Lost at Sea

Mac never had much sense of direction. The magnetic pull of blind alleys on his internal compass was irresistible to him. Intrepid journeys evolved from his famous words " I know a short cut we can take ".
No matter where we were in the world or which side of the road we were on, we notched up a dozen or so cul - de - sacs
before heading in the direction deduced from the hour hand on his watch pointed towards the sun. Our travels were characterised by their unpredictablity especially when it was raining or overcast. Yet, by some magic we rarely missed a target, albeit interspersed with interesting distractions and strangers en route. I've grown so accustomed to his idiosyncratic science of "de -planning" that when I need it most, my former intuitive ability to orientate myself towards home has deserted me. Where am I ? And if home is where the heart is then I am well and truly lost. Currently adrift in Macfarlane's Ark, I could use a tutorial in navigation and company for the chorus the odd sea shanty.
Just click on these co-ordinates -
http://macfarlanesarkangels.blogspot.com

Into the West

Macfarlane's Ark sets sail from -

http://macfarlanesarkangels.blogspot.com/

Following Rainbows

- Found some in Sydney.
Click Macfarlane's Ark
here or from the list
in the right - hand column
-or follow the link below
to take you there.

http://macfarlanesarkangels.blogspot.com/

Bitter-Sweet Remembering

" Miss the bugger like hell. "
said Mels.
Yes, is the resounding echo,
from the hundreds
who shared his embrace.
The final tribute
on 4th February, 2006.
was made by Alan and Eric.
Yesterday they took his spirit
- and a bottle of the Ardbeg -
to the stand at Twickenham.

The final words of closure
are from Mick.



Alan spoke.

"If I can start with a quote from a comment on the Macdoodle blog ,
with your permission, Hector.
" Don't be sad Dan's passed away
just be glad he passed your way "

Dan gave a wealth of joy to everyone he knew.
We should all feel so much richer for having known him.
Personally, I have witnessed and been party to, some of Dan’s DIY jobs.
One of these tasks was to emulsion an already white ceiling
with fresh white emulsion.
Did Dan buy ordinary white emulsion ?
No, he bought a special white emulsion to make it easier
to paint over a white surface. The paint goes on a sickly pink, but does dry white.
I was there when Dan started to paint, and Mags returned home.
I left with the foot-stomping tantrum from Mags ringing in my ears,
" I don’t want a pink ceiling !!!! ".
Dan with straight face, like only he could hold,
denied that there could possibly be anything unpleasant
about his choice colour and continued painting.
This was typical of the man's indominatable sense of fun.
Over the last 6 months. I have been totally overawed
by his bravery and courage, in the helpless situation
in which he found himself .
Through it all, he maintained his sense of humour and sincere warmth.
I will miss visiting Dan and hearing the words, " You’ll have a drink, Al ".
This was not a question - well that’s my excuse -
because the glass was already being filled.
The answer was always anticipated - a beer, a wine or a spirit.
And talking of spirit, my claim to fame with Dan is -
I introduced Dan, to the man, who introduced Dan, to Ardbeg. - Eric "

Eric said -

" I asked Dan what whisky he drank. "Highland Earl from Aldi's"
was the reply. I asked him what whisky he really liked.
A peaty whisky was the reply.
I knew that he was the right candidate
to sample some of our Ardbeg.
And so the legend began.
Dan has become the brand ambassador for Ardbeg.
This did cause worry at the distillery,
they were running out of 10 year old
and had to introduce a new Ardbeg, "Ardbeg Very Young".

Dan was one of the most thoughtful men I’ve met.
His first question was always to ask "How’s your family getting on".
He always showed concern for others.
Just to capture the spirit of what I mean.
With Morag’s permission, I would like to quote from the comment
she left on the Macdoodle blog.
The message captures the essence of Dan,
from the point of view of his wife Mag’s family.
We have been privileged to have Dan in our family.
As a brother to us, and a son-in -law to Jeannie.
He has given us all so much support, so much fun, so much love.
He fitted in to our family like a hand in a glove,
keeping us warm with his patience, care and humour.
We will miss him, always. "


" Dan’s last journey started in July
when he was diagnosed with cancer.
There was a parallel journey, which started in August.
Dan’s nephew, Leven, left Cadiz in " Atlantic Wolf "
to row the Atlantic Ocean, single-handed.
Dan and Leven had an agreement,
that they would complete their journeys together.
Leven made first landfall on Friday the 27th January .
Dan completed his journey two days later.
It is because of this journey, that, Dan’s brother Mick,
is not here in person.
Mick, Mionie and Leven are stranded in Trinidad ,
unable to get a flight home.
Mick, has sent us these words,
his reaction to the news of his brother's death. "

" Mags, we got the news in the evening in Trinidad, I felt the need for a solitary walk. A firefly flickered in front of me with brief intensity – in moments of deep sadness things take on a more profound meaning - I said into the darkness - safe journey my friend."

The Flame Still Burns

Today, of all days, in spirit ......... at Twickenham

Just remembering .........

http://macdoodle.blogspot.com

Forever Dan

Comet McNaught, observed in antipodean skies last week

















"Sea-Fever"
I must down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea's face, and a grey dawn breaking.

I must down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.

John Masefield (1878-1967).

Good to come home to our "magic wee place"
to all the generous expressions
of love and support .
Thank you for your companionship
over the past twelve months
and the fond memories
that continue to twinkle in the night sky
- to guide him by.


While life goes on here, remember his journey at -
http://macdoodle.blogspot.com

Burning Memories

" The magic of poetry is that a single line

can stay with us as we grow old

bring comfort in grief,

or express the joy of a birth.

That is not a small thing "

Ae Fond Kiss, and Then We Sever

Robert Burns (1791)

Ae fond kiss, and then we sever;
Ae fareweel, alas, for ever!
Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll pledge thee,
Warring sighs and groans I'll wage thee.
Who shall say that Fortune grieves him,
While the star of hope she leaves him?
Me, nae cheerful twinkle lights me;
Dark despair around benights me.


I'll ne'er blame my partial fancy,
Naething could resist my Nancy:
But to see her was to love her;
Love but her, and love for ever.
Had we never lov'd sae kindly,
Had we never lov'd sae blindly,
Never met-or never parted,
We had ne'er been broken-hearted.


Fare-thee-weel, thou first and fairest!
Fare-thee-weel, thou best and dearest!
Thine be ilka joy and treasure,
Peace, Enjoyment, Love and Pleasure!
Ae fond kiss, and then we sever!
Ae fareweeli alas, for ever!
Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll pledge thee,
Warring sighs and groans I'll wage thee.

Burn's Night, 25th January

For more click on the link below

www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/history/burnsnight/

Very Fishy, Very Sydney

Lightning Visit

It felt like this, at Barrington Tops -

Like pushing my head through

the invisible skin between the earth

and the Milky Way, between night and day -

A glimpse of wonderment that seemed lost

forever in a parallel realm , a year ago .

Through the night an awesome presence

electrified the peaceful haven.

Lightning arced in shattering light-rainbows

across the valley, an awsome affirmation of spirit ,

silhouetting the smallness of the material world

in the black lace trace of the treetops.

No rain, little thunder, the storm dissolved

into the rosy dawn and drifted upwards

into the heavens on gossamer wisps of bridal veil

and a chorus of tuis and bellbirds piping it to rest.

Thank you, Helen,
for taking me there.

Once Bitten ..... !!!

It's difficult not to fall in love
with the land of Aus - even
when one of its cutest national institutions
has a go at your big toe. On close up
its snout is the spitting image
of the said anatomical extremity.
Did this cuddly half blind creature

see it as a threat when it confronted my foot

head-on, in spotlight of Martin's torch ?
Or maybe it just overheard my cheeky comment,
" There goes a lovely pair of possum socks ! "

No sooner said when it clamped its needle-sharp teeth

into the nail, claiming a shard,

before scampering

into the chattering,

velvet-black night.

No worries, mate.

Recipes for Disaster ( to the waistline ) and Learning to live when the co-chef is permanently out to lunch

Mac would have loved the food here
- or rather the shopping for it, and the cooking of it.
Bugger the landscape in all its spectacular, rugged,
raw, awesome, spiritual beauty - breathtaking though that is.
He would have loved more the immediacy, the freshness,
the variety, the quality and, above all, the cheapness
of the produce. he would have thrown himself unflinchingly
into the chatty cross-cultural camaraderie of the market place.
He would have been intrigued enough by the weird
and wonderful array of foodstuffs to have been induced
to purchase and create idiosyncratic culinary treats.
So fresh, so flavoursome are the ingredients,
they require little adulteration to induce a taste -burst sensation

He could seduce even the blandest of palates.
On the journey back to the kitchen his guest list would be drawn up
and a menu concocted. - a simple fusion for oral orgasmic thunder !

Mis en place......... he would insist - And who could resist ?

Lamb marinaded in Fresh Pomegranate and Orange Juice
in a slow-cooked Tagine with dates, apricots and walnuts.
served with Kumera wedges and Steamed Basmati Rice

Queen Scallops and Smoked Bacon in a fresh ginger, corriander and turmeric creme fraiche sauce.

Kedgeree of Smoked Hoki, fragrant rice with Dawn-fresh boiled eggs and New Zealand "Parmesan" Garnish.

Bourride of Salmon, Monk fish, Terakihi and Smoked Green-lipped mussels with fresh fennel and Jersey Bennes (wee tatties).



. . . . . . . . not to mention - the olive, spinach and feta muffins, the French toasted fruit bread with dry cured smoked bacon and banana drizzled with Manuka honey and served with a dollop of whipped cream, then there's the rainbow olives, the fejoa juice, the soya mochachinos, the carrot and fennel bread, tear-and-share loafs with a multitude of fillings, the sumptuous home-made cakes, the wraps, the pannini, a night out at Zibbibo's in downtown Wellinton with prawn stuffed sqid with a fennel and lime dressing, etc, etc. etc, and then, -well, then there's the wines, the Chardonnays, Sauvignon Blancs, the Viogniers,
the Reislinnnnnnnnngssssshhhhhhss . . . . . . . . . . . . .

All served up with a drizzle of tears. How I miss my companion at the cooker.

Cheers !

Serious Vegetable Shopping on Sunday

Blown Away in 2007

Perhaps it is because the water goes down the plug-hole the other way.

Or is it because the heavenly bodies in the night sky are unfamiliar ?

Whatever the influences, the inclination is to do little more

than enjoy the welcome comfort and company of family.

I've been sunburned and frostbitten, melted and shivered

but ever glad to be here.

Lazy days of eating and sleeping have come all too easy

when the winter weather refuses to budge

and Wellington lives up to its blustery reputation

as the world's windiest city.

Christmas and New Year have been refreshingly understated and uncommercial.

Santa handed out cookies in Cuba Mall while a brass band played traditional carols

with idiosyncratic Kiwi gusto.

Sunshine glinted on the odd silver bauble but fairylights were few

- except that is in the Nisbet household where they

twinkled and tinkled their magic through the darkess in Lyall Bay.

The sparkle in the smiley voices of shop assistants made their good wishes

feel genuine - even salve the inevitable pain in the wallet.

" Enjoy your day " as they say, wherever you are.

PS Belated birthday wishes to young Mikey, 8 on 1st January.

See you soon when the Ark is relaunched for Sydney.

Watch out for a new address.

Happy New Year

Settling Down for the Queen's Speech

Merry Christmas, everyone

Carol Singing for a Wee Sister

If I was there,
I'd be singing
Carol's praises.
Happy Birthday
wee sister.
Keep cosy
and watch out
for crumbs.

Windy Wellington

Calm after the storm.
View from the sitting room
in Wellington,

Stocking Up Wellington Style

Shore Leave at Lyall Bay

Strange to wake up
to sunshine and Christmas carols.
Yesterday's lunch with friend Debbie
al fresco at the filmstar-famous
Chocolate Fish, Scortching Bay
has given me a nose most appropriate
for the Festive season.
Brighter than Rudolph's it lights the way
to a hot and happy Christmas.

Anchors a-Weigh

Setting sail.
Hatches battened.
See you
on the other side in
"Macfarlane's Ark."

Talk Talk

There have always been words
woven into DNA. Excited
by the eye, they burst
their way to the surface
where they tingle
and burn like ice
on the lips, lingering there
in passioned anticipation
of a lover's kiss.
The heart and the head
tussle for command
of the tongue

When the heart wins
the ears may bleed.
So it has been said.

No need to talk
Talk makes so much
noise and he
was so very good
at hearing
the silence.

The voice inside
says Be
at peace
for a while
at least.

High Winds Forecast - Again !!! A Little Rude Weather for Bathers Dedicated to Jan and Lewis

for Ruth, soon to be 5, and Craig 16 today - Sing-a-Long some More

Chasing Rainbows

The creatures are still gathering.
There is a buzz in the air
as we prepare to weather
December's inevitable storms.
The Southern Cross features strongly
in the navigation charts.
By Christmas, Macfarlane's Ark
should be weighing anchor in the antipodes.

Mixed Nuts

Treacle scones and false teeth
Dookin' for apples and nuts
Dolly mixtures sooked oot flooer
Faces smothered in dust

Spiders and skeletons
Pink"flee cemetries"
Pumkins flickering grins
Luminous fangs bite
black pasta worms
Looks that can wither and rust.

Giggles and gurgles
and wet slurping skrieks
Splatter in glorious fuss
Puddles and bubbles
and google eyed grins
haunting this wee space for weeks.

Rob's Update

Rob' return home from hospital on Friday 20th October
was only a staggering 3 days after the big op.
With 34 stitches in his head and a poly bag full of drugs
he could easily have passed an audition for " Trainspotting ".
The best news is that he is 90% of the tumour lighter.
The malignant 10% will be regularly scanned
to monitor the speed of its growth, but in the meantime
he has power back in his left side and the seizures have abated..
He's been attending sessions at the Maggie Centre
three times a week.
This has helped with the huge emotional challenges
still to be faced.
Recovery of confidence is slow but sure.
He and Morag are enjoying walks together again,
unthinkable before the Professor Whittle's miracle.
It would appear that Edinburgh Rugby too
have also felt the benefits.of their recent presence at matches.
That last gasp drop goal from Duncan Hodge on Friday
saw the crowd of 6000 erupting with delight.
They are hoping to spend some time at Gleneagles next week.
He may even take the odd swing at a golf ball he says !
That would be the icing on the cake for him
- along with this perfect Autumn sunshine.
Who coud ask for more ?

Citizen Mike

http://www.therocks.com/sydney-Webcam_Rocks_Viewing.htm

Click on the link above. Who knows, just maybe we'll catch a glimpse
of one of Australia's newest official citizens.
Goodonya Mike ! Congratulations.

Chiminea

The stars are cold blue-bright tonight.
The ghost of woodsmoke fills the breath
of his magic wee place.

The legacy he left
is the joy he took in simple things,
a child's awed delight
in the magic of fire,
and the sparks that spiralled
in the velvet dark spaces
between the stars.

The air has a vital chill tonight,
The ghost of laughter crackles in crystal embers
of the fires he lit.

The legacy he left
is the tinder he gathered
which smoulders in the hearth
of his hopes and desires.
In the furnace white heat
of the clay chiminea
diamonds were forged

The sooty black jewels
that hide in the powder dry ash,
once glistered and glistened,
- twinkling constellations
in adventurous eyes.

His love for the living
is the legacy he left.

Outlook Good says Morag

"Hi, everyone

Just a quick note to let you know
that Rob's surgery has gone really
well. Prof W is very happy with the way
that things have gone. He managed
to take away most of Rob's tumour
at the front, as well as the frontal cyst.
Now he only has some tumour
left at the back of the rear cyst.
and we'll deal with the consequences of that later
But for the moment Rob has come through
everything with flying colours.
Keep these fingers crossed folks!

Love Morag "

Sarah's Text at 13.20

Out of theatre,all well
and moving his limbs.
We are at the hospital now
He is being wired up and
we have had a glimpse.
Just waiting to get in.

Laughing Gas

From Rob

" To All

Following a visit to the Western
on Friday 13th to get my cyst aspirated
I asked to see the surgeon.
The reason for this was to discuss
the need to get the cyst aspirated every few days.
He came and talked to Morag and myself.
I had a MRI scan about 2 weeks ago
Unfortunately Prof W.
was on compassionate leave
and did not have a chance
to view the results at that time.
He did look at them before he came to see me.
He said that the cyst could not be drained fully
because it had divided into 2 parts.
There was very little change in the tumour itself.
From previous meetings when he said
it would be to dangerous to operate,
now he told us that he thought
he could remove most of the cyst area.
If successful it could lengthen my time on the planet.
He did, however, explain about the downside too.
We should to be prepared for -

1. Death
2. Risk of infection
3. Partial success,
4. Full recovery probably with a weakness
down my left hand side (I live with this anyway).

He suggested that we take time to think about it
but two minutes later I gave the go ahead
We have great confidence in the Prof's expertise.
I am going in on Monday, op on Tuesday am
All being well, I'll be back home within a week.
We are both in agreement about our decision.
If the worst happens, so be it.
Fingers crossed.

This was the most unusual Friday 13th
we have ever experienced !

I'll write again.

Rob "

Mags says -

" Fingers crossed " - typical understatement

from the big man ! By special request

Pat and Stanley are on stand-by

to pipe him out of the operating theatre in style

while the rest of us will be crossing

more than fingers I suspect.

for Rob

Smile again

<

Bright Spark Turns 80 with 50 to Jean

Sharp as a tack, our neighbour..
Dan said "you'll be all right, Magsie .
Great neighbours." He wasn't wrong.
Thanks for your gentle care
and encouraging words of wisdom
in recent dark moments
You've kept from lonliness
by sharing your special
family celebrations, birthdays
- and still the Golden Wedding anniversary
to come on the 19th October.
- So glad to raise a glass
of his best Ardbeg
in your honour.
He reckoned
you'd go on for ever,
and ever and ever.
"Being Grahamed" he called it
with admiration and affection.
Slainte
from the two of us.

Thin Ice

Treading on thin ice

the crackling hiss

of sugar fragments

underfoot. In brittle sparkle

the heart breaks

On-Board Entertainment

Conjuring Up a Smile.

Mikey puts a little magic into our lives -

"without any gas from my body!"

Ahoy There !

The frantic necessity
to keep plugging leaks
commands most of our energies
aboard this ricketty old Ark .
However, occasional calm waters
afford us space to reflect
on the funny side of our confinement.
Catching a glimpse at ourselves
in this enforced training regime
has the surprising effect
of raising chuckles of shared mirth.
Not for the faint hearted, though,
is our manual of fitness.
Practice these exercises at your peril.
Be mindful of the crew of the Marie Celeste.
Not all may survive to laugh at their fate.
If you have any up-to-date tips
to improve our technique
or can recommend charts plotting milder currents,
feel free to shout it out here into the ether
by comment or email, on this clickable link
macdoodle5@btinternet.com
Watch out for low flying doves

The North Wind Doth Blow.....

It is difficult to describe the emotional landscape
that this family inhabits.
The imagination has no maps to guide it,
no well trodden routes,
no pre-planned stops at a friendly oasis
to rest and revive.
Every step takes us deeper into quicksand .
Every footprint, however light,
is weighted with the threat
that suddenly the ground
could dissolve beneath us.
So we move very cautiously,
and at times stand very, very still.
By donning fair-weather camouflage
we create a mirage of blue sky
peppered with only squally showers.
In truth we are ever aware
of lengthening shadows
and the biting chill in the air.
The forecast is blizzards.

Aye, the nights are fair drawin' in.

Seasons change.
There is comfort and despair in knowing this.

The following words are from Rob.

Health up-date
It has taken me a fair amount of time to write this e-mail.
A lot has happened in the last 2 weeks.
We were on a short break when unfortunately I had a fit in the car.
We were only doing 10mph at the time but it was hugely stressful.
I was virtually unable to get out of the car.
Recovery is taking longer each time.
We were down in the Borders and had another night to go.
We phoned Alan and Carol who kindly came down
and transported us back to the Pans.
Unknown to me until Morag sat me down and told me,
Sarah had miscarried, 2nd time this year- just to add to the stress.
Later Morag went for a shower and was breaking her heart.
While she was there, I started to have another seizure.
Lucky me. A day to forget.
Visits to the hospital followed and now things seem to have settled.
Getting my confidence back takes longer. I do not want to be left on my own.
Need Morag's company. Been to 2 Gunners games recently. Good results.
Morag is now a bona fida supporter. Hope this continues.
My brother is over from Australia for 2 weeks.
He stayed for 3 days then we chased him
down to Galashiels to see his mother.
We were finding difficult having someone around all the time.
Anyone wanting to visit please arrange a time in advance.
Not always up for it.


Hope you and your families are well

Anyone seen Noah ?

Tantallon and the Bass

Waves still pound
the shell-shocked shore.
Ever present is a danger
of being swept out to sea.
Timeless, the battered rocks
provide a jagged haven
against the race
of tyrant storms.

Perhaps the gathering animals
are veterans of the Ark
seeking solace
from the preying fear
of drowning
among the whispering,
tide-caressed
pebbles
on a gentler strand.

Calling Noah, Calling Noah

Not Another Birthday Blog ?

Yes, yet another !
It's the big 18 for
"Katey - that'snofunnyDan - Malakey".
Congratulations, Ms McWatt
on reaching the age of responsibility.
Use your vote wisely.
Wishing you all the best
that your many talents can bring,
and all the luck you'll need
to make them work for you
in your chosen path. -
Oh yes, and one of these.
Click on the link below.
(Thanks Alex)

Many happy returns, for Sunday, Kathryn.



I/O Brush on Transbuddha

Out of the Blue !

Most peculiar !