Feliz Dia de Canarias

Amarilla Bay, Costa Del Silencio, Tenerife



 

    I can only apologise for my rather erratic blogging over the last couple of weeks, but I was visiting Tenerife, one of the seven islands that make up the Canary Islands. Although the language, climate and culture is different from Scotland, it's a place that many of you will know has captured my heart and soul. 

 

Mount Teide

 

        Apart from my affection, Scotland and Tenerife do have other things in common, such as beautiful scenery, including mountains, a rich historical past, the drums and pipes also feature in their traditional music. The tabor pipe being their choice, rather than bagpipes.



A rich historical past

        The old towns and villages there, bear some similarity to those in Scotland, the narrow streets are sometimes cobbled; the doors and windows of the houses also demonstrate that the population of today is considerably taller than it used to be.


Example of narrow streets; Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife

       They too in the past had communities that depended on fishing, but as stocks and quotas now dictate this industry, the individuals being supported by this occupation is slowly dwindling. The harbours of Tenerife have been able to diversify and many now moor luxury yachts rather than the fishing boats that once was. Nevertheless, the small fleets that still manage to exist in both countries, provide a quality catch that can be sampled in the fine restaurants throughout.



Las Galletas, Tenerife

        Our flags, the white cross on a navy background, symbolises that both countries have chosen, St Andrew as saint protector and today the mutual flag will be flying high, along with the Canary Island's flag, on the official buildings of Tenerife. Because today is, Dia de Canarias, a day the populace rejoice, the people and culture of the Canary Islands and observe the day that the islands received autonomy from Spain.

    Whilst I'm back in Scotland, my heart is there. So, Feliz Dia de Canarias, amigos.

Fine Dining  in Tenerife



Winging My Way Back

        By the time you read this I'll be on my way back . See you Friday.

It's that Time Again

   
            I'm having a couple of days away. But I'll see you Monday. Yipee!

Deleting our Legacy

  

Sample of Robert Burns

    We are all using more and more technology, therefore we put pen to paper less and less. Because of this handwriting and spelling is deteriorating according to a recent study done by BIC, the pen manufacturer.

    But, I also believe we are gradually erasing any written legacies that we may leave behind for future generations to learn about and understand the world that we live in now; as our thoughts, beliefs and emotions are regularly communicated clearer when we write by hand.

    In recent years handwritten notebooks, pieces of paper containing the manuscripts of books and the lyrics of songs, have been sold for millions at auction. For example, J K Rowling's, The Tales of Beedle Bard, did so in 2007 and only this month, Bob Dylan's, Like a Rolling Stone sold in New York for $2 million.

    Online, in the section Romantics and Victorian Manuscripts section of the British Library, we can view the diaries of Queen Victoria, the original works of Jane Austen, Charles Dickens and Emily Bronte. Everyone of the pieces exhibited give us an insight as to how the Victorians lived and the opportunity to read some of the most celebrated writers manuscripts in their own handwriting.

    We can also visit places like Chan Chan in Peru to interpret the hieroglyphics and construct the world of the caveman in our own minds. However I can't help but worry that all of our present and future greats, whether politicians, writers, world experts, or the records relating to destined extinct races, maybe deleted and lost forever, as they will only exist on hard drive, or USB memory stick.

Life and Liberty by Robert Burns in his own handwriting

Best Foot Forward

Linlithgow Loch

     In the UK it's Walk to School Week, May 19th-23rd, which is part of  the National Walking Month campaign. While I'm a little too old to be going to school, I do like to slip my feet into a pair of comfy shoes and put my best foot forward a couple a times a week.

Oban Promenade

 

         So I've put together some photographs to let you see some of my favourite haunts.

The Promenade, South Queensferry

 

From the south bank of the River Forth, Boness

 

Callendar Park, Falkirk

 

Callander, Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park

Bring Back the Girls

    Slavery is illegal worldwide, nevertheless in some countries it remains in the form of child domestic labour. One country where it continues under the disguise of house-help to the elite, is Nigeria.

    As the world prays that the girls who were kidnapped from the school in Chibok, Nigeria, are returned home safely; the fact that child labour has not been eradicated in this country will continue to endanger the life of every child there.

    The children are used in domestic service, the commercial agriculture industry, prostitution, forced marriages and sometimes willingly given away by their families because of the financial renumeration involved.

    The ilo.org continually works hard with countries including Nigeria, by providing educational programmes and their current programme, International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labor, has aided children throughout the world escape a life of drudgery. Unfortunately, Sub-Saharan Africa, has not responded as well and this abusive activity is a long way from ceasing there.

    Therefore, unless the government in Nigeria recognises that child exploitation is wrong and they themselves begin to respect the lives of their children, they will be powerless in controlling acts of lawlessness, as this kidnapping is. #Bringbackourgirls  



   

Books behind Bars

 

    Authors, Miguel de Cervantes, John Bunyan, Marquis de Sade and Jeffrey Archer all have something in common other than being well known writers, they all penned stories whilst behind bars. 

    But a ruling by the Ministry of Justice in England will put an end to prisoners being gifted writing material, by their friends and relatives; therefore it is unlikely that many masterpieces will ever be created from within the prison cell again.

    Yes, the prisoner can use the money that can be earned through privileges to purchase such items, but as there is a ban on any kind of items being gifted to inmates, their limited funds will have to stretch along way. (Unless under special circumstances.)

    Prison of course is a punishment and rightly so, however this ban will also stop books being sent. It has been proven that education can help with rehabilitation and this restriction will mean that offenders will only be able to read a book that is stocked in their prison's underfunded library, or use their privilege money to buy through Amazon.

    Surely in the 21st century we recognise that books and other creative activities can be used constructively, the foundation for a better way of life. For this reason I hope Mr Grayling, the Justice Secretary, reviews this harsh rule.