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!

Lakes and pools of rain

Sorry for the lack of blogging of late. Reason is the usual mixture of laziness and holidays. As a seal I love water but the excessive rainfall was not welcome recently as I joined my family at Ullswater, Lake District. As the scenery is so spectacular this never disappoints and, if I'm honest, the rain even enhances it to some, albeit subjective, extent. However activities are nonetheless curtailed by the weather. The only decent break from it saw us in the lovely town of Keswick, a centre for dog lovers as there were dozens on view. Our own dog, Ellie, collapsed with diabetic related problems but is now better.
I returned early to play bowls and it was worth it with a rare win. On return here the news of the closure of the area's largest employer, a meat production plant, was sad as 1700 jobs will go. Although the Council and Government are now involved the international nature of such large companies mean there will be little they can do. As a vegetarian I suppose I've not helped their cause though.

Sorry for the lack of posts lately. I've been very busy with work and also, I admit,. a bit lazy too. You know the stereotype about seals lying around? Well sometimes these are true. Nothing much happening just now although today the Summer Solstice is upon us. I hope you all have a happy and holy day. I'm going to walk to Torphichen again although this time from my home. I'll leave at 2 p.m and hopefully arrive for a meal at 6 pm followed by a Bluegrass concert. However the weather is not great but I'm determined to get fit...

Returned from down south. My friend was attending a course near Marlborough so I tagged along. Everything went well until I reversed the hire care down a country lane smashing in the back! This part of England is so beautiful and the evidence of a much larger scale of Diamond Jubilee celebrations was there emphasising my feeling that Scotland is different in this area.
Visited the Cotswolds and also Bath although the latter was a day which could have done without the incessant rain. The next day after my return celebrated a friend's 50th birthday drinking so much that the karaoke had the benefit of my intentions. Only now recovering.

Not in my name

One of the downsides of living in Britain is having to put up with the fawning attitude to the Royal Family. The media is especially guilty but, for those reading from outwith these shores, do not believe the hype. Especially here in Scotland where celebrations are hard to spot. In the West it seems to be largely members of the Orange Lodge( an extreme Protestant sectarian organisation which organises anti- Catholic marches with their attendant tensions) and in Edinburgh the few parties are organised but incomers who really don't get the local culture. Surrey by the Forth if you like.
I'm not against the Royals personally, indeed I like Prince Charles very much. The Queen just does not do it for me though. Her much vaunted" never puts a foot wrong" praise does not quite ring true here in Scotland after her ill advised remarks during the 1970's Assembly referendum campaign. However no harm to the woman. If there has to be a monarchy though it should be the above man who is the rightful monarch, Francis, Duke of Bavaria. However he's probably glad he's not involved in all the events.