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So Friday Night went well. Ellen stayed home to let Guy out for the night. Gill stayed in the pub and sent Davie home on the ferry, Caroline was home for a visit with her parents, and Kate and Judy joined us from Appin and we all had a noisy night in the Pier House. Not only that but Tom and Marie made the journey up from Edinburgh as well. Its amazing how far folk will travel for the monthly trip to the pub...

I managed to stay awake after my 6 hour drive up to the pub from North Berwick. I was worried at one point as North Berwick was white with snow when I left. But a phone call to the police at Crianlarich and Fort William left me knowing the roads on the West were clear (of snow not of slow moving traffic).

There were quite a few extra folk for the 9.30 late ferry, which was fine by us. We sent them on the first run, while we stayed in the pub and had another while waiting for Andy to come back over.

The lowpoint of the night however, belongs to Beth. Beth, Beth, Beth, what can we say except Tirlaggan Brae and your car will never be friends..... Yep, heading down Tirlaggan and guess who got a puncture! Wasn't too much of a problem though, we just left the car at the side of the road, and Caroline, Beth and I enjoyed the walk down to Achnacroish under the stars.

North Berwick to Lismore - can be done - according to Alan Matthews from Edinburgh in 3 and 1/2 hours!

Alan - You don't stick to speed limits do you! lol

Gran - jaihn from london - suggests that I should blog what Gran's up to. Believe me when I say the majority of folk reading any Blog I did for Gran would never believe it. This weekend she's been lifting and laying carpets!

Kites - Owain from Inverkeithing, Fife I have several different styles/levels of kites. I have about 5 cheapo's that I got out of a corner stop for 1.99 which are great to have if you are flying any kite, and kids come up for a "shot". Most kites are too big for them, but these wee dual line ones give them a sense of what it would be like to have a "Big One".... Most of the time the kids go home with them as well - kids being converted to Kiting has to be a good thing.

I've got quite a few stunt kites, ranging from some I got out in Australia, my Bug Bomb (Mullin), Flexifoil Stranger, and a couple of Deltas. I have to say though that my Elliot Big Lift now resides in Sheffield with a friend. Made the mistake of introducing him to it and never got the chance to fly him (I mean the kite) again!

Now before I go any further, can I just say that most of this text was written by Iain Howie of the Stirling Observer. I鈥檝e taken it from Friday March 19th Edition at Gran鈥檚 behest.

Central Scotland Fire Service held a ceremony on Thursday 18th March at Alloa Fire Station, to reward two members of the public for 鈥淪elfless Acts of Bravery鈥�. One of these people is Granny Wood.

As most of you may know Gran was visiting Great Aunt Annie when she heard a smoke alarm next door. She quickly sprang into action while GAA called for help. Gran managed to slip the security chain (something that Firemaster Early would love to know how to do) and headed upstairs where she found a woman wrapped in a burning duvet.

After taking the woman outside with the help of a neighbour, she re-entered the home to fetch a duvet to cover the woman. Gran was treated in hospital for smoke inhillation, but after the first night was ready to go home 鈥� though she had to spend 4 nights there as a matter of routine.

It was a day of double celebration though for Gran as she also received the Red Cross Special Services Medal. Gerald McLaughlin, Red Cross Scotland Director, said 鈥�It鈥檚 a true mark of her braverery that she received this award, which has rarely been given out since it was created in 1917. (Gran is the 8th person in the UK to receive this award!). 鈥淚 am truly very impressed with her and the fact that she shies away from the limelight, instead preferring to go to Red Cross charity events and do her bit鈥�

Gran, who鈥檚 quite shy about 鈥渁ll this鈥� said 鈥淎t the time I just did what I was trained to do thanks to the Red Cross. I probably would do the same thing all over again鈥�.

This weekend - the island will be a bit lighter with folk leaving for the first of the weddings.

Beth's asked if we'll house/dog/cat/son sit while she and Dave head to Carnoustie for the festivities.

I'm looking forward to it - though I don't know if Andrei (son) will be? He'll have RAD (Real Aunt Deirdre) and PAJ (Pretend Aunt Jane) that weekend keeping an eye on him.

I don't know if he realises it yet or not - but there will be a ban on little yellow people on the TV (ie The Simpsons) and homework being done on the Friday Night instead of Sunday.

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The Deutsche Bank Spotlight Awards recognise young campaigners who have spoken up and
taken constructive action about something they thought should be improved, changed or created in their community.

The Spotlight Awards are aimed at 11 to 18-year-olds across the UK and are organised by Common Purpose in collaboration with Deutsche Bank.

If you know of any young people who are trying to make a diferrence in their community, please do nominate them for an award. Everyone who is nominated receives a Certificate from Deutsche Bank for their achievement.

Links for further information - from last year's winner (from Durness)and what other's have achieved so far, to how to nominate someone/a group are below.

Many of my friends who've been reading my blogs have asked why I haven't posted the weblink for the Island's website.



Truth is - I never thought about it. I just assumed that everyone would do a websearch on Lismore and find it!



So - just in case you've not realised that the Island has a website - and it's an excellent site. Here is the link







Jane

Got a pack of these along with a pack of McCowan's Toffee.

Holy Moly - do they bring your jaws together. Don't get me wrong - once you've got over the initial shock - you begin to enjoy it (well I did).

Took Andrei up to Port Ramsay on Friday night to see if David could solder his glasses back together.

David and Andrei disappeared, and Teenie and I sat and blethered for a bit. I think we put some of the world to right, discussed changes to the island's website, up and coming events and whether or not Teenie and David would make the 2pm ferry on Saturday to head over for the wedding.

Next time we looked at the clock we realised it was the back of midnight and there were two empty wine bottles (how did that happen).

Saturday Night and the dog (Flame) wants out. I usually do the late night dog walks, so off I go, boots on, several layers on and my big fleece.
Out the gate, down towards the pier and whoosh, there's the rain, full pelt in the face.

Go to send a text to Deirdre who's sitting in the living room in front of the fire, and mis-send it due to really cold fingers. (That and I wasn't paying too much attention as I was running about the pier like a dafty trying to miss the raindrops, and play with Flame at the same time). Get back into the house, water the dog, check the fire, head to bed.

11.38 - my mobile rings (though I don't hear it as I'm in bed and its down stairs). A message is left from a tipsy friend saying that they don't care that its raining, they're in the pub and a bit drunk.

I've kept the message - well its funny, and I like the sound of his voice....

Dog's walked, cat's fed, fire is backed up, and we leave Beth's and head up to Miss Carmichael to get some petrol (we've none!). We call in at Balure to hand in presents for Andy & Julie, have a blether with Dorothy then head for the ferry.

Deirdre comments on all the white horses on the water and that Beth isn't going to enjoy the ferry trip. We arrive at Point and watch the ferry come over - its tossed this way and that, up down, side to side.

Beth is one of the first off - carrying as many bags as she possibly can - she's straight up the pier without chatting to anyone. We tell Dave the dog's been fed, watered and walked, then get on the boat. We too are tossed about, I like it when its like that, but I think I'm about the only one on the boat - even Andy our Ferryman would rather be at home.

Penguin Biscuits have always been in our family's biscuit box (or Tim-Tams as they are known in Australia).

However, what a lot of people don't know is that my sister won't ever eat a Penguin Biscuit that is wrapped in a green wrapper.

Why - it's all down to my Father. When we were kids, and the biscuit box came out at a friend's house, Dad leant over and whispered in Seo's ear "Don't eat the green ones!".

Since that day my sister never has let a green wrapped Penguin biscuit pass her lips. (In her defence - she was about 5 when Dad told her, and at that age you believe absolutely everything your parents tell you!).

Every now and then, when Seo comes to visit, I'll put a plate of biscuits out, and I'll ensure that all the chocolate ones are green wrapped penguins. Mind you - her usual reply isn't something I can blog here...

Beth and Ellen are organising a Crocus walk for breast cancer research on 1st May 2004.

They are inviting all ladies on the Island (or off) to take part and get sponsored for doing so. Sponsor forms are available from Ellen or Beth.

The walk will be from Point to the Hall, or vice versa, return. A distance of approx 10 miles.

It is up to each individual how far they would like to walk - transport will take people to the start. They intend to finish with tea, coffee, wine, cheese and biscuits in the Hall.

Yep - on Friday a lot of us will be heading off the island via Point, to go over to the Pier House for a few hours.

Andy's been booked (poor lad - seems like every time we want a late ferry he's on duty and not Alan!).

Have a suspicion that there may be more of us than usual. It should be a good night with a lot of folk coming home for Andy & Julie's Wedding on Saturday.

It's a busy month March for everyone connected to Lismore, we've had Scott & Sarah Jane's wedding (photos on the Lismore website), we've got Andy & Julie's wedding this weekend.

But we also had Archie's "Surprise 60th" Birthday Bash on the island last weekend. Mandy and the family have been busy getting in touch with folk, sending covert messages informing folk about the Bash, while all the time trying to keep it a secret from Archie.

Needless to say it was a great night, and I'll mention that one of the presents Archie got was a jar of Olay's Total Effects Anti-Ageing Moisturiser....

What a cracking weekend.

It started off with a trip to the Pier House on Friday night. Sadie, Kiki, Mary, Dr Kate, Nurses Judy & Beth, Lachie, Ian, Duncan, Seonaid, Deirdre, Bruce (Best Man), Sharon (Best Man's Best Girl) and John, The MacKinnons (when they finally arrived), all enjoyed a night of catching up, story telling, and childhood reminiscing.

Over on the late ferry, and there was Andy (Groom to Be) waiting to take folk back to Balure. An hour later, and we finally got in cars to head down the road. Beth got in the wrong car, Lachie realised he'd a puncture. I just got in the car with Ian and headed to Balure.

I've no idea at what time we all left Balure but I can say that we had to be dragged out by Beth - None more so than Duncan.

Got home and Dave wouldn't let me walk the dog. Looked at the clock and realised why!

Saturday saw us awaking with no hangovers, and a dry but overcast day. Quick prayers that it would stay dry for Andy & Julie's Big Day.

Got up, chatted about the night before, had some breakfast and finally got dressed. Dave away to work, Andrei away to Oban, so just the girls in the house.

Bags packed for the overnight stay in Oban, off we set for the Cathedral and the wedding.

Kilts everywhere, Dorothy (Mother of Groom) was resplendent in her outfit, weather starts clearing up and we head in to the church.

The Glensanda Boat isn't well, so its just the Lismore bringing guests over from the mainland, with Norma ferrying them down in the Community Minibus.

Julie arrives and is just gorgeous in her dress, the service is lovely, with a few tears shed, then as they went through to the vestry to sign the register several bodies slipped out.

Outside the sun is shining and those who've slipped out have found the Pitchforks they had hidden earlier and have formed a Guard of Honour for Andy & Julie.

Photos taken and then the Bride and Groom and guests start departing for the ferry...

So up to Point everyone heads, where the Lismore is waiting to ferry the newlyweds and their guests back to the mainland.

The Lismore is bedecked with bunting - all over the outside, and all over the inside. Andy and Alan having been busy in the morning to ensure all the bunting was used.

With the Glensanda boat being out of commission, its a busy time for our two ferrymen, however guests aren't complaining as Ian has parked his car as close to the pier as possible, and is availing guests of Pink Champagne, Champagne, and a wee dram or two while they wait to be ferried over.

At 2.30 - we're still on the Pier and Bruce makes a comment that they'll have to postpone the meal until the Best Man, Ushers, Ian and Matt and Lauren arrive! Finally everyone of the Wedding Guests are over to the mainland and are now heading round to Oban for their meal...

Though there is no rest for Andy & Alan though - they've got the normal 3pm ferry run to do!

Got an email this morning from someone I used to go to school with inviting me to join her and a few other friends from school for dinner in Stirling on Friday night.

With a request to bring old photos with me. Have a sneaking suspicion that many glasses of wine will be consumed on Friday with lots of "Oh my word - would you look at me there" comments, interspersed with "What the hell am I wearing - why'd you let me go out looking like that!"

It will be interesting to find out how many are singled, married, divorced, have children etc....