
The Daily Thistle — News From Scotland
Wednesday 23rd August 2017
“Madainn Mhath” …Fellow Scot, I hope the day brings joy to you…. After spending the day in Malaga today is catch up day, lots to do, articles to write, Bella to walk.. so up extra early, in an attempt to get most of the tasks done, out the door this morning at 3:30am with Bella for her first walk of the day, then the Tulip and the Thistle to write, followed by Our Town For The day.. then the long second Bella walk of about 5 kilometers done in “Power Walk” style, that gets the blood moving as my Mother used to say, then research for topics, Coffee to drink, Breakfast for Sandra… So many things, so little time…
BED AND BREAKFAST HELPS CHICKENS CROSS STREET WITH HIGH VISIBILITY VESTS…. A bed and breakfast in Scotland fitted a group of chickens with high-visibility vests to help them cross a local road. Glenshieling House shared video Friday of a pair of chickens wearing the bright pink vests as they strolled across the rainy street. Louise Lennox, owner of the Perthsire bed and breakfast, told STV she has 14 hens and a few have a tendency to wander off the property. “They normally stay in the garden but a couple of them like to go for a wee wander down the path and sometimes across the road,” she said. “I just thought it would be a little bit of fun and would also keep the hens safe, so I put some vests on the wanderers.” Lennox hopes the vests will help drivers spot the chickens and encourage them to slow down. She also printed the phrase “Glenshieling House Girl” on the vests to advertise her business and let people know where to return the chickens if they stray too far.
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A WORLD’S STRONGEST MAN CONTENDER?…. Tom Stoltman is one of the world’s best junior Strongman event athletes and he has his sights set on winning the sport’s coveted World’s Strongest Man title. Achieving that dream involves dedication to a tough routine, and for Tom controlling autism. Since he was a boy, 23-year-old Tom, from Invergordon in Easter Ross, has been sports daft. “Growing up it was football, football, football,” he says. “I would miss school to play football, and a I love watching football.”
His passion for the game, along with support from his parents, wider family and also from others while he was at school, have helped him overcome the effects of autism.
“I was diagnosed when I was four or five years old. When I was 13 or 14 I would not go outside the house by myself or travel by myself. “People who have autism are really shy and don’t talk. “My parents used to think that I would be at home until I was 40 and never get a girlfriend and never get married.” But he adds: “Sport is one of thing that has given me confidence. “Being an athlete has made me who I am today. I got married when I was 21, I went to Africa to compete in the World’s Strongest Man and I can talk in front of cameras.”
SONG TO SHOWCASE DUNDEE’S EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE 2023 BID…. Dundee musicians have released the official single supporting the city’s bid to become European Capital of Culture 2023. Over Bridges features performers including Kyle Falconer from The View, Adam Hunter, Model Aeroplanes and St.Martiins. The song is produced by former Danny Wilson singer Gary Clark, who also features on the track. Clark said he was approached by the team behind Dundee’s bid. The musician was working with Adam Hunter at the time on the new artist’s debut album. He said “We had written a song called Bridges that was about returning to Dundee and seeing that iconic view of the city and crossing the bridges to home. “I immediately thought that the chorus of that song was perfect but strongly felt that a song representing Dundee should be performed by a cross section of local musical talent. “I wanted the artists to bring their own style to the song, so the only thing I said to them was, it needed to be an expression of how Dundee inspires you.”
The European Capital of Culture competition is an annual designation awarded to two European cities on a rolling programme. Both Hungary and the UK will host a Capital of Culture in 2023. The UK competitors are Dundee, Leeds, Belfast-Derry, Truro-Cornwall, Nottingham and Milton Keynes.
‘BOUNCING BOMBS’ FROM ARGYLL LOCH BEING DONATED TO MUSEUMS…. BOUNCING bombs used during training for the famous WWII Dambusters raids have been raised from a Scottish loch — and will now be donated to two museums in time of the 75th anniversary of the historic event. A specialised piece of underwater scanning equipment was used to locate and identify the ‘Highball bombs’ at Loch Striven in Argyll. part of Unique System UK provided the scanning equipment and engineering support to produce sonar images of the sea bed at the dive site currently being explored by the British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC). The scuba divers have completed the daring mission to raise two historic ‘Highball’ bouncing bombs like those used by the Dambusters squadron on the successful raid of the Eder Dam. Footage of the Highball bombs being tested was used in the WWII film classic, The Dambusters. The iconic bombs were recovered in perfect condition by divers, thanks to the technical input from Unique Group. The Dambusters raid, led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson, took place on 16 May 1943, when Lancaster bombers from the RAF’s 617 Squadron dropped the bomb on the Mohne, Sorpe and Eder Dams in the Ruhr Valley. The aim of the vital operation was to disrupt industry in a key area for the manufacture of Germany’s war munitions.
FAIRYTALE FLAT FOR SALE IN GLASGOW…. Not many city flats can beat this historical, B-listed property, which boasts its own tower and an enviable location in Glasgow’s west end. Kensington Tower is a first floor conversion, which is set within this handsome Italianate villa and surrounded by mature gardens. Dating back to 1858, the building is rich in period character and charm, which can be seen inside and out. The previous owners extended the property to around 1636 sq ft, making it an ideal, versatile living accommodation that would suit a family. On the market with Zoopla for offers over £510,000, you may need to summon up your fairy godmother to buy this magical home, but at least you can enjoy views over the west end from the feature tower. The flat consists of four bedrooms, a guest W.C/cloakroom and family bathroom, and boasts features such as traditional fireplaces, wood burning stoves and a modern kitchen. The kitchen diner has been refitted recently and now offers modern high gloss wall and floor units, integrated appliances and plenty of space for a dining table and chairs.
On that note I will say that I hope you have enjoyed the news from Scotland today,
Our look at Scotland today answers a question, “Why did the chickens cross the road?” ..”To show off their high-visibility vests..!”
A Sincere Thank You for your company and Thank You for your likes and comments I love them and always try to reply, so please keep them coming, it’s always good fun, As is my custom, I will go and get myself another mug of “Colombian” Coffee and wish you a safe Wednesday 23rd August 2017 from my home on the southern coast of Spain, where the blue waters of the Alboran Sea washes the coast of Africa and Europe and the smell of the night blooming Jasmine and Honeysuckle fills the air…and a crazy old guy and his dog Bella go out for a walk at 4:00 am…on the streets of Estepona…
All good stuff….But remember it’s a dangerous world we live in
Be safe out there…
