Birmingham Corporation Bus Daimler CVG6, Crossley H30/25R

Birmingham Corporation Bus Daimler CVG6, Crossley H30/25R. This picture was made at a garage in Aston Birmingham in the early 70s. Still in service at the time and of the type with an open platform at the rear, easy to catch even when on the move, it takes running at speed and grabbing hold of the central vertical bar to swing oneself on. I remember them well. Getting off was ok too, hitting the ground running.

Tayview December 30th

Tayview December 30th. A good slow thaw over a few days with only light snow remaining on the fields and roadsides. What a relief. Long mat the warmth last.

Monty and Agnieszka Christmas Party.

Monty and Agnieszka Christmas Party held at Dunbog in a beautifully converted church. The theme was fancy dress or tartan, loads of cowboys strutting their stuff in the nicest possible way. A great party much enjoyed by all as can be seen. The pics are in order of taking and are available as high res giclee prints.

Care and protection of Scarlet.

What would you like to drink?

Yes it's Alice.



Lovely tartan.

Need I say who?

Such beauty.

That's an interesting thought.





Where's the cork screw?

No ammo though.

That's the disco smoke device on the go.







Agnieszka loving it.

That's Alice again. What's she like?





The adorable Jim.



Macho man.

Wee ravers.


Monty and Agnieszka Christmas Party.

Tayview December 26th

Snow, it's everywhere.

Tayview 26th December, mid-day.


Tayview Evening of the 26th, wonderful light.

H.H. Holiness 16th Karmapa.

900 Years of the Lineage of Karmapas. These pictures of the 16th taken a while ago, just like yesterday.

His Holiness 16th Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, Losar 8th February 1978. Rumtek Monastery Sikkim.

Later the same day a beaming smile wearing Gampopa hat in the main shrine-room.

Karmapa 900 News and Calendar of Events

Karmapa 900 News and Calendar of Events

Happy Holidays - Bing Crosby & Fred Astaire - Holiday Inn

Well It's Christmas, in the UK over 90% of television films are repeats, why not get into the swing of it and enjoy this wee clip.


Happy Holidays - Bing Crosby & Fred Astaire ...
4 min - 11 Dec 2007 - Uploaded by scottamcclure
A music video edited using clips from Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire in Holiday Inn set to the Beef Wellington Re-mix of Happy Holidays.

Tayview December 23rd

Tayview December 23rd, the ice is fair building up on the river Tay, being tidal the flows go out and some return groaning and moaning as they collide, a strange sound that today I could hear from a quarter of a mile away. Eerie.

Tayview 23rd December. Newburgh almost in the sunlight, at this time of the year the sun doesn't quite make it over the hill except for the waterside dwellings.

Tayview December 22nd North Fife

Last nights Solstice Moon over Dundee.

The road to Newburgh, rutted with ice that accumulates with the passing of time and becoming quite hazardous to negotiate in places.


Tayview Dec 22nd, amazing light this afternoon with temperatures not climbing above -6c degrees.

Snake Charming

Snake Charmer in Damthang Sikkim. From Darjeeling I once took a jeep to cross into Sikkim, it crossed a little used border control and eventually arrived at Damthang where we were told we could take a bus. Whilst waiting with others a snake charmer unloaded his wares and proceeded to entertain with his act. Snakes, I had seen dancing bears in Kolkotta but never snakes. Anyway to the consternation of my travel companion, the charmer snakes and all got on the same bus. The nibbles on the ride were cardamom seeds shared with passengers, pleasant compared to the nibbles in Nepal which were spring onions, a totally different kettle of fish. Eventually we arrived at the road end to Rumtek just past Ranipool, thence a mile in altitude hike to Rumtek Monastery.

Snake charmer.

Snake charmer bedazeling his attractions with movement.

Winter Solstice and Total Lunar Eclipse

Winter Solstice and total Lunar Eclipse, it only happens every few hundred years so it was worth prising myself out of a seductively warm bed and get out there into the sub zero temperatures.


Full moon 21st December, Winter Solstice.

Part of the total eclipse.

Nearly there.

Total eclipse, not much to see, the eye is far more impressed than the camera.

Winter Solstice dawn and a cold one at that -6c.

Tayview dusk December 20th.

Tayview dusk December 20th. The longest night for tomorrow the days start getting longer. About time too.

16th Karmapa x 2

16th Karmapa x 2. Two moments in time captured on film. When using a medium format camera which takes double dark slides and one forgets to reverse the light safe cover after taking the photograph mistakes can occur. This is one of them, a double exposure of H.H.Karmapa wearing The Black Hat and Gampopa Hat. To be showered by blessed rice during is quite uplifting. I actually like the outcome, it's said a picture is worth a thousand words, this is worth many.

The Fry Chronicles [Hardcover]

The Fry Chronicles [Hardcover] A bargain at £8-20 and still time to have it delivered free for Christmas. Worth it.

The Fry Chronicles [Hardcover]
Thirteen years ago, Moab is my Washpot, Stephen Fry’s autobiography of his early years, was published to rave reviews and was a huge bestseller. In those thirteen years since, Stephen Fry has moved into a completely new stratosphere, both as a public figure, and a private man. Now he is not just a multi-award-winning comedian and actor, but also an author, director and presenter. In January 2010, he was awarded the Special Recognition Award at the National Television Awards. Much loved by the public and his peers, Stephen Fry is one of the most influential cultural forces in the country. This dazzling memoir promises to be a courageously frank, honest and poignant read. It will detail some of the most turbulent and least well known years of his life with writing that will excite you, make you laugh uproariously, move you, inform you and, above all, surprise you.
About the Author
Stephen Fry is an award-winning comedian, actor, presenter and director. He rose to fame alongside Hugh Laurie in A Bit of Fry and Laurie (which he co-wrote with Laurie) and Jeeves and Wooster, and was unforgettable as Captain Melchett in Blackadder. More recently he presented Stephen Fry: The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive, his groundbreaking documentary on bipolar disorder, to huge critical acclaim. His legions of fans tune in to watch him host the popular quiz show QI each week.

RRP: £20.00
Price: £8.20 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. A saving of 59%

Buy here now. The Fry Chronicles

Dharmmapada and Tashi Mannox

Dharmmapada.
Dhammapada (Tibetan translation series) [Paperback]
Tipitaka (Author), Suttapitaka (Author), Khuddakanikaya (Author), Dhammapada (Author)

Inspirational to all who that read it not least my number 1 son Tashi Mannox who produced the calligraphy below.
Get in the flow and buy now. Dhammapada (Tibetan translation series)

We are what we think.

The Dhammapada is a collection of over 400 verses given by Buddha over 2560 years ago, these teachings of the Buddha are just as vibrant and relevant today as then. They have contributed many famous quotes that inspire and express the basic Buddhist principles, which are cherished by Buddhists of all traditions.
The Dhammapada was one of the first Buddhist texts to be translated into English as early as 1830, yet it was only translated into Tibetan from its original Pali text in later years.

Perhaps the most widely know quote is "we are what we think", this derives from the very first twin verses of the Dhammapada. There are many translation variations of these verses, below is the translation of Gendun Chopel which can be found in a fine Tibetan English publication of the Dhammapada by Dharma Publishing: ISBN: 0-913546-98-4



A detail from an illuminated calligraphy called "Like a Shadow" showing an artists impression of the monk Caksupala, whom the twin verses where spoken to. Here the Tibetan robed monk, with his shadow, holds the heading character of the first verse. © Tashi Mannox 2010.

“We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts we make the world. If the mind is clear, what ever we do or say the mind will bring happiness that will follow you like your shadow.
We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts we make the world. If the mind is polluted, what ever we do or say leads to suffering which will follow you as a cart trails a horse.”



"Like a Shadow" 76x57 cm © Tashi Mannox 2009, Chinese ink and acrylic paint illuminate a background of a wash of Earl Grey tea stain.


Above and below the complete two verses shown in the classical Tibetan Tsugring script, below in the Tsugtung script, these script names describe the styles as long script and short script.



An example of the Tibetan Tsugtung script style, here the vowel signs that sit above and below the main body of text, these are coloured blue. © Tashi Mannox 2009.



The text of the final verse is shown tumbling off the back of a cart pulled by a fleeing horse, the analogy of this is the artists impression of the last verse: "suffering which will follow you as a cart trails a horse".

High quality Limited addition prints are available of "like a Shadow" in two sizes: Larger @ 67x50 cm and smaller Half size @ 50x36.4 cm

The reproductions are premium-quality giclée printed, on mould-made papers (the finest and oldest paper-making technique) of 310-315 g/m². The papers; Velin and Aquarelle 100% rag, are of museum conservation standard, ensures stability and UV colorfast ink longevity of more than 120 years.

Each image is carefully colour matched and in sharpness to the original artwork. The prints are hand signed and stamped with one of the artists’ personal seals.

If you wish for a print please contact Tashi to place your order, stating the name of the art piece, the size and address to where you wish the print to be posted.