The Last Bass Outpost
Main Forums => The Outpost Cafe => Topic started by: Highlander on August 18, 2015, 11:54:18 PM
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The Great Adventure begins...
To explore strange new worlds... (tickets bought... fly up in the next few days)
To seek out new life... (er... a rental whilst we source a new home)
These are the voyages of the Starship Highlander, Captain Kenny in command (you must be joking!), with wife, daughter, fourteen fish, and a small white fluffy alien that emanates an aura of cuteness...
Coming soon to a small screen near you...
Exchanged contracts yesterday afternoon and we leave our home of 23.5 years on 16th September and should be over the border on the 18th... dropped the (work) bombshell last night and it works out I have enough leave accrued to only have to work 6 days in the next four weeks... oops... my boss might react, but a fait-accompl is a fait-accomplii ...
In a time-honoured tradition, and quoting an old work colleague, verbatim... What's he going to do... sack me...? ;)
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That sounds like that will be a lot of fun. Calling it a Great Adventure seems accurate to me. Congratulations. :)
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Congrats, Ken!
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Yay Kenny! Go forth :)
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We need pictures...... 8)
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Best of luck finding a new place quickly. I know you'll do well across the border.
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Which border? Hadrian's Wall?
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Good luck Ken! Keep us posted when you explore new worlds... ;)
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Can someone tell me where Ken is going?!
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I've been wrong before, but I'm assuming he means Scotland.
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But that's not yet gonna be another country! Rest-UK needs to drop out of EU first. :mrgreen:
It's like we always planned it ...
(http://graemeshimmin.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/SS-GB-British-Surrender-Terms-640x480.jpg)
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Yes, Scotland.
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Does Ken need a license to export a crate of squirrels on this move? ???
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Greys are banned in the Highlands, on pain of death (for the reds) as they carry a disease called Squirrel Pox - harmless to greys - deadly to reds...
Which border? Hadrian's Wall?
He had the right idea... keep the English out... ps, like the plan... ;)
We need pictures...... 8)
Of the distillery...? :toast:
... Calling it a Great Adventure seems accurate to me...
That's the plan, Michael... try our best to live the dream... ;)
Company did NOT take the bomb well... quote/unquote - that's rather short notice, Ken, you could have told us you were moving to Scotland... (I just did!), but, but, but...
Anyway, long and short is unemployed from 4th September and they know where they can stick it...
I have an interview first thing Monday morning in Inverness (Highlands capital... well... only city...)
Johnny Paycheck... I had the nerve to tell them so... :mrgreen:
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I'm a firm believer in trying the best you can to live in a place you really like. You don't want it to be like that line from the Randy California song "there's a thousand places I'd rather be."----"Things Yet To Come" I think it's called.
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Best of luck Ken!! Hope your new adventure is everything you want it to be :thumbsup:
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Cheers Andy, mucho appreciationado... and Michael, I know what you mean...!
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Johnny Paycheck... I had the nerve to tell them so... :mrgreen:
That's the 1st dream to come true on any man's quest ( or move or whatever ) ! Engage !
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Yup. You should live somewhere you like.
After 17 years in Fort Collins, my wife and I have concluded that it's a pretty fantastic place. The only direction we'd move from here is north and west, to Eastern Washington.
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Company did NOT take the bomb well... quote/unquote - that's rather short notice, Ken, you could have told us you were moving to Scotland... (I just did!), but, but, but...
Anyway, long and short is unemployed from 4th September and they know where they can stick it...
I have an interview first thing Monday morning in Inverness (Highlands capital... well... only city...)
I'm sure if the situation would reversed and they were downsizing, they would give you the shortest notice they could legally get away with.
Johnny Paycheck... I had the nerve to tell them so... :mrgreen:
But did you sing it? :)
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I was banned on two levels... no singing allowed... and the (sensible) daughter told me to raise myself above the situation... oh er... make that three... no sending the link...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPrSVkTRb24 :mrgreen:
Mind you, I've seen this gent perform it too...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOIdsM8FrIk
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4oXfkET2KI
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I'm somewhat concerned a certain German is shadowing me... :mrgreen:
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I just read in a - conservative - German newspaper that land ownership in Scotland is among the most unjust and reliced scenarios in the world. The owners don't farm and the farmers don't own. Sounds like proper Middle Ages to me - I can't believe there never was a proper land reform there. Let me tell you from experience: Losing two world wars helps. But in the absence of that we have to make do: It was about time you went there to shake things up. 8)
Save travels, settling down and "local adjustment/assimilation" for you and your family, Kenny!
Tartan pics please ASAP!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUwW108ITzw
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... It was about time you went there to shake things up. 8)
Save travels, settling down and "local adjustment/assimilation" for you and your family, Kenny!
Tartan pics please ASAP!!!
Vielen dank mein freund... ;)
Very much appreciated, my "family"...
The land issue has always been contentious and it is (literally) only just over 100 years since crofters (my ancestors) had the right to own land, but the cross-to-bear is also that some of my ancestors were "tacks-men" - Stiubhard/steward/Stewart - roots mean those that look after the land, and the blackening of the name is that they were often responsible for the "Clearances" - i.e. the populating of the New World's - America, Australia, Canada, New Zealand - and the incoming of the sheep to the lands...
The Tartan... the modern invention... dead men did wear plaid... just plain plaid... if you have enough money they will create a tartan for you... McHornung...? :mrgreen:
There is a challenge with a buddy for when him and the Mrs come up we'd ged properly donned up, skiandu, (artificial) sporran, the full works, and maybe do the trip to the Highlander castle for some pics...
Hopefully will be setting up holiday-lets, and it goes without saying, once we're set up, there will be "mates-rates" for in-season visitations and off-season will be just welcomed... I'll have the whisky-trail all worked out by then... :toast:
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Mind you, I've seen this gent perform it too...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOIdsM8FrIk
I assume you know he wrote it.
You be sure to say hello to Ewan McTeagle and Angus Podgorny for me.
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Inverness....... Hmmmmm.
Liebe Kenny, do not be surprised if one day you look out your front window and see a fellow with short gray hair and a bottle of Single Malt tucked under his arm to share with you - Will will discuss amongst other things, 3 point bridges and Hellcats. ;)
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Kenny, I believe that would be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
(https://thesouloftheplot.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/abeautifulfriendship.jpg)
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That sounds like a reasonable deal to me, Ma'am... don't forget to bring a big silhouette poster to aid my recognition programme... ;)
I assume you know he wrote it.
You be sure to say hello to Ewan McTeagle and Angus Podgorny for me.
Oh aye t' booth... :mrgreen:
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Good luck Kenny!
Make sure you get yourself a respectable shed this time! ;D
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Good luck in Inverness ken and keep an eye out for unruly denizens of the Loch..
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But Tony, I thought I might be one of them... :mrgreen:
Buzz... I was thinking about what they call coo-sheds here... (steadings) ... found one that's circa 60 feet long... 8)
Just an update Gents (and Ladies), and will post a couple of pics later...
Firstly, had an interview and got a job... circa 3 months in (Xmas ish) will be on nearly the same basic as I'm getting in London, and will be further trained on fire-alarm systems... apparently I'm rather a rare beastie up here...
The new Boss is an Islander too, and it turns out he gave one of my cousins his first job...! real small world stuff...
Keeping them crossed that we get the rental we want or we're (potentially) somewhat screwed...
Presently stuck at Inverness airport with a broken-down Squeezyjet (ASI failure) and waiting for the part to come up from Luton (base north of London) - we should have been home by now... best revised EDT is 1300...
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There will be some problems anywhere, but there is an indefinable magic about being in a Celtic country. If it were me, I'd immerse myself in it.
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Good news on the job Kenny! Yay!
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Good luck on getting that rental, and so glad you got the job so soon. Uprooting is never easy.
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All good to hear!
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Good luck with the adventure. We've lived in our home for 18 years this past June and I can't imagine getting ready for a move, especially with 2000+ vinyl records. :thumbsup:
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Congratulations Kenny!
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Cheers Bro... getting close now... can't post pics yet as photobucket is glitching...
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This is the look of despair... my favourite distillery, and a shelf of 12, 15, and 18YO, and no means of transporting a bottle back on the plane...
(http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu280/kjrstewart/random%20stuff/IMG_2259_zpsq31zszzi.jpg)
I'm not posting anything about the place until it's confirmed but off in the distance, beyond the bridge, up on a hill, overlooking that bay... ;)
(http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu280/kjrstewart/random%20stuff/IMG_2292_zpsbc0vcpkr.jpg)
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Just had it confirmed that our preferred choice for a temporary Highland residence is ours so it's time to say goodbye to the shed, goodbye to Surrey, goodbye to England and all that jazz... er... no, maybe I'll take the Jazz with me... ;)
(http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu280/kjrstewart/random%20stuff/IMG_2219_zpswvrfqkzk.jpg)
Yes indeed, I think it's circa 2.5 miles/4km to the Distillery noted in the picture above, and our outlook from the hill is quite pleasant... The Beauly Firth and the Kessock Bridge is top right in the pic... behind us is woodland... and maybe... only maybe... Sciurus Vulgaris... :mrgreen:
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Beautiful , Ken!
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+1 :mrgreen:
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Very nice Kenny! :)
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+2 :mrgreen:
Busy packing but having a cup of tea... just struck me that our removers are scheduled to be here from near Edinburgh at 0900 in 2 Monday's time... :o
Back at work on Wednesday and handing back the car etc on Friday... new job starts 11th October, confirmed... they have been very easy going about it and had given me a free reign as to a start date... 8)
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Wonderful news, Ken.
If you do find a Sciurus vulgaris or two, just keep 'em away from the single malt.
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Great news Ken!! :thumbsup:
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Great news Ken!
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Many thanks Gents... Much appreciated...
If you do find a Sciurus vulgaris or two, just keep 'em away from the single malt.
There are some places even I draw the line... :o
(I was trying to find the suitable expression in the Gaelic but failed... hmm... do I need to learn the language of my parents...? Now there's a thought... :))
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Gaelic is viewed very favourably by the government up here. ;D
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Looks great man, enjoy that scenery!
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Very lovely. Great news all around! Congratulations!
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Cheers again Gents...
Back to work in the morning for a couple of days, then hand the car back on Friday... still hard at work on the packing... shed is nearly ready for vacating... (sniff) ...
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I have visions....of a NEW and GLORIOUS shed!!!!
(http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/O2NUHyT7OQIqxPAbBpvTOQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9aW5zZXQ7aD00MjA7cT04NTt3PTYzMA--/http://l.yimg.com/os/publish-images/news/2013-07-04/86a1c4f9-57ea-4b8d-8c27-2b8ed257ef3f_shed-of-the-year1-040713.JPG)
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I have a vision of Ken with two sheds.
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Seriously guys... I've just located a place near our ideal location that has a 49' garage and a 85' cow shed (https://www.your-move.co.uk/property/detached-bungalow-for-sale-glenurquhart-iv63-sale-id-528024773#) presently used for wood storage...
... but it's next to the village bar... :mrgreen:
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Seriously guys... I've just located a place near our ideal location that has a 49' garage and a 85' cow shed (https://www.your-move.co.uk/property/detached-bungalow-for-sale-glenurquhart-iv63-sale-id-528024773#) presently used for wood storage...
... but it's next to the village bar... :mrgreen:
See? I really did see two sheds in your future.
Is being next to the village bar a problem?
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I'd rarely leave if I lived next to the village bar...........My hurty liver!
Yay for sheds!
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... but it's next to the village bar... :mrgreen:
I'm thinking this is the definition of a feature rather than a bug.
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Is being next to the village bar a problem?
Is the Pope a Catholic...? :mrgreen:
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Will they let you stay when Scotland secedes? :-\
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Will they let you stay when Scotland secedes? :-\
Ken supported secession.
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... and the majority of my family have all said the same thing... "who didn't vote 'Yes'?" I think that it will happen on the next vote... I might get to vote next year in the MSP elections, where they are also expecting a SNP demolition-derby too...
And Uwe... ancestry on my side... and I may even be tempted to properly learn the language... ;)
I could also add a counterpoint or two... my sun lounge is starting to look like a re-creation of Hadrian's Wall, or maybe Pink Floyd's wall... :mrgreen:
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Ken, not meaning to pry, but has your wife got a job lined up as well? What about your kiddo - she going with you or staying behind?
I've got to say that I admire your bravery in all of this - me being the play it safe type and all :sad:
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Ken supported secession.
Oh, I didn't know. So the departure from England wasn't voluntary. :mrgreen:
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"The game's up" is the comment being made by all the black-cab drivers in London (Uber and our Mayor at fault) and somewhat appropriate for me, regarding London, and I'm talking historically when it comes to decadent societies... thin ice so skates away...
Indeed, being part of a sleeper-cell and having watched the decaying of this city for over 30 years of driving round it, I'm well and truly happy to be in a place where the nearest three-lane road is somewhat 50 miles south of me - goodbye Autobahn/Highway/Motorway ... as for Buzz's question (not prying my compadre, we're all "family" round here) , it was Jackie and Roshina's idea to head north ... Jackie's self employed and some of her work is on-line (bookkeeping, invoicing and accounting); she will also concentrate on her art and crafts... Roshina's a "specialist" and also does business on-line, world wide, so as long as they have broadband...
Me...? hmm... let's see... setting up a three, maybe four-piece to play blues and such... getting paid to drive round the Highlands (with a camera... some serious chilling time to concentrate on the writing... having clear skies to see the stars... and maybe the aurora... and the occasional cup of coffee, and maybe a dram with a friend or two that may visit, which includes quite a number of you here... ;)
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It's not that I don't understand, I really like Scotland, Edith is an even greater fan. Isle of Skye, Highlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Orkneys, Inverness, Loch Ness (which, let's be sensible, doesn't really look like it would house a prehistoric amphibious something) and lots and lots of Runrig via the car stereo!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uspq0Iq4tc
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It may be the "done" song but I still love it!
I'm quite envious Kenny, glad it's all worked out :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKM0zRGxHsI
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Cheer's Mark... just settling down with a wee dram (Abelour) after a straight 18 hours of packing and shifting stuff around... I'll post a pic of the sun lounge once I've finished building the wall... ;)
I know where you're coming from Uwe and I well remember your liking for the Clan-lands ... we were both lurking around up there at the same time last time iirc... talk of secret treaties taking place... hmm now there's a cue...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xXEtO3bEe0
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Ken is just anxious to shed his trousers once and for all, like his late cousin Andy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqtFnAZu1YI
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Ma late lamented cousin, I'll ha'e ye ken...
Frightening to consider I'm closer related to wee Donald, where's yer voters Trump than to Andy... :o
Funny how things go, but I could take to wearing the kilt on stage or walk down any road in the Highlands and no one would bat an eye-lid... mind you, if I tied that into wearing the purrrple wig and waxing the legs... :gay:
Forgot to add for Buzz... I often "joke" about my 1,000,000+ miles of driving over the 32+ years of being a road-based engineer, mostly round the south of England, and follow that comment with "people get less for murder..." :vader:
Being up in the north is not without its dangers, especially being a tourist destination... the new company I start with in October... they had an engineer circa a year or so back that was front-ended by a French tourist driving on the "right" side of the road ... second significant injury and had to retire ...
Oh well, up since 0630 and finished the coffee so back to the wall (another box in the...) ;)
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Cheer's Mark... just settling down with a wee dram (Abelour) after a straight 18 hours of packing and shifting stuff around... I'll post a pic of the sun lounge once I've finished building the wall... ;)
I know where you're coming from Uwe and I well remember your liking for the Clan-lands ... we were both lurking around up there at the same time last time iirc... talk of secret treaties taking place... hmm now there's a cue...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xXEtO3bEe0
Brilliant track, just böciful.
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Another one for Ken.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epxoPd42vGs
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Brilliant track, just böciful.
I LOVE that record............
Junkers Jumo 004! I mean really, who in the hell uses that as part of a chorus?
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Congratulations Kenny! Keep us posted.
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Who me, keep people posted...? :mrgreen:
Dave... that's Demento'd ... ;)
... and as for "Astronomy", a simple classic, and with those nice clean Highland skies, and all those stars... and no jokes about clouds, rain, sleet, snow, blizzards, fog, Scotch Mist, midgies, etc...
Forgot to add, Roshina mentioned would I be happy if they asked me to travel over to Lewis for work...? What, get paid to visit family...? :mrgreen:
Hmm... does my grin look big in this...? :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
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Hmmm. From the old-timey US point of view, I think Ken is saying "Don't t'row me in dat brier patch!"
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The pain... :mrgreen:... :mrgreen:
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Packing complete a whole day early and our home is in a forty-footer heading up to Scotland...
Presently three people and a cute furry alien in an empty house ... now just past 0100 and completion scheduled for circa 1200-1300 BST, then driving north...
The shed and the squirrels are all looking somewhat stunned and forlorn, and the robin ... best not go there ... :o
... and in the best of Scott (of Antarctica, not) ish traditions, I'm just going off line ... I may be gone some time... ;)
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We'll keep the light on for you. :toast:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxDJMn-534Y
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Ma late lamented......
Forgot to add for Buzz... I often "joke" about my 1,000,000+ miles of driving over the 32+ years of being a road-based engineer, mostly round the south of England, and follow that comment with "people get less for murder..." :vader:
I hear you Kenny, I just ran a quick number on my mileage and 34 years at about 36,000 miles a year ( this is a very conservative estimate ) I racked up 1,224,000 miles without more than few minor fender benders :o I seriously was starting to think my number was going to come up as I had really beat the statistics. I finally was talked into a promotion this last July and now I drive a desk in my spare bedroom as I am now "virtual" I do still have a company car, goodbye nasty ass Ford Transit Connect, hello anything else in the world, I really have to push myself to get my minimum 1000 monthly miles in.
Kenny, just be careful out there!
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Ah, that Hill St Blues moment ...
Sitting here, knackered, glass of single malt in hand (gift of a bottle of Glen Morangie from one of out old neighbours), with a view to die for ... took a leisurley stroll up the hill into the local forest to chill out today, prior to the chaos that will ensue with the arrival of circa 250 boxes and furniture, not to mention several instruments ... ;)
Sadly, I must report that of the 20 of us that moved up (16 fish, furball, daughter, wife, moi), all of the golden orfe (all measuring a foot long) keeled over and did a dead parrot... rip...
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Too bad about the fish. Glad the rest of you are all there. Now don't overdo anything.
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Message received and understood Mr W ...
A further three fish have gone the same way... rip 2... or 3...
Now surrounded by lots of boxes and all the gear has arrived ... time for a new family portrait in the near future...
Ps... shattered...
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Too bad about the fish. All pets are stressed by a major move. Guess there's not much you can do counteract it in a fish.
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Do you thinks some malt would help ... :toast:
Planning to dig the survivors a temporary pond today and bury the old fish that didn't make it under it ...
Jackie's busy sorting the kitchen ... Roshina will be helping her, and the dog will inspire cuteness... :mrgreen:
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That was fast work! Welcome up here, though you are a bit more up than I am.
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Taing... ;)
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What possessed you to take the golden orfes with you into the land of the salmons of all places? :o You should have just taken them to the nearest decent park pond.
They are normally hardy little creatures (and sure prevent goldfish/koi overcrowding in your garden pond, little carnivores they are), but if the water got too warm ...
Seems like garden pond days are approaching for me again, we're buying a house with a huge garden close to the woods that just cries for a pond. Golden orfes will certainly be included in the population, but my favorite pond fish are these guys:
(http://www.multikulinarisch.es/uploads/images/Foto_Schleie.jpg)
Though you'll hardly ever see the tenches in your pond because they are nocturnal and bottom-dwelly, quite unlike the golden orfes which always dart around close to the surface. But ever since I kept a pair (the greenish glimmer twins!) of tenches in an aquarium as a kid for years, I've grown attached to them as a species. In the 60ies and 70ies they were mainly a food fish in Germany, but eating them has gone out of style.
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Mission Control...! Mission Control...! The SSS Squirrel has landed...! Repeat...! The SSS Squirrel has landed...!
There was I, busily sorting myself for a trip out to Loch Ness and Culloden Moor (to pay respects to family that fell there) as part of a trip to see some of the area for Roshina and her boyfriend when Jackie comes flying out of the office/craft dept/dining room/disaster area shouting "It's a red squirrel! It's red squirrel...!"
Sitting at her desk (a prerequisite to operations here) she sees out of the corner of her eye and red (not grey) bushy tail disappearing from view and does a double-take; peers round, and that third most elusive of British mammals, comes clearly into view, in the garden, running along the fence, and into one of the eight pine trees in the garden...
Ah yes...boldly gone... :mrgreen:
Uwe... indeed, a mistake, and agreed... but hindsight is a marvelous thing and we did not want them released in just any-old-pond, as we considered them part of the "family"... the guilt-trip over desertion of the old garden critters is immense and we still wonder at their fate with the new residents, who I think will be doing a turn-around on the property to make a "quick buck..."
The metre deep pool is now being enjoyed by the survivors, including a pair of green tench that we've had for circa 20 years (yes, they are that old, and one survived an escape from the pond in the summer sun... no idea to this day how it got past a wire mesh and how it survived being "cooked", but although smaller than it's partner all the physical scarring is gone) and I've always had a fondness for their tenacity and survivability ... biggest of them is circa 300mm or more... Orfe, we will get again, as the "sharks" (as we nicknamed them, due to their "attacking" their food) were always a spectacle at feeding (frenzy) time...
Hmm... now to source a supply of hazel/cob nuts, which is the red squirrel's fave food treat... ;)
Oh yes, fine weather, yet again... I've been posting some pics over on FB but will sort some for here too... Sunrise over the Beauly Firth has been rather enjoyable, albeit circa 0600 to catch the best light for pics... we have a direct easterly view...