Message for Craig

Hi Craig - it was great to get your message on the message board. Sounds like you've all been keeping pretty busy - you Aberdonians are turning into a real bunch of action heroes these days. Hope you did really well and got your black belt at SooYang Do - remind us to always keep on your good side now! You'll probably know from reading the website what we've been up to. so won't bore you with all that. But can't believe a year in Oz has passed already and later this week we're away to Kuala Lumpur. We've not really planned where we're going to go in Malaysia (so will have to get on with that PDQ) except that we know we'll be spending Christmas on the island of Penang, probably lazing on a tropical beach - aye it's a sair fecht! But whatever we're doing we'll be thinking of you all tucking into your turkey and Christmas pud. Tell everyone in Aberdeen that we're asking after them (especially Archie and hope he's fine now) and A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all. Also, it was great to see your video and we'll be in touch with "a'body" soon.

Luv

Eric & Margaret xxx

Hi Travelling Scottyburys How are you both?. I know you sold the mobile home ........was it Annie you called her?

We are gradually settling into dark nights and the Christmas nonsense is upon us. I usually get into the Crimbo mood when I first hear Noddy belt out ITS CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!! which is usually mid Nove when I am in a shopping mall but this year it hit me a bit earlier as when we were in Andalusia in October we were sitting in 90 degrees wearing shorts and tee shirts and my ipod was on shuffle........ what popped up>>?? Bloody Slade and that feckin Xmas song!! Noddy belting out ITS CHRISTMAS!!!!! so Christmas came very early this year.

Not much to report. I played a couple of songs at the annual Townes Van Zandt tribute night last weekend. We've been doing that for the last six years and the late Townes's son came over for the last one. He is a professional perfomer in his own right and has released a few CDs After my set he came over and shook my hand and said his daddy would have been proud of me!!! What a compliment!! Its been a long road from the Montrose Folk club in the Star Bar.

But this year's gig it didnt go all that smoothly. In true Buchan style it was bit different!!.

I was perched on a tall chrome And plastic bar stool obviously not designed for a big arse of my proportions.

First song went down well, a nice finger picking rendition of If I Needed You then I went into Fraulein. That was Townes's da's favourite song and he told Townes that if he learned that song he would buy him his first guitar. He

Anyway first verse went fine but but into the chosur I slipped off the stool and landed on my feet. Being a true pro I launched into Paul Simon's Slip Sliding Away, got back on the stool and continued with Fraulein!! You would have been proud of me!!

Montorose drew my local junior side Pollok in the Scottish Cup. They play about 200 yards from my flat and I often drink in their club. They are a top junior team down here and Montrose narrowly beat them. I had been working that morning so I had my work's camera with me and I managed to get a shot of Montrose's winning goal. Sent it up to the Review and was paid the handsome fee of £15 which covered my ticket, a pint of cider and a pie.

Freelance photography is certainly

di and he

We can't believe you're now visiting places twice! As ex-government ministers yourselves, have you not been asked to join the new Elmer Fudd cabinet ? Got a phone call from our Andrew last week. He has left Bangalore and is now in a place called Hampi whic seems to be about 100 miles inland from Goa. He says that is where they may go next. There are now 8 of them as a few other pals have joined up. We wouldn't mind some of his temperatures. It's a bit cold here just now. I'm still an unemployed pensioner but now it's getting too cold for golf (although I've had 2 games in the past 5 days), I'm looking for a winter job to build up the Oz/NZ fund. Give us a call if you get a chance .

Hi,

Havn't spoken for a while, 'bout a year. There is ALOT to tell you. Well where should I start? Dad has been away alot on cycling trips, y' ken a' that boring stuff. Mum, well what did she do, not much. She's taken up running and came on our hols to ST Lucia. Other wise she has been a lazy so and so in bed. Cameron has been swotting at school more VIP's and role model of the week certificate. He has also moved up to cubs scouts.Meanwhile I have been up to lots more than this lazy bunch, I've been camping, Templars, Haddo and loads of camps at those places. I have also Got a new belt at SooYang Do and will be grading for black on 9th Dec 2007. I am doing well at my guitar I have almost finished my first song, by the proclaimers: 500 miles. I am hoping to get an electric guitar for my christmas. Archie has not been so well these last few days. He has been sick a few times but gobbled his tea down very quickly.

We are all fine (exept for archie ) and hope to hear from you soon.

Lots of Love from the Milnes

Hi. Sorry not been in touch for a bit. We are all well and very busy at the moment with decorating and getting things ready for the new arrival. Only 8 weeks to go and with xmas in between got a feeling its gonna fly by. Only got 3 more days at work before my year off begins and I am well and truly ready to go now. Looking forward to having a bit of time at home getting the house straight before the litle one makes an appearance. Hannah has told us she wants to call the baby Eric if it is a boy. Sorry but thats not gonna happen!! She said she spoke to you on the phone the other day at mum and dads and she often talks about you both.

Just been checking out your photos and videos. Looks like you are having such a fab time.

Anyway our chinese takeaway has just arrived.

Speak soon.

Lots of love

The Chorleys xxxx

That was a hard one 1 +1 at half past twelve after a bottle of Chardonnay and a few glasses of Spanish brandy to settle my dodgy stomach. I am making up some CDs of single trax I have revered over the centuries. Stackridge's Do The Stanley is in there as is The Lone Ranger by Quantum Jump, and Shabby Tiger's Slow Down from our disco days at the Glenacaorn circa 1975 plus some classix like Henry Gross's Shannon about Brian Wilson's dog that swam out into the Pacific to his destiny.

Also in there are some Christians songs. I recall those from our our ill fated trip to Chartwell to Churchill's house to find it was closed. OOo here comes Over the Moon, Over the Bloody Moon by the wonderful Pretty Things. Remember the Edinburgh Uni's Health Centre around 1976? Some splendid songs on this Volume One of my fave tracks of all time.

Now its one man band Don Partridge singing Blue Eyes and Rosie......very hard to find!!

Its hibernation time here in Scotland as you are basking in sunshine I have been working hard covering Remembrance Sunday services, art festivals and I am c*** a hoop after a wonderful gubbing of the Sheeeplovers last weekend.

This weekend we take on the mighty Italy for a place in the Euro finals.

Will miss you prancing around in your kilt and flashing your Gable Endies so I will have to take over your mantle and try and not get arrested. Now its Bend Me Shape Me and takes me back to discos in the Angus Hall circa 1969. Kenny Mosley will remember those as I kept knocking back for a dance!!!

Now its Beach Baby by First Class which rockets me back to the Glencairn Hotel in 1975. By the way I met Bert D'Agisdildo in the Cramond Inn last Xmas. He is now owner of that place. He remembered Holiday and the great times of 1975/6. Well he kidded on he did!!!

Gee whizz now its Juliet by the Four Pennies. I remember getting their autographs at the Corner House when they stayed there in 1965. They bought their FLs and odour eaters at my dad's shop.

Breaking Down The Walls of Heartache now by Bandwagon, one of my fave dance trax from the late 60s when I could last more than my current record of 20 seconds on the dance floor.

God now its Status Quo..... that takes me back to the days when I had shoulder length hair to swing about to Rockin All Over The World...written by my hero John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater revival. These days I gently sway to that in case my alapecia leaves me looking like Uncle Fester on a windy day.

OK I have rambled enough and I am off to my scratcher with the sounds of The Ballad of Jed Clampett and the Beverly Hilbillies ringing in my britches.

You all come back agin soon !!!!

Hello Maggie (and Eric)

We had a team mtg today and we were talking about u. Sue Rolfe was asking where you are so now I know. yep im STILL here but nevermind. Its nice to see you are still keeping going. I wont bore you with any developments in IRD or PMI..thats the last thing u will want to hear about. I cant believe its over a year since u headed off. Hope you are both keeping well and most importantly having a good time!

Sean

Hello Eric & Margaret - nice to speak to you this morning. I can't find your e-mail address in our contacts so here is Andrew's e-mail address - [email protected] - I hope Margaret has sorted out the travelling bra problem! It's a particular problem in the southern hemisphere. As I said this morning (or your evening), I was off to play the Birdman of Orchard Road at badminton. He got another lucky victory, 3-0, which is not a lot of games in an hour, 15-13, 15-12 & 16-14, so I made him run about but I am feeling it a bit now. Hope I'm fit for my professional gardening job tomorrow! Jim Bird was telling me he has booked 2 weeks in India, somewhere in Kerala. He almost gets around as much as you two. I don't think I mentioned it this morning but Andrew got to see the Dalai Lama get the Congressional Medal of Honour from the Americans. There was a ceremony where he is staying as he is in a Budhist monastery which is costing all of 60p a night. Anyway, nice to look at all your latest photos and read the blog. I'm still jealous but with a bit of luck we should see that part of the world in 2009. Bye for now.

Good to get a nice long chat with you this morning,skype was working well.We headed off to Inverurie and got the car boot Successfully sorted. Did a bit of shopping and then back home.Not a nice day here, hope the thunderstorms you were having cleared. We are now waiting on Steven Sarah and kiddies arriving to tell us all about their hols.Be in touch again soon.

Love Dot xx.

Hello Eric et Maggie,

Je ne pense pas que vous ayez reçu ma réponse au mois de septembre. J'ai eu un message d'erreur en retour (pourquoi???)

Je vous ai envoyé un mail ce matin sur votre adresse "virgin" avec 2 photos du Brésil.

Dites moi si vous ne l'avez pas reçu!

J'ai regardé votre blog, où a donc été prise la photo des chutes d'eau avec l'arc en ciel ? Cela pourrait être à Iguaçu !!!!

Nous pensons souvent à vous et ne vous oublions pas du tout !!! Vous pouvez voyager tranquille, on vous attend.

A bientôt, j'espère.

Grosses bises à tous les deux.

Carole

Just spent the last half hour catching up with your photo albums and I just want to say how impressed I am at the quality of your photography.

Wonderful sunsets and wildlife shots. However I noticed that the shots taken while socialising are a bit on the 'soft; side Eric. How can you take slightly out of focus shots when you have AUTO FOCUS.......aahhhhhhhh nah just winding you up.

Seriously, sinsibly, you should print some of these shots and have an exhibition when you return. You have some stunning photos there and I would be proud to have captured images like wot u ave.

Mind you these arithmetic teasers like 5 + 1 you insist on me solving are pretty challenging after a bottle of Oz Chardonnay