With Christmas finally here, we decided it would be a good idea to celebrate it in the Traditional Manner. 

We went over to Simons bearing some Biscuits, Muffins (from Costa Coffee), an orange, and a Rookie (a Rook scarer "banger" that may be used in the celebration of the failed Gunpowder plot).

First the Biscuits - a tin of Butter Cookies bought from the Pound Shop. On putting in the Rookie, lighting and Taping, the tin was ruined with it pealing from its base. The biscuits, along with their paper wrappings were decimated. 

Next, just before "midnight mass" we made a christingle from the orange, Costa Coffee ribbon that came with the muffins, and a Rookie to replace the candle, which, sadly, was not available.

It worked very well, however, after a few seconds, it exploded!!

Merry Christmas!! 

Download video - Christingle.3gp (127.59 kb)

While up in Scotland, I joined the West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society's annual trip for Field Day (HF/SSB). This year it was on the Isle Of Colonsay!

I joined Ross, Cam, Alan, Jurij, John and David in the "Carahome" (a cunningly modified caravan mounted, carefully, on the back on an LDV 200 van!!

It was great fun. We used CalMac ferries to get over to the island where we were met by a welcoming committee of about 100 people. This is because the ferry comes only a few times a week, with visitors and supplies, so I it can be quite an event.

We set off for the Location where we had special permission to setup.

Once set-up, which took some time, we had our antennas in place and the Carahome. We had a few equipment problems, but Ross and Cam soon get the station up and running. This was the appropriate time then to go off and do some exploring. We walked across the island and over a large hill as well as visiting the local watering hole and clocking up about 10 miles on foot. 

We also took the opportunity of good weather to try the Sea. It was freezing. Though I did try to go out as far as I would. Not frightened by the cold or Drifting out, I was defeated in the end, by little crabs and fish which scared me!!!!q

 More Pictures can be found at http://www.wosars.org.uk/ 

Hello, 

I thought i had better add some stuff!!

I have been so busy up in Scotland, yet again. this time, at a Radio Station called Talk107. Had great fun up there including meeting old mates, some Scottlish Radio Legends such as Scott Wilson and working with some great people at a very professional Station. One of the best bits was the edinburgh Festival, where I found myself not just running the technical for the OB we had there, but being given Daily challenges that i had to report back on.  

 These challenges included, but not limited to, Getting my Face Painted as Badger, Running up Arthur's Seat and back again within the Hour, and Finding a Celebrity, in this case, Nicholas Parsons!!

Other Broadcasts we had were the Kickabout which had a tendancy to go out and about once a month. Venues included Musselborough Racecourse, Speedway, Scotbet Betting Shop and The Vu Restaurant!!

 The station ran Master Control,  with S2 desks, Glensound ISDNs with the Chain running through a BCD router which also managed the Profanity Delay. 

 Unfortunately, the station was closed down on the 23rd December as it had high costs to its parent company. But it was good fun while it lasted.