It's Warm for Winter

It's supposed to be Winter, but where's the cold weather gone??

After two days of Gales we had a break (one Day), but now the Wind is back, but it's still not cold, We even have a Rose in bloom on the wall ??

Who knows it could be out with the Longbow if the wind dies down, as the Sun is trying to shine now..
But then it could be Shelter from the Storm time !!

Footnote ::- 1-00pm, it's dark and it's raining !! so it's into hibernation mode..

Gossip

 

 

Socrates on Gossip

In ancient Greece (469 - 399 BC) Socrates was widely lauded for his wisdom. One day the great philosopher came upon an acquaintance who ran up to him excitedly and said, "Socrates, do you know what I just heard about one of your students?"

"Wait a moment," Socrates replied. "Before you tell me I'd like you to pass a little test. It's called the Triple Filter Test."

"Triple filter?"

"That's right," Socrates continued. "Before you talk to me about my student let's take a moment to filter what you're going to say. The first filter is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?"

"No," the man said, "actually I just heard about it and..."

"All right," said Socrates. "So you don't really know if it's true or not. Now let's try the second filter, the filter of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my student something good?"

"No, on the contrary..."

"So," Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about him, even though you're not certain it's true?" The man shrugged, a little embarrassed. Socrates continued. "You may still pass the test though, because there is a third filter - the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about my student going to be useful to me?"

"No, not really"

"Well," concluded Socrates, "if what you want to tell me is neither True nor Good nor even Useful, why tell it to me at all?"

The man was defeated and ashamed. This is the reason Socrates was a great philosopher and held in such high esteem.

It'll soon be Christmas !!

Christmas is a week away, then it's New Year, and then it's back to normal or as normal as it get's..

What is normal ?? normal for who ??

I suppose a lot of People like Christmas as they have an excuse to over Indulge, then others enjoy Christmas because they can look forward to their first decent meal for weeks.

A lot of People will spend Christmas alone, as so called Family and Friends have better things to do.

So why bother with the Lonely when you are surrounded by Friends ?? maybe the Lonely people once thought you were their Friend, only to find Christmas brings out the Truth.

One thing to remember is, it is usually the Quiet Ones, the ones that stand quietly in the background, That turn out to be your true Friends..

So here's to the Quiet Ones, the True Friends that never let you down ..

Merry Christmas

Mud !!

The Snow has left but is set to return, and they say a Storm is on the way too.
So it looks like Winter has arrived !!

So it's throw another Log on the Fire time, and hope we don't have a Powercut, not that it really matters as the Camping stove and the Oil Lamp are on standby.

The rain is lashing at the windows as I type this, but hopefully it won't last to long as there's stuff that needs doing outside.

Roll on Christmas, but not being a Christmas Fan it's just another day, but why do I always get the feeling that the World has come to an end, with nothing moving as people celebrate Christmas or so they say !!
How many really People celebrate Christmas ?? or do they just use it for an excuse to get drunk and over eat.

Goodwill to all Men but only on Christmas Day ?? why does Goodwill have to be Seasonal, why not all the year round.

Has Christmas lost it's way ??

A Reading Day

Winter seems to have arrived with a vengeance, or is it just me that's having problems adjusting to the cold weather ??

It's Snowing now, so who knows we could be snowed in Tomorrow ??

I've spent most of the day reading 'Bones on the Hills' by Conn Iggulden, it's a 4 part Trilogy ?? It was supposed to be a Trilogy!!  but he wrote another book in the series ??

It's about Genghis Khan of Mongol Fame, I've decided to finish this series off (This is Book 3) before going on to read others..

My next Book

I've finished reading "On the Road" by Jack Kerouac, at last.
It was hard work in places, but I enjoyed it.

On the Back cover there is a Quote from Bob Dylan  which says, 'It changed my life like it changed everyone else's', which after reading it I can see why, as you can see a lot of his songs are reflected in this Book.

The next one is "Blue Highways" by William Least Heat-Moon, which is in much the same vein as "On the Road"

These books really bring back memories of some of the things I've done in my life, maybe I should right a Book too??

But to me my Adventures are just part of life, just ripples in a Sea of Tranquillity.

And what would life be without the occasional Adventure ??

Kerouac's (Sanuk)

Just got another pair of Sanuk's, as the Moss Lumberjack's I bought a week or so ago, feel so good.
The one difference I've noticed is the Kerouac's are not as easy to put on as the Lumberjack's, as they don't have the Chill Lining in them.
But the weight is ridiculous, there's light, and ultralight, and these are definitely the latter.
They pack down flat so they are really good for putting in a Suitcase, or Backpack when you are travelling, as they take up so little room.
There are lots of designs, but if you live in the UK like I do, you will have to track them down, especially if you take size 9 UK.
But they are well worth searching for.

Archery !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is my sort of Archery, I don't find standing in a line and shooting at targets any fun at all, there's nothing like shooting on a Field Archery Course, especially with a group of like minded Friends.
The plan is to sell some of my Bows and concentrate on Traditional Longbows, be it an English Longbow or an American one.
I'm also selling the Horsebow I have, and upgrading to a better one, as I prefer Shortbows as they are easier to carry on Woodland Courses, and don't snag on the scenery.
But with no place to shoot Indoors and the weather becoming more Wintery, sadly the practice sessions are becoming few and far between.

Winter could be, on it's way !!

It's cooler today, and there's supposed to be a Storm on the way.

The Sanuks are working well and keeping my feet warm, all I need now are some Outdoor Winter ones ?? Why don't they make them ??, What's wrong with wearing Snow Sandals ??

I'm in deep thought about what to get up to through the Winter, it's not the Cold, it's the Wind that's the problem.

Someone told me I should learn to play a Musical Instrument, but not being a musical person that could be out, but then I've never tried it ??

How about Painting?? looking at some of this so called Modern Art, I used to do better Paintings at School, even though whatever I painted, never looked anything like what it was supposed to be, So maybe I could do that and be good right from the start, all I need are some Paints.

It Broke.

The Internet broke yesterday no connection all day, but I found out today the whole village was off, so it's not as bad as I thought as it seemed to lock the Computer, but by all accounts it was still working.
There was just nothing happening, I thought this old computer had given up.
We've been busy shifting 20 tons of Gravel, it was that much fun even the neighbours came to join in, which made it a lot easier. (Thank you, kind Neighbours.)
The Winter seems to be trying to make an appearance, hopefully trying is the word.
Lots to do in the short daylight hours, then it's dark again and time to hibernate till the morning.
I've just received a pair of Injinji socks for the Five Finger Shoes,  most impressed and will probably be a lot better than the ones I am currently using, but they are on hold till the weather warms up.

Blog Content ???

This is getting hard work must find some more Blog content ??
This Blog has no real direction and is just a Blog of Random Thoughts, so if something enters my head that makes sense, I put it in the Blog !! maybe that's why I've slowed down..
Perhaps the problem is the dark nights ?? but then they're not cold dark nights as it's still warm, last year we had snow today ??
I must try and get more Archery practice, but it seems by the time I get sorted and ready to go out it's dark.
Maybe an indoor hobby for the Winter ?? any suggestions ??
I usually end up reading Books, as there's nothing on TV that interests me .
Maybe I should study how to put together a good Blog ???

New Sanuk's

Just received my pair of Sanuk Lumberjacks, which are a nice fit.
Thank's to Sanuk for answering my questions.
Why do I always seem to end up between sizes no matter what I buy!!
First comments "their not Shoes, their Slippers" well they feel like Slippers, but they are neither Shoes nor Slippers, their Sandals.
The chill lining makes them really warm, a lot warmer than I thought they would be.
Their not waterproof, but I have boots for that.
 A good addition to the Fivefinger Shoes I also wear.
For my next Sanuk buy, will it be Donny's, Vagabond's  or Kerouac's, at the moment my thought's are thinking Kerouac's for some reason ??



I'm as happy with my Sanuk's, as the Puppy in the Picture.

 

Footnote :

Looking in the package the Sanuk's came in, there's a Voucher for 15% off my next purchase from the place I bought them .

So it looks like a pair of Kerouac's could be on order.

On the Road (JK)

I'm reading "On the Road" by Jack Kerouac, I find it a good book as it reminds me of some of my Adventures., which sometimes had their scary moments.
I once got a ride from a Depressed Hamster Breeder, (I jest not).
He had an old Ford Escort that had seen better days, we came to a line of traffic of about 4 or 5 Cars and he pulled out to overtake and a  Car was coming the other way.
He let his foot off the accelerator for a couple of seconds and said "Will we make it ?? ".
The next thing he floored the Accelerator and accelerated down the line of traffic the engine screaming as we reached 90 mph the Car lurched about on it's suspension which had seen better days, you could smell the Engine getting rather warm as it objected to it's treatment and the smell of Hot Oil filled the Car.
I had visions of sailing off the road into the Scenery and ending up trapped it a ball of twisted Metal, or the Car exploding into a  Fireball.
When I was at School, I was told as I have Blonde hair and Blue eyes, I probably had Viking Blood, Vikings used to make a Funeral Pyre on a Long ship, set fire to it and send it out to Sea.
But this one was going to die in a 90mph Fireball on Wheels !!
We made it so I got to live for my next Adventure, which carried on with my next ride that day..
The Moral of the story is, Never take a ride with a Depressed Hamster Breeder.
How books bring back memories.

Footnote:

Just to clarify the story the Driver told me he used to breed Hamsters, and sometimes when you went to show's you would get there to find your favourite Hamster had died.

He then told me he suffered from depression another rather worrying moment, but when he told me he was a retired School Teacher, I was really worried.

Silence

Today is a day of silence.

Competitive

 How do you become Competitive, if you never have been ???

If you are Competitive do you gain more respect from others, especially if you win ??

Does the fear of being  Inferior drive you on, a fear of not standing out in the crowd, not being able to stand there and say, look at me I am Superior to you.

But this is all in the mind, all part of the Dream of Reality.

Reality is whatever you want it to be, or whatever Society wants you to Believe, but it's up to you..

As the saying goes "You can only be Inferior, with your own Consent".

Direction

Direction ?? How do you find it ??
Do you see a Light at the end of a Tunnel and walk towards that light, or do you walk into the Darkness,  Face your fears and wait for the light to appear ?
What will be at the end of that tunnel when you walk into the light, will it be what you seek or just another false hope ??
If you walk into the darkness will new avenues appear, avenues you never knew existed,  maybe what you are looking for is waiting in that darkness, waiting for you to face your fears and find that life you are seeking.
Happiness is out there you only have to look....
But first you must face your Fears, whatever they may be....

Magic Trip

Another must have DVD, I  wish it was "Been there, Done That." but I blinked and missed it.

I know a few People who say that "Back in the Day" they were part of it, but they have now moved on, as it was just a phase in their life, where they did it because it was the "In thing to do" a way of being at one of the Crowd.

But some of us are left in a Time Warp, only to find when you step back into reality the World has changed..

Magic Trip: In 1964, Ken Kesey, the famed author of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” set off on a legendary cross-country road trip to the New York World’s Fair. He was joined by “The Merry Band of Pranksters,” including Neal Cassady, the American icon immortalized in Kerouac’s “On the Road.” Kesey and the Pranksters intended to make a documentary about their trip, but the film was never finished and the footage has remained virtually unseen. With MAGIC TRIP, Oscar®-winning director Alex Gibney and Alison Ellwood were given unprecedented access to this raw footage to create a documentary of this extraordinary piece of American history.

Woodland Tracks

 

 It's back to the Woods before it gets too cold and wet, it's time to go it alone once more.
Just the Animals and the Trees, the things you can trust and do not pass judgement, but take you as you are, not for what they want or expect you to be.
No knife in the back, no more Whispers, strange looks and sly glances when they think your back is turned..
Some times may seem sad and lonely, but it is something that will pass, so it's back to the old ways.
No more lies, from People who look you in the Eye and tell you they are your Friends, and you were fool enough to believe them and put your trust in them and you dropped your guard because of it.
Only to find what you thought was the Truth was a Lie .

Thoughts

“Beware thoughts that come in the night. They aren't turned properly; they come in askew, free of sense and restriction, deriving from the most remote of sources.”
― William Least Heat-Moon, Blue Highways: A Journey Into America

Railway Stations

A couple of Local Railway Stations which may be of Interest..

                                  Dunrobin Station. Sutherland.

                                     Loth Station . Sutherland.      

Random Stuff

I was sent these pictures by someone who recently went to Canada.

A Simple Rustic Houseboat complete with Bicycle for Land transport.
What more do you need other than a Fishing Rod??

The Wreckage, this house is featured in Lloyd Khan's Book "Builders of the Pacific Coast" which is the reason they went to see it, another Lloyd Khan convert.
Many Thanks to Freyja for the photograph's.

Tobar na Slainte, Shandwick

I walked to a Well today , but the well was dry.

Drinking the water is supposed to get rid of the "Evil Eye" maybe it was dry because Shandwick is Evil Eye Central, and the locals have drunk the well dry.
It was rather a spooky place, and you got the feeling that the ghosts of the Evil Eyes were watching you !!

But it was still very enjoyable, if rather a short walk.

I also passed the Shandwick Stone which is encased in a Glass  and looks rather like an Ancient Telephone Box.

 The name "Shandwick" is supposed to come from the Norse, Sand-Vik meaning Sand Bay.

But there were no Vikings about, so I can only presume they were out plundering and pillaging, or maybe they'd  just gone to Tesco's ??

Nice for a Holiday

Nice for a holiday, But some of us have to live here !!
But I'd rather live here than in a city.

It was that dreaded time of the year when it's time for the MoT (yearly check to see if your vehicle is fit for the road) .
So took the camera and took a few pictures while I was waiting.
It passed, so that's it for another year, she's 15 years old now and every year I get the feeling there are going to be big problems.

The Garage is where the signs are in the background, not a very nice place to be standing around on a cold day, but on a nice day you couldn't get any better.

Bikes with chubby Tyres

It doesn't look like the Traction will be good.
But I presume if you can keep one of these upright, it'll float ?
I wonder if those Tyres are puncture proof ??

Singlespeed Bicycles

Mission Bicycles are so simple and so functional, it makes me realise why I ride like to ride Singlespeed Bicycles
Nice simple design, and some really nice colours too, what more can anyone ask for ??

And there are no Hill's you can't walk up, and one more excuse why you have to ??

Gone Surfing

An Eco Surfmobile.

Just what every Surfer wants, as long as you don't want to sleep in it.

It's probably for Rich Surfers, who can afford to stay in hotels..

But to me, you still can't beat a Van, "To Love it, is to Live in it." as the Tee shirt says.

iPod Revolution

I've been watching a TV programme about Steve Jobs called "The iPod Revolution".
It was interesting to watch as it made me realise how some people think.

It's not a case of selling something to someone, but more a case of convincing someone they need something and can't live without it.

These days a lot of people seem to have a fear of not fitting in, wanting to fit in with a certain group of People.
So they must buy the latest Fashion, Gadget, or whatever to make the statement that they are part of the scene, whatever that scene may be.

They have a fear of being alone and spend most of their life waiting for the next fashion trend, be it an iPod, a Car, or Clothing, the must have thing that makes you stand out from the crowd until everyone has one and you go back to being part of it and begin looking for the next, Must have thing..

What happened to the Individual who thought for himself, did his own thing and never followed fashion..
That Dinosaur is alive and well and writing this Blog.

My Neighbour's New Tin Shed

My neighbour's just got a new Tin Shed.

But it's not like this one ??

Hippy Cement Truck

If only all Cement trucks were like this ??

A Big Surfboard

Big enough for all the family..

House Truck

A House Truck in the making, with custom wheel arches.

Inspired By... SunRay Kelley from Shwood Eyewear on Vimeo.

I think this blog could be changing direction, with all the good stuff I'm finding.

I'm thinking maybe it's time to do things from the heart, and just add the things I like, rather than trying to think what others might like..

Sandcastles

Beaches !!

>> http://www.art-spire.com/en/art/40-awesome-sand-sculptures/

What a great way to spend time on the Beach, all I ever built were sandcastles that always seemed to fall down.

How do they get them to stay together ??

And how do they come up with such great themes ??

I'm not an Artist in any way, when I left School it was a simple case of get a job and earn money.

The Artists seem to be those who had parents who had the money, to send them to some fancy Art School.

But isn't the Internet a wonderful thing, now anyone can study art, anytime they want..

Too Cold

Well it's rather cold out, too cold for Archery or Cycling and it's not even Winter yet.
The plan is to get in more archery practice, but that's out until the wind dies down
I've been asked to go to two archery competitions, but as their not what I call social occasions, I'll give them a miss, there's nothing worse than travelling a long way to be greeted to a load of sour faces.
It's coming down to, if your not happy with what's already there, change it yourself.
It's no use complaining about something and not trying to change it, I've done it before and got awards for putting on events, so I know I can do it again.
The worst part is the burning of bridges and knowing there's no turning back, but if your not happy does it really matter.
I've been asked about doing reenactment with the Longbow, I've already done it with the British Longbow Society, which reenacts the practice of Victorian Archery.
It's not really my thing as I'm more like Robin Hood and not very good at acting like a Victorian Gentleman.

Bicycles

Just a picture of one of my bicycles, not used much now, as I prefer a more leisurely riding position.
So it's For Sale..
I now tend to use a dutch style bicycle complete with panniers and a front basket as it's a lot more practical.
It would make an ideal touring bike, as it would easily carry all your worldly goods.
I've always fancied a Surly Pugsley, but with it's fat tyres it's not really the sort of bike you would use on the road, more of a bike for the beach..

Positive Thoughts

It's a nice day, but I think they are now getting few and far between.
No Snow yet but every other Person you meet says it's on it's way, and the Snowploughs are ready for action.
It's strange how some People just seem to look at winter as the downside of life.
If your not into outdoor Winter stuff you can always sit down with a good book.
There's always something to keep you amused on dark winter nights and you don't have to look far especially with the internet as you have the whole world at your fingertips.

After reading Lloyd Khan's blog about Skateboarding, I've been reading up about it.
It's all very interesting, but even though I can ride a Bicycle, a Longboard is rather pushing my balancing capabilities to the limit.
But it's all good stuff.
It's last day of fishing today so we now have the river to ourselves till next year.
It's supposed to be a nice day tomorrow, but as usual we won't know if that's right until we look out of the window in the morning.
Who knows it could be a Longbow day ??

No Fishing

Only two days to go and I'll have the River to myself once more, as it's the end of the fishing season for another year.
But the nights are drawing in and the days are getting shorter, who knows one dark night I may find something interesting to put on this blog??.
But at least the weather has been good over the last few days, which means there's a good chance I'll be able to get out with the Longbow and put some holes in the Target Ball.

Funny Old Day

Went to fix a neighbours Guttering on his Shed, and rehang a Gate.

Took the dog for a walk along the river and on my return my Neighbour was waiting for me, he'd managed to put his Tractor on it's side, after righting it we left it for a while to let the Oil settle, but it still looked like Puff the Magic Dragon when it started.
But it was all ok after we'd taken it home, and put some more oil in it.

Another happy day in paradise !!

Which one ???

I took these three pictures yesterday, I prefer the bottom one for some reason, maybe it's the road that puts the tree in the right place ??

I put the video on for no other reason than I like it, as it's so simple.