Sentimental journey

For the last few weeks I've been putting some effort into finally preparing a CD from some of the tape recordings left by my father, George. It is hard to believe, but last year marked the 25th anniversary of his death, and I have been keen to get this done - now that I have the appropriate technology!
I have greatly enjoyed doing this and have been pleased to be able to send copies of the CD to many friends and family memebers who remember George very fondly - and I'm delighted with the positive response. The recordings aren't perfect, having been made mostly in the kitchen at Duncan Drive, but I think they succeed in reminding us of his great energy and enthusiasm and his sense of fun.
The photo here is of the CD cover - with Dad looking happy to be coming in to Shetland. I chose the title because he usually signed off as "yer auld frien" and I'm sure he would be happy to be remembered in that way by all who knew him.
If you would like a copy please email me (via the link on the profile page here) and I'll get it done.
I'm off to Nepal again in a few days time and will be starting a new blog (http://newyetihunt.blogspot.com/ or via the link in the side panel). I hope you will follow me there!

Yer auld frien' II

Happy New Year!

All of a sudden it is 2009, and I think I will finally bring this blog to an end - except maybe for a future entry to refer to what happens next. I'll be giving that some thought over the next few weeks.
Since the last update Christmas has come and gone, and I'm grateful to Elaine and Chloe and the Clynes for looking after me then. Right now I'm still in the north of Scotland, after an Inverness Hogmanay - where nephew Alistair's band was part of the entertainment (supporting the Magic Numbers as the main act). And a few days ago I had a fine day on the Cobbler with Mac, Catherine, Mark and LeiLei. Thank you to Moira and Ken for your hospitality in recent days, and especially for the last garlic soup of 2008 - an excellent finish to a good year.
With best wishes for a great 2009 to all my friends out there!
The photos are of the view from the window here yesterday, Alistair and Lowtide Revelry, The Cobbler team, and Ken and Moira on Hogmanay.

Long time no update

For the last 4 weeks I've been a student again - doing a course in the teaching of English as a foreign language at Glasgow University. It has been hard work, but the team spirit was good and I'm pretty sure that all 12 of us will get our certificates in the near future!
My intention is that I'll make use of this new skill when I return to Nepal, but I don't have any fixed dates for this yet. In the meantime I'll probably do some voluntary teaching here in Glasgow.
Having been out of circulation for a while I have a lot of catching up to do over the coming weeks, for instance with some Children's Panels - staring tomorrow. And a sign of the times for me: next weekend I'll be in Fife at the retirement party of my old school pal Roy B.
The photo is of my CELTA class colleagues at the end of the course. It's a bit out of focus but I think you can tell that they're all happy!

Italian garlic soup?

I couldn't come to Italy without investigating the garlic soup subject, but I have to say that my research so far has been a bit disappointing - given that garlic seems to appear in just about everything, and that they make some fine soups. But my survey of the Villa Pia kitchen staff came up with a reaction which seemed to be assessing me as slightly mad. They have presented me today with a recipe for the nearest they could come up with - which is really a kind of garlic and anchovy dip. Ah well it sounds interesting anyway. But they made up for it by agreeing to pose for a photo with me in my Bond gear. The other pic is of a a typical view of the neighbouring countryside. Such a great place I've decided to stay an extra day.

Bond party

It is the day after the night before! I got to bed at 4 am and wasn't the last to go. A great party, celebrating Judy's (imminent) 40th, the highlight being Jeremy's wonderful photo/video/music tribute. Or maybe it was Harriet's Ave Maria, or her unique dance style! Today the weather has been the best so far and most of us went for a long walk through the lanes and up and down a few hills - managing to acquire a new canine friend on the way. It is still here at the villa, but seems to be known to one of the kitchen staff as her cousin's dog. I think I'll just let a few pictures tell some of the party story - mostly of the Bond girls in various formations. In case you don't know them that's Jenny, Helen and Nadine with David McK. Harriet, Nadine, Judy (of the party) and Juliana, the inimitable Harriet again, and me with Catherine McK.

Villa Pia

I arrived at Villa Pia (near Monterchi) yesterday after choosing Arezzo for my last stop. Another great old mediaeval town, where it is definitely best to dump the car and start walking. I overnighted at a B&B there; so it was interesting to stay with a real Italian family for a change. I don't have much time on the internet here; so I'll just say that Villa Pia is a fantastic place for a family holiday - or a special party - and very child friendly. I think there as many under 10s here as there are adults! Yesterday's theme was Halloween. Tonight of course is Bond night. I don't know quite what to expect, but I'm sure it will be fun!

Glasgow to Poggibonsi - a long day

I was up at 5:15 yesterday for the bus to Prestwick. Dozed much of the flight to Pisa, then discovered that Kevin and Maureen were in the row in front of me. They must have been snoozing too! They are off for a couple of days in Siena before the Villa Pia kneesup. I don't have much of a plan, but that's pretty much how I like it. I had an early light lunch in central Pisa - outdoors by the duomo and tower. The tower is such an iconic image of Italy it is difficult to just head off without taking another look. It doesn't seem to have leaned much more since the mid 70s, but they have cleaned it up a bit.
Back then I did some work with Piaggio in Pontedera, and I wanted to go by and see how they were getting on without me. Pretty good seems to be the answer. They make Vespa scooters and other light vehicles, and business seems to be booming. I had a wander round the Piaggio museum, but this was a rather weird experience. There seemed to be absolutely no-one on duty (except maybe some CCTV) and I was free to wander round the whole place. I was particularly taken by the prototype(?) one-man mini-helicopter. Just what I need for my arrival at the James Bond party. Shame there was no-one there to make the sale!


After that I thought I'd head for Florence, but decided to move on after a quick (actually not so quick) look around. It is of course a really great place - but don't take a car! I ended up in Poggibonsi, in the middle of Chianti country, and am very pleased with this result. Another nice old mediaeval town, but with a modern outlook, a good hotel and excellent trattoria. And no tourists. Magnifico!
Here is a photo of the Pisa tower, and one of the mini-'copter.