Comments for Writes of Way

Comment on Pyrenees by Robin Dance

Robin Dance — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:41:16 +0000

Thanks, dear Pete, you are a fine fellow.
It’s just a small detail I am after but I would like to get it right. The thing is, I have noted that two writers chose to live in Jura’s most remote, northernmost houses, rather bleak and windswept locations, both suffered from respiratory diseases and died in their 40s.
Heather does show up in a photo on the ‘paddy boyle jura’ site (http://paddyboyle.weebly.com) but that is as far as it goes.
Stay in touch, maybe see you soon.
Rob.

Comment on Pyrenees by writesofway

writesofway — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:08:18 +0000

Hello Robin

I’m in touch with the chap who now lives at Lealt – in the house formerly owned by John Mercer. I’ll drop him an email and see if he knows anything. I have a vague notion that he died of asthma or respiratory related illness.
I remember you telling me about the lassie at Lagg; I could ask my principal informer to put out some feelers… Don’t hold your breath though.
Funnily enough, myself and the lovely Fiona looked at a house at Lagg – Dunchroaban – several times before deciding it was too compromised by damp etc.
The house at Durisdeer is beginnig to look unlikely. The search continues…
Should be down in Brighty in the near future and of course will let you know if I need a workmate.
All the best.

Comment on Pyrenees by Robin Dance

Robin Dance — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:52:44 +0000

PS Pete: Thornhill is a charming village, as you may by now have discovered (though it is at its best in summer). Many years ago I stayed with friends in a tiny cottage in the grounds of a small castle near Thornhill, and later found myself standing outside a much larger castle, Drumlanrig, waiting for the Duke of Buccleuch to come out and fire his shotgun….into the air, that is, to start the (now defunct) Buccleuch Chase, a tough but spectacular 11 mile run down the glen.
Do let me know if you move there.
Robin.

Comment on Pyrenees by Robin Dance

Robin Dance — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:30:56 +0000

Greetings, Pete, and I still await your visit!
In the meantime I’m wondering if you can help me. I’m writing a piece about my visit to Jura in 1969 and it is opening out in a number of interesting directions: relevant digressions, I would call them. I have mentioned my encounter with John Mercer, his diverse work, and his illness (asthma). I wonder if you might know his cause of death, in 1982 (I have searched in vain, in all the obvious places on the internet).
Secondly I would like to make contact with Heather Mollison (who lived at Lagg). I stayed with her and her brother Johnny for a few days back in ’69. She was, I think, fifteen or sixteen at the time. Again I have searched rather thoroughly, without success. I wonder if you might have a personal contact on Jura who would know her whereabouts.
I hope all is going well with you and Fiona.
Robin.
PS do get in touch if you need a workmate…

Comment on Pete and Fiona’s Grey Sky Scotland by David Seòras

David Seòras — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:36:40 +0000

cheers Pete, and the same to you. (Cracking link btw)

Comment on Pete and Fiona’s Grey Sky Scotland by writesofway

writesofway — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:53:54 +0000

Tea in the evening and Caol Ila for breakfast, if you please, Mr Hoffman. Visitors welcome at all times, but I suppose we’d need to 1) decide whether we do indeed want to buy this house, and 2) buy it, before we extend our hospitality too enthusiastically. I’m sure you and Dougal would get along just fine, curled up together, snoring endearingly on a rug in front of the fire with your pipes and slippers…

Comment on Pete and Fiona’s Grey Sky Scotland by julianhoffman

julianhoffman — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:15:38 +0000

A lovely looking place indeed! I can just see the novelist at work in one corner, the travel writer in the other, Dougal curled up in the middle with a pipe and slippers. And when do you think you’ll be open for visitors? I’ll gladly ferry you tea or malt or whatever the working tipple might be in exchange for a cot in an unused corner…

Comment on Pete and Fiona’s Grey Sky Scotland by writesofway

writesofway — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:43:40 +0000

Hello David

We’re cogitating furiously on the mechanics of the house business… we’ll see. How have you managed without BSS until now? Truly one of the bestest blogs out there. Alex and Bob have produced a huge archive of posts about their many and various adventures and it’s really worth mining for a few gems. Here’s a link to one of my faves:

http://blueskyscotland.blogspot.com/2010/08/cannacarn-ghaill-northern-cliffs.html

Have a cracking 2012, David.

Comment on Pete and Fiona’s Grey Sky Scotland by David Seòras

David Seòras — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:20:29 +0000

nice looking house it is and a nice price too!
cheers for the link to Blue Sky Scotland, another blog added to my reader!
Now if we can just get some blue skies up here…

Comment on Pete and Fiona’s Grey Sky Scotland by writesofway

writesofway — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:29:04 +0000

Very good, Mr Lintern. Just let us know when. Though I imagine BT want you to stay at home until March on the off chance that one of their ‘engineers’ might pop by…