Wednesday 28 September 2011

Come up and see my etchings!

For those of you who can see please click on the following link to my past etchings..rather than having them stuck in the attic I thought it would be a good idea to have them out in the virtual world!

picture of etched cottage on the hill in the distance surrounded by leaveless trees
Ian Hamilton Etchings   

Friday 16 September 2011

sound and vision..something for all my friends

Before Lorne set off on his 8 x 8 challenge he climbed the Aonach Eagach ridge in Glen Coe Scotland.  and played his Bag pipes at the top his friend Greg carried the Bagpipes..his Sherpa!...he meet some German Tourists at the top and they had a go or "blaw" of his pipes also..... enjoy...sound and vision


No matter where you are in the world  He is 57% of his way to his target   please help
 support Guide Dogs and Lornes' challenge at

  http://www.justgiving.com/Lorne-brown/eurl.axd/c7c05e801740374bbca4021a40e66b79

AMAZING Achievement for Lorne and Guide Dogs


Lorne Brown, 80, achieves Italian eight peaks climb


Lorne BrownAfter completing the climbs, Lorne is already thinking about his next challenge

 

An 80-year-old man has achieved his ambition to climb eight major mountains in eight days in the Italian Dolomites.
Lorne Brown, from North Lanarkshire, began climbing the via ferrata routes just days after his birthday to raise money for Guide Dogs for the Blind.
Using ropes and ladders, his 8x8 challenge took him up overhanging cliffs and precipitous slopes to some of the highest peaks of the Dolomites.
He was due to celebrate his achievement with a tandem paraglide.
Mr Brown's daughter Christine told the BBC Scotland news website: "I'm just really proud of him."
Lorne, who lives in Dullatur, was a late starter, only beginning to climb Munros at the age of 75.

A via ferrata is a mountain route equipped with fixed cables, stemples, ladders, and bridges to assist climbers.
Each day Lorne walked and climbed about 3,000 feet (900m) - the height of a Munro - to get to the start of each via ferrata.
He trained for the 8x8 challenge by going to the gym three days a week and climbing once or twice a week to strengthen his muscles and increase his stamina.
"He hadn't bought a pair of gym shoes for over 60 years," Christine said.
"He feels vindicated that someone who is 80 can go out and do these things.
"And he is raising awareness for guide dogs at the same time."
Lorne has so far raised £6,000. He hopes to hit his target of £8,888 and has set up a Just Giving website. This year is also the 80th anniversary of Guide Dogs for the Blind.
Tandem paraglide
"Sometimes you have no time when you're younger to follow your dreams," Christine said. "It's like he's gone into his peak in his 80s. He's really found his niche."
In April last year, Lorne gained his husky driving licence following a 10-day trek in Greenland.
He faced sub-zero temperatures as he led a sled pulled by the dogs to the Arctic Circle.
He also provided the entertainment after taking his bagpipes along.
"He's already thinking what his next challenge is going to be," Christine said.
"He's doing the tandem paraglide just for fun. It's another thing he's always wanted to do."
Following the paraglide, the group Lorne is with are taking him on a short climb, using just ropes.

Christine added: "He said 'no wonder he's losing his hair'."