What’s the Story in Dalamory

How is this for a tower?

The best remark of the tennis commentators to date was of Andy Murray yesterday….
   He looks as animated as Sven-Goran Eriksson on valium……

To be honest I found his match yesterday too depressing to watch, so I popped in and out from the sun lounger in the garden.

Both the computer and I have dodgy fuses at the moment. I am only just up and running with the PC now that Him Behind the Wheel fixed the fuse for me. OK – I know I should have done it myself, but am still not feeling one hundred per cent after having a mini-collapse in church yesterday.

Not the best thing for the congregation when it is the preacher who keels over.
Sorry everybody.

I love the Always look on the bright side idea – sorry if The Life of Brian is not your type of humour. I enclose links to the film here and here, to give two views, one being from a Christian site, the other a DIY encyclopaedia.

 The trouble is that although I always used to think I was an optimist, things have changed as I have become older. On the bright days I cannot help but think of those who are facing death or bereavement. It probably goes with the vocation of a parish minister; where one is always faced with people at the high and low points of their lives. Perhaps it is good though, because it is about being aware of all the varied experiences of life. Sometimes life is hard. Sometimes it feels impossible. On a bright day like today it feels that all is right – at least here in Dalamory.

As Dave Allen used to say, May your God go with you…..

Here is another website for one of the participants. Makes for engrossing reading.

Took the dog for a walk up the Orchy yesterday. Glenorchy is a stunning glen with the river running alongside the road, the road being single-track with passing places. An ideal place to walk and look at nature. There are shingle and rock beaches in many places, as well as rapids and tiny islets. I thought about taking the camera, then gave up on the idea as the mist was quite low to start with. Imagine my surprise to come across one beach with several Andy Goldsworthy – style sculptures. Stones balanced on top of one another in a single spire to form tapering columns. How cross I was not to have the camera. I did wonder if it was the artist himself then presumed that he would have dismantled the art – for that is what it was – once he had photographed it. However, I have since discovered that he leaves them for people to come across and nature to reclaim. On second thoughts though, they are not quite grand enough.

Perhaps I’ll go back and take a photo after all.

Read about the Wag and Bone Show recently. (Well it makes a change from reading about the Anglican Church tearing itself apart.) It seems to be an alternative type of dog show, one where clever dogs and besotted owners can show off their stuff – in actions rather than conforming to standard breed.

Don’t know if we will trek all the way south though. Check out the action here……  Misty thinks she might fancy swimming. But as she is going through the terrible teenager stage at present, I doubt it would be safe to let her loose in amongst all the other canines.

Have been even more idle today, what with sunshine to sit in and tennis to watch……

Hey though, our Scots boy did well. Keep it up Andy.

How shall I spend this lovely sunny Monday? One thing is sure, there are different ways of being idle. Here I am out at Dalamory, while Him Behind the Wheel is having a coffee, at anchor, at Ardinamir, Isle of Luing. He is taking part in a few days of sail-training, helping out as crew on Weaver, operated by Westward Quest.

Anyway, it means I have power over the remote control, so the dog is going to be introduced to the delights of Wimbledon and tennis. My only memory of actually being there was in 1962 when I managed to faint on the Centre Court. Not whilst playing, I hasten to add. I was a spectator, but that was in the days of standing and being squashed. Not funny in a heatwave.

Drat – did someone say it was raining in the south? Son No 3 was being treated to my musings on playing tennis in my glory days. He asked if I was any good. I admitted to being reasonable and then couldn’t help a boast about having been school tennis captain.