everywhere.
But let's not dwell on the puddles, or inland lochs that they have become. It's time to leave the computer and net behind for a while, given our current lack of a server.
Time for a blog rest.
So until I return early in 2007, have a WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS!
Ray
[ 4 comments ] ( 154 views )
14/12/2006, 13:58
Today we're in the Mitchell Library in Glasgow to meet a wee group of bloggers. Our internet access at home is still off, so we're having problems with all the on-line work we do.
The library here offers free access to library members. We have membership now, so this is another place we can come to do some family research with records and at our fingertips.
The train took an age to come in. One line was closed, so we were diverted all round the houses. It'll be a slow train home too I imagine.
[ 3 comments ] ( 151 views )
12/12/2006, 11:40
The wind blew as 'twad blawn its last;
The rattling showers rose on the blast;
The speedy gleams the darkness swallow'd;
Loud, deep, and lang, the thunder bellow'd:
That night, a child might understand,
The deil had business on his hand.
This little extract from one of my favourite Burns' poems says it all. Our weather of late has been excruciatingly awful. There appears to be almost as much water on land as there is in our rivers and lochs. The occasional blink of blue and light between the coverage of cloud reminds us that somewhere the sun is shining. And it will for us again. But it may be a while coming.
Unfortunately, the weather is playing havoc with our internet access. We have a wireless set-up that initiates in Helensburgh and is transmitted to us via Rosneath. It looks as if our days are numbered and we'll have to investigate the use of 3G technology. We'll cross that bridge when the time comes.
[ add comment ]
08/12/2006, 09:26
NASA are on a mission to set up a space station on the moon. GW and TB are on a mission to exit Iraq wiping off the egg on their faces as they go. Me? Today I'm on a mission to find out a little about this place I live in. I've been here for nearly two and a half years and yet I know very little about the history of the place and its people. Considering I spend so much time on family history all over the world and places in between, it is absolutely to my shame that I know not one iota about Rosneath and this peninsula of ours.
Why the sudden quest? I've been in touch with another
genealogist who is passing this way tomorrow. His name is Tony Smith, born in Inverness, works down south and has family roots right here. He asked if there was anything to
photograph around the area, especially the castle. I responded negatively, initially and then I thought about it. I don't really know what there is to photograph because I've never really explored the area. So today, because and on behalf of Tony, I'm off on my mission to discover more about Rosneath.
Will report back later!!!
Back in the saddle
I haven't been on my bike since the 19th of September. Today, it was time to uncover it, check it over briefly, then clothe myself in winter apparel before setting off on the highways and byways of the peninsula.
Winter cycling is a trifle different from the summer variety. I wore a hat under my helmet, gloves on my hands and a warm fleece over my warmest jeans.(narrow-legged as opposed to the bootleg variety for safety's sake) It was as well that I was thus clad, for after only a hundred yards, my attention was drawn to my back tyre, which seemed that it might be a trifle flatter than it should have been, and down I went, courtesy of a scattering of clogged autumn leaves on the roadside. Mud-spattered here and there, a little bruised, but otherwise undaunted, I straightened my squint handlebars in the time-hounoured fashion(hold the wheel between my knees and twist) and headed on my way. A little altercation with some measly leaves wasn't going to keep me from my mission!!!
With my handlebar mirror to assist viewing approaching traffic, I peddled on. Naturally it was harder than I remembered it to be, but after a two month break, what could I expect? I was out of practice. I wasn't as fit as I had been, even although I'm now stones lighter. But I was here now and I was cycling again. AND I was cycling in WINTER!!!
I reached Rosneath, negotiated the traffic lights which are in place as they build a bus layby, and turned in towards the church and graveyard. I had always meant to take some pictures of this lovely church, and today was the day to do it. The sun was shining out of a blue sky. I snapped here and I snapped there. I ventured to the graveyard and parked my bike, removed both helmet, hat and gloves and proceeded to wander looking at the stones. I noted some surnames and found a stone with one of Tony's ancestors on it. I was dismayed to see the state of the graveyard, fenced off at its centre because of crumbling stonework. Graveyards are like that the length and breadth of the country. It is rare to find one carefully maintained.
I cycled on, having had a conversation with a local man who was impressed to see me in the graveyard. He told me he'd lived in the village for 33 years and had never been in it. After a brief discussion of my motives, he directed me to the school, where a local library is available a couple of days a week. I had thought the only library service was in Cove, but that was proved to be wrong. There was indeed a library at the school with its own access. Unfortunately it wasn't open today. I took a not of its opening hours and determined to return....on my bike!
The homeward journey was broken by a stop here and there for a photograph. It was harder to cycle back up the incline into the caravan park, but I made it without getting off, AND without a repeat of the altercation with the leaves!
Success was rewarded with a nice cup of peppermint tea and a couple of tea biscuits.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...................
;)
And believe it or not, there are STILL daisies flowering among the fallen leaves!!!
[ 3 comments ] ( 148 views )
07/12/2006, 10:13
Today, despite the rain, we're heading for the Ayrshire coast and our final bit of Christmas shopping for this year. My mum lives in Largs, just across the water from Millport, an island that I very nearly went to live on in the late eighties when I was seeking my first post as headteacher. I remember going to have a look round the school prior to an interview, and being suitably impressed by the space in all the adjoining buildings, and a grand piano that was housed in a fully-equipped music room. I didn't attend the interview in the end, but went to Colonsay instead, another island, and another story.
I was reminded of Millport this week when I was talking to my Auntie Bloss. She told me that she'd been a pupil in the school there for only a day. She also shared some of her memories of her schooldays in Glasgow, where she attended Knightswood School. I'm delighted to hear that she's putting those memories on paper now. I look forward to catching a glimpse of them when they're completed!!! Good for you Auntie Bloss!!!!
The Primary School on Millport
[ add comment ]
Back Next
