Friday, April 22, 2005
Hey, hope everyone in Kiwi land is spiffy, thinking of you all!
I am now in Edinburgh after a week at Faslane peace camp - its north of Glasgow and as I think I have previously blogged - right next to a HUGE Navy base (its at the top of a sea loch) that houses 4 nuclear weapon carrying submarines and other splendid military vessels to go to war with. The camp is a village of caravans, buses and other make shift buildings (and beautiful gardens) where people have lived for 22 years and used it as a base to do actions from - there are regular blockades of the base, and every-so-often people manage to get in (even with mege big and thick fences, dogs and cameras) to the base and write messages of peace etc. My week there was spent helping clean up the place, including moving big drums of shit from the compost loo to a hole in the ground - in the rain - must admit did wonder what the heck I was doing at that point! Also time to read in the library, talk, eat yummy (mostly) vegan food and walk in the hills. I really respect the people who live in these communities (there's a few of them around) as its pretty hard going at times! But they believe in what they are doing, maintain a constant presence and live relatively simply and sustainably (the camp had wind and solar power).
Anyways, Edinburgh is a lovely city, gardens, castles, cobbled streets and really old over-the-top-style churches (actually, these seem to be everywhere here!). Still cold though, usually 1-2 degrees at night and up to 9-10 during the day. Had 3 sunny days in a row though so was really stoked!!
My patriotic side often comes through, Crowded House came on the radio at the camp and I sang every word (that I knew!). It really is true that you see how bloodly beautiful NZ is when you're not there to take it for grated! (although Scotland is really lovely too).
Slowly learning the lingo too - to blag is to scab and get something by being a bit sneaky, mingin' is like totally gross and disgusting, to scank means to try and get something for nothing (kinda like blag). Scottish always say 'oh aye' in agreement like saying 'yes' which is kinda cool because it's like 'ai' (ahh is that right?!) in Maori..
Oh I could go on and on but probably starting to rant so will leave it here for now... oh, been taking lots of photos too, hopefully I can put some up when I get to Sophies as she has all the gadgets... and I love getting your emails!! keep em coming!
Sending you all lots of virtual love and hugs, Claire
I am now in Edinburgh after a week at Faslane peace camp - its north of Glasgow and as I think I have previously blogged - right next to a HUGE Navy base (its at the top of a sea loch) that houses 4 nuclear weapon carrying submarines and other splendid military vessels to go to war with. The camp is a village of caravans, buses and other make shift buildings (and beautiful gardens) where people have lived for 22 years and used it as a base to do actions from - there are regular blockades of the base, and every-so-often people manage to get in (even with mege big and thick fences, dogs and cameras) to the base and write messages of peace etc. My week there was spent helping clean up the place, including moving big drums of shit from the compost loo to a hole in the ground - in the rain - must admit did wonder what the heck I was doing at that point! Also time to read in the library, talk, eat yummy (mostly) vegan food and walk in the hills. I really respect the people who live in these communities (there's a few of them around) as its pretty hard going at times! But they believe in what they are doing, maintain a constant presence and live relatively simply and sustainably (the camp had wind and solar power).
Anyways, Edinburgh is a lovely city, gardens, castles, cobbled streets and really old over-the-top-style churches (actually, these seem to be everywhere here!). Still cold though, usually 1-2 degrees at night and up to 9-10 during the day. Had 3 sunny days in a row though so was really stoked!!
My patriotic side often comes through, Crowded House came on the radio at the camp and I sang every word (that I knew!). It really is true that you see how bloodly beautiful NZ is when you're not there to take it for grated! (although Scotland is really lovely too).
Slowly learning the lingo too - to blag is to scab and get something by being a bit sneaky, mingin' is like totally gross and disgusting, to scank means to try and get something for nothing (kinda like blag). Scottish always say 'oh aye' in agreement like saying 'yes' which is kinda cool because it's like 'ai' (ahh is that right?!) in Maori..
Oh I could go on and on but probably starting to rant so will leave it here for now... oh, been taking lots of photos too, hopefully I can put some up when I get to Sophies as she has all the gadgets... and I love getting your emails!! keep em coming!
Sending you all lots of virtual love and hugs, Claire
# posted by claire @ 5:19 AM 
