History: The history of the Forth and Clyde Canal

Above is a map of the first part of the canal which stretches from Lochrin Basin to Falkirk Wheel over a distance of 32 miles. The remainder of the canal after that goes to Glasgow and turns into the Clyde River. See more detail.  Originally opened in 1789, the Forth and Clyde Canal crossed theContinue reading “History: The history of the Forth and Clyde Canal”

10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet #175

Bird migration is changing. What does this reveal about our planet? – visualised Every spring and autumn, billions of birds set off on epic journeys across the planet. Here are the flight paths of 45 species. Via the Guardian What does it mean to be human in the age of technology Please subscribe to thisContinue reading “10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet #175”

Travel: A weekend trip to the medieval town of Linlithgow: History through the mists of time to today

The beautiful burgh of Linlithgow charmed the pants off me when I went there in 2012. The town sits astride the Forth and Clyde Canal (which I’ve written on extensively) which is around half way between Edinburgh and Glasgow. There’s a train link on Scotrail which goes between cities that takes you there, and there’s aContinue reading “Travel: A weekend trip to the medieval town of Linlithgow: History through the mists of time to today”

In the night of memory

In one house lives the sun, moon, and stars. Within that house is another house of sun, moon, and stars. —And then another, and another — There is no end to the imagination. From ‘Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings’ by Native American Poet Laureate Joy Harjo

Verner Panton: The Daring Spirit of 60’s Design

Verner Panton (1926-1998) is remembered for his bold, daring furniture design and aesthetic which embodied the fun and turbulent times of the 1960’s and 1970’s. His most famous pieces are the S chair, which became the world´s first one-piece moulded plastic chair, the cone chair and the flowerpot lamps. Born in 1926 Panton initially began hisContinue reading “Verner Panton: The Daring Spirit of 60’s Design”

10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet #173

10 rules for life from Fontaines D.C. Fontaines D.C. are a Dublin post-punk band made up of Grian Chatten, Carlos O’Connell, Conor Curley, Conor Deegan III and Tom Coll. In April 2019 they released their debut album Dogrel, to huge critical acclaim and have recently released their follow-up, A Hero’s Death. With eagerness, fervour and sincerity their politically-minded,Continue reading “10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet #173”

10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet #172

Lee Scratch Perry’s rules for life Here are 10 life rules from a man who lives in a truly extraordinary way. Jamaican artist Lee Scratch Perry is a wildly creative musician and producer who has sprinkled his inimitable magic on to projects in collaboration with the likes of Bob Marley and the Wailers, The Clash, The BeastieContinue reading “10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet #172”

Comforting Thought: Your Mind Is Part of the Ecosystem

Our mental and ecological health are linked writes Timothy Morton for the MIT Press Reader. Recognising this interdependence can change how we relate to the world and to ourselves.

10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet #171

Ten rules for living by writer and founder of Playgrounds for Palestine Susan Abulhawa Via We Transfer Stewart Keller – Coloring Book UNESCO has launched a virtual museum of stolen objects to draw attention to illicit trade in indigenous artefacts UNESCO has launched the Virtual Museum of Stolen Cultural Objects, the first of its kindContinue reading “10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet #171”

Sunrise

Sunrise, as you enter the houses of everyone here, find us.We’ve been crashing for days, or has it been years.Find us, beneath the shadow of this yearning mountain, crying here.We have been sick with sour longings, and the jangling of fears.Our spirits rise up in the dark, because they hear,Doves in cottonwoods calling forth theContinue reading “Sunrise”