Newburgh 22nd July North Fife

Newburgh 22nd July today was really tranquil, the River Tay placid and like a millpond as I drove into Newburgh, North Fife evidence of the harsh windy and heavy rainfall of the last few days was tree debris floating by. How good it is to have the sunny weather back. Tomorrow is the first day of The Big Tent Festival at Falkland an ever increasingly popular event, hopefully you will get a taste on this site.

Witches, Midwives, and Nurses

Witches, Midwives and Nurses.A History of Women Healers
Barbara Ehrenreich & Deirdre English

As another agonizing attempt is made to shift the future of health care in the United States, we are reminded of the longevity of this crisis, and how firmly entrenched this system which is failing, is.

Witches, Midwives & Nurses, first published by the Feminist Press in 1973, is an essential book about the corruption of the medical establishment and its historic roots in witch-hunts. In this new edition, Ehrenreich and English add an entirely new section delving into the current fascination with and controversies about witches, exposing our fears and fantasies. They build on their classic exposé of the demonization of women healers, and the political and economic monopolization of medicine.
RRP: £6.99
Price: £5.24
To Buy now. Witches, Midwives, and Nurses (2nd Ed.) (Contemporary Classics)

Borage Flowers North Fife.

Borage.(Starflower)

Borage flowers. See how abundant they are.
Borage oil (starflower), extracted from the seed of the blue, star shaped borage flower, is gaining much attention by alternative health practitioners and mainstream medicine alike for its profound medicinal properties. Whereas the oil is getting all the credit, it is actually the oil's active component, gamma linoleic acid (GLA), that has drawn the interest of researchers. The majority of the early studies done on GLA, dating back to the late 1940's, were conducted with the oil of evening primrose. For reasons cited in the title, More "Bang For the Buck", borage seed oil is now thought to be a superior source of GLA compared to evening primrose oil. Other plant forms and food concentrates that contain appreciable amounts of GLA include blackcurrant seed oil and spirulina.
As a result of the powerful regulating effects derived from the conversion of GLA to healthful prostaglandins, borage oil and other GLA supplements have shown to be beneficial in the treatment and relief of many classic and modern day health problems. The diseases of diabetes, asthma, cystic fibrosis and multiple sclerosis are thought to be helped by bringing about a balance in an otherwise faulty fatty acid metabolism. According to a study released in the journal Diabetes Care, supplementation with GLA has shown promise in the reversal of diabetic neuropathy (a condition where the nerves degenerate and symptoms of pain and numbness follow). The study concluded that all diabetics should be considered for a dietary protocol of GLA. Other conditions shown to benefit include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, skin conditions, arthritis, allergies, weight loss, improved behavior of hyperactive children and increased strength of hair and nails. Cited in the book, Super Nutrition For Menopause, written by the renowned nutritionist Ann Louise Gittleman, is one of the most popular applications of GLA supplementation in the relief of menstrual pain. Sufferers use a maintenance dose up to the seventh day prior to menstruation, then double that dose for the duration of their menstruation. Dietary restrictions of meat, dairy and eggs during this time has also shown to compliment this regiment. Many would agree with Ms. Gittleman's credo in allowing mother nature to cure our ails before relying on synthetic drugs which often come with side effects.
Borage oil can be puchased as a supplement but you can produce your own by cold pressing the seeds. An area of say half a tennis court will yield Litres of pure oil.

Opium Poppy North Fife

Opium Poppy. PAPAVER SOMNIFERUM, growing wild in North Fife, many years ago I spyed a cultivated field of them near Newburgh, it was at a time when test crops were being put to trial throughout the UK a few in each county.

Opium poppy heads, it looks about time.

Opium for the masses. Harvesting Nature’s Best Pain Medication.
The first edition of this book, published 15 years ago, became a phenomenon. Michael Pollan wrote about Hogshire and his book in Harpers magazine, amazed that the common flower, P. somniferum or opium poppies, grows wild in many states and the UK that it can also be made into a tea that acts in a way similar to codeine or vicodin. This new edition enlarges the book's scope to instruct readers on growing and harvesting methods, with information showing how medical books once praised opium as the world's most useful medication, and how it become demonized with racist pulp literature.
Learn how to supplement your own medicine chest with natural pain medicine without costly and difficult trips to doctors hamstrung by pernicious laws to prescribe proper pain relief.
This new edition features material on legal issues and further recipes, including how to make Laudanum and how heroin is created in the depths of of the Afghani poppy fields.

RRP: £12.99
Price: £7.91

To Buy Now.Opium for the Masses (Feral House)

Canon PowerShot SX210 IS Digital Camera - Black (14.1 MP, 14x Optical Zoom) 3.0 Inch PureColor LCD

I am truly impressed by this camera specification, notably that the 14X optical Zoom can be used as you shoot in HD video with sterio sound. I recommend it for quality stills and videos.


The ultimate travel compact. Impressively equipped with a 14x wide-angle zoom.

The sleek, compact 14.1 Megapixel PowerShot SX210 IS offers intelligent shooting power with a 14x wide-angle zoom, so you can really get close to the action. Choose improved Smart Auto for effortlessly great results across a wide range of shooting conditions or switch to manual control mode for full aperture and shutter speed settings and creative control.
Get closer to the action with a 14x wide-angle zoom lens.

A 14x optical zoom gives a wide choice of framing options and Canon's 4-stop optical Image Stabilizer with Dynamic Image Stabilization gives crisp, clear images throughout the zoom range. Meanwhile a bright, bold 3.0" (7.6cm) PureColor II G LCD with toughened scratch resistant glass makes shooting and playback a genuine pleasure.

The DIGIC 4 Image Processor keeps it all looking sharp with a host of intelligent Canon technologies including Face Detection and Motion Detection for stunning images every time; a new Smile and Wink Detection Self-Timer for easy group shots and self portraits; and automatic Red-eye Correction. For great shots in tricky lighting conditions a new low light mode and Canon's i-Contrast correction offer improved contrast and greater detail.

What's more the camera's video capability has been improved with powerful new movie shooting features so you can quickly and easily shoot smooth HD movies with stereo sound at the touch of a button. When shooting videos you can now enjoy all the advantages of Smart Auto and Dynamic Image Stabilization for the highest movie quality every time and thanks to a low noise lens motor you can also use the cameras 14x optical zoom during filming.

Plus you can easily upload your movies to sharing sites like YouTube, thanks to Canon's free web uploader software. The PowerShot SX210 IS also incorporates dedicated menu support functions for the next-generation SDXC memory cards as well as for Eye-Fi cards, which enable you to easily upload images from the camera to online sharing sites via the Eye-Fi server without the need for a PC.
Buy new: £125-00

Buy Now.Canon PowerShot SX210 IS Digital Camera - Black (14.1 MP, 14x Optical Zoom) 3.0 Inch PureColor LCD

Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band- Jollity Farm

For lovers of Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, A Must.
Jollity Farm.
It's tragic magic! This is the true story of the Bonzos in their own words featuring the recollections of original members Neil Innes, Rodney Slater, Sam Spoons, Vernon Dudley Bowhay-Nowell, Bob Kerr and the irrepressible Legs Larry Smith. Also featured are extensive interviews given by the late, great Vivian Stanshall. The inimitable Dada-inspired collision of music, comedy, art, robots and vaudeville is totally unique and has never been equaled and is sadly missed. The Bonzos were brilliant and continue to delight lovers of intelligent British humour. At 205 fun-filled pages, this comprehensive review edited by David Christie is essential reading for Bonzo fans everywhere.
About the Author
Bob Carruthers is an Emmy Award winning author and broadcaster. If anyone is qualified to write a history of the Bonzos it can only be Bob. He was the man responsible for reforming the Bonzos in January 2006 and for bringing Stephen Fry, Phill Jupitus, Adrian Edmondson, Paul Merton and Bill Bailey into the Bonzo fold... Bob produced the 40th Anniversary film of the Bonzos and in 2007 he also promoted their tour of Britain and was Executive Producer of the Pour L'amour album.
RRP: £39.95
Price: £33.96
To Buy Now.The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band - Jollity Farm

Birthday Celebration Newburgh North Fife

Maureen and Spoon, hosts of Maureen's 50th Birthday party. Much enjoyed by all who attended, family and friends Fantastic barbecue, beef, venison, trout, kebabs consumed with lightish refreshments. A very happy occasion, music by Ronnie and band.

Happy Kim.

Is he looking at me?







A cluster of guests on Lindores Abbey ground.

Cheers.

What a suggestion.


Maureen's 50th Birthday Party celebrated in the grounds of Lindores Abbey Newburgh North Fife.

Black Cat Jook Band

Black Cat Jook Band at The Steeple Arts, Newburgh North Fife last Friday. A fabulous time was had by all.

The 30's and 40's in America saw the arrival of a new kind of Blues; unlike the Country Blues of the 20's, this was an urban, sophisticated sound, and instead of a solo guitar, these were bands playing guitar,piano,harmonica etc. Memphis was the home of such groups as the Memphis Jug Band and Cannon's Jug Stompers, but all over the South, musicians such as Big Bill Broonzy and Tampa Red were putting bands together. Unlike their country cousins, these were city slickers with a lifestyle and wardrobe to match. Black Cat Jook Band bring this sound to life on guitars, mandolin, harmonica, tea-chest bass, tuba, jug, kazoo, washboard and two-tone shoes. Black Cat Jook Band have a long history on the Scottish Blues scene and in previous lineups have supported such visiting U.S. artists as Otis Grand, Juke Boy Bonner, Larry Johnson, Stefan Grossman and the legendary Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup. " A stupendous live band"-Blueprint, "Purveyors of authentic sounding Americana"-Letham Nights, "More American than us....phenomenal"-Black Oil Brothers, "Bliddy fab!"-Fife Acoustic Music Club, "Purr-fect"-Dunfermline Press, "Wonderful stuff"-Dundee Blues Bonanza-"Authentic Memphis-influenced sound"-Pethshire Advertiser. The band have played the Dundee Jazz Festival, Dundee Blues Bonanza, St.Andrews Poetry Festival, Montrose Music Festival, Cupar Arts Festival as well as numerous Folk Clubs and pub venues.
Read more: http://www.myspace.com/blackcatjookband#ixzz0u1hdtRXO


Overseas Stomp and Kitchen Man


Want you to Know and Long Tall Mama.

More videoes on youtube.

North Fife garden July 15th

Blackcurrants, nearly ripe, the multitude of birds haven't started on them yet. They're still working away on the redcurrants, whole families of blackbirds, sometime thrushes, robins and garden warblers. I'm surprised by the last two.

Wasp, one of many busy on the cotoneaster along with the odd bumblebee today inbetween showers at Flisk North Fife.

John Neilson Letter Carving North Fife.

Set in Limestone.

Tools of the trade, tungsten tipped.


John Neilson letter carving, actually a present for the folk he lodged with in Newburgh during the time of his course. Nothing like being set in stone. It's good to observe a skilled craftsman deftly working away with consumate skill.
John runs many courses in the UK, should you fancy learning the skill, John can be contacted:- Pentrecwn, Llansilin, Oswestry, Powys, SY10 7QF. Tel 01691 791403

A previous course at The Steeple arts Newburgh

Letter Carving Course by John Neilson Steeple Arts

The class beaver away.

Making a start.

Practice.

John discusses the finer points.


Letter Carving Course by John Neilson at The Steeple Arts, Newburgh, North Fife.


"The Art of Letter Carving in Stone" portrays the beauty of this age-old craft alongside practical instruction. Written by an eminent practitioner and teacher, it guides the novice through the basics of letter carving, drawn lettering and making simple designs, and for the more experienced it explains a new proportioning system for classical Roman capitals and demonstrates a useful approach to designing letterform variations.
About the Author
Tom Perkins was introduced to drawing Roman capitals in his early teens by his art teacher, kindling an enthusiasm for lettering that led to a training in calligraphy at Reigate School of Art and Design. From 1976 he began letter carving at his studio in London and in 1982 he set up his own workshop at Sutton in Cambridgeshire. Tom has taught lettering and letter carving at the Roehampton Institute until 1997 and at West Dean College. He is a fellow of the Calligraphy and Lettering Arts Society, Temenos Academy, The Royal Society of Arts and the Society of Designer Craftsmen.
RRP: £25.00
Price: £18.25 To Buy Now. The Art of Letter Carving in Stone