Scotland Summer 2010
Day 1. The Journey
The previous day Allison and I was stood on the promenade at Llandudno and within 24 hours we were standing on platform two at Oxford train station the contrast could not have been greater from the panoramic view of the bay to a busy train station we wore booked on the train from Oxford to Elgin our route was Oxford - Birmingham, Birmingham – Edinburgh, Edinburgh – Inverness, Inverness – Elgin. The cost £127 return each for Allison and I and for Peter we paid a third less because he has a student or young person rail card. At the time of booking this was less than the cheapest flight from Birmingham. Also the flight from Birmingham to Inverness was late afternoon having experienced delays twice on this route I think we had learned the lesson that we were wasting our money on an unreliable route.
"our train came to a grinding holt"
In contrast to flying our trip ran smoothly until that was we got North of Blair Athol when the train came to a grinding holt we waited and waited some more the problem was that the driver of our train had to stop and check to see if the track points had changed the signal gave the all clear however the track might not have changed Once we had passed onto this section of track the train travelled at about 20 miles per hour and we got to a second section of track and the same thing happened again. This could not have happened at a more scenic spot and I was able to use the time hanging out the carriage window taking photos. However the down side was that our train arrived into Inverness late and we missed the train from Inverness to Aberdeen. But we did finally arrive in Elgin if on a later train.
Day 2
We woke to a very wet start to the day Peter and I walked into Elgin in the pouring rain we made our way to the tourist information office it is located in the cooper park library to be honest we wasted our time we were greeted by a tourist information officer who was as use full as a chocolate fire guard. I asked as a tourist in the area what did she think was the most important things I should do or visit her answer was “they’re not much to do in Elgin really” in a fed up bored and uninterested way with the under tones of I would never come here on holiday – we have the cathedral and then there is spynie palace - well done visit Scotland you just undersold yourself. Peter and I left before we caught the “I really hate living here disease."
"Glen Moray Distillery"
Peter and I took a local taxi up to Glen Moray Distillery you will find the distillery nestling on the banks of the river Lossie in the Western quarter of the ancient city, and royal burgh of Elgin. Elgin itself is an historic city, but not the least of its claims to fame is the fact that it is the capital of Speyside
"The Original Road into Elgin"
The original road into Elgin passes through the distillery grounds under the shadow of Gallow Hill, where executions were carried out until the end of the 17th century. This was an important road in times gone by and some of Scotland's legendary historical figures including St Columba, King Duncan and Macbeth – after the Battle of Torfness – and Bonnie Prince Charlie also Dr Samuel Johnson and James Boswell visited Elgin on Thursday 26th August 1773 Today the Glen Moray distillery enjoys a much more peaceful existence, concentrating on the serious business of producing the classic Speyside single malt whisky.
" The Copper pot stills at Glen Moray"
Peter and I had a great time visiting Glen moray the staff were very friendly and in contrast to the lady at the tourist information office were not bored with living in the area but really enjoyed living there. Before our tour started we had time for a large mug of hot chocolate and coffee our tour guide explained in an interesting and informative way the working’s and processes involved with the making of “uisge beatha” and of course we got to have a good look around the distillery. Upon returning back to the visitor centre our guide invited us to try a dram if we so wished. In our tour group was a family who were walking in the foot step’s of their ancestors retracing there family history they were very interesting to talk to and made our visit that much more memorable.
After lunch at The Muckle cross the name of the Inn recalls the Muckle Cross which, in medieval times, stood at the heart of Elgin. A second cross was erected in 1630, surmounted by a lion. A copy of this cross was re-erected in the late 1880s, with the original lion. The Muckle cross Inn is only a few yards away from the former Red lion Inn That Dr Johnson and Boswell visited 237 years ago during their “ Journey of the western islands of Scotland” After lunch we took the local bus to Lossiemouth.
"Jimmy Fly fishing on the river lossie"
In the hope of finding my old fishing pal Jimmy we found him fly fishing in the estuary its always great meeting up with old friends and before we parted company we had arranged to meet up again on wednesday.
Day 3
Elgin to Inverness by train then by bus to Fort George.
I have visited Culloden moor Battle field and visitor centre many times in fact on my first visit there was no visitor centre just a car park with a machine in one corner that for one pound would dispense a guide book explaining the events that took place on the moor then as is today Culloden moor is an atmospheric place you can sense some violent event took place here that changed the course of history Following the 1746 defeat at Culloden of Bonnie Prince Charlie, George II created the ultimate defence against further Jacobite unrest. The result, Fort George, is the mightiest artillery fortification in Britain, if not Europe. Its garrison buildings, artillery defences bristling with cannon, and superb collection of arms – including bayoneted muskets, pikes, swords and ammunition pouches – provide a fascinating insight into 18th century military life. Positioned strategically on a promontory jutting into the Moray Firth, Fort George was intended as an impregnable army base – designed on a monumental scale using sophisticated defence standards. Today, it would cost nearly £1 billion. Within almost a mile of boundary walls was accommodation for a governor, officers, artillery detachment, and a 1600-strong infantry garrison. It also housed a magazine for 2,500 gunpowder barrels, ordnance and provision stores, a brewhouse and chapel. When the fortress was completed in 1769, the Highlands were peaceful but it was maintained in readiness for action that never came, and has remained virtually unaltered.
Dolphins at Fort George
The point battery is one of the best places from which to view bottlenose dolphins, as well as harbour porpoises and minke whales, playing and feeding in the Moray Firth. Bottlenoses are the most numerous cetaceans in the Firth. The most likely time to see them is on a calm day between April and September about one hour before and after low tide. Harbour porpoises are smaller than dolphins and have a smaller triangular fin. Minke whales on the other hand are much bigger growing around 10m in length they tend to be seen at the end of the summer. Peter and I watched and photographed the dolphins for a couple of hours and wonderful experience that added to the enjoyment of our visit I am sure this will be a day we will remember for a very long time.
Dr Samuel Johnson and James Boswell
Visited fort George during their Highland tour on Saturday 28th August 1773 at 3 O’clock they dined with the governor, Sir Eyre Cootes . Dr Johnson recorded in his journal the following We led around the works by a gentleman who explained the use of every part and entertained by Sir Eyre Coote the governor with such elegance of conversation as left us no attention to the delicacies of his table. Of fort George I shall not attempt to give any account. I cannot delineate scientifically and loose and popular description is of use only when the imagination is to be amused there was every where an appearance of the utmost neatness and regularity. But my suffrage is of little value, because this and Fort Augustus are the only garrisons that I ever saw. We did not regret the time spent at the fort, though in consequence of our delay we came somewhat late to Inverness, the town which may properly be called the Capital of the Highlands.
However James Boswell recorded the visit
We proceeded to Fort George When we came into the square, I sent a soldier with the letter to Mr Ferne. He came to us immediately, and along with him came Major Brewse of the Engineers, pronounced Bruce. He said he believed it was originally the same Norman name with Bruce. That he had dined at a house in London, where were three Bruces, one of the Irish line, one of the Scottish line, and himself of the English line. He said he was shewn it in the Herald's office spelt fourteen different ways. I told him the different spellings of my name. Dr Johnson observed, that there had been great disputes about the spelling of Shakspear's name; at last it was thought it would be settled by looking at the original copy of his will; but, upon examining it, he was found to have written it himself no less than three different ways.
Mr Ferne and Major Brewse first carried us to wait on Sir Eyre Coote, whose regiment, the 37th, was lying here, and who then commanded the fort. He asked us to dine with him, which we agreed to do. Before dinner we examined the fort. The Major explained the fortification to us, and Mr Ferne gave us an account of the stores. Dr Johnson talked of the proportions of charcoal and salt-petre in making gunpowder, of granulating it, and of giving it a gloss. He made a very good figure upon these topicks. He said to me afterwards, that he had talked Ostentatiously. We reposed ourselves a little in Mr Ferne's house. He had everything in neat order as in England; and a tolerable collection of books. I looked into Pennant Tour in Scotland. He says little of this fort; but that 'the barracks, &c. form several streets'. This is aggrandizing. Mr Ferne observed, if he had said they form a square, with a row of buildings before it, he would have given a juster description. Dr Johnson remarked, 'how seldom descriptions correspond with realities; and the reason is, that people do not write them till some time after, and then their imagination has added circumstances'.
We talked of Sir Adolphus Oughton. The Major said, he knew a great deal for a military man. Johnson. 'Sir, you will find few men, of any profession, who know more. Sir Adolphus is a very extraordinary man; a man of boundless curiosity and unwearied diligence I know not how the Major contrived to introduce the contest between Warburton and Lowth. Johnson. 'Warburton kept his temper all along, while Lowth was in a passion. Lowth published some of Warburton's letters. Warburton drew him on to write some very abusive letters, and then asked his leave to publish them; which he knew Lowth could not refuse, after what he had done. So that Warburton contrived that he should publish, apparently with Lowth's consent, what could not but shew Lowth in a disadvantageous light.' Here Dr Johnson gave us part of a conversation held between a Great Personage and him, in the library at the Queen's Palace, to the course of which this contest was considered. I have been at great pains to get that conversation as perfectly preserved as possible. It may perhaps at some future time be given to the public.
"The Governor's house"
At three the drum beat for dinner. I, for a little while, fancied myself a military man, and it pleased me. We went to Sir Eyre Coote's, at the governors’ house, and found him a most gentleman-like man. His lady is a very agreeable woman, with an uncommonly mild and sweet tone of voice. There was a pretty large company: Mr Ferne, Major Brewse, and several officers. Sir Eyre had come from the East Indies by land, through the Desarts of Arabia. He told us, the Arabs could live five days without victuals, and subsist for three weeks on nothing else but the blood of their camels, who could lose so much of it as would suffice for that time, without being exhausted. He highly praised the virtue of the Arabs; their fidelity, if they undertook to conduct any person; and said, they would sacrifice their lives rather than let him be robbed. Dr Johnson, who is always for maintaining the superiority of civilized over uncivilized men, said, 'Why, sir, I can see no superior virtue in this. A sergeant and twelve men, who are my guard, will die, rather than that I shall be robbed.' Colonel Pennington, of the 37th regiment, took up the argument with a good deal of spirit and ingenuity. Pennington. 'But the soldiers are compelled to this, by fear of punishment.' Johnson. 'Well, sir, the Arabs are compelled by the fear of infamy.' Pennington. 'The soldiers have the same fear of infamy, and the fear of punishment besides; so have less virtue; because they act less voluntarily.' Lady Coote observed very well, that it ought to be known if there was not, among the Arabs, some punishment for not being faithful on such occasions.
We talked of the stage. I observed, that we had not now such a company of actors as in the last age; Wilks, Booth, &c. &c. Johnson. 'You think so, because there is one who excels all the rest so much: you compare them with Garrick, and see the deficiency. Garrick's great distinction is his universality. He can represent all modes of life, but that of an easy fine-bred gentleman.' Pennington. 'He should give over playing young parts.' Johnson. 'He does not take them now; but he does not leave off those which he has been used to play, because he does them better than anyone else can do them. If you had generations of actors, if they swarmed like bees, the young ones might drive off the old. Mrs Gibber, I think, got more reputation than she deserved, as she had a great sameness; though her expression was undoubtedly very fine. Mrs Clive was the best player I ever saw. Mrs Pritchard was a very good one; but she had something affected in her manner: I imagine she had some player of the former age in her eye, which occasioned it.'
Colonel Pennington said, Garrick sometimes failed in emphasis; as for instance, in Hamlet, "I will speak Daggers to her; but use none", instead of "I will speak daggers to her; but use none".
We had a dinner of two complete courses, variety of wines, and the regimental band of music playing in the square, before the window, after it. I enjoyed this day much. We were quite easy and cheerful, Dr Johnson said, 'I shall always remember this fort with gratitude.' I could not help being struck with some admiration, at finding upon this barren sandy point, such buildings, such a dinner, such company: it was like enchantment. Dr Johnson, on the other hand, said to me more rationally, that it did not strike Him as anything extraordinary; because he knew, here was a large sum of money expended in building a fort; here was a regiment. If there had been less than what we found, it would have surprised him. HE looked coolly and deliberately through all the gradations: my warm imagination jumped from the barren sands to the splendid dinner and brilliant company, to borrow the expression of an absurd poet,
Without ands or ifs,
I leapt from off the sands upon the cliffs.
The whole scene gave me a strong impression of the power and excellence of human art We left the fort between six and seven o'clock: Sir Eyre Coote, Colonel Pennington, and several more, accompanied us down stairs, and saw us into our chaise. There could not be greater attention paid to any visitors. Sir Eyre spoke of the hardships which Dr Johnson had before him. Boswell. 'Considering what he has said of us, we must make him feel something rough in Scotland.' Sir Eyre said to him, 'You must change your name, sir.' Boswell. 'Ay, to Dr M'Gregor.'
"Inverness Pipe Band"
Peter and I returned to Inverness from fort George on the bus We went for dinner at the "Kings High Way Inn" in church street Inverness we dined on steak and chips and for dessert we had ice cream and chocolate fudge pudding after dinner we went for a walk around Inverness up by the castle and along the river and for me the high light our visit to Inverness was listening to the Inverness highland pipe band playing in the High street. Before leaving Inverness Peter treated me to drinks in the Highland hotel.
Day 4
Peter and I had arranged the previous Monday to meet Jimmy for coffee in the St Giles shopping centre Elgin and I was pleased that Allison wanted to come along with us. It was a very wet start to the day and I wondered if Jimmy would come into Elgin on his 50cc of snarling death but he wisely chose to ride into town on the bus of course he rubbed it in that he had a bus pass not like me. It was great meeting up with him with sat in a coffee shop talking for over an hour and the time pasted as if it were only ten minutes. We left Allison to do some shopping before return to see her mum leaving us lads we went to the Muckle Cross Inn for lunch peter ordered Burger and chips with a beer Jimmy fish and chips and for me I had Chicken takka masala Jimmy and I ordered for coffee. Over lunch we agreed to take the Inverness bus to Forres and visit Benromach distillery – many years ago Jimmy and I visited Dallas Dhu Distillery Jimmy recalled the events to Peter went “After the distiller tour He accepted the Highland hospitality of a wee dram for some reason it went straight to his head and for about half an hour he was laughing about like a silly little girl”
When Johnson and Boswell came this way Johnson recalled in his journal we went forwards the same day to Forres the town to which Macbeth was travelling, when he met the weird sisters in his way. This to an Englishman is classic ground. Our imaginations were heated, and our thoughts recalled to their old amusements.
"Benromach Distillery"
Benromach is carefully handcrafted at speyside’s smallest distillery by just two men using the finest Scottish barley and the purest spring water from nearby Romach hills. The ten year olds is Golden in colour with a soft mellow character. The single malt combines soft fruity notes with a rich sherry influence and gentile peat smoke to deliver an exceptional whisky experience.
It was great fun spending time with Jimmy and we really enjoyed the visit to the distillery we were given a guided tour of the distillery and had its production process full explained to us in an very interesting manner by a guide who was interested in and enjoyed Benromach single malt whisky after the tour we watched a short film followed by an invitation to enjoy some highland hospitality. Before we left Jimmy in Elgin we had hoped to meet up again on our last full day.
Day 5
In the morning Allison and I left Peter at Gran’s during the previous week at conference I had asked Bob and jimmy about the times of the church services in Elgin and Bob said that there was a Thursday 11:30 am Bible study And this fitted in well with our plans perhaps we would also manage to visit again for the Friday evening service.
"The Bible study Group"
We arrived at the church and we were made very welcome the missionary Pastor Eric Croker and his wife went out there way to make us feel welcome before bible class we were invited to have a look in the church much work had taken place since our last visit with much progress made on making areas of the church more fit for purpose and user friendly. By lowering the ceiling in the office to save on heating costs. By lowering the preaching platform. New carpets in the church and new lighting fixtures. The church grounds were well maintained giving the whole place a sense that they were used and loved. Allison and I enjoyed the bible study and Pastor Coker gave us a copy of the study notes. The members of the church were very friendly and warming it was hard leaving them for lunch at Allison’s mum’s I could have spent all day with the brethren.
After Lunch Peter and I take the town bus from Elgin to Lossiemouth the plan was to walk along West beach to the light house a walk we have done many times with the added advantage of the calling into the east beach cafe for hot chocolate and coffee before walking to the light house calling by on the return trip for drinks. Peter and I climbed the cliff just below the light house so that we could sit in front of the former second world war pillar box from here you have the advantage that you are higher up and hence can see further out to sea. The tide was in when we arrived but we sat up in our crow’s nest until the tide had turned when we climbed down to explore the rock pools for crabs and sea shells by time we walked aback along the west beach and visited the harbour time was getting on and we caught the town bus back to Elgin. Peter and I went for a steak and chip supper with ice cream and fudge cake for desert at the Muckle cross Inn. After dinner Peter and I went up to Dr Grey’s hospital to see Allison and her mum her mum had been admitted during the afternoon and the plan was that she was going to be transferred to the Royal infirmary in Aberdeen for tests. This event in fact did not take place until the early hours of the morning.
Day 6
After a very late night we were up early as we were going to Aberdeen on the train so that Allison could spend some time with her mum at the Aberdeen Royal infirmary the train journey was very interesting perhaps an eye opener a group of young women boarded the train dressed for a hen night before the train had left Elgin the bottles of bercardi breezer were opened and being downed at a good rate. As these young women continued to drink until we arrived at Aberdeen by this time we reached Aberdeen all inhibitions were fast disappearing. One young woman on the train who was not with this company managed to down a bottle of vodka while her male companion downed six cans of tenants larger. Scottish young people sure know how to enjoy themselves.
"Aberdeen"
We walked into Aberdeen from the train station and had lunch before going up to visit Allison’s Mum Peter and I spent a little over an hour at the hospital but before we left we set up the patient bedside television and telephone service. This is a very helpful service not only to the patient who can watch television but family can telephone them at the bedside.
"Aberdeen Harbour"
Peter and I caught the bus back into Aberdeen and we spent our free time exploring Aberdeen harbour we meet up with Allison in the evening for Dinner before returning to Elgin for the night.
Day 7
"Elgin Cathedral"
We were up early our cases were packed and after breakfast I walked into Elgin to take some photo’s of Elgin Cathedral and in the town before returning to the house then I walked up to the church to take some photo’s of the church and grounds time was fast running out and I walked back to the house
"Jimmy at Elgin train station"
Allison’s brother Robert drove us to the train station and to my surprise and delight my old fishing pal Jimmy was waiting for us – our return journey was Elgin – Aberdeen. Aberdeen – Edinburgh. Edinburgh – Wolverhampton. Wolverhampton – Oxford.
United Pentecostal Church GB & I. 41st General Conference & BOTT Llandudno Wales
like many people I was looking forward to a couple of weeks off work during the summer for some it might be jetting off into the summer for a week or two sat around the pool of a hotel or rented villa in sunny Spain or perhaps on one of the culture tours of Italy taking in the sights of Rome whatever your idea of holiday is it will be entirely personal based upon our own idea of how we desire to enjoy a couple of weeks of freedom from the office. For us we had chosen a week in Llandudno at the United Pentecostal Church General conference and BOTT Because of the times I agree at first sight this might not be every ones idea of a good time perhaps to some who are reading this it’s a big no way. I can fully understand were your coming from I dislike the God channels on Satellite television. Conference is a great place to meet like minded people to make new friends and to renew old friendships and to strengthen existing friendship to be physical and spiritually “Enlarged”
On Monday 2nd August Allison and I were booked onto the train from Oxford to Birmingham and Birmingham to Llandudno I have not been to north Wales before and I was looking forward to exploring the area around Llandudno I had done a little home work and I had also taken the trouble of buying and studying the ordnance survey sheet OL 17. Our journey to Llandudno passed without any problems as our train speed from Birmingham and headed towards Wales we enjoyed watching the unfolding canvas of the English countryside and you could easy tell when we had crossed into Wales by the distinctive names in the Welsh language.
Along the way a retired man boarded the train and we soon got a conversation going he was keen to tell us some of the places that we were passing and he let on that he was a angler and fished on the river Conway he soon got on to the subject of the times of the salmon and sea trout runs places to fish times fishing beats and pools and what flies to use and when. He himself lived in Rowen and more often than not would fish on one of the lakes for wild brown trout and of course on the Conway for its bars of silver (Salmon). He got off the train at Llandudno junction and this left me to ponder my chances of getting on the river Conway for a day’s salmon fishing next year.
Our train arrived on time at Llandudno station and we walked the short distance from the station to our hotel on the sea front. After checking in we unpacked our cases and went for a walk along the promenade and into Llandudno we meet up with mike and in the evening we went to the Cambridge restaurant to be honest the restaurant had seen better days the staff were very friendly and the service and food was great we had a roast dinner with desert and coffee for about £10 per head after dinner we went for a walk on the pier and along the promenade we joined in the Beech missions open air church service before walking towards the Venue Cymru we saw the Llandudno band playing and continued up to the conference centre. We explored the restaurant and spoke with the staff but because there was no production taking place in the theatre the restaurant was going to be closed for the duration of our conference.
Up to this time all our contact with the church conference organisation was one line and here we were walking into the conference centre we were greeted by members of the church who had our registration information packs ready for us to collect and we spent some time meeting church friends before returning to our hotel for the night.
"The view from our Hotel room"
Allison and I stayed at the Promenad Hotel This is a family run hotel and we found the owners and staff very friendly and help full The room was clean and well maintained with a flat screen television handy for keeping up to date with the news and of course the complementary tray of tea and coffee this is a very important item and the goodies on the tray were replenished daily we had the added bonus that our room had a sea view. For each day of our stay I chose for breakfast cereal and fresh orange and cooked breakfast bacon, egg, tomato, beans, mushrooms, a pot of fresh filter coffee and toast and marmalade. You can tell from the photograph that it was well presented and cooked properly. To be honest what more could you ask for this hotel gets the thumbs up from me. Their website is www.promenad.co.uk
"This was the view from our breakfast table"
" Breakfast"
Our day started with me being first up When I’m at work I don’t want to get up in the morning but as soon as I am on down time I wake before sun rise I started the day we a cup of coffee and I would be up and dressed and walking along the promenade before the sun had time to rise over the little Orme armed with my camera I was able to take advantage of an early morning photo shoot you never know what you are going to find or come across but you will need to remain alert in order to take advantage of any photo opportunity. Each morning I would cross onto the promenade and slowly walk towards the pier except for the last morning. Stopping to take a few shots of what ever caught my eye on my first morning I walked up the marine road into happy valley and I saw a group of people doing Tai chi exercises this looked very effective with the group with their backs to the stone circle and facing the rising sun I then walked up to the site of the camera obscurer it was from here that I took a set of images looking into the edge of the Snowdonia national park and over Llandudno bay. One morning I spotted three sheep walking on the promenade near the pier this made for an interesting photo opportunity and one morning I walked from the hotel to the pier and along the marine drive round a part of the Great Orme each day I would call into the newsagents for a copy of the times newspaper before returning to the hotel for breakfast. Breakfast was served between 08:30 and 09:30 and of course after my early morning walks I was ready for what many rightly call the most important meal of the day.
After breakfast Allison and I would go for a walk along the promenade perhaps walk on the pier and enjoy the view and call into the pier cafe for morning coffee before taking the open top tour bus from Llandudno over to Conway sands and Conway we sat on the top deck of the bus at the front and we enjoyed the tour having the sights and places of note pointed out to us one day we took the tour bus round the great Orme following the toll road called marine drive this was great fun and better than the open top bus stop at the rest and be thankful. We found that the Palladium was the best place to go and eat some times after church we would walk to a local fish and chip shop for a fish and chip supper.
On our first day after lunch we went up the great Orme on the tram we had a great time and I was able to take some photographs from the top of the Great Orme looking towards Llandudno or towards Conway and the snowdian national park Puffin Island could be clearly seen across the bay. At the top of the Great Orme is the site of a World War II radar station today there is a cafe, pub and a communication station as well as the visitor centre explaining the history of the Great Orme country park.
I really enjoyed the open space the sense of freedom that I felt on top of the Great Orme on the way down you had to change trams very close to the 3,000 year old copper mine it was here while waiting for the tram to come up the Orme to take us down that I took the opportunity of taking a few photo’s of the tram coming up as the tram got close to us I noticed an elderly man on the tram he went to stand up and then slumped down out of my view I gave Allison my camera and bag and as the tram was pulling to a stop I ran to the side of the tram that I saw the man I founded him leaning out of one of the tram windows he was in a bad way he was doing one of two things having a heart attack or having an epileptic fit a member of staff ran up to me and asked me what did I want him to do and I asked him to call for an ambulance which he did the staff cleared the tram of its customers and I boarded the tram with a nurse who was on a day trip with her family and the man who telephoned for the ambulance – The tram slowly made its way down the great Orme I supported the man so as to prevent him from hurting himself while he was having a fit his name was Bob and he was 71 years of age as we went down the great Orme a paramedic boarded the tram he soon had the man on oxygen and gave him an injection. Bob slowly started to relax and by the time he was taken off the tram by the waiting ambulance crew he seemed to have stopped fitting the poor man’s wife was very distressed. The following day we were to learn from the owners of the tram that Bob was making good progress in hospital and would soon be getting home again.
In the evening we went to the opening Church service of the 41st General conference of the United Pentecostal church of Great Britain & Ireland. There was a congregation of 800 people before the service started I got to meet up with Rev T F Tenny it had been some years since we last met at Life tabernacle in fact Rev James Dallas was the district superintendent. Today the job title has changed to bishop. Rev L Francis is the bishop of UPC GB&I and he preached on “Enlarge” after service I had the chance to meet up with Rev C Price he was the dean of the bible school that I went to in Elgin also Fred and James from the Independent church in Ilford we also meet Bob and jimmy from the Elgin church and an old friend of mine David just to name a few people. After church we walked along the promenade and to the local fish and chip shop. The following evening church services all came under the banner of BOTT (because of the times).
On the Friday afternoon the 2pm program was an open air street meeting we meet up at the conference centre and walked together down the promenade witnessing to members of the public before stopping at the war memorial for the open air service we did look quite a crowed 800 people were at the conference and I should think everyone was on the promenade. It was during this event that I took a set of photo journalist images to be used in various publications from church news letters to the Pentecostal truth magazine.
On the last morning instead of walking along the promenade towards the pier and great Orme I walked along the promenade to the little Orme. And back taking a few photo’s as I went on my way back to the hotel the heavens opened and I got soaked through I was glad to arrive back at the hotel to change my wet clothes. Staying at our hotel were some of the UPCI missionaries based in Europe and brethren from London and Coventry. Allison and I had a wonderful time at Conference and we are looking forward to the 42nd UPC GB&I General conference. We caught the train back from Llandudno to Oxford stayed the night changed our suit cases and caught to 10:30 train to the Scottish Highlands.
My photo's can be seen on flickr
The street meeting set are at http://www.flickr.com/photos/m3jfm/sets/72157624548857573/
And my images of Llandudno are at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/m3jfm/sets/72157624753100986/
Islands on the Air (IOTA) Contest 2010
Islands on the Air (IOTA) Contest 2010
Take’s place between 1200UTC Saturday 24 July to 1200UTC Sunday 25 July 2010 The aim of the contest is to promote contacts between stations in qualifying IOTA island groups and the rest of the world and to encourage expeditions to IOTA islands. And this will be the fifth year that I have taken part in this contest. Each year I try to build upon the previous years experience and to increase my total score. However the main reason for taking part is to increase the numbers of new IOTA islands worked.
The following is my results since 2006
2006 29 M3JFM EU005 SSB 12 H LP, QSO 123, M 40 Score 36840
2007 16 M3JFM EU005 SSB 12H LP, QSO 150, M 57 Score 68058
2008 19 M3JFM EU005 SSB 12H LP, QSO 138 M 54 Score 60588
2009 13 M3JFM EU005 SSB 12H LP, QSO 183 M 55 Score 70455
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