Is there hope?

The news coming from Syria is worrying to say the least I cant understand the reason behind Russia's and China's non support to the UN resolution

I note that Russia has some assets in a Syrian harbour and this gives it access to the Mediterranean Sea  but what is the reason for the Chinese ?

How long this suffering can last worries me not in the least the supply of arms to those opposing the regime will in itself not solve the longer term problems .International pressure is sorely needed

Knowledge acquired by other means

I was talking with a friend about the younger generation and we stood amazed at their total absorption with technology

Not surprising in that technology is now so enmeshed in our lives it would be well nigh impossible to extricate ourselves

Also we had no doubt that it will be our shadow and mentor into the future and we also reflected on the way in which people’s knowledge base seems to have changed

Young folk have an encyclopedic knowledge in the technology side of life but sometimes seem to lack knowledge about other things that matter especially about our daily governance processes and the things we took for granted not so many years ago

Most can explain in great depth the benefits of an Iphone or Ipod or whatever but few can recite a few lines of poetry or even name the head of Government.   Many (or most) have an arsenal of songs on their Ipods but few can repeat some lyrics

As these young folk reach voting age are they going to have the knowledge to make an informed decision about the things that will no doubt influence their lives and futures?

The answer to that is probably yes because they achieve knowledge via a  different medium to that of the earlier generation

Travel,voyaging and a Coleridge moment

After an indulgent cruise overseas it was extremely difficult to return to the hot and humid tropics after enjoying cooler climes.

The first longer ship board travel in my lifetime apart from several ferry crossings of various lengths across some of the worlds waterways .I must admit it proved far more favorable than I first imagined and I can confidently say worthy of repeat albeit with some changes learned from the practical experience of this trip

Several highlights of note all underpinned by the fact that this little country had welcomed us over thirty years ago on a driving tour

How things have changed with the exception of course of the sheer beauty of the countryside which remains a joy to behold

In our earlier visit we had not visited the Fiord land and this was to be a highlight for me especially as we were unable to access this area all those years ago

Our ship departed the southernmost port to the sound of a Scottish band playing “Will ye no come back again” Slowly we made our way down to the open sea passing by a rocky headland on which was a superb colony of Royal Albatross  many of whom watched the great ship glide by while a couple soared around the stern

The next morning we arose to a grey sea and a grey mist as we approached our destination for entry to the Fiords but as we approached a sea fog of some intensity settled around the ship Unable to see forwards the ships foghorn was sounded in all its mournful note The sea was calm –the passengers less than happy with the possibility of not seeing what many had traveled so far to see The Ships Captain announced comments that we may not be able to enter the fiord and it was at that time I experienced  what I can only describe as a Coleridge moment

The sea calm, the ship surrounded by fog and an eerie silence over passengers

“Did you shoot an Albatross by any chance?” I asked of a member of the Iphone Generation who stood next to me   His look was priceless and he stumbled off muttering no doubt suffering a lack of satellite signal to enable texting friends or seeking Google explanation of my inquiry

 “He went like one who hath been stunned and is a sense forlorn”

However it appears that someone shipboard had connections in high places and the fog mysteriously cleared allowing for our entry to the Sound   And what an experience that proved to be ! The sheer majesty of the mountains .hanging waterfalls and glaciated valleys   A sight to behold and also one I found to be quite humbling

The journey was time well spent