I went for a walk through the deep snow yesterday to hand deliver a 26th wedding anniversary card to Lord and Lady Haddington. Took me a good while and the walk, in Wellington boots, was quite exhausting. It was a real effort to drag the back foot out of the snow to take the next step forward.
Having reached the west wing and popping the card into the letterbox I took a much longer 'roundabout' way back, via the west drive (which had been snow-ploughed) and a fair walk back on the roadway to the east gates, a few yards from my cottage.
I had a really strong cup of Assam tea soon after I'd stumbled into the back door. Oh what a welcome and reviving beverage that was!
My successor at Mellerstain, Angus, had a head-on crash whilst he was taking two of the cleaners back home on Monday. They were all taken to hospital for a check up. I am so happy to say that they were all returned safely to their homes with just some nasty bruises and well shaken up. Black ice was the culprit; treacherous stuff. Angus's car is a write-off but insurance will cover that loss; no significant injuries is the main blessing in this event, an event that is probably being replayed by many others in this awful cold spell.
Thursday, 9 December 2010
Monday, 29 November 2010
Wintry Weather Continues in the Borders.
Just a swift update on our early wintry conditions.
No letup in sight for a few days more, worse luck!
We had one of our local farmers clear the little lane running along the 11 cottages in our remote village. Looks as though we will need further such help soon as it is snowing heavily right now.
Never mind; I'm sure global warming will soon return!
Sunday, 28 November 2010
Sunday, 15 August 2010
Fun Guy ... Sort of
On my way to get some victuals and stuff from Tesco's in Galashiels I took a short ride through the grounds of Mellerstain and spotted some interesting-looking fungi.
One can often find a variety of such stuff growing all over the estate. When I lived in the east wing of the house here we had a group come every year, usually about September/October, on what they called a 'fungi foray'. I used to collect some mushrooms, which I knew were perfectly safe to eat, and very tasty they were too.
One can often find a variety of such stuff growing all over the estate. When I lived in the east wing of the house here we had a group come every year, usually about September/October, on what they called a 'fungi foray'. I used to collect some mushrooms, which I knew were perfectly safe to eat, and very tasty they were too.
Thursday, 12 August 2010
Brief Update
Hello again. It's been one of those months: my wife, Pat, had a second hip replacement and I'm now not only chief cook, bottlewasher, sweeper-upper etc., but full-time nurse and carer. It's now two weeks since her right hip replacement op and the next few weeks will be difficult, to put it mildly.
The only son and heir of Lord Haddington, Lord George Binning, finished uni at Glasgow and had a terrible accident about five weeks ago. He fell 50 ft from a bridge onto concrete and ended up in Glasgow Infirmary; luckily not the mortuary! Some serious injuries but so happy to report that he is now recovering in the west wing of Mellerstain.
His dear Dad, the Earl, has also had some very disturbing diagnoses about a couple of health problems and is in London today, seeking advice from a specialist. I do not want to say more than this at present and we are all keeping fingers crossed for some good news soon.
Another member of the peerage, the Duke of Roxburgh who lives in Floors Castle, Kelso, about 8 miles down the road, is being treated for throat cancer. He is only in his fifties, so the news is that the prognosis is good, so I understand.
The recent passing of our friend and blogger, Barry, was also terribly sad. He put up a gallant and persistent struggle and remained hopeful throughout his long and courageous battle. We shall miss his beautiful posts.
Things can get better with time and I'm sure my next posting will be more upbeat. Take care my friends and always put your best foot forward. That's what I keep telling my Pat! She's almost a bionic woman now!
The only son and heir of Lord Haddington, Lord George Binning, finished uni at Glasgow and had a terrible accident about five weeks ago. He fell 50 ft from a bridge onto concrete and ended up in Glasgow Infirmary; luckily not the mortuary! Some serious injuries but so happy to report that he is now recovering in the west wing of Mellerstain.
His dear Dad, the Earl, has also had some very disturbing diagnoses about a couple of health problems and is in London today, seeking advice from a specialist. I do not want to say more than this at present and we are all keeping fingers crossed for some good news soon.
Another member of the peerage, the Duke of Roxburgh who lives in Floors Castle, Kelso, about 8 miles down the road, is being treated for throat cancer. He is only in his fifties, so the news is that the prognosis is good, so I understand.
The recent passing of our friend and blogger, Barry, was also terribly sad. He put up a gallant and persistent struggle and remained hopeful throughout his long and courageous battle. We shall miss his beautiful posts.
Things can get better with time and I'm sure my next posting will be more upbeat. Take care my friends and always put your best foot forward. That's what I keep telling my Pat! She's almost a bionic woman now!
Saturday, 10 July 2010
Art Exhibition Mellerstain July 10th 2010
This morning my wife, Pat, and I were invited to the annual art exhibition in the basement corridors of Mellerstain House. Quite a decent crowd accepted the invitation and, as usual, it was an enjoyable hour or so. Glass of vino, nibbles and so forth, and meeting up with some faces we've not seen for a year or more!
I took a few sneaky video shots and in the first few seconds, if you're quick, you will see me, in the large hall mirror, surreptiously videoing! Pat can also be seen pointing to one of the artworks and, a few seconds later, you can spot her looking at a painting on the left wall. And finally, in the last few seconds, you'll see a shot of the old Adam bathroom. Water for this 'facility' came from a spring under the front steps to the house.
Pat has to go to Borders General Hospital this Monday for pre-admission checks prior to her admission on 26th July for a new right hip! The operation, more than four hours duration, due to be performed on 27th July. So, a bit of a scary time ahead but hopefully it will make life a good deal easier for Pat once it's all over and done with.
I took a few sneaky video shots and in the first few seconds, if you're quick, you will see me, in the large hall mirror, surreptiously videoing! Pat can also be seen pointing to one of the artworks and, a few seconds later, you can spot her looking at a painting on the left wall. And finally, in the last few seconds, you'll see a shot of the old Adam bathroom. Water for this 'facility' came from a spring under the front steps to the house.
Pat has to go to Borders General Hospital this Monday for pre-admission checks prior to her admission on 26th July for a new right hip! The operation, more than four hours duration, due to be performed on 27th July. So, a bit of a scary time ahead but hopefully it will make life a good deal easier for Pat once it's all over and done with.
Friday, 18 June 2010
Pheasant Snoozing
It's just gone 11 a.m. today, Friday 18th June 2010. Looking out of the sitting room window I can spot a long feather pointing upwards under the old Ash tree. I investigate: it's one of those dozy pheasants, having a sleep on the pile of grass cuttings I pile up after mowing. These birds, though quite handsome, are so stupid. We slaughter many of them as they decide to run across the road just as cars are speeding towards them. Sometimes they seem to wait for a car or lorry to come charging down the narrow country lane and then they play 'chicken'. Many of them never make it to the other side of the road, unfortunately. Anyway, these birds are always foraging around our gardens. Sometimes they'll take a fancy to some of the plants that may be growing, or they'll just scratch around for seeds and stuff. I took this video to show just a sample of Ferdy the Pheasant having a nap on a pile of grass clippings. Exciting, innit!
Monday, 7 June 2010
"Sam" on the 86 bus to Edinburgh
A visit to the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh today was brightened when I met sad-eyed Sam, the mixed breed dog on the No. 86 bus from Dalkeith to Edinburgh. I sat opposite to Sam and his mature male owner and simply had to say "Hello" to them both.
Sam has the most appealing face. His eyes, however, seemed just a little sad to me. I gently and carefully stroked his head; he seemed to appreciate the attention. His eyes now appeared to smile at me. He was such a lovely bus passenger.
Sam has this sort of 'ragamuffin' look about him. His coat is dark gray or even black in parts but generously mingled with silvery gray strands. Handsome in an understated way, in my view.
His owner told me that he'd obtained Sam from a rescue centre after his own 13-year old dog had died of a tumour about six months ago. Sam had been subjected to much abuse and beatings by his former keeper(s) and was a very nervous animal at first. A few months ago he would, according to his owner, have probably thought I was going to hit him and he might have reacted by snapping at my hand. But now he was so well behaved, quiet, gentle and obviously glad to be with a decent new owner.
What sort of sick individual could be cruel to such an appealing animal like Sam, or to any animal? It certainly makes me feel angry to think of anybody ill-treating any animals. I'd label them "Scum" - but that would be an insult to scum!
Anyway, thank you Sam for making an otherwise dreary bus journey a lot brighter for a short while. (Sorry about the racket of the bus engine!)
Sam has the most appealing face. His eyes, however, seemed just a little sad to me. I gently and carefully stroked his head; he seemed to appreciate the attention. His eyes now appeared to smile at me. He was such a lovely bus passenger.
Sam has this sort of 'ragamuffin' look about him. His coat is dark gray or even black in parts but generously mingled with silvery gray strands. Handsome in an understated way, in my view.
His owner told me that he'd obtained Sam from a rescue centre after his own 13-year old dog had died of a tumour about six months ago. Sam had been subjected to much abuse and beatings by his former keeper(s) and was a very nervous animal at first. A few months ago he would, according to his owner, have probably thought I was going to hit him and he might have reacted by snapping at my hand. But now he was so well behaved, quiet, gentle and obviously glad to be with a decent new owner.
What sort of sick individual could be cruel to such an appealing animal like Sam, or to any animal? It certainly makes me feel angry to think of anybody ill-treating any animals. I'd label them "Scum" - but that would be an insult to scum!
Anyway, thank you Sam for making an otherwise dreary bus journey a lot brighter for a short while. (Sorry about the racket of the bus engine!)
Sunday, 23 May 2010
The Absent-minded Circuit Judge
In the UK, as in other places I guess, we have a system whereby judges travel around the country to hear court cases. They are well-paid and well looked after in their work.
This particular judge had to travel from London to a county court some many miles away. He was chauffeured to court along with his trusty clerk.
Arriving at the county court he settled into his chambers and suddenly realised he had completely forgotten to bring with him the main 'brief' of the case he was about to try.
He called his clerk and said: "I've forgotten the brief! What the devil can I do?"
"Fax it up Sir." said his clerk.
"Yes, it does rather ..." muttered the judge.
This particular judge had to travel from London to a county court some many miles away. He was chauffeured to court along with his trusty clerk.
Arriving at the county court he settled into his chambers and suddenly realised he had completely forgotten to bring with him the main 'brief' of the case he was about to try.
He called his clerk and said: "I've forgotten the brief! What the devil can I do?"
"Fax it up Sir." said his clerk.
"Yes, it does rather ..." muttered the judge.
Sunday, 16 May 2010
The Innocence of Youngsters
This is something I received in one of those emails from somebody who cobbles together some interesting (to me) bits and bobs from wherever they find them. I hope the following extracts make you smile.
Charity shop bookshops are always an enormous source of pleasure and enjoyment for me and I guess I probably spend (at least) 77p a week on them.
One I picked up this week called 'The Facts of Love' had me laughing so much I nearly fell off my chair.
Full of pictures and statements from children on the subject of love, it is unadulterated pleasure.
Here are a few of my favourites:
To have a baby you have to make love to someone who doesn't mind. Marianne. Aged 9
If you don't want babies you should practice contradiction. Lynne, aged 9.
I nearly know how to have babies but we dont do it till next term. Frances, aged 7.
Jesus was born with a yellow frill round his head like his mother. Jeffrey, aged 5.
I don't know how a baby gets there and I think Id rather be serprized. Claire, aged 8.
If you put a man and a woman in a bed together one of them will have a baby. Paul, aged 6
Have a lovely day!
Charity shop bookshops are always an enormous source of pleasure and enjoyment for me and I guess I probably spend (at least) 77p a week on them.
One I picked up this week called 'The Facts of Love' had me laughing so much I nearly fell off my chair.
Full of pictures and statements from children on the subject of love, it is unadulterated pleasure.
Here are a few of my favourites:
To have a baby you have to make love to someone who doesn't mind. Marianne. Aged 9
If you don't want babies you should practice contradiction. Lynne, aged 9.
I nearly know how to have babies but we dont do it till next term. Frances, aged 7.
Jesus was born with a yellow frill round his head like his mother. Jeffrey, aged 5.
I don't know how a baby gets there and I think Id rather be serprized. Claire, aged 8.
If you put a man and a woman in a bed together one of them will have a baby. Paul, aged 6
Have a lovely day!
Sunday, 9 May 2010
The Sort of Stroke Flossie did NOT Want!
One of my neighbours, Louise, went to Canada and New Zealand over a year ago to work as a volunteer on organic farms. Her lovely Border Collie, Flossie, was taken care of by another neighbour, Alice. Alice still looks after Flossie as Louise is not returning to Mellerstain. Very recently poor Flossie suffered a stroke. She was quite poorly. Today I went to see her and was really happy to find that she has recovered remarkably well. Dear Flossie is quite old, around 13 years. That's around 100 or so in human terms I think. Alice and I went for a short walk with Flossie and you can see in this video how well Flossie is right now. I hope she continues to stay as sprightly as possible but I think she does not have too long left to enjoy the freedom of Mellerstain. A lovely animal. We love her very dearly.
I hope to have quite a few more gentle walks with Flossie and to give her the kind of gentle strokes she enjoys.
I hope to have quite a few more gentle walks with Flossie and to give her the kind of gentle strokes she enjoys.
Sunday, 2 May 2010
A Much Happier Day Today
Bright and cheery day today, Sunday 2nd May 2010. Good news about my ballroom dance teacher, Patricia Stinton, who is back in her own home today. The doctors at Mayday hospital said she could go home yesterday but will need outside help for the next few weeks whilst she recovers fully from her recent injury. I still worry about her though.
She is such an independent-minded lady and insists she will be perfectly OK on her own ... but at nigh on eighty? With a hip still on the mend from a fracture? Hmm ... Still, I shall be keeping in touch daily via the telephone. She also has one of the necklace alarm gadgets which will alert somebody locally should she have another fall.
Sunny and cheerful weather today. Really makes one a lot happier. Hope you are all doing well.
She is such an independent-minded lady and insists she will be perfectly OK on her own ... but at nigh on eighty? With a hip still on the mend from a fracture? Hmm ... Still, I shall be keeping in touch daily via the telephone. She also has one of the necklace alarm gadgets which will alert somebody locally should she have another fall.
Sunny and cheerful weather today. Really makes one a lot happier. Hope you are all doing well.
Sunday, 25 April 2010
Not a Happy Day
Today I am feeling very sad. A telephone message on my answer-phone to say that a person I've known since 1951 is in hospital in Croydon. Patricia Teare, as she was then, has broken her hip and is in pain and distress - and now she is all alone.
Her husband died of cancer in December,just before their 41st wedding anniversary.
Patricia was my first and only ballroom dancing tutor. She was around 20 years old when I first met her at Jimmy Quinn's Dance School in Purley, Surrey. She was a superb dancer and marvellous teacher of the art. I've always held her in my heart and memory and her distressed phone call to me earlier today was devastating.
Even at her advanced age she continued to teach ballroom, and to have an accident such as a broken hip will almost certainly be the end of ballroom dancing for her.
I've just arranged for some flowers by post to be delivered to her and I've called on some others who know me to pay Patricia a visit, in my behalf. I cannot get down to Croydon now as my wife, Pat, needs me at home to look after her now.
Below is a photo of Patricia with her senior dance partner, Jimmy Quinn, whom I also knew well. Poor Jimmy died a year or so after the photo was taken; brain tumour.
I'm going to write to Patricia every day whilst she is in hospital. It's the least I can do. Bye for now...
Her husband died of cancer in December,just before their 41st wedding anniversary.
Patricia was my first and only ballroom dancing tutor. She was around 20 years old when I first met her at Jimmy Quinn's Dance School in Purley, Surrey. She was a superb dancer and marvellous teacher of the art. I've always held her in my heart and memory and her distressed phone call to me earlier today was devastating.
Even at her advanced age she continued to teach ballroom, and to have an accident such as a broken hip will almost certainly be the end of ballroom dancing for her.
I've just arranged for some flowers by post to be delivered to her and I've called on some others who know me to pay Patricia a visit, in my behalf. I cannot get down to Croydon now as my wife, Pat, needs me at home to look after her now.
Below is a photo of Patricia with her senior dance partner, Jimmy Quinn, whom I also knew well. Poor Jimmy died a year or so after the photo was taken; brain tumour.
I'm going to write to Patricia every day whilst she is in hospital. It's the least I can do. Bye for now...
Monday, 19 April 2010
Lara Fabian - Emotion Personified
I discovered this beautiful singer, Lara Fabian, some months ago. She is now living in Canada (lucky country). I think she has also had a baby some while back.
But what a voice. What an artist. Huge vocal range and her whole being is thrust into her song - especially in this one: Je suis malade. Such a sad yet powerfully emotive song. I hope you can bear to listen to her; I find it heart-rending.
But what a voice. What an artist. Huge vocal range and her whole being is thrust into her song - especially in this one: Je suis malade. Such a sad yet powerfully emotive song. I hope you can bear to listen to her; I find it heart-rending.
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
GOSH for Children
Today I've seen one of the most heart-rending documentaries ever.
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children is renowned for its work in saving the lives of young children. This programme tonight, the first in series of three, is called 'Pushing the Boundaries' - and it is extremely difficult to watch. But having started to watch it is impossible NOT to watch.
The surgeons in this dedicated hospital are super-human. I cannot believe how they can carry on working under such pressure, from the parents and from the job itself.
Every age group in children is included. From a 2-day old baby upwards. Some marvellous successes. Some terrible heartbreaking failures too.
One very young girl had a serious vascular problem which would certainly be fatal unless operated on had eight hours on the operating table. The operation to fix her vascular problem was successful. However, her parents were devastated to learn that one of her kidneys had to be removed. Also that she was now brain damaged. And that she was blind as a result of the surgery! But she would live. Later, some weeks later, her sight returned, so it was not all doom and gloom.
A really harrowing case of a 9 year old lad who'd had a heart valve operation a few years ago was again seriously ill. The surgeons decided that a further valve repair was no longer an option. The heart specialists discussed the option of a heart transplant. With the parents and the little boy present.
They explained to the boy that they knew he did not want to have another operation but that he would be very ill if nothing was done. So would he like to have a new heart and be completely better.
"Will it hurt me when you cut my body open?" he asked. "No, it will be painless; you will not feel a thing."
"Where will you get my new heart from?" he asked. Very gently the surgeon explained that it would be given by somebody who had no more need of the heart because they had died from something else. "Well, what will happen to my heart when you take it out?" he continued to ask. Again the specialists explained that parts of his old heart could be used to help somebody else.
Eventually everything was agreed and the transplant went ahead. Two weeks later the young boy died.
The way these doctors deal with these harrowing cases astounds me. They are clearly deeply concerned for the children and parents concerned but they have to make such demanding decisions. I have great respect and admiration for them all, but I could never be strong enough to attempt a tenth of what they do.
Amazing and highly emotional stuff.
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children is renowned for its work in saving the lives of young children. This programme tonight, the first in series of three, is called 'Pushing the Boundaries' - and it is extremely difficult to watch. But having started to watch it is impossible NOT to watch.
The surgeons in this dedicated hospital are super-human. I cannot believe how they can carry on working under such pressure, from the parents and from the job itself.
Every age group in children is included. From a 2-day old baby upwards. Some marvellous successes. Some terrible heartbreaking failures too.
One very young girl had a serious vascular problem which would certainly be fatal unless operated on had eight hours on the operating table. The operation to fix her vascular problem was successful. However, her parents were devastated to learn that one of her kidneys had to be removed. Also that she was now brain damaged. And that she was blind as a result of the surgery! But she would live. Later, some weeks later, her sight returned, so it was not all doom and gloom.
A really harrowing case of a 9 year old lad who'd had a heart valve operation a few years ago was again seriously ill. The surgeons decided that a further valve repair was no longer an option. The heart specialists discussed the option of a heart transplant. With the parents and the little boy present.
They explained to the boy that they knew he did not want to have another operation but that he would be very ill if nothing was done. So would he like to have a new heart and be completely better.
"Will it hurt me when you cut my body open?" he asked. "No, it will be painless; you will not feel a thing."
"Where will you get my new heart from?" he asked. Very gently the surgeon explained that it would be given by somebody who had no more need of the heart because they had died from something else. "Well, what will happen to my heart when you take it out?" he continued to ask. Again the specialists explained that parts of his old heart could be used to help somebody else.
Eventually everything was agreed and the transplant went ahead. Two weeks later the young boy died.
The way these doctors deal with these harrowing cases astounds me. They are clearly deeply concerned for the children and parents concerned but they have to make such demanding decisions. I have great respect and admiration for them all, but I could never be strong enough to attempt a tenth of what they do.
Amazing and highly emotional stuff.
Thursday, 1 April 2010
Al Martino's Tribute to Luciano Pavarotti - 2007
When I was a young, and very foolish, young chap I favoured many singers, crooners and pop stars and in my top 5 was Al Martino. His great recording of "Here in My Heart" was his most successful song and one of my favourites.
Born in 1927 he carried on working into his eighties and his voice was still as strong as ever.
At age of 80 he sang Nessum Dorma, a tribute to the late great Luciano Pavarotti, in a concert in Germany, 2007.
I could not believe that this 'pop singer' could sing this operatic aria as well as he did - and at his age.
Hope you like it.
Born in 1927 he carried on working into his eighties and his voice was still as strong as ever.
At age of 80 he sang Nessum Dorma, a tribute to the late great Luciano Pavarotti, in a concert in Germany, 2007.
I could not believe that this 'pop singer' could sing this operatic aria as well as he did - and at his age.
Hope you like it.
Friday, 26 March 2010
Much Ado at Mellerstain
It is now late March, 2010, time for a bit of FlipVideoing at Mellerstain House before the Easter opening here. There's been some west wing roof repairs going on since about October, 2009, and a gigantic marquee covered the whole of this part of the house. Tons and tons of scaffolding had first to be erected and then covered in by canvas to make this huge tent-like structure.
Health and safety regulations are, no doubt, a pre-requisite for this type of work on the roof of the wing.
The Haddington family had to endure the noise and a virtual black-out of natural light during the months of building work. It is now drawing to a rapid close and should be completely done and dusted before the Easter weekend opening to the public.
The adverse weather conditions during this winter period did not help! However, the builders and workmen managed to get it all finished in time; jolly good work chaps!
Health and safety regulations are, no doubt, a pre-requisite for this type of work on the roof of the wing.
The Haddington family had to endure the noise and a virtual black-out of natural light during the months of building work. It is now drawing to a rapid close and should be completely done and dusted before the Easter weekend opening to the public.
The adverse weather conditions during this winter period did not help! However, the builders and workmen managed to get it all finished in time; jolly good work chaps!
Thursday, 11 March 2010
The Many Strands of a Web Blog
You never know who might be reading your blog. People all over the world might be just stumbling across your writings. Others, like the young lady below, will be "doing a Google" for something or other. Here's how this particular encounter evolved:
By means of a Google search, I found a comment you had posted on the blog "A Majority of Two" last December on hunting tapestries. I see that you mention Mellerstain - I am in the U.S. conducting archaeological research on early 17th C. hunting dogs, and currently trying to find an image of a hunting tapestry that is (or used to be) on display at Mellerstain Castle. It is a 16th C. Flemish tapestry including a large greyhound wearing quilted body armor for hunting large game like bear or boars. Having found no other leads, this a tapestry you are familiar with? Do you have any ideas as to where I might acquire an image of it for study? (Books, websites, etc.)
Thanks in advance,
Kelsey Noack
I went on to send Miss Noack a scan of part of the guide book on Mellerstain which has a VERY small black and white picture of the tapestry:
and this is her reply:
Hi Phil,
How exciting! I was able to crop the image that you sent me and enlarge it without too much distortion. (I then printed it out and showed it to several of the other staff since I've been talking about it for weeks and thought they might want to see it too.)
If you are not able to get permission for a photo, or if you are never able to reach Lord Haddington at all I understand. This scanned image you've sent is useful in and of itself. I would still like to have a more detailed image, but I can get by with this one if it's not possible.
Thanks so much, and I will look forward to any news you come up with.
Kelsey
Next, I asked Lord Haddington (who is an excellent photographer) if he would oblige with a full size photograph of the tapestry and he did so, as shown here:
This proved to be much more useful to Kelsey, but then she sent this:
Phil,
Thank you! I am slightly overwhelmed at all the detail I can see in the photo. This is wonderful. Very helpful, indeed. However, now that I can see more I am interested in higher resolution photos, or perhaps having the camera focused on particular portions of the tapestry. I have been able to zoom in fairly close on the dogs in the foreground, which is originally what I was interested in. In the upper left half I can see that there are also depictions of dogs actively in the pursuit of several boars. Would it be possible to have closer images of those portions?
Thanks to you, again, and to Lord Haddington.
Sincerely,
Kelsey
I forwarded Kelsey's message to Lord H, prefacing it with saying that I doubted it would be possible to get close-ups of the areas requested because of the poor light in the area of the tapestry (and said much the same to Kelsey).
There then followed four more photos from Lord H, which I emailed to Kelsey.
The end result was a final email from Kelsey:
Hello Phil,
Thank you so very much for your help in acquiring these, and please pass on my thanks again to Lord Haddington. Very exciting to have these photos! I think they are now going to be a much larger focus of the work I am doing. I will send a copy of my paper when it is finished. It's looking like the dogs that would have been brought here to Jamestown would definitely have been hunting dogs only, and we know that a few of them at least were greyhounds according to the documentary record. In effect, the dogs pictured in the tapestry are likely the same type brought here to Jamestown, right down to the coloring! Now all that remains is to confirm which continent the dogs were from through chemical testing with isotopic analysis.
Sorry I did not get back to you right away. It was a very busy weekend and I was away from the computer. What a great thing to have waiting for me in the inbox.
Thank you again,
Kelsey
Kelsey Noack, M.A.
Curatorial Assistant
APVA Jamestown Rediscovery
knoack@preservationvirginia.org
(757) 229-4997 ext. 109
So, from a blog by Jo, (A Majority of Two), with TAPESTRIES as the theme, and a small comment from yours truly on Jo's blog it was possible to help a young lady on the other side of the world in her research work.
The old cliché "It's a small world" is truer now than it's ever been!
By means of a Google search, I found a comment you had posted on the blog "A Majority of Two" last December on hunting tapestries. I see that you mention Mellerstain - I am in the U.S. conducting archaeological research on early 17th C. hunting dogs, and currently trying to find an image of a hunting tapestry that is (or used to be) on display at Mellerstain Castle. It is a 16th C. Flemish tapestry including a large greyhound wearing quilted body armor for hunting large game like bear or boars. Having found no other leads, this a tapestry you are familiar with? Do you have any ideas as to where I might acquire an image of it for study? (Books, websites, etc.)
Thanks in advance,
Kelsey Noack
I went on to send Miss Noack a scan of part of the guide book on Mellerstain which has a VERY small black and white picture of the tapestry:
and this is her reply:
Hi Phil,
How exciting! I was able to crop the image that you sent me and enlarge it without too much distortion. (I then printed it out and showed it to several of the other staff since I've been talking about it for weeks and thought they might want to see it too.)
If you are not able to get permission for a photo, or if you are never able to reach Lord Haddington at all I understand. This scanned image you've sent is useful in and of itself. I would still like to have a more detailed image, but I can get by with this one if it's not possible.
Thanks so much, and I will look forward to any news you come up with.
Kelsey
Next, I asked Lord Haddington (who is an excellent photographer) if he would oblige with a full size photograph of the tapestry and he did so, as shown here:
This proved to be much more useful to Kelsey, but then she sent this:
Phil,
Thank you! I am slightly overwhelmed at all the detail I can see in the photo. This is wonderful. Very helpful, indeed. However, now that I can see more I am interested in higher resolution photos, or perhaps having the camera focused on particular portions of the tapestry. I have been able to zoom in fairly close on the dogs in the foreground, which is originally what I was interested in. In the upper left half I can see that there are also depictions of dogs actively in the pursuit of several boars. Would it be possible to have closer images of those portions?
Thanks to you, again, and to Lord Haddington.
Sincerely,
Kelsey
I forwarded Kelsey's message to Lord H, prefacing it with saying that I doubted it would be possible to get close-ups of the areas requested because of the poor light in the area of the tapestry (and said much the same to Kelsey).
There then followed four more photos from Lord H, which I emailed to Kelsey.
The end result was a final email from Kelsey:
Hello Phil,
Thank you so very much for your help in acquiring these, and please pass on my thanks again to Lord Haddington. Very exciting to have these photos! I think they are now going to be a much larger focus of the work I am doing. I will send a copy of my paper when it is finished. It's looking like the dogs that would have been brought here to Jamestown would definitely have been hunting dogs only, and we know that a few of them at least were greyhounds according to the documentary record. In effect, the dogs pictured in the tapestry are likely the same type brought here to Jamestown, right down to the coloring! Now all that remains is to confirm which continent the dogs were from through chemical testing with isotopic analysis.
Sorry I did not get back to you right away. It was a very busy weekend and I was away from the computer. What a great thing to have waiting for me in the inbox.
Thank you again,
Kelsey
Kelsey Noack, M.A.
Curatorial Assistant
APVA Jamestown Rediscovery
knoack@preservationvirginia.org
(757) 229-4997 ext. 109
So, from a blog by Jo, (A Majority of Two), with TAPESTRIES as the theme, and a small comment from yours truly on Jo's blog it was possible to help a young lady on the other side of the world in her research work.
The old cliché "It's a small world" is truer now than it's ever been!
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
The Dimbledy Lecture: Assisted Death
Yesterday evening I watched one of the most thought-provoking and emotional BBC television programmes ever.
The late Richard Dimbledy, who died of cancer many years ago, was a much respected television personality. Two of his sons carry on where he left off, and last night the BBC broadcast "The Dimbledy Lecture" - and what a great lecture it was.
The author Terry Pratchett of Discworld fame has a form of Alzheimers. He has made public announcements to this effect. He has donated $1million to an Alzheimer charity. He does not want to succumb to this disease but has - at the moment - no choice.
He wrote this lecture. Brilliantly. However, because the disease prevents him from reading for more than a short time his friend, the actor Tony Robinson, delivered the lecture. Again, brilliantly.
The hour long lecture centred on "the right to die when one chooses". Terry P does not like the term 'assisted suicide' and uses 'assisted death' instead. He puts his case clearly and strongly.
I agree with everything I heard.
When life becomes intolerable, when the prognosis is a lingering decline and death, when an incurable disease makes life a living hell, then the sufferer should be helped by the medical profession to slip away. To die peacefully with dignity.
I see nothing but good coming from this lecture. We would not allow a sick cat or a dog to shrivel away over weeks, months and sometimes years. We consider that cruel, yet we inflict such trauma on our fellow humans.
What do YOU think?
The late Richard Dimbledy, who died of cancer many years ago, was a much respected television personality. Two of his sons carry on where he left off, and last night the BBC broadcast "The Dimbledy Lecture" - and what a great lecture it was.
The author Terry Pratchett of Discworld fame has a form of Alzheimers. He has made public announcements to this effect. He has donated $1million to an Alzheimer charity. He does not want to succumb to this disease but has - at the moment - no choice.
He wrote this lecture. Brilliantly. However, because the disease prevents him from reading for more than a short time his friend, the actor Tony Robinson, delivered the lecture. Again, brilliantly.
The hour long lecture centred on "the right to die when one chooses". Terry P does not like the term 'assisted suicide' and uses 'assisted death' instead. He puts his case clearly and strongly.
I agree with everything I heard.
When life becomes intolerable, when the prognosis is a lingering decline and death, when an incurable disease makes life a living hell, then the sufferer should be helped by the medical profession to slip away. To die peacefully with dignity.
I see nothing but good coming from this lecture. We would not allow a sick cat or a dog to shrivel away over weeks, months and sometimes years. We consider that cruel, yet we inflict such trauma on our fellow humans.
What do YOU think?
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
Bare Bosom Calamity - or BBC
In the early days of broadcasting, BTV (before television), the BBC newsreaders were made to dress formally: i.e. dinner suits for men and evening gowns for women newscasters.
Not that anybody, other than BBC staff, could actually see them reading the news. It was just the stuffy old rules that were applied by the BBC management then.
Now the pendulum has swung in the opposite direction. Smart casual, to coin a phrase, has been approved in many areas of broadcasting. Presenters can wear old jeans and trainers, no neckties required and various other dress modes are OK today.
Some presenters just look scruffy; I can't say I am in favour of some of these 'informal' styles but it does not bother me too much. I don't watch too much tv anyway.
However, what's this to do with 'Bare Bosom' I hear you scream. Tell us, show us, come clean!
The Booby Link
Very well then, just go to the link above. Prepare to be shocked beyond recall.
Not that anybody, other than BBC staff, could actually see them reading the news. It was just the stuffy old rules that were applied by the BBC management then.
Now the pendulum has swung in the opposite direction. Smart casual, to coin a phrase, has been approved in many areas of broadcasting. Presenters can wear old jeans and trainers, no neckties required and various other dress modes are OK today.
Some presenters just look scruffy; I can't say I am in favour of some of these 'informal' styles but it does not bother me too much. I don't watch too much tv anyway.
However, what's this to do with 'Bare Bosom' I hear you scream. Tell us, show us, come clean!
The Booby Link
Very well then, just go to the link above. Prepare to be shocked beyond recall.
Saturday, 23 January 2010
A Short Fishy Tale
I've got a couple of goldfish. I keep them in a goldfish bowl.
They've been called "One" and "Two" - though I cannot tell them apart.
I called them this because (wait for it): if one dies I've still got two.
OK, groan as much as you like.
They've been called "One" and "Two" - though I cannot tell them apart.
I called them this because (wait for it): if one dies I've still got two.
OK, groan as much as you like.
Sunday, 17 January 2010
Do You Keep a Diary?
Hello again. Been feeling a tad lethargic lately. Must be the weather; the grey skies. the S.A.D. effect perhaps, (Seasonal Affective Disorder). I've heard that mid-January is when we have a surge in suicides. Don't know how true this is; not something I've ever investigated - just heard it mentioned a couple of times on radio.
I shall be 75 on Tuesday 19th January and have outlived my father, mother and two of my younger brothers. I'm the eldest of five boys, all born twixt 19 Jan 1935 and 6 June 1945, so I guess I've been lucky thus far. Had some close calls over the years, what with Herr Hitler's Luftwaffe bombing Croydon for five scary years and various other events. Falling off a roof at age 12 and breaking my right wrist instead of my neck is an example.
We remember so many happenings in our lives but also forget much. Would a diary be worth reading had we kept one from an early age?
The answer is probably a resounding yes!
Blogging is a 'sort of' diary. Many millions now write a blog which, almost by definition (web log) is a diary. But it's a newish thing. Neither is a blog a personal diary (usually, that is). I am now reading a superbly engrossing book entitled 'Our Hidden Lives', which is a collection of personal diaries kept by 'ordinary' people during the post-war period in Great Britain. I find it fascinating and quite engrossing.
The award winning writer Simon Garfield has woven the diaries of five ordinary people, confronting the uncertain years following WW2 into a wonderful and evocative patchwork. (That sentence is an extract from the 'blurb' of this book).
The 5 diarists are Maggie Joy Blunt, a modern young woman who is bored out of her mind in a metal company in Slough.
George Taylor, a curmudgeonly accountant from Sheffield who gets annoyed when woken by fireworks celebrating the end of the war.
Edie Rutherford, Sheffield housewife and Socialist, who is always arging with her hairdresser.
B. Charles, a gay antiques dealer in Edinburgh and a horrific snob.
And finally Herbert Brush, London pensioner, active for his age, forever creosoting his garden fence and author of ambitious but appalling poetry.
None of these people knew each other and their diary entries are beautifully brought together to make a great book.
I kept a couple of notebook diaries for about 5 years. Not that I religiously made an entry every day, but never more that a gap of a week between entries. I have not kept a diary since 1983, but wonder if I should have done.
Perhaps I stopped because I sometimes wrote entries when I was in a dark mood, the 'black dog' mood that afflicted Winston Churchill to name but one such sufferer. Reading some entries now is quite a reminder of how 'low' I felt at times.
I recall that a well-known actress (whose name escapes me right now) once said: "Keep a diary, and one day it might keep you". That is a truism for many diarists - Pepys being the most well known, along with many politicians of course!
I love reading diaries of all sorts of people. I think they are fascinating. One of my favourites was the late Kenneth Williams, a comic actor and raconteur. His diaries were honest and so very sad as well. He took his own life a few years ago, pills and a bottle of spirits. His final entry: "What's the bloody point?" - meaning the point of his life. And what about the wonderful writings of Ann Frank? Such a lovely young girl, recording her days in hiding in Holland before being dragged off to a concentration camp where she died so cruelly young.
I wonder if YOU keep a diary?
I shall be 75 on Tuesday 19th January and have outlived my father, mother and two of my younger brothers. I'm the eldest of five boys, all born twixt 19 Jan 1935 and 6 June 1945, so I guess I've been lucky thus far. Had some close calls over the years, what with Herr Hitler's Luftwaffe bombing Croydon for five scary years and various other events. Falling off a roof at age 12 and breaking my right wrist instead of my neck is an example.
We remember so many happenings in our lives but also forget much. Would a diary be worth reading had we kept one from an early age?
The answer is probably a resounding yes!
Blogging is a 'sort of' diary. Many millions now write a blog which, almost by definition (web log) is a diary. But it's a newish thing. Neither is a blog a personal diary (usually, that is). I am now reading a superbly engrossing book entitled 'Our Hidden Lives', which is a collection of personal diaries kept by 'ordinary' people during the post-war period in Great Britain. I find it fascinating and quite engrossing.
The award winning writer Simon Garfield has woven the diaries of five ordinary people, confronting the uncertain years following WW2 into a wonderful and evocative patchwork. (That sentence is an extract from the 'blurb' of this book).
The 5 diarists are Maggie Joy Blunt, a modern young woman who is bored out of her mind in a metal company in Slough.
George Taylor, a curmudgeonly accountant from Sheffield who gets annoyed when woken by fireworks celebrating the end of the war.
Edie Rutherford, Sheffield housewife and Socialist, who is always arging with her hairdresser.
B. Charles, a gay antiques dealer in Edinburgh and a horrific snob.
And finally Herbert Brush, London pensioner, active for his age, forever creosoting his garden fence and author of ambitious but appalling poetry.
None of these people knew each other and their diary entries are beautifully brought together to make a great book.
I kept a couple of notebook diaries for about 5 years. Not that I religiously made an entry every day, but never more that a gap of a week between entries. I have not kept a diary since 1983, but wonder if I should have done.
Perhaps I stopped because I sometimes wrote entries when I was in a dark mood, the 'black dog' mood that afflicted Winston Churchill to name but one such sufferer. Reading some entries now is quite a reminder of how 'low' I felt at times.
I recall that a well-known actress (whose name escapes me right now) once said: "Keep a diary, and one day it might keep you". That is a truism for many diarists - Pepys being the most well known, along with many politicians of course!
I love reading diaries of all sorts of people. I think they are fascinating. One of my favourites was the late Kenneth Williams, a comic actor and raconteur. His diaries were honest and so very sad as well. He took his own life a few years ago, pills and a bottle of spirits. His final entry: "What's the bloody point?" - meaning the point of his life. And what about the wonderful writings of Ann Frank? Such a lovely young girl, recording her days in hiding in Holland before being dragged off to a concentration camp where she died so cruelly young.
I wonder if YOU keep a diary?
Thursday, 7 January 2010
Digging an Escape Tunnel
We had some respite last night; the forecast 20cm of snow missed us out! I don't know if we shall be so lucky again today/tonight but it's looking fairly good right now.
Just a short glimpse of yours truly digging into the snow that has blocked my garage doors. Camera operator: my OH.
Yesterday evening one of the farm lads drove a tractor through our small roads, ploughing a path wide enough for a car to slide through. This is a great help to the eleven cottage dwellers here in Mellerstain Village. With luck we shall venture into town tomorrow.
Just a short glimpse of yours truly digging into the snow that has blocked my garage doors. Camera operator: my OH.
Yesterday evening one of the farm lads drove a tractor through our small roads, ploughing a path wide enough for a car to slide through. This is a great help to the eleven cottage dwellers here in Mellerstain Village. With luck we shall venture into town tomorrow.
Wednesday, 6 January 2010
EssEnOhDubya Spells ? What ? Guess!!
Wednesday 6th January 2010 - and it does not get any better weatherwise.
14 inches deep now, and the forecast is that this wintry spell could last for over a week. Shades of 1947 are turning into firm reality. This will be a terrible time for many isolated, old and infirm people in the UK.
Apparently, according to a met., expert, there is a large area of high pressure centered over the UK. This is somehow blocking the normal and mild Gulf stream and allowing the Siberian freezing weather to take over. I thought the Russians would be at the bottom of this! Gas supplies are said to be running low, only seven days left! How accurate is this I wonder? Not that we have gas central heating but millions have.
I am going to send a strongly worded email of complaint to whomsoever is concerned with this freeze up. It's simply not GOOD ENOUGH!
14 inches deep now, and the forecast is that this wintry spell could last for over a week. Shades of 1947 are turning into firm reality. This will be a terrible time for many isolated, old and infirm people in the UK.
Apparently, according to a met., expert, there is a large area of high pressure centered over the UK. This is somehow blocking the normal and mild Gulf stream and allowing the Siberian freezing weather to take over. I thought the Russians would be at the bottom of this! Gas supplies are said to be running low, only seven days left! How accurate is this I wonder? Not that we have gas central heating but millions have.
I am going to send a strongly worded email of complaint to whomsoever is concerned with this freeze up. It's simply not GOOD ENOUGH!
Sunday, 3 January 2010
Friday, 1 January 2010
First Day of Twenty-Ten - Still Snowing!
Just a short picture show of New Year's Day, 2010, in the Scottish Borders.
Wishing you all the Best New Year EVER!
Wishing you all the Best New Year EVER!
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