ABOUT ME

I live in a camper van with a West Highland Terrier for company.
My passion is creating images but it is a work in progress.
I am always willing to share what knowledge I have and can be contacted through the comments on this post or e-mail ADRIAN
ALL IMAGES WILL ENLARGE WITH A LEFT CLICK

Saturday 1 November 2014

ALL SOULS DAY. (01/11/14)

Okay maybe I was a bit mean yesterday but I managed to give away two apples. In an effort to make amends, redeem myself even, I have a ghost story for you. It’s a pity Moffat isn’t famous for goats, I could have had endless fun. Sheep it is famous for and goats and sheep are distant relatives; a relationship too far removed for puns about Ghosts and Goats. *

Moffatram.      This is the Moffat Ram. A fine beast but with a haunted past.

“The local legend has it that it is William Brodie the sculptor of the Moffat Ram that haunts the Annandale Arms Hotel which stands opposite. It is not the Ram that is haunted. It is purported that Brodie committed suicide by hanging while staying at the hotel. William Colvin had commissioned the sculpture and ordered a grand unveiling ceremony. A local farmer pointed out that the smart new ram “Had nae lugs” and indeed the Moffat Ram has no ears. This omission proved too much for Brodie and he is said to wander the corridors of the Annandale Arms on an eternal search for the “lugs”.” Sic.

I lifted this from a Yankee web site. I am not saying it is not grammatically correct. You good old boys know best but I have joined a no tolerance movement against bad Americans. Miller could write. I would appeal to all the good Americans to end the inhumanity of death row. Texans are the worst and I have already told them. I’ll tell them again because they are for the most part thick. “Stop IT! It’s not nice.

After another wet night we had a wander round the town to get some provisions or messages as the Scots call shopping. It’s a grand morning and first stop was the butchers.

_MG_0757     Wallace Bros. Purveyors of messages in the form of superb steak pies, sausages, haggis and a handful of trimmings as a treat for the dogs. Mr Wallace also offered a couple of marrow bones but I declined his generosity as they make the dogs fart and it’s only a small van.

_MG_0758        After sheep and woollens shops Toffee is the towns claim to fame. It isn’t toffee as I know it but a boiled sweet with a lemony taste. I suck them a bit then chomp them in half and the citrus flavour is a unique experience.

_MG_0768        I have always liked this little lane but even it has attracted a wheelybin. It would clone out but as you can see these pictures are all unadulterated.

_MG_0767      The A701 to Edinburgh.

_MG_0759    I’ll leave you with the Ram.

It’s a grand day here but the rain isn’t far away.

* If anyone would like to hear or read a revolting joke about Goats and Ghosts then feel free to e-mail me.

 

32 comments:

  1. HI Adrian glad you have calmed down after yesterday's rant. Now I love the B & W shot of the curved street, in fact I don't even mind the wheelie bin!! Have a great weekend and hope it does not rain on you.

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    1. Margaret, I don't have a religious cell in my body. I just get annoyed at the duplicity of religion. I think that All Souls day should be be conducted with a bit of Gravitas. It's just an excuse for kids to make folk lives a misery for a few hours.

      It's raining on you and it will soon be raining on me.

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  2. Adriaan what a beautiful place you are now entered the ram does in any case no harm.

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    1. Bas, the ram is cast in bronze so he can't hurt me. He was refurbished at a cost of £55k in 2004. If it is fine one night I will show him lit up.

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  3. You're redeemed *wink*

    Of course...totally unadulterated.

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  4. R.Mac the camera was playing up. I checked it when I got back and it had a goat in it. No worries, I kicked it out.

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  5. It looks a nice town and the images do it justice. I even like the one with the wheelie bin in it, I guess they're a natural sight to me these days.
    Shame about the goat ears, weirdly I can't stop giggling to myself....

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    1. Douglas, it is a catch penny place that has shops that serve locals.
      The ram or tup is a Blackface I think. Difficult to tell in bronze.

      Delete
  6. Oh, go on, Adrian. Post your joke. You know you want to. You can always use asterisks (and we can use our imaginations) if you feel shy.

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    1. Frances, it's an Irish Joke. It is a good one but now we are supposed to be friends with the Irish there should be no bother. I'll rattle it off tomorrow. I don't want you to misinterpret anything so will relate it as it is.
      I am not shy. I hate leaving anything to folks imagination. No knowing what words they would credit me for.

      The joke only came to me as I was snapping the sheep. I'll get on with writing it. out.

      Delete
  7. I like the way you left just a little colour in the middle four pictures. Effective. You are very clever Father Adrian but please keep well away from children's playgrounds.

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    1. YP, I am anything but Catholic in taste. I am fighting the one click 'KISS' brigade. Horses for courses. Quick fix Apps don't appeal to me.
      Little children do but not as much as their mummies. Some mums are just perfect. Met one in the butchers and told her. She was gob smacked but I could tell she went away happy.

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    2. Was she buying tripe? You should have offered to do a little DIY for her. If she has a coal fire she might need her chimney sweeping out.

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  8. Lugs or no lugs...he is a fine casting.


    peter

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    1. Peter, it cost 55K. I like it but doubt I'm worth that much.

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  9. You obviously haven't been watching The News (on the other hand knowing you you probably have) because there is now a campaign to stop people paying people compliments: it's harassment. Bang goes my theory that a smile a day makes someone happy.

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  10. Graham, I'm so sad I gave a snap for a chrissy present.
    It goes to a lady I would fight wildebeest on migration for. She says why this? I say, just for love and a blow job and shag wouldn't come amiss. Don't want to put you to any trouble. I promise not to inconvenience you.

    I thought I expressed my desires perfect.

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  11. The images are lovely, very quaint. The cars seem out of place :)) Excellent sculpture of the Ram! Thanks for your wishes Adrian!!

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    1. Ruby, cars, bins, road signs, satellite dishes and TV aerials are the bane of my life. We just have to put up with them.

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  12. Unadulterated? Maybe, apart from very effective colour popping?

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    1. John, I had just got back in when it started raining again. I wasn't in the mood for 3D or cleaning so decided to pop some colour instead.

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  13. Once upon a time I was a sheep farmer and I didn't even notice that sheep had no ears, too busy gasping at the idea of a bronze sheep. What a waste. You cracked me up with your unadulterated shots, love the one with the wheelie bin.

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    1. Pauline sheep do have ears but not this one. They are very proud of the sheep in the Scottish Borders. They do have feral goats up in the hills but I've never seen them.
      It is a beautiful row of cottages.

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  14. You're all over the place today and covering all bases...making amends for being mean, a good ghost story, shopping and photos of a picturesque village. You had an enjoyable day.

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    1. Red,a good morning it was raining again in the afternoon. It's just getting light here and it looks as if I might get some sunshine.

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  15. Lovely Goat,and thank you for them in b/w with a tinge of colours, beautiful.

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  16. Buenas fotos de las cabras. Me gusta la curva que hace la calle en b/n
    Un abrazo.

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  17. Beautiful post. The images have an antique feel to them

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  18. Maria, next time a colour pop I will do it with sepia. Thanks.

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  19. You've left me with some inspirational ideas for the next time. Nice work

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