This photo reminds me of the hymn…..
Looking upward everyday, sunshine on our faces…..
About
The life and thoughts of Freda Marshall, a retired Church of Scotland minister living amongst the mountains and glens of Argyll.Pages
Looking upward
Clever movies
At last I got the right firewire fitting that goes with the imac and the camcorder. The trouble has been that the computer is apple’s newest, whereas the Panasonic digital video recorder is an oldish model. Taking my breath in both hands I hooked each end of the cable to the appropriate machine and waited. Magic – the imovie programme does it all itself. All singing, all dancing, all bells…….. and sadly too much camera shake.
The first time I was a wildlife movie photographer, I watched the deer for fifteen minutes or so just outside the back garden, I only found the camcorder – no tripod and no time. Thus there is not much that is usable – apart from Misty woofing. On the second occasion, I was ready and the camera was duly waiting on its tripod. Much better. Now of course comes the hard part; the editing. Not my strong point. Probably won’t happen till after the weekend as I am busy with other things.
Strange how daunting new projects can be, and yet I am sure it helps to keep the brain elastic, as it were. It is just that as one gets older, things seems to take longer, and they take more puff.
Cruachan Derailment information
It’s interesting how an event that happens locally generates differing information from that which appears in the media. For example, the TV stations are saying that the road could be cleared by the end of the week. Local people here in the village, are passing on bits and pieces of information from the professionals working in and around the crash site. Latest talk here is that it will be into next week. Everybody is worried about the road taking the weight of the heavy lifting gear. With the road being on stilts sunk into the loch, the whole process is fraught with difficulty.
In the grand scheme of things, this road closure is such a small event, but it is amazing how hard it makes all sorts of things. Commuters having to go four times as far, people missing ferries; hospital and dental appointments being cancelled, ( no-one does the huge extra commute unless it is really urgent.)
I try to keep perspective by thinking of the folks in Florida whose livelihoods are affected by the oil slick, and of those who died in Cumbria in the shootings; but to be quite honest, going down that route ends up making me more and more depressed. All of it is made worse by a Local Government meeting I was at yesterday. The process, the auditing, the monitoring, the local-government-speak…… and all in the context of cuts, cuts, cuts.
Think the only thing to do is to go smell the flowers and listen to the birds. Hope I haven’t made your day worse. Having got it all off my chest I feel surprisingly relieved.
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Tagged Cruachan Train crash latest, Cumbria shootings, Forida, giant crane, local government, road closure
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If You Could See Me Now
If You Could See Me Now was the third book written by Cecilia Ahern. She is already developing her fantasy-magical style. I found the writing beguiling and wanted the story to linger on, mainly because of the revelations being made along the way about each of the characters.
The plot centres mainly round the person of Elizabeth Egan, who copes with life by being tightly in control, so that she will not be disappointed or let down. She has become the reluctant carer for her sister’s child, who at the time of the action is 6yrs old. He is a bright loner of a child, who develops an imaginary friend…….. But just how imaginary is Ivan?
The unfolding tale had me uncomfortable, reluctantly admiring and finally, totally captivated. I don’t want to tell you too much, except to say that it is a worthwhile read and that I took a little while to come back to earth, once it was finished.
Train derailment at Cruachan Falls
The Cruachan train derailment is about 6 miles from where we live.
Last night there was plenty of rescue activity: police, fire engines, helicopters – mainly because of the remoteness of the site, or so it was said. Thankfully there were few injuries and they were not reckoned to be serious, although eight people were taken to hospitals. The road to Oban is now closed and effectively it means a detour of 77 miles each way to get to our local metropolis. Come to think of it, Glasgow is probably nearer.
We were going to Oban to visit Son #3 this afternoon – needless to say our plans have been amended. People working in essential services are having a long commute, and nobody knows yet what exactly will happen. Photos here on the BBC website. Also if you look at the heading picture on this blog – the train derailment is round about at the far left hand side.
Thought for Sunday
From Henri Nouwen
Contemplative prayer can be described as an imagining of Christ, a letting him enter fully, into our consciousness so that he becomes the icon always present in the inner room.
Parakeet
Have a quick look here, to see a photo of a parakeet (and other things) in a London garden – if you click on the photo you can see the bird clearly. I am so jealous……. so this is global warming is it?
The best I have done today is to see a rather fat water vole waddling away from the dog on our walk up Glenstrae. Have been enjoying the heat and picking out some flowers for the tubs. The trouble is that a car boot full of flowers looks quite a lot until you start to plant them. The planting will have to take place later when it is not quite so hot (midgies allowing!) Maybe some photos tomorrow.
Electricity
Now what I don’t understand is how different tariffs apply from different companies, or indeed from the same company. A bill came in this morning from the current electricity supplier – Him Behind the Wheel – has spent the last half hour comparing prices online, then speaking to current supplier. As far as I can gather, it is going to mean we stay with the same company, register online and end up paying £17 per month less.
No wonder I get confused.
Blackmount Estate
What are the words that Misty loves more than ‘Walkies?’ You’ll never guess. So I shall tell you. It’s “Would you like to go on an Adventure?” There is a resounding, Yes-woof followed by a Hurry up-bark, if we are not quick enough to kit up. Today the weather was fine so we decided on a walk up at Blackmount, Loch Tulla and then a relaxing coffee in the campervan.
The River Orchy can just about be seen from the Homestead at Dalamory, but below is a view from the early reaches up in the hills between Blackmount and Glen Etive.
The Estate have created a fish dam in these upper reaches, presumably there are salmon and trout. Couldn’t see any though.
Misty is back in her favourite position….
And I enjoyed my coffee with the best view in the house (campervan I mean.)
Most dramatic part of the day: – The far hills of Blackmount itself
Most Intriguing: – Fishponds
Most entertaining: – Botanists bending down taking photos of different kinds of mosses; or were they biologists looking for beetles?
Glorious afternoon and much appreciated by all the inhabitants of Dalamory. Brings a lift to the spirit and a thankful awareness of the whole of creation.
I guess the exercise was good too! But as for the whole 95 miles of the West Highland Way – perhaps not this year.
Posted in Blog
Tagged Blackmount Estate, fishponds, Loch Tulla, River Orchy, West Highland Way
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