Tayview from Flisk North Fife 26th February

Tayview from Flisk North Fife February 26th 2011

The River Tay nearer Newburgh showing the sand banks and Mugdrum Isle.

North Fife 25th February 2011

Larch cones. Although a conifer, the larch is a deciduous tree and loses its leaves in the fall but not the cones it seems.

Pheasant wandering away having seen off another in a fight, oblivious to my presence.

Tayview last night 24th February, the lights of Newburgh aglow. A pleasure to see a sunset again and some sky.

Trout Fishery Bridge of Earn, no longer viable due to Wild Beavers felling the trees around the waters edge. A picture for Sam.

Tayview February 24th 2011

Tayview February 24th. At last the sun has shown itself, it's been a long time coming and not before time. The temperature was in double figures, bees fly at 9 centigrade and will have been out from the hives for the first time since the autumn usually to defecate, not a good time to hang out washing near hives, by the way.

Lindores North Fife 23rd February

Lindores 23rd February. One of three horses that graze this roadside field, a view I've meant to record many times before.

The same pool reflecting an incongruous brick shed. In drier times there is no water present.

Mountquhanie north Fife 2011

Another murky dreich day for this north fife view. Behind me is Black Craig and we are looking across the lands of Mountquhanie and Drumnod wood. This is good walking country with many wee hills to top and get excellent views. Mountquhanie rents many cottages for holiday makers.

WikiLeaks: Inside Julian Assange's War on Secrecy [Paperback]

The first inside and in-depth account of WikiLeaks. Julian Assange's release of so much relatively secret information has seriously embarrassed many in power, so much so that they want to shoot the messenger. Worth a read. Authors David Leigh and Luke Harding of The Guardian.


WikiLeaks: Inside Julian Assange's War on Secrecy [Paperback]

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From the horses mouth.

Wikileaks Versus the World: My Story [Hardcover]
To be published April 7th 2011.

WikiLeaks has helped redefine our idea of investigative journalism and our understanding of how information should be disseminated. Assange, the visionary creator of and driving force behind this new publishing phenomenon, has a unique perspective on how WikiLeaks has evolved into one of today's most influential and fearless news organisations. In this revelatory account, Assange expands on the philosophies that underpin his stateless, ground-breaking media company. He draws on his own fascinating life story and offers compelling insights into the mercurial and highly driven man who has forced us to radically rethink such basic ideas as transparency, democracy and power.
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Be amongst the first.Wikileaks Versus the World: My Story

Tayview MV CEG Cosmos

A calm River Tay, like a millpond reflecting MV CEG Cosmos.



Today: CEG Cosmos flowing with the tide upstream on The River Tay off Flisk Point, having waited off St Andrews for the turn, a pilot was probably picked up there or in Dundee on route from Hanstholm, North West Denmark to Perth, Scotland. The River Tay has many shifting sand banks and indeed I have seen ships become grounded at Newburgh. In spite of new navigation beacons, Pilots are needed.
On june 12th 2007 Lüddeke ReedereiAgentur GmbH took over the correspondent ownership of MV "CEG COSMOS" a new purchase of Messrs CEG, Hamburg. The vessel is employed to trade in the Continent/Baltic/Mediterranean range primarily for the transport of general cargoes.
MV CEG COSMOS
Dwat:1.300 mt DWAT
Dwcc:about 1.250 mt dwcc summer / 1.200 mt dwcc winter
Flag:Gibraltar
Built:06/1983 Husumer Schiffswerft, Germany
Type:boxshaped singledecker
Loa / Beam:63,17m / 11,32m
Draft:3,73m
Holds/Hatches:1 Hold / Hatch 37,1m x 9m x 5,9m
Perth Docks are relatively tiny and can only provide space for two vessels of this size. Grain, Coal, Fertilizers, Timber, Chemicals seem to be the main imports.
In the past Newburgh was the main transfer place from large ships to small for onward shipment to Perth. Newburgh was also a place of export of locally quarried minerals.

Tayview February 17th 2011

Tayview February 17th 2011. A real dreich day 98% humidity and not a lot to see.

Scott Shackleton and Antarctic Photography

Scott Shackleton and Antarctic Photography, The Heart of the Great Alone.
This lavish full-colour publication presents the ill-fated Antarctic explorations of Scott and Shackleton through the eyes of their official photographers. Published to coincide with the 100th anniversary of Scott's expedition to the South Pole, this book brings together a selection of the astonishing photographs taken by Herbert Ponting travelling on board the Terra Nova with Scott, and by Frank Hurley on Endurance with Shackleton. David Hempleman-Adams, one of the worlds most successful polar explorers, introduces Ponting and Hurleys evocative images, while further essays on the two camera artists and their processes are complemented by maps and chronologies of the expeditions, and biographies of members of their parties. The magnificent photographs themselves are the finest in existence. Some show unique tints applied to them by the photographers. They are presented alongside matchless archival material: the flag entrusted to Scott by Queen Alexandra upon his departure in 1910 and returned to her by Scott's widow after his death; and a copy of the Aurora Australis, the first book ever to be printed in Antarctica.

On board the Discovery the laboratory used by Ponting for photographic chemicals.

The niche next to the darkroom below decks on the RRS Discovery.

RRP: £29.95
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To purchase this desirable book. The Heart of the Great Alone: Scott, Shackleton and Antarctic Photography: Scott, Shackelton and Antarctic Photograhy

Earnest Shackleton Discovery

Today is Earnest Shackleton's birthday, I was minded of this by Google doodle, so I visited the Ship moored in Dundee just 14 miles from my home. It was cold but nothing like the conditions the explorers endured over 100 years ago.

Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton, CVO, OBE (15 February 1874 – 5 January 1922) was an Anglo-Irish explorer who was one of the principal figures of the period known as the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration. His first experience of the polar regions was as third officer on Captain Robert Falcon Scott’s Discovery Expedition, 1901–04, from which he was sent home early on health grounds. Determined to make amends for this perceived personal failure, he returned to Antarctica in 1907 as leader of the Nimrod Expedition. In January 1909 he and three companions made a southern march which established a record Farthest South latitude at 88°23'S, 97 geographical miles (114 statute miles, 190 km) from the South Pole, by far the closest convergence in exploration history up to that time. For this achievement, Shackleton was knighted by King Edward VII on his return home.

After the race to the South Pole ended in 1912 with Roald Amundsen's conquest, Shackleton turned his attention to what he said was the one remaining great object of Antarctic journeying–the crossing of the continent from sea to sea, via the pole. To this end he made preparations for what became the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, 1914–17. Disaster struck this expedition when its ship, Endurance, was trapped in pack ice and slowly crushed, before the shore parties could be landed. There followed a sequence of exploits, and an ultimate escape with no lives lost, that would eventually assure Shackleton's heroic status, although this was not immediately evident.[1] In 1921 he went back to the Antarctic with the Shackleton-Rowett Expedition, intending to carry out a programme of scientific and survey activities. Before the expedition could begin this work Shackleton died of a heart attack while his ship, Quest, was moored in South Georgia. At his wife's request he was buried there.

RSS Discovery permanently docked on the riverside in Dundee, City of Discovery.



This Shackleton's cabin off the officers dining room, next to Captain Scott's cabin. Incidentally this dining room can be hired for functions, seating a maximum of 14, twelve preferred and a minimum of 10.



The dining room is totally private with your own Chef and waiting team. oil lamp and candle lit. Included is a private tour of Discovery, above and below decks, The evening would start at 19-00 hours finishing at midnight. Sumptuous Deluxe three or four course meals with extensive wine list.
Where else can one enjoy such an historic maritime experience, Unique. Go on, spoil yourself and others. Contact, Lisa Williamson, Discovery Point, Discovery Quay, Dundee DD1 4XA. Tel 01382 309060, fax, 01382 225 891.

For further information.

Tayview February 14th 2011

The approaching clouds dumped a load of hailstones a short while later.

Valentines Day Say it with Flowers

Say it with Flowers.

Tayview 6th February 2011

Tayview 6th February 2011, a dreich misty day.

This part of a huge stand of Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae Rhamnoides)near the roadside between Aberargie and Bridge of Earn. Weather bleached and reduced in quantity by birds. Surprisingly nobody seems to harvest them given the health benefits.
Sea-buckthorn berries are edible and nutritious, though very acidic (astringent) and oily, unpleasant to eat raw, unless 'bletted' (frosted to reduce the astringency) and/or mixed as a juice with sweeter substances such as apple or grape juice.

When the berries are pressed, the resulting sea-buckthorn juice separates into three layers: on top is a thick, orange cream; in the middle, a layer containing sea-buckthorn's characteristic high content of saturated and polyunsaturated fats; and the bottom layer is sediment and juice containing fat sources applicable for cosmetic purposes, the upper two layers can be processed for skin creams and liniments, whereas the bottom layer can be used for edible products like syrup.

Nutrient and phytochemical constituents of sea-buckthorn berries have potential value to affect inflammatory disorders, cancer or other diseases, although no specific health benefits have yet been proven by clinical research in humans.

The fruit of the plant has a high vitamin C content—in a range of 114 to 1550 mg per 100 grams with an average content (695 mg per 100 grams) about 15 times greater than oranges (45 mg per 100 grams)— placing sea-buckthorn fruit among the most enriched plant sources of vitamin C. The fruit also contains dense contents of carotenoids, vitamin E, amino acids, dietary minerals, β-sitosterol and polyphenols. Flavonols were found to be the predominating polyphenols while phenolic acids and catechins represent minor components. Of the seven flavonols identified, isorhamnetin 3-O-glycosides were the most important representatives quantitatively.


Well frozen this winter. Easier to pick though it's never comfortable given the thorns.

Sea Buckthorn at the same site in September.

Motorcar Mishap North Fife

Motorcar mishap, a moments inattention and oops over we go. The occupant was unhurt. Yesterday at Flisk North Fife.

Ploughing North Fife

Ploughing the furrow, all over North Fife the tractors are out turning the soil in readiness for spring sowing, conditions were such that winter sowing never took place so the pressure is on.


Gulls at the furrows, more and more sea birds follow the plough, not just here but just about anywhere in the UK, in the cities it will be the garbage disposal sites. It's maybe a reflection of the decline of seafoods.

Ultimately Perfect Tai Situpa

Chamgo Kenting Tai Situpa.


Ultimately Perfect [Kindle Edition]
by Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa.
This compilation of six talks by Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa provides a clear and elegant introduction to the very essence of the Buddhist view.

His grasp of the issues and problems of modern urban life is reflected in the wide range of topics covered. He gives advice for living a meaningful and purposeful life, discusses the relationship between contentment, stress and greed, shows how to approach problems positively, demonstrates the way we create the conditions for our suffering and our happiness, and even advises on how to compassionately fire an employee.

From the practical to the theoretical, Kenting Tai Situpa also teaches clearly and precisely about the nature of mind, the relationship between relative and ultimate truth, perception and primordial wisdom in a way that makes these concepts relevant and accessible by the novice Buddhist and serious practitioner alike.
There is nothing like having the right view.
Treat your being and buy here.Ultimately Perfect