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(pictures) Just to prove that; a/ I sometimes actually deliver what I promise, and, b/ the spirit of Dalmallyfest is alive and well in Kilmarnock A familiar figure labours to prepare the electrickery. What’s that strange illumination? At the other end of the garden, food prep. Early audience bag the good seats… Hard working musiciansContinue reading “It’s a Dog’s Life…”

(time) You were supposed to get a collage of photo’s from the Gig in the Garden, along with pithy comments by me….and you will. However, it turns out to be more time consuming than expected. Plus I have stored the surprisingly large number of images, in one big file, with helpful titles like IMG1234.567z, whichContinue reading “It’s a Dog’s Life…”

(Rain gods). I think the mistake most people make, is that they offer benefaction to the weather gods, only when their need is immediate, rather than all year round. As any ancient worshiper would tell you, gods are fickle that way. However, when it comes to exactly who should get those offerings, it starts toContinue reading “It’s a Dog’s Life…”

(better?) After several deeply unpleasant nights shifts, during which I also manage to infect Chris, we are (finally) both clear (two cheers!). Fortunately, I go straight onto very long dayshifts, so I have no time to mope about feeling happy for myself. I do manage to clear some space in the garage on my “bitContinue reading “It’s a Dog’s Life…”

(Bleugh!) Sometimes it does not rain, but it pours. My mum remains in hospital, happily secured from the conditions that took her there, but now seriously underweight and weak, oh and she has covid (she’s also 86 and tiny). Meanwhile at work, several colleagues must face their own family trauma or illness, while others areContinue reading “It’s a Dog’s Life…”

(is it safe?) Due to something of a family emergency, I was unable to attend 101 songs for 101 years of Dalmally. Going by the photos, the sun shone, the midgies were fierce, and the music was good. Meanwhile, I am tasked with some preparation for my mother’s hoped-for, return from hospital. Some kind ofContinue reading “It’s a Dog’s Life…”

(re – cycle) My bicycle has been hiding in the garage since it was lent out for the “can we cycle the west highland way?” [No!] debacle last year. There are a number of reasons for this; some protracted ankle/knee injuries, the endless tyrany of nightshift, the wet wet wet… also Geography. In my previousContinue reading “It’s a Dog’s Life….”

( Weak week) If this typing is a bit slow, it’s because I staved my thumb. Or sprained my thumb…or strained my thumb. Gradually the years have taken from me some of my “bounce-back-abilty”, so that a tumble down a flight of stairs now hurts enough to require a lie down. Actually, these days, aContinue reading “It’s a Dog’s Life….”

(solstice) Happy “standing still of the sun” (that’s the actual translation). I hope you had a delightful midsummer longest day (I worked 11 hours – inside). As a West Coast of Scotland resident, I am legally obligated to observe – the solstice having passed – that; “the nights are fair drawin’ in”. In which case…Continue reading “It’s a Dog’s Life…”

(Public service message) My roof still leaks, musical events loom but we cannot agree rehersal time, I appear to be working nightshift for the entirety of summer, there are heavy things to move, and holes to dig in the garden. All situation normal, and I have little new complaint, however I was reminded it isContinue reading “It’s a Dog’s Life…”