A Name to Conjure With

Lock 16, Forth and Clyde Canal

  It was a cold spring morning, time to get my butt out of the chair, take a good long walk and take stock of some of the places that are in my area.

      I slipped my feet into my comfy shoes and walked approximately three miles before I reached the banks of the Forth and Clyde Canal. I've visited here over the years on many an occasion, but I hoped since it was such a lovely morning that I would see something more than the ducks and swans. 

Barge entering Lock 12

    While as you will know from my photos in previous blogposts, that I love birds, it is nice to see boats making their way through the lock gates and for once I was in luck. Used only for leisure cruises now, this part of the Forth and Clyde joined up with the Union Canal around 1820. It was a working canal for many years, but transporting both goods and people became easier and quicker by rail, or road. Therefore, the upkeep became costly, causing the waterways to fall into disrepair and in turn totally impractical.

The Canal Inn, built circa 1820

    There are a few public houses dotted along the tow paths of the canal, however one that is worth a mention is, The Canal Inn. Not because of its whisky or beer, but because of the name it is known locally. The Canal Inn, has always been known unofficially as the, War Office. As to why, there are many tales told. From it being where young men went to enlist in the army at the beginning of the, First World War, to a place where locals gathered to hear the news coming from the, Boer War.

    The name just adds to its charm and most certainly is a name to conjure with.

Deception

In the Garden of Gethsemane

Amongst the olive trees

You had supper with friends

It was to be your last

You were deceived

The mob ruled, you were degraded,

Insulted and layed upon

They led you through the streets

Uphill to Calgary

Nailing you upon a cross

You shed your blood for us

Dying for our sins

Giving your body

Gifting us forgiveness

And eternal life

Oh Brother!

    Siblings Day is today and if you haven't heard of it before, join the club. It's a day to celebrate your brothers and sisters and while I think the bond I have with my brothers should be celebrated, I'm not so sure if it's just another money-spinning idea.

    I am the oldest in the family and I can honestly say that when we were kids, there were times they were the most annoying individuals I had to contend with. I know the feeling was mutual, even although I was perfect.

    Seriously though, now we're all grown up I do appreciate the strong bond we have. Even if we haven't seen or spoken for a while, when we meet up it seems we were together the day before. Conversation flows, no holds barred.

    Recently, I was lucky enough to spend a few days away with one of them and it was wonderful. It was fantastic to relax in each others company and catch-up.

    Is one day enough to set aside to celebrate our siblings? No, if we are lucky enough to have brothers and sisters, we should make time regularly to acknowledge our tie, no matter where we are or what we are doing.



P.S.
There is no family resemblance to the little family in the picture!

    

   

A Mountain to Climb

  

 
    Today, another page is written in our history books. We the readers know, who the major players and victims are; however, we cannot accurately guess, at what the ending might be. Because, unlike fiction there is no author to dictate as to how the story will end.

    We watch the millions of displaced people who find themselves in agonising circumstances, online, on TV and in our news feeds, as they try to escape from their abusers, every day.

    Watching a programme recently, filmed inside one of the refugee camps on the Turkish border, I couldn't help but be surprised at the resilience of these people.

    Former shop-keepers have set up stalls selling essentials, women go about the business of buying food to feed their families, the make-shift barber shops buzz with customers and the children play. The population make the best of what they have and the situation they find themselves in.

    They are not living in a materialistic world, they know they have a great mountain to climb; but above all they know that having their lives is a blessing.



#NationalAllIsOursDay

Not Spinning My Wheels

    It is the view of many in the writing world, that research is an author's excuse for procrastination. It maybe that when I'm doing research I am procrastinating. However, recently I've never enjoyed dilly-dallying so much.

    For me it has been an educational journey, I've been reading the works of 19th/20th century authors and poets, of which before I have never read in any depth.

    Coincidentally, two of which are Scottish, one Australian, one American; their names being, Andrew Lang, Robert Williams Buchanan, Adam Lindsay Gordon, Joaquin Miller. The extracts from their poems I came across left me wanting to read more, so I did.

    I want to share one of the poems by fellow Scot and friend of Robert Louis Stevenson,  Andrew Lang;

Nysa 

On these Nysaen shores divine

The clusters ripen in a day.

At dawn the blossoms shreds away;

The berried grapes are green and fine

And full by noon; in days decline

They're purple with a bloom of grey,

And e'er the twilight plucked are they,

And crushed, by night fall into wine

But through the night with torch in hand

Down the dusk hills the Maenads fare;

The bull-voiced mummers roar and blare,

The muffled timbrels swell and sound,

And drown the clamour of the band

Like thunder moaning underground.

~

    Using delaying tactics, or not I'm going to keep on reading the words of the wonderful authors and poets that have filled and still exist in our world. Because reading is the key to learning at any age.

   

No Mean Feat

    For many people reading is difficult all through their school years and adult life. They face a continual, uphill battle. I know how inconvenient it is to go shopping, or reading food preparation instructions, when I don't have my reading glasses at hand. But, the hindrance I'm encountering is temporary, and easily solved by slipping my glasses onto the end of my nose. Therefore, I can't imagine what it is really like to be unable to read.

    On morning television recently there was an eighty-seven year old woman who read a passage from her favourite book; while there isn't anything too surprising about that, it was an admirable feat for this lady. Because, until now she had been unable to read a book.

    Like many people; throughout her life she has managed to hide her handicap from others, feeling ashamed and embarrassed at the daily obstacle she faced. Distinguishing one letter from another had been her greatest challenge and becoming muddled had deterred her. She has now been identified as having learning difficulties, and given the help that she needed to overcome her impediment.

    Being able to read is just her first step and learning to write is now on her agenda, appearing on TV in the hope to encourage others to follow in her foot-steps.

    I applaud, Ursula Shepherd, in her achievement. For those who need encouragement to follow her in learning a new skill, remember the words of, Albert Einstein, "Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new."


http://www.readingrockets.org/helping

http://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/dyslexic
   

    

Don't Let the Grass Grow Under One's Feet

   Taking a short-cut and not following a designated foot-path; settling down on a piece of public grass with a picnic and a good book, are some of the things we've all done at one time, or another.

       
    What happens if we add that to, friends gathering in anticipation of going to hear their favourite author, or celebrity, speaking about their new book? As well as excited children, running around, enjoying their freedom in the middle of a city.

        That's what has happened over the last thirty years, in Charlotte Square Gardens, Edinburgh, when the Edinburgh Book Festival arrives in the city.

    Whether, it's high-heels, pumps, wellington boots, or even bare-feet, this ornamental garden is struggling to withstand approximately quarter of a million people trampling all over it for eighteen days.

    Therefore, this year measures are being proposed to protect this historic area. Including curtailing events within the gardens. Yes, the location is special, but Edinburgh itself is a beautiful city and I don't think it will make much difference, if other venues are included.

    After, all it's all about books and their authors.