Kenmore Kirk

Just the other side of the Loch from the Crannog Centre is Kenmore, the Taymouth. This charming church is the Kenmore Kirk and sits squarely at the end of the town "centre". Directly behind me as I take this photo is the Kenmore Inn, the oldest Inn in all Scotland. Of course, what small village visit is complete without a trip to the local pub? The Kenmore Inn holds the Poet Bar where in 1782 Robbie Burns penned a poem on the chimney. Barely readable, at least to these eyes, that poem still adorns the wall in Robbie's own hand. Some very interesting Arsenal bits today. Read here and here to get the gist. I've not the time to write out my own thoughts on the team. Wastrel On! (Listening to: Kashmir by The Housejacks)

Croft Moraig

We've left the Crannog Centre, it being time to continue on toward Edinburgh. We'd gone perhaps 5 miles when I'm instructed to turn around. Marita Beth or Ginger had espied this unassuming, yet beautiful circle of stones set in a field. We believe it to be Croft Moraig (or Mary's Croft), but saw no signs to confirm that presumption. As you can see we were one side of a barbed-wired fence while the stones set serenely the other side. We stayed no longer than was necessary to capture a few photos. However, in looking back, I'd have stayed longer in an attempt to drink in its ancient story. Well, the self-destruction is nearly complete. A must win game was played for a draw when in the end, Luis Garcia managed to bollocks-rock us with a toe-poke securing all three points for the home side. Yet again, Gilberto proved he can't pass and is certainly not value for money. Sadly, the same can be said of Pires & Ljungberg. However, my man of the match had to be Lehman, the man was brilliant between the sticks and kept us in the game for a long time. In fact, it truly did look to end all square, but football's a funny ol' game and it really only does take a second to dash all dreams to hell. The addage goes, "you can have many friends, many lovers even many wives (for some), but you can only have one football team". I'm here to tell you that is so very wise & true. For were it not, Arsenal would be exchanged for a younger, prettier mistress. However, I'm a Gooner and always will be, no matter how much shite they are on the pitch. Come on Arse, stop with the antics and let's play some footy for real. Oh yeah. Thanks for reading. Go click on some of the ads and help me pay for the next trip overseas. :-) Wastrel On! (Listening to: Where the Streets Have No Name (Can't Take My Eyes Off of You) by the Pet Shop Boys)

Exterior of the Crannog

I'm remarkeably unmotivated today, so you get another Crannog photo. This time from the outside looking onto Loch Tay. You really can see how canny these forebears were. It really borders on the brilliant doesn't it?

Liverpool are entertaining Arsenal at Anfield as I write this. And where am I? At work, like a dull dolt, unable to motivate myself to do much of anything. I suppose the upside is that the game is 38 minutes in and Liverpool haven't scored yet. Up the Arse!

Wastrel On!

(Listening to: I Am a UFO by Kevin Lux)

Crannog Door

From the inside of the Crannog looking at the light streaming through the open door. One marvels at the technical prowess of the ancient folks. The crannog itself is pretty large. There were 18 (or so...the memory fails) on our tour and we all fit comfortably around the centre fireplace leaving plenty of room around the walls for bunking, eating, gaming & whatnot. It's deceptively large both in diameter & height. Of course, the chances of ever having a basement were nil to none, while the potential of a flood wiping out your life was pretty high. To point, the day after we left Loch Tay (and the Crannog Centre), a massive deluge arrived and flooded great parts of the area. I have no idea if this Crannog survived, but if our modern builders built it with the same skill as our forebears, than I imagine it likely did survive. Chelsea got trounced over the weekend by M'boro. 3- 0 was the score in the "contest" and while it gains other teams nothing in terms of the Championship, it sets up a potential downfall of the champions in the upcoming season. ManU won in a boring encounter, while Arsenal were saved with a last-gasp net by our own mid-field travesty Gilberto and ended up with a 1-1 draw. Finally, he's done something right. Let's hope that streak continues. The Gunners face Liverpool at Anfield tomorrow. If they play like they did against Bolton on the weekend, they'll suffer a loss of some magnitude. Especially, since Benitez quips out such gems as "but the most important thing, is the difference between one thing and the other thing". Truly, how could a team possibly lose when their manager has so obviously got his finger on the pulse of ...something. My wife's team, Blackburn, went down to sorry Everton leaving them struggling for (but within reach of) that coveted fourth place. See the season already has a winner unless Chelsea totally cock it up and ManU don't. So, everyone is now playing for 4th to ensure European football. Tottenham currently have it with 45 points. However Arsenal are on 41 with a game in hand, while Bolton, Wigan, West Ham, Man City & Blackburn are all within striking distance having 37 - 39 points apiece. I'll be content if Tottenham drops a few and Arsenal secure that 4th spot. That has to be our focus now. Show me a man without a mask and I'll show you a hasty disguise! Wastrel On! (Listening to: Tell Him by Celine Dion (with Barbara Streisand))