Count Down Craziness

    It's been a little crazy at home this last week, similar to millions around the world I've been making preparations for Christmas. For once I'm hoping to get ahead of the game. My plan is that on Christmas Eve all I'll have to do is worry about peeling the Brussels sprouts and stuffing the turkey.

   All going well, the presents will be bought, wrapped and safely tucked away under the tree. I still do have a few more to buy, but Saturday that chapter will be finished. (Cross fingers)

    Talking of chapters I'm also endeavouring to finish a new novel and giving it my best shot to stick to a tight writing schedule. This week I have been successful, I have managed to cram in lots of writing hours and a not so shabby word count.

    Hope your preparations are all going well as countdown has begun! And remember to add my books to your wish list!

   

When the People Speak

    In the last few years there has been an upsurge in populations all over the world wanting to rightly, rid themselves of dictators and in turn allow democracy to rule.

    For many this has caused turmoil within their country and the backlash we know has caused mass population displacement. With no end at present seeming to be insight.

    As someone who classes Spain and in particular the, Canary Islands, my second homeland; I at times find it hard to comprehend that this same country was ruled once by a dictator.

    In 1936, General Francisco Franco (1892-1975) led a revolt against the, Popular Front Party, from the Canary Islands where he was governor. Later that year he was appointed, Generalissimo of Nationalist Spain and Head of the country.

    His death in 1975 paved the way for a vote on democracy in 1978. Similar to the struggles that are prevailing now in the countries that are going through a great change, some of the Spanish population were intimidated and threatened too.

    But democracy did win and thirty-eight years on it still rules. We can only hope and pray that peace will shine upon all in another thirty-eight years.

From the Mouth's of Babes

    I flew home to Scotland on Monday, from the Canary Islands, Spain. Flying isn't something I'm crazy about and if I can, I will avoid. However, driving several thousand miles, passing through a minimum of three European countries, not forgetting the two ferry crossings means that flying for five hours wins every time on this journey.

    I was travelling alone and I was not looking forward to it at all. I can only read and write so long, because for some reason when flying I become very sleepy. My head slumped to the side and my mouth wide open I'm sure is not a good look. A look that would most certainly scare any small children that happen to be in my vicinity.

    Occasionally though, you do get someone seated next to you that makes those five hours literally fly by and Monday was one of those times. My two fellow travellers beside me were a woman and her daughter, returning to Scotland following a weeks holiday on the island.

    The girl whom I found out later to be twelve years old, was instructed by her mother to say, " Hello," to me before she slipped into her seat. Seated between her mother and I, the child organised her things, buckled up quickly and within minutes I became aware she was watching me. I could feel her eyes taking in every inch of me. An assessment was being made as to whether I was going to be her friend, or foe on our journey ahead.

    The Captain's flight announcement advised us that the flight was going to be around four hours, thirty minutes because of tail winds and this is where my unforgettable journey began.

    Minutes after take-off my young companion started to question me. The questions included, my nationality, home-town,  marital status and as to whether I was a parent or, not. I realised that her inquisitive mind was still doing an assessment.

   When she began to chat openly about herself I knew I had passed her test. Her concern for my well-being was touching, her words and other kind gestures, suggested that she felt I needed to be taken care of . She found it sad for some reason that I was travelling alone and I can only assume the intermittent strokes of my arm she administered were given to reassure me, that I was not alone.

    Earlier than planned we reached our destination, Edinburgh. But, before we bid our farewells my intriguing little friend told me that she hoped we might meet again. Little does she know that I  hope so too.

    

   
   

Sitting Back and Relaxing

    I've had a little chillax time over the last few weeks, just sitting back and taking in the scenery, flora and fauna.
 

     There are times we need to take a break, catch-up with family, friends and that's what I've been doing.

    On Sunday I had a fabulous afternoon at a charity event with a couple of friends. A group of forty gathered together to take part in a game of  'Call My Bluff', which featured wine tasting.

    I was a panelist therefore I didn't need to sample all the wines. I don't know if that was a good thing, or a bad thing really.

    What I can tell you is that we all enjoyed the good wine, food and company.

Fills Me With Sadness

  
    Over the last few years I seem to have read about another library closing, at least once a month. This month was no different, information came to light that the Borough of Walsall, in England whose population exceeds two hundred and fifty thousand people (urban and rural areas) is proposing to close fifteen of its sixteen libraries, in order to save money.

    Public libraries have been providing the public with free access to information and literature since the mid-nineteenth-century (Public Libraries Act 1850) in the UK and now this facility is gradually disappearing from our towns and cities.

    Without libraries, many children and adults will not have the opportunity to read books and learn about things that they otherwise wouldn't. EDUCATION, EDUCATION. One of the reasons in which the Public Libraries Act was introduced extensively in the first place.

    My picture today is from an old book that I have in my collection, that was published back in 1910 by T.C. & E.C. Jack of Edinburgh. The page is promoting other publications by the same publisher and it makes me feel sad that many of our children in the future may not be able to access any literature old, or new.

   

   

Let's Talk

    Saturday, October 22nd, was 'International Stammering Awareness Day' and although the day has been and gone there's never a bad time to talk about stammering. The campaign itself wants to remove the stigma that is attached to stammering by talking openly about it. I personally stammered badly as a child and I therefore know that you are treated differently and sometimes very badly.

    The sad thing is that I wasn't any different from my friends and classmates, I just took a little longer than them to say what I had to say.  That doesn't mean I should have been bullied, mocked, or even dismissed as though what I had to say wasn't worth listening to.

    All that someone who stammers wants, is that they are listened to. Listened to in the same way as others are. Don't try to finish their words, or sentences, just be patient.

    I found that while some kids mocked, it was the adults that were apt to dismiss me. So, if the adults get it wrong what chance do the kids have? Therefore, education is key here and the only way we can remove this unjust stigma is to talk about it.
http://www.stammering.org


    

    

   

Bye George?

    
      Fort George, lies eleven miles, north-east of Inverness, Scotland and was built by King George II to defend his army from the Jacobites, following the defeat of Bonnie Prince Charlie at Culloden in 1746.
 

Rampart overlooking the, Moray Firth

        The fort which took twenty-two years to build, is the largest fortification in Europe and is currently  barracks to the, Black Watch (3 Scots) battalion as well as a tourist attraction.

    I visited there a couple of years ago and I could see why the location was chosen. Hidden from the road behind large grass covered mounds, the fortress sits high above Scotland's largest firth, the Moray. Enabling the army within its walls to defend itself from rebellers approaching by land and sea.

Fort George, Scotland

        The ramparts overlooking the estuary these days are used by tourists hoping to catch sight of dolphins and whales in the inlet, rather than defending the army inside. Therefore,  the Ministry of Defence is now considering the fort's future, in order of a cost cutting exercise.

The Moray Firth

        Will the drawbridge lift for a final time soon? I hope not for the seven hundred and fifty local people whose livelihoods depend on it and the fact that two hundred and fifty years of Scottish history could be entombed indefinitely.

Drawbridge entrance to Fort George