India

Anyone who reads this (hello!  Anybody out there?) will probably be aware, that me and K are off to India this weekend for three weeks.  There's going to be a bit of travelling round, as we'll be in Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Mumbai, Varkala and Kovalam, so assuming there's web access, I've created a blog purely for the trip.

At the moment, it's just got a place-holding post, but if anyone wants to have a read as we go, it can be found here

Of course, if the internet access is non-existant/sucks, it's going to be pretty bare until I do a mass update when we get back.  (I'm taking the Luddites back-up of a notebook, with me)

So this is the summer? Aye, right.

Ok, so I live in Glasgow (Scotland).  We're used to a bit of rain during the summer, in fact we're used to experiencing all seasons in one day.  So if it's raining in the morning, it doesn't mean you wrap up, as the sun could be scorching down half an hour later.  That's just the way it is.

Except......

This year, it's pretty much pished down all summer.  True, there has been the (very) occasional spot of (admittedly glorious) good weather, but on the whole it's been hot and wet.  Not nice.

There's rumours that the weather will be better in September.  Well, to be frank, it couldn't possibly be worse, so bring it on.

The ear candy of late

Recently, the World Pipe Band championships were on in Glasgow.  While they were on, Clanadonia were busking in Buchanan St, and I managed to pick up a copy of their cd (well worth a listen btw).

Then for the first time in years, I dug out the Runrig and have been getting into them again.  One of the guys in work gave me a loan of some Capercaillie as well, so it's been a bit of a celtic theme musically of late.  Oh, I almost forgot, I've also discovered the Peatbog Faeries, who are now on my must see live list.

Hoots mon

So, for the past couple of years, when there's been a Crimbo do, a wedding, or we've gone to a ceilidh (reasonably regularly at the Ferry, this year), I've worn the off the peg cheap kilt that I've got.  Well, with having a little extra cash due to an investment policy paying out, I've bitten the bullet, and today I went and got measured for a made to measure kilt.

I'd planned on getting Morrison Hunting Ancient, but when I went into the shop and was asked if I knew what tartan I wanted, I forgot to mention the "Ancient" bit, and was presented with two Morrison Hunting tartans. Well, colour me confused, as I really liked the Modern one, which I wasn't aware of initially.  For what it's worth, the Ancient looks like the Modern only a bit faded, so they weren't that different.  The modern tartan, the colours a a bit bolder and darker, and considering my current one is Black Watch, then you'll get the idea that I like dark tartans.

So, the choices.  Well to start with they do three versions of any kilt.
Version 1 is the "value" kilt.  Basically same material is used, but only 7 yards instead of 8.  Only two buckles instead of three, so there's no "seat" measurement, and apparently it hangs quite differently if you know what you're looking for. (I wouldn't).
Version 2 is the "traditional" kilt.  Full 8 yards, three buckles, attached with material, so they can be adjusted by approx 2" if I suddenly beef up. (the value one, the buckles are attached with leather, and if you suddenly beef up, well, you're stuffed as there's no way to alter the buckle positions.  The pleats in version 2 are machine stitched and not hand stitched (although both ARE hand made).
Version 3 is the all singing all dancing most expensive option.  It's basically option two, although the pleats are hand stitched and not machine stitched.  Apparently this means that as well as being able to relocate the buckles, if you had to, the stitching could be unpicked, and the kilt basically re-made using the existing material, to fit your new beefy/skinny (delete as applicable) physique.  It would also mean you could pass it on like an heirloom, and it could be remade to fit the recipient.  This off course comes at a cost.

Since I'm highly unlikely to be passing it on, but do want to build in some kind of midriff expansion safeguard, I went for Version 2.

You might think that's it, but no.  Having decided on the kilt, there's then the option to "pleat to the set" or "pleat to the stripe".  Pleating to the set, means it's pleated in such a way that you can see the pattern of the tartan on the pleats, the same as on the apron.  Pleating to the stripe, means that at the back of the kilt, you see the same colour of stripe running down each pleat, so if there's a white stripe running through the tartan, you'll see the back as vertical white stripes. (google it, an image will explain better than I can).

Finally, it's get measured up, and then try one on that's a close fit, so they can check the length.  A measurement, a wee walk up and down to see how it's hanging, and a decision that "we need an extra 1/2".  This length is a bit short, but an inch would be too long and look daft".

And that's it.  Pay a deposit, and wait for the shop to get it from their factory. 12 weeks, but apparently that's including a margin for really busy times - run up to Christmas etc, which is ironic, as I ordered it now, so I'd have it in time for Christmas nights out.  Then when it comes in, it's back to the shop to check it fits correctly, and that's that.

Who'd have thought buying an article of clothing could be so involved!?

Cyclists kettled by police in London

On the same evening that the eyes of the world were on London for the opening ceremony of the Olympics, the police in that city, kettled, and arrested the critical mass, a mass participation bike ride, that has been taking place once a month in that city, for 18 years.

Click here to read an eyewitness account of what happened, including video clips showing a woman being arrested for trying to give water to a muslim man who had already been arrested, and was feeling faint as he had been fasting because it was Ramadan.  When she says to the arresting officer that "cycling isn't illegal", he replies "Yes it is".

There's people being pepper sprayed as they get dragged off their bikes, and people videoing what's going on being intimidated by blatantly aggressive thugs in uniforms.

Does Boris Johnson know that the London Police are undermining his promotion of London as a cycle friendly city?

There's a petition online demanding that the fingerprints and dna samples of the people arrested and not charged (about a hundred arrested and detained, only three charged) be removed from registers.

Welcome to Tory Britain.  Did we learn nothing from the Thatcher years?