Chuck Kowalski

Listen to the song below and then ask yourself ... who was John and where did he come from ....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CS3ErDN50Qk&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Here's my hypothesis ....
John was brought up by strict but fair parents and this gave him a good set of moral values. His dad was probably a farmer and worked the land and john would have helped him from an early age giving him his massive strength, his mother was perhaps a church goer and instilled in him what was right and what was wrong leading to John own interpretation of it and giving him his own moral code. He may have had a speech impediment which would account for him being quiet and shy and due to this he found it difficult to make friends giving the impression of being a loner. i reckon johns parents died when he was fairley young and this led him to drift fom job to job. The incident with the cajun queen could have been an instance of john "doing the right thing" according to his principles. The Louisianna guy could have been molesting the girl against her wishes and john stepped in to protect her. A parrallel could be drawn here between john and legendery gun fighter Clay Allison whos headstone bore the inscription "i never killed nobody that didnt need killin", john's might have been "i never punched nobody that didnt need punchin". Unfortunately for the guy john caught him with a haymaker right hand and the guy saw angels. This same moral code kicked in when the timber cracked down the mine. john could have tried to escape himself but his sense of right and wrong wouldnt allow that, not with friends trapped down there. He ran back to help them out, saw what the problem was and just acted in a selfless manner and hauled that timber back into place. He must have known he wouldnt walk away after that but that didnt stop him from saving his workmates. How must he have felt standing there alone in the darkness knowing he had no chance of escape but holding the timber as long as he could to allow the others to escape. That selfless act defined john the man ... He done it because "IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO".
John was a true hero and someone we should aspire to be like ........ what are you thoughts ???

Here's some stirring music and awesome scenery from the worlds most beautiful country.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgZxdVJH8fc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZiC__v2SLQ


This one is sung by a man dubbed 'The Scottish Elvis' ... the inimitable Sydney Devine. No Scotsman could fail to be roused by this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfZ6Q0cn9MA


This one's a favourite at parties and weddings to give everyone a rousing send off before going home. Couple that with some of Loch Lomond's finest scenery and ..... well judge for yourseleves.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qX5GUTQCww


This has some Celtic music coupled with more views of Bonnie Scotland

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXLzMZ_ABU0


Here's some of our footy songs being sung at Hampden before kick off. It's fantastic hearing 50,000 Scots (men, women & children) getting behind their team and generating that sepcial Hampden atmosphere.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWBcterJVaQ



Hope you enjoyed these.

Chuck

As the song goes .....

Oh im going to Ibiza .....

Me, Andy an Chris booked a last minute deal an fly out on Friday. We're going to San Antonio for two weeks of Sun, Sand an something else beginning with "s" and no i dont mean sea.

Linneakers and The Hghlander will be two bars defo on our list of sights to see.
I'll have to brush up om my chat up lines ...
'Hola mujer hermosa te ves como un angel enviado de lo alto para berighten este mundo..."

Hasta Luego
Chuck

The West Highland Line ( Scottish Gaelic : Rathad Iarainn nan Eilean - "Iron Road to the Isles" is one of the most scenic railway lines in Britain , linking the ports of Mallaig and Oban on the west coast of Scotland to Glasgow. The line was voted the top rail journey in the world by readers of independent travel magazine Wanderlust in 2009 , ahead of the iconic Trans - Siberian and the Cuzco to Machu Picchu line in Peru . During the summer season a steam locomotive- hauled daily return service between Fort William and Mallaig known as "The Jacobite " is operated by West Coast Railways . At Banavie , the line crosses part of the Caledonian Canal , Britain' s longest inland waterway , which links Fort William with Inverness . Look to the right and you'll see Neptune 's Staircase, a remarkable series of canal locks. Locheilside is home of the Clan Cameron. The breathtaking curve of the 100 feet high ( 35 metres) Glenfinnan Viaduct sweeps you past the head of Loch Shiel and the monument to Bonnie Prince Charlie, marking the spot where he landed and unfurled his standard in 1745 to commence his rebellion. The viaduct itself is a monument , as it's the first concrete viaduct ever built in Britain - by ' Concrete Bob McAlpine '. This is also the viaduct that can be seen in the Harry Potter films when the wizards are being whisked to Hogwarts . Beyond Glenfinnan station , Loch Eilt is studded with tiny islands , each bearing tall silver trees. Once again , you' re down by the water . Lochailort stands in a glorious setting and was the site of one of the largest camps of labourers during the line' s construction - almost 2000 men lived here . By now, you may be able to smell the sea ! Beautiful Loch Ailort goes by , then Beasdale, then tunnels, Loch Dubh on the right , a viaduct, spell- binding Loch Nan Uamh, and more tunnels. Past Arisaig, look over Loch Nan Ceall and see the islands of Rum and Eigg , with its distinctive flat top . Onwards to Morar , through captivating scenery. On your right is Loch Morar , Britain' s deepest loch at 1000 feet ( 333 metres) - and , of course , home to a monster ! To the left, you' ll see the white sands of Morar , and the Atlantic waves rolling in . And then you're in Mallaig. Take a stroll about the harbour. Absorb views over to Skye, across Loch Nevis to Knoydart, and to Rum and Eigg . Breathe deep the clean air and relax in the heart of one of Europe' s most delightful areas .

Here 's a question i was asked recently.

"Whats the most daring thing you have done?"

After much pondering i guess it must be . . .. . . .

abseiling from the Forth Road Bridge.

For someone who has a fear of heights it seemed like it was about a mile high. Once i finally plucked up the courage to chuck myself over the edge i nearly s** t myself , luckily noone was below me . Once i got going it was really exillirating . I rembered my instructor telling me that the pulley system used had an automatic brake on it so halfway down i plucked up some more courage and let go of the rope . For an instant i thought i would plummet to the ground but hey ho the instructor was right so i dangled a while to take in the view then carried on till i reached terra firma.

Why did i put myself through it . . . to raise money for a local charity and because my pal said i was a woose and wouldn 't do it.
Would i do it again .. . You betcha and id take my pal with me and let him go first then jangle his line. Well might not be daring to some folks so tell me what daring do you have done