Yule & 2009 Message

Goodbye 2008 Hello 2009

Well what a 2008 and for those who have followed our high and low points on my blog site ( www.sisterdm.blogspot.com ) you will know exactly what I mean!

The low point but not without it’s moments of enlightenment, support and help in coping with change, was the sudden death of my Mother (29th August). While her health has been problematic for a short while, the home nursing support, admission to hospital and her passing was so quick. I am thankful for that as I know Mum would have been very unhappy if she had to rely upon others for her daily care needs! So to cut a very long story short and moving on we now have a country home which we hope when the time comes and our health permitting will be somewhere for us to end our days!

The year started off so promising with the most memorable time in Australia, staying with Robin but travelling around to Cairns and also the Blue Mountain area. Mardi Gras was of course a highlight but could not topped being with Robin and Andy and doing the Sydney Harbour Bridge walk!

I continued to make regular trips to Austwick and after the sunshine of Oz had to cope with the Easter snows! I have to say the village looked a picture but it took half an hour to get our of the village on to the A65! While back in Kirkcaldy the salted air had kept the snow at bay and I return to the usual dull and damp of the Scottish climate! Oz being the main trip this year we have not had an opportunity for getting a sun-fix!

Reflecting and going through the pages of the diary I find it’s a mix of work, travels and generally good time so the nasty times are put into some perspective and generally we have had good health, so that’s a valuable element to our lives.

Most certainly a highlight was a trip in September to stay will Bill & Barrie and visit the Theatre Royal Newcastle to see Michael Bourne’s “Picture of Dorian Grey” it was brilliant, so booked another trip in February to see “West Side Story” which should bring back some London memories of the 1960’s for me!

In other people’s lives we shared some moments with Derek and Jaki and their lovely new addition to the family, Lucy. What a treasure she is for them and so much loved.

Sadly we said our goodbye to Anne’s partner Fiona. Nearly a year “legally” together Anne and Fi were a “great” couple in every sense of the word. Equally a former client of mine but a cousin to Derry, Dawn left us with so much admiration for someone who embraced “disabilities” and transcended any stereotype of what might be expected! Irene Kidd who worked with me at the Forward Centre recently passed away and although we had not seen each other of recent times, I have some good memories of Irene’s “coming out”!

Trauma time has been the attack on Arthur’s aunt, Doreen. Her time in hospital and now her home move and court case in the New Year! A really terrible time but with better times in 2009!

Representing Unison Scotland at ILGA Europe & World Conferences in Vienna was a real honour, although a demanding one! I learnt such a lot, especially at the World Conference which had to be changed from Toronto to Vienna – but they did us proud in Vienna – and I know some are fed up hearing about meeting the President of Austria, being wined and dined at the Austrian Parliament and City Hall – twice – then taking for a night tour of Vienna by the tourist board and given a brilliant night in the local winery! So when I mention Vienna I’ll also talk about making a difference to people’s lives world wide where prejudice and oppression really does manifest itself in the death of our brothers and sisters. Hence being honoured to play some part in making humanity better!

For me 2009 will present it’s usual crop of challenges and there will of course be a great void in my life one filled with sadness, regret but a little lighter by reflecting on the times when things were brighter. The development of the community training company “MAJAK” will be interesting to see if we can really get a community interest project off the ground and enable people to learn from the skills and experience the members of the company have; to get a balance between life in two homes; working in the project and consultancy but more especially keeping what Frank and I have together for each other will be my 2009 resolutions!

FRANK’S BIT NOW
My recent accident, falling on the icy steps at South Fergus Place and sustaining a broken rib have been a major inconvenience of late but I hope on the mend and ready for the festive holiday. Trying to give up smoking from 1st April, but as a result of the climb on Sydney Harbour Bridge, where I realised that I needed more breath than the menthol’s would allow, has been a real focus for me with a Lochgelly lads determination I’m sure I will succeed!

The project continues to encounter difficult financial times and from next year I will not be working Saturdays which will help with resources there but also allow Alec and I time to get down to Austwick as much as possible. “Highfield” is a big home and will take a lot of looking after. I feel I have already made a good start with the decorating nearly completed but I suspect Alec will have other plans, as he always does and I wish he would slow down!

THEN FINALLY
So to start 2009 we are having house guests at “Highfield” and hope for a balanced home life with a little work to keep us going! Keep an eye on the blog for more up to date wandering and life’s ups and downs,

We wish all you wish for yourself for the coming year, so from us, peace, goodwill, health and happiness to you all!

Alec & Frank

Snow that fell!

We (in Kirkcaldy) have escaped the worst of the forecasted snow but I was reflecting on last March when Austwick had a major covering and must be like that at the present! I've had a couple of calls from neighbours looking after the house for us and it does seem to be like the picture here! I'm working on a "welcome" pack for visitors when we are not about. So much to tell folk that we just get on and do!

Broken Frank & Tales of Vienna

Afraid Frank slipped on the icy stone steps of the project last Tuesday and gave in to my nagging yesterday, so we spent nearly five hours in the casualty department of the Victoria Hospital. He was not the only person who has slipped on the ice! To result is that he has a broken rib and a touch of pneumonia - which i put down to all the years of the ciggies addiction catching up on him! Off work the rest of the week and I hope back on Monday but we will wait and see how he copes with very strong medication!

So memories of better days thought you might like to see the "group" of Unison delegates from Scotland who attended ILGA Conference! Will be finishing the report this week and publishing it on here! From left to right - me - Liz - David - Lynn - Raymond & James - a formidable group of LGBT activists!

Travels and Reports

Well back from Vienna - a lot more of that in due course and Bristol! Unison business so reports need and I should say so as these conferences are not done on the cheap but neither are the decisions we help make!
So last on first:

UNISON LGBT National Delegates Conference –
Bristol 14/16th November 2008
http://www.unison.org.uk/out/
UNISON’s 2008 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members conference took place in Bristol last weekend. Over 250 LGBT members travelled from all over the UK to discuss how to take forward the union’s work for LGBT equality. Sadly owing to administration problem in West Campbell Street the Scottish Region LGBT Committee were prevented from having delegates at our conference, a point that was made in an Emergency Motion ruled out of order as it directly criticised Unison staff. However, a new emergency motion was submitted and although ruled to be outwith the scope of standing orders did appear in the report presented by standing orders to the conference. It was noted similar situations have occurred elsewhere in our organisation and I suspect there will be a very interesting motion presented to the 2009 conference in Cardiff!
UNISON holds an annual conference for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members. The conference consists of the debate of formal motions, guest speakers, discussion groups and side meetings for particular groups of members, such as black LGBT members, disabled LGBT members, bi members and trans members. The conference elects delegates to other national UNISON conferences and agrees motions to the union’s key decision making bodies. We were pleased that Scottish delegates from branches were elected to important positions within Unison’s structures.The 44 motions in front of the 2008 conference covered recruiting and organising, negotiating, campaigning and international issues. Issues include coming out at work; gender reassignment and workplace stress; addressing the needs of rural LGBT people; tackling homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in education; ramping up the fight against the far right; tackling hate crime and building LGBT equality internationally. I was pleased to present motions on behalf of the Scottish LGBT Committee:

36 Unison participation in ILGA

37 Criminalisation and enforced testing of people suspected of being HIV+ in Egypt

Other Scottish motions presented were:

16*B Supporting LGBT members in the Highlands Scotland

UNISON’s LGBT conference is probably the biggest gathering of LGBT trade unionists anywhere in the world – UNISON has led the global trade union movement in placing LGBT rights firmly on the union agenda. Guests at the 2008 conference include sisters and brothers from the Philippines, Poland and our global union body Public Services International.Members were welcomed to conference by Rosie MacGregor, UNISON Convenor for the South West and addressed by UNISON President Sue Highton; with Keith Sonnet, UNISON Deputy General Secretary giving a very well informed and though provoking as well as amusing start to conference; Ceri Goddard of the British Institute of Human Rights; and Bi activist Marcus Morgan whose address caused come controversy in terms of the language used and some of the concepts expressed. Members were briefed on developments towards new equality legislation by UNISON’s Liane Venner, who is a member of the Government Equality Office Senior Stakeholder Group.

In addition workshops and discussion groups were held on

Keeping ourselves healthy – emotional and mental health for Lesbian Bi and Trans Women (women only invited to attend)

Promoting Bi Equality at Work and in the Union

Transphobia effects children too – promoting trans equality in education and other children’s services

Around the world in 90 minutes – training session on Unison’s international work and how to use the Foreign & Commonwealth Office toolkit

http://www.unison.org.uk/file/A4297%20LGBT%20Annual%20Report%202008.pdf

Socially a Civil Reception was hosted by The Rt Hon The Lord Mayor of Bristol, Councillor Christopher Davies and the South West Regional members organised a less informal soiree at the Conference hotel.

Conference decisions will be posted on the Unison UK website in due course.

Off to the bank today to arrange a morgage for our Scottish home!

In good and bad times..

So the phrase goes and as you may suspect the readers that know me, I could let domestic issues rest for long before sorting them or setting on the road to being sorted! Sunday afternoon Frank "escaped" to the bingo coming home with no win but a lingering smell of the ciggies - so I flipped. Needless to say he tried to blame everyone else for his actions instead of seeing that he had to take responsibility and it was only he who started people talking. Equally I don't think he appreciated that it is not the smoking that I really object to, although slowly killing himself, well perhaps not all that slowly, if you hear his chest wheezing and morning coughing, it's the behaviour that has gone on. He says he did not tell me that he has the occasional one because I would have gone on and on about it - he's right about that!
So we are on the mend, Frank saying he will not smoke, I'm hoping that will be right! Time like with everything will tell, but honestly I don't know how I am coping with this and everything else going on!
Marie, Karen and John coming around for a "MAJAK" company meeting - we four directors look like getting the show on the road at the turn of the New Year! Now that should have go you wondering!

Supporting & Caring

Well my latest blog seemed to have moved some folk into action and being the kind of folk I value have been in touch and offered their support! Thanks Derry was much appreciated. The good news is that Frank has a GP appointment for 13th November and I hope that will help him through his addiction.

Marie's 60th Birthday party was a bit of a casuality of the on going issues and neither of us was really in a party mood, with me being over-tired from a demanding meeting in Glasgow! However Arthur in his unique way entered into the spirit of the event as you can see! Marie gave us a couple of songs and the "family" band did their stuff - Kevin can really use that fiddle! So having a visit from the valuer to get EMS sorted and see how much the place is worth. Thanks again for the phone call and hope to see D & M in Yorkshire on their way to and from Kirkcaldy.

Conference season is here

Well it has been awhile since I took up the PC and started to think what to right after the most difficult 7 weeks ever. However getting there but its a lonely place to be and while some folk find giving easy others avoid you and pretend my bereavement is not real. It has not helped at all that Frank is back on the cigarettes, I suppose I can cope that that and avoid the smells and being a victim of passive smoking but its the deceit and lies that go with it that I find unacceptable. He must know folk have been forming a queue to let me know but my sense of smell got there first, together with hyperactivity post fix and depression prior to nicotine fix!
So I'm off to Vienna next week for the ILGA Europe and World conferences come back on 6th November and go to Austwick until 12th then busy until the winter holiday and intend to be there from 20th December until 3rd January. I hope Bill and Barrie are coming over for the New Year. Fitting in Bristol for UNISON delegates Conference 14/16th November!
Our last visit to Austwick was via Newcastle and we had a great weekend crowning moment seeing Matthew Bourne's "Picture of Dorian Grey" wonderful! Have "booked" in for "West Side Story" on February 17th! So all for now because the allotted area is full of words!

Country Residence

Country resident is very much now established here in Austwick until Sunday. We have had the chimney swept and the roasted pigeons removed together with their nests! Failed double glazing windows replaced paying a four figure sum and 03p - which the firm did not removed! Biggy today swearing at the lawyer for the probate of Mum's estate and I think that is it!
Before we arrived on Sunday we stayed in Newcastle with Bill & Barrie - has an accident free visit! Some shopping but the highlight was seeing the Matthew Bourne dance "Picture of Dorian Grey" it was just fantastic and we all enjoyed it tremendously. Being a bit cheeky we have asked Barrie (he's not only a friend of Dorothy but also of the Theatre Royal) to get tickets for "West Side Story" next February! Good to see them both looking so well. Bill is preparing to flash his bus pass on 4th November, Suspect Barrie thinks that is the only things he flashes these days! Bill has been a focus for the "Good Neighbour" campaign in the local press as he is the "daily" for the next door neighbour Peggy whose short term memory is shot. Embarrassed as he was the acknowledgement is well deserved and we are very proud of him too. Barrie is getting over his major operation on his ankle and although still on the crutches looked really well and seems to be having less mobility difficulties. Ironic that for years it's been birthday and Christmas cards and calls - it is so easy to neglect one's friends!
So back to reality on Sunday and looking like a busy month ahead. The Vicar in Austwick has invited us to the Remembrance Day service on 9th November as those who have died in the parish are mentioned. Will try to attend that but pushing a bit as I'm at the ILGA Europe and World Conferences until 7th November. Funny to recall that Ian (the Vicar) is to run in the Venice marathon and may come and collect Mum's "Ergometer 3000" treadmill - left here on Tuesday saying if he could find some men to help move it he would have it for himself! Went to the Gamecock Inn (lovely name and so misleading) a couple of times and made very welcome (socially that is), also back to the Vicar he's asked me to talk to the "fellowship" group and tell them about some of the work we do - have to pick the topic with care!

Laid to rest

Wednesday was a very difficult day being my birthday, having "Highfield" valued for probate purposes and laying my Mum's remains together with Dad's and Nan's under the tree in the back garden! However we got through it all and I have to say I felt a great relief that we had done what she would really have wanted. Elaine our 96 year old neighbour brought arouns a yellow rose from her garden which i thought was really sweet of her. The basket of flowers sent for the funeral by Unison's Scottish LGBT Committee had pride of place in the spot as well!

So we move on with the practicalities of living in a changed time with a real gap in my and others lives. Strange the things you miss, like the early morning phone called I made and the 6 o'clock call to check if everything was okay with her. Nice to see from Mum's diaries how much they meant to her and especially the comments in 2000 when Frank and I went down and took her to Kettlewell! "Highfield" needs a lot doing to it and already we have arranged the sweep to come to clean and check the chimney for the log fire and Rayburn cooker which is supposed to do the cnetral heating, domestic water and cooking! Skipton Glass have quoted for the replacement of the failed double glazing and I hope will be there next week and Frank has his brushes and paint at the ready and I suspect is going to get on and freshen the place up. We have asked for a quote for East March St to buy the house there so it looks like we are heading for Austwick sometimes after Frank reached retirement in the meantime keeping it as our get away holiday retreat! We will see!

Austwick North Yorkshire

The beginning of the year in Austwick with Mum waving to me as I leave for Kirkcaldy! Terrible weather to travel in but lovely to look at and a super memory, think this might just be this years Merry Yule card!

So how time rushes on with so much to do and thankfully beginning to see the issues for what they are. Will endeavour to keep the family home so Frank and I can have a happy "retirement". Have told Frank he would be bored in the house so needs a job. Suggested window cleaning, as we know from the Sydney Bridge experience he is afraid of heights but he could still do bungalows!

Going down to Austwick on Friday, staying until the 21st so will be having my birthday there! To celebrate I have ordered new spec as on the morning of the funeral I stood on them and must have looked a right twit offering my Eulogy with one leg missing from the specs! Back for Kirkcaldy for a few days and going back to Austwick via Bill & Barrie's in Newcastle. While staying with them for the weekens, hope to avoid any accidents, although at the moment the bereavement is really making me do silly things - but going to see Michael Bourne's "Picture of Dorian Grey" at the Theatre Royal! So by this time we should know where we stand regarding Mum's estate and if it will be feasable to pay the 40% IHT to Alistair Darling!

Resting in peace

Taken recently at Clapham street fair, next village to Austwick Mum in good spirits. Sadly she died on 29th August after a very short illness, being admitted to Airedale Hospital the previous Wednesday. Everyone has been so supportive with flowers, cards and good wishes for Frank and I. Here is what I said at Mum's funeral:

Amy Dobson Deary -18th June 1926 – 29th August 2008

May I thank you and those whose thoughts are joined with us, so supportive, for being here to pay your respects to a remarkable lady, my mother Amy.

Some will know that my mother has been a very private person of recent years but this has not always been the case.

My Mum and Dad met in Sunderland, in their workplace, and had a successful marriage and business partnership of 48 years, which of necessity meant that they were at the bidding of others in a very public way.

I was brought up in a loving family, which of course had another dimension, my Nan Sarah, who came to stay for a fortnight which turned into 45 years! Being a very much wanted child I was always the focus of their love and support.

Not long after my birth Dad became very ill and in those early days survived major pioneering surgery, necessary as a result of catching an infection during his war service in Palestine, which resulted in the removal of part of his right lung. Times were difficult and resources were limited. But these were formative days much rooted in community life and surviving the challenges together.

Mum’s love for these Yorkshire Dales was long standing, having been “evacuated” to Kettlewell during the war years, to work long and demanding hours in the Bluebell Hotel under the mentoring eye of the late Mrs Butterfield.

I would say the relatively short time Mum Dad and Nan spent in “retirement” at Austwick were the happy times.

Although Dad took a little longer to settle into the daily routine, the discovery of the local Bowling Club certainly helped him. He missed his colleagues and the demanding public in the butchering business.
I am reminded of the plaque I noticed at the Watershed the other day, “Do you want the man in charge or the woman who knows what’s going on?” this very much represented their relationship.
My mother was the driving force, a very intelligent lady and although much to her regret not formally educated, she was more than a match for their competitors.

As the song says “life is a rollercoaster”, and Mums guiding light on her particular rollercoaster was her firm and committed faith and respect for Christian values.
She was uncompromising, coming from the Anglo Catholic tradition of the Church in England, being “a good and faithful servant” her spiritual being was very much enhanced by the encounters of the later Father Marshall and Archbishop Phillip Strong, at St Ignatius Church Sunderland.
There was also Father Leslie Barron of St Mary Magdalene’s, where my Dad was church warden, again my mother playing a major part in his duties!
Of more recent times the late John Dolby from Austwick, who was a real support for Mum when Dad passed away in 1994 and again when we lost Nan in 1999.

Dad’s premature death, Mum missed him terribly, the years of poor health taking their toll and although focused on her Mums needs, Mum found the burdens of widowhood almost too much to bear. However, her strength of personality and tenacity of spirit focused on me and her life in Austwick with Nan.

After Nan died Mum quietly got on with life, I had moved to Scotland to live and make my own contribution to the community but we talked on the phone everyday and although I visited regularly it did not really fully deal with her pining.
My visits did however help access one of her favourite occupations supermarket shopping.

Her friends and acquaintances in the village were a real support and this was reciprocated. She was a truly a worthy and caring neighbour, especially with Elaine, Roy and Olive.

Once again quietly looking after the family home and not so quietly putting community action into village life, helping to save the local bus service and the recent concerns in trying to maintain accessible health services, Mum’s life revolved around others, her faith, she called quietly into the church everyday and of course me and my life in Scotland.

Although having some health issues, she was physically robust and mentally very capable until the past few weeks, where those vital local health services came into their own, with the care she showed for others being shown to her.

The professional expertise of Dr Colin Renwick and his team could not prevent the inevitable and sadly a week tomorrow Mum’s rollercoaster ride ended, peacefully and in the dignified manner reflective of her persona.

So, as we say our goodbye I am reminded of some lines from “Billy Elliot – the Musical” where a letter from Billy’s late mother is read and his dance tutor remarks, “she must have been a remarkable woman” and he replied “nae she were just my mother”.
Perhaps if I was a 12 year old I might say the same but as I approach 59 years on my rollercoaster ride, I agree with that tutor, my Mum truly was a remarkable woman. I and many others will miss her greatly.

Your time in this veil of tears is over, you are with those you loved and who loved you, Mum rest in peace.

Dawn Pitcaithly - 1966-2008

Pitcaithly, DawnPITCAITHLY Peacefully, at the Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy on Wednesday, 30th July 2008, Dawn Johan, aged 41 years of Wilmington Drive, Collydean. A loving daughter of Bill and Isabel , a dear sister to Karen and Debbie and sister-in-law to Jim and Charlie. A loving aunt to Ruby, Eve, Connor and Sean who will be sadly missed.

This annoucement as sad though it was, as always is for someone so loved and cared for, did not have the public acclaim that John MacDougall's has had, as Dawn was not the public property that he was, but did give of herself to all those she knew and those who came to admire her abilities. Derry (Dawn's cousin and mentioned elsewhere in these pages) attended the funeral, as did Jim and I. Dawn attended the Forward Centre for many years, and thankfully gave me the memories of young lady with a spirit for life, living it to the full!

John MacDougall MP

The Kingdom of Fife has lost a loyal servant. But no one in the capital, Glenrothes, seemed to know that.
John MacDougall died on Wednesday (13th August) aged 60
I must have asked 20 people if they'd heard of John MacDougall but only four had and none of them knew much about his lifetime's work on their behalf.
This was in the heart, the strange concrete heart, of Glenrothes, the bus station, the shopping mall and the car parks around Fife Council headquarters.
Perhaps if I'd asked people in Burntisland, where John MacDougall was the local councillor for 20 years, I'd have got a more positive response.
John MacDougall was a square-jawed man of the people. Born in Dunfermline, brought up as a boilermaker in the oil rig yard in Methil, he joined the trade union and the Labour Party and eventually became leader of Fife Council.
That was when Fife was a Labour fiefdom. The council is now led by the SNP.
'People's servant'
In 2001, when Henry McLeish stood down as the local MP to concentrate on being first minister, John MacDougall was chosen as his safe successor.
Alas, just over two years ago, the boilermaker fell victim to mesothelioma, an asbestos-related cancer of the lung.
At times he appeared to be making a recovery but on Wednesday morning at 6am, he died, aged just 60 in hospital in Kirkcaldy. He leaves a wife, Cathy, and two grown up children.
Gordon Brown had been to visit him at the weekend. On Wednesday he said he'd lost "a good personal friend" and Fife had lost a "true servant of the people".
So here was a man who'd worked his heart and lungs out for the people of Fife - pioneering policies like free bus travel for pensioners and free personal care for the elderly - for a quarter of a century and almost nobody had heard of him.

The Fife MP also served as the leader of Fife Council
Is democracy dead in Fife? Perhaps that's why Labour has lost touch with its people.
At Westminster, John MacDougall was known as a loyal, silent "Brownite".
He left his sick bed to travel to the Commons in June to support the government in the narrow vote on the 42-day detention bill.
Labour have been rallying round their unknown soldier. Alex Rowley, the Labour group leader on Fife Council, said it was too early to speculate on who might replace John MacDougall.
"Today, our thoughts are with John's family," he said.
But for Labour it's not just a sad day. It's an anxious day. Is the party about to lose another seat in its own backyard - indeed, Gordon Brown's backyard - as they did in Dunfermline West in February 2006 and more recently in its third safest seat in Scotland, Glasgow East?
John MacDougall's majority was 10,644 - less than in either Glasgow East or Dunfermline West.
In the 2005 election, he got 19,395 votes. The SNP came second with 8,731 votes. The Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives were some way behind.
For Labour it's not just a sad day. It's an anxious day. Is the party about to lose another seat in its own backyard?
The by-election is not likely to take place till the late autumn, after the party conference season.
But everyone is now wondering what the democratic folk of Fife will do to Labour. Will they swing to the SNP? Will they stay at home?
We shall all get to know Glenrothes a little better. It's a 1960s new town, of course, with large green lawns, interspersed with roundabouts like crop circles.
Rows of little neat box-houses now have more prosperous looking estates surrounding them. The constituency also stretches across the farmlands of Fife and down to the coast at Methil.
The miners, shipyard workers and farm hands have been replaced by new Fifers, commuting, service industry Fifers.
How angry will they be about the credit crunch, the 4.4% inflation, the 2.5% pay limit, the slow housing market, the gloomy economic outlook? And will they they blame Labour and its unknown soldiers for it?
The answer, as Jimmy Shand would say, is blowing in the wind.

Edinburgh Evening News

An update on Doreen and the police action to try and catch the culprit!
http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/topstories/Hope-CCTV-picture-will-help.4233338.jp

Off to London on Thursday for Pride so looking foward to that and staying with Andy in Bracknell. Arrangements a did hairy-fairy at the moment - so no change there! Also meeting up with Ray and Joan and we hope Mark & Derry!

Lagging Behind

No note a physical characteristic but a state of being! Just so busy that I have neglected my blogging time and need to build it into my weekly routine at least! So much happening so good and some evil. So
Getting over the hasty bits first a real friend Doreen has been mugged in Edinburgh and sustained a broken right elbow and fractured pelvis. The mugger got away with £70 but was not interested in any of the contents in Doreen's bag so the conclusion is that it was for drug purposes. More information about the description on the creature when I get it from the Evening News article - the Sun covered it also but not going there! At her age of 77 and in the process of being rehoused this is not good news.
Better news is that Frank and I attended the National Hepatitis C Mainliners Conference in Derby. It was excellent and I'd suggest a visit to their website for more information: http://mainliners.org.uk/ We are off to London for Pride the beginning of July and my travels take me to Berlin for Folsom weekend in September and Vienna for ILGA Europe & World Conference in October/November. So will pick this task up again and make sure we keep in touch!

IDAHO - Saturday 17th May

International Day Against Homophobia

The project has sent the following press release to get some momvement on IDAHO

Fife Men Project Welcome Rainbow Flag at Holyrood - On 17th May every year, the LGBT Community celebrates IDAHO Day (International Day Against Homophobia). This day marks the anniversary of when the World Health Organisation no longer classified Homosexuality as a Mental Illness. To mark IDAHO Day, Patrick Harvie MSP has presented a motion in the Scottish Parliament asking for the Rainbow Flag to be raised at Holyrood on 17th May every year.

Fife Men Project welcomes this motion and wishes Patrick Harvie every success with his motion. Arthur Jack, Chairperson said "we look to the Scottish parliament to represent the diversity of the Scottish People. It is only right that the Scottish parliament should lead the way in changing attitudes towards homophobia and discrimination. Raising the Rainbow Flag one day a year is an important and visible symbol to champion the ongoing struggle for Equality."

The Fife Men Project also works in Partnership with Fife Constabulary to promote the Homophobic Hate Crime Help Line. If you have any incidents to report, the number to contact in confidence is freephone 0800 3891 425.
The purpose of the Help line is to encourage victims or witnesses of hate crime to report incidents. This will help the police take appropriate action to deal with hate crime.

Hope you can do you bit to enure the rainbow rules!

Full Bloom

In full bloom the plant sent from Walter and Marco for Doreen's 77th celebration. Although viewed as great food but too much here is the luncheon menu from Saturday:
Doreen’s Very Special Happy Birthday Celebration
11th May 1931

The Fife Luncheon Party – Saturday 10th May

Welcome with afternoon drinks & nibbles

Italian Tomato & Blue Basil Soup with Garlic & Herb Baguette

Liver Pate & Brown Wholemeal Slices

Lobster & Langoustines wrapped in Smoked Rainbow Trout & Salmon
with a lime and lemon dressing

Gammon Shank in Mustard & Honey Sauce Pease Pudding Slice
Asparagus Spears Small Baby Carrots New Potatoes

Light Crumble Cheesecake with Exotic Fruits & Vanilla Ice Cream

Birthday Cake with a hint of Benedictine

Coffee & Chocolate Gingers

Served with a selection of spirits and wines to compliment the menu Pink lemonade & Orange Juice for the drivers!

It was fun!

Happy Day

Yes, ages since I updated but lots of happenings but all routine domestic matters. So a quick resume! Frank is still taking the tablets (Champix) and the only very noticeable side effect is the passing of amazing amounts of gas! I've treated to connect him to the national supply in case Grangemouth strikes again. However the is looking, feeling and smelling much better. I really do think this is it and he will be off them. Goes back to the GP in a couple of weeks so we will find out about the next steps in quitting. He's saving money too and I'm spending it. New lovely toy as the steam oven - thanks bid TV for £45!
The project trundles along with Alan doing the consultancy work and questionnaire which can be viewed and filled in on http://www.jacobian.org.uk/questionnaire.htm.

The evening at the monthly karaoke - now at the newly named Scots Corner (formerly the Royal Scot) went well although for me you can keep the "modern" singing or ranting! But it served it's purpose and Rodger & Isobel put on a good buffet well worth the £150 the project paid.

So talking of food I did the Fife lunch on Saturday for Arthur's aunt Doreen on her 77th birthday. She really is a nice lady and Arthur should be proud to have her as a relative - sometimes you would know that the way he can speak to her! Rod and Doogie were our surprise guests with a phone call from Arthur and expected one from Walter except I must have told him the wrong date and he phoned on Friday!

The Foursome in Oz

Well the picture tells the story a little wind swept in the Blue Mountains. The Four Queens in the front and Three Sisters at the rear!

The Sisters were formed by erosion and the Queens by natural beauty!The soft sandstone of the Blue Mountains is easily eroded over time by wind, rain and rivers, and the cliffs surrounding the Jamison Valley are being slowly broken up. Formations like the Three Sisters are created when water seeps into small cracks in the rock, gradually enlarging them over time to form large indentations. Eventually, the Sisters will be eroded away completely. The modern day tourism industry has created a legend that says that three sisters fell in love with three men from a neighbouring tribe, but marriage was forbidden by tribal law. Battle ensued, and the sisters were turned to stone by an elder to protect them, but he was killed in the fighting and no one else could turn them back.

Today is the day!

Frank's no smoking day is today! Although he has had a rehearsal yesterday (31st March). After smoking since he was 18 he has achieved more that 40 coffin sticks a day - I estimate 60! So with the help of "Champix" tablets he is making a real attempt to give them up.
He wasn't too impressed with my momento - a small resin plaque which reads -
"If you are smoking in this house you had better be on fire" a oops I think!

Watson's Gap

No comments about Frank thank you!

Perhaps the most spectacular harbour side walk is one that starts at The Gap, a spectacular ocean cliff at Watsons Bay, near South Head, winds its way down through Vaucluse, meanders through Watsons Bay and takes you all the way up to the lighthouse at South Head. The Gap is famous not so much for its natural scenic beauty, but for more bizarre reasons: a reported 20-30 people suicide each year by leaping from The Gaps on to the rocks below. Dozens slip from the rocks, which makes it a dangerous place to be if you don't keep to the paths and stay behind the barriers.

Robin recounted a walk one August day with a friend who happened to be a medic, and finding a teenager at the bottom of the cliffs, something which had an impact on me, reflecting the Choose Life research work we had done at the Fife Men Project. While the others had a wander and look in the views I sat at the point where the young guy had taken his fall and had some special quality time.

However what makes this walk so good is that you gain a great perspective on the positioning of Sydney Harbour in relation to the ocean. One you reach South Head, you can see the entrance to the harbour, North and Middle Heads and the main harbour channel leading up towards the city.

Work of Peter Skirrow

I know you are wanting more about our visit and Andy's near encounter with is reflection!
Now & Then at the TAP Gallery.

The exhibition provided an intimate retrospective of the bear community and also enables art buyers to pluck out a piece of fur for their collection. There were more than 75 drawings to exhibit, but every work is special for this budding artist. Skirrow said the art describes his emotional relationship with men and is a projection of himself. “I relate to being a bear myself and I like the fact they tend to be more natural about the way they look,” he said. “I portray men in a moving and realistic way. I try to capture moments that are intimate and personal.” Skirrow’s art is bother super sexy and revealing. His favourite piece, an intimate portrait, was created specifically for his partner.“It’s a piece I did of a man sitting in a toilet at a beat and there’s lot of dick action,” Skirrow said.“It’s a talking point because I think a lot of gays can relate to it and put their finger on the point as it’s a place of great intimate pleasure.Some of the work is only appropriate for a personal space. I normally find that if I put a penis in a work it tends to prevent it from being sold.”

As I said the TAP Gallery is a good venue with interesting folk, lovely atmosphere and smooching nooks!

Sydney art gallary!

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That musical

http://www.billyelliotthemusical.com.au/

So after the walk of a lifetime off we went, met up with our host, Robin, and in for a night to remember! Andy will remeber it as he was bored big time, but I think the remaining 3 of the theatre goers were able to relate to the times and basis of the musical .
Opening Number - The Stars Look Down

Through the dark, and through the hunger, through the night and through the fear.
Through the fight and years of hardship,through the stalls and through the tears.
And although, your feet are weary, and although your soul is worn, and although they'll try to break you, and although you'll feel alone.
We will always, stand together, in the dark, right through the stall, we will stand shoulder to shoulder, to keep us warm.
Men and Women -And the stars look down on the mean and hungry and the stars look down and show the way. And the stars look down and will stand together, to see a day when then stars look down and know our history, when the stars look down upon our past, and the stars look down and see our future, bright at last.
When we stand as one, beneath the stall.
And though our hands are bruised and bleedin', and our lungs are full with dust, and our hearts are near to breakin' we will never, forgo the trust.
We will fight through pain and hunger, every arrow, every knife.
We will never give the hope up of a proud and honest life.
So we will always stand together, through the frost, the hail, the snow, the stars are our redemption,and so we know.
The stars look down when we're abandoned, look down in the heart of night.And the stars look down and give us vision, to see the light.
The stars look down upon our struggle, the stars look down and know the past, the stars look down and see our future bright at last. When we stand as one, beneath the stall.
All out together, all out as one, all out for victory, til' we've won, all out together, all out as one, all out for victory, all out til' we've won.
Billy -Take me up, and hold me gently. Raise me up, and hold me high.
Through the night, under darkness.
Will come a day, when we will fly.
And although, we've been rejected.
And although, we've been outcast.
We will find a new tomorrow, when we come to rest at last. And we will stand there proudly, and we will never, walk alone. And we, will be returned back to our home.And the stars look down at their reflection, and the stars look down and their's a light, when the stars look down and see the justice, and the right. And the stars look down and see the struggle, and the stars look down at all the pain. And the stars will lead to where light shines again.
When we stand as one, beneath the stall.
One, beneath the stall.Male Voices -
When we stand as one
All out together
When we stand as one.
All out as one.
When we stand as one.
All out for victory
When we stand as one.
Til' we've won.
When we stand as one
All out together
When we stand as one.
All out as one.
When we stand as one.
All out for victory
When we stand as one.
Til' we've won.
When we stand as one
All out together
When we stand as one.
All out as one.
When we stand as one.
All out for victory
When we stand as one.
All until we've won!

The massive erection

Well we had to do it! Sydney Harbour Bridge - what can I say! The words are just inadequate, the only thing is to do it and feel the achievement and appreciate the brilliant views! Again the website if full of the essential information and a really easy way of getting rid of the best £85.00 you will ever spend! http://www.bridgeclimb.com/ This link has the best information and a panoramic view from the walk itself!
How did we top this? A visit to the theatre of course to see "Billy Elliot the Musical" but that needs a whole blog to itself!

In the BLUE MOUNTAIN

I know I am moving about a bit and so we did but just wanted to mention a great place to stay and eat, especially when a very engaging waiter is on duty - his colleague not so much and thankfully Andre is terminally straight! So where is this oasis of luxury? The four of us, Robin, Andy, Frank and I were transported in lovely "Gertie" ti the Jamison Guest House and Rooster Restaurant! Check it out on www.jamisonhouse.com
on the outskirts of Katoomba it has brilliant views of the Blue Mountains and Three Sisters. Again more of this in later postings

Thai in Sydney

http://www.thaipothong.com.au/

This has it all, a friendly and rather camp staff with authentic Thai excellent food. This is just the place that our friends Tom and Kye are looking to establish in Fife. We wish them well and can see them achieving their dream after being to this restaurant. We ate here before going off to see the "Corpus Christie" play by Terrence McNally, seek more information in this blog.
So many yummy memories of great eating, except the night we went out with Marie and Grieg and I could manage my first fish course of mussels but the main course lovely as it looked proved too much for me and I had to excuse myself and take to my bed for that night and the next day! The chest infection struck again!

Spring has sprung!

Well, sort of! As you can see as I left Yorkshire yesterday what the weather is doing to us! Everyone is so miserable and can only focus of the weather! I know I have loads to update on here - so its my tomorrow task!

Oz reading & viewing

A night in after a fabby meal viewing "Home at the End of the World" Bobby and Jonathan have been inseparable since they were teenagers in suburban Ohio. Bobby has suffered many losses for someone so young, and is starved for love and affection. Awkward teen Jonathan has a nice family, and a particularly wonderful mother (Sissy Spacek). The boys not only become as close as brothers, but they also experiment sexually. The two lose touch, but find each other again in their mid-20s in the early 1980s, when Bobby (Colin Farrell) moves to New York and joins Jonathan (Dallas Roberts) at the apartment he shares with Clare (Robin Wright Penn), an ageing hippie. Bobby and Clare become lovers, however, Clare had planned to have a child with Jonathan, who is now openly gay and who is still interested in Bobby, and to whom Clare used to be attracted. The trio becomes its own unique entity, questioning the traditional definitions of family and love, and dealing with the complications of their love triangle. Based on the novel of the same name by Michael Cunningham, who also wrote the screenplay and who was the recipient of the Pulitzer prize, this film marks the debut of director Michael Mayer. Erik Smith plays Bobby as a teenager, and Harris Allen plays the teenage Jonathan!
So the best read for ages with "Hold the Man" by Timothy Conigrave. One of the most poignant and moving books I've ever read. If there was ever a (true) story that exemplified the wastage of life brought about by the HI virus, this is it. These are such good, talented people, struck down. However, this autobiography isn't all doom and gloom; the first years of the relationship are told with great joy and to the very end of the book the huge love exchanged between John and Tim comes shining through. Told with great lucidity, Tim's insightful and relaxed writing style makes this a very accessible read. Despite one or two minor reservations (mainly around personal arousal), I give it full marks for the way it approaches the subject. Be warned; the final chapters are emotionally quite draining, another reason for reading it! I found it impossible to read more than a few passages at a time without welling up with tears! Thanks again Robin for giving us the opportunity for this brilliant reading!

Sydney's pubs: liquor, larrikins & the law

We did so much visiting while downunder, from chauffeured tours of the city and Blue Mountains to visiting the Justice & Police Museum, obviously linked with a wee dram!

Sydney’s pubs: vibrant, noisy, democratic, character-filled, sometimes controversial, always handy for a celebration or a quiet drink at the end of the day – the landscape of the city is unthinkable without them. More than mere commercial purveyors of alcohol, pubs define the pulse, personality and tempo of a city. Over the years pubs have generated fierce partisan loyalties from various classes, professions and trades, temperance debates, Royal Commissions, a sly grog industry, underworld patronage, legal scrutiny, policing and regulation. The exhibition takes visitors on a rich journey through Sydney’s pubs past and present and includes historic photography, pub paraphernalia, material relating to the sly grog era, historic film and an interactive map of the city and its pubs in 1910 and today. Somewhat missing out on the gay based businesses but gave a great overview of development over the centuries. Perhaps Roberts can get some DAPL funding to do it here!

So much to say - but welcome home

Yes, here we are back safe and sound with jet lag, something to boast about and memories of three weeks with great mates! We have seen sights and done activities many people only get to dream about! So much to come and catch up on! Even the Sydney Bridge walk on Friday - I'll post the evidence as we are certified and Andy is a Master (well for that erection anyway)!

Turtle Cove - Oz's premier gay resort - NOT!

Well I admit we were unwell but things did not bode well from the beginning. Invited to arrange transfer from Cairns airport to the resort we were greeted by the driver in some state of agitation and someone who was destined to have a bad day! If anyone expects a gay greeter forget it! Having to wait an hour for another passenger then a tour of Cairns looking for people booked but not showing, perhaps because the other passenger was an hour later, set the scene for more dramatic events. Perhaps the 96% humidity did it but Frank was taken ill with a fainting bout. It may also have been a blood sugar problem as we had a long flight from Sydney without anything to eat or drink. I was really concerned and still am, so a health check is required when we return to the UK. Although I shouted about his fainting the driver ignored my pleas and continued along the long - very long and uncomfortable journey. We had the dollars ready to had over but because of the confusion Frank could not recollect if we had paid as some did, when they got onto the bus! Later we found the A$120 fee on the resort account.
Well this could only get better - but it did not - reception staff were off hand and uninterested in either of us or our state of health. We were shown to our room and told to come down to reception for the guided tour of the resort. Frank was still unwell and went to bed I attended as instructed. The cleaner was told to show us around! A really friendly guy but with some interesting takes on the internal workings of the place we were staying for a few days! More later - riveted yet? More disasters in customer care to come!

Family get together

Afraid I succumbed yesterday and had to spend the day indoors admiring the outside views going past Robin's bedroom window. The cough sneezes and general un-wellness was too much to consider when invited to go to Paddy's Market in Chinatown! Evidently I have now not got rid of the buds but given them away to Frank!
Last night we were joined by Marie and her man in her life Greg. I certainly feel they are very happy together and Marie looked radiant in his company or was it ours? Nope it was his! The Balkan seafood restaurant was very good but after the first course of a dish with New Zealand Green Lipped Muscles - yummy - followed by a seafood platter - I could only manage the two massive prawns that looked like they had come off the set of a sci-fi movie - the octopus, calamarie and two different types of white fish proved too much for me! Sadly I had to excuse myself and leave the assembly early - not sure if I have over reached myself with the food or the flu like bugs were winning!
Rested and with four 500mgs of Paracetamol - feeling much better today but with Frank feeling unwell! Off to Circular Quay to view the Queen Victoria docking - think that means landing! Big day tomorrow as off to Turtle Cove so watch this space!

Corpus Christi

As a part of Mardi Gras Festival we were taken to the performance of the "controversial" play, only contorversial if you are a Christian and made you mind up without seeing the result! The Company were excellent, but the Texan drawl was a little thick for my taste. It was a good play and proported to be nothing less and certainly was nothing more. The protesting consisted of a sad chappie drving up and down the road hooting a gas horn and telling "fags to go home" which we did after the performance. So withe the critics say that Corpus C is arguably one of the most controversial plays of the last ten years, and has outraged Christian groups with its modern take on the story of Jesus’ birth, ministry and death. Why? Because it depicts both Jesus and his disciples as homosexual. Yet the moralists miss the point: this is not a play that mocks Jesus; it’s a play that speaks out against inhumanity by providing a witty, contemporary interpretation of Jesus’ life. We were left a little bit under-sold on the advertising. The first part was certainly the best and it did seem to lose it's way rather and return to traditional biblical midrash in the second half. Funny that amongst us four queens of the night it really did not spark any great feelings of delight or opposition!
However, what did delight is all was that Thai restaurant that Robin treated us to before the show! Wonderful! Will post contact details when I can get them.
So the holiday - well a little challenged by my chest infection and streaming "cold". Have taken numerous dispenses remedies but nothing is making it disappear! Hence sadly sitting here writing this with the lovely sunshine blazing down on Sydney. Andy & Frank evetually got to go out and are exploring Paddy's Market for a "rainbow fan" for me! As for my not wellness I am certainly outting it down to the poor air conditioning on out inward flight - thanks to BA!

Jet lag

Yes it is catching up with the three of us! However it's not stopping us having a good time in the sunshine - did I mention the weather? We are doing so much we have had to create a chart of daily activities.
Tuesday today so off to the Sydney Harbour Opera House to book a show for tomorrow night. Cabaret Decadanse is Canada's award winning adults only puppet theatre, Camp cool and quirky and very Canadian so the advertising goes! We will see.
Have some fabby news from home that I have been elected to represent Unison Scotland LGBT Committee ar ILGA World Conference in Quebec this coming May. Lots of work I have no doubt but with a strong representation, David, Liz and Lynn, it should be really uplifting and educational.
So off to the sunshine - factor 50 (thanks Andy) at the ready, Sydney here we come!

It's downunder time!

Well here we are in beautiful SUNNY & HOT Sydney! After the challenge of travel with British Airways - a cancelled flight and two delays which then had a panic for our London Heathrow connection. This meant that we had to arrange to be "in transit" for the while of the journey to Oz! Now while I was happy guess who was not and guess why? Frank had to cope without ciggies and did not cope well until Singapore when he could have a nicotine fix. More of this no doubt. So we met our good mate Robin, who has surrended his part of Oz to us for our stay, including a bed to be comfortable in and recover our jet lag!

Victoria Park gave us Fair Day, a fun day and run up to Mardi Gras! Connected with our Sydney sisters who were very welcoming and gave me a Blessed Dingo blessing! Then off to reaquaint ourselves with the city from on high - Central Tower and the Oz Trek! But then jet lag overwhealmed me and I was in a coma from 7-7am - ask about Frank's am/pm confusion!

Valentine's - follow the dream

Well another V's Day! A surprise for Frank being that we are going to the Barbara concert tonight! No not that B - Babara Dickson the girl from Cowdenbeath but I hear she is rather reluctant to be remindered of that fact! Also heard she is not a good supporter of local good causes so let see how she tackles tonight's audience in the Carnegie Hall Dunfermline.
Really a silly thing to do as we are jetting off to Oz tomorrow but hey ho the second silly action, well not the third - have not mentioning changing the light switches yesterday and giving myself a jolt in the process, as I thought I had switched off the lights at the mains - wrong!
Other thing is associated with the holiday to Oz! have booked for go to Cairns for four days - 24/28th - so flight from Sydney to Cairns and then return after staying at Port Douglas - well just outside at Turtle Cove - now take a look www.turtlecove.com
Told you so! So what's the problem? Well the weather this time of the year is rather moist to say the least with a rainfall factor of around 130mm this has been well and truely exceeded! However its an adventure and give Andy & Robin sometime together! Got the update of the Mardi Gras activities and we will miss the Queens getting together in Sydney Harbour on 24th - ships that is!
So I do intend to try and keep the blog updated - remember the NY resolution - and will let you know if Turtle Cove has been washed away - or if there "little piece of paradise" is what they make it out to be - even in the rainy season!

Fife Council - Equality - Film Festival

My how times change - or perhaps I was just a little too ahead of the pack and started to plant the seeds that are now coming to fruitition! The Equality Film Festival runs 17th & 18th February to link with LGBT History Month:

Fife Partnership has launched a new drive to promote Equality and Diversity in Fife.
A three year campaign has been designed to ensure that discrimination is effectively tackled, diversity is celebrated and equality of opportunity for all is promoted.

To coincide with LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) History Month in February 2008 we are showing a series of films to raise awareness of equality issues. Each film will focus on at least one equality strand: Age, Disability, Gender, Race, Religion and Belief, and Sexuality.

Sun 17 Feb 2.30pm
Breakfast on Pluto 15

Sun 17 Feb 5.00pm
La vie en Rose 12A

Sun 17 Feb 8.00pm
Brick Lane 15

Mon 18 Feb 3.00pm
Iris 15

Mon 18 Feb 5.00pm
Inside I'm Dancing 15

Mon 18 Feb 7.30pm
The Shawshank Redemption 15

Tickets are available from the Adam Smith Box Office.

Further information on Equality and Diversity can be found at www.fifedirect.org.uk/equality

Sisters at play

On our Oz trip we will no doubt connect with the Divine Dingo - and such excitements! As you can see this was a manifestation at the Christopher St Parade last June in Berlin. Although invited to the "Spank A Yank" night on our last visit to Oz in 1999, it seems the the Fair Day, hisory, zoo walks and the Mardi Gras parade are the only events where Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are going to ending stigma and guilt! I think until we have global equity we still need to adopt the missionary position most of the time! I'll seek out some pictures from the 99 pilgrimage for folk to view! Now there is a warning!

Oz here we come!

Well here we are again! Expecting a great time at the 30th Sydney Mardi Gras and better still back in the company of Andy & Robin for some good times! Jetting off on 15th Feb until 9th March I have been silly enough to get tickets (St V's Day) for the Barbara Dickson concert at the Carnegie Hall in Dunfermline - she will back back on hole turf! Her new CD is great "Time & Tide" - not like me recommedning sounds! I suppose we should have been packing, so it may turn out to be a disaster! Although it may pale into insignificance, as at the weekend we raided Homebase for wallpaper and decorating stuff which has meant I have had to strip the walls in the living room so we can have the decorator in when we are away! See why things are rather chaotic! My virgoen aspects hate mess!
So off to Yorkshire tomorrow to see mother and drop Damon off in Rochdale - I know loads of miles out the way buy hey ho - he's a pal! I will probably not get away until the afternoon as I have meetings for GETRA and Unison before I go. Oh local news made the front page of the Fife Free Press this week because of the the state of the local area and my involvement with the residents group GETRA - must get their web sorted www.getra.co.uk when I upload it all!
http://www.fifetoday.co.uk/fife-free-press-news/EXPOSED-St-Clair-Street-drugs.3727794.jp
Just in case you want to check it out. Not really good reading and missed all the positive aspects of living here but that's reporters!

Gerry & Bruce

On Friday 16th November 2008 we attended Gerry & Bruce's post Civil Partnership celebration in Pollockshields Burgh Hall Glasgow - and very good it was to! We stayed overnight with in a Glasgow guest House which has a very gay feeling to it - mainly as it is a very gay household! Made very welcome and if you need to chack it out go to www.get-me.to/glasgowguesthouse

Now needlessto say I was fliting about with the camera and gave Gerry and Bruce the DVD without making a copy. Jaki and Derek took pictures and here is Derek with Frank and I - Jaki was at the other side of the camera! We wish Gerry & Bruce all the best for their future.

What a beginning to 2008!

Well as you can see I am really making an attempt to keep this up to date - a New Year resolution so we will see how long this keeps going! I hope I do especially with our forthcoming trip down under to Australia! The travel plans - staying with our good mate Robin as a base they internal travel (in Oz not in Robin) neglected to take into consideration the Cyclone season - looks like the worse for 30years with 8 major cyclone forecast! It's been a raining summer too but they are not complaining after 10 years of lacking in the stuff we get plenty of - rain!
So back to the drawing board on this one but I'm sure we will resolve the local hiccup!
How did the New Year start - well a visit to the local A&E went well and they looked after my sliced middle finger on the left hand! Did not bother about the garden hoe hitting me in the face when I was putting the Xmas tree stand away, and the chronic chest infection is a minor problem which has put all the others into context!Hence writing this blog at a silly time in the morning!
Sadly Andy's father was laid to rest on Saturday, so need to have a chat to him, although send a condolence card and various text messages it's not the same as having a real good talk!
Project wise looks like I'm going to be out of action for the next few days so plenty of time to make sure I keep this up to date!