Blog:
31 October 2005
Holidays and stuff
So….Skye was amazing! So many stunning land and seascapes almost continually altered by the changing light. I love Scotland !!!
Sound track for the journey: The Proclaimers (the best of), Jack Johnson (very cool), The Magic Numbers (a grower) and Karine Polwart among others. It was funny to realise just how many Proclaimers songs I could sing all the words to and perform all harmonies with accuracy. This, I reflected, was due to the fact that my very first 2 albums that I received one Christmas were Kylie, ‘Kylie’ (I know!) and The Proclaimers ‘Sunshine on Leith’. These were quickly followed by ‘Hits 5’, the double cassette with the dice on the front!! Before you completely slag me for my musical taste, I quickly swapped Kylie!
Anyway…we stayed at Teenie’s Cottage near Edinbane. I would totally recommend this lovely wee hideaway. Partly because it is a great wee place to stay as you explore the island, partly because it has the most amazing shower and partly because it’s owned by Denis and Rose Blackham who mastered ‘Fearless’. It was great to meet them, see where it all happens and share a wee dram or two. I’m sure you are bored already with this blog so feel free to jump to ‘the relevant stuff’ at the bottom! Visited Dunvagen Castle… beautiful surroundings but in my humble opinion…a wee bit ‘foosty’. I was going to write that in the visitor’s book but wasn’t sure of the correct spelling! The Cullins were awesome when we saw them between the wild bouts of near hurricane winds and rain. Some days were great to just go into hibernation and read and watch LOADS of DVDS…caught up on Spooks, The Long Way Round and The Pianist among others. Favourite shop of all ‘wee craft and coffee types’…Mara on the Pier at Portree. I could go on and on but I’m not! Think you get the picture!
There must a thing in the air for getting married. Been to two weddings in October and my wee Bro announced his engagement to Kerry….Congrats!
Played and sang for my friends Emma and Colin. Emma and I have been friends for…well it feels like forever. It was very moving to be part of the day. I love the fact that music can play such a special role in these occasions.
To the relevant stuff!!!! I supported Darden Smith at the Loreto club in Greenock. Quite a surreal night but Darden was soooo good. Apart from his beautiful songs, great playing and singing, his stage presence and ability to interact with the ‘crowd’ was very impressive but then I suppose that comes with 20 years or so of experience.
I played for some international students at Sandyford Henderson church. I hope they understood me!
I have to say that this Halloween I have seen the best dressed geysers ever!!! What ever happened to some cardboard, your mum’s high heels and a black bin bag. Does everybody just go to Tescos now??