Winter has us in its grip

Appropriate, perhaps, to start this 2008 page with a snow scene. Matt is one of the sceptics of the theory of man’s contribution to climate change through CO2 emissions. This picture of the rear garden of Damson Rest in April 2007, suggests that we may have some time to go before ‘global warming’ really takes hold.

It seldom snows in the Midlands

 

Burns Supper

The annual Burns Supper at Pendrell Hall now has a regular speaker delivering the address to the haggis, and the ‘Immortal Memory’. It is something of a challenge to develop new ideas and themes each year but it is perhaps unsafe to assume that the audience (which contains many loyal returnees each year) has been too drunk, or too old, or both, to remember past orations.

"Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face . ."

 

Varnishing the hull

The folding boat (see Damson Herald issue 8, Christmas 2007) was given careful maintenance in the garden. This was in preparation for excursions on the river Rance, near Dinan in Brittany.

Ship-shape and Bristol-fashion

 

Contributing to society

Those of our readers who have been paying attention will know that Matt is a Parish Councillor in Codsall. One of his interests is contributing to the preparation of a Parish Plan. For the first time the Parish Council took a pitch at the annual Codsall Fair in June. This gave an opportunity to publicise the Parish Plan and raise the profile of the Council. The banner above the gazebo, and the display within, were both Matt’s work.

Visitors welcome!

 

The Scottish Highlands

This year the cats went caravanning. If you look closely at the rear window of the Frontera (pictured in Strathnairn, south of Inverness) you will see two cat baskets. These are positioned on a custom-made platform that allows the cats to travel above the inflatable boat, launching trolley and outboard.

You know it’s winter the rain turns white

 

Sailing by -

Kirstin is now reasonable confident in sailing in the inflatable boat. She it seen in the photograph with what appears to be a carefree smile as the boat sails around Garliston bay.

“I hope we don’t sink!”

 

Culloden Moor

On 16 April 1746 the final battle in what amounted to a Scottish civil war was fought at Culloden. The Jacobite side lost heavily in what turned out to be mass slaughter. The National Trust for Scotland has long had a visitor centre on the battlefield. It was recently rebuilt to a high standard and members were asked to contribute to the cost. In recognition of contributions, members have their names printed on the ceiling of the restaurant, seen in the photograph.

All very civilised now

 

The west coast of Scotland

One of the most relaxing moments of the year was sunset at Ledaig. Matt is photographed in the inflatable, quietly chugging across the bay.

No red sails

 

Monkey business

Prior to the stay at La Hallerais we visited Dugald and Elizabeth (see Damson Herald issues 7 and 8, Christmas 2006/7). Among the outings was a visit to an monkey park. Most of the animals were not ‘enclosed’ and often they were within a few feet of visitors.

Do not feed the animals

 

One of Matt's hobbies -

- is collecting 1:43 scale models of Vauxhall cars. The photograph below is of the most recent additions - the 2008 British Touring Car Championship winning Vectra (in fact, three championships; driver, manufacturer and team). To see more of the collection of almost 50 models click here (5.6MB)

What a dirty trick - turning up at the tracks with the best car!

 

Nostalgia time

This is a Kodachrome taken on Sunday July 14, 1962. It shows Dugald and Matt, with their tandem, at Justinhaugh, near Forfar. We were on a cycle-camping tour of Scotland. What foresight it was to record these precious memories on the best reversal film available.

Fortunately, we still haven’t grown up!

 

 

 

Voluntary work

Kirstin’s interest in Cats Protection goes on unabated. The big event this year was the opening of a new charity shop at Warstones in Wolverhampton. This photograph shows the interior of the shop as ‘fitting’ progressed. As you might expect Matt was a (semi)willing volunteer in getting the premises ready to trade.

Support your local charity

Getting it right

A group of CP volunteers are seen making final preparations before the ‘grand opening’ of the shop. The professional appearance and tasteful displays set the establishment ahead of the typical crowded and poorly presented charity shop.

Many hands make something work

Open for business

Opening day - January 12 2008. Local press covered the opening by a local veterinarian. The shop has gone from strength to strength since and turns-over sufficiently serious amounts of money to make a genuine contribution to the activities of the Wolverhampton branch of Cats Protection. For more go to www.wolverhampton.cats.org.uk

 

Life on the ??

Dugald and Matt made two daring excursions on the (slightly) dangerous waters of the river Rance. The photograph shows the intrepid pair at one stage of the courageous voyage as they negotiate the Port of Dinan.

Yo Ho Ho and a bottle of beer

 

Number one in the Nation!

Every year in July Vauxhall enthusiasts gather at the Billing Aquadrome near Northampton to display cars old and new. Matt and Kirstin visited the event for the first time in several years. At the time of writing this, the motor industry is suffering slowing sales during the ‘economic downturn’. Clouds hanging over the ‘Big Three’ US manufacturers are putting the future of subsidiaries like Vauxhall and Ford Europe in doubt. The irony is that Vauxhall have never had stronger sales, being the biggest-selling brand in the UK.

Consigned to history?

 

Catavanning

And here we see little Rosie resting one of her favourite caravan places in the rear corner of the Buccaneer. Both of the cats settled well to travel and caravan life. They showed little desire to venture out although on one occasion when they did, the sight of beach and waves was evidentially frightening.

Still smelling of roses

 

There we are!

It took us some time to find our names, as the entries are in order of contribution, not alphabetical.

Hall of Fame?

 

The Beach

The Tohatsu outboard (see also Damson Herald issue 6, Christmas 2005) finally completed its ten-hour ‘break in’ period and could be run at full throttle. Correctly trimmed and with only Matt on board it proved to be capable of a considerable turn of speed. The photograph shows Matt on the beach at Ledaig (North of Oban) with the boat.

Yes, all this goes inside the car, with the cats.

 

GT

During our autumn stay at La Hallerais we were befriended by a ginger tom-cat. We chose to call him GT (‘Ginger Tom’, in case it is not obvious enough). He is photographed on the bonnet of the Frontera, enjoying the residual heat from the engine. As a ‘feral’ cat it is likely that we will not see him again, as the site management is obliged to control the cats that choose to live there.

Please look after this cat

 

Old friends . .

Dugald and Matt have known each other since earliest childhood. That now amounts to sixty years of mutual awareness. It is one of life’s bonuses that we can still meet regularly, despite living in different countries.

. . sit on a park bench like bookends.