Usher Hall

Old and new architecture together at Edinburgh's Usher Hall. The 1914 original to the left, and the angular glass extension completed in .. in the centre of the shot.
We were at a concert there last night: American violinist Joshua Bell and British cellist Steven Isserlis, with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields. The first time I've experienced a standing ovation at a concert (we Scots are a reserved lot).
As with many things in Scotland there's a connection with our national drink. The hall was built with money gifted to the city by Andrew Usher, son of a whisky distiller.

VILLAGE SHOW

Our small village has a tiny village hall. The Village Show brings everyone together and really draws out the hidden competitive spirit which lurks inside most of us.









Our entries were duly signed in and paid for, gossip exchanged with friends, other entries admired (and envied) and we returned home for a welcome cup of tea - only to discover that we had forgotten to take the onions! A quick dash back to the hall soon sorted that one out.

This was my entry for the floral arrangement incorporating fruit - sloe berries, physallis and some cherries.

This is my small floral arrangement.

and this is our box of mixed vegetables. I won't bore you with yet more entries - but we had 16 between us... I'll let you know how we get on after the judging. I have a kitchen which needs cleaning down now - I haven't done so much baking since Christmas!









OK, one final entry - this is my painted stone. I decided to turn it into an island with crashing waves, a lighthouse, and seagulls. I really enjoyed doing it - and George came up with a great suggestion for another one. Unfortunately I didn't have time to paint a second one but once things quieten down I'll do it.





Jonny has arrived in Shanghai - and so has his baggage! His adventure can really begin now.

Churches in the South

Here are some vignettes of different church where we've travelled. I'll try and remember where they were taken.
1. Bruton Parish Church in Colonial Williamsburg2. Independent Presbyterian Church in Savannah, Georgia3. Chapel in Jamestown, Virginia4. Catholic Church in St. Marys, Georgia

5. Bruton Parish again6. Hiwassee Union
Baptist Church in Reliance, Tennessee7. Old Sheldon Church Ruins in Sheldon, South Carolina8 & 9. AME church close to Millen, Georgia10. ?????

Click on #'s 1, 3, and 5 and read the fine print. Click twice for a super closeup.

New Reading Challenge

I'm always hesitant about signing on for a challenge, but this one was so different that I've decided to do it. I have several books about Ireland I've been wanting to read, so this will give me the impetus to get on it.
Here's the list from my own books that I plan on reading in this challenge:1. How the Irish Saved Civilization-Thomas Cahill2-6-The Irish Country Series by Patrick Taylor-There are five of them7.The Luck of the Irish, Our Life in County Clare-Niall Williams and Christine Breen8.The Pipes Are Calling, Our Jaunts through Ireland-" "9.Anything by Oscar Wilde10.???
Anyone want to make a recommendation for an Irish book? I think I'm going to like this challenge. I've been wanting to go to Ireland for years. Maybe after reading these books, we'll take a trip to the Emerald Isle.

Merry Christmas from Mala Compra

Overcast morning, threatening a shower, but I had planned to ride some dirt today. Headed to the Hammocks for a ride on the Mala Compra Greenway Trails.
I parked across Rt A1A from the trailhead at Mala Compra Rd. checked the trail map at the kiosk and ended down the trail. Most of this trail is rated as a "blue" trail. there area also side trails rated as "black diamond" and one that I saw rated "double black diamond".
Most of the trail is a tight, curvy trail though the wood. Solid surface except fpr short sections of palm roots and soft sand. At lease you can recognize the sandy spots because its a white sand.
Obstacles are highlighted as a black diamond trail marked with a blue bypass. (see photo) At the 16th St trailhead is another kiosk. It had some trail brochures with trail map. Just the map I was looking for 9which I could not find anywhere on the internet!.
Was not sure if I would ride singletrack on the trail back, but after a rest and some G2, I was ready to ride on. This end of the trail area had some rougher trails - longer sections of black diamond, some quick climbs and descents, ridge-running. I bypassed those trail section!
On the way back, there were several area where a wide, walking path paralleled the singletrack. At 3.5 miles, I was getting tired, to switched to the walking path. Ended up with 3.8 miles, 1:08 riding time, and 22 photos.

Ben Rinnes (2)

Before the season moves too far on, I should continue with the account of the ascent of Ben Rinnes which my husband and daughter did between Christmas and New Year. It's not a grand mountain, and it doesn't require ropes or anything much other than enough puff and reasonable leg-power (tho like any Scottish hill mist can descend frighteningly quickly out of a blue sky, and there are crags which you could fall off, so it shouldn't be taken lightly). But it's the local big hill of my home village, and a reference point for weather predictions and the progress of the seasons. 'Snow on the Ben' is a sure sign that winter is coming. 'Snow still on the Ben' is just as sure a sign that we're having (another) cold spring.
Here it is then, all brown heather and white hoar frost on the north-facing side, on a gift of a day just before New Year.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas and a Happy & Healthy to all