The Demise of the Scottish National Party

Some years ago, the Labour Party had almost a monopoly in Scotland. The Conservatives were there too, and some others.
Most Catholics saw the Labour Party as their natural home. The result of this, plus the vision of the labour Party as the "working man's party" meant that Scotland helped Labour to a large number of seats in Scotland, helping it towards national power.
Then, things began to change. When Mrs Thatcher came to power, her ploicies, her personality, the way she spoke began to irritate people. And when the "Poll Tax" was introduced, and trialled in Scotland a year before the rest of the UK, the outcome was the wiping out of  Scottish Conservative MPs.

The Labour Party benefited from this anti-Thatcherism. The SNP was emerging at this time, but it was regarded by many as being anti-Catholic. So it had limited Parliamentary success.

Then later, another change. Labour began to loose its way. It forgot about its "grassroot supporters." People became unhappy about some of its Policies.

As far as Catholics were concerned, a major problem was Labour party support for Abortion.
There are many views on abortion. But what it comes down to is the deliberate destruction of an unborn child. This is a grave matter. The catholic Hierarchy began to respond to the concerns of their flock, and began to criticise the party leadership. This was resented, and seen as intereference.

As more anti-life legislation began to appear in the Labour Manifesto, many Catholics began to look around for someone else worthy of their vote. The Scottish Nationalists changed their seemingly ant-Catholic stance, and courted the Catholic vote. And in increasing numbers, those who had lost their trust of the Labour Party switched to the SNP.
The result was increasing numbers of SNP councillors and MPs.

With the setting up of the Scottish Parliament, the SNP took full advantage of the changing mood, and became stronger, while Labour was still focused on the long gone Margaret Thatcher.
At the last Election, the SNP did what had been intended to be impossible. They won a clear majority, and began their push for total Scottish Independence. It all looked to be going the SNP
way.

And then came the so called, "same sex marriage " issue. Mr Salmond nailed his colours to the yes vote for same sex marriage. Just like Mr Cameron, Mr Clegg and Mr Miliband.

The outcome was inevitable. At the most recent Scottish Council Elections, the continued expected rise in SNP power faltered, and the Labour Party reclaimed some of its lost ground.

There are other worrying matters to about SNP Policy. Reliance on wind power for example. Where will we get our electricity on a freezing calm winter's day?
And becoming part of the Euro?  As the Euro faces disaster? When this week Eurpoe are pressing for a 4p a litre rise in the price of petrol?

I did write to each of the main leaders over the same sex marriage bill. Mr Cameron and Mr Salmond sent only automatic replies.

2 years ago I was becoming convinced by the SNP arguement for Independence. But sadly, the SNP are losing their way, and given their attitude to the above policies, I cannot in conscience give them my vote any longer. And, as mentioned in yesterday's blog, to have one of their members speak in the Assembly congratulating marvel Comics featuring a same sex marriage, is the final nail in the coffin.
Unless Mr Salmond has a change of heart, his dream of Independence is lost, and his grip as the First Minister of Scotland is already loosening.

Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle

Bowes Museum by night

China Display at the Bowes

China display at the Bowes

Catholic Chapel, Barnard Castle,
once upon a time inside the Bowes

Goodbye Summer?

The weather...she is changing.

For 2 weeks now, we have had clear blue skies and hot sunshine. This morning, the forecast change began. No blue sky, just greyish. A fair old cloud covering. The temperature has dropped about 12C, and we are down to 14C. Not cold by no means. I was still able to sit outside and read the paper and have a go at the crosswords.
Tomorrow rain. But it looks like the Jubilee weekend could be warm and sunny again. Fingers crossed.

The Olympic torch is on its way round Britain. It will be in Scotland soon. But most people here are fairly uninterested. The general feeling is that this is a London event, with a few crumbs thrown to the farther regions. They needn't have bothered. London will do very well in terms of finance and infrastructure. But the normal day to day life of Joe public is going to be greatly affected. There will be transport problems. Closures. The Post Office are having a special London Charge on post for the duration, while advising that mail deliveries will be delayed. That make sense?

Then of course there is the small matter of Security. Air to Air Missiles, tanks, armoured cars, overhead warplanes. The Olympic Games?

I saw an unbelievable article in the papers today. Some SNP Assembly member has tabled a motion commending Marvel Comics for featuring the same sex "marriage" of 2 of its characters!

I thought for a while that the SNP were worthy of my vote. But events of the last few months tell me that the SNP has lost its way. It will not now win the Independence Vote. It is losing the hearts and minds of its supporters, especially those who left the Labour Party when it lost its way.

The Country is in a mess, and some Assemnly members are only concerned about an adolescent comic.
That says it all.

Dunstaffanage Castle nr Oban

Dunstaffanage Chapel

Bridge over the Atlantic Ocean

View from the Bridge

Signed Off

A couple of weeks ago, I did something I had not done since I was given early retirement from teaching. I offered my services an Authority as I had been told that supply teachers were desperately needed. Partly this is because they changed the way supply teachers are paid. Instead of being paid at the salary level you sholud be on, you are paid at the lowest rate for the first 5 days. Then it moves to your correct level. Naturally many people are unwilling to work at this low rate, especially as you might get less than 5 days work, and therefore be stuck at point 1.

Anyway, I offered and after a few red herrings, was given supply post at Primary 6 stage in a city school.
I found myself in front of 32 of the most difficult children I have ever taught. Well, actually, I did little teaching. I spent the whole of the first day just trying to establish order and an atmosphere for teaching and learning. It was hard. After  the children had gone home  I was asked if i would be back tomorrow. The difficulties of this group were known to all.

I spent a total of 8 days battling with them. Many of the children were unwilling learners, actively disrupting the class. "If you don't let me go to the toilet, I will pee myself..." " I'm not doing homework"  " Are we going to be doing work all day?"....jut some of what was said to me.
After 8 days, it was affecting my health. I told the HT I would not be back. Later, an offer was made to remove a number of children from the class. Bit it was too late for me.

The school had other problems. Overcrowded, claustrophobic, limited space, no board to write on. I have great admiration for the staff of that school working under such difficult circumstances.

Next day the doctor deemed me unfit for work for 4 weeks.
And this was straight off the back of  6 months in another school, where I had had absolutely no problem in managing various classes, being monitered, and even doing a Parents' Evening.

So I am enjoying the sunshine, getting to morning mass and pottering in the garden.

Wocester Cathedral

Notice in Bath

Poultney Bridge Bath

Street Theatre bath

River Avon Bath

I will not be actively looking for any more supply work!

Pentecost Sunday

Today is Pentecost Sunday. It is the birthday of the Church, which began about 2000 years ago with a frightened group of 12 men and Our Lady locked in an upstairs room. Suddenly the room was filled with what they described as " A roaring wind," and tongues of fire appeared above thier heads.
It was the coming of the Holy Spirit. The fear left them, they unbolted the door, rushed out into the street and began to preach the Good News. The rest is History.

The weather here in the UK has been absolutely wonderful. If this is Global warming....bring it on.
We have had 2 weeks of blue, cloudless skies. Temperatures have been up around 26C. Everyone is smiling. The beaches and parks are full of people enjoying themselves. Ice cream shops are doing a roaring trade. Iced drinks are being feverishly downed...and lots of chilled wine and beer too.
This time last year we were in gales and freezing weather. How wonderful Scotland is!
And the weather will go on like this for some days yet. long may it last is what we say.
Despite the heat, we have no shortage of water in Scotland. We seldom do. England is another story.
They have had drought notices served over the last few weeks. They tend to have warmer weather than we do here in Scotland.
And the best is I am able to enjoy it as I have been signed of work by the Doctor. More of that in another blog.

A Puffer on the Clyde at Old Kilpatrick

Loch Lomond at Luss

Luss

Luss

Tonight, sitting in the garden, a good book and a glass....or two...of chenin blanc!

Falkirk Writers' Trophy

Last week, while I was busy at Linlithgow Palace, my wife was attending the Falkirk Writers' Annual Bash.
Most of those who attend have entered pieces of writing on various subjects. There are prizes. Not points....just prizes.
The top prize is the Trophy...a silver cup. Well, I am delighted to write that my wife won the trophy with a short story called, "Message in a Bottle"
This is the third time she has won this trophy. Clever girl! And it is plaudit for Clydebank Writers too!

I saw she had a huge smile as she emerged from the afternoon, with a box in her hand that said, "Artificial Christmas Tree." I thought she had bought some junk actually. But no, it was the trophy.

This last week has been a most interesting one. I have lots to write. But not all in this blog.

Good things. I bought an I-Pad, and am learning to use it. I bought it so that when I go to America later this year, I do not have to carry my heavy lap top.

As part of West Dunbartonshire's Literature Festival, I attended an evening at Dalmuir Library. It was to commemorate the UCS Sit In. UCS = Upper Clyde Shipbuilders.
In June 1971, the Conservative Government decided that it could no longer give subsidies to shipbuilding on the River Clyde. The industry had been in decline due to cheaper costs in foreign markets. Shipbuilding had been the main employer on the river for almost a 100 years. Clydebank actually grew up as a result of John Brown's Shipyard being established at this point of the Clyde.
The workers decided that they could not allow this to happen. Meetings were organised. It was realised that if the workers simply went on strike, the Yards would never re-open. So instead, the Unions organised a "Work In."
They would continue to build ships. They would work with the liquidator. Money raising activities took place around the world, and the work in continued until February 1972, at which point the Government reversed its decision not to support Upper Clyde Shipbuilders. Jimmy Reid was perhaps the best known figure to come out of this event, though there many other characters who became famous.

The Literature festival event..."A Rose Loupt Out" was a celebration in words and music of those historic days.
There was a great attendance, and I was there to read a Poem on behalf of the author. The whole evening was a most enjoyable experience, and I met many interesting characters.
There are links to relevant web sites posted below,

http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/education/hist/employment/ship/section_d/index.shtml

http://www.myclydebankphotos.co.uk/

http://libraryonline.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/rooms/

David Betteridge's book, "A Rose Loupt Oot" is available from
http://www.smokestack-books.co.uk/book.php?book=15

Falkirk Writers' Trophy

Clydebank Writers
Betty, Marie _Therese, Claire.

Linlithgow Palace

A couple of weeks ago, I bought a Fuji S4500 digital bridge camera. It has a 30X optical zoom.
Today I had to take my wife and 2 members of her writing group to the annual Falkirk Writers' Annual Competition.
So once I had dropped them, I drove on to Linlithgow to visit the Palace there and to try out the new camera. The photos will be on this blog.
The lighting wasn't very good. The eye piece is not adjustable which is disappointing. But the camera is a reasonable weight, and it seems straightforward. It will take me a while to get used to it. I could not find a way of changing the scene settings. With the Lumix, I would have switched to sunset mode to give more colour to the photos.
The camera does have Panorama setting, which is simple to use and the results seem not too bad.

The site of the Palace has been used as far back as Roman times. But it was King David I (1124 - 1153) who built the first royal house here.

In 1302, King Edward I of England, the "Hammer of the Scots" invaded Scotland and took Linlithgow.
Just over a hundred years later, the town and much of the Palace was destroyed in a fire.
King James I started a rebuilding of the residence, and this work went on throughout the next 100 years.
It became a favourite location for the Ste warts.  Mary, Queen of Scots was born here.
But when her son, King James VI moved to London to become James I of England, the Palace fell into decline.
In 1745, another fire raged through the building, leaving the shell we see today. But it is easy to imagine how it must have appeared when it was in it's hey-day.

Beside the Church stands St Michael's Kirk. Catholic until the Reformation, the Church had as a benefactor the Livingstone Family, one of whom was one of the 4 Mary's of Mary Queen of Scots.

Linlithgow Town Square

Road to Palace and Church

Fountain in Palace

Panoramic view from Palace roof

Inside St Michael's Kirk

Stained glass Window in Kirk

You will find a history of the Palace and the Kirk at the web sites below.

http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

http://www.stmichaelsparish.org.uk/

More of the World.

I was looking through the digital photos I have stored on my portable hard drive. There are so many of them.
I am not trying to boast, but I am  really pleased with a number of the photographs I have taken over the years.
Until last week, my camera of everyday use has been a bridge camera...halfway between a digital and an SLR. It is a Panasonic Lumix camera. It has many useful functions, and even after 3 years or so, I have still not mastered all of its functions. For me the 18X optical zoom was the main selling point. I later came to appreciate the lens quality, and the useful little toggle button that allows me to move around and change the settings via the viewfinder. It will continue to be my main camera.
But last week I bought 2 items. An i-pad and a Fuji bridge camera with a 30x optical zoom.

This weekend my wife will be at a writers' convention in Falkirk. While she is there, I will take the chance to play with the camera and the i-pad. Fairly near Falkirk is Linlithgow Palace, and some remains of the Antonine Wall. Weather permitting I will have the chance to use the new camera, and compare it to the Lumix. I will post my results here.

I have added something called Feedjit to my blog. It allows me to see if anyone is visiting my blog. It does not tell me who, just where they come from. I am flattered to see that I have some visitors...not many...from countries far from Scotland. Thankyou for visiting!
If you feel like commenting on anything I write, or about my photos, I would be absolutely delighted!
If there  are any photos of Scotland you would like to see here, I can try and oblige.
I hope I have not scared you away now! Please keep coming back!

I am out teaching in a Primary school. The school is overcrowded, under resourced, really not fit for purpose.The class has to be one of the most difficult classes I have ever had to deal with. There are 32 of them. Not all are difficult, but enough of them are to make it not easy.
I see the Chief Inspector of schools in England has been berating teachers who complain of stress.
Every job has it stresses. But I do think that being in a cramped, low ceilinged room, where flourescent lights have to be on all day so dim is the room, and with 32 large children who are far from co-operative, who display bad manners and rudeness, is perhpas one of the most stressful situations in which to be operating. A teacher cannot leave the classroom unattended. You have to be there as long as the children are there. There is no quick break, no time out. Give teachers some understanding. The majority of teachers are hard working individuals who care about what they do and care about the children in their care. We work in schools designed by non teachers. We each an ever changing, ever widening curriculum. I hear today we are to add foreign languages from age 4. No doubt this will become examinable and testable.
If children fail, teachers are to blame. If children pass exams, it is because we have dummed exams down. teachers feel they are in a no win situation. We are to blame for all the ills of society. Not true!
It is the Government who are redesigning society and supporting the break up of family life and moral values.
Don't blame teachers. Blame Society's anything goes attitude to life.

Bring back values, morality, support for marriage and familes, respect for Law, and Britain will change for the better.

Street Car near Long Branch

Doon Valley Heritage Centre

Fanshawe Pioneer Village

Inside Peel House at Fanshawe

Seeing the World.

Being a Primary school teacher, bringing up 6 children, with only 1 salary coming in, Life was not always easy. But through the intervention of family and friends, and of course God, we got through.
And since my retiral, I have had the chance to see so many parts of the world that I had long thought impossible for me to have seen.

When we first got married, we had a week in France, visiting Paris, Versailles, Fecamp and Lisieux.
The next time we got abroad was on our Silver Wedding, when the boys clubbed together and sent us to Holland on a mini weekend cruise.
The taste for travel was reignited.
Then, while ill and off work, I was invited to Sao Paolo in Brazil by Prince Bertrand. That trip fell in Holy Week. That was a truly  memorable trip. And I was to return there a few years later at Christmas Time.
Since then, I have been to Belgium, Holland, France, Italy, Ireland, England, Wales, Canada a few times,and last year, for the first time, America.
(On one of the Canada trips, we flew over Greenland as the sun was setting. Amazing sights we saw from way up there!)
God willing, I will be returning to America in October this year again.

It is a wonderful gift to see so much of the world. Travel really does widen one's horizons. The chance to see amazing places, meet so many different people, to try other cuisines. To sit in pavement cafes and watch the world go by.

The places...so many. Where to begin?  The Vatican. The Eiffel Tower. The CNN Tower in Toronto. The Martyrs' Shrine in Ontario. The wonderful churches in St Paolo. Anne Frank's house in Amsterdam. The ruined abbeys of England, Wales and Scotland. Gettysburg Battlefield. Perhaps I appreciate them so much because I had long though them to be beyond my reach.

It is really a tremendous gift to be able to see so much of God's wonderful world. Louis Armstrong got it right with his song...."What a wonderful world."

I attach a few of my photos of some of the places mentioned above.

Toronto

Sao Paolo

Gettysburg Battlefield

Tewkesbury Cathedral

Turin

Oban

Mr Cameron Retreats?

Following the poor showing of Conservatives in last week's Council elections, and the demise so many  of Lib Dem councillors, it appears that reference to same sex marriage legislation, and reform of the House of Lords, are to be dropped from the Queen's speech to Parliament next week.

It is good news that this has happened, though sadly it does not indicate a policy shift or a change of heart. It is simply a matter of expediency. The Government now realise that the average voter is angry that while he or she is suffering from the austerity programme, the "Posh Boys" at the top of the tree are not feeling any pain.
Prices are rising quickly, while income is falling due to wage freezes. Savings accounts are paying minuscule interest rates to savers. The cost of domestic energy climbs ever higher, and petrol prices show no sign of decreasing.
The recent budget has turned into a disaster. There are to be increases in allowances next year, but there are new taxes on Old Age Pensioners ( Granny Tax"), and new taxes on hot food "( Pastie Tax"). This last one adds to the cost of a hot pastry bought from a baker. If it is cold, there is no tax, only if it is hot. What if it is neither...just warm?
So while the man in the street is enduring the hardship of these austerity measures, the Government has come under huge pressure in the press over same sex marriage and House of Lords reform. The question is why is time and energy and money being spent on these highly unpopular issues while the people of Britain labour under financial restraints. Why are we taxpayers subsidising the Euro, a currency we opted not to join?
Why are we giving large amounts of money for the poor in India, while India expands its nuclear weapon technology and it's space programme? India has more millionaires that the UK.
Many families in Britain are now struggling to find the money to heat their homes in winter due to the high cost of domestic fuel. And some of the extra costs are the so-called "Green Taxes", so we can extend low carbon power production.

The people and the National Press, and Religious Organisations are making it clear that same sex marriages is definite no-no. And the Coalition Government is slowly accepting that it does not want to have the reputation of pushing unpopular legislation at a time like this. Hence the leak that there will be no legislation in the coming year.

In Scotland, the Scottish National Party did not make the progress it was hoping for. And there is reason to think that it's intentions in the area of same sex marriages is having an effect on it's vote. The big issue for Mr.Salmond is what effect this issue might cause when it comes to the Referendum on Scottish Independence?

It is quite clear from recent Government statements that the SNP do not regard marriage as in any way special with regard to the upbringing of children.
Voters who are opposed to same sex marriage were urged to contact the leaders of the 4 main parties to tell them why we did not vote for them in these elections.
Tesco, a major Supermarket Group, announce last year its support for Gay Rights. Christians were urged to protest and to shop elsewhere. Since then, Tesco have announced their worst ever trading figures. Does anyone see a link there?

We have to maintain the pressure on all parties. None of them have the right to re define the meaning of Marriage as it has been understood for thousands of years. They do so at their own peril.
It has nothing to do with human rights. How long before pedophiles or those whose perversion is bestiality  will be pushing for their human rights?
After all, we live in the age of liberalism. Anything goes, as long as it makes you happy!



This is my family. I am very proud of them all. They are all very talented, smart and caring.

Marie-Therese, Gerry, John, Therese, James, Martin, Claire,(Martin's wife) Damien.

Spot the dad!

John thinking.....

John and  Damien...who is not thinking...

Just Another Monday

After mass this morning, we drove to Callendar for a few hours. It's about an hour or so by car.
The weather was not so nice today. I bought some petrol at Sainsbury's. Nice to see a drop in price. Down a penny to £1.37 a litre. That is still about $12 a gallon for any USA visitors.

We spent a pleasant hour or so, then headed towards Aberfoyle via the Trossachs. This is a scenic drive through a forestry area. On a dull day like today. not spectacular, but in summer, or winter or autumn, it can be quite spectacular.

We stopped at Aberfoyle for a bite to eat, then headed for home via Drymen, Balloch and Dumbarton.

Balloch is at the beginning of beautiful Loch Lomond. Dumbarton was the ancient capital of Strathclyde.

An extinct volcano stands over the town, right at the shore of the River Clyde. There is a castle there today, and it has long been strategically important for the defense of this area, and of course controlled traffic sailing upstream towards Glasgow.

I bought myself a new camera, one with a 30X optical zoom, but sadly today there was nothing on which I could practice.
Maybe tomorrow?

River Clyde towards Dumbarton Rock

Loch Lomond

Loch Lomond

I attach some past photos of this route.

What Do I Know About Wine?

I am an occasional drinker. My preferred drink is wine. I like a glass of wine with my meal, and sometimes a glass in the evening while relaxing.
Over the years I have tried a large number of red and white and rose wines. My tastes have changed over that time too.
In summer, I much prefer a really chilled white.
I don't usually spend all that much on a bottle of wine. I have good look at the label first. If that attracts me, I then read what it says on the back.

Sometimes I take  note of wines mentioned in the weekend magazines that come with my newspaper.
I started to keep a note of the names and types I liked. But there are so many different makers now, from so many different countries that seldom do I choose one I have previously liked. I want to try them all!

I have no particular favourite country right now. I have tried wine from many parts of the world. When I was in Brazil, I tasted some pleasant Brazilian wines, but they are not available over here.
Same in Canada, and again, not available here. Some of the Canadian wines were blends from Europe, but the Niagara area is rich in vineyards where they produce 100% Canadian wines. I particularly liked the Ice Wines.
But again, there is no market here for Canadian wines.
American wines can be bought here, usually from California. But last year in Pennsylvania, I tried some local wine there, and even brought back a red and a white from Gettysburg, a special label marking the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. I would like to have brought more, but sadly there are customs limits, and very low limits at that.

Recently though, I splashed out on a couple of more expensive wines....expensive for me! I bough a
La Chasse Sauvignon - Grenache at £9, and a Chateau-Neuf-Du Pape at £12.
I also opened a bottle of Lanson Champagne that was a present.

To be honest, the Sauvignon was pleasant enough. The Chateau I found disappointing. I have found more pleasant wines at lesser prices.
The Champagne thought was really nice. I would buy that myself! Thank you Fr Zebe.
So I will continue to experiment. It is a pleasant experiment!

More Heartbeat Country photos

Mary Surrat

Last night our Sky box was recording 2 programmes...clever little thing. But that means you cannot watch anything else on live TV. So I had a look at another extra the box has....Anytime TV.
This is a selection of programmes already broadcast, but stored for a week or so.
There we saw a film called "The Conspirator."
We gave it a go.

It was one of the most interesting films I have seen for some time. It was directed by Robert Redford.

The film begins on the evening of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and the attempts on the life of important members of the Government. These events took place on the evening of Good Friday 1865.

Withing a short time investigators arrived at a boarding house owned by Mary Surrat, a Catholic.

It became clear that Booth, the assassin, and the other conspirators, including Mary's son John had frequented the house.
Mary was arrested and put on trial at a military court. The film explores the trial.

Mary was found guilty. She was sentenced to death. Some of the Jury President Johnson for leniency. He refused.
Her lawyer sought and was granted a writ of "habeas corpus" President Johnson over ruled this just when Mary had been told she would not hang.

There are many links on the internet to this story. Opinion is still divided as to her guilt or non guilt. It would appear she may have known of a plot to kidnap Lincoln, but not of the murder plan.

I offer no opinion. I wish to read more before coming to a decision.

If you are interested, Google it. I paste a link here to the film itself.


http://www.conspiratorthemovie.com/