A Solitude Of Hermits

BBC News - Colin Norris convictions 'unsafe'

2012-01-06T17:09:00.001Z

BBC News - Colin Norris convictions 'unsafe'

FREE COLIN NORRIS http://www.freecolinnorris.co.uk/

2012-01-06T17:09:00.000Z

Closing Blog

2010-09-24T14:07:00.000+01:00

I have spent the last few days closing down all my sites facebook twitter etc and my other blogs ,i have decided to keep only my main blog at the bus http://theblackbuscompany.blogspot.com
for the moment .

i will also keep my yout tube here

i would like to thank everyone for the comments here at hte solitude over the last year or so and hope you get all your dreams

peace and light

Andy

Naked From The Heart ( SOD U CANCER )

2010-09-16T00:56:00.000+01:00

A wee film dedicated to my wonderful beautiful strong wife Mel and to my home Scotland ,after fighting three lots of cancer including two lots of breast and one skin cancer even after spending three years living with a wrong diagnois of bone cancer . with the help of the Scottish mountains she is still here so daily we both shout loudly SOD U CANCER .peace and light from the daft wee hermits

The soundtrack is once again our friend Sally and Jezz

www.sallyhope.co.uk

STV CAME CALLING today an INTERVIEW for the HOUR SHOW

2010-09-08T19:25:00.000+01:00

We had a great day being filmed and interviewed for the Scottish television show The Hour ,it was to do with our way of life our crafts and how we use aternative energy to live without bills ,the best part of the day was seeing Mel perform her poem A Winters Morning , the interview will be shown within the next three weeks ...The film is part of a series to do with Scottish characters..Living in an old tin can in the Scottish highlands miles from anywhere it never ceases to amaze me the people you can meet via the laptop from all over the world .. Early night tonight as i am up at 4.00 am to head of to the beach to make a film for a band and our friend Kisty WHO.S EDNA ,i love working with musicians and if my wee film can help to get them noticed to me it is worth more than money..

A SIMPLE LIFE

2010-09-06T01:08:00.000+01:00

My latest wee film really enjoyed this journey and i hope you enjoy this wee film

Andy the dafthermit

Living a simple life off the grid WHY ????

2010-09-05T11:48:00.001+01:00

I have led what you might call an alternative lifestyle for over twenty five years now ,ever since leaving the army and apart from a couple of times trying to lead a NORMAL life well in the eyes of family and friends at the time ( which resulted in my house being broken into three times in one year by a friend i found out later ,simply because i worked hard at stating a business and done well

the people around me at the time got jealous and decided to help themselves .

so one day i got myself a wee caravan and headed back on the road and with NO regrets i travel the road of simplicity and wake every day free from debt and look forward to the next adventure like a wee boy at Xmas.

With the rise in technology it has made things easier and easier , but i only pick and choose what i want to make life simpler and greener for example solar and wind power a no brainer for me ,the thought of being tied to some large company that has control over my power both in supply and cost makes no sense and scares me , when i hear of some old person that has died simply because of the fear of turning on the fire or lights it annoys and at the same time reaffirms by belief in living green, yes at first the cost of the equipment is expensive but then i have sacrificed and saved hard to get the things that will carry on and produce power at no cost both to myself or the environment .

So at the hermit hovel i have both solar and wind power and a good supply of batteries .

another of the things i simply can’t get my head round WATER bills

so for the past 25 years i have collected my own water from streams or the rain that falls from the sky

So why do i live a simple green life ???????????????/,

easy freedom, freedom from bills and at the same till trying to look after my wee bit of the earth i happen to living on at the time .

to ability to up and go and not be tied down by debt

peace and light

Andy the dafthermit

FAIRY LULLABY WITH MOUNTAIN ECHO

2010-09-03T22:37:00.001+01:00

This is my latest wee film ,living the simple life i get so much time to think and while messing about on the laptop i came across this piece of music Fairy Lullaby not sure of the artist . anyway i hope you enjoy it

peace and light from the wee rusty tin can

FAIRY LULLABY WITH MOUNTAIN ECHO

2010-09-03T22:37:00.000+01:00

Living a simple free life,bureaucrats,jealousy and where do you go to the toilet ? , rose tinted glasses and some wee pictures . living FREE FREE FREE FREE

2010-08-31T15:34:00.002+01:00

Before i start with today’s post i thought you might like to see some pictures i managed to get yesterday on a wee wander up the hills at the back of us ..

A TIME TO THINK and regroup my beliefs

With myself and dogs exhausted after our long walk yesterday i was glad to hit the pit after several hours online catching up with emails etc ,so at 4.30am all quiet descended on the wee hovel high in the mountains ….

This morning i was wakened by the sound of Mel outside talking to someone and i lay there for several minutes trying to listen to the conversation and through a still half sleepy blurr i realised it was someone from the council.
I dragged myself out my bed and got dressed and opening the window i asked Mel to open the door ( which we close when visitors come to keep Dylan at bay )

With eyes still trying to peel themselves open from sleep ,i listened as it was explained that someone had text the council to complain that i had been writing on my blogs about living free and that they weren’t happy.

So after A YEAR AND A HALF Bureaucracy comes calling and with Democracy in full flow the fact that one single person can complain that then sets the wheels rolling has never surprised me ,so with the usual questions age, name etc etc and the one that always gets me
WHERE DO YOU GO TO THE Toilet ????? being my my favourite ,i was asked if i use chemicals which i don’t and i am proud that i simply shit in a bucket then lovingly return it to the earth but as always that answer is greeted with a look of disgust . so much better to cover the earth in proper blue chemical ..

with this ringing in my ears i then started to waken up as always the man from the council appears with a smile ( this never fools me) and after a conversation in which i was told that i see things through rose tinted glasses a phrase that stirs me up and always has ,so quick to judge then pin me down

Far from rose tinted the life that we have both lived has made certain that our eyes are wide open and if truth be said i would rather have rose tinted specs on than be BLIND to life ..

While listening to the red-tape man it was hard to concentrate the mountains where looking incredible a buzzard glides past truly free and calls out ,and the thought that we are travelling at thousands of miles per hour around the sun and at the same time the whole system spins in the wonder that is space just made me smile as always ( sorry just the daft old git waffling on again)

To the women that has been reading my blogs that then text the council :
I am sorry that my lifestyle and beliefs have upset you .The fact that i try to live a FREE life , I WILL NEVER change the fact that i talk about the use of alternative energy enabling me to not have any electric bills or the fact that i collect my water and thus no water bill, or the fact that i recycle all my rubbish saving the council a wee bit ,and at the same time tidying all the laybys from Braemore to Aultguish i will not stop talking about this
I pay my way …

The one point that is always hurled at us the fact that we don’t pay council tax , i have asked countless councils to pay tax and always just get told to sod of but in a more formal way , i have always said that they can introduce a TRAMP TAX OR FREE SPIRIT tax and i will happily pay that along with my other bills.

I served 6 years in the British army for queen and country and although i was nor involved in a war .I have had this hurled at me by both family and people in general ,the fact is i got of my arse and signed up and if i had been asked to fight i would have laid down my life for the country ( although nowadays my whole opinion on the army has changed ( just pawns for the rich gits ) and for people that sit at home and spout their opinions from a cosy armchair by the fire , while soldiers die in muck and guts and are then spat at on return home ( although this has changed a lot in the last few years )

I have along with my wife worked in various jobs including driving careworker and many more and because the money we earned was invested in solar ,windpower ,tools etc instead of the latest shoes or holiday etc don’t you dare have a go at me because we are able to take life at an easy pace , the fact that i listened to my old gran and have no debt as i refused to join in the plastic card society don’t then have a go when you are in debt up to your bloody neck if i sacrificed the holidays for a sustainable debt free life then i am sorry but sod off and pay your credit card and keep your opinions to yourself i say .

I now take care of my wife ,who after several battles with cancer and the ongoing affects from chemo and radiotherapy just wants to live a free from stress life as far as possible (god there s that word again FREE) life and i will do all i can to give her it..

I work hard now with musicians ,artists ,business’s etc to get the word out how wonderful Scotland is. and if i can in any way help someone to keep there business going through people visiting my blogs ,films,and pictures then at least i feel i am giving back to Scotland in some little way …

so wherever you are today reading this GO for your dreams and NEVER let them grind you down

peace and light from the wee fat bald FREE dafthermit xx

So now we wait for the eviction process to begin … ( should be a good wee film at least for next years Loch Ness film festival)

LONG LIVE FREEDOM , ONE LIFE

and today i will be setting up a “TRAMP TAX / FREE SPIRIT TAX we want to pay the community tax campaign”

See what some of my friends on Facebook think click here

Living the simple life,frogs ,bees , filmmaker and willow trees

2010-08-24T22:11:00.002+01:00

The ever changing view from the bedroom window,The simple life is getting easier but as always the simple life needs so much work and planning to get any results.

A new order has been placed at Maplins for exterior solar lights and so with them fixed the lighting around the wee bus will be finished and as always lighting without bills magic .

The summer has been so busy and there never seems to be enough hours in the day but as we head towards my favourite time of the year the Winter the pace quickens .

I have placed an order for 100 6ft willow trees which should be delivered sometime in November

I have always loved the willow plant so versatile

at a growing rate of up to 6 ft per year the create a quick screen for privacy

also they allow cover for birds insect etc

and after 2 to 3 years you can start to collect fire wood so eventually we will be totally self sufficient with regards wood another bill gone

not forgetting the fact that they produce oxygen .

Found this wee chap inside the horsebox he looked like he was on his last legs but i slowly picked him up and carried him to some flowers and watched as over an hour he regained his strength and was soon flying and buzzing between plants doing all humans the favour of pollination so we can all eat

With the rapid decline across the planet of this wee insect it feels good to help as much as possible this wee one.

While stacking all the wood after another delivery we came across this wee chap and after a couple of snaps i moved him to the new log pile and watched as he nudged his way deeper into the log pile .

Life in the mountains has so many rewards but to me the animals insects and birds are simply wonderful to watch and be around.

The Blackbus has now got its own postcode so i have made a sign and a large letterbox to placed near the road so the postie can quickly pop in the mail

Got an email today to say we have someone coming in a couple of weeks to do half a days filming about us for a film he is doing about life in the Scottish highlands

Also it is a little over a month till my films will be shown at the Loch Ness Film Festival so all in all the simple life is getting more and more busier

peace and light from us all here

Live your dreams

My mind my heart

2010-08-15T01:40:00.001+01:00

My wee latest film about my mind my heart trying to use a visual image to describe what goes on in a dafthermits brain lol

Hope you enjoy it

peace and light

NO to anymore PYLONS in the Scottish highlands | causes.com

2010-08-11T13:47:00.001+01:00

NO to anymore PYLONS in the Scottish highlands | causes.com

just reached 140 members many many thanks everyone for the support

Living in the wonderful highlands of Scotland i have been able to get my creativity back with a vengence.Looking out from my wee bus at the mountains and the weather that rolls in from the Atlantic i find my mind and heart fulll of inspiration and ideas both for my films and for my photography and writing for my many blogs .This wee film is my attempt to show a wee glimce into my daft brain

2010-08-06T05:59:00.000+01:00

Living in the wonderful highlands of Scotland i have been able to get my creativity back with a vengence.Looking out from my wee bus at the mountains and the weather that rolls in from the Atlantic i find my mind and heart fulll of inspiration and ideas both for my films and for my photography and writing for my many blogs .This wee film is my attempt to show a wee glimce into my daft brain

A new crochet blanket is born in the highlands , Mel is so talented with a set of needles or crochet needle i love to watch her create a new thing be it a scarf blanket or hat

2010-08-06T04:13:00.000+01:00

A new crochet blanket is born in the highlands , Mel is so talented with a set of needles or crochet needle i love to watch her create a new thing be it a scarf blanket or hat

“NO” TO More PYLONS in the Scottish Highlands

2010-07-21T02:16:00.001+01:00

There is a chance that they are going to run some huge pylons all the way from ullapool to Beauly and beyond

This is a wee film with links to try to stop this rape of our wonderful mountains please take a wee minute and lend your support

many thanks

Andy the dafthermit

Peace and light

http://www.hbp.org.uk/

URGENT HELP NEEDED Hats for sale ( save a hermit)

2010-07-21T00:53:00.002+01:00

CLICK ON HAT YOU LIKE TO MAKE A BID ON EBAY

Help Needed
It is late on a Tuesday night here in the Scottish mountains ,outside the rain is beating doon and the mist has enveloped us ,no fire in the hearth as we have run oot of wood so no sign of the two wee starving hermits is visible.

The cupboards are bare and cobwebs stretch from door to door even our cat Wilkie has wrapped a hanky around a pole and attached it to a wee stick and mumbling something about he is off to find someone to give him a meal .. any meal

No food is in any cupboards save a wee rusty tin of mustard till Monday…

Will we make it ????
Who knows so if no more blog posts appear, forgive me and it has been amazing to meet you all here as else where on the net

We have managed to with the last of our joint strength to make and put the two wee hats up for sale on Ebay so if you can please help save two wee hermits from a cold and certain death ..

then pop over a place a wee bid on Ebay

LOVE AND PEACE TO YOU ALL and farewell to all my wonderful friends xx

Click here if you wish to place a wee bid

Buy A Pylon save the highlands

2010-07-17T15:59:00.002+01:00

Take a good look at the view above ,in the next few years this view will be destroyed for ever .

                                THIS MUST NOT HAPPEN to our wonderful highlands

Equipment needed : To Help STOP THIS
JCB’S
Flatbeds
Cutting equipment
Cranes

EBAY LISTING : HIGHLAND GIVEAWAY COMING SOON

FOR SALE ONE SECONDHAND PYLON
Unused
cost £1.00
either buyer collects or delivery can be arranged for a small fee
if you collect please call at the site between 2.00 am and 6.00 am ( bring a torch dismantling equipment available on site)

                                       With the price of scrap at an all time high this is an chance not to be missed…..

                                                                                JOB OPPORTUNITY
                                                   …………………………………………….

                                                                  Pylon Pincher
Calling all dodgy fly by night types sick of getting caught for wee bits of scrap an new and exciting opportunity has arisen in the beautiful Highlands .

expand your horizons why mess about with wee bits of wire when ton upon ton of high grade steel and copper are available to you for the taking..

have a holiday at the same time as getting rich and a wee side line you will be doing your bit for the environment ..

The successful applicant will have little or no skill but must have a drive to work hard

HOURS:       To suit but mostly nighshift and possible weekends away
Pay        :      This is up to you the sky is the limit ( and of course the international metal markets)
Equipment :   This can be supplied at a small admin cost
Transport :     Must have own transport as you will need to take the dismantled pylon away each night
Insurance :     Why bother just another cost
Fuel :              Nay bother bring a wee tube and sorted …( warning this may damage your health)
Food :             Italian stew can be supplied throughout the night ( may cause some side affects)
Accomadation Everything from 5 star Hotels to a tent your choice as money will be no object
Investment :     Each successful applicant must pay the £1 ( no excuses) up front for their pylon although hp can be arranged

for further info and application form

please email :   i’mgoingtobestinkingrich@gmail.com
phone           : 999 night time only ( the phone lines are manned by people that care at all times ready to help you reach your goal)

                                                                                HEALTH AND SAFETY
    WARNING WARNING WARNING WARNING WARNING WARNING WARNING WARNING
…………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………

At all times safety helmets and high vis jackets along with good boots MUST be worn at all times while on site visiting or working … anyone that fails to obey this will be given a bonus ….

Broadband Satellite System Beyondsl

2010-07-13T21:27:00.002+01:00

OUR WEE home

As many of you know i live with Mel well away from the grid etc aboard our old bus ,two years ago i took the plunge and dived into the world of hi tec ,buying a laptop and camera well for the first year or so i was using Dial-up and was satisfied with this ,but as my journey with my photography and eventually my start at making small films from here in the Scottish highlands wee films showing our green simple life and showing off the treasure that is the Scottish Highlands .
I started to find the limit to dial up, i had heard of Satellite systems but to be honest i was worried about the cost and how complicated the whole thing would be to set up and run especially as we tend to move a fair bit.
Well after much hunting around the net i finally came across BEYONDSL and i can not recommend them highly enough from buying the system to getting it up an running they have helped all the way even when my modem packed up ,a new replacement was dispatched no cost and i was quickly up and running again..
So i urge you that if you are thinking of getting a satellite system then visit Beyondsl because if even i can install and run it ,it must be easy.

Some company info

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RECYCLING DAY AT THE BLACKBUS

2010-06-20T07:55:00.001+01:00

HEAVEN ON EARTH a wee film from the tin can in the Scottish Highlands

2010-06-20T01:20:00.001+01:00

KEEPING THE HIGHLANDS TIDY doing our wee bit to keep Scotland BEAUTIFUL

2010-06-19T00:10:00.001+01:00

KEEPING THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS TIDY

2010-06-18T22:46:00.000+01:00

Celebration a wee film to celelbrate 12 years of marriage to Mel

2010-06-11T00:08:00.001+01:00

Celestine Prophecy

2010-05-24T04:19:00.000+01:00

Cry From The Deep

2010-05-22T23:51:00.001+01:00

Cry From The Deep

Open your bloody eyes ( wee beastie in a bucket)

2010-05-20T21:38:00.001+01:00

Last night was a lovely warm night up here in the mountains and sitting outside enjoying it i noticed a wee beastie in the water barrel struggling it’s wee legs flaying in an attempt to save itself ,i reached in and scooped it up and out and gently placed it on the ground.

Over the next few minutes i watched as it eagerly cleaned and dried itself its wings once again held stiff and out right the last small droplet of water expelled from its delicate body .

until with a wee leap it was once again able to be airborne

smiling as it gained height

i got up to go in and get my late night cup of coffee when a loud buzz approached i watched as the wee beastie dived at me and landing on my lip took a good hold and bit me ,then headed off up the glen..

As my lip began to swell i smiled at the lesson i had just been shown ..

Instinct ,life and survival all in a water barrel.

The news that has filtered in to us through our wee radio here in the tin can this week has really disturbed me and just like that wee beastie it feels as though sometimes we are all flaying around to survive and instead of using our brain which we have been gifted ,blessed or simply evolved with we resort to instinct and the mob mentality

rules and unsaid forms of behaviour from the distant primary school days come back to me and just like bullies then ,bullies now wander the world ,the only difference is in the scale .

Anyone that has the guts to stand up and speak out are gunned down either verbally or with a hidden snipers bullet and again the world is plunged into the darkness..

while sitting at the carpark in Dingwall i watched as woman approached a massive smile beaming out

i opened the window and before i could say anything she smiled and began to thank me ,unsure what it was i had done i listened as she continued to thank me a wish there were more people around like me .

eventually i found out what i had done and it was simply that while driving into town i had stopped and let a load of cars out from a side road

Eventually she headed of to the shops waving and smiling

A little later Mel came out and told me that the woman had found her in the shop and while Mel was busy loading her bags told her that she had such a lovely husband..

To me and that woman for a wee moment the world seemed like a wonderful place and why

simply because someone takes the time to stop and let someone and out and then smiles are exchanged ..

We all need to open our eyes and speak out and simply say enough is enough we will not stand by as the bullies barge their way through life without a care for their fellow humans or the environment

I pray that one day we will all be blessed with a leader or a country that leads the way to a brighter world

as i said i listened to the radio and one report was about the crisis in Korea and the sinking of the south Korean ship over a month ago ..

Then a shudder of fear gripped my body as the reporter stated that America had informed the south that they would stand by them

again images of primary school days flooded my wee brain

we need leaders not bullies and people that simply follow the popular vote so that they can continue to have power

Image for a moment that The president of America took an approach of humility instead of beating his chest and went to the border of North and south Korea and let it be know he wanted to simply to talk to the leader of the north

like what happened here with the IRA ,you will never win anything by simply trying to over power people with force and like what happened in Vietnam when you come up against people that believe in more than just money and burgers no matter how much force you use you will lose

The only way is to break away from the school yard and TALK TALK and when that fails talk talk again

If the president approached the border naked and ready to talk

the message that would send out would be far more powerful than all the attack helicopters and troops you could muster

Here in the UK some people still have the belief that we rule the world still with images of that pink map and our long lost empires

so still we plough huge amounts of money into weapons etc money that we can not afford but we must keep up the pretence that we are a super power

like the wee guy in the play ground that is willing to do anything to be accepted into the gang ..

so sad and humiliating

The other main topic is the oil spill as it is described ( thoughts of a spilled cup of milk) funny how a few words can lessen something so serious

this is not a simply a spill it is a huge crisis possibly one of the largest we have had happen

will this make us all stop and question what we are doing .i think not as a person that once lived in the rat race and all that that brings time is simply the main issue

a quick look at the screen as you rush out the door a slice of toast hanging from your gob the bills that are on their way ,that never stop the new sofa the new tv the car payments ,the MORTGAGE

must be paid

but a quick grunt at the screen wow that is terrible

but rush rush and the daily battle numbs down any thoughts of what we are doing to the planet

This disaster will have effects far more reaching

that have not even been talked about .. YET..

So as i sit here in my wee tin can and write this waffle it drives me to wanting to change not only myself and my countless faults but everything around me i look for lessons in Nature and usually the answers are there as well ,but above all i hope for change

I pray that the world will grow up and think a little more mature than we did in our primary school days ….

peace and light

Andy the dafthermit x

LIFE

……………………….

Life from the smallest as yet undiscovered creature in the deepest ocean to the largest animal swimming our wonderful planet

we are all connected and if we mess up what to us seems small and of no matter WILL come back to haunt us all

if the next oil disaster happens in the Artic then all life on the planet will be affected , the Artic is the garden of the oceans

we must stop the oil drilling there NOW and for once put our planet first before our constant need to upgrade

Cry from the deep

2010-05-20T02:11:00.000+01:00

Golden Eagle ( my tribute to the GOLDEN EAGLE ) yet again the sods have killed more eagles and birds of prey

2010-05-13T00:37:00.002+01:00

May 12 2010
THE deaths of three golden eagles in the Highlands of Scotland are being investigated by detectives, it was revealed today.
The eagles and a number of other birds of prey were found dead in the same area of East Sutherland during the past week.
They have been sent to Edinburgh for forensic analysis to establish whether the deaths were suspicious. It is not yet known whether the birds were poisoned.
Northern Constabulary officers are working on the investigation with the RSPB, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the National Wildlife Crime Unit.
Police appealed for anyone with information about the deaths to contact them.
An SNH spokesman said: "We are aware of a current investigation by Northern Constabulary which potentially involves wildlife crime."
There have been many cases of eagles being poisoned around Scotland in recent years.
Last June, one was found dead in the Glen Orchy area of Argyll, having died from poisoning caused by toxic insecticide, while last July a poisoned eagle was found dead in Glen Esk in Angus.
Golden eagles live mainly on the open moorlands and mountains of the Highlands in Scotland, though a few are found in Cumbria.
An estimated 442 breeding pairs are in the UK.
They are threatened by habitat change and illegal killing and the RSPB lists them as birds of conservation concern.
An RSPB Scotland spokesman said: "Subject to confirmation by the authorities, this is an extremely serious incident.
"Our staff are working closely with the Northern Constabulary, the National Wildlife Crime Unit and Scottish Natural Heritage to assist with the police investigation."

link to story in the Daily Record click here
Thoughts of the Dafthermit:

To me a wee daft fat bald git who lives in an old bus

The person and people that do this to OUR Golden Eagles

should be dragged to the square in Inverness on a Saturday night

Their balls should be cut off dipped in poison and stuffed down their throats
and finally the talons from the eagle should be rammed up their arse

peace and light ……………………………….

From his nest high up on the south facing cliff an eagle watches as the sun rises in the east, slowly at first as if unsure it will make it up an over the mountain top.
He had lived many years in these glens and mountains distant memories of his first tentative flight out and over the heather moorland far below.
The early morning mist had receded grudgingly to the west and Ullapool far off
today was going to be a good day for the hunt …
by 11.00 0’clock the sun was beating down the skies were a blue of near perfection
He leaned forward on the nest and with one final look at the chicks gently rolled out and over the cliff edge .
Falling 10 feet then 20 he tumbled to the earth far below
but this master of the skies was playing with the air as a champion boxer toys with an opponent he knows he has mastered.
As the speed increased he gently unfurls one wing then the other and dips to his right and away from the cliff edge
The air rushed up and filled the full length of the wings..
Then all below stand in awe and look up at the master of the Scottish highland skies his full wingspan 6 feet and more .
His feathers golden ,his eyes a deep and knowing black .
A loud call that sets of across the distant glens that all Scots know .
To me as a scot whenever i have been away from Scotland ,the two things that would bring a tear to my eye and a longing to be home.
The sound of the bagpipes and the call of the Eagle ….
He set of across the glen to one of his favourite places to hunt

Passing over the river he swooped round sure he had spotted something to the edge of the river
letting the air escape from his wings he glided slowly downward till he was certain
A rabbit lay across a post an EASY meal on this sunny highland day ..

With yet another call ,this time to his partner high up in the nest to let her know he had found some food ..

After a couple of mouth full’s of fresh meat he grasped the rabbit tightly in his mighty talons and leapt into the air ,happy that his family would feed well today …

A few powerful beats from his wings and within seconds he was soaring in an ever increasing circle gaining height faster and faster ,until he had enough height to simply soar to the cliff nest and his family ..
The calls between the family echoed out across the mountains all excited at the thought of the meal
He dipped his wing and headed to the nest
WHEN a pain the like he had never felt shot out and quickly enveloped his whole body ,unsure what was happening he struggled to stay in flight but then more pain filled his body until he lost control of his prey that plummeted to the ground .

He struggled to fly but with total loss of all his muscles his wings folded in a twisted wrap around his body
He called in desperation to his partner a scream this time
no magical call
simply pain and fear .

Then ,and no matter how hard he tried to stop it
the plunge to the ground and death began ..
A final call was quickly followed by a sound i hope to never hear ever again as long as i live ..
The Golden eagle lay on the ground his wings and legs at strange angles every bone has been smashed and a tiny whimper from him said he still tried to battle the poison within ..
High in the cliff the female darted from her nest and dash across the sky soon found her by his side ..
I watched as the female nudged him and called
but i could see his eyes had closed the poison had WON.
For the rest of the day and into the night the female let out call after call to her partner but as the sun rose in the morning she knew he had gone and with the chicks calling for food she had no choice she had to go
so with a final SCREAM to MAN she grabbed the rabbit and headed to the nest .

………..May you continue to soar my friend safe and secure away from man ….
LINKS TO THE DEATH OF EAGLES :

http://raptorpersecutionscotland.wordpress.com/tag/golden-eagle/

http://raptorpolitics.org.uk/?p=279

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/eagle-poisoned373.html#cr

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/breaking-news/uk-ireland/poison-threatens-golden-eagle-plans-14705138.html

Article: Shocking death of golden eagle

http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-182528462.html

Article: Fury as another golden eagle is poisoned

http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-20504647.html

Article: Oldest known wild golden eagle dies on island of ...
The Independent on Sunday ; August 16, 2009 ; 295 words ... News in brief :: BIRDLIFE The oldest known wild golden eagle in the UK has died, RSPB Scotland said yesterday. The eagle, which was found dead on the island of Jura off the west coast of Scotland, was 22 years old. It ...

Article: Golden eagle is our national bird
The Scotsman ; August 28, 2004 ; James Reynolds Environment Correspondent; 700+ words ... Until that point, the golden eagle - championed by Tory MSP ... Parliament calling for the golden eagle to be officially recognised ... Stuart Housden, director of RSPB Scotland, said: "The golden eagle is a very fitting species ...

Article: Golden Eagle Award awaits champion of conservation
The Sunday Herald ; December 14, 2003 ; Rob Edwards; Environment Editor; 686 words ... Birds (RSPB) in Scotland. The Golden Eagle Award is due to be the highlight of RSPB Scotland's centenary celebrations next ... sending in the form below. The Golden Eagle Award will be presented by broadcaster ...

Article: Fury as another golden eagle is poisoned
The Scotsman ; June 20, 2009 ; FRANK URQUHART; 694 words ... THE killing of a golden eagle in Scotland was condemned ... another poisoning of a golden eagle. This is an unacceptable ... investigations with RSPB Scotland, also hit out at the ... followed the poisoning of a golden eagle in the Borders in August ...

Article: Golden eagle is found poisoned on Deeside
Press and Journal, The Aberdeen (UK) ; July 21, 2006 ; Andy Philip; 462 words ... A Golden eagle poisoned on Deeside earlier this year was found ... across the region to look after wildlife. Senior RSPB Scotland investigations officer Dave Dick said the dead golden eagle was likely to have swallowed the poison close to ...

Article: Golden eagle falls prey to poison bait trap
The Scotsman ; May 24, 2000 ; James Rougvie; 700+ words ... A YEAR-OLD golden eagle has been killed by poison on a Scottish ... 21st century." Keith Morton, RSPB Scotland investigations officer, called ... Stuart Housden, the director of RSPB Scotland, said four golden eagles had been ...

Article: `Disastrous' year for golden eagle killings in ...
The Independent - London ; December 28, 2000 ; Melanie Harvey; 448 words ... THIS YEAR was the worst on record for golden eagle poisoning in Scotland, the Royal Society ... senior investigations officer for the RSPB Scotland, said 2000 had been "disastrous ... estates." Stuart Housden, director of RSPB Scotland, called on estate managers to ensure ...

Article: MSPs reject move for golden eagle to be Scots icon
The Scotsman ; December 6, 2006 ; Hamish Macdonell Scottish Political Editor; 700+ words ... action on behalf of the golden eagle. The decision was ... would help both the golden eagle population and the ... bird protection body RSPB Scotland but both he and The ... national symbol and the golden eagle was already an unofficial ...

……………………………………..
Thoughts of the Dafthermit:

To me a wee daft fat bald git who lives in an old bus

The person and people that do this to OUR Golden Eagles

should be dragged to the square in Inverness on a Saturday night

Their balls should be cut off dipped in poison and stuffed down their throats
and finally the talons from the eagle should be rammed up their arse

peace and light ……………………………….

GOLDEN EAGLE
© compiled from Scottish Natural Heritage and Forestry Commission sources.
Golden eagles are huge birds of prey
with a wing span of over 2 metres. They
can soar and glide high in the sky using
air currents to help them. They are a
dark brown colour with a paler golden
brown head. Young eagles have white
patches on their wings and tail. Golden
eagles have strong hooked beaks for
tearing the flesh of their prey. Their legs
are feathered and they have strong,
large, yellow feet which they use to grip
and kill animals. Their claws or talons
are sharp and curved and pierce the
body of any animal that they catch.
Golden eagles have large eyes
and very sharp eyesight. They
can see detail several times
better than humans and
can spot a rabbit
2km away.
Nest and eggs
A golden eagle’s nest, called an eyrie, is
usually found on a mountain ledge or
crag, or in a very tall tree. It is a large,
wide nest, made out of sticks and
branches. The same
eyries are used again
and again. As more
nest material is added
to them over several
years they can grow as
much as 3 metres deep.
Golden eagles lay two
eggs 2–5 days apart. The
female sits on the eggs over
a period of about 6 weeks. The
male brings in food for her and
occasionally takes a turn at
sitting on the eggs.
Both eggs hatch but
usually only one chick
survives to become an adult.
The young birds are covered in fluffy,
white down feathers and look very
different from their parents. They depend
Aquila chrysaetos
on the parents for food until they are old
enough to hunt for themselves. The
strongest chick takes most of the food
that is brought to the nest. A young
eagle starts to fly when it is about 11
weeks old. During the autumn it stays
with its parents and learns how to hunt.
Eventually it will leave them and look for
a territory of its own.
Food and feeding
Golden eagles feed on medium sized
mammals and birds, including rabbits,
hares and grouse. If they cannot find
these animals they will eat other birds
and mammals. They hunt in several
different ways. Sometimes they soar
high in the sky and then glide or swoop
down quickly in attack. They also hunt
by flying close to the ground, catching
their prey by surprise. They will fly
several miles in search of food.
Instead of hunting for themselves golden
eagles will also eat the bodies of dead
animals, including deer and sheep.
Where do they live?
Golden eagles live in mountain areas
with few trees. They avoid areas that are
farmed or where there are a lot of
people.
A pair of golden eagles occupy a large
area of as much as 30 square miles
which is called their home range. The
home range includes the area within
which they hunt for animals and several
eyries. Part of the range is used only by
the pair and they will defend this as their
territory.
Golden eagles and humans
In the past golden eagles, along with
many other birds of prey, were
persecuted by shepherds and
gamekeepers. They are now fully
protected by law but some are still shot,
poisoned and trapped. Golden eagle
nests are also still sometimes robbed of
young birds or eggs.
During the 1950s and 1960s golden
eagles, like other birds of prey, were
affected by the use of new pesticides. It
was later discovered that these
chemicals remained poisonous long after
they had been applied and they are now
banned. It is thought that in the case of
golden eagles sheep dip was the main
problem. As the golden eagles fed on
the dead bodies of sheep that had been
dipped, the levels of poison gradually
built up in the eagles’ bodies until they
became harmful. The eggs that the
poisoned birds laid had thinner shells
which broke very easily, so they could
not produce any chicks.
Sometimes golden eagles die because
they eat poisoned bait that has been laid
out to kill other predators, such as foxes
and crows.
Changes in the golden eagle’s habitat
can make it a less suitable place for
them to feed and breed. In some parts of
Scotland there are so many deer and
sheep grazing on the moorland that
there is not enough heather left to feed
other animals. This means fewer grouse
and mountain hares and in turn less live
food for the eagles. Where there are
fewer live prey golden eagles are less
likely to rear their chicks successfully.
However high numbers of deer and
sheep do mean that more carrion is
available and this can lead to a rise in
the number of golden eagles found in an
area.
Golden eagles search for food in open
areas and cannot hunt in dense
woodland. This means that when
forestry plantations are created on open
ground in upland areas they make it an
unsuitable habitat for golden eagles.
More and more people are using the
countryside for recreation. Climbers,
birdwatchers and photographers can
disturb golden eagles and stop them
from breeding successfully.
Finding out more
Scottish Birds
Valerie Thom (Collins)
The Birds of Scotland
Emilio Dicerbo (Lochar Publishing Ltd)
Golden Eagles
Roy Dennis and Laurie Campbell (Colin
Baxter)
The Golden Eagle
Jeff Watson (Poyser)
How you can help
You could become involved with groups
of other people concerned with the
future of Scotland’s wildlife. Check your
local library for information about groups
in your area.
The Young Ornithologists Club (YOC),
which is the junior section of the RSPB,
produces a magazine and Scottish
newsletter which include information
about environmental issues and give you
the chance to help wildlife by taking part
in projects and surveys.
Contact: RSPB, Dunedin House, 25
Ravelston Terrace, Edinburgh EH4 3TP
Glossary
Habitat
The place in which an animal or plant
lives.
Pesticide
A chemical that is used to kill pests.
Plantation
An area of planted woodland (often used
to describe large areas recently planted,
mainly with conifers).
Predator
An animal that kills and eats other
animals.
Prey
An animal that is killed and eaten by
another animal.
Territory
The area in which an animal or group of
animals lives and which they defend
against other animals of the same kind.
This factsheet may be reproduced for individual or class use, but not for publication or resale

A wee film from the highlands i made with the first track From Catriona Watt and her band from up here in the highlands of scotland

2010-05-05T00:24:00.001+01:00

a few places to visit her

http://www.musicscotland.com/cd/catriona-watt-cadal-cuain-musicscotland.html

http://www.footstompin.com/artists/catriona_watt

http://www.myspace.com/catrionawattband

i hope you enjoy

A wee film from the highlands i made with the first track From Catriona Watt and her band from up here in the highlands of scotland

2010-05-05T00:17:00.001+01:00

a few places to visit her

http://www.musicscotland.com/cd/catriona-watt-cadal-cuain-musicscotland.html

http://www.footstompin.com/artists/catriona_watt

http://www.myspace.com/catrionawattband

i hope you enjoy

Inspiration

2010-04-30T12:54:00.003+01:00

The smell of a flower
A full moon
A new moon
The flow of a river…….
Wood smoke drifting
The colour blue
mountains
desert
the smell and taste of a fish supper,
the call of a fog horn
the smile of a child
rainbows
wind in the trees….
a sunrise
the dawn chorus
the flight of an eagle
the buzz of a bee,
the bark of a stag
and croak of a thousand frogs…..
the movement of a field of golden wheat in the early summer
oak
silver birch covered in moss
the flutter of a butterfly
the nudge of a dog
the purr from a contented cat..
clouds in a blue sky
the trail of a comet
a sky filled to overflow of stars.
coffee roasting
fresh bread resting..
a v8 engine
the sound of a flute
the roar at Hamden
the kiss of a loved one
the hug of a stranger
the flow and ebb of a tide on a pebble beach
a warm cosy bed
the roar of a fire
red
green
silver
and gold
the call of an eagle
the chirp of a pied wagtail
music
poetry
a horse in full gallop

These are some things that inspire me
what about YOU ???….

Writers block / deluge or should that be creative block/deluge…

2010-04-29T21:16:00.002+01:00

“EMERGENCE”

Over the last few weeks i have seen this question asked over and over ..

Writers block how do you cope with it ?
For me the exact opposite has always been my problem ( if it is a problem)

Since i was a wee boy i have always been a person that rejoices in learning and like a wee boy i was so excited at having learned something or other .( but learned at an early age to hide this outward show of joy at learning )
The older i get this thought process has not stopped in fact as i have said now i have hundreds of ideas flood my wee brain daily ( just ask Mel lol)..
I see a flower

i want to write, draw and make a wee film about it and while i am thinking of how to do this another thing or idea flashes into my brain and off i go down that route and so it continues throughout the day . only stopping briefly while i drift of to sleep but then the wee boy takes over and my dreams are full of ideas for the next day (often i will wake to write something down then drift of to the land of nod till the next one emerges ) then as my brain fills and i am forced to get out of bed and head to the horsebox and make a start on the latest wee idea .

When i was younger i turned to alcohol as a way to shut down my creative side ,i would get as many cans usually Guiness and close the outside door to the world turn up the music and escape from all the negative stuff around me at the time .

At 49 and with the help of a camera and laptop i am able to at last release that wee excited boy and truly rejoice in life and not feel the burden of others with their negative thoughts that they thought was ok to off load onto me ,even though i now know it was just a way for them to feel better about themselves simply to attack someone that is truly in awe with life .

So now i no longer drink and take very little drugs even for a headache instead my craft has become my life and through my writing photography films etc i am able to be truly at peace with the world .

I am able to wake in the mountains of Scotland and wander bare foot ,i am able to simply dance under the moon and wave my bare arse at the negative thoughts and love the fact that i am blessed with the ability to see the colours smell the smells feel the cold highland water between my dirty toes and then put it onto film
and through comments i get
i know that other people draw inspiration from them
and this fills my old heart with even more joy and drives me on to write better etc
But at times my wee brain feels like it will explode with ideas and just wondered if you get this ?

HOW DO YOU COPE WITH WRITERS DELUGE ?
Andy the Dafthermit

a wee fat bald hermit

Eagle the shame of man

2010-04-27T00:48:00.001+01:00

Golden Eagle ( my tribute to the GOLEN EAGLE )

2010-04-26T15:57:00.002+01:00

Article: Shocking death of golden eagle

http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-182528462.html

Article: Fury as another golden eagle is poisoned

Flickr Pictures and comments

2010-04-25T00:57:00.002+01:00

#1: freezer

only time of the year we get to have ice in our drinks
free freezer
• 320 views / 12 people count this as a favorite / 60 comments

#2: On Reflection

This to me is the complete joy that photography has brought to me ,the simple thing of play again
• 144 views / 8 people count this as a favorite / 30 comments

#3: Autumn walk

3hrs on the summit
• 130 views / 5 people count this as a favorite / 30 comments

#4: Little one

found this wee one by the bus ,but sadly he didn't make it so i buried him under a tree xx
• 81 views / 8 people count this as a favorite / 29 comments

#5: BIG "Sioux"

Think we might stay the night
• 64 views / 3 people count this as a favorite / 25 comments

#6: Pure

• 69 views / 3 people count this as a favorite / 24 comments

#7: Yesterdays visitor on Flickr

beauty beyond belief
• 99 views / 5 people count this as a favorite / 23 comments

#8: Eternal Cycle

A Gift
• 87 views / 3 people count this as a favorite / 21 comments

#9: Happy New Year All

all the best for 2009 from andy & mel x
• 36 views / Nobody counts Happy New Year All as a favorite / 21 comments

#10: SOD U CANCER

My Brave Wife
• 104 views / 3 people count this as a favorite / 21 comments

#11: Hermit Sky

The Joy Of The Scottish Highlands
• 105 views / 5 people count this as a favorite / 20 comments

#12: New home

• 48 views / Nobody counts New home as a favorite / 17 comments

#13: Layby 56 ( A9 Highland Dream )

my first couple of attempts with photoshop
• 206 views / 1 person counts this as a favorite / 17 comments

#14: last day at crawford 016

• 40 views / 2 people count this as a favorite / 17 comments

#15: wee bird found on road 005-2

such beauty
• 43 views / 1 person counts this as a favorite / 16 comments

#16: chloe

our wee cat
• 67 views / 1 person counts this as a favorite / 15 comments

#17: Peace

• 56 views / 2 people count this as a favorite / 15 comments

#18: 3 steps

B l a c k M a g i c
• 61 views / 2 people count this as a favorite / 13 comments

#19: Custard & Dylan At Play

Simple fun and games as all animal lovers know watching them at play is so wonderful
and when they got home straight to sleep in front of the wood burner true Bliss....
• 33 views / 3 people count this as a favorite / 13 comments

#20: new home

• 30 views / Nobody counts new home as a favorite / 13 comments

#21: New Home

and only £5 a week rent
• 38 views / Nobody counts New Home as a favorite / 13 comments

#22: Crystal Flower

• 26 views / 1 person counts this as a favorite / 13 comments

#23: A wee Burn

theblackbuscompany.blogspot.com/
• 28 views / 3 people count this as a favorite / 13 comments

#24: passed mot on bus

what a story cost a pound but i have got over the shock of opening my wallet ,just
• 54 views / Nobody counts passed mot on bus as a favorite / 13 comments

#25: autumn

wee bee
• 30 views / 2 people count this as a favorite / 13 comments

#26: burner stroke inferno eh Jane

• 29 views / 3 people count this as a favorite / 12 comments

#27: loch ness Mel

• 23 views / 1 person counts this as a favorite / 12 comments

#28: Our Tap

• 31 views / Nobody counts Our Tap as a favorite / 12 comments

#29: Thought we had problems at least we have a roof over our heads

When i woke this morning i had a bad feeling about today.And slowly over the day it has been problem after problem.
But to night we got ready to head of and forced ourselfs to think positive ,and with the turn of the key ohhh ohhhh ohhh flat battery...
• 55 views / Nobody counts Thought we had problems at least we have a roof over our heads as a favorite / 12 comments

#30: Flower

This is what i see when we Tarmac more and more of the country so much beauty being hidden under new roads
• 56 views / 1 person counts this as a favorite / 12 comments

#31: Sunnier Days

• 87 views / 2 people count this as a favorite / 12 comments

#32: Monrieth beach

• 71 views / Nobody counts Monrieth beach as a favorite / 12 comments

#33: scotland

• 43 views / 1 person counts this as a favorite / 12 comments

#34: New Caravan

now visitors to the blackbus can have a wee room for themselves lol
• 33 views / Nobody counts New Caravan as a favorite / 11 comments

#35: faces 010

• 18 views / 1 person counts this as a favorite / 11 comments

#36: felt update

• 21 views / 2 people count this as a favorite / 11 comments

#37: Ullapool 064

• 28 views / 3 people count this as a favorite / 11 comments

#38: stig o the dump

No,No I dont care if it's your Fiftieth birthday next week
• 41 views / Nobody counts stig o the dump as a favorite / 11 comments

#39: a wee card for our ukh friends

• 22 views / Nobody counts a wee card for our ukh friends as a favorite / 11 comments

#40: happy xmas to our flickr friends

• 17 views /

#1: me

a little about me
• 1458 views / 2 people count this as a favorite / 4 comments

#2: freezer

only time of the year we get to have ice in our drinks
free freezer
• 320 views / 12 people count this as a favorite / 60 comments

#3: Layby 56 ( A9 Highland Dream )

my first couple of attempts with photoshop
• 206 views / 1 person counts this as a favorite / 17 comments

#4: hit the road

spring at last
• 171 views / 1 person counts this as a favorite / 1 comment

#5: Storm coming

Corrieshalloch Gorge & snow bunting..
............................................................................................................
Visiblity 30 yrds ,we have just pulled into the old quarry and what a journey to Ullapool...
• 145 views / 2 people count this as a favorite / 3 comments

#6: the open road

at last spring www.theblackbuscompany.com
• 145 views / Nobody counts the open road as a favorite / 0 comments

#7: On Reflection

This to me is the complete joy that photography has brought to me ,the simple thing of play again
• 144 views / 8 people count this as a favorite / 30 comments

#8: insects

• 138 views / Nobody counts insects as a favorite / 2 comments

#9: our home

our home on beattock summit
• 138 views / 2 people count this as a favorite / 5 comments

#10: it's my seat

wilkie and chloe arguing who get's the best seat
• 135 views / 1 person counts this as a favorite / 5 comments

#11: Autumn walk

3hrs on the summit
• 130 views / 5 people count this as a favorite / 30 comments

#12: my home

my home power comes from a 10litre engine wind power and solar no electric bills
• 128 views / 1 person counts this as a favorite / 3 comments

#13: Hermit Sky

The Joy Of The Scottish Highlands
• 105 views / 5 people count this as a favorite / 20 comments

#14: SOD U CANCER

My Brave Wife
• 104 views / 3 people count this as a favorite / 21 comments

#15: remote control

One of mel's poems attached to photo hope you enjoy
• 103 views / Nobody counts remote control as a favorite / 9 comments

#16: wilkie chloe 022

wilks enjoying the scottish summer
• 100 views / Nobody counts wilkie chloe 022 as a favorite / 0 comments

#17: Yesterdays visitor on Flickr

beauty beyond belief
• 99 views / 5 people count this as a favorite / 23 comments

#18: Eternal Cycle

A Gift
• 87 views / 3 people count this as a favorite / 21 comments

#19: Sunnier Days

• 87 views / 2 people count this as a favorite / 12 comments

#20: towbar

job done nearly ready for the old girl to go in for her mot then up up and away
• 86 views / 1 person counts this as a favorite / 6 comments

Email to Tescos Superstore ,the shame and disgrace of the BEEP BEEP

2010-04-23T20:56:00.002+01:00

Dear Sir/Madam

Let me tell you a wee story of a once loyal Tesco customer of more years than i care to think of that is no more .

On a wonderful sunny highland spring day myself and my wife went shopping and as always we made a bee line for our local Tesco store a place i know only too well as my wife has shopped at your stores all over this country
I dread to think of the thousands that has been spent at your many stores over the years ..

Well all that has changed
(and as if one of the many storms i have watched rush into our wee mountain home from a furious Atlantic ,that brings with it darkness and cold )
As i said on a wonderful sunny highland spring day with the eagles dancing in the sky ,flowers of all colours jumping for joy at the coming season and with a feeling of happiness ,i followed my wife into the store, a rare event indeed as i am usually consigned to a long wait in the car park … ( which must always be followed by a cheery “did you get everything dear “ or else..)

And as long as i live i will rue the day i stepped into your store to purchase a much needed hard drive for my laptop
Once i had chosen the said item i headed to the checkout while my wife disappeared further into your well lit store clutching the remainder of the money ( never to be seen again,no matter if it is £10 or £300)

At the checkout i paid for my two items and with a smile and receipt firmly grasped in my hand headed to the door and the usual 1 to 2 hour wait for my beautiful wife…
when my life changed ……….

As i headed out the door a loud
BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP
filled the store and off into the car park
I froze unsure what to do and looked outside as people all going about their business stopped and stared ,at this person who was frozen to the spot
A quick glance was exchanged by myself and the other 3 people trapped by the alarm ,but as they realised it wasn’t them they headed off leaving me to face the music alone..
instantly a wave of judgemental thoughts scurried and rushed at me from all corners of the car park ..
The realisation that the alarm was targeted at me ,the feeling of wanting to run and hide overwhelmed me but my legs refused to obey.
Panic ensued my every thought
what if ,had i ,etc etc
A sweat of panic bathed my body soaking my whiter than white clothing ( if only i had that underarm stuff Mel buys 2 for 1 )

THIEF THIEF THIEF
was all i could think …..

Unsure what i was to do i turned as a security guy headed over and led me to his desk and in full view of all the customers in the store started to check my bag and goods…
From up the aisle by the veg a woman stood
and holding a cucumber in her hand shot me a look of complete disgust the likes i have never felt no matter where i looked i was greeted by similar looks
until i felt like some piece of scum and thief to boot ( even though i knew i had paid)
To me as a loyal and honest customer i can’t understand how you can do that to people
I realise you have to try and stop the theft from your stores ,but if you happen to catch an honest customer in that net the very least you could do

is take them somewhere private and if you find out you are wrong then i think a wee token from you would go a long way .. to heal the shame and disgrace

Since this event i have dipped into a deep depression and find that my creative side has gone
no longer am i able to admire the sheer beauty that surrounds me in my home in the mountains

i just pray that the day comes soon when i am happy and free again..
As until that visit to your store i had been an up and coming an filmmaker and story teller
I find now that i am unable to sleep the constant dark cloud of shame follows me everywhere even to my once warm and cosy bed ….
My dreams now are no longer filled with the wonder of life ,thoughts of my next film or poem,story or whatever
but instead are filled with an enveloping darkness and a bright neon banner that every night seems to get brighter
that streams across my closed eyes

TESCOS TESCOS TESCOS TESCOS
and always the sound
BEEP BEEP BEEP
so now i find at the age off 49 i am considering a rare visit to the doctors for help…

yours

a once loyal customer

The Dafthermit

MY 3 YEAR OLD SON NATHAN WILLIAMS IS MISSING!!!!!!!

2010-04-21T00:48:00.001+01:00

Just been told about this from a friend on Facebook :

MY SON NATHAN HAS BEEN MISSING FOR A WEEK TODAY WE ARE NOT SURE ANT MORE IF HE IS WITH HIS FATHER NATHAN SENIOR ANYMORE OR NOT. IT IS SERIOUS AND POLICE ARE INVOLVED PLEASE PLEASE IF ANYONE SEES HIM OR HIS FATHER SENIOR PLEASE CONTACT ME OR LUTON POLICE. KNOW ONE HAS SEEN A GLIMPSE OF HIM FOR WEEK ! POLICE ARE VERY CONCERNED

Click here to visit facebook page if you can help

Road to desolation, isolation and wilderness

2010-04-18T23:58:00.002+01:00

Many people use these words after a journey to visit us .
While looking out and gazing at the mountains ,sky and beyond..

I understand these thoughts
On a night with the skies bursting to overflow with stars
and as the engine revs up i steady myself for the up and coming journey to the wastelands wilderness and isolation that i know lays ahead.
With a firm grip on the steering wheel i engage first gear and set of steadily at first reluctant to leave the wonder that is the hermit tin can ..
An owl swoops from the left side trees and follows us down the road his face beaming with the joy of life as we approach silver bridge he banks to the left and is gone twisting and dodging his way through the silver birch woods ..

With a smile i face front and push on as the mountains slowly disappear into the distant their snow caps just visible .
from now on the wilderness and wastelands begin
Slowly the stars disappear under an orange glow from the mirriad of street lights
Where trees ,mountains streams ,deer,eagles,swans,weather were wrapped around me now concrete noise sirens traffic alarms and endless buildings

Aye, i know your journey to us and the wilderness the complete isolation of the mountains the emptiness of all you see infront of you …

Two more films accepted at the loch ness film festival,Mel to have a wee poem published ,but apart from that not a lot going on

2010-04-18T21:48:00.003+01:00

Medicine by Sally click here to visit her site

Well finally managed to drag myself from the mountains and get my bum on the net ..

What has been happening in the wee world of the fat bald git’s wee tin can in the mountains..

apart from sitting on my ever growing behind we have had a wonderful trip doon the mountains to get supplies etc whole other story…

Just got news that two more films are to shown in Sep at the Loch Ness Film festival

the two films are

On The Ground :

and also :
Brian’s story :

I am busy trying to get the last film up and ready but i don’t think i will have time so i will probably send the new film Lazy through.

Thought i would share some thoughts from people on my stuff from the tin can

This is wonderful Andy and Mel. thank you! Emmie
What a beautiful surroundings hey !
And you're an amazing editor too !
The song fits the video perfectly !
So awesome Andy This is wonderful and I like the music.
habbie101 A bad case of split sides here
skye2504 lol. and now i can't get this song out of my head :-))
cogermax91 very fun !bravo !*****
Achnasheen1
Hi Andy!
I want a Viking hat too!
Great vid - wish I had your patience.
Travis: no' heard them in a Coo's age - great choon... ;)
Stuart the Stag says 'hi' 2 weeks ago
sallyhopeband
that was great Andy ! very creative and fun!
love to you and mel
the welshies ! xxx
Greengypsies
Very clever andy, mind you there have been mornings when I have felt a little rough but I've never had the shakes that bad.
Meissie35
Hahahahahaha....
You can change hats, glasses an clothes quickly ! I'm not that quick when I wake up ! LOL
Great video buddy !

MsJENNY59
Hi andy, love the video and the music, love to you and mel, xx jenny

ChrysalisDesignsRM
Andy it is fabulous! I love it....by the way, I am chasing my dream....loving my life, my husband, my children and my wee precious grandbabies....life is grand isn't it? Keep on keepin on friend:) Gina

Marked as spam
Wow, I need to go to Scotland! Absolutely beautiful! Thanks for making these videos.

CatherineShanahan Marked as spam
Hi Andy, I found you on Viral Networkers, great channel you've got and I love the fact you travel around, that is fantastic, look forward to your updates and would appreciate a subscribe back, my best wishes, Catherine :-)

dana8567 (1 month ago)
Marked as spam
Glad to have you as a friend as well. I had the privilege of seeing your country in 2004, it is the most beautiful place I've ever seen. I stayed on the Isle of Skye with a friend. I hope to come back soon for another visit, would love to meet you if possible. :)

Super Heroes to cycle 900 miles for charity

2010-04-15T20:33:00.001+01:00

Hi everyone just got this email from my good friend Ray on his barge , i hope you will all pass it on and lend your support to these guys

peace and light from the tin can

their web site is : www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk (please click and visit them)

Hermit is Back

2010-04-09T15:17:00.001+01:00

Well i am back after a wonderful day spent away from the computer ,and now my wee head is full of even more ideas for films and more stories that is the trouble with living in such an inspiring place LOL.

We as always had a wonderful trip down from the mountains and met up with so many friends

My wee story The Final leap has now been published in the Auchnesheen and Garve paper so strange and exciting to see my wee story in print i have been asked to do more so will quite happily bore the highland folk with more tales from the burner / tin can.

Hamish my friend managed to watch Arthritis i love to boogie which i did for him on a DVD and loved it ,to me to see someone smile at my work is worth all the money in the world ..

The festival is slowly taking off and it feels so much better this time i refuse to let the moaners and negative views stop me and what i love to do which is to meet inspiring people and to help as much as i can .

Jackie the lady that runs the paper done a wee piece in her paper about someone that had complained about not enough editorial and to many adverts

she was forced to check it out and printed the results

and stated that if you want more stories then send them in ??????

this to me is exactly what i am talking about it is easy to knock something that a person has worked hard on EVEN when you get it free

I say keep your negative thoughts to yourself and get off your arse and start to take an active roll instead ,then you may even find out how much actual time and effort goes into these things ,that you so easily knock..

Rock on all artists poets writers painters and crafters

Peace and light

Andy The Dafthermit

A lack of tolerance (a time to switch off for a while)

2010-04-07T17:30:00.001+01:00

Waking up today to yet more suicide bombings somewhere in the world the whole idea of the modern world and the constant bombardment with news from across the globe rings in my head and the headache which started a few days ago gets worse.

What drives someone to wake up in the morning and strap a bomb to their stomach and head off to kill ?????

Living in these times of instant mail and constant opinions being hurled across the net you feel overwhelmed by all the negative stuff when a wee voice says “simply switch it off”seems to ease my mind .

The ones with the loudest voices scream louder and louder in there whispers of fear

The lack of tolerance towards people that don’t belong to this clique or that clique ( this country or that country)even when it comes to forums on the net ,scares me (what is on the way)and living in a world where the so called super powers struggle like teenagers to show of their great might…

To this fat bald idiot that lives in a tin can watching America struggle with the whole idea that they WILL lose there so called standing in the world and like the saying goes

it is at these times when their true colours will be shown

In a world where you get slagged of for caring about the environment or happen to have ideas that differ from the masses ,where people hurl abuse and expect the person on the receiving end to just take it without even answering back

if you do dare to answer back you are greeted with “chill out”or “ don’t take it to heart” etc etc

I finished a wee film not long ago called “Arthritis ,i love to boogie”

and although most of the comments where good and it made people smile etc ,i got quite a few abusive ones..

The whole idea of my wee film was to stick to fingers up to an illness i have suffered with for many years there being days when i can hardly move and the pain like a constant toothache seems to sit at every tip of every joint as if some crazy dentist is having fun with a newly presented gift of a drill ..

My way of dealing with pain has always been through my humour and with the use of my films stories and pictures i battle through this pain ( i don’t believe in taking medicines and pills i try to let my body heal itself)

What drives someone to wake up in the morning and strap a bomb to their stomach and head off to kill ?????

Listening to the news you would be forgiven for thinking that America is the only country in the world ..

Instead of shouting louder and louder stop for a moment and listen to someone who might think different from you maybe by some bloody mad bit of luck he or she might have some answers

Some of us living on the planet want a bit of dirt between our toes some of us want to have wrinkles and lines on our faces (a life without a scar is no life)

So as i pack up my laptop and head off for a much needed time of reflection i hope and pray that one day we will all learn to show some tolerance towards other people from far of lands that have the audacity to think different from us here in the west

as you pass the tramp in the gutter just think ,as a person that has been there myself and lived through it i would never give up those times of the gutter i learnt so much

then as having lived as a traveller or what ever you wish to call me i would never give up this way of life it has shown and taught me so much about life .

What drives someone to wake up in the morning and strap a bomb to their stomach and head off to kill ?????

to answer the question i pose here

I have no idea i only know that if you keep shouting at and bombing people they will not listen to you and i guess the many reasons why someone would do that would surprise us all

so the next time you hurl abuse at someone you perceive to be different just stop a moment and think …

Everyone on the planet eats ,sleeps, dreams ,hopes and shits all of us and we all WILL die ..

peace and light

The Dafthermit x

P.S Hi Marcia Mel sends her love

P.P.S Hi Valerie and Derek it was lovely to finally meet you both ,hope you had a wonderful trip to Ullapool

Any Port In A Storm

2010-04-05T20:40:00.002+01:00

You Know things are bad out at sea when you call in at Ullapool and these boys are tied up.
As a kid being brought up in Scotland and living close to the sea my admiration for these guys and what they do to bring us all our Fish suppers has only grown throughout my time on this earth.

I was going to go off on a rant today but i just can’t be bothered and after our trip out and through the mountains some idiot or two on the net just drifts of into the wind

I love Ullapool and slowly we are being more welcomed to the point i know i will never leave the highlands ,i just love the highland way .
a point in case being the train from Edinburgh to Inverness got well and truly stuck in a huge snow drift and the train that was sent out also got stuck so another was dispatched to help

Eventually after many hours they pulled into Inverness and not one person complained in fact it was smiles all round and maybe the odd wee dram or two helped but the spirit off the highlands rings out ..

We have got used to wee whispers in our ears either at the doctors or the shops in and around Ullapool..

Are you not the couple from the wee bus up in the mountains has been whispered so many times and usually followed by

“ooh ,wee were all a wee bit worried about you “

even the doctor and all the people in the surgery asked after us saying they were worried as well ..
So to me if you ever happen to need a port to call in at in a storm i can tell you you can do a lot worse than the wee magical village that is ULLAPOOL ..

Ps sorry i missed you Heidi , i will email you

Second film ready for Loch Ness Film festival,On The Ground

2010-04-04T21:16:00.001+01:00

Loch Ness Film Festival click here

I hope you enjoy my latest wee film

Blessed Water my wee film is now ready and i hope to show it with a couple other films at this years Loch Ness film festival

2010-04-02T06:06:00.001+01:00

Well i have finally finished my remake of Blessed Water my tribute to something that is so often neglected

The music is by my friend Sally who wrote and sang Blessed water

I hope to be showing the film at this years film festival

LOCH NESS FILM FESTIVAL

i hope you enjoy and would love to hear what you think of it

peace and light

Andy the Dafthermit

My ON-LINE-FESTIVAL is open again

2010-03-31T16:56:00.002+01:00

I have re-opened the festival and would love to see you there

peace and light from the wee tin can x

Visit The Online festival

Arthritis, I love to Boogie a wee film by the dafthermit

2010-03-18T22:43:00.002Z

Well in between some heavy rain i managed to get this wee film made today ,i hope you enjoy it
nearly broke my ankle when i fell all in the name of art ..

“IF” if you go down to the woods today

2010-03-17T03:27:00.001Z

A wee film , i hope to do a wee film to go with the woods story ,hope you enjoy

From the Scratchy heed studios ,two poems and a wee film and some waffle ,the joy of creativity in the Scottish highlands

2010-03-13T05:42:00.002Z

For me the joy at being able to drift off both in mind and soul and be creative is what i love the most

my approach to any craft be it woodwork photography or film is that i approach it as in my life i through the rules out the window and play like a wee boy .

Many times so called mistakes have led me on a path of exploration that never ceases to amaze me , i believe that too many rules can destroy us ,the freedom to toss our ideas in the air and just have fun can lead to us to create with an open mind and therefore a more expressive art will evolve .

Anyway enough waffle here is two poems by Mel both written and on you tube

she wrote these this morning while we were having our first coffee of the day .and the wee film of mine is something i have been working on for a while now

I hope you enjoy our stuff from the Scratchy heed studio in the wee tin can in the Scottish highlands

peace and light

The Dafthermits xx

Turn left at the moon,Deadly Invader

2010-03-11T22:05:00.002Z

As the two suns rose above the far of mountains

The planet began another day bathed in there golden rays ,everywhere life stirred from the crystal clear pools high in the mountains to the forests that blanketed huge areas of the planet and on to the blue oceans life teemed and started the daily wonder that is life

For millions of years the natural cycle had played out this truly wonderful picture

Then one day in the sky a small object came into view ,it thundered through the bright blue sky trailing a tail of flames it hurtled to the ground beyond the forest

Life on the planet would never be the same again

Within a few years the invader from far out in space had changed the once beautiful planet beyond all recognition..

Where once huge tracks of land had been covered in trees ,now only small pockets remained

The organism that had arrived swept across the planet killing everything in its way even deep in the ocean the animals and other life were not save from the deadly invader

Soon rivers that had flowed untroubled to the oceans for millions of years now slithered full of dark and bubbling fluids killing all life in them starving the fish of the needed oxygen and minerals they needed to survive

Across the planet all life was in a war it had no chance of winning

One by one the animals died out ,until one day only the deadly virus that had arrived from space was the last visible sign of life until even that DIED to..

The small space craft the original capsule to carry the deadly invader crumpled into the ground along with the millions that bad followed ,until the day the planet began to rebuild and one day the way it had been will return again ….

The End

Close Seaworld’s on you tube and meet some of the many people that are active in the cause

2010-03-11T00:53:00.002Z

my wee film with details to lend your support

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A massive thankyou to one and all

Together we can all make it happen

peace and light

the Dafthermit xx

Momentum It solutions ,superb customer service

2010-03-10T21:42:00.001Z

Thought i would share this with you if you live in the highlands or have any trouble with your computer then email or visit my friend Gordon and his company based in Inverness or Contin

Although i might be a wee bit biased but since meeting Gordon he has kept me going on the internet and nothing is to much trouble for him and his company as they help you with all your computer needs

Call 01463-259255 or 01997-480005

Momentum based in Inverness & Contin, provides fast Computer Repair and quality I.T. Troubleshooting Services, that help YOU to Secure, Analyse and Accelerate your I.T. in the Highlands of Scotland.

Failte Gu Seirbhis Sgoinneal - Providing Exceptional Local Service

Secure IT Analyse IT Accelerate IT

Large Free Parking with Easy Drop Off!

Why not call us now to discuss your requirements?

Momentum Service Centres & Computer Shops @ Inverness 01463-259255 @ Contin 01997-480005

Missing ice is killing seal pups -- Cancel Canada's seal slaughter.

2010-03-10T00:56:00.002Z

Dear andy,

This is unbelievable.

The HSI ProtectSeals team is watching a disaster unfold off Canada's east coast. Every year, our team documents the largest massacre of marine mammals in history, as commercial fisherman slaughter baby harp seals for their fur. We do so to bring attention to this cruelty. But this year, we've had to watch a different but no less painful sight: there is virtually no ice, and many of the baby seals will die before the sealers arrive.

Harp seals need sea ice to give birth to and nurse their pups. But for the first year on record, virtually no sea ice has formed in key birthing areas such as the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Without it, mother seals won't have a place to give birth to their pups, and many pups may perish as a consequence of this environmental disaster.

What's worse: The Canadian government may allow sealers to slaughter what few surviving pups they can find.

We must act quickly.

Please implore Prime Minister Stephen Harper to cancel this year's commercial seal hunt.

Unless Prime Minister Harper steps in, those pups who survive the loss of ice will die at the hands of humans. Sealers will club and shoot the pups as they cling to tiny pans of ice -- it will be a slaughter of the survivors.

In the short term, we can't save these pups from this environmental catastrophe. But it's our urgent responsibility -- and that of the Canadian government -- to protect the helpless survivors from slaughter at the hands of sealers.

Canada's seal pups are facing impossible odds. They need you on their side more than ever.

Tell Canada to call off the commercial seal hunt and spare the seal survivors.

We'll do everything we can to get Prime Minister Stephen Harper to have mercy on these pups.

Thank you so much for joining our call to save lives.

Sincerely,

Rebecca Aldworth
Executive Director
Humane Society International/Canada

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Shut Down all Seaworlds and free all captive animals ,it is time to show them the respect they deserve ,please take a moment to sign this blogger petition to end this cruelty

2010-03-09T22:48:00.002Z

blogger Tags: petition, orca, free the animals, respect

Hi everyone

I have started a group on facebook to close all Seaworlds and aquariums across the globe

I believe it is time to show the animals our respect and not to use them purely for our so called entertainment

so please join our group on facebook by clicking here

or by going direct to the petition by clicking here hosted by

or if you wish leave a comment here on the blog

many thanks for the support and for your time

peace and light from the tin can in Scotland

The Tree (the Highland guardian) a wee tale about signs

2010-03-08T21:32:00.002Z

                                                   The Tree ( the Highland Guardian)

For years now in the Scottish highlands tales of people that disappear without trace while travelling the Ullapool road have been told.
Visit any highland pub and ask if its true
you will be greeted with stern faces and Voices that are hushed , with the smoke from the peat fire filling the room ,all will say as one
“we don’t talk about it “
Let me tell you of a night not long ago:

As you leave the wee highland village that is Contin and head up the long winding hill passed Rogie Falls
a large sign on your left will appear
warnings of snow and ice and even deer on the road is displayed .

This night i was sat on a rock high up watching the mist and moon in the eternal dance .
I noticed a car started the climb up the hill far off the sound of the peat filled water roared down the falls
as the car approached the sign it flashed
“YOU SHALL NOT PASS” over and over again
I watched as the car ignored the sign and carried on its arrogant way .

As you climb the hill it levels out to a magical view lochs, mountains ,sky all at once fill your eyes
the sheer beauty of which almost stops your very heart from beating

The car passed by UNTIL and with no reason STOPPED ………

I waited for the car to continue on its journey or the person to get out but nothing

Then from the left bank a long thin moss covered branch stretched out slowly at first then seemed to quicken as it got closer to the car window
and with that ,it crashed through the windscreen but no noise travelled up the hill nothing just a perfect highland evening .
The branch pulled back and in its grasp i could see a face wrapped in the woody embrace
The face seemed to be screaming and distorting in fear but again no sound NOTHING
I watched as the person was dragged from the car completely
and more branches entwined the body till it disappeared from sight.

I stared at the road and tried to make sense of what i had just seen
but no answers came to mind the car just sat there nothing to show what had just happened .

Many times in my life when faced with extreme danger time seemed to slow down and i thought that this is what had just happened and i rushed down the bank to help .

As i got to the car i could see that no one else was in it
the only sign was the broken window but when i looked at it again even that was unbroken ,no glass, nothing the car was in perfect condition as if it had just left a showroom in Inverness .
i stood there looking all around unsure what to do when i noticed a wee tree off to my left .

Amongst all the fine tall trees with leaves of gold was a wee tree no leaves and half the size of the rest
walking closer i could see that ever branch was covered in knots and the branches seemed that they were to heavy for the wee trunk to hold up
looking at the ground though huge roots spread out in every direction almost the width of the trunk itself they headed off into the distance
Looking closer still i thought i could see a wee light right in the heart of the tree and as i focused the light got brighter and brighter swirling faster and faster
frozen to the spot i watched as the whole tree glowed from every tip of every branch a light pulsed the like i had never seen
A feeling of warmth and trust flooded the wee glen..

From somewhere deep in the woods a voice whispered in my ear

“DONT BE SCARED”
      our friend
I sat down on the soft moss and leaves and listened as an ancient story was told to me

We are the trees we are the trees the very lungs of the earth
For as long back as we can remember this wee tree has stood

IT NEVER SPEAKS
IT NEVER SPEAKS

We grow as has our ancestors tall and strong for as long as we can remember it has always been that way

That wee tree old and twisted is THE GUARDIAN

it has gathered all the negative and evil from man those that would not listen to the signs and protected us all for as long as earth has travelled the universe

Lately though it has started to moan and cry the pain rumbling under the ground to far of glens and beaches to other guardians stretched out across these ancient lands

One day soon we will all know the tree ,the wee tree has fallen

and on that day Earth and all that live upon her WILL know the Guardian is DEAD
The evil the pollution the greed of humans will result in a storm the like of which has never been seen and will sweep across the lands and oceans ..
A day of cleansing

as i headed out of the woods i noticed a FRESH KNOT on the branch of the old tree , a face seemed to look up sill frozen in fear

So if you happen to journey north take the time, look out and heed the signs
and if you should be lucky enough to see that wee troubled tree
touch her gently and thank her
                                       THE GUARDIAN of the highlands

                                                                 The End

                                  A wee tale from the Dafthermit in the tin can



p.s don’t worry about the car it was collected by my friend Hamish sold and the proceeds were sent to the local hospital…

I have a group on facebook to bring an end to Seaworld’s and all captive animals please visit here CLICK HERE

The Rock a wee tale told by the dafthermit from the wee tin can in the highlands of Scotland told on You Tube

2010-03-07T22:07:00.002Z

The telling of my tale the “ THE ROCK” on you tube ,hope you enjoy it

sorry about the mistakes but i am learning

peace and light x

The Rock

2010-03-06T21:56:00.002Z

The Rock

Walking along the road to Ullapool as you hit the highest part of the road between Inverness And Ullapool you are greeted with a stunning view of Loch Droma and beyond.
No matter how many times i see this view it never ceases to move me
This night , it was a clear night the air seemed to be even more fresh than usual
walking on i could hear voices coming from the shore ,this was not strange especially at this time of year as many people make their way up here for a fire and a night with the stars
I smiled to myself at the laughter echoing from the people and the glen that surrounds us but pushed on as i wanted to spend the night at Corrieshalloch Gorge

Eventually the voices disappeared in the slight breeze but as i looked back something was wrong i stood and tried to work out what it was

about to turn and go sure all was ok when i noticed a huge rock at least 10 feet by ten feet standing there ,i had never seen the rock before in all the time i had lived and passed very spot this spot .

I stared at the rock but the more i looked at it the larger it seemed to get it was covered in moss like no other from the loch and strange figures seemed to be etched into it

putting it down to just a trick of the highland light ,i lit a fag and relaxed with the night sky ,the people seemed louder again and i thought i would be good to spend some time with them .

So i made my way down to them along a winding wee moss lined path until someone shouted “Hello and welcome “

i looked up and shouted many thanks my friend it is a wonderful night for a fire

i was greeted by everyone at least thirty people where sprawled along the shore guitars playing some singing others in what looked like deep conversations

but the overwhelming feeling of love and peace was so strong ( i love times like this when people share their talents with the world and for a short time no jealousy etc just love and happiness )

The drinks flowed food from what seemed the four corners of the world appeared rice pasta the smell drifted of across the loch

Lying there i was so happy

I stood up to head behind a tree just a wee way of for the call of nature

when i finished i stood out from the tree and shouted anyone for a swim

Looking up there was no sign of anyone ,nothing even the smells from the food gone

the fire that had only a few seconds ago been raging was gone.

………

I froze ,every hair on my body standing up my breathing came to a halt ,sweat seemed to flood down my back

“WHAT THE F++K”

was all i could say

i looked around again trying to find some signs of the people trying to convince myself it was just some huge practical joke

But still nothing then the rock seemed to move closer at first i stood back

but somehow i found myself moving closer to it

The sight that greeted me will never leave me

what i had thought was moss was in fact human hair strands of blonde red brown hair covered the large granite rock

then as i wide eyed stared i saw

EYES hundreds

Human nails and fingers were also strewn across the rock

somehow the rock pulled me even closer i could make out long marks in rows of four where visible all coming from the centre of the rock and out to the edge

Something tugged at my boots ,i looked down and could see the hair was wrapping itself around pulling ever tighter

i reached down to try and free myself from this nightmare but as i reached out a hand emerged from the very centre of the rock and gripped my arm with such force no matter what i did ,the more i tried the tighter the grip became

The hole in the centre of the rock grew larger and larger

Screams like nothing i had ever heard powered from the rock

And slowly i was pulled closer and closer

the hole started to shrink the light from the highland sky fading away ,the grip on my arm and boots seemed to relax now

but still i was held firm the rock now had me in a grip i would never again be released from

the last thing i saw was the long finger nail marks i had seen earlier

now added to my by my OWN

……………

The End

NEW TIMES ARRIVED: The Fish and The Doll---Orla Wren

2010-03-04T00:36:00.001Z

NEW TIMES ARRIVED: The Fish and The Doll---Orla Wren

Warriors of the rainbow a wee film from the tin can here in the Scottish mountains

2010-03-04T00:09:00.002Z

This is my wee film dedicated to mother earth

i hope you enjoy

peace and light

Andy the dafthermit x

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bh56XKRzDuM

360 "DVD"A tour of the highlands and beyond: Water run in the highlands with the faeries

2010-03-01T00:31:00.001Z

360 "DVD"A tour of the highlands and beyond: Water run in the highlands with the faeries

The Last Traveller a wee tale from the tin can in the highlands of Scotland by the Dafthermit

2010-02-27T20:57:00.002Z

The climb up the hill was the hardest it had ever been each step seemed to drain more and more of his energy
but eventually he made it to the hidden glen
As the small fire took hold at last some warmth wrapped itself around the traveller as he sat back and looked down the mountain side where he had come up from .
he could see his tracks off into the distance
nothing else was visible no other signs of human activity for as far as he could see
The feeling of joy at being in the mountains again washed over him and putting the hot cup of coffee to his lips he was glad that he had made the journey home

With his damp boots and socks nestled by the crackling fire to dry out
his mind wandered and as the darkness swept in from the west he could not help but think this was a sign of things to come
For the years he had been away from the highlands he had been disturbed by the way things were happening all across the planet
His years of travels flashed in front of him from Paris ,London ,Berlin and beyond
But as time had crept up on him ,over the last year or so he had felt an overpowering feeling of tiredness and something told him to head back to the mountains NOW.
He had watched as sameness crept across the globe and the rise of celebrity diluted all cultures across the globe
one day it will be hard to tell which country you are in let alone which town or village
but above all the feeling of lack of tolerance towards anyone or anything that dared to buck the norm, scared him more than all the things along the journey of life

But sitting here by the warm fire nature nipping at his toes he was happy and thankful for a wonderful life’s journey

so many people so many sights ,smells and sounds .
As his feet warmed up by the fire he gazed at the night sky it seemed to be more clear and star filled than he had ever seen in his lifetime
he watched as embers from the fire cracked and spat wee lights high into the night sky as if adding more starts to the already jam packed clear sky
Placing the coffee cup onto a wee rock by his left side a multitude of voices called out
faces and voices from far away some smiling some crying for what seemed like hours images flashed before him, but he was sure it had been only a couple of minutes
Then as quickly as it had started it STOPPED and peace and quiet returned to the glen and the high mountains pass .
Again the feeling of tiredness overcame him but this time stronger and more intense than he had felt ,he lay back against the moss covered rock
Above his head a mist rolled in over the ridge of the mountain and raced down the heather lined side to wrap itself around him completely in a tender embrace the like he had never felt.
from deep inside the mist two hands reached out from a warm red glow to take his heart in a gentle caress ,a feeling of fulfilment and journeys end flashed around his body
His head rolled to the side and his last hand rolled fag dropped from his warm lips and hitting the ground the fire on the tip hissed and darkened in a wee pool of highland mountain water
the final sleep gathered him in her arms and with a smile beaming from his face the traveller was GONE
the fog slowly lifted skyward all signs of the traveller and the fire were gone ….
from high in the sky a brilliant yellow moon cast her light on the magical highlands
                                                             ……The End….

            A wee story by the Dafthermit in the tin can in the Highlands of Scotland

The piper of Glascarnoch Loch

2010-02-24T22:27:00.002Z

With a final look at the night sky and the huge halo around the moon i smiled and closed the door and hurriedly headed to bed .
Already all life in the bus was in the land of nod ,snoring and dream filled whimpers filled the room
Pulling the duvet up i fell back onto the pillow and started to drift off ,it had been a day filled with sites and sounds that only the mountains can supply.
In the moment between being awake and asleep i could hear the sound of some pipes drifting passed the bus ,many times over the year i have heard this sound sometimes passing the dam other times sitting by the loch the haunting sound of the pipes would drift passed .
Tonight was different the sound was clear and so loud almost as if someone had pulled into our wee parkup
i pulled on my dressing gown and went to see who it was that had pulled in,many times people in trouble on the road would stop and ask for help
but as the door pulled back to reveal nothing ,no one was there yet the music played on .. i was shocked but just put it down to the wind and maybe someone was parked just up the road turning to head back to my warm bed i stopped and listened
the sound was louder and seem to be played with so much passion
before i knew it i was walking along the side of the road heading towards Loch Glascarnoch
The full moon was resting on the summit of Ben Wyvis and lit my way almost as if it was daytime. still the music played on .
As i walked passed the wee copice of woods on the left the music STOPPED and as the loch came into view
peace and quiet filled the glen no wind nothing just quiet ..

Looking up the road towards Loch Glascarnoch dam and Aultguish inn beyond i could see that no one was parked at any of the layby’s ..
For the first time since coming back to the mountains a feeling of terror filled my whole body the hairs on my neck stood proud , a shiver started , shocked and reverberated throughout my body
a feeling of being watched was overwhelming but i shook my head and forced myself to get a grip and as i did the negative feelings seem to leave to be replaced by quiet and calm once more ….
Looking to the loch i was sad that i had forgot my camera the loch and mountains were a perfect image the very air all around was pure and cold
Something seemed to beckon me to the water edge and i made my way there ,i love these mountains and as i have said they have given me a feeling of place and space like i have never had in my life .
Sitting on the rock a feeling of wonder rushing around my soul a splash in the middle of the loch caught my eye
water flew into the air an fell onto the blue cracked ice again another splash this time a few yards away
a pike was on its hunt for food ?
Ice covered nearly 90 percent of the water .the natural shapes and colours from the ice truly nature the artist at play .

the wind stirred and played with the shapes formed by the ice ,sounds echoing of the mountains and rolled back to the loch and seemed to race to the dam wall only to disappear over it and off down the glen to Garve .
A cloud rolled in and slowly the light from from the moon faded and i was left sitting there in the dark only the stars where left to cast a dim light out across the frozen water
at the edge a small crack in the ice quickly grew and grew then a loud crack was sent bouncing off the walls of the glen and a large piece of ice started to rise skyward gently rolling to the left before crashing back to the water
i stood back trying to work out what could have caused this sudden movement in the frozen surface
i watched as a mist rolled down the side of the mountain and quickly reached the edge of the water and with a strange feel to it i watched as it rolled out and within a minute the loch was almost invisible
the cloud that had covered the moon rolled on bye ,the golden rays from the moon shone on the fog ,the atmosphere took on a foreboding feel and once again a feeling of terror gripped me
i noticed a large rock to my left and dived behind it not sure what i was escaping from but every sinew of my body said this was wrong
i looked round the edge of my large piece of moss covered granite to the water and what i saw froze me to the spot even though i tried with all my might i could not dive behind the rock for cover
From the water a head began to emerge strange pieces of material draped from it ,that only as the head rose was i able to see it was weed from the depths
i managed to step slowly back behind the rock but the image before me captured me like nothing in my life before
and i watched as a man wearing full highlands dress emerged the ice parting as made his way to the shore he was carrying a set of pipes in one hand the other held a huge golden claymore he glided out from the loch and as he stood there under the moon
water dripping back onto the ice with only a faint splash
he stopped to look all around he headed for a large rock i stared in awe ,then the piper once again stopped and slowly he turned his head towards me and let out a call in Gaelic i could see that his right eye was missing and in its places a small stone was lodged
a large scare was etched into his face from the corner of his mouth up to his left ear
i dived to my right forcing myself against the rock without thinking i stopped breathing and fear gripped me i was sure he had seen me and i waited for what seemed like an age before gathering the courage to turn and look again .
after a couple of minutes i convinced my self i was just dreaming to much cheese before bed as my old mum would say
getting to my feet i turned and as quickly as my confidence had returned it vanished there not two feet from me was the piper pipes at his mouth the sword strapped to his side
i thought my heart was going to explode and with it my life would end here at this wonderful highland snow covered spot
But with one smile from the piper all my fears went to be replaced with an overwhelming feeling of warmth and peace
he beckoned me closer and before i knew it i was shaking hands he said with the softest voice sit and i spent the next hour listening to some of the most haunting and passion filled music i have ever heard
at the end of it he took of his cap and nodded to me and heading back to the water and entered it
the frozen water lapped at his feet but in seconds he was fully emerged and the sound from the pipes had gone
the last image i have is when he had turned to go i could see several tears in his jacket and a large knife handle was sticking out, fully embedded to the hilt how many years had he carried this reminder with him ..
I headed back to the bus
I think i will keep this wee story to my self

peace and light

the Dafthermit

The coming of spring to the highlands of Scotland,and the piper of Glascarnoch loch

2010-02-24T02:25:00.002Z

The coming of spring to the highlands of Scotland

With the coming of spring to the highlands i thought i would make a wee film to celebrate it.
The last couple of days have been full of glorious sunshine and hardly a cloud in the sky followed by severe drops in temperature
For the first time in a long time the air pipes on the truck froze as did the oil in the gearbox and the wee petrol generator but to me this is all part of the fun..
Today i was out filming again and headed to the tower have way down the loch and the walk out to it with my fear of heights as company along the way .

strange how that fear has never left me even after some of the crazy things i was forced to do while in the army .

But it was worth the walk out and i hope to have the next wee film ready in a few days ,also a wee story i am working on at the moment called

The piper of Glascarnoch loch

Hares ,mice and MOT’S

2010-02-19T00:08:00.002Z

Waking up today in the mountains ,it is clear day with sunshine streaming across the mountains and filling our we retreat with energy and life.
After the last couple of weeks of being covered in oil muck and rust and having to deal with rules and authority the old truck now has her fresh new mot till the end of Feb 2011 ,so at last it is time to relax and with nothing to think about till august i can now get back to blogging ,filming and my photography.
The eve of the mot we were hit with a massive snow storm once again over a foot in an hour and with the temperature plummeting so i made the decision to get to my friend Roy’s yard in case i was unable to get out in the morning and then having to wave goodbye to the £75 i had paid for the mot.
So at midnight i fired up the truck cleared the snow and ice and with a wee wave and kiss to Mel i hit the road and slipped and slid my way down from the mountains
just as Corrieshalloch dam loomed into view i was plunged into complete darkness every single light had fused and travelling at 50mph with not even the moon for light i was lucky to have my torch at hand and quickly shone the light outside and was able to see the lines in the middle of the road and slowly i managed to bring the truck to a standstill perfectly parked at the side of the road and with the hazards on i quickly replaced the fuses which had blown only to have them blow again

but after a bit of fumbling in torch light i managed to get main beam on so headed of to the nearest layby where i was able to get the lights going again ,i knew i would have no choice now other than split the wiring loom and find the fault all on the day of the mot
Pulling onto the road i crossed my fingers and headed of to the sanctuary of my friends yard when the radio came on full belt quickly followed by the horn so if anyone heard an idiot going through Garve village in the early hours music and horn blaring sorry ..
I pulled in once again and after disabling the horn etc and thought what else could go wrong but with a fag in gob i tried again then from the left side of the road a hare ran out and started to dart in all directions after quickly swerving to avoid him i slowed down and watched as the hare seem to lead me down the road then with a single leap from his powerful rear legs he cleared the hedge at the verge and was gone ,wonderful.
Again i put my foot down i knew this was going to be some journey and all to get a bit of paper to tell me my vehicle is roadworthy at a cost of £75.
As i smiled to myself at the wee journey i had just had with the hare a mouse ran out onto the road and dashed to the middle of the road then as he tried to stop an exhibition in how not to skate began with its wee legs going in all directions at once, he glanced up at this huge object bearing down on him and with a look of fear in his eyes , once again i was sent into a swerve first this way then that to avoid the wee ball of fur but he to was safe and after a quick dance he headed back the way he had come .
The rest of the journey to the yard went without a hitch and at 4.00 am i pulled into the yard .

After a cup of coffee from the flak Mel had made i huddled under the quilt to try and get a wee bit of kip before the day really began at 6.30am i woke to see the lights from the workshop on Hamish must be in already and after climbing into my trusted wellies i headed to the oil burner which was already well alight to get some heat to the old bones
the rest of the day was spent splitting the wiring loom and re-splicing the wires till at 1.00pm all was done and the truck was ready to head to Inverness for her test

Roy and Hamish met me at the yard to take the truck through and after 1/2hr of prodding and banging she failed
The guys had failed her on one faulty tyre ,i tried to explain i had a new one inside but they would not listen i was told i would have to go and change the wheel and report back to get my ticket and the price another £37 ( robbing gits) no wonder our Transport companies are in so much trouble with all this red tape and expense

a quick dash back to Muir and with Hamish to help the tyre was on and i dashed to get back before the mot yard closed for the day
I paid for the re-test ???? and waited in my truck as i was told until they were able to look at the wheel and after 20mins or so a guy came out and waved me to the lane as i was on the phone to Mel i said i have to go and put the truck into gear and was just turning when mister red tape shouted to me to get off the phone
I was just about to stop the truck and wander over to the little bloody Hitler and ask him politely ,who the hell do you think you are shouting at ? but my old legs were Knackered so i let it go and pulled in to get the tyre checked after 30 seconds he wandered in to get my test ticket
30 seconds at a cost of £37 robbing bloody gits and rude
I was sure i could see rules and regs stamped on his head ,i could imagine him at home trying to have a bath markings on the floor to say:
1 …possible slide hazard
2 …water must be checked by gauge before entering
3 ….doctor and first aid must be alerted before entering the water
4… maximum time allowed in the bath 3.46 mins any longer and a fine will be imposed and i could imagine the idiot even giving himself a ticket
5 ..one foot must be placed at 45 degrees to the bath while the other is lifted no faster than 0.5 miles and hour
6 a visible yellow jacket must be worn at all times failure to comply will result in a £29 fine
7 life jacket and flare must be within arms reach at all times failure to comply will result in a £29 fine
8 a direct line to the coast guard must be open at all times failure to comply will result in a £29 fine
9 all permits and tickets must be displayed at all times failure to comply will result in a £29 fine
10 life guard must be present and again displaying all his wards to confirm he is up to standard failure to comply will result in a £29 fine
11 no splashing as this could result in a bubble popping in your eyes casing temp blindness failure to comply will result in a £29 fine
12 NO FUN TO BE HAD failure to comply will result in a £129 fine

anyway i drift as usual and now i have a year away from the likes of the wee red tape man

peace and light the dafthermit

just thought i would say i agree with the test but they are the ones who say we should be tested and i reckon a wee bit of humanity would go a long way
Talking to some truckers at the yard i know i am not alone in this thought ..
I now have my DVD almost finished and my book will be done in a couple of weeks so exciting and on that note
my first story to be published will be The final leap it will be in the local paper for the march copy
and a newspaper in London is after some of my pictures
so all in all it has been an incredible couple of weeks in the wonderful highlands .

Predator Drones ,Dear God where are we going ????

2010-02-02T00:26:00.001Z

Peace on Reflection by me the Dafthermit

Dear God what are we doing ?

Today i was just about to do a wee film about highland abstractions when all thoughts of this disappeared from my mind.

A story on radio four caught my attention click here to listen to it .

Basically it was about Drones in the battle field

among the guests was P.W. Singer talking about his book Wired for War.

this film on you tube will give you an idea of what is here now and what we all face in the future visit it here

so on the day that

Obama kills moon program, endorses commercial space

stating it is to costly to travel to the moon and beyond in the same breathe he endorses BILLIONS of US dollars to the drone programme !!

so in one hand he destroys our dreams and leaves us only with more and more slaughter across our wonderful planet .

one figure from the radio programme was that Obama has signed off on more drone attacks in three months than Bush did in three years.

you are not wrong there but stuff this change i say.

A few months back i wrote a small piece on my blog 2050 about this very subject little realising how far along the road we have already come .

Since i heard Robert Oppenheimer state “Now i am become death,the destroyer of worlds” a line from Hindu scripture

i have always thought NO my friend we are going to go so far down the road of death and slaughter you have no idea..

as we head ,headlong into the 21st century fears as a small kid growing up in Scotland seem to be coming true faster and faster .

the films i have watched over the years like Terminator with the tagline

“In the Year of Darkness, 2029, the rulers of this planet devised the ultimate plan. They would reshape the Future by changing the Past. The plan required something that felt no pity. No pain. No fear. Something unstoppable. They created 'THE TERMINATOR'

Visionary directors and writers have always warned us all of the path we are on

I believe that our dreams can so quickly turn into nightmare’s ,what we dream for the future we have the ability to make happen ..

So as men and women sit in their we rooms at Creech ,Nevada gazing at their screens of death and guide these drones to their targets for the day , i say not in my bloody name..

and with these things launching from bases here in the Uk ,who although we are in so much bloody debt here in the UK still manage to buy these god awful things i guess like the play ground we are still trying to keep up with the big boys

Another part of this disturbing programme was when an elder from a town in Pakistan that has had several of these drones attack his town on one instance killing a mother and child ..

now the whole town lives in complete dread as these things approach guided by someone 7ooo miles away .

When questioned about mistakes that could be possible in launching attacks

the guy said that they were trained to an extremely high standard and that they could tell the difference between people going about there everyday business and those who were not .

he could tell if someone was acting strange by their movements

god help us all if he spots some kids playing hide and seek ,from afar this would look more then dodgy..

To me the fact that they are so far removed from the battlefield is what scares me so much

no sense of pain fear or the smell off death as someone’s head explodes with brains being dispelled over the ground

no not in today’s warfare the risk adverse generation with their whiter than white and highly pressed uniforms ..

one of the guys explained when asked how he copes with what he is doing said

“ i have a drive of 45mins to switch over to family mode “

GOD help us all ..

This whole video warfare has to stop or at least have some effects on the guys pushing the buttons

I reckon as he launches the attack a small parcel by the side of the screen should explode on contact

showering him in guts brains puke and shit and a smell device should fire into his nose the smell of death and decay .

maybe only then will these so called WARRIORS be brought down to the reality of what they are doing..

it is only a small leapt before these things are turned on us failled to pay your tax

SEND THE DRONE

many thanks for taking the time to read my waffle

peace and light

the daft hermit

some wee pics by the dafthermit

2010-01-29T22:04:00.001Z