Burns Night

Hello Everyone,


Today is 25th January and an important day for celebrating in Scotland regardless of the weather. It is Burns Night. Robert Burns, the Scots poet, (it is Scot and not Scotch as one of my friends once said, she was a person not a glass of whisky!) was born on 25th January 1759. Scots all over the world celebrate his birthday with music, dancing, haggis and whisky.

Robert Burns was born at Alloway, a village in Ayrshire. His father was a farmer, honest, intelligent and God fearing. He wanted the best education for his sons and coerced some of his neighbours to join him in engaging a Mr Murdoch, a teacher from Ayr to come and teach the boys in a hired room in Alloway; this lasted for two years. Later in 1772, Robert attended Dalrymple parish school to improve his writing. In 1773 he spent some time with Mr Murdoch in to revise his English grammar and study French. However, in between his education he worked on the farm with his father and at 15 had become his father's chief labourer but he would always have a book with him and when possible would read a few verses of poetry.

Mr Burns, senior died when Robert was 25. Robert, with his brothers and sisters moved to another farm at Mauchline. He found friendship with many of the educated men in the area and discovered that writing poetry was his niche in life. He was never going to be a successful farmer. He published his first book of poems in 1786; it was a huge success earning him £20! The ploughman became famous as a poet.

In 1788 he married his long term girlfriend, Jean Armour. He then moved to take up a position as an excise officer in Dumfries which involved the collection of duty on spirits and beer. He enjoyed his new life style and the opportunities it offered. Weakened by drink and dissipation, he contracted a fever and died at the age of 37 (1796).

So, to all Scots everywhere... Happy Burns Night!

Lady M.

Nostalgic November 4! What a weekend!

Howde Folks,

Yes, we're still here and she's in the sun with Boris! I hope you're enjoying my moments of Nostalgia. For number 4, I just had to remember that historic event of last year which we celebrated upstairs as well. The Queen's Diamond Jubilee! (Originally published on 08/06/2012).

Hello Everyone!

What a weekend we have had in the UK!

Just in case anyone has not heard our Queen celebrated her Diamond Jubilee. She actually ascended to the throne while asleep at Treetops in Kenya during the night of February 6th, 1952. So, the exact time of her change in status, from Princess Elizabeth to Queen Elizabeth II, is unknown. What is even more amazing, for young people to comprehend today, is that she didn't even know for a further day. Communications were very different in 1952 and it took time to make the various connections at the numerous telephone exchanges between England and Africa for a phone call.

The young Queen, with her Consort, cut short the overseas tour and returned home. Earlier this year, she renewed the vow she had made at the age of 21 to 'serve' her people and the Commonwealth for the rest of her life. Now, she is 86, we celebrated her birthday in April. How many people who, if they are lucky enough, to have a job for life would carry on at 86? I can't think of many who would take that option voluntarily when they have money and a choice.

Last weekend, we saw that the Monarchy is thriving, and with the recent marriage of Prince William, it appears to have a secure future. It is a very different situation from the 1990's when it seemed like the House of Windsor was crumbling.

The four day weekend began with an afternoon at the races. On Sunday, there was a pageant on the River Thames, a flotilla of 1,000 boats sailing along. Sadly, it seemed as if our weather was unappreciative of our celebrations. It was more like freezing June, than a flaming one. Apparently, it was extremely breezy and by the end pouring with rain. Despite this, the final barge, had choristers on it singing patriotic songs. Heroically, although they looked like drowned rats, they carried on singing. The Queen and Prince Philip were standing on HMS Belfast for the entire afternoon and the last scenes of the 90 year old Prince were of him 'moving to the music'.

On Monday afternoon he was admitted to hospital and missed the rest of the celebrations. The show went on, in the evening there was a concert with music from all of the six decades of the Queen's reign. It was spectacular, outside Buckingham Palace! It was still freezing cold but at least the rain stayed away. Then, on Tuesday, there was a Service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul's Cathedral and later a traditional balcony appearance of The Queen, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry. The Monarch with the next three in succession to the Throne. The crowning glory to these appearances is the 'fly past' of the 'Red Arrows'. They give a spectacular air display of red, white and blue smoke!

The weekend, as Prince Charles said, was the fourth Jubilee and he had the medals to prove it. We have celebrated the silver, ruby and gold. Who has seats for the Platinum? If our Queen is fortunate enough to be able to serve us into her 90's she will be the oldest and longest serving Monarch. The only other Monarch to achieve 60 years was Queen Victoria who reigned for 64 years. Go Ma'am Go!

British subjects and citizens were celebrating around the world. We may have lost the Empire but we still know how to throw a party and celebrate. We had bunting and Union Jack's everywhere. On Monday, there were beacons being lit, the final one lit by the Queen at the end of the concert. Despite the weather street parties were held up and down the land at various times.

Are you wondering why I have photographs of my books and Ice House Pool? Why do I have no pretty pictures of these festivities. Er...I stayed at home, in the warm, watching it all on television. I did go to the party at our library the Monday before and I was around when the bunting was going up at the Farm on Friday but Saturday until Monday, saw me and cheesecake, glued to the goggle box! I had a flag over my mantelpiece; it is now on the fridge. It was left over at the Farm on Friday!

Well, that weekend is over, tonight another event starts. . .Euro football. It's football fever for a few weeks. Then, in England, we are hosting the Olympics and have been preparing for seven years. The torch is being carried around Britain; it is coming through West Bromwich at the end of the month and I am looking forward to seeing it. Maybe, you'll even get photographs! I was concerned about the competitors surviving Heathrow airport I am now more concerned about them arriving at all. We have gale force winds here and tremendous rain with danger of more flooding but still there is the hosepipe ban.


Thought for the week: Do not let it rain on your parade!

Or as Sofia would say: STAY POSITIVE!

Yes, I am saying STAY POSITIVE!

Love to you all until next Friday, Sofia xxx

Cyprus

Gala Dinner

St Barnabas Monastery, Famagusta

Hello Everyone,

It is good to be back after a wonderful holiday in Cyprus despite the weather and the 5 day bus strike in Pafos.

First, I would like to thank Sofia and Donald for holding the fort and keeping you entertained during my absence. I hope you enjoyed their informative articles on dominoes, darts, February and last week's quiz. As promised the answers are now available. As you know Sofia was extremely excited at the prospects of being available on Kindle, Nook and Apple i Store and she, Donald and the rest of the happy gang are now available on all of these. Today, for the first time, I found them on Kindle and can see why they are so excited.... this new technology!

Anyway, enough about them. Cyprus! As you see form the two photos above, "I was there!" I enjoyed a gala dinner and I visited the Monastery near Famagusta where St Barnabas coffin lies and was able to go down into the crypt and actually see it. But, to the beginning, my journey to Larnaca was delayed by 3 hours due to a strike by Cyprus Air Traffic Controllers. After a 4.00 am start, to get to Luton airport, I was not pleased. However, these things are set to try us,  eventually we hit the skies and landed at Larnaca just after 6.00pm local time. Then came that exciting experience and moment of relief when reunited with my luggage. I am all smiles as I head for arrivals and see Henry Phillips, the SAGA rep and an old friend of mine, waiting to welcome me. 2 hours later we arrive at the Alexander Hotel in Pafos and all the hassle at Luton airport is forgotten.

I am looking forward to days of sunshine and sunbathing. Maybe, I should have taken more notice of Noah building an Ark. Sadly, many of the holidaymakers are desperate to return home having had rain every day for about 3 weeks. But, this is Cyprus, the island that boasts sunshine. Climate change is definitely affecting the beautiful island. Not once did I wear a sarong because it rained every day. There were brief interludes of sunshine but it was still breezy.

I am a firm believer in the fact that if you do not enjoy a holiday it is your own fault and not the weathers. I still enjoyed the hotel and all that it had to offer, excellent cuisine and superb enteratinment. I  met up with old friends and visited places. This year I actually made it to Famagusta.This is the ghost town in the Turkish occupied area of Cyprus where much of the city is deserted and left in ruins after the Greek Cypriots fled during the 1974 invasion from Turkey. On the way, we drove along the Green Line and saw a deserted village on one side of the road and a new one on the other where the Greeks had moved to after the division of Cyprus. We also saw the ruins of Salamis on the coast after visiting the Monastery. It was an awesome day trip.

During the rest of the month, I had a ball, I loved visiting Omodhos and enjoyed having my morning coffee in the Square, even if it was inside the coffee shop! I shopped in the old town of Pafos, I had fun with my old friend, the artist, Boris. I found a new craft fair in Coral Bay and even managed to sunny Saturday morning visits to the beautiful Coral Bay. I strolled along the beach path and then sat just watching the sea. Another awesome Cyprus experience. There were a couple of Sunday morning concerts at the harbour which were delightful (in between the storms!)

Well, now I am back in the UK and intend starting work on my next book, next week!
Until then, I leave you with this thought for the week.

Life is what you make it!