Water Under The Bridge

The summer of 1940 was the last time that we, as a family, vacationed in Crail. Since WWII started in October of the year before, there were restrictions on travel; especially to the coast. On the way to Crail, we were stopped by a military patrol and were required to show our ID cards. To this day, I still remember my number - SLVZ/134/8; and believe it is still in my safe deposit box. Don’t ask me why it is there; a piece of memorabilia?

1940 was the year when the LDV (Local Defence Volunteers) were to be seen drilling with brooms, shovels, spades, axes, etc in the school yard. Britain was so ill prepared that it is a surprise that the country survived.

In that same year, while playing around the Castle Walk, the brother next oldest to me and I heard air raid sirens and, on looking across Roome Bay beyond which a naval air base was being constructed, we saw a German plane circling. At first it was thought that leaflets were being dropped until the boom of dropping bombs filled the air.

For those who may be interested, here is a great site for viewing various live views of Scotland.

Here is a good starting point; Princes Street

Enjoy

For many days now, the following ditty has been rattling around my mind. Where it was learned, and when, is a mystery to me. Boy Scouts?

In eighteen hundred and sixty one, the American Railway was begun.
The American Railway was begun; the great American Railway.

In eighteen hundred and sixty two, I found myself with nothing to do.
I found myself with nothing to do; beside the American Railway.

In eighteen hundred and sixty three, the overseer accept me.
The overseer accept me for work upon the Railway.

In eighteen hundred and sixty four, my hands were tired; my feet were sore;
My hand were tired; my feet were sore; with working on the Railway.

In eighteen hundreed and sixty five, I found myself more dead than alive,
I found myself more dead than alive; beside the American Railway.

In eighteen hundred and sixty six, I happened to step on some dynamite sticks.
I happened to step on some dynamite sticks; beside the American Railway.

In eighteen hundred and sixty seven, I found myself half way to heaven.
I found myself half way to heaven; above the American Railway.

In eighteen hundred and sixty eight, I found myself at the Pearly Gate.
I found myself at the Pearly Gate; above the American Railway.

In eighteen hundred and sixty nine, an angel’s harp and wings were mine.
An angel’s harp and wings were mine; above the American Railway.

In eighteen hundred and sixty ten, if you want to any more you can sing it again.
If you want to hear any more you can sing again, about the American Railway

Previously, there had been two moments of national fame during my years as a coxswain with Stirling Rowing Club. One was a report on the BBC of an averted rowing disaster on the Firth of Clyde; and the other was a cartoon in a Scottish national newspaper which depicted a coxswain going down with his boat as it overturned on the River Clyde.

Now, here in the United States, an e-mail that I sent to NBC News back on May 7 was read on the national news last night.

Here is the e-mail:-

Shame on you, Brian Williams, other news anchors and the news media for referring to Elizabeth II as the Queen England. Would you refer to President Bush as the President of Texas? It would be more correct to refer to Elizabeth II as the Queen of Great Britain or the UK.

You do a disservice to the Welsh, Scots and others of that ilk.

It is hoped that you and the others will recognize this faux pas.

Brian Williams made reference to the fact that he was of Welsh ancestory and alluded to the fact that he should have known better.