Mark's Journal

 The 23rd February until the 1st March is Scottish Gaelic Week and my blog needs a bit more attention than it has been getting of late. So I'm going to put up some posts this month in Gaelic. You can probably try and automatically translate these but, since it's that Gaelic time of year, why not try to pick up some of this ancient tongue yourself? There's always Duolingo. Better than that there's Coffee Break Gaelic which will teach you some actual useful language or, if you live in Scotland, try your local Gaelic class sponsored by Commun na Gàidhlig . Now on with the story. Di-ciadain, bha an là gu trang. Bha mi ag ithe bracaist tràth agus dhràibh mi gu Drochaid a' Chota. Chan eil fiaclar NHS ann an Dun Phrìs agus mar sin chi mi am fioclaran-oileanach anns an t-Ionad Ruigsinneachd Fiaclareachd. An uiridh bha iad a' deanamh mòran obair: lìonadhan agus crùn. Seachdainean bha iad ag obair. An turas seo bha a h-uile rud gu math. Bidh mi a' faicinn an neach-s...

 It's Twelfth Night, the Epiphany. Did you remember to leave your Christmas lights up to guide the Wise Men? You don't want to start the new year lost in foolishness. 😀 To finish off the Christmas season, here are some photos taken over the holiday period. I also have an album of  Glasgow's Southside on Christmas Night over on my Lomography home . Have a look before diving on into the teeth of winter. So here is a wee Christmastime gallery for you.  

 You do get some tough years and two bereavements in one year is enough to qualify. There have been some very good things this year too but they sit in the shadow of loss. My mum passed away, just worn out late one wet November night. We look back on a very full and rich life and remember her. Carrie’s 21 st Birthday Andrew Robertson   Each birthday is a little rung On the ladder you must climb, On this one – number 21 You’ve reached a height sublime.   Your Girlhood you have left behind To Womanhood you’ve come, Dame Fortune keep you e’er in mind Throughout the years to come.   Should troubles grip you in their vice Or problems make you sad, Don’t hesitate to seek advice From dear old Mum and Dad.   Be ever righteous in your ways Your thoughts be good and true, May friends surround you all your days – this is our wish for you. Mum and Dad.  (Love and all good wishes to our baby on her 21 st Birthday – xxx.) Carrie The strong, gui...

 After spending the summer trying to get my head organised and get back into life again, I'm back. I hope to put a few photo blogs up with some of the things I saw this summer but, for now, here is a link to my Lomography album from this past weekend: Autumn in Dumfries and Galloway  And some Autumn photos:  

 I decided to take a short camping trip in Glentrool last week. It seemed like a good idea at the time as we'd had several weeks of unseasonally warm weather. Inevitably, the rain started in earnest as soon as I pitched my tent. However, that didn't spoil the fun as rain and the Scottish landscape can set each other off beautifully. I took a lot of images of rivers in full spate and probably have some of my best turbulent water shots from that trip.