Saturday, February 28, 2009

Steel Pulse North Fife Photographs

Steel Pulse, a photograph taken on the Soho Road Handsworth Birmingham not far from where I was born, a long way from north fife. These are the original Reggae group of the mid 70's though the passing of time has produced changes.

Friday, February 27, 2009

North Fife Photographs Lama Dance

Today I am posting more photos of Lama Dancing as has been requested. These are a few examples of an archive being scanned in high res, much too large to publish on this Blog. The work is being carried out at The Steeple Arts Studios, Newburgh North Fife. A exhibition of these and other photographs is projected. The dances will be taking place right now at Rumtek Monastery, Sikkim India.

Gyaltsap Rimpoche about to lead the Lama Dance.

A young Monk about to join the dance.

Within the circle of dancing monks rituals take place in accordance with the Karma Kagyu Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, to the fascination of the spectators.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Orchids North Fife

Orchids north fife, A photograph taken today, simply because I really like the flowers, they last for a very long time and this example was purchased at the local Lidl store at the amazing price of under £5 in a red ceramic pot too. Orchids hybridise easily and should you have an interest in growing, multiplying and having a shot then the following book could prove useful.

"As either a blueprint for amassing an orchid collection or a reference source for specific types of orchid, Gilland's selective directory of the most popular and easily maintained varieties offers essential information. ...Gilland's thoughtful instruction goes a long way toward correcting the old perception of orchids as difficult."--"Booklist." Orchids are Easy: A Beginner's Guide to Their Care and Cultivation

Hazelton to Flisk North Fife

The right is bounded by Birkhill Estate until East Flisk farm then Flisk Parish Church, (ruin) at Flisk Point on to Balhelvie farm followed by Flisk Old Schoolhouse. Big skys and views of the River Tay

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Pittachope North East Fife

Pittachope farm north fife today with fields waiting to be sown abutted by Craigsimmie at the foot of which stands last years bracken soon to be festooned in bluebell flowers.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Lama Dance North Fife Photographry

The stage is set, beneath an applique banner of the Karma Kagyu Lineage monks emerge from the confines of Rumtek Monastery Gompa, Sikkim North India to perform a ritual dance associated with the end of the year, Mahakala and Kalachackra. to the left an edifice, a torma in the shape of Mahakala's head two to three times the mass of a person supporting an elaborate structure of which every part, colour, proportion, juxtaposition and number has a significance. To pulsating rhythms of the music, radungs, jowlings, drums, cymbals etc led by Umze-la directs the dancers. The rich brocade costumes adorn, many of the masks are mythical and animal, embraced and incorporated have origins in Shamanism.




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Monday, February 23, 2009

North Fife Photographs Mahakala


Tomorrow is the last day of the Tibetan Buddhist Year, the year of the Earth Mouse gives way to the Female Earth Ox. The last day of the lunar month is Mahakala Day, a wrathful and protector deity that is invoked to neutralise the accumulated negativity of the preceding month. At Rumtek Monastery Sikkim where these photos were taken the last 14 days of the year non stop ritual and Puja takes place for good measure.

The turning of the year accords with Cosmology and cycles of time depicted in the Kalachackra Lama Dances, The Wheel of time. A teaching embedded in Tibetan Buddhist practice.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Zen North Fife

Zen North Fife. I have created a link to a site that explains well, requires concentration and patience and in itself is a very useful tool in understanding the nature of mind.



"Written by a lay teacher with 60 years of experience in zazan, this book provides everyone from absolute beginner to experienced student with detailed, progressive information and discussion on breathing, posture, distraction, actions of mind, physiology, mood, laughter, kensho, and samadhi."—Library Journal

"An extraordinarily important book. It should be on the shelves of all libraries."—Choice

"[Sekida's] approach is radical in its attempt to define Zen practice in terms of Western physiology and phenomenology."—New Age Journal

"This book is a valuable work. Though physiologically technical, it remains personal and practical, focusing on the actual experience of zazen practice. Ultimately, however, it is the concentrated and serious spirit of the book that most tellingly establishes its value to those interested in Zen."—Philip Kapleau . ZEN Training: Methods and Philosophy (Shambhala Classics)
The only way to know is to taste.

Friday, February 13, 2009

The River Tay from BlackEarnside Feb 2009

The River Tay from BlackEarnside North Fife. The snow on the thaw but still plenty about.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Ducks Snow North Fife

Notice the first drake at the water, a duck joins him and an interaction takes place, the consequence can be viewed in the following clip.

Today or should I say last night it snowed in north fife, most of the UK has experienced severe weather for a while, now it's our turn and our ducks for the first time experienced white out. Difficult for them to forage but some activity just goes on and on.

Thursday, February 05, 2009

Ice River Tay North Fife

The river Tay as ice in North Fife. It's been a long cold winter thus far but nothing like the winter of 1981 when the Tay froze over. The Tay is tidal as far as Perth and as the water levels change so do the layers of ice, it flows downstream and then comes back again building huge ice flows that crunch and grind together, noisy and surreal. I remember crunching through the various layers as each in turn gave way after a second or two. In the end my camera lens shutter froze up, yes IT was that cold.

Ice grottos.

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

HERONBANK, NEWPORT-ON-TAY North Fife

Heronbank, 99a Tay Street, Newport-on-Tay for sale.
Offers around £395,000

Property Type : Detached
Public Rooms : 4
Bedrooms : 3
Bathrooms : 2
Garden : yes
Garage : no
Pagan Osborne are delighted to offer this individual architect designed villa which enjoys spectacular uninterrupted views of the River Tay and Dundee beyond. Positioned within a secluded waterfront setting, the property is approximately 1.5 miles from Dundee city centre and 11 miles from St Andrews.
The accommodation is formed over four levels, offering a degree of flexibility in the layout. The subjects comprise: L-shaped sitting room/dining room with river views, living room with river views, dining kitchen, utility room, three double bedrooms (master with en suite and dressing room), study/fourth bedroom, double height conservatory, gallery playroom, fully tiled family bathroom and a cloaks WC. In addition, there is an integral garden store accessed from the exterior. Externally, the private driveway leads to a car port positioned to the rear of the property.
Images

Contact.

St Andrews Branch


Pagan Osborne Property Services
106 South Street
St Andrews
Fife
KY16 9QD

Tel : 01334 475151
Fax : 01334 477219

E-mail : property-standrews@pagan.co.uk

Sunday, February 01, 2009

Snow North Fife

Dance of miniature snowballs preceding the anticipated heavy snowfall tomorrow here in North Fife. A little bit better than watching paint dry.