The excitement of travel...

Vaccinations today. One in each arm. Now looking forward to at having at least one reaction because that's just what I do. Why do they have to go in different arms? They're going to meet in the middle anyway....

Pretty rubbish day for photo making. Couldn't get my act into gear and it was grey and horrible outside.

Then the tax man struck and that p*** me off even more. One minute they give you a tax code for the coming year, the next they say they got it wrong and they want you to pay more. Wouldn't bother me so much if I felt that it wasn't being frittered away either.

Maybe I'll get excited about the trip tomorrow... I'd like to feel like this...

The Boy in the Train

Whit wey does the engine say 'Toot-toot'?
Is it feart to gang intae the tunnel?
Whit wey is the furnace no pit oot
When the rain gangs doon the funnel?
What'll I hae for my tea the nicht?
A herrin', or maybe a haddie?
Has Gran'ma gotten electric licht?
Is the next stop Kirkcaddy?

There's a hoodie-craw on yon turnip-raw!
An' seagulls! - sax or seeven.
I'll no fa' oot o' the windae, Maw,
Its sneckit, as sure as I'm leevin'.
We're into the tunnel! we're a' in the dark!
But dinna be frichtit, Daddy,
We'll sune be comin' to Beveridge Park,
And the next stop's Kirkcaddy!

Is yon the mune I see in the sky?
It's awfu' wee an' curly,
See! there's a coo and a cauf ootbye,
An' a lassie pu'in' a hurly!
He's chackit the tickets and gien them back,
Sae gie me my ain yin, Daddy.
Lift doon the bag frae the luggage rack,
For the next stop's Kirkcaddy!

There's a gey wheen boats at the harbour mou',
And eh! dae ya see the cruisers?
The cinnamon drop I was sookin' the noo
Has tummelt an' stuck tae ma troosers. . .
I'll sune be ringin' ma Gran'ma's bell,
She'll cry, 'Come ben, my laddie',
For I ken mysel' by the queer-like smell
That the next stop's Kirkcaddy!

Mary Campbell Smith