Tuesday, February 5, 2013

I'LL TAKE THE HIGH ROAD

What is keeping me awake late at night?


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He strides, dour faced, across rugged Scottish highland hills and crags, on wind-swept moors,
up formidable glens, and by the shores of mighty lochs and oceans ..

Neil Oliver, enigmatic and charismatic TV presenter of Coast, A History of Scotland, and Vikings ..

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Oh, and historian, archaeologist and writer too.
His sly and dry humour has me reading up a frenzy on those medieval wild ones, William Wallace, Robert the Bruce et al.

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Seems he does smile occasionally, and show a neat pair of knees.
Here he is with wife Trudy.
Who knew Scotland could be so much fun?


We took my father on one of his beloved Country Drives last weekend ..


Everything was emerald green after last week's deluge...



and we saw evidence of recent floods:



Who loves a pink and grey bird?
We found a big flock of good old Australian galahs, oblivious to us and the camera, pecking away.

Here's a closer look, for those unfamiliar:


Who's a Pretty Boy then?
Mr C had one as a pet all through his youth.
Easily trained, it sang, danced and had quite the vocabulary!

Cooler weather here this week, 
puts a spring in my step ..

Have an excellent week

xxx






27 comments:

  1. I haven't seen Mr Oliver on screen yet. I do like men who have hair that moves! That galah looks so cute.I always remember in Home & Away big Alf used to call people "a flaming galah".

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    1. Oh dear, Alf in Home and Away made me cringe - but yes, some Aussie's do use that phrase. Like my father. And possibly hubs.
      Don't miss Mr Oliver - he's a subtle spunk!

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  2. There is definitely something of the enigmatic about Neil especially, as you mention, when striding over Scottish moors and cliff tops with his locks blowing in the wind.

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  3. Ah, you see it too, Rosemary...

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  4. I do enjoy watching Neil Oliver's programs :His discription and narration when he arrives at one of his Scottish destinations is brilliant.
    He reminds me of Heathcliff.. !! walking the crags and cliffs on a windy day..
    I did'nt know he had written a book.
    I love the little 'galahs' what a cute bird. It looks like the family of a parrot!
    nice post Patricia.
    happy Tuesday
    val xx

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    1. Heathcliff! of course .. spot on, Val!
      He writes in the same style as he speaks - very readable and entertaining.
      Yes, a galah is in the parrot family. The pink is a pretty contrast to all the other parrots who are red/green/blue etc.
      happy Tuesday, Val xx

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  5. Not familiar with Neil Oliver but I think I would like the series. I enjoy travel and history on tv. I would have been thrilled to see a field full of Galahs. Such a colorful bird.

    Darla

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    1. If you enjoy history and travel shows, you might like the Neil Oliver series, Darla. I watch them on the History Channel. A field of galahs is very pretty!

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  6. Lucky you Valerie, sounds fantastic. I'm sure I'd absolutely love it too!

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  7. I love watching Neil Oliver's programmes, especially Coast. He has a wonderfully engaging voice and the shows are always jam-packed with fascinating details. Hope your dad enjoyed the drive - love the photos x

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    1. Hi Fifi, glad you enjoy the Neil Oliver programmes too. Not sure if he is attached to a university but he'd make a fantastic lecturer!

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  8. I'm not familiar with Neil Oliver, but will look for him on History Channel programming. I love Scotland; only got to spend a few days there, but the scenery is so breathtaking and the people so friendly. What a pretty bird the gulah is, but not nearly so pretty as the RED CARDINAL.

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    1. I live in hope that I'll get to Scotland one of these days. They are pretty birds, and I often think they need a much prettier name. Red Cardinal thanks you; are they still coming to your place?

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  9. Well I'm not familiar with Neil Oliver or the Gulah, but both are quite attractive! Thanks for the reassuring photos of your countryside returned to green and dry.

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    1. lol Beryl, chuckling to self here at the comparison.. I expect Neil would be mortified to know he'd been included in a blog post with a galah. Quiet everybody, don't tell him :)

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  10. Hello Patricia:
    Neil Oliver's book looks to be most fascinating and is something now noted to look out for when we are next in the United Kingdom.

    Despite the recent floods, the countryside which you show looks to be absolutely lovely - so fresh and green - and as for the pink and grey galah, simply lovely.

    Thank you so much for the comment left on our latest post, to which we have made reply, and through which, most happily, we have found you.

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. Welcome to my blog, Jane and Lance and thank you for commenting. It was refreshing to see the countryside so green, and to think only a fortnight ago it was dry and brown and had been so for months. Australia is a land of extreme weather patterns.

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  11. Yes, Neil does have that certain something, very celtic! Your one photo could almost have been taken in Ireland with the vivid colour of the grass and such a cute bird! Suzy x

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    1. Ah, celtic, is that what it is ... the grass really was that vivid green Suzy, and as we do not see that very often it was quite special. I agree a pink bird is a very cute thing! xx

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  12. I love Neil Oliver, total heart throb! My swizzle stick would be right at home with your red cardinals, he's got new pen pals now.

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    1. We have a few votes for Neil - long may he reign! If that swizzle stick was a bit closer I'd sent the red birds out to steal it from you :)

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  13. You have the most beautiful countryside, Patricia, especially when it's so green and I love the galahs. Neil Oliver's programmes are fascinating, but I do wish he would tie his flowing locks back. I keep wanting to give him a ponytail clip. :-)

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    1. The countryside is very pretty in the area around my father's town. It has been used by film crews many times over the years. he he re the ponytail clip - I was a bit surprised by the hair at first and wondered why producers didn't do something. Suspect it is a bit of a Statement!

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