Author: laurahendersonsite

There are few more rewarding things in life than making a difference to the lives of others, particularly at a time of greatest need.

Strathcarron Befrienders are volunteers who give their time freely to offer social and practical support to people who have an advancing illness or a condition which limits their ability to participate in things which are important to them, often making them feel isolated or lonely. They do not provide personal care,

domestic duties or administer medication.

We are looking to recruit new Befrienders.

What we require is someone with a friendly ear, a caring disposition and a few hours to spare either weekly or fortnightly to visit a person in their local community.

Training, support and expenses will be provided.

Volunteers make an enormous difference by giving up their valuable time and sharing skills to support patients and their families, both within the Hospice and in the community.

If you would like more information on becoming a Befriender please visit the website at strathcarronhospice.net or contact Mandy Ross for an informal, no obligation chat on 01324 826222 or mandy.ross2@nhs.net Ellen Larson Davidson

Mary and I have been walking the John Muir Way in sections of 8-10 miles for the past 3 years, whenever the weather and social circumstances allowed. Unlike the famous John Muir hiking Trail in the US, which runs for 215 miles through the California wilderness, with snow and bears to contend with, the John Muir Way is a 135 mile, mostly low level route, across central Scotland from Helensburgh in the West, to Dunbar (Muir’s birthplace) in the East.

The variety of geographical, historical and industrial landscapes has engrossed and surprised us from the start. To be honest we still have 2 final sections to complete, from Gullane Bay to Dunbar via North Berwick. A challenge we look forward to before the end of 2018.

The John Muir Way is a remarkable journey as it passes through unexpected and fascinating landscapes. From Scotland’s first National Park (Loch Lomond and the Trossachs), alongside the historic canals (Forth and Clyde and the Union), the engineering wonder of the Falkirk Wheel, the Roman Antonine Wall, Linlithgow Palace, underneath (literally) all 3 of the Forth Bridges, through the Capital to the coast with its foreshore beaches and bays, before ending at Dunbar.

28  http://www.theweevine.org

With careful planning it is possible to use public transport to access much of the route, starting and finishing from Stirling bus or train station. All in all this has been a surprising and instructive walk, and one we thoroughly recommend. Among many surprises look out for the preserved ruin of James Watt’s stone workshop next to Kinneil House just past Linlithgow.

Dave Bentley

It started with a coo… well, 2 coos, named Hamish and Kyloe.

Their owner Marc Stewart had created a Facebook page for them and, obviously, I was one of over 100,000 followers having just acquired my very own Scottish Highland coos named Morven and Mhairi.

Hamish and Kyloe live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia in the USA and I’d often comment on the page, gleaning any information that might get me a step closer to grooming my gals without being gored!

After several months of following the “Hamish & Kyloe” Facebook page, Marc announced that he was travelling to Scotland to follow his ancestral trail.  He was going to be in the UK for around 4 weeks and wondered how he would cope without his cow fix.   Et Voila!  Marc asked if he could come and meet Morven and Mhairi… as if he had to ask!

Marc’s arrival at the farm was met with great excitement… the American Cow Whisperer was here!

After several hours in the fields with Morven and Mhairi we had success… no tying up required… just a good old scratch with a stick to begin with then progressing to a full body massage!

Thanks to Marc I am now “The Heifer

Hairdresser” Ali Thom

Here you go Auntie Bunty, we hope you like them

A young man was walking through a supermarket to pick up a few things, when he noticed an old lady following him around. Thinking nothing of it, he ignored her and continued on.

Finally he went to the checkout line, but she got in front of him. “Pardon me” she said. “I’m sorry if my staring at you has made you feel uncomfortable. It’s just that you look like my son, who just died recently.”

“I’m very sorry” replied the young man, “is there anything I can do for you?” “Yes” she said. “As I’m leaving, can you say ‘Good bye mother? It would make me feel so much better.” “Sure” answered the young man.

As the old woman was leaving, he called out “Good bye Mother”. As he stepped up to the checkout counter, he saw his total was £127.50. “How can that be?” he asked. “I only purchased a few things!” “Your mother said that you would pay for her” Said the clerk.

Best Ever Senior Citizen Joke

A woman brought a very limp duck into the veterinary surgeon. As she lay her pet on the table, the vet pulled out his stethoscope and listened to the bird’s chest.

After a moment or two, the vet shook has head and sadly said, “I’m sorry, your duck, Cuddles has passed away.” The distressed woman wailed, “ Are you sure?” “Yes, I am sure. Your duck is dead” replied the vet. “How can you be so sure?” she protested. “I mean you haven’t done ant testing on him or anything. He might just be in a coma or something.

The vet rolled his eyes, turned around and left the room. He returned a few minutes later with a black Labrador Retriever. As the ducks owner looked on in amazement, the dog stood on his hind legs, put his paws on the examination table and sniffed the duck from top to bottom. He then looked up at the
vet with sad eyes and shook his head.

The vet patted the dog on the head and took him out of the room. A few minutes later he returned with a cat. The cat jumped on the table and also delicately sniffed the bird from head to toe. The cat sat back on its haunches, shook his head, meowed softly and strolled out of the room.

The vet looked at the woman and said, “I’m sorry but as I said, this is most definitely, 100% certifiably, a dead duck!”

The vet turned to the computer terminal, hit a few keys and produced a bill, which he handed to the woman. The duck’s owner, still in shock, took the bill. “£150!” she cried. “£150 just to tell me the duck in dead?”

The vet shrugged, “I’m sorry. If you had just taken my word for it, the bill would have been £20, but with the Lab report and the Cat scan, it’s now £150.”

You’ll love this one!!

An out-of-towner drove his car into a ditch in a desolated area. Luckily, a local farmer came to help with his big strong horse named Buddy. He hitched Buddy up to the car and yelled “Pull Nellie, Pull!” Buddy didn’t move. Then the farmer hollered “Pull Buster, Pull!” Buddy didn’t respond.

Once more the farmer commanded, “Pull Coco, Pull!” Nothing. Then the farmer nonchalantly said “Pull Buddy, Pull!” and the horse easily dragged the car out of the ditch. The motorist was most appreciative and very curious. He asked the farmer why he called his horse by the wrong name three times. The
farmer said, “Oh, Buddy is blind and if he thought he was the only one pulling, he wouldn’t even try!!”