Blessed Samhain

Or Halloween if you prefer! As I get older and more used to the human world my attraction for the old pagan ways grows. I know that it has been distorted throughout history( winners really do write history and from the Roman invasion on with child sacrifice stories strangely, suspiciously echoing those of another earlier enemy- Carthage ) I still feel it has something to offer despite the rather odd expressions of it we witness.
With the decline of organised religion( in the west anyway) perhaps more of you humans can embrace your pagan past. Lack of doctrine may frighten some but, on the other hand, less to fight over!
Happy dooking....

More Danish

A little interlude appears between visiting Denmark and hosting Danish visitors, the latter action resulting in me moving out of the flat as the visitors are a family of four.However the Homeless application is delayed as my friend nearby has the dubious honour of hosting me.
I attended , as a surprise, my friend's 50th birthday party in Copenhagen- the picture above is of one of the city's churches. Although I flew back from the city's airport I flew into Billund next to Legoland( in the pouring rain), thereafter a bus through central Jutland to Kolding then train to Copenhagen. Travel in Denmark is so easy and efficient, although locals may differ. Perhaps we have lowered expectations when travelling allied to a certain degree of anxiety.
The party lasted from 3 pm to 2 am, I gave up at midnight and was a chance to catch up with those I'd briefly met over the years. Such interesting people especially the group of people who sought asylum following he Iranian Revolution of 1979. The city,as always, was a joy to walk around and I attend an evening eucharist in the Lutheran cathedral. All very peaceful but now the family are due to arrive and 6 months cleaning is to be contracted into 3 hours... 

Two years to go

Again apologies for the gap in postings. Work has been very busy. However matters are now calmer now allowing me time to catch up, especially with reading. Well what's been happening lately? Yes Scotland matters have been in the forefront and the 2012 rally in Edinburgh, the culmination of which is pictured above, was attended. I must admit to having enjoyed it although the benefits of being in a group with a common purpose must be balanced by the gnawing fear that groups can become problematic in the sense that a group mentality may take over. Luckily, as a seal, I can, hopefully, stay a little aloof. After attending a local group though and listening to well reasoned arguments about strategy I'm left with a dispiriting feeling that the vast majority of those who even bother to vote do so on a feeling largely unconnected to facts or vote against something.
However politics must take a back seat now as the cricket is now on television, although the 20 over version is not entirely to my taste it is still cricket.. just.

Forgetfullness

Having checked my previous post I notice news of my Iceland trip had already been posted. This reminds me of my growing problem with my memory. Where will this all lead? Not a pretty picture( unlike Gulfoss, so good I named it twice!)

Again apologies for the lack of postings recently. I've been  very busy with work and, of course, the Edinburgh Festival requires a visit or two. The picture above is of Gulfoss(Gold Falls) in West Central Iceland. Having returned from that wonderful country I think this image, above all others will stick with me( although there is a Selfoss(Seal Falls) there also!). I arrived late and spent the first night at Keflavik Airport and then went straight on a tour to the largest glacier in the east of the country. The second Day was the classic Golden Circle with the Geysir( well a younger version as the original has expired). It was not(alcohol excepted) as expensive as I had imaged and the people were so friendly. However I did see a few fellow seals who snubbed me.
Gulfoss was actually the subject of a bid for Hydro power over 100 years ago and, thankfully, the local farmer refused to sell. "How can I sell a friend" was his response to the request. I think Niagara's power has been reduced but upstream syphoning but fortunately Gulfoss' icy flows remain untouched. Returned to the jingoism of the Olympics and its apparent effect on our referendum. However we all need to wait, 2 years is a long way off.

This is a picture of Gulfoss, a mighty waterfall in central Iceland. Just returned from that wonderful island with fond memories of the friendliness of its people and its spectacular landscape. Not as expensive as before the economic crash although there are signs of the economy regaining strength. Although Reykjavik has some interesting places to visit the real reason to visit here is the landscape beyond and it will never disappoint. Although the above is Gulfoss(Golden falls) suppose Selfoss( Seal falls) should have been visited in instead. However did visit some of my fellow seals at a glacial lagoon in the east of the island. Back to work now...

Mair rain

There is a poem by the great Hugh MacDiarmid which, after analysing then Scottish political scene, ends in a melancholy "mair rain". I can't be bothered, to be honest, to look it up again as at one time I could have quoted it in full, such is time and its effects. However I was reminded of the poem when reading that support for Independence has fallen to around 30%. Whilst the accuracy of polls may be questioned and the recent Jubilee effect may play some part, it is still depressing that a majority of Scots feel they should vote against the simple statement that their nation should be equal to the likes of Luxembourg( I apologise to the interesting little place). However I maintain that it will be the second, or more likely the third, referendum which will secure independence and, once achieved, there won't be any returning to the status quo ante.
However rain remains the theme of this awful summer and with holidays approaching next week what can In do? I think a spot of swimming may be in order but not in the sea, what was formerly land may suffice!