This is a story which came to me on the veranda during our recent winter sun break on Mallorca.
It is based on a recurring vibrant memory of Glasgow Fair Friday in July 1964.
Please do not take offence at the nickname assigned to Sidney Goldman. He accepted it, even welcomed it as it gave him a chance to add his Jewish comedy routines when performing to an audience. And Sid loved and audience - as did Willi.
Put on your time traveller’s bunnet and read on.
For ease of reference, here are the You Tube links which will take you quickly to the songs referred to in the text:
Song of the Clyde
https://youtu.be/iZX0h4X7s1c?si=Cju7wFMJ6vxsj3CP
My Way
https://youtu.be/qQzdAsjWGPg?si=bMJ1rUbRMESk2CP_
Fever
https://youtu.be/JBANWpzsHts
Nice work if you can get it
https://youtu.be/FB1MxIZrmCk?si=0-J9eZfgbeTjb64I
Begin the Beguin
https://youtu.be/sYHXTJxoZqo?si=tFrwnRLfd-uNNK1C
Fly me to the Moon
https://youtu.be/ZEcqHA7dbwM?si=_N4wEdZ5l4kZIiY-
I can’t tell a waltz
https://youtu.be/QI8z5gBNDWk?si=DXiP4S-LJrE2iR9A
Jimmy Shand medley
https://youtu.be/vhxtmqYyI_w?si=0tUl6Exs0Ee0FnxV
The Day we went to Rothesay-O
https://youtu.be/xvHgHxu4cbQ?si=9Zdwb4EQPuozGmhn
Where or When
https://youtu.be/tbnA78ravpY?si=JI2l1NgwHCKZc-ft
Will ye no’come back again
https://youtu.be/JyaCv41-VM8?si=8TzvKmObS66QMVwa
Auld Lang Syne
https://youtu.be/i4pN0zn16jk?si=8mbB5vF9BijRcttg
Click here to download the PDF.
Our Writers’ Circus challenge for January 2024 was to write about ‘Memories of 2023’.
As some of you may know, I love singing.
I have also become ‘addicted’ to YouTube.
Put these two pastimes together and out pops this offering.
I hope you enjoy my selection.
Click here to download the PDF.
This is another tale based on a conversation with my grandson Drew (aged 8).
The entire story as written is almost verbatim from a journey we made through heavy traffic.
I suppose part of my motivation in publishing it here is to provided a record for my sons Stuart and Craig and perhaps for my five grandsons in the future at a time when they might be interested.
If you are wearying, skip through the indented part and scan the dialogue sections alone.
Click here to download the PDF.
This tale was stirred from my memory banks by a friend at Writers’ Circus.
At the time, there was a challenge to write 500 words “To make Sir Billy Connolly laugh.”
In by youth I worked in the same shipyard as Billy and our paths crossed when I asked him to sing at a folk night organised by a church youth fellowship I was involved with. He was very funny and I am sure he would readily agree, so were many others we worked alongside at that time.
Here is the tale, from those long ago days when the shipyards were full of characters larger than life.
(I did try to get it down to 500 words but they could not contain the story and do it justice.)
Click here to download the PDF.
This is a blog/diary piece was written in January 2018.
Some many months ago I had difficulties with www.thebuzzinbee.co.uk website and without me noticing this piece dropped out of the listings.
It covers our weekend in Edinburgh to celebrate Margaret’s Big Birthday.
I hope it may spark memories and act as a record of thanks for a lovely, lazy luxurious a and tasty weekend in Edinburgh, one of our most favourite places.
Click here to download the PDF.
This is a trilogy of small tales based on a few of my forays into Italy, and the resulting confusion that resulted when I tried to communicate in pidgen Italian.
Thanks again to Kareth Paterson for her editorial improvements.
At least I know one person has read these tales!
Click here to download the PDF.
This is a trio of tales from our family archive.
I am sure that my version of the ‘truth’ of what happened will be disputed.
That, however, is the power of my pen.
Click here to download the PDF.
Ah, at last a serious note.
In our Italian class we were asked to prepare ourselves to discuss the topic, ‘Nel Futuro’ (In the Future). The intention was that we would think and write a piece, to prepare us for a group discussion using the future tense.
I set out to write a jolly poem, or so I thought.
What resulted was this pontifical piece, which flew onto the screen in a great rush.
I must assume that it is a reaction from my psyche to watching and listening to the news of the ‘immigration crisis’ that we are told will swamp us.
As I understand it, the UK is the sixth richest nation on earth, after Germany.
If I was being bombed out of my home in Syria, or starved to death in Africa, would I not strive to get to Europe, to get my family to safety, and give them a fair chance at a future?
You betcha I would! If was strong and brave enough.
And so would you, my friends.
Click here to download the PDF.
This is an account of our trip to Tenerife in January 2016.
It is an almost factual first person tale, sprinkled with Muse dust.
Come away with us to the sun. . .
Click here to download the PDF.
As you may know I am keen on fly-fishing for trout.
This is how I prepare my trout. Sometimes I smoke them first.
Enjoy!
Click here to download the PDF.