Walk up to your knees...

Just an advanced heads up for those interested in organised walking. There is a major (10,000 plus expected ) walk planned for my local Stirling area this Saturday.

Organised by the aptly titled LOO of Scotland with expected participation  from  ABOD, EDL/SDL, BNP and various English Premiership "casuals", the route is a mere three miles over paved surfaces with minimal inclines. Which is good if you are a sweaty fat bastard with a big bass drum.

While most of the route is through the the centre of the city in order to cause maximum disruption, it also takes an apparently illogical loop through what the BBC would call "the predominately Catholic Raploch area". Here you will have the opportunity to discuss late-17th century Irish military history with the locals, while asserting the ascendancy of the reformed church in Scottish society. There may be minor scuffles at this point, but one of the walk organisers will sort things out by greeting the police officer in charge with a hearty handshake.

Afterwards, there will be tea and scones ( well actually the local equivalent - Buckfast and kebabs) for the participants and the usual "tiny minority" will disgrace themselves.
And, as if this wasn't attractive enough, there will be music.





And one of the tunes you will hear will be Jock o' Hazeldean, which,I have to admit, can sound good even when played by a swaggering flute band.
But I prefer this version, by a man whose Irish immigrant roots and left-wing politics epitomises everything your fellow walkers abhor (fear?).




See you there, then. I'll be the one in the bowler hat with the rolled umbrella. Oh, and the sash.

Another man done gone.

It's the sports jacket I remembered first - a dark green hairy effort worn with cavalry twills and a black droopy moustache set in a rather florid, moon face.
He was in the first tutorial group I attended, and  we went for coffee afterwards. We were never mates. Friends ? - maybe, or just fellow students. He was a leading light in the Conservative Society, which made him a bit of an endangered species in '60s student politics, and subject to a lot of ridicule and abuse which he bore with unfailing good humour.
Ken went on to become a TV reporter and then a big shot in BBC Scotland. Died today "after a long illness".
A  good man, I think.

The Shame of Scotland's High Streets !

Promenading along the main shopping thoroughfare of the respectable cathedral city of Dunblane, I was horrified to discover this window display in full view of children and sensitive pensioners.

What sort of depraved individual would patronise such a den of iniquity ? I spoke to one young man who was attempting to shuffle out  unnoticed with his purchase in a plain brown wrapper. He claimed that he had only gone in for a mince round, and by the look of him I could well believe it !

Reasons for posting on my blog N0 67

I'm totally, completely and utterly fed up.
So there.
Just thought I'd share that with you.

What an absolutely lovely day for a walk !

Yes it's our "Unlikely things to read on an outdoor blog in 2012" round.

Sunny, blue skies, fluffy white clouds, about 17degrees, just a hint of a breeze, and no distant haze.
Perfect.
Just wish I could have done it justice, but I did manage to stagger up into tbe Ochils for a few precious hours.

and another light goes out

Goodbye Skateboarding Duck.

A typically witty piece  of ephemera from Richard Stilgoe, one of the less bland recipients of honours in today's list. His inclusion means that the list can trully be said to include "hoors and comic singers" to use a local expression.
Other names that spring out are Armando Iannucci - along with Peter Capaldi - a scion of the Scots Italian community which was so shamefully treated during WW2, and my near neighbour who is now "Sir" George Reid. That'll maybe cheer up the torn-faced wee sod.

Nothing for yours truly once again. I take this as good news, as it means that the medical people have told the Palace that I will probably survive until at least the New Year list.

Half of what I say is meaningless

On Thursday I set off to walk  the old turnpike road along the Hillfoots to Tillicoultry. There's a fork in the path through the woods at the back of the graveyard. I knew my route went along the right-hand low-level path, but it was a nice day and the left hand, uphill path looked very inviting So, off I went. I just don't care, me.

As I expected, it took me up through Yellowcraig Woods, through the rhododendron tunnel, to the top of the crag

My intended route is along the bottom of the escarpment

I circled round the fringes of the Shirra Muir and looked for  orchids in the usual places. I didn't see any which is not to say there were none to see.

On Friday I set off to do the walk planned for the previous day. Taking the right-hand fork, I hadn''t gone 100 metres before I noticed this little fella right at the edge of the path. Aah

Put out more flags ?

Blairlogie village

Wildlife photography - piece o' piss ! Eat your heart out, Mark.


As a result of the recent lack of posting, our music clip warehouse is bulging at the seams, and, in order to make room for expected deliveries of new stock, we will be featuring some Multisave offers.
Fill your boots.