Ups and Downs.

Further to my, earlier this week, post, this is probably a far more realistic set of pictures of what it is really like to bring your bit of fish to your plate.

The Harvester, aptly named, attempts to harvest the seas for your fish supper.

This is one of todays 'state of the art' fishing boats.  The pictures are courtesy of the Daily Mail, and the photographer, name in the corner of the pics, who must have been equally tossed about the troughs and the highs of the seas in another boat taking the photographs!  

Imagine, if you will , being in another era and still heading out to farm the seas.

A Puffer (steam powered.)

And earlier, sail.  All went out in the same weather and encountered the same challenges.  Albeit these last two pictures are taken with a calm sea, in harbour, but where were they heading?  Then, they had no satnav, no radar, no weather forecasts, but out they went.  And met the same high seas, the same deep troughs, and, mostly, came back safely to port.

Tis amazing.  They , the fishermen, are a different breed.  

I sometimes visit the Seamens Mission, there I meet with the Geriatric Mafia Crafting Gang, but sometimes, I just lean backwards and listen to the talk of the retired fishermen who also come in for their craik and banter and cup of tea.  Wonderful people.

So - back to normality, well my normality.  Wednesday morning art group and we are all still struggling with perspectives and verticals and horizontals, mainly round here the only horizontal you can count on is the sea, that's always level on the horizon, thank god, otherwise we would be fleeing to the mountains.  

Another worry for me,  is I do not ever get to grips with the sun setting and rising in different places depending on what time of year it is, and I dont care how many times it gets explained about the tilt of the earth....

the other is when you drive down a road and you see the sea apparently higher than the road you are driving down...why does it not therefore flood towards you?

As it does not, ever, I do not get too worried about it.

And finally, or have you all pressed the delete button?  I continue with my exciting journey down the wet into wet painting and have done this Birthday Card for my Granddaughter who will be one on Friday.    She and her parents have had a rough ride during this first year so my choice of elephants is to pray for tough hides for us all.

And for you if you feel the need, and having ups and downs.

Roses in November.

At last I obtained a Rambling Rector Rose.  Having seen this wondrous plant on my friend Lynn's blog spot, thesunnysideofthestrret.blogspot.com.  I saw an offer from David Austen Roses and went for it.  This was months ago and I had forgotten all about it.

It arrived on Saturday.  The DP graciously went out and dug a large hole.  I put the rose into a trug and it was soaked over night.  Yesterday, in the pouring rain, the DP planted the rose.  Fingers crossed.

I wish!

Now we are into Winter.  Bit wet.   

Cait Sith (Garlic/Gaelic for Fairy Cat - got that wrong didn't we, )  pretending he doesn't look totally ridiculous in a small box.  Anyone else remember a childrens'
 book, My Cat Likes Boxes?

I have to go down to the shed/Summerhouse/drinking den/opera theatre a wee bit earlier these wintry days.  The sun sets at 3.30p.m.  

But still does it magnificently.  My view from the shed.

More like a factory as I churn out the wet hens.  I am so enjoying this though!

And there are even more on the go.

And, despite awful photo, a rose blooming in November.

Love fish!

I think fishermen are really brave.

This picture, above, shows blue skies, calm seas, and out goes a fishing boat.  Sailing past the Golden Horn (Fraserburgh Harbour Light.)  (Much straighter than when I paint it.)

In all seas and weathers, out they go, into the North Sea.

And back again.

Smaller boats stay closer to the shore and drop off their lobster and crab traps.

The crabs and the fish go straight from the harbour to the fish processing factories close by.

Crabs.  Nothing is wasted.  The fish guts go back to the crab fishermen as bait for their cages.

Filleting Coley.

Halibut.

John Dory, now where did it get that name from?  Well, all manner of answers to that one.   Jules Verne reckoned it was from the word Janitore, alluding to Saint Peter who held the keys to heaven.  The fish was apparently presented to Jesus, by the fishermen of Galilee. 

Monkfish.

As you will have seen the preparation of the fish is done in very hygienic surroundings and is also carried out swiftly.  Then it is off to Spain, some to England, any Brill (not pictured) goes straight to the Asian Communities.

Fishing from Fraserburgh has  occurred for centuries.  By sail, steam, now the boats are powered by diesel.

The catches are much bigger.

But it is still hands on in the preparation for our tables.

And the payment to the processors is still often worked out on piecework.  Though it is a bit more than 10d a barrel nowadays.

Lonmay Public Hall.

This photograph was taken last year.  Some may remember we came third in a quiz there, which was the start of raising money to keep the hall going.  Since then the windows have been replaced, and a lot of work done to the place.  All thanks to various organisations, including Shell, Aberdeenshire Council, etc.(And the quiz night).

 Work continues.

Last night was the first concert to be held there in fifty years!  The Scottish Accordion Music Group no less.

The place was packed, we were on the back row. 

As you can see, everyone enjoyed the evening.  Not just music but stories, very funny ones, if you could understand the Doric, which they were related in.  (I just laughed when everyone else did).  

Also unaccompanied singing in Gaelic.  Or as I have now been told its pronounced Garlic.

Now, as you have gazed on these photographs, you may well have come to the realisation that this lot are not in their first youth.

Please now look at this chap in the middle, the drummer no less, 91 years old and never missed a beat.

Now I am not very good at this video lark, so, put your head on one side, ok.  Then press play.

 When the interval came and the 91 year old drummer had to be lifted bodily by four people as he had siezed in the sitting at the drums position, carried off the stage, and out of the hall, the Dawn Patroller had to sit on me, stuff my mouth with my scarf, as I  commenced my hysterical laughing.  This does not happen very often, thank goodness, but when it does, I just cannot stop.  (Think of the noise a donkey makes.)

I had been watching him closely throughout the first half and I have never ever seen anything like it.  Just fantastic, unbelievable.

When he was brought back in for the second session I turned my eyes to other performers in case I set off again and was thrown out.

Unfortunately I was past the sensible stage and when this fantastic voice came out, from a lady way past Susan Boyle's age I was gone.  Singing about her Grandmother, sadly there is no hope for me, as all I could think about was years ago in Yates's Wine Bar.  Now you have to have been there in the 60s to know what I am on about.  

All this was after a week I would rather forget about, so yesterday evening was the best antidote ever I could have wished for.

Getting out of the car park, and manoeuvring  round fifty four by fours was yet another hysterical experience, the hall is in the middle of nowhere, narrow country lanes and the cemetery, a church that is now a house, a school that is now a house, all in complete darkness, no street lights out here, it was total mayhem.

So finally  I went to bed, only to be told by my friend Lesley,this morning  that five minutes later, this happened.

Nae so bad having nae lichts after all.

Mondays Mixings.

Work has started at Cairnbulg Harbour.  It is only a small harbour, with of course much history.  But via a grant is being dredged and improved.  This shows the machines depositing the dredgings below the high water mark.  No I dont know what that achieves, presumably a deeper harbour?

The Harbour as is.

Anyone else get spooked by Google?  Looking for images and info I come across eldest daughter and grandson at Cairnbulg Harbour.

The Dawn Patroller gets out whenever he can.  Why there were this many seagulls wheeling about we dont know, no ploughing which usually brings them, but a pleasant sight.

The sunset going down behind Mormond Hill.  I have been able to view different sides of this from both our houses here in the North East of Scotland.

Mormond Hill (Scottish Gaelic A' Mhormhonadh, meaning the great hill or moor) is a large hill in Aberdeenshire, Scotland not far from Fraserburgh. The villages of Strichen and New Leeds can be found at its foot hills.

It also has a smattering of disused satellite dishes and masts on top, remnants from Cold War NATO communications and British Telecom having a presence on the site. Wikepedia.

Yesterday the DP risked life and limb being mowed down by Half Marathon Runners from the Broch.  We were the  half way mark.  

Getting Ready -
for the OFF!

Some of the runners were totally mad, well I think anyone who runs is totally mad.

And some made me feel ashamed.

I remained down the shed surrounded by wet hens.

Bloggers Unite!

It is so wonderful to find friends where you would least expect them.  Being very wary of the internet and all things reportedly scary.  But gaining friends via blogging, by the time you meet them face to face you are already friends.  We three have now had quite a few meetings.

Writing from Scotland, by Christine Laennec and thequiethome.blogspot.co.uk  Today we met up at my home stomping ground the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses, in Fraserburgh.  

There are ten years between us, me being the oldest.  Thats me in the middle, you knew?! Ha! Estee Lauder not working then.

We all came bearing gifts.

Amazing, this has so many answers to all my questions.  Seriously, this afternoon I devoured this book, oh!, right! lets try that!

And me, this beginner in crocheting - well.  Not only did I get the book, but also a demonstration from Tina!  No excuse now.  And lots of patterns, scary!, from both blogging friends.

The MAIN thing of today was how lovely to meet again and share again, and feel again, so good to have friends from wherever they came.  Thankyou.

Lighthouse happenings and other stuff.

Kinnaird Head Lighthouse will shine again on the 1st December 2012 - her 225th Birthday. On that night Kinnaird Head will be the ONLY manned Lighthouse in the British Isle. 

The Museum of Scottish Lighthouses is auctioning the chance to become a lighthouse keeper on that night.

If your bid is successful, you will perform the duties of the lighthouse keeper for a 4 hour shift. Your main task will be to wind the light's mechanism every 30 minutes to continue the light's rotation.

The lucky bidders will also be treated to an extended tour of Kinnaird Head Lighthouse.

Four shifts are available, and will be auctioned off on eBay:

We are all getting excited about this one!  So far bids for each shift have reached £100.  

The Dawn Patroller had said if there was one no-one wanted he would do it.  But apparently plenty people do!

Along with this has been a raffle , the winner gets to actually turn the light on, and this is not just flicking a switch.

Meanwhile I plod on packaging the Christmas Cards of our design winner, now on sale in the Museum shop.  50 done so far, another 50 to go.

The DP printed the cards.  The amount well justified us buying one of these efforts that scores where the fold is going, so away I went.  Quite impressive!

If we all carry on like this the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses will never have to close again!

Back into daylight.  The Dawn Patroller visited the walled garden again.  

So much still in bloom.

Rose of Sharon ?

Blackberry Blossom !  No blackberries this year then.

The DP washed my hair.  No it was nothing like this.