The Pot of Gold

    At the beginning of 2015 I told you I wasn't about to make any New Years resolutions I couldn't keep. Therefore, I resolved to fill my year with things that I enjoyed and stay positive.

    The whole idea was that by doing so I could generate happiness from within and keep on smiling, no matter what life threw at me. I'm glad to say that I did have a good year and I'm very grateful that I did.

    So, in this post I don't want to make a new resolution for 2016, but look back on 2015 with heaps of gratitude that life was kind to me and thank the people, places who contributed to making it happen. My pot of gold most definitely being the publication of my second book.

http://devilslayingamongstotherthings.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/at-end-of-rainbow-51.html

A Bag Isn't just for Christmas

 

    I don't know what it's like where you live, but in Scotland in an effort to cut-down on waste we're charged for single-use carrier bags provided by retailers.

    The minimum five-pence charge was introduced in October 2014 in an effort to encourage the population to reuse bags, the funds are then redistributed to good causes throughout Scotland.

    There are a few exemptions, such as the one the butcher gives you with Sunday's roast in and the one the fishmonger packs the assortment of fish in that you plan to use for fish pie Tuesday night. I should say that there are other exemptions, but it starts to get rather complicated and my examples may have over-complicated matters already.

    Truly, I'm all for cutting down on waste and I carry bags with me at all times. Surveying the amount of gift wrapping that I had to place in the recycle bin following Christmas Day I had a real guilt trip.

    However, there is one thing I would like added to the exclusion list and that is clothing. That's because I'm getting kind of tired of having to wash new purchases. Wouldn't you agree that it's a real no-no, to put a new LBD in the same bag the leg of lamb was brought home in on Saturday?

 

In with the New

Millennium Clock Tower

The clock strikes

We raise our glasses

Clink and cheer

Happy New Year

The Millennium Clock Tower's Intricate detail

Clock exhibited in the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh.
Made by: Tim Stead, Eduard Besudsky, Annica Sandstrom, Jurgen Tubbecke, Maggy Lenert.

'Floating Bob'

Firth of Forth

    It was a cold morning, walking along the north shore of the Firth of Forth. The sun was trying, desperately, to burn off the haar that hung over the estuary.

North shore of the Firth of Forth

    I was following the sign that said, Preston Island, anticipating that a small land mass would come into view at any moment. However the path continued for some distance before turning slightly inland and although there was no island there were a group of buildings up ahead that were definitely worth investigating.

Ruins of the buildings used for mining and salt panning

    These now ruins are what is left of the 18th century site and indeed the island where, Sir Robert Preston, Tory MP, friend of Sir Walter Scott, carried out his business of salt panning and coal-mining. Both businesses worked hand in glove as the fires used for the salt pans were fuelled by the coal extracted from beneath the river.

    But, centuries after Preston's enterprise ceased to produce salt and coal, the ash slurry that was piped out of the nearby, Longannet Power Station, engulfed the water course. This reclaimed land inclusive of the island, is now part of a nature reserve and although man altered the landscape with this contamination, nature has been allowed to return and flourish.

Brief history of Sir Robert Preston, nickname 'Floating Bob'

    Longannet itself will close by March 2016, the end of another era in Scotland's industrial history, and of which Sir Robert Preston was a contributor. 

Longannet Power Station

Christmas Greetings

Merry Christmas and love to you all. Thanks for your wonderful support throughout the year. I'm having a sneaky day off but please read my archive posts.

Solstitium

The day is short and the night is long.

Pagans honouring it with song.

Their merry chants accompanied with the beat of a drum,

On the day of the Solstitium.

Homes are decorated with the colours of red, green and white.

Candles are lit, the darkest hours are now filled with light.

On the green tree, hangs a yule charm.

Keeping the assembled safe from the way of harm.

Feasts are prepared and gifts are exchanged, for all to enjoy.

The children are excited, in anticipation of theirs containing a toy.

The sun is now directly over the Tropic of Capricorn. 

Indicating that the centre of our planetary system has been reborn.

Lengthening days in the north and shortening them in the south.

But, importantly marking a time when we can spread comfort and joy, by word of mouth.

Then the Wind Came: Part Six

    “Tell us, tell us,” said Kai excitedly.

    “You can both come with me. I asked about the guys I was travelling with and the woman in registration told me that they haven't been here. There is a new camp about two miles from here and they've possibly moved on there. This camp, as you can see is bursting at the seams and she told me that she heard that the facilities and accommodation are much better there,” said Kim.

    Olivia looked at her brother and said, “We better get going then.”

    “You'll be safe with me,” said Kim rubbing Kai's head playfully. “Here got you these, to help keep the glare out of your eyes.” Kim handed them each a pair of sunglasses, which they gratefully put on.    **

    The group of five men made their way into the registration tent. They pushed their way through the thirty or so waiting and made their way to the front of the line. The over-worked woman looked up when one of the men slapped down a small leather wallet in front of her.

    Lifting the wallet the woman read the identification it contained, closing it over she handed it back to the large framed, man.

    “If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes I wouldn't have believed it,” said the woman.

    “Unfortunately, it is true. We're the agents sent here in search of a young man who is wanted in connection with the devastation we now face,” said the burly man.
    Taking a photograph from his inside coat pocket, he handed it to the woman and said,"Have you seen him?"

    “No I haven't. I'm sorry,” said the woman shaking her head.
    He took the photograph back from the woman and handed it to the first man who was standing in line.

    “Yeah, I saw him.I passed him and two other kids as I was coming into the camp,” said the man. 

    “It was definitely him,” asked the agent.

    “Yes, he was with a young boy and a teenage girl,” said the waiting man.

    “You're sure it was him,” said the agent.

    “Yeah. I've told you already. I'm positive. You see, I couldn't understand why they were leaving. I stopped him and asked if it was full up in here?” said the man.

    “What did he say?” asked the agent.

    “He didn't say anything, he ignored me. It was the boy who spoke to me. He told me before the guy pulled him away that they were going to the other camp,” said the man.

    “ What camp?” said the agent.

    “ I tried to tell them that there is no other camp. But this guy wasn't interested in what I had to say. He grabbed the boy by the hand and told him that I was some nut talking rubbish,” said the man.

    “ Okay thanks for your help,” said the agent. Turning to the men accompanying him he said,             “Let's get out of here.”  

    “As I said to the agent I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't had seen it with my own eyes,” said the woman behind the desk.

    “Who were those men?” asked the man who had helped the agent.

    “They're the devil hunters that are looking for Satan's grandson,” said the woman.

    “That  teenage guy in the photograph must be him,” said the man.
    “He must be,” said the woman.

THE END