07-26-2016, 10:32 AM (This post was last modified: 07-26-2016, 12:02 PM by BIAD.)
I think it was the cry of the osprey that first made me look towards the vast stretch of water
known as Loch McSheddy, that honourable call of the world's best fisherman hinted that
an early breakfast was on it's way for it's young waiting in their massive home on a treetop
somewhere.
High in the air, the bird wheeled around ready for it's diving run towards some dozing
unsuspecting fish that had ventured too close to the lake's surface. No human eye could
emulate the osprey's gaze and now with wings tucked tight, no human could counterfeit the
speed for the kill.
Following it's flight path, my focus was snatched from the blurred angler as I suddenly
noticed a man standing on a small island far out across the loch. Being it was the wee
-small hours and day-break was only moments away, I was surprised to see another soul
out-and-about among these windy glens and chilly mountains.
It was Gordi, the head of the McGordi clan. His thick tousled hair moving in the breeze
like the grouse-hiding heather at his naked feet. The smiling giant had been watching
me watching the bird of prey, watching the fish.
The morning sun suddenly burst into the rich valley and as I squinted from my huddled
campsite, I saw more of the legendary man's features. The greying beard that still held
the early dew, the hairy legs like stout oak trees beneath the famous tartan kilt and that
winning smile I'd heard about as a child.
Gordi Tam O' Shanter McGordi, surveying his estate and taking in the morningtide.
Leaving my frying bacon and steaming pot of coffee, I arose and made my way towards
the loch's edge for a better view. The thistles bobbed good morning as I clambered down
to where the peaty waters waited.
A hand waved and complied with the gesture, yet my true focus was on not falling down as
I traversed the craggy terrain and ankle-tangling heather. One may believe the Scotsman
was appreciating this town-man's woes of being out of his comfort zone. But if he was, no
sign of mockery could be seen in that pleasing smile.
"Stay where yer' are..." Gordi said in a rich brogue tone "...'ah'll be comin across" and with
a gulp of air that would rival a stamped-on bagpipe, he dived into the cold water with only
the lightest of splashes.
Thick sinewy muscles propelled him and his foamy wake quickly faded as he ploughed
through the water with ease. To watch the man behave in a manner of the salmon that
inhabit the loch was a sight to see... a sight to see.
Within moments, the tall man stood on the pebbled beach and with blue eyes of the clearest
mountain stream, he took in the gawping sassenach before him. The breeze slowed as we
waited for time to prompt the next comment.
Nibbling my bottom lip and attempting a feeble smile, I snatched the opportunity to give
utterence to the comment I'd overheard in the tavern the night before. I took it the way the
osprey had grasped the scaly loch-dweller forgotten.
"Erm, happy birthday Mr. McGordi" I mumbled and jammed my hand into the front-pocket
of my cagoule. It wasn't much, but I'd heard he liked the stuff.
Gordi's face broke into a smile in a similar way the sun had tore into the glen earlier as he
eyed my meagre gift. One could suggest the beaming betrayed his need for what lay in my
trembling hand.
"Aye, she's a bonny-one" he whispered and thanked me with a slight bow. Up here, where
men are men and sheep are nervous, gratitude is difficult to display when you're commando
under the kilt.
I write this from the warmth of the tavern now and the words cause to me smile and shake
my head in wonder. I mean, what on earth would a solitary man living on an island want with
duct tape?
Personal Disclosure: I wish you the very best for the forthcoming year ahead!
OL at beez - "Here, if you have a milkshake, and I have a milkshake, and I have a straw. There it is, it's a straw, you see? Watch it. Now my straw reaches across the room and starts to drink your milkshake. I... drink... your... milkshake. I drink it up!"
Do not engage in useless activity ... and ... from one thing, know many things!
I was away for the whole of the long "Birthday" weekend... being Duct Taped into a Hammock... living on nothing more than a few meager gallons of home-made foamy blue liquid and the sounds of a thunderstorm over the banjos!
Strangely, all of the above is true! (apart from the fact that I did have more than JUST the blue foamy liquid!..... there was some greeny-brown stuff as well.... oh and some black stuff with a white foamy topping.... and some brown ones..... oh, and yeah a few amber ones.... it gets a bit fuzzy after that!)
07-26-2016, 09:07 PM (This post was last modified: 07-26-2016, 09:08 PM by BIAD.)
Oh my! I can ignore the tin-can on the ground that hints to me that the 'blue stuff, the brown
stuff with foam' and the other descriptions of dubious liquid was actually alcohol... I can ignore
that.
But the shirts, Big G... THE SHIRTS!
Come on man, we've only just got over The Crankies!
(07-26-2016, 09:07 PM)BIAD Wrote: Oh my! I can ignore the tin-can on the ground that hints to me that the 'blue stuff, the brown
stuff with foam' and the other descriptions of dubious liquid was actually alcohol... I can ignore
that.
But the shirts, Big G... THE SHIRTS!
Come on man, we've only just got over The Crankies!
Why? What's wrong with our gorgeous shirts???? hahaha!!!!!!!!
(We have a "thing" where me and my big pal Les take turns buying one another an AWFUL LOUD shirt that we BOTH have to wear to the next festival!!!! We do it every year and I think it's getting worse!!! Those ones were my pick! very fetching I thought!!!! pffffft! )
(07-26-2016, 09:19 PM)gordi Wrote: Why? What's wrong with our gorgeous shirts???? hahaha!!!!!!!!
(We have a "thing" where me and my big pal Les take turns buying one another an AWFUL
LOUD shirt that we BOTH have to wear to the next festival!!!! We do it every year and I think
it's getting worse!!! Those ones were my pick! very fetching I thought!!!! pffffft! )
I'll take it back, I cannot forgive the alcohol!!
I'm glad you had a good time, although... those shirts, man.
(07-26-2016, 09:27 PM)BIAD Wrote: I'll take it back, I cannot forgive the alcohol!!
I'm glad you had a good time, although... those shirts, man.
I'm goin' to send you one!
If I stretch to a tie in a similar vein to go with the colours, I'm sure I can get barred from BIAD's Fan Club meetings.
(Every-other Tuesday evening!)
07-29-2016, 03:23 PM (This post was last modified: 07-29-2016, 03:24 PM by gordi.)
(07-26-2016, 09:36 PM)BIAD Wrote:
(07-26-2016, 09:29 PM)gordi Wrote:
(07-26-2016, 09:27 PM)BIAD Wrote: I'll take it back, I cannot forgive the alcohol!!
I'm glad you had a good time, although... those shirts, man.
I'm goin' to send you one!
If I stretch to a tie in a similar vein to go with the colours, I'm sure I can get barred from BIAD's Fan Club meetings.
(Every-other Tuesday evening!)
Or....
I could send you one of our previous ones?? 2014 perhaps??
(It was a VERY good year!!! LOL)
G
(07-29-2016, 03:23 PM)gordi Wrote: Or....
I could send you one of our previous ones?? 2014 perhaps??
(It was a VERY good year!!! LOL)
G
Isn't there some law up in Scotland against apparel like that?
I'm certain the RSPCA mentioned something about scaring the wildlife with these 'things'!!!
07-29-2016, 09:35 PM (This post was last modified: 07-29-2016, 09:36 PM by BIAD.)
(07-29-2016, 08:57 PM)gordi Wrote: When are you coming up?
G
Well it's funny you said that! I've been discussing a trip away with the one with the money (the Missus!)
...for a week or so and of course, Scotland came up.
Stay tuned!
(07-29-2016, 08:57 PM)gordi Wrote: When are you coming up?
G
Well it's funny you said that! I've been discussing a trip away with the one with the money (the Missus!)
...for a week or so and of course, Scotland came up.
Stay tuned!
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Hey Birthday Boy,,,,,![[Image: 275729_bocodamondo_how-s-it-hanging-baby.gif]](http://art.ngfiles.com/images/275000/275729_bocodamondo_how-s-it-hanging-baby.gif)
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