Keith - an old friend sadly missed. Thanks to Stuart ( not seen for 20 years - now in USA and must meet again soon) for sending one of these photos showing Keith - ever young. I will look out some old tapes - he had a very distinctive voice and some lovely lyrics. How do you convert tapes to computer?

Chairman Mao

Year of the Dog - Inverness Style

Montepulciano, almost 2 hours by bus from Siena is built along a narrow ridge some 600 m above sea level. The town was designed by Antonio da Sangallo the Elder for Cosimo I. The steep and narrow streets are crammed with Renaissance palazzi and churches. The town is best known for its Vino Nobile wines. The long and winding Corso climbs to the main square a perfect place to sample this tasty wine with some tasty nibbles and good company.

West Borneo, Province of Sabah, Malaysia - some wonderful jungle - home to some wonderful animals.

Sabah, Borneo, by the shores of the South China Sea and in the shadow of Mount Kinabalu - a lovely location improved by vivid sunsets.

HIGHLAND CROSS - a 50 mile duathalon from Kintail on the west to Beauly on the east coast of the Highlands. Some photos of finishers and recoverers in the local Caley Hotel Bar. Click for more info and map.

Rumi - a verse from his poem 'Whoever Brought Me Here'


Who looks out with my eyes? What is the soul?
I cannot stop asking.
If I could taste one sip of an answer,
I could break out of this prison for drunks.
I didn't come here of my own accord, and I can't leave that way.
Whoever brought me here, will have to take me home.

Rhododendrons in the garden and the notorious Nicolae Andruta Ceausescu 'Palace of the People' in Bucuresti - sorry no link but hope you enjoy the visit none-the-less -link to 'More or Less' site for more info on heros and killers.

Dunmoretoday in the garden - with temperatures in the mid-high twenties - just a little work to establish some new plants - tidy a new area for planting - and water some dry shrubs and small plants.

NORDKAPP - further north than the north of Alaska and further east than Istanbul - the most northerly point of Norway and often shrouded in sea mist. Well worth a visit if you find yourself so far north.

This makes really bright and cheery computer wallpaper - let me know if you want the 3mb version for great detail

Abbey - a lovely and friendly dog.

Plodda Falls near Cannich.....lots of wild flowers at this time of year. Still cold but sunnier today.Snow on Ben Wyvis.

Monterosso to Vernazza walk- which we took 3 hours to enjoy.... despite the guide saying much less. Enjoyed the colours both natural and built.

Mongolia- photo taken by my mum, Great photo I think - makes me want to go.

Glenuig- photo taken early one morning looking west - as far as I can remember....


Check the site -click here and go to Whats On for a great selection of musical events over the summer. The picture is of the well loved new hall which has been the home to many memorable events in its first 10 years.

Cibque Terre - another view - Vernazza - found a good bar just 100m down from train station- on the right - good craic.

Monterosso- visited recently and as the view shows - a beautiful place with lots of spectacular walks linking the five villages of the 'Cinque Terre' . Famous for lemons- you will be surrounded by them. email for more info - good accomodation but you may need to book as the villages are small and not many hotels.

Dunmore in the garden and created new low maintenance garden for colour....will plant for tulips and daffs in the spring and get ideas for colour in the autumn/winter - needs to be rabbit proof...and deer proof....and ...well at least the animals will enjoy a colourful meal....

Shetland - home to Blackwoods Gin- using local botanical ingredients from Shetland it's richly aromatic. Includes wild water mint, sea pink, angelica and juniper berries-all picked on Shetland by locals. I enjoyed a good dram today and recommend.

Plodda Falls - a small gem hidden up the back of Tomich. Visited with some friends and enjoyed the force of water and the closeness of nature. Click for info.

• 'Praise like gold and diamonds owes its value only to its scarcity'. Thinking about this saying I wondered how much it matters where the praise comed from.

• Made a trip to Edinburgh today and enjoyed a lovely 'original' chinese meal - Nanjing style- reminded me of my trip to China in 2000. Known as Jin Su cuisine itis notable for the emphasis placed on original flavor and selected raw ingredients. Dishes are traditionally bright in color and use only a moderate amount of seasoning.
• Dawn picture near my home.
  

Italy- going back- cant wait. Made plans today- here's a photo from some time back....

Old Inverness - not sure when this was painted? 1820?
Looking for a Romanian book I found the following search facility excellent Highland Library.
It gives access to a number pf catalogues including the National Library for Scotland. Not sure if they offer free email addresses but British Library do -click to find out more.

The Successor by Ismail Kadare - just finished this book. Man Booker International Winner 2005. Memories of Kafka - a 'psycological thriller' set in Albania. The forward states that 'any resemblance between the characters and circumstances in this tale and real people and events is inevitable' -says it all. No wasted words and lots of atmosphere. Having spent quite a bit of time in Romania and with Romanians - the eastern european state dominance comes alive. Recommended.

The new Scottish Parliament has drawn lots of comments from the press and media (no more than any other major building project). I had quite a few comments to make following my recent visit but overall I was very impressed with the design and layout. Its very easy to comment without seeing it - politically inspired comment on such a masterpiece is unfair. Have a look when next in Edinburgh.... you will be impressed I think. More photos at Parliament Photos

Marc Chagall- a small part of the wonderful windows in the Fraumunster Church in Zurich. I only managed to get good photos of a small part due to scale. Not sure who did the rose window but it looks like Chagall to me.

Committee- a group of people who individually can do nothing, but as a group can decide nothing can be done. Not sure who said this but I was reading some committee minutes and there's certainly some truth in the saying.

Today I walked to the end of our track with an older neighbour. He had spotted some mounds of dumped earth - probably from the foundations of a house extension. I had to admit I'd not noticed till a flourish of daffodils appeared on the mounds. What could have been a mess suddenly became an improvement. Not all dumping is a bad thing.

Watched Red Kite fly over the house. Dont have a good photo but remined of the Swans I watched on Lake at Zug.