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   

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

By Catherine LystBBC Scotland news website

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

Continue reading the main story

 

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."

Continue reading the main story

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'."

A Big Thank You - know who you are

A big thank you to all my Blogger readers and writers out thereI cannot believe that my Blog has had 22,202 hits...people are reading it from all over the world from Morocco to Japan - India to Skegness - please keep reading and sharing and enjoying....and learning.

The Audio Boos

AudioBoos are an audio Twitter - and I just love them.  I have a Twitter connection at the top of the Blog page but I have noticed that the AudioBoos do not seem to play from this Blog page so I've listed a few below.  They were great fun to do.. let me know what you think...and if they work...as a blind person I can just about use them..the application on the computer is much better and comprehensive than the App for the phone...but..it is early days  and the developers are still working on it...enjoy the Boos

Interview with Lorne about his raising funds for Guide Dogs..
Good morning from Renton
working from home in the sunshine

One year on....

Ian being a big sook and offering Renton a nibblet for being a good boy

It’s hard to believe it’s nearly a year since the Guide Dog Association brought Renton for his matching visit with me. Basically, this is when they bring the dog for a test drive. It’s at this point when you decide whether this particular dog is the right one or not. 

This can involve a number of factors. Like: walking speed, size, breed and temperament. Admittedly, it’s hard to draw any firm conclusions from such a short meeting, but often it’s best to follow your gut instinct and get some further background from the instructor. 

However, it’s always best to look between the lines as guide dog trainers can be a bit like estate agents. 

“The dog is very keen” 

Translation -  they’ll drag you off your feet.

“He responds well to firm handling.” 

Translation -  you’ll have to wrestle him to the ground if a cat goes past.

“The dog shows great caution at an obstacle.”

Translation - dog requires some kind of bribery usually food, to get them past anything. Even then they’ll require counselling for their nerves.

I am not saying that it has been plain sailing. He has had plenty of his own challenges to overcome. Like his suspicions and hate of cats, horses, small dogs, [not large ones he’s not stupid.] squirrels. He is a bit too enthusiastic when people come to the door, but we are working on this also.  (do you like my estate agent speak there...translate..he barks the house down until you are deaf!!!...anyway other than those, Renton who had his 3^rd birthday last Wednesday  is maturing nicely  and it feels that I’ve been working with him for years.

Talking about his barking... this has been new to us..we are a quiet house and Moss rarely barks, far to much like hard work for a Labrador. However, Renton likes to bark at dogs going  past the gate, the postman, [particularly the postman.] visitors to the door. We can quieten him down a bit and then he coughs and splutters instead.

Renton sitting at the window watching for someone to bark at!

We have had loads of laughs with him, and I mean loads, he is incredibly intelligent and caring even to Moss. (which I've talked about before)

Moss and Renton with Ian at the front of the house

Moss is still not sure about him. Renton is far to fussy and loud for Moss (the Buddhist dog) He tends to put up with Renton, but we noticed that they have started to lie together out in the grass..and run down to the gate together...so maybe there is a change happening.


So..from this sad dog who arrived, not long from the kennels, missing his handler, not eating anything and wanting to stand in a dark corner in the bathroom..we call this his ubend phase!..he was a bit disorientated at first and I think it has taken this full year for him to finally feel confident and at home..His work, however has always been good...but, I now have this big bouncy, Gucci pawed bear of a dog..Renticus Giganticus, his guiding work is just brilliant  and we both love him to bits.


  

The Cost of Caring

Nicola my camera person has managed to put our latest film on to the internet. The film was completed for Newsnight Scotland on BBC2 Scotland.

 This is part one which looks at the Cost of Caring

Let me know what you think.......