Sky came and installed a new box today (on a Bank Holiday) - a Sky+ HD box DRX890. Rach haggled with Sky as a long-standing customer triggered by us (well, me) needing to record one channel while watching another after switchover. She managed to get the box and installation for free without upgrading to Sky HD.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
Book: “River Cottage Veg Every Day!”, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall
Featured in a Guardian piece on Saturday.
If you've seen my shows and read my books, you may be feeling a bit baffled to find yourself reading an article written by that notorious carnivore Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall about the joys of eating less meat. I can appreciate that. But I really have been eating a lot less meat lately and I'm feeling almost evangelical about persuading other people to do the same.
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall: the joy of veg
Hold the steak: Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's vegetable recipes
Obituary: Ray Anderson, American industrialist who blazed a trail in reducing his firm's environmental impact
For most of his many years as head of the world's largest commercial carpet-tile manufacturer, the American industrialist Ray Anderson, who has died of cancer aged 77, never gave a thought to the negative impacts that his petrochemical-reliant company might have on society or the environment. Then, in 1994, he read a book on the state of the Earth that radically changed his outlook. He transformed his company, InterfaceFLOR, into an exemplar of how a multinational can attempt to significantly reduce its environmental footprint while maintaining and even improving profitability.
Guardian obituary
Google’s Eric Schmidt delivers MacTaggart Lecture in Edinburgh
As television and internet technology converge, this year's MacTaggart lecture will be delivered for the first time in its history by someone not directly involved in the TV industry. Google and YouTube are technology rather than media companies but they have been hugely influential in shaping today's TV and media landscape. So it's the perfect moment for Google's Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt to discuss the impact of the internet revolution on the television industry and to set out his vision of the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.
YouTube Video
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Father’s Love Letter
In a tidy up mode and stumbled over an A4 sheet from church many months/years ago. Not sure who used it, may have been Chris K …
Film: Alice in Wonderland
Reviewed by Damaris in the March/April 2010 issue of IDEA Magazine and also published as this Damaris article
Prep-ing for All Age Worship
Lunch provided by the Egans – sandwiches and salad with muffins
Just Ben, the Egans and the Foggs involved in prep-ing. Continuing the Olympic Games theme with this session being on “Running Well”. The chapter from the book was quite heavy, exclusively on one topic and relentless. We agreed to widen it out to cover more subjects and to make it more all age appropriate. Glad that the film The Game Plan came to mind – we will be using 4 clips from that.
Exhibition: René Magritte: The Pleasure Principle
This exhibition at Tate LIverpool caught my eye as René Magritte is one of the artists that I have heard Gerard Kelly mention in his Christian sermons.
Exhibition web site
Selection of works from the exhibition
Guardian article featuring other artists on Magritte
Guardian article about a T-Rex connection
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Visiting family in York
First time seeing Mum and Dad and sister for some months now.
Started with morning coffee at Philippa’s with Calum the day after his great GCSE results.
Off to Frankie and Benny’s on the outskirts of York for lunch with Mum and Dad followed by a shopping trip to McArthur Glen. Picked up a reduced price Whittards 9-pack mixed coffee selection and Rach bought me 3 pairs of jeans of varying colours and cuts. Mixed weather all day but the girls enjoyed rounding off on the covered kids playground. Also managed to pick up a Starbucks Caramel Latte.
Lamborghini Aventador
Saw this car with Isaac on a recent Top Gear episode whilst on holiday. Isaac is a real petrol head and watches Top Gear repeatedly and religiously. Did enjoy watching this car though …
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Football: Udinese 1-2 Arsenal (1-3) (Champions League qualifier)
The away leg of this critical tie for Arsenal was a great watch with Isaac and saw Arsenal go through to the group stage. End to end stuff with a saved penalty helping secure the victory. Finally some good news for Arsene Wenger who along with his team are going through a torrid time.
Obituary: Alan Haberman, retail pioneer behind the universal bar code
As ubiquitous as they are, it is easy to assume that barcodes simply appeared suddenly one day and were woven into the fabric of our daily life by the next. It may even be hard to remember life before electronic scanners. But were it not for Alan Haberman, who has died aged 81, the universal product code (UPC) might never have become universal at all.
Guardian obituary
Obituary: Max Mathews, a computer music pioneer, he influenced 2001: A Space Odyssey
Max Mathews, who has died aged 84, wrote the first computer music program and influenced the conception of HAL 9000, the computer in Stanley Kubrick's film 2001: A Space Odyssey. In the 1968 film, HAL gives a memorable rendering of an old song about a bicycle built for two. This was the result of a series of coincidences.
Guardian obituary
Couple kissing in (Canadian) riot
From back in June …
Couple caught on camera by photojournalist during riot following Canucks' loss in Stanley Cup decider
Guardian article
Obituary: Laura Ziskin, Hollywood producer who helped break the male stranglehold
Laura Ziskin, who has died aged 61 from breast cancer, was an influential and widely liked Hollywood producer who presided over the breakthrough films of stars including Nicole Kidman, Julia Roberts and Kevin Costner. She demonstrated an aptitude for shaping commercial hits, such as the Spider-Man movies, alongside riskier projects.
Guardian obituary
IBM at 100
I still remember playing with an IBM PC for the first time in my final year at the University of Stirling after completing my dissertation in 1984.
When I started my career after university, my first years were with employers who used IBM kit, including Asda and Comet. Some of the best training courses I have ever attended were run by IBM including data and process modelling and database design.
IBM 100 UK site
IBM UK
Wikipedia entry for IBM
Sample of subjects from the IBM 100 site:-
Relational Database
The Professional Sales Force
The Emergence of the CIO
The PC
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Could this be the church to calm (y)our secularist outrage?
Evangelical worship gets many on the left hostile or awkward. So how do we respond to believers that save the destitute?
Guardian article (includes video below)
In praise of ... turbulent priests
At least the prime minister's aides didn't follow those of Henry II to Canterbury to dispatch the archbishop's soul to heaven last week (note: back in June)
Guardian lead article in the regular In praise of … series
Book: England's Lost Houses (From the Archives of "Country Life")
A unique and poignant record of great English houses that were lost through demolition or fire during the 20th century, over 100 in total. This tells the stories of them all explaining how and why each one became 'lost' and providing the historical context for the demolitions. Includes over 150 stunning photographs from the "Country Life" archive.
Guardian review
History Today article by the author
Book: “Selfish Reasons to Have More Kids: Why Being a Great Parent is Less Work and More Fun than You Think”, Bryan Caplan
We've needlessly turned parenting into an unpleasant chore. Parents invest more time and money in their kids than ever, but the shocking lesson of twin and adoption research is that upbringing is much less important than genetics in the long run. These revelations have surprising implications for how we parent and how we spend time with our kids. The big lesson: Mold your kids less and enjoy your life more. Your kids will still turn out fine.
Book site
Author’s web site
Guardian article
Obituary: Janet Mattinson, social work pioneer focused on couples and family welfare
Janet Mattinson, who has died aged 83, was an important figure in the school of social work practice known as "casework", which – from the 1950s to 1970s – aimed to understand the emotional roots of clients' difficulties through the application of psychoanalytic principles. Although casework was later criticised for paying insufficient attention to the socio-political causes of deprivation, psychoanalytic thinking continues to influence social work practice today.
Guardian obituary
Obituary: Andrew Gold, singer-songwriter famed for the 1970s chart hit Lonely Boy
Best known for his 1970s solo hits Never Let Her Slip Away and Lonely Boy, Andrew Gold, who has died of a heart attack aged 59, was an accomplished all-round musician, composer and arranger. His skills in the recording studio helped to propel Linda Ronstadt to stardom, and he worked with a long list of top-flight artists from the Eagles and Jackson Browne to John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Cher and Celine Dion.
Guardian obituary
Obituary: Martin Rushent, Music producer who worked with the Stranglers, Buzzcocks and the Human League
One of the leading figures in the music of the 70s and early 80s, producer Martin Rushent, has died. Rushent, who worked with bands including the Human League, the Stranglers and Fleetwood Mac over a long and varied career, died on Saturday (4 June) aged 63.
Guardian obituary
The impact of Twitter on TV shows
For producers, posts on Facebook and Twitter are seen as indicators of success – but do they influence ratings?
Guardian article
Saturday, August 20, 2011
TV: Toshiba 32RL853B32 (Full High Definition 1080p LED TV with Internet TV & Freeview HD)
Its been a very long time since we had a new and therefore up-to-date TV. The switchover got me thinking about the need to tape 1 channel while watching another etc. FInally succumbed and bought this good value for money HD TV and Rach did a number on Sky to get hold of a Sky + box for free and free installation. Hoping that all this will do the trick and if it frees up the scart socket to use the old video player (for West Wing and NYPD Blue content) so much the better. Plus the TV came with 2 cinema tickets per month for 12 months.
8000 years older than pyramids, Gobekli Tepe, Man’s first yet known temple in Northern Kurdistan
The Birth of Religion
We used to think agriculture gave rise to cities and later to writing, art, and religion. Now the world’s oldest temple suggests the urge to worship sparked civilization.
Saw this National Geographic article while shopping in a local co-op recently. Interesting stuff.
Wikipedia entry for Göbekli Tepe
Film: Kung Fu Panda 2
The family love this character. We saw the film a couple of weeks ago on the Isle of Skye at Aros while on holiday. Very enjoyable watch.
Film: Rango
Saw this animated film with the family at Movies for Juniors, taking advantage of Isobel not having ballet. Enjoyable film in the western genre with an environmental message re water.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
TV: The Secret Life of Buildings
Caught one of the episodes of this series whilst on holiday recently. Always had a backgorund interest in how building design and other physical layouts affect people’s behaviours and relationships.…
Tom Dyckhoff explores how the design of our homes works secretly to influence our behaviour. Light, room size, layout, proportion and materials all have measurable effects on our lives. So why do we accept the smallest windows and the smallest room sizes in Europe? And what can we do about it?
YouTube Channel 4
Book: “The Secret Lives of Buildings: From the Parthenon to the Vegas Strip in Thirteen Stories”, Edward Hollis
The plans are drawn up, a site is chosen, and foundations are dug: a building comes into being with the expectation that it will stay put and stay for ever. But a building is a capricious thing: it is inhabited and changed, and its existence is a tale of constant and curious transformation. In this radical re-imagination of architectural history, Edward Hollis tells the stories of thirteen buildings, beginning with the 'once upon a time' when they first appeared, through the years of appropriation, ruin and renovation, and ending with a temporary 'ever after'. In spell-binding prose, Hollis follows his buildings through time and space to reveal the hidden histories of the Parthenon and the Alhambra, visiting churches that have been carried through the air by angels and ancient palaces recreated by vainglorious dictators, and exploring the monuments of our own day, from souvenir chunks of the Berlin Wall to the fibre-glass theme parks of Las Vegas.
Amazon UK
Author’s book page
UK publisher’s book page
Publisher’s book page
Guardian review
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Film: Glorious 39
Highly enjoyable and watchable drama by Stephen Poliakoff with another starring performance by Romola Garai.
Official BBC film site
Wikipedia entry
World Pipe Band Championships 2011: won by the Field Marshal Montogomery Pipe Band from Northern Ireland
The winning performance …
The band giving it laldy after winning the championships (love this part each year when the winning band let their hair down in celebration).
BBC web site
Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band official site
New car
After the Punto “died” on that fateful Tuesday, we bought a Kia Rio 2 (silver, the only one that was available without a delay) and left the Punto at the Kia garage the same day. We then had the 2 weeks on the Isle of Skye, came back on a Saturday and picked up the new car this Sunday afternoon. Great to have a car again and in time for work starting tomorrow. Certainly comfortable, ride is good and no issues with how it runs.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Catherine and Richard’s Wedding Reception at Waterton Park Hotel, Wakefield
So we had got back from Skye earlier in the afternoon (3pm) and after unpacking etc, we were all back out partying for 8pm at Catherine (a work colleague of Rachael’s) and RIchard’s wedding reception at Waterton Park Hotel in Wakefield. It is a great venue for any event and is magical with the footbridge over the lake to get to the hotel. Rachael and I had been once before for a wedding reception of a colleague at Yorkshire Electricity when I worked there.
We were all surprisingly chirpy after a very long day and lasted until 11pm. An enjoyable end to our 2 weeks off all together. The girls loved dancing and are getting much more confident about doing so without having anyone with them.
Summer Holiday 2011: Isle Ornsay on the Isle of Skye
We decided to stay at the same cottage at Camuscross, Isle Ornsay on the Isle of Skye as last year as the kids had such a great time playing with the owner’s younger daughter (including horse riding, trampolining and sea loch kayaking) and the cottage location is idyllic (the front garden fronts onto the loch).
Saturday 30 July
Alarm went off at 3:50. Left Bradford with Grandma Jean at 5am. Went the motorway way (M606,62,61,6,74). Saw a suspected jumper off an M6 bridge (was standing on the wrong side of the bridge barriers). 1st latte (caramel) of the holiday at services on M6. Bought The Guardian at Stirling services.
Arrived at Callander at 9:15 for breakfast at Mhor Bread and Tearoom. Had scrambled eggs on toast and a latte.
We got waylaid at The Scottish Real Ale Shop at The Lade Inn which the owner opened specially (usually opens from noon) via Grandma Jean, bought loads of bottles of real ale and a glass. Info from each beer listed in this post at the relevant point.
Heading north to Mallaig, car in ditch upside down before Glencoe. Scary stuff. Arrived at Mallaig with an hour to spare before the ferry at 15:10.
Arrived at Morag’s cottage just after 4pm. Unpacked the car.
Jean/Rach shop at Co-op Broadford while the kids and I had the first ferret around the beach, market etc. Soft cheese on toast for tea for me.
Broughton Greenmantle (3.9%)
This bitter-sweet ale named after John Buchan’s novel “Greenmantle” gives an immediately satisfying after-taste. Greenmantle hero, Sandy Arbuthnot, gentleman adventurer, is sent to Istanbul where he becomes a legend, as described in the final words of the novel “He was turbaned and rode like one possessed and against the snow I caught the dark green sheen of emerald … then I knew that the prophecy had been true … Greenmantle had appeared at last to an awaiting people”.
Started reading Middlemarch for the Saltaire Vicars Cafe Cover-to-Cover Book Club.
Sunday 31 July
Up amazingly early considering the very busy and tiring previous day. Trip to Kyle of Lochalsh for the Sunday papers (The Observer and Scotland On Sunday). On to Plockton, disappointingly the food Shack was shut. Then to Duncraig garden centre. Chips at Kyle.
Home for lunch (hot beef sarnies).
Oban Bay “Kilt Lifter” IPA Ale (3.9%)
A true Indian pale ale, with an amber lager colour and an ability to drink so easily. Has a wee hoppy and bitter bite but smoothed out with caramel and malt on the finish. Lovely all on its own or with supper.
William Wallace 80 /- Export (4.5%) www.traditionalscottishales.co.uk
This fully-bodied malty beer is rich ruby in colour with a satisfying crisp dry aftertaste. Hand brewed in the heart of Scotland with only the finest malted barley, choicest hops, yeast and pure Scottish water. This exceptional beer is dedicated to the memory of Sir William Wallace – patriot and heroic liberator of the Scottish nation.
Crabbing at Isle Ornsay with kids and Rachael, Lots of hangers-on which was good.
Watched Top Gear (Lamborghini Adventor was the main highlight of the programme) and Dragons Den (the first of the new series with the new Dragon who definitely needs to do something with those shoulder pads!).
Monday 1 August
Up early. A day in Portree. Topped up with Isle of Skye Soap Company soaps (Elderflower and Lime, Tea Tree, Lemongrass).
Lunch at L’incontro Italian restaurant (wrap with salmon and soft cheese warm plus chocolate fondue, shared). No pizza available though until after 5 or 5:30 when oven on! Brief stop at Aros on the way home. On own while rest went crabbing after tea (soup and bread from Mhor Bread).
Watched The Secret Life of Buildings re homes (light, space in domestic homes).
Isle of Arran Sunset Premium Beer (4.4%)
A mid-amber summer ale, light perfumed aroma, good balance of malt, fruit and hops with a pleasant dry finish.
Tuesday 2 August
Achnacloich for most of day, good weather, virtually no people seen all day, egg sarnies, good steps, reading Middlemarch on the phone.
Home via Ardvasar and Armadale pier, great to have a mobile signal and internet access there for a short period, finally managed to send the work email to Ania re handover, read Middlemarch on the decking of the cottage.
80/- Scottish Ale, Alloa (www.williamsbrosbrew.com)
A traditional Scottish ale brewed with an emphasis on the malt characteristics. Lightly hopped, as is true to this style of beer, with fruity malt aromas and a toffee-ish mouth feel.
Watched BBC’s The Hour #3.
Wednesday 3 August
Very sunny start, lazy day, early to Isle Ornsay hotel, sit outside, 2 pints of Red Cuillin. Isobel and I shared 2 main courses (pasta with chilli/lime marinated king prawns and cajun chicken goujons with asparagus and green beans), followed by strawberry ice cream and reading Middlemarch.
Lazy afternoon, reading on decking while Jean/Rachael at Kyle. Cottage pie and strawberry scones and clotted cream scones for tea.
Thursday 4 August
Rainy day all day. Over to Glendale for a craft fair, bought Potty Preserves (3 Holmisdale) Roast Garlicky Beetroot Chutney (made with beetroot, onions, sugar, vinegar, sultanas, spices, smoked garlic, mustard seeds, coriander seeds, flour). Also bought 2 soaps (Island Botanics Isle of Skye’s Peppermint and Tea Tree, Bay Lime). Had the chutney on ham sarnies when we had lunch in the car. Back via Talisker. Saw a number of scarecrows by the road side that were part of a competition, including one of Top Gear’s The Stig!.
Very moody/cloudy weather so great views of greys. Discovered a great new second hand book shop and cafe (Mhor Books and Windrush Cafe) which had loads of books (owned by the same couple who own a similar bookshop in Broadford).
2nd night of watching Rick Stein's Spain. Great food including hot and cold garlic soups, pimento smoked chillies and hams.
Arran’s Red Squirrel (3.9%)
The perfect amber ale; is a well-balanced malty, hop blend, containing suggestions of liquorice and burnt toffee, with a characteristic nutty aroma never to be forgotten. Sold in support of conservation of the red squirrel.
Friday 5 August
Did the 4 mile Leitir Fura walk with Rach/kids. All paths through a forest. Great views over Isle Ornsay, Knoydart, Loch Hourn, Tiring on the way back.
Quiet afternoon. Good/bright weather.
Joker I.P.A. (5%) (www.williamsbrosbrew.com)
Created from a complex blend of malt and hops with the sole purpose of bringing a smile to your face. Joker has a fresh citrusy aroma and bittersweet, full flavour. By the way, you look great. (That's the beer talking!)
Saturday 6 August
Applecross day, long drive, clear over the top, back via Shieldaig.
Lunch at Applecross Inn: Cauliflower and cheddar soup, prawn from glass, Thai green curry and wild rice, pint of Skye Blaven.
Stopped at Lochcarron (Loch Carron) on way home plus shop on other side.
Night session at Morag's, including bat in kitchen!
News: Tottenham riots began a few days of rioting across cities in the UK.
Isle of Skye Brewery’s Wee Beast Scottish Ale (7%) (the bottle I had had this name on but is actually sold in UK as Cuillin Beast)
From the wild and stunningly beautiful Isle of Skye comes a deep, dark brew-rich, beguiling , and just a wee bit ferocious. Legend has it that the great warrior of Celtic legend, Cuchulain, was oft accompanied by a fierce dog-beast that wandered the jagged mountains of Skye ... and so it is that this fine ale takes its name.
(American packaging, imported by www.sheltonbrothers.com)
Sunday 7 August
Lazy day, brunch cooked breakfast, up to Portree to see Kung Fu Panda 2 at Aros, enjoyable film, themes including inner peace! Morag/Shannon came too. Rest of day Sunday papers reading.
Arran’s Dark Premium Beer (4.3%)
There is something of a pagan about Arran. A place where nature still holds sway. Where the qualities of tradition are still valued. This Isle of Arran Dark Premium Beer offers you a smooth beer of weight and substance, brewed from only the purest water and natural ingredients, and free of artificial or preservatives, naturally.
Monday 8 August
Was planned to be beach day but woke to rainy, cloudy day. Morning shop at Broadford including 2nd hand bookshop, new Skye Candles shop.
Great cauliflower and cumin soup and latte (nearly had a 2nd soup when it changed to beetroot and veg) while Rach/kids at Serpentarium. Lots of waves in sea, windy! Brief call in to Clan Donald Centre on way home. Spaghetti bolognese for tea. Went with Rach, kids and Shannon to herb garden and walk at Armadale.
Colonsay’s IPA (3.9%), Leann Cholbhasa
You all know the story of IPA - brewed to ensure by the time the beer reached India it wad in perfect condition. Our IPA is from the same tradition: brewed to be at its very best by the time the ferry docks at Oban. Seriously, this IPA is a truly refreshing ale that is ideal for a session though like all folk who live in these islands we promote only responsible consumption at all times. There is a hint of citrus, amongst all the malt and hop flavour in this IPA that wakens the taste buds to let you get the full effect. We only use the purest of natural products, malt, hops, yeast and Hebridean water, in every bottle we make. With all our beers and lagers we set out to bring you a flavour of the unique beauty of our wild and rugged island.
News: More rioting and worse rioting in London. Up late watching Sky News.
Tuesday 9 August
Achnacloich beach, sat reading Middlemarch on the Kindle, chilly, great seeing clouds lift off the Cuillins while we were there. Rach did fire just off beach, roasted marshmallows, picnic.
News: PM back in UK due to the riots. Interviews and public conversations on streets.
Glencoe Premium Wild Oat Stout (4:5%)
Deliciously rich and full bodied stout with the characteristics of toasted oatmeal and chocolate.
Wednesday 10 August
Pouring down with rain. Kyleakin and Kyle shopping in the rain. online while there - a novelty again.
Lazy afternoon reading as Morag took kids to Kyle swimming.
BrewDog’s Paradox Isle of Arran (10%)
Imperial stout matured in Isle of Arran whisky casks. A rock and roll partnership between Scotland's best new distillery (Distiller of the Year 2007) and Scotland’s hardcore new microbrewery (Gold Medal Winner, World Beer Cup 2008). Paradox, Isle of Arran edition, sees BrewDog's killer 10% Imperial Stout matured in stunning whisky casks from the Arran distillery. The rich vanilla sweetness, hints of cinnamon, balancing aromatic fruit and ginger flavours of the Arran malt are all completely infused deep into the texture of our smooth robust Imperial Stout, with profound new depths emerging with each pass and sip. To release the true character, complexity and depth of flavours in this beer, please enjoy it at room temperature, unless you live in an igloo. Arran whisky completely rocks, you really should try it too.
BrewDog: exciting imaginations since 2007. Brewed on Scotland's rugged north-east coast. Isle of Arran Distillery, established 1995. A dynamic new force in the scotch whisky industry, Isle of Arran Distillers is one of the few remaining independent distilleries in Scotland. Based at Lochranza on the Isle of Arran, one of the most beautiful and famous in Scotland which lies off the West Coast between Ayrshire and Kintyre.
Watched “Who Do You Think You Are” with June Brown. Amazing lady for 84!
Waylade at the Lade Inn (3:9%)
This exclusive hand-brewed real ale from The Lade Inn situated in the Trossachs National Park uses only natural ingredients and pure Scottish mountain water. A good-flavoured, creamy blonde bitter with a malty, fruity nose and lightly hopped after taste.
Thursday 11 August
Drier day. Drive to Stein Inn via Portree for Rach to get Joseph & Joseph knives/boards. Lunch: smoked salmon open sandwich with salad and chips plus a pint of Deuchars IPA.
Stopped off at Mhor Books and Windrush Cafe for afternoon tea.
Stopped off at Sligachan for the kids to play on the adventure playground.
Hebridean Brewery’s Berserker Export Pale Ale (7.5%)
Based on original 19th century India pale ale recipes. Golden honey in colour and strong in flavour. Malty with an intense hop to match. Conditioned and matured over a number of weeks to develop full and complex flavour. Made from all natural ingredients, pure Hebridean water with no preservatives and should be drunk in a manner befitting island life, slowly. The berserker name is taken from the legendary Viking warriors and the image of the berserker on this bottle is from one of the rooks of the Lewis chessman board found on the island in 1831.
News: watched the Question Time Special (on the day when Parliament was recalled following the riots) with John Sentamu, John Prescott, David Davies, Fraser Nelson, Brian Paddick (Lib Dem MP, a former Met Police ACC) and Camila Batmanghelidjh. It got quite heated at times but also good discussion.
Friday 12 August
Last full day on Skye. Hoped to beat the rain forecast from lunchtime by going to Armadale Castle and Museum early on. Could have spent longer in the exhibition. Great newer exhibition re History of Skye in 50 Objects. First time seen the castle ruins. Great views from the castle gardens over Loch Hourn, Knoydart and Mallaig.
Packed in the afternoon for going home. Rachael and Jean’s last trip to Broadford. Started sorting holiday pics and videos out plus this blog entry. Pasta bolognese and apple crumble with ice cream for tea.
BrewDog’s Punk IPA (5.6%) post modern classic pale ale
This is not a lowest common denominator beer. This is an assertive beer. We don’t care if you don’t like it. We do not merely aspire to the proclaimed heady heights of conformity through neutrality and blandness. It is quite doubtful that you have the taste or sophistication to appreciate the depth, character and quality of this premium craft brewed beer. You probably don’t even care that this rebellious little beer contains no preservatives or additives and uses only the finest fresh natural ingredients. Just go back to drinking your mass marketed, bland, cheaply made watered down lager, and close the door behind you.
BrewDog: beer for punks; BrewDog is about breaking rules, taking risks, upsetting trends and unsettling institutions but first and foremost, great tasting beer.
Great watching the tide come in for the last time outside the cottage and then the mist and clouds come down to end the evening. Time for home …
Final session with Morag’s family next door. Bed at midnight.
Saturday 13 August
Alarm went at 4:20am. Headed home 5:20. Breakfast at Mhor Bread and Tearoom in Callander after a single stop at Fort William. Only one more stop on the M6 south of Carlisle for latte and sarnies and home at 3pm.
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