Welcome
Welcome to my wee blog.My name is Andy ( The Dafthermit ) . For the last 20 odd years i have ben trying to get back to a simpler way of life and finally in my old bus up here in the Scottish mountains i am finally getting there. My time now is spent taking pictures of the highlands ,making films to show the world the beauty all around and writing something that has surprised me having had a few of my stories published , Having picked up a camera and laptop in 2008 i have really enjoyeed the journey the camera has taken me on again having had a couple of pictures in national magazines, last year three of ,my films where shown at the Loch Ness film festival. anyway i hope you enjoy your visit to my wee blog
love and light
Andy
Thursday, 30 June 2011
Petition Online - UK
Love and light from the wee rusty tin can here in the Scottish highlands............ Alba gu brath
| Reactions: |
Remove the Injunction to evict the Masons from Muxbeare orchard - Petition Online - UK www.petitiononline.co.uk
I have been asked to pass this on please HELP
Andy - you have lots of contacts - please help spread the word and help prevent this family being evicted from their own land for daring to live without the help of the state.
http://www.petitiononline.co.uk/petition/remove-the-injunction-to-evict-the-masons-from-muxbeare-orchard/3054
A COUPLE living an “off-grid” lifestyle say they face prison unless they move from their own land in Willand and return to an existence in the benefits trap.
Stig and Dinah Mason bought Muxbeare Orchard after a sudden windfall allowed them to quit their impoverished lives on a Hertfordshire council estate two years ago.
Dinah and Stig Mason with sons Yosse, 8, and Dahli, 9, and Moo the dog at their lorry home MARCUS THOMPSON EXMT20110614F-003_C
Dinah and Stig Mason will be evicted from their own land EXMT20110614F-001_C
•
•
The Masons have transformed what they described as a derelict four-acre plot into a haven of self-sufficiency boasting a 400 sq m allotment, a polytunnel and greenhouses to grow fruit and vegetables, chickens for egg production and an orchard they have regenerated by planting around 14 new apple trees of various species.
The couple, who have two boys, aged eight and nine, say because they moved onto the site in order to work the land, Mid Devon District Council is turfing them off as officers do not consider them to be conserving an agricultural area.
They faced magistrates on March 31 when they were served with an injunction to leave within 28 days from June 1.
Dinah, 35, who spent a year with her husband clearing four-foot high nettles and thistles which engulfed the four-acre site, said: “How anybody can say the orchard was being conserved before is beyond my comprehension.”
Dinah works while Stig, 34, as well as making sure the children get to school on time, tends to the land on a daily basis where peas, potatoes, garlic, strawberries, raspberries and various produce have been growing since 2009.
Vegetarians Stig and Dinah claim council officers offered them bed and breakfast accommodation in Cullompton at taxpayers’ expense and suggested they live on take aways, which are likely to cost around £20 for each family meal.
Dinah’s income currently provides the family with everything they need which they cannot grow themselves but is unlikely to stretch to cover kennelling costs for their dog, Moo.
They say they currently receive no state hand-outs but by giving up their “off grid” way of life, they fear they will end up in a council house, claiming housing and council tax benefits, as well as seeking grants to help pay for high utility bills.
Stig, chairman of the Willand Composting Scheme and a member of the primary school’s PTFA, sells eggs, produce, and hopefully cider in the future but explained that planning permission to live and work on the land was refused in 2009 which they are appealing against.
He said one of the council’s reasons for refusal was based on a belief the couple had did not have a “sound enough business plan.”
As well as plans to sell more produce locally, the couple say it is only likely to take them a further two years to get to a stage where they will be able to grow six to eight months’ worth of vegetables.
Dinah, who is a community care worker, cub leader and also a member of the PTFA, said: “To live in an agricultural area you need to have a financial need, but this gives us enough to live on, but our whole ethos is not about making money.
“The council is saying by us living here it becomes mixed-use and is therefore no longer deemed agricultural.”
Dinah was bequeathed money from the sudden death of her aunt and £47,000 was spent on the land to create the smallholding where wood burners and solar panels provide their energy needs.
Dinah said removing them from their land will render them homeless and is concerned they will have to pull their children out of Willand Primary School if they have to move out of the area.
But several people from across the country have written to the council in support of the family’s retention.
Anne Wallington, whose family has had an interest in the village for 44 years, wrote to the council in support of the Masons by praising their hard work in reclaiming what was “rapidly becoming derelict land.” David Thompson, who also lives in the village, said “they are trying to live up to the Government’s pledge to take better care of the environment and this is the last orchard in the vicinity of Willand.”
John Clarke, planning enforcement officer, said: “To get planning permission to move onto agricultural land, you have to prove first there is a need for someone to live there, for example, to tend livestock and look after crops, and second, that the enterprise can provide living income for at least one worker.
“Neither condition was met and therefore took the necessary action to protect the nature of the rural landscape and prevent unlawful habitation.”
The council said it cannot comment on individual cases of housing need and said bed and breakfast accommodation is offered if people are homeless.
via thisisdevon.co.uk
Remove the Injunction to evict the Masons from Muxbeare orchard - Petition Online - UK
Create your online petition, let's change this world from the bottom. Sign for your fights.
| Reactions: |
litter picking green machine in the scottish highlands

litter picking green machine, a photo by Dafthermit living a simple life on Flickr.
A noble chariot, A noble Steed..... A litter carrying litter ... Come fill the noble chest with discarded litter, come cleanse the land of those who discard their obligations... We have a beautiful land but oh so fragile, once lost it can never be found again ...
| Reactions: |
Two groups from Highland rewarded for their litter-picking efforts
Love and light from the wee rusty tin can here in the Scottish highlands............ Alba gu brath
| Reactions: |
Bad Pony Productions - Official Website
INDIE FILM SCOTLAND
Indie Film Scotland is a fresh new platform for independent Scottish film-makers, student film-makers and independent production companies to showcase their new work to the industry, media and general viewing public. The event was piloted at Walkabout in Glasgow and at the G66 Live Festival 2008.
This exciting new networking event will be co-ordinated by Bad Pony Productions, held upstairs in Walkabout in Glasgow the first Tuesday of each month at 7pm. The official launch night date will be announced via the local media in the coming weeks.
All genres of short film, animation, documentary, music video and creative visual arts and television work (including pilots) will be suitable for submission. Feature film, and works over 10 minutes may also be considered.
The monthly event will also be a unique opportunity for the fresh new faces of the creative industries in Scotland to socialise and network to discuss ideas and future creative projects and collaborations. Guest speakers and acclaimed Scottish film-makers will be invited regularly for Q&A sessions with the audience.
Guests will also giving mentoring and feedback on films that will be screened at the event.
An award ceremony for best film (or category) will be held every six to eight months, promoted heavily through the independent film and television media channels and online. This will be the Indie Film Scotland – Creative New Talent Awards.
Indie Film Scotland itself will be promoted extensively via the local and national mainstream media/magazines and advertising via television/radio, as well as the set-up and maintenance of an official website and official myspace/bebo/facebook. Watch this space for more info.
An agreed entry fee for films (over 5mins) and short films (under 5mins) will be charged for each submission (maximum of 3 per company/film-maker per Indie Film Scotland event). Entry to the Indie Film Scotland events for the public will be £4 on the door (students £3).
Submissions can be sent direct to Bad Pony Productions, submitted online (subject to website set-up in the next few weeks), or handed in to Walkabout in Glasgow for the attention of the Indie-Film event co-ordinator from October 1st.
Indie Film Scotland Creative Directors –Frank McGowan/Michelle Martin
Indie Film Scotland Event co-ordinator – Charlene McDonald
For more details please e-mail badponyproductions@googlemail.com.
Love and light from the wee rusty tin can here in the Scottish highlands............ Alba gu brath
| Reactions: |
Wednesday, 29 June 2011
Just finished my latest wee film at the Scratchy Heed Film Studio . " Flower of Scotland by the light of the fire " will be loaded up tonight
Flower of Scotland by the light of the fire " will be loaded up
tonight
--
Sent from my mobile device
Peace love and happiness
alba gu brath
My main blog
http://theblackbuscompany.blogspot.com
My Shop/Gallery
http://www.photoboxgallery.com/3004962
my youtube channel
| Reactions: |
Why does it feel like the human race has been caught with its troosers roon its ankles yet again
roon its ankles yet again
--
Sent from my mobile device
Peace love and happiness
alba gu brath
My main blog
http://theblackbuscompany.blogspot.com
My Shop/Gallery
http://www.photoboxgallery.com/3004962
my youtube channel
| Reactions: |
Every nation in the world has its good and bad points . We shouldn't dwell on or let oor faults stop us reaching oot for independence . Scotland forever a nation that has given the world so much
dwell on or let oor faults stop us reaching oot for independence .
Scotland forever a nation that has given the world so much
--
Sent from my mobile device
Peace love and happiness
alba gu brath
My main blog
http://theblackbuscompany.blogspot.com
My Shop/Gallery
http://www.photoboxgallery.com/3004962
my youtube channel
| Reactions: |
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
A great wee gadget from Maplins solar powered battery charger
A great wee gadget from Maplins solar powered battery charger great for when i am in the mountains never have to worry about flat batteries again
| Reactions: |
New Strathpeffer Pavilion events on-line
Hello to our Booth customers,
We’ve just put some new events on-line with Booth Scotland:
Thursday 28 July at 8 pm, Uncharted Waters, a stunning aerial dance show by All Or Nothing and Strange Bird Zirkus. Tickets £12 / £10/ £6
Friday 9 September at 8 pm Isla Grant - the popular country singer, whose visits to the Highlands are very rare events! Tickets £17 / £15 / £6
Thursday 22 September at 8 pm Scottish Chamber Music, with renowned Austrian flautist/composer Karin Leitner, harpist Alina Bzhezhinska and baritone Richard Morrison (the opera-singer son of Peter Morrison). Tickets £12 / £10 / £6
Wednesday 12 and Thursday 13 October at 8 pm Two opportunities to see The Johnny Cash Story as sung by Roger Dean, supported by The Lazy Boys. Tickets £17 / £15 / £6
July at the Pavilion is full of weddings but, just to remind you, we do have a few other events coming up, tickets for which are already on-line at Booth Scotland:
Friday 1 July at 8 pm Moving Pictures present a tribute to iconic Canadian band RUSH - Rush themselves having just been named the world’s greatest live band by MusicRadar.com! Tickets are £12 and Moving Pictures are also organizing a bus from Inverness city centre and back, for which the fare is £10 – email steve@movingpicturesuk.com to book the bus
Wednesday 3 August at 8 pm Blake - classical crossover band and BRIT award winners, four voices in perfect harmony present their sensational live show. Tickets £28 / £27.
More information about all the above and other forthcoming events can be found on the What’s On page of the Pavilion website.
If you don’t require further information but simply wish to buy tickets for a particular event, you can use one of the Booth links below my signature.
We hope to see you here soon.
Regards, Margaret Macdonald
Click on the links below for more events information:
Book for Blake, Aug 3 2011 8:00PM, Strathpeffer Pavilion
Book for Isla Grant, Sep 9 2011 8:00PM, Strathpeffer Pavilion
Book for Janis Ian, Oct 28 2011 8:00PM, Strathpeffer Pavilion
Book for Moving Pictures: Rush Tribute, Jul 1 2011 8:00PM, Strathpeffer Pavilion
Book for Scottish Chamber Music: Karin Leitner, Sep 22 2011 8:00PM, Strathpeffer Pavilion
Book for The Johnny Cash Story, Oct 12 2011 8:00PM, Strathpeffer Pavilion
Book for The Johnny Cash Story, Oct 13 2011 8:00PM, Strathpeffer Pavilion
Book for Uncharted Waters: Aerial Dance Circus, Jul 28 2011 8:00PM, Strathpeffer Pavilion
| Reactions: |
End Animal Cosmetic Testing
Bulletin from the cause: End Animal Cosmetic Testing.
Go to CausePosted By: People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
To: Members in 41 Causes
University Faculty Stage Animal Fights!
For more than a decade, faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have spent millions of tax dollars on staging violent fights between animals in their laboratories for cruel aggression experiments. Experimenters lock large, aggressive mice and smaller, weaker mice together in cages that the animals can't escape from and watch as the weaker mice are beaten up and bitten repeatedly for as long as 10 minutes. The fights are videotaped, and experimenters count the number of "attacks" per fight. The winners also lose; they are killed and have their brains cut out and dissected.
Not only are these experiments inhumane and wasteful, they also appear to have violated Wisconsin's cruelty-to-animals law. Click here to learn more.
PETA has co-filed a formal complaint with the local district attorney urging him to prosecute the faculty and staff responsible for these animal fights. PETA has also filed complaints with the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health (click here for more information).
You can help PETA's efforts by politely urging government officials to demand repayment of all tax money spent on these barbaric animal fighting experiments.
Thank you for speaking up for animals!
Sincerely,
Justin Goodman
Associate Director
Laboratory Investigations Department
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
P.S. For the best way to stay on top of urgent alerts and help animals, join PETA's Action Team today!
Call to Action
Spread the word. Every invitation counts:
| Reactions: |
Whats up with you mister Burgular ??
Think of all the jobs i create when oot on the rob , the guys at the insurance company the guys that make tvs etc etc and not to forget the police ??? and still i get no respect ,
Love and light from the wee rusty tin can here in the Scottish highlands............ Alba gu brath
| Reactions: |
Drinking & Driving many thanks Michelle
Hi all,
I would just like to share an experience with you all, and it has to do with drinking and driving. As you know some of us have had brushes with the authorities on our way home from the odd swaree over the years?
Well I for one have done something about it: Last night I was out for a few drinks with some mates and had way too many beers & shooters. Knowing full well I was wasted, I did something I've never done before - I took a Bus home. I arrived home safely and without incident which was a real surprise, since I had never driven a bus before!!
| Reactions: |
If something wrong has been going on for hundreds of years . Surely it is time to approach it in a new and untried way and not to stay on the roundabout.
is time to approach it in a new and untried way and not to stay on the
roundabout.
--
Sent from my mobile device
Peace love and happiness
alba gu brath
My main blog
http://theblackbuscompany.blogspot.com
My Shop/Gallery
http://www.photoboxgallery.com/3004962
my youtube channel
| Reactions: |
The word BUT is far more offensive than any so called swear word And should be BANNED it is a word cowards and dictators hide behind.
And should be BANNED it is a word cowards and dictators hide behind.
--
Sent from my mobile device
Peace love and happiness
alba gu brath
My main blog
http://theblackbuscompany.blogspot.com
My Shop/Gallery
http://www.photoboxgallery.com/3004962
my youtube channel
| Reactions: |
Just listened to Ang Sang Su Kui give her Reith lecture . Wonderful , the way forward truly lies in the hands of woman/mothers . Love and light
the way forward truly lies in the hands of woman/mothers . Love and
light
--
Sent from my mobile device
Peace love and happiness
alba gu brath
My main blog
http://theblackbuscompany.blogspot.com
My Shop/Gallery
http://www.photoboxgallery.com/3004962
my youtube channel
| Reactions: |
Another major project comes in way over budget . Shock horror. WHY DONT THEY SIMPLY MULTIPLY THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATED COST OF A PROJECT BY 4 TO GIVE A MORE HONEST COST ? OR am i just being daft again.
DONT THEY SIMPLY MULTIPLY THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATED COST OF A PROJECT BY
4 TO GIVE A MORE HONEST COST ? OR am i just being daft again.
--
Sent from my mobile device
Peace love and happiness
alba gu brath
My main blog
http://theblackbuscompany.blogspot.com
My Shop/Gallery
http://www.photoboxgallery.com/3004962
my youtube channel
| Reactions: |
Sunday, 26 June 2011
Whats next burgulars going on strike stating unfair/dangerous working conditions
conditions
--
Sent from my mobile device
Peace love and happiness
alba gu brath
My main blog
http://theblackbuscompany.blogspot.com
My Shop/Gallery
http://www.photoboxgallery.com/3004962
my youtube channel
| Reactions: |
"REASONABLE FORCE" here we go again a family at home . 4 people take it apon themselfs to break in . And the family have to reasonable bollocks i say . Break into my home and you are getting the burner up your arse and the cooker roon the heed . Love
it apon themselfs to break in . And the family have to reasonable
bollocks i say . Break into my home and you are getting the burner up
your arse and the cooker roon the heed . Love and light
--
Sent from my mobile device
Peace love and happiness
alba gu brath
My main blog
http://theblackbuscompany.blogspot.com
My Shop/Gallery
http://www.photoboxgallery.com/3004962
my youtube channel
| Reactions: |
WHAT PRICE FRIENDSHIP ? seems to be between £15 and £20
--
Sent from my mobile device
Peace love and happiness
alba gu brath
My main blog
http://theblackbuscompany.blogspot.com
My Shop/Gallery
http://www.photoboxgallery.com/3004962
my youtube channel
| Reactions: |
Truck ready for midnight run to Dingwall-Inverness and the Muir so much easier with brakes and clutch working.
much easier with brakes and clutch working.
--
Sent from my mobile device
Peace love and happiness
alba gu brath
My main blog
http://theblackbuscompany.blogspot.com
My Shop/Gallery
http://www.photoboxgallery.com/3004962
my youtube channel
| Reactions: |
Rain rain wonderful rain . Spending the day making a wee film . Love and light from us in the rusty wee tin can. X
and light from us in the rusty wee tin can. X
--
Sent from my mobile device
Peace love and happiness
alba gu brath
My main blog
http://theblackbuscompany.blogspot.com
My Shop/Gallery
http://www.photoboxgallery.com/3004962
my youtube channel
| Reactions: |
Saturday, 25 June 2011
Many thanks for all the comments on the latest wee film/ story " THE POOL . The Earth song " from the SCRATCHY HEED FILM STUDIO love and light
POOL . The Earth song " from the SCRATCHY HEED FILM STUDIO love and
light
--
Sent from my mobile device
Peace love and happiness
alba gu brath
My main blog
http://theblackbuscompany.blogspot.com
My Shop/Gallery
http://www.photoboxgallery.com/3004962
my youtube channel
| Reactions: |
Friday, 24 June 2011
THE POOL ( The Earth Song ) The latest wee film from the Scratchy heed film studio
The latest wee film from the Scratchy heed film studio
Love and light from the wee rusty tin can here in the Scottish highlands............ Alba gu brath
Introducing: Our New Vintage Bus! | Technomadia
Love and light from the wee rusty tin can here in the Scottish highlands............ Alba gu brath
Mrs Daft Hermit
oooooooooouch When i woke this morning Mel was sitting moaning lol she had put a ring on last night and after sleeping it swelled up lol . She refused the angle grinder tried to convince her it would be quick so instead i used a jublie clip and a wee hacksaw and after much screaming and whaling it was released all good fun in the hovel
John Lowe ( amazing who you bump into in teh mountains)

John Lowe ( amazing who you bump into in teh mountains), a photo by Dafthermit living a simple life on Flickr.
incredible who you meet on a wee wader in the mountains, great to chat to you John
The POOL ( a wee tale from the dafthenit)
The Pool A wee tale from the dafthermit
On the day the moon first kisses the sun then embraces her fully if you are brave enough ?
Take a stick and head south west for two miles from the bus eventually you will come to a deep scar from a long gone ice sheet
climb the banking on the other side but be careful and there you will see the pool.
twenty yards away the pool its water black and still
the edge a perfect circle and its banking falls away vertical to a depth i know not what
i have visited it many times each time taking a longer and longer rope ,with a weight attached i have thrown it to the centre and foot after foot it descends but never has it reached the bottom
The water never moves no stars are ever reflected no cloud dances on the still water
no matter how cold the surrounding ground the water never freezes even when Loch Droma has long since froze to a depth of 30 inches the pool stays clear and dark.. never moving no sign of life from its dark black waters.
But as i said if on the day when the moon dances in front of the sun wait till dark then head to the pool
i am sure like me the site that will greet you when you climb the scare will halt you in your tracks
from the edge of the pool and stretching oot 10 yards and forming another perfect circle heather will be in bloom no matter the time of year and as you approach the water you will see
A small circle of gold in those dark waters slowly ripples outwards to the edge then in an instant GONE
the waters blacker than before , A wind will start in the high glen and roar doon the cliff and race to where you stand then as it hits you it to will STOP
Quiet will embrace you and beyond no sound no bird will call no tree will bend nothing
from this will come at first a silent whisper but as you lean into it to try to listen that too will drift away
The the waters will will rise first one foot then ten then plunge down the side of the pool further and further until they are no longer visible
but my friend don’t be scared , from the depths first one spirit then another till thousands will fly from the depths until the whole glen is filled with laughter and song
the moon will cast a golden glow and the stars will shine like never before
But as the sun begins to climb the horizon
all will return to the pool and and quiet will fill the glen
the heather will wilt and die the water will return at first a deep deep blue but quickly it to will become black again
the from the middle of the water a last scream will be heard which will fill you heart with hope
FREEDOM FREEDOM…….
Thursday, 23 June 2011
Scottish coastguards
Love and light from the wee rusty tin can here in the Scottish highlands............ Alba gu brath
HEAVEN ON EARTH a wee film from the tin can in the Scottish Highlands
Love and light from the wee rusty tin can here in the Scottish highlands............ Alba gu brath
Focus
one wee dog ready for action
Focus
one wee dog ready for action
Steve Kelly - One World
Love and light from the wee rusty tin can here in the Scottish highlands............ Alba gu brath
Steve Kelly Musician
Love and light from the wee rusty tin can here in the Scottish highlands............ Alba gu brath
38 Degrees | end circus animal cruelty
Thank you for emailing your MP about the vote on banning circus animals today. A copy of the message sent to your MP is below.
The vote today is likely to be tight. The more of us get in touch with our MPs, the more likely we are to win. Could you help spread the word and ask your friends to contact their MPs as well? You could forward the e-mail below, or use the following links to spread the word by Facebook or Twitter.
Facebook: http://www.38degrees.org.uk/
Twitter: http://www.38degrees.org.uk/
—-
Hi friends,
There’s a crunch vote in Parliament in a few hours on whether or not to ban on circuses using exotic animals.
At the moment wild beasts including zebras, lions and tigers are kept in terrible conditions by circuses in Britain. Today we have a chance to stop this, but we need to persuade enough MPs to vote the right way.
The more of us that e-mail our MPs, the more likely it is that they will vote to stop circus animal cruelty. It’s really quick and easy to e-mail your MP, it will only take a couple of minutes. Click here to get started:
http://www.38degrees.org.uk/
thank you,
Love and light from the wee rusty tin can here in the Scottish highlands............ Alba gu brath
YouTube - Steve Kelly - The Fat Cat Dance
a wee song from my friend Steve
An, unapologetic, sarcastic exposition of deregulated, free market, 'laissez faire' economics.
Or to put it another way - it's a bit political - and it contains one expletive in the text - so please be warned.
http://www.myspace.com/stevekellyofficial
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=540280916&ref=search&sid=54028...
http://www.reverbnation.com/stevekelly
Love and light from the wee rusty tin can here in the Scottish highlands............ Alba gu brath
Be Inspired Today - An Online Spiritual Community
Love and light from the wee rusty tin can here in the Scottish highlands............ Alba gu brath
"The Summer Of Love 2011" (1)
Love and light from the wee rusty tin can here in the Scottish highlands............ Alba gu brath
Playgroup Festival
Love and light from the wee rusty tin can here in the Scottish highlands............ Alba gu brath
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
JamStudio.com - Create Music Beats - The online music factory - Jam, remix, chords, loops
Love and light from the wee rusty tin can here in the Scottish highlands............ Alba gu brath
Tuesday, 21 June 2011
YouTube - One Drum - Simon Bailey
Love and light from the wee rusty tin can here in the Scottish highlands............ Alba gu brath
Big Black Train
Many thanks Pat for sharing wonderful my friend
Love and light from the wee rusty tin can here in the Scottish highlands............ Alba gu brath
Should we close all Seaworlds and the like ?????
Love and light from the wee rusty tin can here in the Scottish highlands............ Alba gu brath
Cat on a hot tin roof
had " ma top of the world "
--
Sent from my mobile device
Peace love and happiness
alba gu brath
My main blog
http://theblackbuscompany.blogspot.com
My Shop/Gallery
http://www.photoboxgallery.com/3004962
my youtube channel
Monday, 20 June 2011
FREE Allotment seeds through the post thanks to the guys at VEGBLOGS
Love and light from the wee rusty tin can here in the Scottish highlands............ Alba gu brath
Some fellow growers over at Veg blogs
Help
Love and light
A wee film about us on STVs the HOUR SHOW click on STV logo to see the film
Andy the Daft Hermit lives 45 minutes outside Inverness with his wife Mel in an old bus parked in a layby. This current home of theirs is the longest they have ever stayed in one spot. “I’ve been travelling now 25 years,” said Andy Lowe. “Mel’s been travelling 15. One of the reasons we’ve come and stayed up here is because of Mel’s health. I wanted to bring her to the mountains for fresh air and clean water and just a slower pace of life.” Mel has had breast cancer twice, skin cancer once, and for three years believed she had bone cancer after being wrongly diagnosed. Andy’s belief in the restorative powers of the north made them pack up ‘The Black Bus’ that they live in and cross the border into Scotland. New Highland home for hermit couple Andy and Mel “I think we both believe in trying to get to a more simple way of life,” said Andy, “but it’s strange for us because we are sort of hermits, or we like to live separate, but it’s not being anti-social… it’s just the way we are that allows us to be creative.” Andy first began travelling when he left the army. Fed up with bureaucracy he packed a rucksack and left for France and has been travelling ever since. By investing any money the couple have earned into solar panels and wind generators they now live a self-sustaining existence, without electric bills, and collect rain water “straight from Heaven”. “It’s not easy,” said Mel. “There might be time when there might not be enough facilities around, but you always find a way, you know?” Rather than rejecting technology, Andy blogs about his travels online and collaborates with artists from around the world via his ‘Scratchy Heid Film Studio’, which he runs from a static trailer next to the couple’s bus. He explained his philosophy: “My belief is that if you can go through life and you drop dead and you’ve got a balance there that slightly outweighs the good than the bad, you’ve done alright. “Yesterday, with what Mel’s been through with the cancer and all that, I had a woman on one of my sites there that thanked me for the writing, for the positive things, and to me that’s worth everything. You can keep your millions, we’re not interested. That is what we do.” To check out Andy’s artwork and video projects check out his website. MORE FROM THE NORTH
Links
Dewlance Provide Cheap Domain Registration, Shared Hosting, Reseller Hosting, Master Reseller, cheap VPS and Dedicated Server at cheapest Price. Online Business in the Philippines Visual Impressions Photography - professional photography fine arts & life, photography & thoughts Guitars Guitars Guitars Flower Comments Security For Idiots and Other People that Care Going GREEN �green jobs, green economy clean tech �ENERGY efficiency SOLAR greentech RENEWABLE energy solar panels solar plant photovoltaic solar solutions wind SUSTAINABLE geothermal �smart grid sol End Time Deception Don E. Chute The Leadership Village Library The Bicycle Nut- All about Bikes Eco-Friendly Mall Nuts4Nature The Sturgeon Awards
Quick links to various pages/sites within the Blackbus blog
- My journey into the Abyss a brush with suicide
- Just me thinking out loud
- Some off my posts over the last year
- Mels poetry
- Some fellow bloggers i follow
- Living off the grid
- Blackbus and horsebox conversions
- My photo shop/gallery and you tube films
- Blackbus blog reviews on Link referal
- My blog feeds
- Blackbus on Facebook
- Blackbus on FLICKR
- Follow us on Twitter
- Turn your blog into a BOOK
- Useful resources for your web/site
- Free Food and resources
- good sites to wonder too







































