So instead, we're going to concentrate on all the good bits instead.
At long last, we managed to visit Culloden Moor on the battle anniversary. We normal walk it alone wrapped in the silence (and chaos). If you've done this walk on a bleak day, you'll know what I mean.
However, this time, it was a chance to meet with old friends, and new who we had only encountered within the confines of cyberspace. A grand weekend it was.
Also this year, we were in the running for the Visit Scotland Ambassador dog of the year, yet despite amazing support from Blazes online following, sadly we never quite cut it, but we did have great fun participation and loved the filming up in Fairy Glen and The Quiraing.
Video link is here. https://vimeo.com/164984548
Then against all common sense, we decided we should do another Blaze Mountain Rescue Calendar. I guess enough time hadtime passed since the last one and had dulled my senses to the hassle of compiling databases and stuffing envelopes and having to prove to Ebay that I wasn't an international money launderer.
Unlike last time though, we did receive great press coverage thanks to Moira Kerr, which made selling just that bit easier and increased the flow of gifts of tennis balls into Blaze 'goodies vault'.
Our target was to beat the £1,000 we last raised for Glencoe mountain rescue, and I'm glad to report we did indeed more than double that.
We had great help from locals here on the island, from those who sold the calendars, The Isles Inn, Ingas Sweetie Shop, The Whisky Emporium, Taigh Alain, Broadford Chippie and Sligachan Hotel.
Most helpfull of all had to be the Post Office in Portree who must have groaned every time we waltzed in with yet another armful of brown envelopes, each of which had to be weighed and sorted according to postal countries...so many thanks to them.
Also this time, we took a tack we had never considered before, and sent of many, many calendars to 'celebrities' to sign. Truth be told, half of them never came back to us.....but...wow...the ones that did really helped so much.
So thanks to
Musicians:-
Eddi Reader
Donnie Munro
Blair Douglas
Pete Wishart
Runrig (current line-up)
John Maher (Buzzcocks)
Pete (Peatbog Faeries)
Ally Bain
Phil Cunningham
Amy Macdonald
Skerryvore
Authors/TV:-
Peter May
Muriel Grey
Scott Fletcher
Kate Humble
Emma Milne
Ian Rankin
Joanne Harris
Paul Kavanagh & Wee Ginger Dug
Chris Cairns (Cairnstoon)
Greig Moodie
Cast of 'Only an Excuse'
Jean Haines
Politicians:-
Mairi Black
Stephen Gethins
Film:-
Ryan Fletcher
Sam Heughan
Scott Kyle
Madman:-
Danny MacAskill :-)
Ah well, just finish off with some pics we took this year. Thanks to you all for the support we received.
Anyway, wishing you all a very happy 2017 and thanks again for your support over the past 12 month.
Blaze & his staff....
