#wood stac

[thebunnybabyblog]

Moony's Books and Scrolls (1 of ?) Remus bookshop au

Summery: Fresh out of Hogwarts your job prospects and living arrangements were both not meeting standards. You find yourself in front of a worn down, almost abandonded building, could this place solve all your woes or will this rip open past wounds?

Info: Fluff with future smut so please 18+ only This is an au! The canon story does not apply here!

Word count: 2400

Life at Hogwarts had came and went in what seemed to be a flash of lightning. The time spent behind those castle walls will fill your mind with fond memories for life, but a few months after graduation, it was time to get the hell out of your parents house and be an adult on your own. It wasn’t like you didn’t love your family but you really missed the “freedom” Hogwarts awarded you. 

It had been nice to loaf around for a few months but the lack of privacy was getting to you. When you were bombarded by your siblings in the bathroom, exposing your fresh out of the shower body to the people in the living room that had come over to visit your mother, you knew it was time to go. You started your search with lots of newly graduated hope but soon the shock of the real world set in. It's not that you were bad at Hogwarts, you got okay grades, but you spent a lot of time reading things that were not assigned. To put it lightly, every job you interviewed for favored someone else over you. Your high standards waivered and soon you were slugging through ads for low paying jobs just to get anything at all. 

There was one job that you kept seeing over and over though, never seeming to fill the position it was asking. The listing read as follows:

Moony’s Books and Scrolls

In need of a shop assistant to help organize, catalog and care

for magical and non-magical books and scrolls.

There is a room available to anyone willing to accept this position.

Only need to pay for your utilities, rent is included in the position.

Pay is fair and we also offer a 50% employee discount.

Location: 310 Meadows Lane 

“Oh my god? A room and a 50% discount on books? I should have read this listing sooner!” you exclaimed. Gripping the newspaper tightly in your hands, you sat and thought for a moment. For how things had been going, this seemed like the solution to all of your problems. You glanced up at the clock on the wall beside you, 4:15pm. If you left now you could make it over there before they closed. 

Gathering your things and some money for the bus, you made your way out the door, hardly able to yell, “Leaving about a job! I won't be home for dinner! Love you bye!” The door slammed loudly behind you as you dashed down the drrive.

You were excited the whole bus ride over there. Filled with hope and desperation, you thought how cute your life could be. Living in a sweet little bookstore, reading all the time, saving so much money, living a simple life. No more mess and chaos of your siblings running around going crazy messing with your things. Finally some peace and quiet.  Your daydreams were cut short when the bus driver announced your stop was coming up. “NEXT STOP MEADOW LANE” he yelled over the p.a. Gathering your bag, you headed off the bus. 

Walking up and down the street as the evening sun began to set, you wondered if this was a scam. “Where the hell is this building?” you pondered. “310 Meadow Lane,” you repeated over and over. The crumpled newspaper held tightly in your hands, you looked as if you were a crazy person with a treasure map. You finally stopped in front of a building you had passed over and over. “This can’t be it?” you said in confusion. 

Looking back at the wrinkled paper and back at the building again, you finally saw what seemed to be where numbers used to live above the door but were now just faded outlines. The once deep blue first floor and door were now faded and chipping exposing the wood underneath. The once beautiful picture window that you were sure held wondrous displays was completely filled in with stacked books, hardly able to let the soft light of the room inside peek through the thin cracks. The rest of the building above was brick and looked normal besides a leaky AC unit sticking out one of the right windows. “Was the shop owner's room or the potential employee’s?” 

You hesitated, “If I get kidnapped and sent off to some dungeon my parents are gonna be so pissed.”  Almost turning on your heels to head back to the bus, the thought of so much wasted bus fare and time made you stop. You reached for the door knob and turned it slowly. Halfway through the door you yelled out, “Ummm hello?” 

Your eyes had nowhere to rest. There were things everywhere and on everything, shelves filled with disorganized books, stack after stack piled to the ceiling and papers scattered all over the floor. Not to mention the overcrowding of furniture and tables that were also covered in books. You couldn’t even tell where the register was in all this mess, if you could  even find something to buy. 

With no response you let out a louder “Hello? Is anyone here?” Instead of the response you heard an “Oh shit!” and the sound of a tidal wave of books falling over on the second floor. The staircase to the left soon had books and papers tumbling down like an avalanche on the side of a mountain. You were stuck in shock as you watched all the dust begin to settle and the store go from chaos to quiet in a few moments. The silence and shock were broken when you heard a deep groan from above you. 

Your feet moved before your mind could tell you to go. You ran up the stairs dodging and weaving the fallen debris and books on the steps. You didn’t need to think where to look because right in the center of the upstairs room was a huge pile of books that were assumed to be, just moments ago, tall stacks. “Oh my god! Are you okay?” you yelled out to the pile. “I’ve been better, love, but I'm okay. Just Leviosa this off me please, I can’t move,” he called back. 

You reached for your back pocket but were met with nothing. In your rush to get out the door, you left your wand on your bedside table. “Fuck!” you yelled out. Running over to the pile and getting down on your knees, you slung book after book off of this mystery man. “I'm so sorry! I forgot my wand rushing over here! But I'll get you out!” Soon a hand is revealed ,then his midriff exposing his scarred stomach, and finally the book that revealed who was trapped underneath.

“Oh god!” you yelled out. “No it's Remus I’m afraid. Nice to meet you” he said with a pained laugh. “Wait I know you don’t I?” he asked as he flung himself up to a seated position. The sudden jump forward made you fall back onto your butt in a huff. He grabbed his head in pain with the quick movement up. “Damn I really did a number on myself, er?” he said in a hushed, embarrassed laugh, clearly jumbled up from the tumble. 

“Let me look!” you yelled a little louder than you meant and cupped his face in your palms. You checked him over, not realizing you could feel the soft scratch of stubble against your skin. He almost protested to the manhandling but as he looked up to the sweet, concerned expression plastered across your face, he couldn’t help but smirk. 

To clear any more silent embarrassment he asked “So what's your prognosis doctor? Shall I live to see another day?” You released his cheeks and started shifting through his soft ginger hair. “I don’t see any blood so I think you're okay? You do have a good lump up here though,” you said in a matter-of-fact tone. It wasn’t until the silence of your fingers running through his hair had you realized just what you were doing. Embarrassed, your hands shot back to your lap and your fingers nervously intertwined with one another. 

A blush set wide across your face. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to manhandle you like that.” “No it's quite alright, love, I’m glad you were here to rescue me.” he said, trying to ease your embarrassment. “I’ve made a mess in here, er?” “Just here?” you said quickly. You immediately wanted to punch yourself in the face. He couldn't help but laugh at your very obvious observation. “I really didn’t mean to say that!” you tried to explain but he just waved his hand while laughing. “No no, it's alright! This place is a mess and has been for a while. I’ve actually been in search of someone to help me sort this place out.” “Oh, well, about that.” You pulled out the crumpled bit of newspaper and showed the ad to him. “That's why I’m here.” 

He watched your hands as you presented the ad as if you were presenting your golden ticket to the factory. Eyes trailing up your arm and back to yours, he was silent for a moment and it made you nervous. “Oh God he definitely remembers me,” you thought to yourself. A few years into your time at Hogwarts, you made a mortifying embarrassing confession to him. You would help out in the library in your free time, since you spent so much time reading there and you knew the place like the back of your hand. Whenever you were there, you'd see Remus and his friends, Remus more than the others, and you developed a crush on him. 

“You’re hired,” he said bluntly. You were taken aback by the sudden declaration and not a large from the pit of his stomach. “What?” you replied, deadpan. “I have been begging and pleading for someone to come help me take on this insanity and I've had people run from this place once they get past the front door. The fact that you have even made it upstairs is enough for me.”  You looked at him with blank, wide eyes. Not even interviewed, sitting in a disaster zone and you didn’t even know if he knew who you were. “Are you sure?” you asked, “You haven’t even asked anything about me! You don’t even know my name yet.” Your words came out fast and jumbled. You weren’t even sure if he understood you. “Well of course I know your name... it's y/n,” he said in a confused and almost hurt tone. “We used to hang out in the library all the time. Don’t you remember?” 

Your brain played your most embarrassing moment in your mind as soon as that exited his lip. In a moment of unthinking on the final day you'd see him in the library ever, you stopped him on his way out and blurted out what your fifth year brain thought was a good idea. Unlike how it plays out in silly romance novels, he in fact, did not reciprocate your grand feelings or even get a chance to. As soon as your confession left your mouth, Sirius and James burst through the doors, having heard the whole thing, and laughed and drug Remus out with them. He was never even given the chance to say “No, I’m sorry, but I'm flattered,” or a “Ew, no way in hell.” You still laid up at night and it passed through your mind and makes your skin feel icky. He shifted awkwardly on the floor and stood up. 

You watched as he arose still planted on the ground. He grew a few extra inches after he left Hogwarts. He was tall as a teen, but now, almost in his mid-20s, he towered over you. You stared for a moment as he extended his hand down to you. With a slight flex of his hand, you snapped out of your trance and slowly placed yours in his. 

“Well of course I remember you Remus...” you said meekly, “I just wasn’t sure you really remembered me.” To you, you were just the little annoying underclassman that floated behind him like pepe le pew floating behind penelope but he considered the time in the library hanging out? He guided you up from your seated position. You were merely inches from him. 

Looking up to his soft, tired eyes and growing lump on the top of his forehead, you couldn’t help but release a little laugh at his expense. You covered your mouth with your hand and he just looked at you in a sense of amusement. “I’m sorry, I really don't mean to laugh, especially after you just offered me a job, but you have a comically large knot on your head,” you said, pointing at the lump that used to be much smaller looking on the ground.  

He only laughed in response and for a moment it didn’t feel so awkward for you, both lost in a silly moment together. As the laughter came to an end you asked if he had any  Wiggenweld potion somewhere. “Ahh, I think I actually do in the bathroom upstairs.” He turned to his left and began to walk for the door that you assumed led to the apartment upstairs. 

He stopped before he reached the door and turned back to you, “I can show you your room as well.” He played with the sleeve of his sweater before adding, “I mean, if you actually want the job.” It wasn’t until that moment did you realize not only would you have to work with him, but now he was your roommate. Something in you screamed this was a bad idea but the part of your brain that was goo called the shots. There was no way you were not taking on this challenge. “I’d love to see it,” you replied back to him with a warm smile. Butterflies filled your stomach as you watched his face change. He radiated warmth across the room, like the way warm autumn sun filled a room in the afternoon. It felt as if you floated across the room, almost forgetting you were walking through a war zone. You had a feeling the back-breaking work that was soon to come would be the death of you, but finally getting to see what Remus Lupin looked like with bed head was worth whatever was about to come your way.

[obsidiancreates]

One Undead To Another (Chapter 5)

(Trigger warning for more vampire vs ghost fighting, general brain fog, Shawn convinced he's hallucinating/has brain damage, Shawn turning into a vampire and all the anguish that entails.)

“I need you, Shawn! You can’t leave me alone! Wake UP!”

It’s the first anything Shawn is aware of. Before he can feel his own body, hear anything around him, before he can see.

He hears Gus, begging and distraught, and it pulls Shawn back to the world.

It takes a couple of tries, but he opens his eyes. His vision is blurry, and he must have brain damage, because even as it clears up he sees not only Gus bent over him sobbing, but his grandma. 

Who died when he was three.

“Oh my god, Shawn!” Gus doesn’t even bother to wipe his face, just pulls Shawn up into a hug- but pushes Shawn away just as fast. “Don’t even think about drinking my blood while I’m rescuing you right now.”

“Wh… wha?” Shawn’s voice cracks and scrapes against his throat. He’s parched. Dry like a desert, or his own dating life for all of highschool. “Wha’ th’ hell…”

“It’s okay, I’ve got you. And I’m pretty sure Lassie and Jules are wiping the floor with the vampires.”

“... Wha?” Shawn tries to sit up, to figure out where he is and what is going on and why everything is numb but all he manages to do is turn his head a little. That’s not a good sign. Something bad happened to him.

His vision swims just from that simple movement, and when it refocuses he’s not sure it actually does. Lassie is driving a shard of wood into the chest of some nondescript person (Popsicle, he thinks, though he can’t make the connection why) as Jules fights like a woman possessed against… someone Shawn would put money on as being a lawyer, or some other equally extremely desk-bound job.

When he looks at her, some of the numbness goes away- because he’s suddenly very aware of his neck exploding with pain. He wants to scream, to thrash, to fall back into that Nothingness where pain didn’t exist and neither did he- but all he manages is a weak moan.

“Just hang on a little longer.” Gus loops his arms under Shawn’s armpits and, with great grunts and puffs of effort, stands just enough to begin dragging Shawn away somewhere.

And then a hand grabs onto Shawn’s leg. It should feel cold, Shawn’s mind supplies for reasons he can’t pinpoint. The hand doesn’t feel any colder than he does, though. … But now that he thinks about it, he is cold. Very cold. But he’s not shivering. Tick that next to the possible head trauma in the list of Very Bad Things To Wake Up To.

“I’m not dying without killing you and your stupid mouth,” a gruff voice growls (Gramv- he nicknamed these people at some point. This is an investigation, then?). Gramv yanks on Shawn’s leg, easily pulling him out of Gus’s grasp.

Bad guy. Right, he’s in danger, this man is trying to kill him, he’s barely able to move, Lassie and Jules are busy and Gus just almost got his arms dislocated and the rest of the people in the room can’t possibly be real because they’re dead. His vision is still not a hundred percent, but he zeros in on a candle by Gramv’s hand and his own leg.

He barely manages to twitch his leg, but it’s enough. The candle tips over and the burning wick catches the sleeve of Gramv’s robe, and apparently it’s a very flammable material because he lights up quicker than a clue at a crime scene.

“Heh.” Shawn wishes he could make a pun, but even if he could speak at the moment, he still can’t really think. It’s a sludgy, foggy, all-around unclear mess in his skull. He’s not used to it, and if he had a clearer head he’s be panicking over not having a clear head. There’s a word for that. He can’t remember it right now.

Gus grabs him again and drags him somewhere deep within the maze (oh, he recognizes this maze, that could be good or bad, but is probably both). Shawn watches Lassie and Jules fade into the stacks of useless forgotten whatever, and begins to nod off again. Then Gus props him up against one of the stacks and lightly taps Shawn’s face to wake him back up.

“I need you to try and stand. I can’t carry a grown-ass man up the world’s most unsafe stairs all by myself.”

“St’nd.” Still can’t get out full words without slurring them- he definitely has brain damage. What happened to him? “Yea.” Shawn tries to push himself up, but his arms collapse under him within seconds. He starts to tip to the side, and Gus has to reach out and steady him. “I don’... f-feel…”

“Okay. Okay, we can do this. I can do this. How many times have you gone boneles son me? It was all leading up to this.” Gus bounces on his heels while he hypes himself up. “Burton Guster, you are about to carry your best friend up these stairs.”

Gus slings one of Shawn’s arms over his shoulder, and manages to stand and support Shawn’s entire weight without any help from Shawn himself. He feels like a bundle of wet noodles, but knitted together to be really dense and heavy, and way too overcooked, just absolutely inedible. 

… He’s hungry.

“G’s…���

“Just a little longer. Oh gosh… okay, we can do this.”

Someone else is supporting Shawn’s weight too.

“I’ve got him, Gus. I’ve got you, sweetie. Let’s get going.”

His grandma who isn’t real because she’s dead and Gus have to basically drag him up the stairs. Feeling starts to return to his legs as they go up, little by little, with each smack of his shins and ankles against the wooden slats pretending to be steps. 

Feeling is returning everywhere. He almost wishes it wasn’t.

He is in serious pain.

His neck is the worst of it- it feels raw, dug at, deep and tender and he can’t even begin to imagine what a wound that feels like this must look like. He’s a little surprised Gus hasn’t passed out or thrown up at the sight, because it must be gruesome.

Almost as bad is his stomach. No, wait, it might be worse- his evaluation is shifting as awareness slowly trickles in. … Yes, his stomach is worse, though not by much. It burns. His stomach, his guts in general, they burn. They twist and ache and stab and he can picture them shredding each other apart inside of him, little claws and teeth on his spleen or whatever else is down there, he doesn’t know, he just knows it hurts.

“Gus,” he gasps out. Okay, full word, not slurred, maybe his head will be okay after all. “I-I don’t feel-” He grits his teeth. Good? No, it’s deeper than that. He doesn’t feel… “Right.”

“I know.” Is it that visible? It must be. His neck probably looks like Spam what a feral cat got into, if the way it feels is any reliable indicator. Gus gives Shawn’s arm a squeeze. They’re slowly moving down a hallway now- his grandma disappeared sometime between the top of the stairs and this halfway hallway point. That’s another good sign for the brain damage clearing up, or at least he hopes it is. “It’s just a little farther to the car.”

Something in him twists. It ties itself up in a knot, and then instead of unrevelling itself it cuts, splits apart and the pain is like a shockwave, ripping through his entire body starting in his guts moving out and settling most in his head and his mouth and god he’s parched and hungry and it’s all he can think about as he stumbles and falls out of Gus’s hold and the whole thing leaves his ear ringing and his heartbeat hammering in his…

… Skull…

… That’s not…

His…

Heartbeat…

Gus’s arm is under him again, but everything is a blur. A hazy, quickly-moving blur, because all he can take in is that heartbeat.

It’s racing, pounding, the heartbeat of someone in deep distress, and Shawn doesn’t know why but it’s amazing. It’s his favorite sound in the world, thumping against the inside of his skull and mixing with the shockwaves of pain, rippling out from his head into his body and his limbs and it feels good.

He doesn’t realize they’re at Lassie’s car until Gus is shoving him into the backseat and buckling him in. He would laugh, but it comes out a wheeze. Gus leans over into his space to buckle him in, and Shawn can’t sto staring at his neck. Smooth, soft skin, and his vision highlights the pulse…

“Do you taste as buttery as you look?” He feels consciousness starting to slip again- no, not consciousness. Awareness. They’re different, somehow. 

“What?” Gus is only half listening, and Shawn needs to look away because staring at Gus’s neck is starting to make the pain worse, especially in his mouth…

He doesn’t have as much control over his head as he’d like, and it lolls, and Gus makes a choked gagging noise as the part of Shawn’s neck that hurts the most stretches out. There it is. That’s familiar. That’s good. Now he needs… he needs…

Gus is rooting around in Lassie’s glove compartment and that box-armrest-thing between the two front seats. Shawn can see his head, and his neck again, and he thinks his mouth would be watering if there was any water in his body. No, that’s not right, if he was that dry he’d be dead. Is he dead? If so then Gus is dead, that’s no good. Gus has a lot of life to live, and a way more productive one then Shawn’s will ever be, Shawn’s sure of it.

“I better not be dead so you’re not dead,” he mumbles as Gus comes back to the back door with a packet of wet wipes. “You don’t deserve to be dead.”

“What? Shawn, you’re talking nonsense.” Gus takes a deep breath, gags one more time, then swallows it and tilts Shawn’s head to he can clean Shawn’s neck. Clean it? Right, the wound. Probably blood.

Blood. He groans as his insides go to war, burning and twisting and tearing and dying and- and- and something else-

“Gus.” He paws at Gus’s shirt, pathetic and weak. “Gus, I’m hungry.”

Gus’s eyes widen, and Shawn sees panic- why? Gus swallows and keeps cleaning, but he’s shaking twice as bad now. “I already told you you better not. I will slap you, Shawn. Don’t think I won’t.”

Shawn laughs a little, and this time it actually comes out a laugh.

It hurts.

Gus’s pulse is highlighted again. The racing heartbeat is back in the forefront of Shawn’s mind. His mouth burns.

There’s a hand on his. Not Gus’s. It’s there and it’s not, and he’s felt it a lot of times since he woke up, and he’s still pretty sure it’s a symptom. But Gus is done cleaning, so Shawn turns his head to se ehis grandma, holding his hand.

“Focus on me, Shawn. Focus on me. You’re going to get through this without any of your friends getting hurt, okay?”

“Okay.” But what is this? He still isn’t sure. He still can’t remember. All he knows is he woke up and there was fighting and crying and pain and if his grandma is here he’s probably dead and so Gus is dead, he is, but that’s not fair because Gus shouldn’t ever be dead, Gus should never die and live forever-

“Stop that.” Her voice is sharp and firm- it sounds almost like his dad. It jolts him into a bit more awareness than he’s had since the hallway. “Don’t go down that thoughtpath. No more new vampires tonight.”

That… doesn’t… track. … But neither does his grandma being here. “What do you mean…”

She sighs, and then looks up and nods. “Look, your other friends are here.”

He turns his head to look past Gus, still kneeling by him and looking him over like Shawn might disappear at any moment. He’s not going anywhere though- he can’t even if he wanted to. Lassie and Jules, though, they can move. They run out of the front door of the creepiest, most horror-movie-worthy mansion in all of Santa Barbara covered in blood and dirt and ash, pouring sweat and the blood smells bad. Rotten. It makes Shawn angry, for some reason, until two more rhythms join the one already pounding in his ears. Their heartbeats. He wishes he was more sound of mind so he can pick apart the differences, appreciate the unique beats for his unique friends. They’re entrancing.

Gus slams Shawn’s door shut and runs around to the other side, sliding into the seat next to him. Jules and Lassie jump into their seats, and almost as soon as Lassie’s butt hits the pleather they’re peeling away at high speeds.

Shawn leans his head back, closing his eyes and listening to the three racing beats around him. His grandma’s hand is still over his. He can barely feel it.

“Is he awake?” Jules’s voice cuts through the beats, scratchy and ragged but beautiful, sweet and alluring, but if she wants to she can be overpowering and all-emcompassing and-and she’s like honey and he’s a fly and he’s so hungry.

“Kind of.” Gus’s voice is smooth, buttery as his well-cared-for-skin, rich, Gus is comfort and home and fun like a cup of hot coco and he’s so parched.

“What do you mean ‘kind of’?” Lassie’s voice is smooth too, but in a different way- more like a smooth cup of coffee, or smooth whiskey, something that should be bitter and harsh but when you appreciate it it isn’t, because Lassie is strong and steady and an assault on the senses in the best way and Shawn needs to have a taste of all of them.

“I’m starving.” His voice sounds strange- maybe he’s just not used to hearing himself so openly desperate. He’s used to feeling it, deep inside, but hearing it… based on the silence in the car, no-one else expected to hear it either.

“... How’s his neck, Guster?”

“I cleaned it up, but- oh, my god, I can’t look at it-”

“Do not throw up in this vehicle!”

“Carlton, that’s not the priority right now!”

Shawn laughs. He loves them. He loves them all so much. He wants to listen to them bicker forever. He wants to listen to their voices saying anything forever. He wants them, forever.

“Didn’t your grandmother tell you to stop that kinda thinking?” Rough, raspy, but not the way Gramv’s was- Shawn knows this voice better than any of the other hallucinations.

“Grandpa.”

“That’s right, we’re both here.” His grandpa is holding his other hand- that doesn’t make sense. The car isn’t shaped like that. He cracks his eyes open and sees his grandpa is halfway inside of the front passenger seat, sitting and leaning forward and holding his hand. Now he knows he’s hallucinating.

“He still thinks this isn’t real?”

“Be patient, dear. He’s processing a lot right now. It might not sink in for a while.”

“Right. Shawn, look out the window for me, would’ya?”

If his grandpa is a hallucination, it might be his brain trying to communicate something to itself. Shawn slowly turns his head, thunking it against the window to stare out into the nighttime sights of Santa Barbara. The glass should feel cool against his skin. It almost feels warm.

Gus had been really, really warm, now that Shawn thinks about it. Gus might have a fever. That sucks.

“Remember when you were a kid, and we’d sit on the bench and make up stories about people walking by?”

“Course. My one reprieve from dad.” His voice is still sluggish and quiet, but it’s coming back well.

“Let’s do that now, yeah? Tell me about uh… that guy there. What’s his story, you think?”

“I… I can’t… think right now, Grandpa. I’m hu-”

“I know, I know. We can eat after the game, how about it?”

“You can’t. You’re not real.”

“I’m dead, not imaginary. Indulge an old man, would you? How about… this girl. What’s her story?”

“... I… guess… she could be from anywhere, right? So… so she’s from Spain. She’s a… professional bull wrangler, for when they do the runs.”

“Good, good, I like that! And how about uh…”

“What about that fellow, with the giant hat?”

“Yeah, what about him?”

“He got that as a prize, for… for wrestling something big, like a… polar bear, or a whale.”

Everything begins to fade away as Shawn focuses on playing the game. He mumbles out stories, his grandparents encourage him, the heartbeats and the pain are still there but they blend into the background as his mind whirs and latches onto the task of making up stories. It becomes like a trance, a dream, and Shawn slips into it gratefully.

He’s blissfully unaware as the rest of the car have some difficult conversations.

[yarnandink]

Welp, it became a frogging day.

I'd nearly reached the end of the Fortune Cookie shawl pattern (Ravelry link), but I was increasingly dissatisfied with it. I'd made a couple of mistakes in frogging back the border, and wasn't happy with the point in the shawl and charts where I'd changed from the dusky rose pink yarn to the cream yarn for the border.

Moreover, the 'fortune cookies' that give the pattern its name look fine in the speckled cream-grey yarn used for the original test knit. But in the soft pink yarn I'm using, they looked less like fortune cookies and - frankly - more like vulvas.

Amusing though it might be to wear a shawl that at first glance looks like a fluttery romantic pink, but at closer glance looks mildly anatomical at best (and not amiss amidst pornography at worst)... I want to be able to wear my shawls to work and still keep my job.

So, a frogging day it became.

I am very glad I invested in a lovely recycled wood nostepinne, because I was able to cake the yarn directly from the shawl itself! Makes it much easier to start work on something new.

I've cast on and worked the first leaf/petal section of Stac Shoaigh (Ravelry link), but I'm planning to transition into the Tepal and Tulip charts of the Orange Tulip (Ravelry link) shawl!

I may even be able to figure out a way to adapt the edging chart from Fortune Cookie still, to incorporate the fluttery ribbed border still 🤞🏻

I guess time will tell...

[molsons112000]

So, whether a land bridge or a canal, both are very feasible for this area of Thailand.... It would speed up, logistics and reduce the coughs related to shipping between india and china and the surrounding countries....

Now designing the land bridge that could handle commercial rail. That could stack containers double stack or triple stack.. You would need much taller bridges in tunnels or double and triple stack... He would also have to reinforce the strength of the foundation under the rails or train real line...

Can you stack shipping containers vertically?

Most containers are designed to be stacked horizontally or vertically. And, containers should always be stacked in the way they were designed.Jan 3, 2023

https://www.forkliftcertification.com › ...

Guide to Stacking Shipping Containers Safely

They allow vertical stacking by aligning and locking with the container below, creating a secure, interlocked bond.Sep 21, 2023

Reddit · r/trains

10+ comments · 4 years ago

Do you guys ever think triple stack container trains will ever be a thing?

I would think not, just because of height restrictions of tunnels and bridges. Also the wind aspect would be way worse for 3 stacks.

Missing: cargo ‎four

Trainorders.com

https://www.trainorders.com › read

Double-Stack Question

Loading double stacks is typically done by loading all the bottom boxes on the track first, then following the packer down the track, one of the intermodal ...

Missing: cargo ‎four ‎freight

mobilemodularcontainers.com

https://www.mobilemodularcontainers.com › ...

Complete Guide to Stacking Shipping Containers

May 16, 2021 — Properly stacking shipping containers on the ground and on ships is critical to avoiding accidents, monetary losses, and OSHA penalties.

Missing: four ‎freight

Reddit · r/trains

110+ comments · 6 months ago

A Triple Stack Container freight trial on Western Dedicated ...

My understanding is this is mostly due to older tunnels which don't have clearances for double stack + catenary. Notice that this rail corridor ...

UNECE Wiki

https://wiki.unece.org › display › 5 ...

5 Stacking on ground and terminal operation with freight containers

Aug 25, 2014 — On the ground, the freight container should be supported by the four bottom container fittings only. When stacking freight

How to stop train tracks from buckling?

To prevent buckling from happening, hydraulic machines called rail tensors are used to artificially stretch rails as they are newly placed.

https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au › footer

Heat changes everything: PTV track structure and maintenance

How can track buckling be prevented?

Ballast shoulders are important to control the tendency of track to buckle in a lateral direction. A ballast shoulder of 6 inches is adequate to prevent lateral movement on tangent track, and a shoulder of 12 inches is generally recommended for sharper curves.Jan 3, 2014

https://interfacejournal.com › archives

Preventing Track Buckles - Interface Journal

How to fix railway sleepers on top of each other?

When fixing railway sleepers together, use steel landscaping screws as they are strong, won't corrode if they come into contact with timber treatment, and are available up to 250mm in length. With a hexagonal head they can be put in place using a power drill.Dec 3, 2021

https://www.howarth-timber.co.uk › ...

How To Fit Railway Sleepers Together - Howarth Timber

https://pelicancontainers.com › stac...

Stacking Shipping Containers Safely for Efficient Storage

Now, one way to improve rail sleepers that are wooden is to make wood as strong as steel....

How do you reinforce sleepers?

Using timber dowel to peg through sleeper lengths is another effective way to join timber providing additional strength for a more traditional look. We recommend using dowel alongside timber screws for fixings to ensure the sleepers are really secure.

https://www.wickes.co.uk › sleeper-...

Working with sleeper techniques - Ideas & Advice | Wickes.co.uk

This talks about real sleepers, and this is where the steel rail track sits on and they call it a sleeper....

Railwaysleepers.com

https://www.railwaysleepers.com › s...

Seven ways of fastening railway sleepers together

Some people fasten railway sleepers together with bolts or Timberlok Screws. Others use steel angle brackets or steel flat connector plates. Some

https://www.google.com/search?client=ms-android-comcast-us-rvc3&sca_esv=44aafcd442c2ff9c&sca_upv=1&q=Ways+to+reinforce+train+rail+beds&source=lnms&fbs=AEQNm0COabAucIQdzGgOV6zyCH49114ne6VEuJbL5isfzp-vzH3haa7CPqgEUHwcUrktU3Kx3XZBiknUfd3ri4NmaiAkDUi2mptHpLfMS6Tw7Wym1dckgdQlbEd02W11fiQ_7_Cbd3WteytwLRJOjz7ndRGoG1JC9K7aBcqWVtcFui2vR228VrdmwggyR2dRsYEvYYEsNHTpUdl80DKcEOm8WvYs7RUQGQ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwicutGx4JaHAxVwpo4IHe8MBkIQ0pQJegQIFRAB&biw=345&bih=706&dpr=2.63

So you can use new concrete reinforced, sleepers or like I said, you can make wood like steel and use wooden sleepers that are equal to the strength of steel...

Now they say that you can make wood stronger than steel. May be able to make it stronger than some high strength, titanium alloys! They say there is a simple way of doing this....

Can wood be made stronger than steel?

Some varieties of wood, such as oak and maple, are renowned for their strength. But scientists say a simple and inexpensive new process can transform any type of wood into a material stronger than steel, and even some high-tech titanium alloys.Feb 7, 2018

https://www.scientificamerican.com › ...

Stronger Than Steel, Able to Stop a Speeding Bullet--It's Super ...

https://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&client=ms-android-comcast-us-rvc3&source=android-browser&q=How+to+make+wood+stronger+than+steel

Now we solve the problem of the strength of the sleepers, which are usually wooden, making them as stronger stronger than steel...

Railway fasteners

http://www.railway-fasteners.com › ...

How To Build A Raised Bed With Railway Sleepers?

Oct 21, 2016 — Learn how to build a raised bed with railway sleepers, step by step including choose place,railway sleeper, oil, plant, etc.

stahlwerk-thueringen.com

https://www.stahlwerk-thueringen.com › ...PDF

GREEN STEEL - The Strong Partner of European Railways

The sleeper height can strongly influence the costs for existing tunnels, underpasses or overpasses: with concrete sleeper track, a sufficiently strong ...

11 pages·1 MB

YouTube · Weckenmann Anlagentechnik GmbH & Co. KG

4.5K+ views · 3 years ago

Production of concrete track sleepers

4:32

Track sleepers are manufactured using a circulation system. Thi

So you don't want water to build up the tracks? So you need to use something that is permeable, but still will support the Sleepers with a strong foundation... Now here they say crush rock. Maybe concrete reinforce pillar seawall style, maybe better...

What is the foundation for railway sleepers?

The railway sleepers will be joined together using rebar or metal spikes. Make sure the spikes you select are long enough to cut through the sleepers completely. Crushed stone or gravel: This will serve as the foundation for your wall. It aids in giving your sleepers stability and drainage.Feb 20, 2023

https://www.frank-key.co.uk › guides

How to Make a Garden Wall Out of R

https://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&client=ms-android-comcast-us-rvc3&source=android-browser&q=Making+incredibly+strong+foundation+the+sleeper+of+a+train+rail

So to keep the foundation in place a railroad track. You can use interlocking blocking foundations they use for seawalls.... See image number seventeen and the link below

https://www.google.com/search?client=ms-android-comcast-us-rvc3&sca_esv=44aafcd442c2ff9c&sca_upv=1&q=Interlocking+seawall+blocks+that+are+stronger+than+steel&source=lnms&fbs=AEQNm0DvD4UMlvdpwktgGj2ZHhIXtktV_n5Sb1mPlHT0eDBk5ZCzEaSTALdseHaccpMmpY1sNVJHcM26nw7MBj24m0lHg9TQ-AaogfjQOxiwBVp1L2thxduebdDWTkmq8SoLI8KmUlu-AQtJVj7b-FXVsZ5vggYKfvStLy9qi_4JFWSyLjiEzxLJN-7wY8jvNNwjb0GnPh3taR_xIHxo7CfBClhMyaNL5w&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiIhr-645aHAxVeoI4IHUfvBVMQ0pQJegQIFhAB&biw=345&bih=706&dpr=2.63

Now, here is the world's strongest permeable foundation. And this can be used for the foundation. In between the seawalls, railroad tracks to lay the sleepers on top tolay the steel rails on top for the train... There is more on this. The world's strongest permeable foundations, the link.Below the true grid link...

https://youtu.be/OPg7zgxivB0?si=7oYV_aNtPF6_fPWw

https://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&client=ms-android-comcast-us-rvc3&source=android-browser&q=The+world%27s+strongest+permeniable+foundation

https://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&client=ms-android-comcast-us-rvc3&source=android-browser&q=The+world%27s+strongest+permeniable+foundation

For the bridges that are needed for the trains. Here we are five new technologies to make train bridges or bridges, stronger and faster...

midas Bridge

https://www.midasbridge.com › blog

Top 5 New Advanced Technologies for Bridge Design

Dec 29, 2020 — 2. Innovative new construction materials for bridges. With rapid development of new technologies and materials, there has been

Progressive Railroading

https://www.progressiverailroading.com › ...

Railroads tackle major bridge projects to replace worn-out ...

Railroads tackle major bridge projects to replace worn-out structures, speed up trains and improve access to rail service · Saving time, improving safety.

O Gauge Forum

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com › ar...

Are Rail Bridges Built Better Than Highway Bridges?

Aug 19, 2014 — Road bridges and rail bridges have a common foe, salt. Highway ... Design methods have changed from Allowable stress design to Load ...

Missing: faster ‎| Show results with: faster

TeachEngineering

https://www.teachengineering.org › ...

Construction Technologies: Create the Strongest Bridge

Aug 21, 2018 — Create a design method. Observe quantitatively how bridges work under load and why engineers use different types of bridges for different places .

https://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&client=ms-android-comcast-us-rvc3&source=android-browser&q=New+ways+to+make+train+bridges%2C+stronger+and+faster

So how to sure up the foundation under the new permeable pavers? And under the sea walls, that will hold the rail line in place....

Corrosion Technologies

https://www.corrosionx.com › pages

Soil Stabilization, Erosion and Dust Control

From reducing dust and erosion, to improving the weight bearing and other engineered characteristics of roadways, parking lots, quarries, mines and more – there ...

Federal Highway Administration (.gov)

https://highways.dot.gov › deployin...

Deploying Technology in Challenging Terrain | FHWA

Many FLH projects use mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls for road widening and new road construction. Typical MSE wall construction in

Novatr

https://www.novatr.com › blog › r...

Innovations That Will Transform Road Construction

Mar 27, 2023 — In this blog, find out some key innovations that will transform road construction.

On a side note here is new innovations. In fixing potholes, and this might be necessary to fixing holes in the foundation's.That make up different structures...

ConExpo Con/Agg

https://www.conexpoconagg.com › ...

5 Technologies Changing the Pothole Filling Industry

Apr 9, 2024 — To meet the needs of workers filling potholes, companies have been developing new technologies that decrease the time it takes to fill them.

So also, you should look into technology that is self. Healing infrastructure that if something gets broken, it can repair itself, keeping it strong and stable for a long time.

Architect Magazine

https://www.architectmagazine.com › ...

Infrastructure is Failing—But These Roadway Material ...

Researchers are developing new technologies for self-healing asphalt, pothole prediction, and more.

Missing: reinforce ‎| Show results with: reinforce

BaseCore

https://www.basecore.co › soil-stab...

Soil Stabilization for Dirt Roads: New Techniques

Jun 22, 2022 — Eco-Friendly Soil Stabilization for Dirt Roads Reinforce the ground to withstand heavier vehicle traffic for longer, all while considering ...

PMGSY. Nic. in

https://pmgsy.nic.in › filesPDF

New Technology Initiatives in Rural Roads and Use of Marginal ...

Evolving environmentally optimized and climate resilient design for rural roads. Evolving pavement performance prediction models for determining rate of ...

52 pages·1 MB

Missing: reinforce ‎| Show results with: reinforce

Yahoo

https://www.yahoo.com › tech › a...

Has the potential to transform how we perform road maintenance

Apr 23, 2024 — "This innovative technology has the potential to transform how we perform road maintenance and enhance the driver experience

https://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&client=ms-android-comcast-us-rvc3&source=android-browser&q=New+technologies+to+reinforce+the+ground+under+roadways#ip=1

Here is also self healing technology... Technology that will correct its own problems...

Understanding Self-Healing in IT

In the realm of IT, this often incorporates machine learning (ML) algorithms and automation to predict, detect and respond to operational issues. Automation platforms with self-healing capabilities leverage AI to provide auto-remediation, optimizing systems and processes in real-time.Feb 14, 2024

https://www.advsyscon.com › blog

Self-Healing IT Operations: What To Know To Get Started

Red Hat

https://www.redhat.com › blog › ho...

How to implement a self-healing infrastructure

Nov 29, 2023 — Self-healing infrastructure leverages historical data-driven insights and automation to identify and resolve issues across hybrid cloud ...

Red Hat

https://www.redhat.com › resources

Accelerate your path to self-healing IT infrastructure

Apr 26, 2021 — Find out how organizations are using self-healing infrastructure to reduce costs, enhance security, and reduce the burden of compliance ...

Overview

Why now?

What is self-healing...

Evolving from DevOps to AIOps

ZIF.AI

https://zif.ai › building-a-self-heali...

Building a Self-Healing IT Infrastructure

Nov 22, 2023 — A self-healing IT infrastructure is critical for companies that deal with large volume of data on a daily basis.

https://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&client=ms-android-comcast-us-rvc3&source=android-browser&q=New+technologies+in+self+healing+infrastructure

So getting into self healing materials...

National Institutes of Health (NIH) (.gov)

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov › pmc

Advances in Materials with Self-Healing Properties: A Brief Review

by R Dallaev · 2024 — In this review, we provide an overview of recent advances in materials with self-healing properties, encompassing polymers,

here's new innovations in civil engineering dealing with self healing materials....

MDPI

https://www.mdpi.com › ...

Recent Advances of Self-Healing Materials for Civil Engineering

by CY Liao · 2024 · Cited by 1 — Empowering materials with self-healing capabilities is an attractive approach for sustainable development.

https://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&client=ms-android-comcast-us-rvc3&source=android-browser&q=New+insight+to+self+healing+material

To build it quickly, you'll need new innovations and earth moving technology...

Some of the new technology you can expect to see more of include:

Drones. Drones are quickly becoming more popular within the construction industry. ...

Data Collection Apps. Data collection projects are some of the most popular apps in the construction industry. ...

Building Information Modeling (BIM)

Jun 11, 2023

https://www.sitechsw.com › Blog

The Future of Earthmoving: Emerging Technology in ...

For Construction Pros

https://www.forconstructionpros.com › ...

Innovations Abound Among Earthmovers

Yet, the biggest buzz tended to center around those presented in the earthmoving sector. Here are some of the most significant new models featured at the show.

StartUs Insights

https://www.startus-insights.com › 5...

5 Top Excavation & Earthmoving Equipment Solutions

We analyzed 72 excavation & earthmoving equipment solutions. TRUVAC, Demine Robotics, Claw Manufacturing, V-Labs & BlueBanyan develop 5 top ...

gocodes.com

https://gocodes.com › new-technol...

7 Technology Innovations Impacting Construction Equipment

We'll give you an overview of new technology in construction equipment and discuss how these innovations are reshaping the industry.

https://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&client=ms-android-comcast-us-rvc3&source=android-browser&q=New+innovations+in+earth+moving+technology

There is new technologies, an eco friendly infrastructure

In addition to energy efficiency, water management plays a crucial role in sustainable infrastructure development. Technologies like rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, and permeable pavements are being incorporated into urban planning to mitigate the effects of water scarcity and urban flooding.Mar 1, 2024

https://www.linkedin.com › pulse

Advancements in Sustainable Infrastructure: Technologies ...

https://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&client=ms-android-comcast-us-rvc3&source=android-browser&q=New+innovations+and+building+eco+friendly+infrastructure

Image number 18 and 19 and the information in link below our strategies in reducing cost related to building construction infrastructure....

How can construction costs be reduced?

Value Engineering

Reducing Square Footage. One way to dramatically reduce costs is to just reduce the square footage of the entire home. ...

Choosing a Stock Design. ...

Reducing Lineal Feet of Logs. ...

Opt for a Simple Roof System. ...

Use Drywall on Interior. ...

More Modest Kitchen. ...

Don't Take a Bath on Your Bath. ...

Avoid Change Orders.

https://www.nahb.org › log-homes

8 Strategies for Reducing Construction Costs | NAHB

National Association of Home Builders

https://www.nahb.org › log-homes

8 Strategies for Reducing Construction Costs

One way to dramatically reduce costs is to just reduce the square footage of the entire home. Think small and cozy to slash costs. Another smart strategy is to ...

Locusview

https://www.locusview.com › 4-su...

4 Surprising Ways to Reduce Construction Costs

Reduce Human Labor Costs of Construction Projects · Invest in Grid Modernization for Aging

https://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&client=ms-android-comcast-us-rvc3&source=android-browser&q=Strategies+to+reduce+cost+of+building+new+infrastructure

Here is innovative ways of funding, financing, and delivering infrastructure projects....

State Resource Center: Innovative Infrastructure Funding, Financing and Delivery

Alternative Project Delivery Models.

Public Private Partnerships.

Long-term Asset Concessions and Asset Recycling.

Federal Loan, Loan Guarantee and Private Activity Bond Program.

Value Capture and Tax Increment Financing.

More items...•May 20, 2024

https://www.nga.org › projects › sta...

State Resource Center: Innovative Infrastructure Funding ...

https://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&client=ms-android-comcast-us-rvc3&source=android-browser&q=Innovative+financing+ideas+to+finance+infrastructure+projects

So, whether it's a canal or a land bridge in Thailand connecting these 2 bodies of water. I think is a great idea and it should bring lots of economic prosperity to thailand.... 2 new deep sea ports with rail connecting them. Maybe a better idea, then a canal..... Definitely.Less land the move so it can be done quicker.... It also should be easier to maintain....

But I hope the future of thailand keeps on getting brighter!!!!!! :)

https://youtu.be/N21S-jo3CF0?si=Yuc9FVzzBfWU6ERo

[theautismgoblin]

Golden Acrobat, In a Different Form, a Different Time

POP

The air in Gravity Falls was fresh this day, the breeze flowing gently through the pine needles and leaves of the trees. The creatures of the forest all roamed throughout doing their normal activities.

When suddenly, the wind shifted. It was like all the wind began to move in one steady direction, a localized spot in the air. Leaves swerved around in a spiral and then POP..

Someone was there now, a human seemingly. “Ahhhh, well hello Gravity Falls!!” They said in a loud joyful voice, as they stretched their arms above their head. 

The human had a pixie cut, their deep brown almost black bangs swooving upwards with curls covering the left side of their face, their eyes chocolate brown. They had a bit of chub on their face and looked to be about 15, and they were wearing a blanket covered in stars with a strangle symbol in the center on the back, alongside a T-shirt of some cat and skinny jeans. Their sneakers sunk a bit into the moist earth of the forest, it was only morning so the grass was still wet with dew. 

They swerved their head around scanning the forest, the disturbance of the air now gone. The nameless human didn’t recognize it or see it, but all the eyes of the birch trees surrounding them narrowed. Staring straight at them, questionaly and confusion, also seemingly Anger. 

But then, the human left the clearing they appeared in. Seemingly dancing through the forest humming something, something vaguely familiar to the residents of the forest, but they couldn't put their finger on it. No one knew who this was, but they all chose to steer clear of the intruder, kinda. 

They spun and leaped through the path, filled with joy and wonder. Constantly looking off into the forest, spotting the strange Flora and Fauna of the woods. The gnomes watched wondering if this could be their new bride, they looked feminine enough for it. The floating eyeballs and eye bats all watched from the shadows. The Soothsquitos all immediately spread out to tell the message of a newcomer in the forest. All the birds watched from their perches high up within the branches, some on the ground. 

The human seemingly knew of all of them watching and wondering, as they stopped and smiled, this big smile. The kind you would see light up a room, “I Can see ya, and Since I’m sure you are all very curious. I’m Alex! Alex FOX!” They said in a happy voice, their voice carried throughout the woods, as if everyone of the strange pinetree forest now knew the name of this stranger.

The citizens of Gravity Falls would later that same day have mosquito bites galore, as if a frenzy occurred. Like every mosquito in Gravity Falls became ravenous for little to no reason.  

Almost all of them said, “Tie Stac has Returnet, Webcome Alex”

(AN- I'm gonna start uploading this fic here too.)

Next Chapter

[chaseatinydream]

pirate king (4) || atz

You’re sitting at a tiny cove.

Your legs swing along the rocky ledge of the cliff you are on, dangling into the water. Beneath you, the water sparkles like liquid emeralds. Bright, colorful fish dart here and there around your feet and you laugh.

You leap down and there’s a splash, you’re waist deep in water. You move forward and forward until you’ve reached the mouth of the cove and the water comes up to your chin.

You close your eyes, take a deep breath, and submerge yourself.

Something soft and gentle brushes its way along your arms and you giggle underwater, bubbles escaping your mouth, but it’s of no concern to you. The soft arms caress you gently, as if you’re a precious treasure to them. You open your eyes.

Something stares back at you, glowing the colour of blood. It’s massive, almost twice your size, radiating some sort of curious light in the middle of the dark mass it’s in. Then it hits you.

It’s a single, unblinking eye.

You jerk awake with cold sweat running down your back and immediately regret it as you feel your head split in half from a sharp throbbing in your head. You groan, keeping your eyes tightly shut as you cradle your head in your hands, waiting for the pain to subside.

Something tugs lightly at your shoulder. No, not rope. Cloth? You start to panic when you realize that you are no longer tied to the mast.

Are they intending to kill you now?

“Ah, you’re awake.”

Your eyes fly open and you immediately shy away from the voice, pressing against the wall next to you. Your legs instinctively curl up to your body and you let out a cry of pain as your ankle knocks into wood.

“Don’t move, idiot.”

You look up to see the man talking to you. He’s tall and lightly built, dressed in a simple, oversized tunic and knee length shorts. Around his neck are a few silver chains, with strange symbols you don’t recognise, and his hair is a soft grey-green. Everything about him throws you off, he feels soft and reserved, nothing like a pirate.

Then you see the short dagger strapped to his left thigh.

You press against the wall more tightly, turning your face away from him. If he’s going to kill you, it might be more bearable if you can’t see it coming. You feel the tiny rocking of ocean waves.

“My name is Choi San, but you can just call me San.” The man begins to introduce himself, seating himself in a chair opposite you. You’re in a bed, you realize, as he continues to speak. “I’m the healer on board the Treasure, so I was responsible for treating your wounds. It’s admirable how you managed to keep quiet about a badly twisted ankle, an infected musket wound and a raging fever all at once.” There's something unsaid left in his voice.

You swallow.

“Especially for a woman.”

You freeze, all movement ceasing in a single second. Your hands unconsciously move up to your chest, only to find it unbound underneath a couple of layers of fabric.

Oh shit.

You’re definitely going to be shark food now.

“I haven’t told Hongjoong yet, if that’s what you were wondering.”

Your head whips around to stare at him in shock. His expression hasn’t changed the least, he still wears the same unreadable, blank face and you can’t tell whether he’s joking or he’s being serious. He has no reason not to report to the captain his findings, so why?

“It’s not my business that Hongjoong-ie is so blind he can’t tell the difference.” The healer leans back in a sturdy wooden chair, steepling his fingers with a calm gaze. You can’t tell whether that is comforting or terrifying. “Besides, I have a cat’s nature and I find my curiosity difficult to satisfy. So, if your story entertains me enough, I may keep your little secret from the captain. But I can see that you’re bursting to ask questions, so ask away.”

“Who undressed me?” Are the first words that tumble from your mouth. San chuckles at your question.

“Me.”

You groan in embarrassment and hide your face in your hands, unable to face him anymore. He snickers in amusement, and even though you can’t see it, his smile dimples his cheeks.

“No need to feel shy.” The man remarks, even though you can hear the mirth lingering in his voice. “I didn’t look. I just changed your bandages daily for the last two days.”

“I’ve been asleep for two days? That doesn’t make it any better.” Your words are muffled behind your fingers and you know your cheeks are tinged pink. “It’s still embarrassing.”

“I had to check you over for injuries.” San explains logically as you peer at him between the cracks in your fingers. “Who knows what else you might be hiding? I cleaned your wounds with salt water solution and bandaged you. As for your ankle, I splinted it with driftwood but don’t expect to walk normally for the next five to ten days or so.”

You gulp. Five days is more than you can afford.

“Is the captain going to throw me overboard?”

“As if I’d let him.” San’s complete indifference to Hongjoong’s authority surprises you, but you suppose even the captain needs to be on a healer’s good side in case he ever gets injured. This explains the sizable room and bed for the healer. Still, the informal way he addresses his captain is a little shocking. “He’s not going to waste all that effort I put into treating you. I used the last of my marigold petal antiseptic on your arm and he’d better get me more at Tortuga.”

You manage to stifle the tiny giggle that leaves your mouth, but San hears it anyways. He smiles slightly. “So, what’s your name?”

You pause, then answer as truthfully as possible.

“I don’t remember.”

To your surprise, San doesn’t try to call you a liar or force you to tell him some other answer. Instead he ponders your words carefully.

“That’s a common symptom among those who have head injuries. I was just telling Yeosang about them a few days ago.” You don’t know who Yeosang is, but you nod in understanding. You’re a little relieved that he seems to believe you, but is this a ploy to make you lower your guard? “They’re short term, but the memories usually come back after a few days or weeks. I don’t think I’ve met many who’ve forgotten their own identities though. Those usually die a few days after.”

“What?” You choke and suddenly you start coughing, your throat dry and scratchy. San reaches for a mug you hadn’t noticed before on his desk and passes it to you, filled with a fragrant green tinted liquid you don’t recognize. You can’t hide your suspicious look.

“It’s jasmine green tea.” San explains as he sits down again. “It’s helps calm the nerves and is also a fantastic cleaning solution for wounds as it prevents infection, but I prefer drinking it. My shipmates would rather ingest grog.” He sniffs in distaste and shakes his head. “Hongjoong knows what’s good for him, though. We’ve stayed in the cove for a couple days more because some of the scouting parties found tea leaves growing on one of the hills nearby. The rest are hunting deer with Shiber so we can have fresh venison tonight. It makes a nice change from eating preserved food all the time.”

As he continues to ramble about how some of the crew have started setting out nets to catch some fresh fish, you take a sip of the tea. It’s a little bitter with a warm, grassy flavor. You don’t enjoy it very much, but the next available option, grog, sounds even more unpalatable, so you choose to down the whole mug.

San pauses in his talking to nod his approval. “You’re a smart one. Anyway, as I was saying, the men usually die soon, but that’s because of internal bleeding in the skull. I found blood clots when I cut their heads open.”

You almost spit out the tea. “You cut their what open?”

The healer shrugs. “They’re already dead, so they don’t feel a thing.” When you continue to give him dubious, horrified looks, he starts to explain. “It’s for medical research! What I’m trying to say is, they don’t die because they lose their memories, they die because of the wound that caused them to lose their memories. From what I can see, you don’t have any such wound.”

“That’s reassuring.” You manage to say, thumping your chest. San nods.

“Captain said you claimed to have woken up in a prison cell in Raguza, am I correct?” He asks and you nod. San seems like a kind person and is the only one who is willing to help you. Then you pause.

“Raguza?” You repeat, unfamiliar with the name. San dismisses it with a wave.

“The town we raided a few days ago.” He explains, before carrying on. “He also said that you claimed to have no memory of how you came to be wearing the coat of a Royal Navy officer.”

You nod hesitantly. Even you’re aware of how unbelievable your story sounds. But San seems to be taking all of this in stride, better than you are, at least.

“Well, you could either be a skilled liar, insane, or telling the truth.”

You open your mouth to protest that nothing that has come out of your mouth has been a lie so far, but he holds up a hand to stop you. Your mouth closes with an audible clop.

“If you are a liar and are simply a spy of the Royal Navy here to steal the navigational maps, you must be a terrible one to present such a ridiculous story.” You try to protest again, but he continues. “From what I gather of my conversation with you, you are too sound of mind to be mad. So that only leaves me with one option. You are telling the truth.”

Just like that?

Something in you breaks down in relief and your shoulders sag. You’ve known that the whole time, that you’ve been telling the truth, that you have no memories. But suddenly, you’re not alone. Now, somebody believes you.

Someone understands.

You don’t even realize you’re crying until San reaches forward to brush the tears from your eyes. His fingers are gentle and warm, like Seonghwa’s hands. Then you start.

“Did Seonghwa bring me here? Where are we?” You look around the room you are in. You’re sitting on one of the two small beds in the cramped cabin, the shelves along the walls overflowing with written text, books and boxes with messily scribbled labels. There’s a small wooden table in the middle, a stack of paper in danger of falling off the side, and several stalks of dried plants on its surface. Opposite you is a wooden door.

“We’re in my cabin. You’re currently in Seonghwa’s bed. He offered to bed down with the rest of the crew until you recover.” San hesitates. “As for who brought you here… he asked not to be mentioned. It wasn’t Seonghwa.”

A frown tugs at your lips. Besides the kindly cook, who else would take any sympathy on you to come drag you here in the middle of a rainstorm? San shakes his head and gets to his feet.

“Don’t think too much about it.” Before you can protest, he moves over to the table and retrieves a small wooden box, opening its clasp. “Anyway, I was intending on returning this to you once you woke up.”

A thin, silver chain dangles from his fingers, at the end of which is a tiny, clear cut crystal. Small, delicately wrought silver leaves hold the crystal in place, and your mouth falls open in awe as San presses it into your hand. A kaleidoscope of reflected colors fall on your palm.

“It’s beautiful.” You breathe, lifting your hand to inspect the gem. San’s head cocks to the side in confusion.

“That is not the response I was hoping for, considering that I took it from your neck when I was undressing you.” He frowns, and your eyes widen in surprise.

“From me? As in, it was around my neck the whole time and I didn’t notice it?” You babble and San nods. He taps the largest silver leaf with a finger.

“Look at this carefully.”

There’s an inscription in the lid, beneath a carving of an elaborate swirl. You squint to make out the minuscule words.

I will be with you every step of the way.

You pause in shock at the revelation.

From before you lost your memories, from before you came to be in that tiny prison cell, you were not alone. If you just find the person who gave you this, you’ll know who you were before.

“You should keep it with you.” Gently, San takes the necklace from your hands and clasps it behind your neck. You’re silent in wonder, fingering the tiny crystal that nestles in the center of your chest. “Now, I should really go check on Wooyoung’s arm before he starts whining again.” He rises to his feet. “Do you have any last questions?”

“Is the captain really not going to throw me overboard?” You manage, gripping the tiny crystal in hand. At this, San really laughs.

“No. Although he did burn the Royal Navy coat you were wearing and tossed the ashes into the sea.” The healer replies as he plucks a small jar of ointment from a shelf. “If you give him no reason to kill you, he won’t.”

“Being alive seems to be reason enough to him.” You mutter unhappily under your breath, tucking yourself under the covers once more. Your eyelids are getting heavy once again. “The captain really hates the Royal Navy, doesn’t he? Why?”

Out of the corner of your eye, you see San shrug as he pulls a leather sling bag over his shoulder. “He has good reason to, but it’s not my story to tell.”

Then he crosses over to you and tucks the blankets a little more securely around you. His grey eyes are soft.

“Go to sleep. I’ll come back and tend to you later.” San’s voice is gentle and melodic, like a lullaby.

You close your eyes, still clasping the small crystal in your hand. “Okay.” You murmur in reply, pulling the blanket closer around you. “Just for a while more, then.”

You don’t wake up till a day later.

[helenahxnts]

una canzone piano piano. | self-para.

When: Present-day. Where: The Mousehole; Helena’s room. Plot: Helena has a chat with her best-kept secret. (Italic dialogue is in Italian. Regular dialogue is in English.)

Usually Helena didn’t mind her work in the armory. It was a good way to spend her time, something that came easy. But the past few hours, she’d just felt—twitchy. Trapped. The day had seemed to drag on and on. The past few had, really, the masquerade and all its consequences cutting sharply through the rose-tint she’d been enjoying since her birthday. It had been nice, enjoying the bubble of calm before it popped.

And she was overdue for a check-in, besides.

Helena shook herself out a bit as she stepped into her room, the door closing quietly behind her. She leaned back against the cool wood, closing her eyes. One breath; two. No one in the hallway. Music playing from across the way, loud enough that her voice wouldn’t register. Helena blew out a slow sigh, opening her eyes again and pulling the phone out of her pocket. Ignoring her text notifications, Charlie’s snaps, the unread email notifications. Everything. Because there was only one person she wanted to talk to when she felt the way she did, only one person who instantly made everything better. Helena opened her recent calls, one name so much more common than all the others. 

Amazing, how completely separate the most important person in your life could be from everyone else you know and love. How easy it was, how ridiculously easy, to keep all of them believing he didn’t even exist at all. Just another ghost.

Helena’s thumb pressed down on the name Pino. She brought her phone up to her ear as the screen changed, holding her breath as the line rang. And rang. And then—

“Ah, there’s my little huntress.” 

Just like that. Helena closed her eyes, shoulders slumping. The phone pressed firmer into her ear, uncomfortable against the delicate cartilage, as though that would ensure she didn’t miss a single word to the crackle of static.

“Hey, Sal.” 

“Don’t you ‘hey, Sal’ me, Helena Rosa,” Salvatore replied, though Helena could hear the smile in his voice. He switched back to Italian, and she could practically see the quirk of his mouth, smell his aftershave. Helena missed her cousin with such a sudden ferocity that it made her chest ache. “Do you have any idea how worried I’ve been? You barely call your old cousin Sal anymore, and you know I can’t call you now that you’ve decided to live in a damn commune.”

“Are you s—Sal, it’s not a commune.”

“It’s a commune. And radio silence after I see, in the news of all places, that Lex Luthor hosted a charity gala in that trash heap of a country? And that there were technical difficulties and a sabotage attempt? Helena. What the fuck.”

“No one was sabotaging any galas, come on. You know he has the news in his pocket.”

“Obviously, I’m not an idiot. My point is that Luthor was there, something went wrong, and then you didn’t call. I had half a mind to fly over there, set something on fire, and wait for one of your commune buddies to come find me.”

"I’m fine, I swear. Nothing happened to me. I didn’t mean to take so long. It’s just—one of my teammates wasn’t well, I was worried. And then Wildcat... it doesn’t matter. It’s a long story.” Helena pushed off the door and headed over to her bed, sitting at the edge. Ugh. It felt dishonest to refer to Vic as her teammate, and even worse, to Sal of all people. But that didn’t feel like the sort of conversation she wanted to have right then. Not after what the week had looked like, the echoes of that dread-sick feeling she’d had that night that still twisted her stomach when she met Vic’s bloodied-up eyes. Helena didn’t want to get into it. Especially not with Sal already dealing with the repercussions of her other ill-fated barely-romance, with Tony Angelo. Speaking of— “Hey. Did you manage to sell the necklace? You said you were having the meeting this morning.”

A sigh. “Yeah. Sold all the diamonds off for parts. Got a nice fat stack of euros waiting for you.”

“I don’t want it. I told you to keep it, so keep it. I'm not accepting gifts from him.” The package had ruined Helena’s mood for most of her birthday, actually. Not that it had ever been a particularly fun day without family to celebrate with. After her parents and brother had died, after the calm she’d found in Sicily had been broken up with Sal and Uncle Nicola getting taken away. So it wasn’t like Helena loved the day, even now that she had friends who wanted to celebrate it with her. And the added stress hadn’t been welcome. If the night hadn’t ended the way it had...

“Still think it’s a shame, cuz. You’re the only woman in the world who’d turn down something like that. It was a gorgeous piece; you would’ve done well to keep it. I wouldn’t have told anybody if you didn’t.”

“As if you have anybody to tell anything to anymore, Father,” Helena snorted. Sal laughed on the line, the sound warm. “And it’s not like I have anywhere to wear a diamond choker. Tacky.”

“Maybe so, maybe so. When are you coming home? Since we’ve just established I have no one to talk to but other priests. And nuns, but, you know. Trying to avoid those, after what happened last time.” 

Helena sighed, already knowing what was coming. “Sal, you know I can’t.” 

“‘Can’t.’ Please.”

“Sal.”

“You can and you know it, you’re just afraid that they’ll follow you. Which they won’t. You know they won’t.” 

Helena grimaced, tightening her grip on the phone. “I can’t know that.”

“You killed them before they clocked you, like I taught you. Got rid of their equipment and the bodies on the other damn side of Gotham. No one’s going to know.”

“I can’t be sure,” Helena stressed. God, she hated how reasonable he sounded. How paranoid he made her feel for trying to keep him safe. “And neither can you. If they follow me—”

“What’s the worst that could happen if they follow you, though? Really, tell me. You think I’d ever let anything happen to you?” 

“It’s not me I’m worried about, Sal!”

“What, this again? Helena, come on...”

“If they find you—”

“So what? You think I wouldn’t be able to take care of myself?”

“I don’t care! It’s irrelevant! If anything happened to you—”

“Cuz, nothing’s going to happen to—”

“—I wouldn’t be able to live with myself!” She’d ended up yelling, against her best intentions. Silence rang between them for a moment, Helena’s blood pounding in her ears. “You’re too important,” she said, quietly. Salvatore sighed on the line. Helena shook her head, ducking it. Resting her forehead on her palm, elbow propped on her knee, eyes shutting again. “I can’t bring this down on you, Sal. I can’t take chances. I can’t. It’s dangerous. These people—they’re crazy. I can’t even... I can’t even begin to risk it. Not you.” Helena’s hand slid lower, palm pressing to a closed eye until she saw stars. “Never you.”

“Helena.” God, but Sal sounded every one of his forty years when he said her name like that. What’d happened to the smooth-talking sixteen year old boy who’d shown up in Gotham to take her back home? (Life. What had happened to both of them.) “I’m sorry. Just... calm down, okay? Nothing’s happening to me. I promise.”

“I didn’t mean to yell.” Helena sighed and collapsed back on her bed, staring up at her ceiling. Just like that, the tension ebbed. “It’s just... Everything is spinning out of control.” ISA agents crashing through her window. Charlie, thousands of miles away. Steph’s nightmares. Bruce drawing in on himself. Barbara’s secret... whatever with Red Hood. Stark’s heart attack. Ted’s bloodied hand on his flask. Vic’s pupils blown wide as dimes and full of ghosts. Helena closed her eyes tight, biting down on her bottom lip for a moment. No one to see her crack a bit. Just Sal. “Everything’s been spinning out of control. For years. I don’t want any of my mess to get anywhere near you.”

“You know I’d take it happily,” Sal replied. Helena swallowed. He always sounded so damn sure. “If it meant you could get away from that insanity. You don’t belong there, Helena. With whatever aliens or superhumans or whatever you’re holed up with. No one does.”

“I know,” she murmured. Because he wasn’t wrong. She really was superfluous, wasn’t she? Just another body, an all-human, easily-breakable body, taking up more space. And a part of Helena, a big part, wanted to listen to him. To pack her bags and leave, to never look back on the handful of months she’d wasted in a mountainside castle in a country barely big enough to fit its own name on a world map. 

But she still couldn’t leave. Couldn’t leave her Birds, couldn’t be with family and bring the ISA down on Charlie or Sal in the off-chance that they had cracked her identity. 

Just another impasse. Another one of many they’d had over the past three years. 

It was Salvatore’s turn to sigh. “But you’re staying.” It wasn’t a question.

“Yes.”

“Of course you are. Jesus Christ, Helena Rosa. You might be the stubbornest damn person I’ve ever met.”

“Probably.”

“I’m not going to stop disagreeing with you about this,” Sal warned. But he must have sensed her mood, because he softened. The same way he always did. “But I don’t want to argue, come on. Talk to me, tell me what’s going on with you.” Helena heard the smile returning to his voice. She felt like her heart was bleeding with how much she loved him in that moment. “Maybe talk a little bit extra about that pretty blonde Canary of yours.”

Or not. “Ugh. Sal.”

“You love me.”

“Unfortunately.”

“Come on, superhero gossip. I need something to distract from the rest of the day, I actually had a lady calling to see if I did exorcisms...” 

“Ooh, you’ll have to tell me about that.” A smile tugged at Helena’s mouth. Inevitably. Because despite everything, Sal made things better. So much better. She looked up at the ceiling with a little quirk of her mouth, already feeling lighter. “But let’s see. I actually made a friend, I think...”

[yugopk]

Scotland’s Best Highland and Islands both Weekend Adventures

Eastern Highlands

Lochnagar and Gelder Shiel Stable bothy from Balmoral

Why do it? An adventurous tour of the impressive northeastern Lochnagar corrie from the Gelder Shiel stable, with a grandstand view of the rocks overlooking the loch that gives the mountain its name

Distance 13 miles; 6.5 to 8 hours over two days (in summer)

Rising nobly above Royal Deeside, on the edge of the vast Mounth Plateau, Lochnagar is one of the most famous hills in the Cairngorms. The mountain is the focal point of the southern quarter of this vast protected region, its most important characteristic being an immense amphitheater of fractured granite buttresses which inspired Byron's moving poem in 1807, Lachin Y Gair.

From the Easter crossroads Balmoral (57.0325, -3.2129), head towards the chalets of the domain, through the dark woods of Dubh-chlais, and head towards the grouse heath below Lochnagar. The Gelder Shiel stable is hidden in a small stand of old Caledonian pines, directly opposite a hunting lodge commissioned by Queen Victoria - the three miles will last approximately 90 minutes. Both have bunk beds, a wood stove and an outdoor toilet.

After storing your night bag, take a day bag and set off through the wavy heather-covered moraines that run down from Lochnagar Corrie (the seven-mile round trip will take around five hours). When the track stops abruptly, continue on a weak path which traces a regular route towards the high rocks. Off piste, away from the crowds, you get used to the frightened cries of the black grouse that run to the sky from the undergrowth, and to the sight of hares rushing between the rocks piled up in front of the chick lip. Suddenly, the dark and curved lochan appears, and above him the imposing rocks. The breathtaking scale of the scene is only really evident if there are climbers on the rock wall. Since the beginnings of Scottish mountaineering, the dizzying rocks have attracted a succession of robust mountaineers.

From the flow of Lochnagar burn, climb to the bealach (pass) south of Meikle Pap, looking back at spectacular views of the Chur, which quickly feels a distant world. Now take the well worn trail leading from Glen Muick and cross the cliff edge to the summit, Cac Carn Beag. On a clear day, a splendid panorama takes place: Ben Macdui and the central plateau of Cairngorm are immutable in the northwest, while the enormous whale of Beinn a'Bhùird and the distinctive twists of Ben Avon dominate the horizon above. from Deeside.

To complete the circular walk to Gelder Shiel, descend steeply northwest to a bealach (pass), then follow the stream to Lochnagar creeks and look for the way back to both. Settle in for the night, before quietly returning to Balmoral the next morning.

• Open all year. Contact Yugo.pk (0092-311-1123-359) before planning a trip between September 1 and October 20

Northern Highlands

Suilven and Suileag bothy from Glencanisp Lodge

Why do it? This is one of the most beautiful mountain walks in Scotland, with a stop at Suileag Bothy, under the formidable sandstone foothills of Suilven. There is a magnificent view from the dome of the summit over the rugged peaks and the ribbon lochs of Assynt

Distance 12 miles; 6-8 hours over two days

It's easy to be wowed by one of Assynt's distinctive sandstone peaks, but the striking monolith of Suilven (Sulr Bheinn or Pillar Mountain) and the thrill of its spectacular panorama at the top inspired their fair share of prose, of poetry and song. Scottish bard Norman MacCaig wrote about the work of ascension and the reward of views in his poem Climbing Suilven. Marked in battle by successive waves of glaciation, the hills here are unique in Scotland, listed in its first geopark, which received UNESCO status in 2006. Although guarded by formidable intimidating foothills, the dome of the western summit de Suilven, Caisteal Liath, is much easier to climb than it seems. From the parking lot for walkers on the road to Glencanisp Lodge from Lochinver (58.1463, -5.2182), Suileag bothy is a 3 km hike (about 90 minutes).

Once through the estate buildings, take the stalkers' path just beyond Loch Druim Suardalain and head towards the open moor. The turn towards Suileag bothy is marked by a cairn and appears soon. Named Gaelic for "little eye" or "loop", it is a long one-story stone cottage with an impressive view of Suilven from the front door. There is room for half a dozen people. If you arrive early, reserve a space on one of the platforms for your return after the day.

From both, head towards the foot of the Suilven and climb the steep slope to Bealach Mòr. Anticipation is built as you approach the peak of the summit, and the view does not disappoint. The panoramic profiles of Cùl Mòr, Stac Pollaidh and Ben More Coigach extend to the south, beyond the fascinating curves of Fionn Loch and Loch Sionasgaig, while to the north there are tantalizing glimpses of Foinaven and Ben Hope at beyond the complex crest of Quinag. Turn west through a breach in a dike of dry stones and climb to the dome of the summit, the view of the protected desert widening with each stride. There are a few difficult steps to negotiate, but nothing too difficult. At 731 meters, the summit of Suilven is relatively low, but it strikes well above its weight. Come back triumphantly towards the two, retrace your steps along the slope and settle down for a night by the traffic light (the round trip of seven miles should take around five hours) or continue to the parking lot if you return home. you. Whatever the weather, it's an unforgettable expedition.

Inner Hebrides

Jura’s remote coastal bothies, Cruib and Ruantallain

Why do it? This three-day round trip takes two magnificent allies along the isolated and uncompromising north shore of Loch Tarbert in the Jura. A haven for wildlife, one of the most beautiful landscapes in Scotland

Distance 17 miles; 12 hours a day

The west-facing Jura coastline has been carved into a procession of quartzite cliffs, caves and raised beaches that are as distant and inaccessible as in Scotland. A world away from Glasgow, but barely 80 kilometers as the crow flies, it is home to a large population of red deer and wild goats roaming the open moor. Golden eagles and buzzards soar, and otters and gray seals share rocky skerries. Crossing this wild coastline is a real journey of discovery.

Arriving on the small vehicle ferry from Port Askaig on neighboring Islay, follow the A846 round to Craighouse, and pass the broken slopes of the Paps du Jura, through the small hamlet of Tarbert. Park in the little layby just beyond a stand of conifers above Tarbert Bay (55.9787, -5.8397). From Monday to Saturday, a regular Feolin Ferry bus stops on request.

Head west across the mudflats out of Loch Tarbert, and negotiate a patchwork of peat bogs and tussock to the coast, using intermittent deer trails. The Jura takes its name from the old Norse for "the island of deer" - and the local herd is much more numerous than humans. Finally, spy on Cruib bothy, in the corner of a secret cove, about three hours after your departure (the walk is 3¾ miles). Expertly renovated in 2012, the common room of the two would not seem out of place in a youth hostel, with a sleeping platform, armchairs and a raised library above the fireplace.

Well rested, took a circular day trip to Ruantallain Bothy. Take a trail leading west over the moor to the headland, where the two are behind a low bluff in a breathtaking location. The view to the south is framed by Loch Tarbert and the Paps du Jura, and from the point there is a rare view of Colonsay, the last stop before Newfoundland. Wildlife is abundant. Along with red deer and wild goats, otters and gray seals are regular visitors, and cormorants and cormorants roost on the rocks.

Ruantallain (55.9772, -6.0004) is a return to a bygone era, crammed with old furniture and dishes left in the 1950s and lit only by a small window facing south. You can also stay here overnight, but it's much easier to explore the coast without a hitch with a heavy backpack. Return to Cruib via the coast, allowing time to explore the many hidden caves and raised beaches (allow six hours for the 9½ mile round trip). After a second night, reluctantly return to civilization.

Western Highlands

Knoydart and the Rough Bounds via Sourlies bothy

Why do it? This is a daring expedition through a beautiful hiking country, with an overnight stop at Sourlies, one of the two most popular in Scotland. And this isolated and rugged terrain is accessible via public transportation

Distance 27 miles; 5 hours over two / three days

Renowned for its steep peaks, deep lochs and rugged, rugged terrain, the Rough Bounds has some of the most beautiful mountain scenery in Scotland. And by coincidence, it also has the highest concentration of two countries in the country. There are several possible passageways connecting these remote shelters, but this expedition is the group's choice.

Accessible only by boat or on foot, the small village of Inverie, on the west shore of the Knoydart peninsula, exudes a unique atmosphere. Arriving by ferry from the Mallaig rail terminal, leave the day trippers behind and cross the village past the tempting pub (the Old Forge is perhaps the most distant hotel in mainland Britain) and exit in the open valley. Now head along the Inverie River to Gleann Meadail, at the top of the saddle and down to the ghostly ruin of Carnoch.

Loch Nevis is soon close at hand, where an obvious path climbs to higher ground and then descends to Sourlies Bothy (56.9935, -5.5190), above the mud flats at the head of the loch (the 9¼ miles will take approximately six hours to finish). After the hard-won walk, there is a real feeling of satisfaction when you soak up a fjord landscape that could be Norway or New Zealand.

This Bothy is justifiably popular, though it is only a small one-room hideaway, so in the summer be prepared to camp just outside.

If you hope to take the evening train from Glenfinnan, you must stop in the morning. From Sourlies, head to the Glen Dessarry watershed and descend to A’Chuil bothy nestled under a coniferous cover on the other side of the valley (allow four hours for the five-mile hike). You could spend the night here, or just take a well-deserved rest.

Continue to Glen Pean and climb to Bealach a ’Chaorainn. Get off abruptly at Corryhully bothy for a final pit stop. A few hundred meters before the main road, pass under the Glenfinnan viaduct (better known today as the Harry Potter bridge) and continue to Glenfinnan station (about 13 miles and seven hours from Sourlies), admiring the view of the north end of Loch Sheil.

Back on the train, you feel a real sense of accomplishment. Walking is difficult for one night / two days, but using A’Chuil bothy means that it can become a two night / three-day adventure.

Central Highlands

Rannoch station to Corrour station via Ben Alder Cottage

Why do it? This is a classic two-day expedition through the vast highlands of the central Highlands, spending the night in the atmosphere and reputed to be haunted by both Ben Alder Cottage

Distance 18.5 miles; 9-11 hours over two days

Since the 1920s, stravaigers and walkers have sought solitude in the empty quarter of the sprawling Grampian Mountains, bounded by the West Highland Railway and the route over the Drumochter Pass from Blair Atholl to Aviemore. Dominated by the Ben Alder plateau and the long muscular arm of Loch Ericht, this remote region is distinguished by the absence of public roads, houses or people. This exceptional weekend expedition takes you to the heart of this wilderness, using consecutive stops on the railway line.

Above a semicircular bay by the lake, Ben Alder Cottage has long had a reputation for being haunted, although this has not affected its popularity. Both are very comfortable, with bunk beds in a separate dormitory, as well as sleeping platforms in the two common rooms.

From Rannoch station there is a minibus to reserve for the six-mile route along the B846 to the start of the walk: a marked forest tracks half a mile past the bend to the bridge. Gaur (56.6866, -4.4399). Heading towards the freshly scented spruce and towards the open moor, you quickly get your first glimpse of the wavy plateau covered with granite in the distance. This view becomes even more impressive when you reach the southern edge of Loch Ericht and begin the journey along the shore to both. When the trail stops, continue on an obvious path that winds above the water's edge before cutting inland to a rocky mound, An Grianan. A little further, cross the Alder Burn via a footbridge to arrive at Bothy. Ben Alder Cottage sits in the shadow of the mountain, an encouraging sight after a few hours of solid walking (expect the 8½ miles to take about five hours).

The cottage was originally named for the deer forester Joseph McCook, who lived here with his family at the turn of the 20th century. Once retired, the chief stalker concocted terrifying stories in an attempt to scare off unwanted visitors who took refuge in the empty building. Although the stories have no factual basis, many threads of seeing or hearing a ghost have been embellished over the years, even by luminaries such as climber and author WH Murray, who has told a story of the mysterious scratching. of studded boots outside the cottage in his book Undiscovered Scotland.

After (hopefully) a good night's sleep, the walk will take you to Corrour station for an evening train - allow six hours to cover the 16 kilometers. First, go up the stalkers' path to the pass on the southern flank of the plateau and descend to the Uisge Labhair river, which is clearly visible. After crossing the river, follow an obvious path to the magnificent tree-lined Loch Ossian. Continue around the loch and continue to the station. The warm embrace of the Station House café is a great reward for your efforts (open from the end of March to the end of October) before taking your train.

• Open all year round with unlimited access. During deer control (mid-August to February 15), respect the trails if possible and use prominent ridges to access the hilltops.

Both are open shelters with no reservation system or caretaker. Just show up with all the items you would take with you when camping, plus candles and fuel for the fire. Both have no facilities (gas, electricity or tap), but with a little initiative can become a comfortable home. Many have sleeping platforms and wood stoves. Use fast-flowing streams for water. Mountain walking in winter requires specialized equipment and experience. For the uninitiated, it is essential to attend a winter skills class before attempting unguided hikes. Before you embark on any of these routes, consider the forecasts. Weather conditions can deteriorate quickly, making navigation particularly difficult, especially in winter.

[stephanocardona]

Detail of an insect hotel by ChristinaHanck

[choiceslife]

When Worlds Collide: Part Three (Limited Series)

Disclaimer: Based upon characters in Choices - Endless Summer, It Lives in the Woods, The Royal Romance, #LoveHacks, Home for the Holidays, and The Elementalists series. All characters presented are the property of Pixelberry Studios. I claim no ownership. This story is purely the work of the poster as fanfiction.

Overall Series Rating: 18+

Warnings: Adult Language, Adult Content, Sexual Discussions. Future chapters may contain SMUT and Gratuitous Sexual Descriptions

Overall Series Summary: The sisters are together again and Ava Cunningham believes only they can help her.

Author’s Note: This Limited Series is a companion/sequel to Divided By Circumstance. I suggest you at least read that series in order to understand this one. As with most of my stories, this is a crossover and is part of my interconnected Chromatic AU. My MC’s are as follows: Carrissa Monroe (TRR), Abby Bennett (#LH), Scarlett Joy (HFTH), Taylor Reed (ES), and Donovan Bailey (TE). Previous Chapters can be found in my Master List located in my header.

Tag List: @cinnamonroll-duffy @darley1101 @brightpinkpeppercorn @debramcg1106 @regrettingnathan @katurrade @teamtomsato @luxurylives @akrenich @riseandshinelittleblossom @ladynonsense @kinkykingliam @jlouise88 @wescott-imogen @eileendannie @littlecrookedheart @i-choose-liam @tmarie82 @bobasheebaby @boneandfur @europeanguy @walkerismychoice @pixieferry @sstee1 @endlessly-searching-for-you 

***

Penderghast University

“We have to do something now,” Beckett pleaded with the others. “The Learned One, while indeed smart for not being naturally born of magick, doesn’t know the potential consequences of her actions. If she convinces The Sisters to use their power, the floodgates of villainous and sinister beings could be upon them all in minutes.”

“Beckett’s right,” Shreya nodded. “We must get to them once they are all out of the main public space.”

“Stop disagreeing... Wait what? I’m right? First Griffin and now you?” Beckett looked confused. He wasn’t used to any of Donovan’s friends agreeing with him. “Are you both under some sort of enchantment?”

Donovan clasped a firm hand onto Beckett’s shoulder. “Relax buddy. When you’re right, you’re right. Griffin and Shreya are nothing if not honest.” He felt the tension release in Beckett’s shoulder and watched as his sour expression dissipated. “So, how do you think we should handle this?”

“Leave that to me,” Griffin replied before Beckett could answer, stepping through the mirror portal without warning.

The others stood dumbfounded for a moment, but quickly followed Griffin through, not sure of what to expect.

“Oh I guess we’re doing that,” Zeph commented before following his friends through the mirror.

___

New York City, New York - Manhattan

Carissa never experienced the swanky VIP rooms of New York nightclubs when she lived in the city. She never imagined that it would take her becoming Queen of a small kingdom to gain her access to one, nor did she expect her first time would be shared with two new siblings and a group of college-aged kids. However, her life was anything close to normal these days. Which made the pronouncement she just heard even more shocking. “You wanna tell me that again?”

“You’re a witch, Queen Carissa,” Ava said rather flatly. Typically, she would have eased into a truth bomb like that, but she sensed that the Queen was the type who preferred a direct approach. “And so are your two new sisters. And I don’t mean witch as a play on bitch. I’m talking legit spells and powers witch.”

“I don’t know what’s in these drinks at this place, but damn. Witches?” Abby said with a laugh. She had heard some far-fetched stories interviewing subjects before, but none as outlandish as being a witch. There was one interview subject that did come close though. He swore on his life that Raines Corporation CEO, Adrian Raines, was immortal. Abby didn’t believe him, but she looked into the story anyway. It was an excuse for her to meet the fetching billionaire. She managed to interview Adrian and, as she suspected, nothing ever panned out with the man’s claims. Abby managed to score few dates with Adrian, however, before moving to San Francisco. But being a witch? She very much doubted it. “Why couldn’t you find me in college? I would’ve put a curse on Amy to stop being a thunder...cat. Thundercat. You know what I’m saying.”

“I agree,” Scarlett added, highly doubtful of Ava’s sanity. “Three sisters. All witches. I’ve seen that show. It’s called Charmed. Is there a slayer named Buffy, a pair of hot brothers that roam the country hunting demons, and a group of attractive werewolves residing in Beacon Hills too?”

Ava opened her mouth to answer, but before she could, a voice from the shadows replied. Everyone spooked for a split second, before their attention turned towards the sound. Mara immediately drew her weapon and trained it in the general area of where the voice was emanating.

“All of that is indeed true,” the deep male voice said. His form was still obscured in darkness. “Buffy is a real person who secured a dimensional passageway in Sunnydale. The Winchester brothers are quite the skilled demon hunters, although the show takes some liberties with the number of times the two have averted the apocalypse. And Scott McCall is quite a dashing looking werewolf. Although, if you ask me, Deputy Jordan Parrish is the sexiest being in Beacon Hills.”

“Show yourself,” Mara demanded, her weapon ready for use should the situation escalate.

“The Queen should consider a new security detail,” Jake chuckled in a whisper as he lightly elbowed Dan in the ribs. “Everyone keeps getting the drop on Agent Scully over here.”

The figure slowly emerged from the shadows, followed by four others on his heel. “What better way to operate in the world undetected than to have pop culture depicting you as fiction?”

As his face came into view, Ava’s mouth hung agape, unable to believe her eyes. “Griffin?” she questioned curiously. “Is that really you?” Ava ran over and wrapped her arms around the broad shouldered teen who equaled her in height. “I haven’t seen you in forever. Damn you’ve grown!” She clamped her hands on both of Griffin’s muscular shoulders in complete awe of his size.

“Ma’am you know him?” Mara questioned, her weapon still drawn.

“Yes. He’s my cousin.”

___

Ava excused herself and Griffin from the group, finding a secluded corner while Mara holstered her weapon. “What are you doing in New York? Did you see me in the club? How the hell did you and your friends get in here? Does your mom know...” Ava cut herself off before pulling her cousin back into a second hug. It had been about a decade since she last saw the kid. Back then, he was an 8-year-old pain in the ass and she was a moody pre-teen still dealing with the trauma of her friend’s death. But time and friendship have helped to Ava cope, which allowed her to appreciate Griffin’s sudden appearance. “How are you?”

His megawatt smile could put even the most harden person at ease and Griffin flashed it proudly helping his cousin relax. “I’m here to help you Ava. My friends and I know why you’ve sought out The Sisters. You have to know there is danger involved with telling them.”

“Danger? What kind of danger?”

“Without getting into too much detail, I know that you’re a witch and able to conjure magic. You’re actually known as The Learned One in our realm.”

“Seriously? I’m famous?” Ava beamed with pride before the rest of Griffin’s comment sank into her mind. “Wait. Your realm?”

Griffin nodded. “Not you per se, but magical people are aware that there is a non-magical human with strong, learned powers developing. My friends and I are students at a magical university that helps us hone our naturally attuned abilities. It exists in a realm parallel to this one. Because of some of our research in trying to solve something else, I was able to sense your situation and danger. There are forces in my realm trying to seek out power tied to my friend Donovan.” Griffin motioned to the tall, blond guy that looked like he stepped off the pages of an Abercrombie ad.

“He’s cute. Just a friend?”

“Maybe something more. He’s close with Beckett too though. The guy in the blue blazer. So I dunno what will happen.” Griffin realized the conversation veered off track and he playfully tapped Ava on the arm for talking about his love life. “Anyway, I have a feeling that the power The Sister’s possess may be similar in nature to Donovan’s, only their power is tenfold.”

Worry and panic appeared in Ava’s eyes. “So you’re saying if I help them find their power in order to aid Taylor’s return to Earth, I’d be endangering the whole world?”

“It’s a possibility. You need to be prepared for the worst. Shreya, Zeph, and Beckett helped me prep a few things to assist with your mission.” Griffin pulled a talisman and two vials of potion from his pocket and passed it to his cousin. “The talisman will help obscure your location whenever you perform the ritual. The vile of red liquid will help bind The Sister’s power once more when you use it in conjunction with the incantation I know you have memorized. And finally, the blue liquid will help erase the memories related to the discussion of The Sister’s abilities and will replace them with a false memory of your creation. It will help to keep you all safe. If nobody remembers The Sister’s powers exist, then nobody can accidentally expose them to the world.”

“And what about you and your friends? You all know now.”

“I enchanted the portal we came through with the same power as the potion and already chose a memory of us dancing the night away in a New York nightclub. Once we return to our realm, we’ll have no recollection of ever being here with you.”

__

“Damn. Ava’s been holding out on the fact that she has a super-hot cousin,” Cade whispered to Lucas. “And his friends look good too.” He kept his voice low so Ava wouldn’t hear him, but it wasn’t low enough to avoid Stacy’s attention.

“You’re dating my brother,” Stacy barked before smacking Cade with a moderately hard backhand to the chest. “If he heard you...”

“I’m pretty sure he’d have the same thoughts,” Cade interrupted with a smile as he gently massaged the spot on his chest where she had hit him trying to alleviate the sting.

After meeting Griffin’s friends, Ava escorted her cousin and his group over towards the others in the room. She still had a ton of questions she wanted to ask him. How did he discover he was magically born? What was he talking about with Buffy being real? When was the last time he went to visit Grandma Mabel? But first, she just needed to introduce him to the group. “Your Majesty. I apologize for the interruption. This is my cousin. Griffin Langley. And these are his friends.”

As Griffin nodded to everyone assembled and introduced his friends, Jake sat back in one of the VIP room’s plush chairs. He had questions for Ava and was sure he wasn’t the only one. But he’d let Hermione have this moment of happiness with her long lost cousin.

“You’re over here contemplating nicknames aren’t you?” Dan asked as he pulled up a seat beside the pilot.

Jake smiled. The kid knew him too well, even though it’s only been a few days. “Guy Candy, Sabrina, Prep School, Golden Boy, and Zephyr.”

“Wait. That Zephyr guy gets to keep his name? And Sabrina? Like the teenage witch? You think Griffin and his friends are...”

“Yup. I do. And Zephyr is a cool fucking name,” Jake replied. He and Dan shared a laughed between themselves before they noticed Griffin about to address Queen Carissa.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Your Majesty. I wish it were under different circumstances of course,” Griffin said flashing his great big smile.

The Queen nodded her head. “Agreed Mr. Langley. Question though. How did you get in here? The door is locked and there is an armed member of The King’s Guard stationed outside.”

“Maybe they stuffed Eagle Eye into a closet like we did,” Jake snickered under his breath to Dan, who was barely able to contain an outburst.

“About that,” Griffin answered before doing a series of hand gestures causing the nearby plants and soil to twirl around in the air. They danced into a weave of intricate patterns, zipping back and forth across the room. It was extremely simple, and well below Griffin’s skill level, but still an impressive display of magic for those in the VIP Room to see. “Locked doors really aren’t a problem for us.” Apathy was all that met Griffin’s effort in return. “Really? That usually gets some kind of reaction.”

“We fought off a bunch of moss creatures in high school, so...” Lucas shrugged.

“Fought a giant crab and a three-headed sea monster in La Huerta,” Jake added.

“Well we’re impressed,” Abby remarked motioning to herself and two sisters. “The most magical experience I’ve had is my friend Brooke’s Sphere of Prettiness.” Abby immediately regretted doubting Ava earlier. “Sorry I didn’t believe you before,” she said to the tall woman standing beside Griffin.

Ava nodded her understanding to Abby. She got it. Skepticism was to be expected. Ava was still honing her craft and, if she could, she would have done some kind of demonstration to prove magic existed.

“Right. Great. Okay then. So magic and monsters exist and my sisters and I are powerful witches,” Carissa began trying to refocus the group’s conversation. “And our mother fits into all of this somewhere. So let’s start there.” Carissa sat down between Abby and Scarlett on one of the many large sofa’s the VIP Room had to offer as the others pulled up seats throughout the private area. Only Mara and Jake remained standing. Neither one wanted to be caught off guard a second time.

Ava cleared her throat once everyone had settled and she had command of the room. “Right. Okay Your Majesty. Scarlett. Abby.” Ava nodded with each name she spoke. As much as she had prepared for this conversation, she never expected to have an audience quite so large. Ava had expected that the Queen would ask to speak with her privately to discuss the matter. But regardless of the number of people present, it didn’t change the facts as Ava knew them to be. “Everything I know begins when your mother paid a visit to Cora Pritchard.”

***

(To Be Continued)

[squirrelhuntingjournal]

New Post has been published on Squirrel Hunting Journal

New Post has been published on https://squirrelhuntingjournal.com/sightron-stac-4-20x50-ffp-illuminated/

Sightron STAC 4-20x50 FFP Illuminated

Sightron introduced a new offering in the STAC lineup that could prove as a decent option for a squirrel optic. Being that I've never owned or evaluated a First Focal Plane scope, this seemed like a good place to start. Having already evaluated the STAC 4-20x50 MOA2, I knew the glass was good enough to give this scope a shot. The thinner MOA2 reticle only lacked illumination to make it a viable squirrel reticle, and this new Sightron STAC FFP offers illumination. So let's see what this new Sightron offering is all about.

SCOPE APPEARANCE:

Sightron hasn't changed anything here. This model still carries the matte finish that will show markings if scuffed, but the advantage is it keeps the glare muffed with the dull finish. The turrets are exposed and the focus, illumination control, and battery compartment are very aggressively textured.

Glass/Clarity:

After evaluating the original STAC MOA2, I was already aware of the decent glass I'd be getting with this optic. I don't see any difference in this glass from it's predecessor. In my opinion it's very close to being SIII quality glass, without the price. This model is threaded for a sunshade, but doesn't have one included. Too bad because I'm a sunshade fan!

Adjustments:

Really big, well marked turrets are something I've come to expect with the newer breed of scopes on the market. No worries for me because I'm a fan. As long as they are re settable to zero I invite them on any new optic I try. If I'm able to re-set to zero, and have a field issue, I can at least know if my turrets have been adjusted. I'm also happy to report that the turrets are both audible, and tactile. To me, more companies should spend time making sure the turrets are not mushy to the feel, and very precise to their markings. Sightron has that covered with this optic! The FFP version also offers a zero stop option for those of you who shoot long range with your 22's. While I don't do much dialing for longer ranges, I appreciate the option.

Who doesn't like big, aggressive turrets?

The turrets are re-settable to zero via the torx head screw in the center of each turret. It's a very simple process to reset these turrets to the zero mark for solid validation that your optic is where it's supposed to be. The side focus wheel, along with the illumination control, and battery compartment are all jumbled together on the opposite side from the windage turret. This is about the only real estate on the scope for this type of arrangement. These wheels are overly aggressive, and are better suited for gloved hands. The side focus wheel moves smoothly, but still lacks any yardage markings. The illumination control is extremely stiff, and sharp. It offers eleven different brightness levels, with off positions between each level. That's a nice touch, and much less time spent operating that switch. The battery compartment is simple to access and houses a single 2032 battery for power. Like the first STAC MOA2, this scope keeps the fast focus eye piece.

Tracking has been excellent thus far in my evaluation. I've had no issues getting my point of impact to match my point of aim. Side focus is quite precise, and will focus under 10 yards. That's a huge benefit for anyone shooting air rifles or rimfires! I really wish all scope manufactures would lower the parallax on the bottom end to at least 15 yards. That way they would pick up the rimfire market. When a scope maker bottoms out at a 50 yard parallax, I won't consider that optic, as it doesn't fit my needs. Anyone that has been squirrel hunting knows what a blurry image you get of a 10 yard squirrel if you are working with a 50 yard parallax..... The magnification ring is very smooth, and easy to adjust with the proper amount of knurling.

Ring Height:

This will be no surprise as I have a very deep affection for the BKL-303 low rings for any 30mm tubes under 56mm on my CZ 452' or 455's. They work no matter the rail size being 3/8' or 11mm, they are aluminum for reduced weight, and they are single strapped.

Reticle:

Reticles are something I've become rather particular about. When squirrel hunting I prefer something I can range out with. Most people enjoy the standard duplex and that will work perfectly if you don't engage squirrels much over 60 yards with a sight in of 50 yards. At 60 yards I like to think I'm just getting started, especially in the late season. Using a Mildot reticle this past season, I made a headshot on a squirrel at 119 yards! The FFP STAC I chose came with a Mil-Hash reticle, of which I have no prior experience with. It was very simple to understand, and the holdovers aren't too confusing. The numbers etched in the reticle are helpful to keep you true to what hash you are using.

Sightron STAC FFP @ 4X

Sightron STAC FFP @ 10X

This scope gave me my first opportunity at trying out First Focal Plane. I've solely been in Second Focal Plane camp for all my hunting tenure. While the reticle on an FFP scope is still usable at the lower powers, it makes the crosshair very small and difficult to see. I find on this optic that eight power is about the point where the reticle is large enough for me to pick up in the woods. Barring having a squirrel at 10 yards and needing to make a shot with a lower magnification, eight power and above would typically be my choice. Maxing the scope out at 20X, I still find the reticle small enough to shoot 1/2" groups while sighting in. The sleeper in this whole reticle discussion is the addition of illumination! This takes away any issue of loosing your reticle in low light or in thick vegetation. When considering a thin type, ranging reticle I'd always opt for illumination. This is all the SFP STAC MOA2 lacked in being a perfect contender for the long range squirrel timber.

Sightron STAC FFP @ 20X

Sightron STAC FFP 20X Illuminated

Manufacturers Specs:

If anything deters you from this optic it will be the weight. Anytime you add a feature like illumination you are going to incur additional heft. Aside from that nitpick, the scope offers many features that make it a great optic for any game animal or just paper punching.

Item Number:26016Sku Number:793139-260161Model Name:S-TAC4-20X50FFPZSIRMHMagnification:4-20XObjective Diameter (mm):50Focal Plane:FirstFocal PlaneFov (ft@100 Yds.):22.2-4.36Eye Relief (in.):3.9-3.7Reticle Type:Mil-Hash-4(IR)Click Value (@100 Yds.):.1 MRADMinutes Per Revolution:5 MRADW/E Travel (@100 Yds.):12/22.9 MRADKnob Style:Tactical (Resettable)Zero Stop:YesFocus Type:Side FocusParallax Range:10yds to InfinityFinish:Matte BlackWaterproof:YesFully Multi Coated:Yes (Zact-7 TM 7-Layer)Weight (oz.):25.6Length (in.):15.0Tube Diameter:30mmSunshade Included:NoIlluminated Reticle:Yes

Two things that will keep this scope off of squirrel hunters rifles are cost, and weight. If you are planning a sit and snipe mission, then this is a great scope for that job. If you are shooting in the Precision Rimfire Leauge, this is a good option. It's difficult to pick the perfect scope for every type of setup, but I appreciate the additions Sightron has made to the STAC lineup to cover some of the misses on the non-illuminated options. Now if I can just get them to add mildots......

[hoekinsmoved]

HAWKINS 5

i mushed two parts together so this is a lil bit longer than the usual oof

pairing: mike wheeler x oc (steve’s sister)

warning: profanity

P.S.: i moved to a new blog!! visit and follow me here for the rest of the series  ♡  

3.1k words

masterlist

I HAVE A FUCKING NAME, ASSHOLE

For the first time since she's step foot on the relatively barren town, Stacy finds herself walking around the commercial area to look for interesting shops or places she can spend time alone. The school she'll be going to in fall is at the heart of Hawkins, as she has scaled. Hawkins Middle is at the center, and a few meters away from it are other establishments like an arcade, a 24/7 diner, a mall, a library, and two parks on opposite ends. Stacy has also taken note of a building shaped like a cross from eagle's view, and how it has police tapes all over them. She figures it used to be Hawkins Laboratory.

The police headquarters weren't any exciting, so she didn't really dwell in there a lot.  Plus, Steve wanted to have lunch at the diner, and nothing invites Stacy better than free food, so of course she's planning on going.

Steve did leave one detail in particular though.

All the other kids are coming, and had Stacy known that before, she would have gladly skipped the manipulative free food offer. She entered the diner and didn't even have to look around to see the big crowd of children. She tried to leave, really, but since they've already seen her enter, Steve didn't let her go. He hurried over to Stacy and literally dragged her to the booth where all of them squeezed in to fit.

"I want nothing to do with this," Stacy says immediately, staring intently at her brother. Hell, she even tried to act miserable just so he'd let her go. Stacy knows that heaven knows Steve would listen to her more than these lousy kids.

Right?

"Don't fall for it, Steve. We really need this." Dustin entices her brother.

And just as she knows it, she stands corrected of her previous statement as her very own brother whom she shares practically the same genetic family tells her, "Just let them have this one, Stac—"

"He yelled at me, Steve!" Stacy drops, avoiding any contact from the dark-haired boy seated next to Dustin.. It's something she rarely ever talks about, because it's a sensitive topic, but for the time being, the context is that she never handles yelling well. In her defense, it wasn't like her parents or anyone for that matter used to yell at her excessively when she was younger, and that she's traumatized, but there's just really something about having  someone raise their voice at her that ticks a bomb in her head.

The booth turns silent at Stacy's outburst, as her brother holds a look of contemplation on his face. Mike looks unnerved, uncomfortable with the way Stacy is talking about him as if he’s not there himself. "I just said we were going in circles, and I got yelled at. He was hostile with me the entire time. I told you,  Steve. I want nothing to do with this—"

"We just need answers, and we'll let you be, we promise." Lucas sighs.

"You're the only one who can tell us where it is and what's it like. You need to tell us, Stacy." Dustin adds.

Stacy glances at Steve who immediately says in her defense, "Yeah, okay, she doesn't owe you anything, understand?"  Silence consumes the table once again, until Will breaks it.

"I'm really sorry for what happened that day, Stacy. It doesn't excuse what Mike did, but please..." Will trails off, and that certain look on his face that Stacy can't read softens her mood a little. She heard he's been through a lot, and perhaps this is a little bit too much for him to take—that his friend is stuck where he had been lost. As it turns out, Stacy is not at all heartless. Only sometimes.

She sighs, shaking her head as she takes a quick glance at her brother who only looks at her like he's letting her make her own decision. "Does anyone have a pen and paper?"

For twenty minutes straight, Stacy explained to them the way around the woods to the stacks of logs, and because they have loads of questions about how they'd be able to know which tree is which, it took even more time before she's able to explain the inside of the log stack.

"We don't have a degree in botany, Stacy. We don't know which leaf looks like which." Dustin tells her with a funny look on his face that makes Steve laugh a little inside. He doesn’t ever let them notice but he does laugh at them every once in a while. It’s not out of judgment though, or anything like that. Steve just can’t help it that these kids are his sole source of entertainment for the entire summer.

"That's not my problem, mate." Stacy only replies coldly. Steve chokes on his milkshake a little, but only because he’s still having trouble swallowing the tough pill that is her sister’s newfound sharp attitude. "The log stack stands out like a sore thumb mostly because there aren’t any signs of logging in the area, meaning it‘s quite sketchy why it's there. Walk your way around it and you'll see an open door. There are papers strewn everywhere, and I doubt you'd be able to make sense of everything. It seemed like they were looking for something before they left, so maybe those files weren’t as important. This side seemed to be a forum place, with a table and chairs, but by the corner is a metal draw. You might find somethting there but if it's locked, I think I saw a key... er... by this corner on the floor," She explains as she continues to draw the inside of the log stack.

"I didn't see any cameras on the outside." Stacy notes finally, even though she's sure it's technically not trespassing because it's in the woods. Still, it doesn't take a lot to be safe, especially that it's the destructive local government Steve described to her, that they're talking about. The same institution that's responsible for the people-snacking demo-g monsters.

Dustin eyes Steve before raising a hand in Stacy's direction. She spares a glance his way, and so he warily says, "Can I ask something?"

Stacy raises a thick brow in suspicion. She wonders what else he wants to know, as everything and more has been laid on the table already. Stacy’s even proud of how neat and straight her lines are on the paper. "About the logs in the woods?" she asks.

"No," Dustin answers.

Then Stacy is quick to say, "Then no—"

"Do you have superpowers like Eleven?” As the name leaves Dustin’s mouth, Mike whips his head to glare at his friend. “Because how did you remember all that from a two-minute visit?" He chokes out, despite the fact that Stacy told him she won't answer anything.

Thankfully, Steve unglues his mouth open and cuts Dustin off, "Okay, we're done with that now." He then turns to his sister and says with a smile, "The strawberry milkshake here is nice."

"Okay I'll talk your word for it. Get me some fries too, please." She tells her brother who only nods and stands up from the booth. "Thanks, peasant."

Steve waits in line to order Stacy's food which leaves the table in silence. Max is looking out the window, like she'd rather be skating than be here at all. Stacy notes that she does look like she has a lot in mind. After all, she hasn’t spoken the entire time. Stacy then reminds herself to ask Max if anything’s bothering her later on before she and Steve go home. Lucas, on the other hand, is just watching her and sometimes he would glance at Dustin, but that's about it. Dustin's fidgeting with the condiments on the table while Will's sipping on a chocolate milkshake. Stacy catches him looking at first, but then she glances at Mike who's glaring at the table like it just murdered his family. He seems pretty problematic, as Stacy can tell, so she's glad she won't be getting involved in the mess anymore.

Sincerely though, she hopes they find Eleven. She doesn’t know the girl but there’s nothing more she feels strongly about other than knowing how good and safe it feels to be found. She knows. She was there too just weeks prior.

Stacy knows she was promised peace after that interaction, but the truth is the group of kids might be known around town for doing extraordinary things but they aren’t quite known for keeping their promises.

With Bowie blasting volumes inside her room, Stacy can barely hear her thoughts let alone the knocking on her door. Dustin's small hands continue to thump against Stacy's door, harder and harder each time but it doesn't budge a bit.

"How is she not deaf," Will asks real questions, to which Dustin only shrugs. He's getting really impatient. Downstairs though, Lucas is enjoying the company of Bentley, the family dog, while munching on the fresh cookies Mrs. Harrington baked as a weekly tradition. Max sits a few feet from Lucas, watching the adorable dog in awe as she remains oblivious to the commotion upstairs.

Stacy's music is muffled from the outside, but Steve can no longer take Dustin's calls for his sister to open the door so he steps outside his own room, yelling a quick, "Stacy I'm opening your door!" as a warning before doing so.

The first thing the three of them notice is the easel set up in the middle of Stacy's room, with a palette clasped in one of her hands. Stacy can't help but feel relieved that her canvas is facing the opposite direction from the door hence they aren't able to look into her art and in turn look into her thoughts. She never admits it but it's the most difficult thing for her to do— share her feelings with other people.

The music travels full-blast around the hallways with the lack of buffering that her door once provided, causing the two boys to flinch a little. Steve gets back inside his room while Dustin and Will remain standing by Stacy's door.

"What?" Stacy asks expectantly, just after she lowers down the volume from her player.

"We need help with—"

"No."

"Come on—“

"No.

"We're not Mike! Okay! I know you're upset and shit but we really need your help!" Dustin says exasperatedly.

Stacy furrows her eyebrows at the audacity. They're asking for her help yet he's the one raising his voice at her? Right...

"It's... It's a binary code, and Steve said you can read binary." Will says timidly. Stacy curses steve under her breath as he has yet again, sold her out to these pesky kids who seem as if they’re closer to age 3 than they are to their actual ages.

"Go ask some techy computer dude," Stacy groans, walking towards her door to close it but Dustin stops her.

"Listen, the onle techy computer dude that we know is Bob... and he's dead—" Dustin chokes over his own words upon the realization.

They haven't mentioned Bob since the incident, and he truly doesn't mean to bring him up so nonchalantly in front of Will. Will visibly stiffens at the mention, enough for Stacy to take notice of his sudden reaction. It must be a sensitive topic, she supposes.

"Fine," she sighs, snatching the pieces of paper from Dustin's hold. She scans through the first page quickly, translating the 0s and 1s to words in a second. "They're not... they're not words." Stacy mumbles to herself as she picks up a pen and paper to write the corresponding meaning of the codes.

Dustin and Will both watch Stacy in amusement and slight worry that perhaps she's making all this up, but then again for some reason, they still trust the intimidating girl. Why is it that it hasn't been two weeks since she arrived here and yet they've needed her help twice now? What does that mean?

"It seems like a password." Stacy shrugs after finishing the decoding. She passes the pieces of paper back to Dustin and Will who were just about to thank her until a certain angsty boy comes waltzing through the hallway.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Mike asks his friends, sending side glances towards Stacy's way. "I went to the shed and found no one!"

"We thought you still wanted time on your own." Dustin squeaks at his diva of a friend.

Mike scowls, "That's bullshit! What, it's just been a week but you're already buddy buddy with Steve's sister?" The young boy shakes with anger, way too pissed off to notice the look on Stacy's face that resembles his but in grater magnitudes.

"I have a fucking name, asshole." She flips him the finger before attempting to slam her door shut.

However, Will's soft voice cuts through the tension, "Wait..." he trails off, walking closer to what Stacy was previously spending her time on before they came banging at her door. Will's eyes holds a strong emotion even Stacy can't decipher, but her good guess is grief and horror. His brown eyes scan the canvas fleetingly, as if staring too much at it would teleport him to the place he knows too well. Of course, Stacy has no idea what place it is exactly, and she just thought it's an underwater city with all the cold tones, but Will knows the dimension all too well to confirm that the painting is an exact replica of it.

Stacy finally gets a hint of what's running through Will's head and she only stares at him as a plea for him to not say anything. With the same gaze she picks up that he understands, but he looks as if he wants to talk about it.

At this point, Dustin and Mike are getting creeped out at the two kids' silent conversation. "What is it, Will?" Mike asks Will with a worried look on his face. It may sound funny but for a second there, Mike thought Stacy was trying to hypnotize the short boy.

Will keeps eye contact with Stacy before turning his head to look at his friends, "Can I talk to Stacy before we go?" He's not exactly asking for permission, but it's sort of a request for them to not leave him behind and spare him a minute or two to confront Stacy.

Stacy's head goes full turbo as truth be told, she's not ready to talk about what she painted when she's not even aware of what it is. But, since Dustin and Mike only gave Will a malicious look before leaving him inside Stacy's room, she knows she has to face him one way or another.

"That's..." Will trails off even before Stacy's bedroom door closes. "That's the upside down." He studies the incomplete painting, a strong emotion burning in his chest as he realizes that what Stacy drew was far too accurate— the structure and the direction, even the cracks and the flickering lights. He knew that she had to have been there before to be able to paint it so spot-on.

"The what?" She asks Will who finally takes his eyes off the painting.

Will gulps, "The upside down, where I got lost." Fear takes over his face so Stacy decides to sit down on her bed and pat the space next to her. The poor boy looks like he's about to relive a dark moment in his past.

He takes the seat next to Stacy who only briefly asks him to explain what the upside down is exactly. Staying true, he only says, "The exact thing you painted. That's the upside down. The suspended flakes, the streets, the icky coating."

“Where's the upside down?" Stacy inquires curiously. Perhaps it's an actual place, she mentally asks.

Will struggles to string the right words. After all, it's difficult to explain a place to someone who has never been there before. He figures his previous assumption could be wrong if Stacy doesn't have any idea what the upside down is. "It's a different dimension. Like the place we're in right now, an exact replica, but the scarier version. The one with real monsters."

Stacy feels bad when Will's voice breaks, as if it's physical torture for him to talk about the topic. "I didn't mean to remind you of it, I'm sorry. It just appeared to me in a dream, and I can't take it off my mind so I thought transferring it on canvas would help me forget it." She apologizes sincerely. Something about Will tells her to be cautious, not for her own sake and safety but his. She doesn't understand why but she feels a certain connection with him that inevitably pulls her to him. Will doesn't admit it to himself yet but he feels the same way.

It's not even romantic, it's like the feeling Stacy gets every time Steve is around, like she's safe and that she should be close to him for comfort. She can't explain it exactly but she lets it lead the way.

"It's okay, it wasn't your intention. If it helps, I draw to comfort myself too,” he smiles softly. “I'm sorry we keep on bothering you." Will looks down at his hands as he apologizes. He metaphorically shrinks like a little boy in great fear of authority.

"I can't say it's fine, but it's not harming me in any way so I guess it is." Stacy says but then she realizes how intimidating it is so she adds, "And I just really want you to find your friend so that little punk could get his panties out of the twist it has been for the past week."

Will smiles at the statement which he finds personally funny but he thinks it'd be rude to laugh at it since it's about Mike anyway. "Our friends are saying he's always been like that when it's about Eleven. The first time she disappeared was tough on everyone."

"Yeah, but he shouldn't take it out on you guys, or anyone for that matter." Stacy shrugs.

Will nods, "Yeah." Silence follows the two of us for a moment before he breaks it. "Lucas and I are going out tomorrow for ice cream, maybe if we get you one, it'll be enough to apologize for bothering you all the time."

A smile inevitably makes its way through Stacy’s lips. "An apology can't be in the form of a purchase, Will." With her words, Will tenses, but then Stacy only laughs lightheartedly, "but yeah, sure."

[kelvinfab2]

.Existing Design Research

Here are a few examples of how designers used light and colour to construct an atmosphere within the space.

1. Screens- Blossom / Yellow Goat Design

I like how the shape is made from small, sharp triangles that "explode" out from the centre, like a sunflower. The brass metal elements create a clean shine as well as adding a strong, solid structure to the model as a whole.

https://www.archdaily.com/catalog/us/products/19245/screens-blossom-yellow-goat-design?ad_source=search&ad_medium=search_result_all

2. Kriskadecor in Nando's Altrincham - Stac Architecture LTD

I like how they used the bright yellow chain meshing made from anodized aluminum links to create a sort of fabric texture that wraps around the space as dividers. I can see it as being sun rays that disperse around the space, being transparent yet thick. The use of LED lights at the core remind of buds that sit within the centre of the flower, wrapped around by the petals. The space provides a soft, velvet texture with a rustic charm against the grayish brick wall. I find it interesting how the designer creates such a warm and elegant atmosphere without the use of a soft, malleable material.

https://www.archdaily.com/catalog/us/products/22174/kriskadecor-in-nandos-altrincham-kriskadecor?ad_source=neufert&ad_medium=gallery&ad_name=close-gallery

3. POPL Restaurant / Spacon & X

I like the warm, radiant atmosphere created in the space. The use of wood planks placed in different line formations produce a rustic aesthetic against the concrete pillar structures. Low intensity lighting adds a shallow tint of yellow over the restaurant, as well as some mirrors placed hanging down to reflect light from the outside.

[hamiltonxyz]

2nd Drop Records presents Various Artists Djrum vs… A1. Onoe Caponoe - Milkyway 1311 (Djrum remix) A2. Onoe Caponoe - Milkyway 1311 (Djrum remix dub) B. Royce Wood Junior - Jodie (Djrum remix) 2NDRP10001 Released 14th October 2013 After his critically acclaimed debut album, Djrum and 2nd Drop are proud to present a limited edition 10” vinyl release of two amazing reworks. West London’s Onoe Caponoe is one of the most exciting MCs in the UK right now, having pinged up on 2nd Drop’s radar after dropping two blazing albums on Audio Doughnuts in the past couple of years. Djrum has been featuring Onoe’s Milkyway 1311 in his sets on a regular basis, and this naturally led to him taking the tools to it and giving it a tweak in wonderful Djrum style. It’s hip hop, but not as we know it, as Djrum installs a drum pattern that sounds like a cascading waterfall and his trademark use of strings which underpin Onoe’s funkadelic vocals perfectly. This is a great introduction to some forthcoming collaborations between these two on 2nd Drop. Watch this space! Royce Wood Junior, known for his work with Jamie Woon and Stac among others, is an uber talented multi-instrumentalist and all round nice guy. The original has yet to be released (looking like 2014), so this version will only be available on vinyl for the foreseeable future. Djrum has transformed the track into a brooding masterpiece which emphasises the heartfelt lament of Royce’s vocal to maximum effect. A classic in the making. For more information on this release please contact: @2nddroprecords https://ift.tt/1DsXNid

[cynthiabryanuk]

12 Best Hiking Holiday Destinations In The UK

If you’ve got a love of the great outdoors and a sense of adventure that’s itching to be unleashed, then a hiking holiday is for you. It’s not only amazing exercise – the breathtaking views you’ll discover en route are well worth the hard work. Challenge yourself to scale a mountain or take things slow with a stroll in the forest. Whatever your age and ability, a hiking holiday is sure to leave you feeling refreshed and inspired.

Top hiking holidays in the UK

After a long day of walking, put your feet up at your own private holiday rental. Whether you love the peace and quiet of a cottage tucked away in a sleepy village, or want to spread out in a spacious townhouse with pubs and restaurants nearby, Holiday Lettings has got it covered.

*Methodology: We analysed all UK holiday rental reviews on TripAdvisor. (Holiday Lettings is a TripAdvisor company). Selected hiking destinations needed to be among some of the highest-rated in the country (minimum 100 lifetime total reviews), and have a sufficient amount of properties available to book on Holiday Lettings.

#1 Drymen, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park

The beautiful village of Drymen in Stirling is the ideal base from which to enjoy one of Scotland’s most stunning National Parks. Whether you’re new to walking holidays or you’re an experienced hiker, there are routes to suit all abilities. For a strenuous (but exhilarating) hike, ascend the Sron a’ Chlachain peak for glorious views of Killin and Loch Tay. Or if you want to take things easy, stroll through planted forest and native woodland at Acharn Forest. There are so many options when it comes to walking in this area. And, with cosy boltholes or even modern cottages nearby, you’ll be spoilt for choice for rentals, too.

Pick a place in Drymen

#2 Carlisle, Cumbria

Welcome to the charming Carlisle – Cumbria’s charming cathedral city. The surrounding Lake District has been inspiring poets, artists and writers for hundreds of years. It’s easy to fall under its spell when you look out over the mountains in this breathtaking part of the world. Experienced hikers will probably be keen to scale the world-famous Scafell Pike with its wild and rocky terrain, while those looking to follow in William Wordsworth’s footsteps should wander over to Ullswater to laze on a riverbank and watch the daffodils. And after a day spent exploring the beautiful waterfalls and woodlands nearby, why not put your feet up in your own private holiday rental? From lakeland stone townhouses with exposed beams to quirky cottages on the outskirts, there are lots of options in Carlisle.

Choose your favourite place to relax in Carlisle

#3 Bangor, County Down

The beautiful seaside town of Bangor is perfect for mountain holidays as there are so many places to explore nearby. The imposing granite tors and lofty peaks of the dramatic Mourne Mountains will take your breath away, and the Glen River walk is a great way to see this range in all its glory. Wildlife enthusiasts and those walking with children should check out the Quoile Pondage Nature Reserve on the outskirts of Downpatrick. Your pedometer will be stacking up the steps without you even realising it as you’ll be busy spotting colourful wild roses, rare species of birds and wildfowl. And if the sea is your ideal backdrop for a hike, the North Down Coastal Path is the place for you.

See all rentals in Bangor

#4 Ullapool, Scottish Highlands

From a gentle amble along the Fife Coastal Path to a hefty hike on the Great Glen way, the Scottish Highlands has some of the best walking routes in the world. A rental in Ullapool is a great choice as you can enjoy walks along the traditional harbour or tuck into some hearty pub grub to refuel after scaling the slopes of nearby Stac Pollaidh. If you love discovering historical sites, choose a route past Melrose Abbey or follow the Cateran Trail to discover ancient tracks used by cattle rustlers (Caterans) who plundered glens from the Middle Ages to the 17th century. When you’re ready to rest, a cosy cottage rental or a secluded cabin in the woods awaits!

See all stays in Ullapool

#5 Dumfries, Dumfries and Galloway

Expect a warm and friendly welcome when you stay in Dumfries. This pretty town was once home to the poet, Robert Burns. Nearby, you’ll find atmospheric forests, rugged hills and picturesque villages, so you’re sure to find the perfect hiking route for you. Take a stroll along the Solway Coast to the Merrick, or maybe try the popular hill ascent above Loch Trool. If you need some refreshment, you’ll find plenty of traditional pubs and quaint cafes on the way. This area is beautiful all year round, so why not book a romantic trekking holiday this autumn?

Book a break in Dumfries

#6 St Agnes, Cornwall

With over 300 miles of coastal path and 2,400 miles of inland trails, Cornwall is a hiker’s paradise. One of the best places to stay if you’re looking to make the most of these trails is St Agnes, due to its proximity to some of the best walking routes. The Pendennis Point, Falmouth to Maenporth route on the south coast is great for all ages and abilities and includes impressive views south towards the Lizard and east towards Plymouth. For (even) more stunning scenery, head to Widemouth Bay and walk to Pentire Point. This Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the north coast will leave you feeling refreshed and revived. You’ll find these routes and many more when you book a hiking holiday in Cornwall.

Find a holiday rental in St Agnes

#7 Brecon, Brecon Beacons National Park

Lush green glades, sparkling waterfalls and magical caves make hiking holidays in the Brecon Beacons feel like you’ve stepped into a fairy-tale. The town of Brecon is the perfect base for exploring the 600+ miles of bridle paths and tracks that criss-cross this area. Take some binoculars with you to get a good look at the Red Kites as you walk; these magnificent birds of prey are now common in the region. For a little light refreshment, enjoy a freshly made scone at one of the pretty farmhouse cafes in the area. After a day spent in the great outdoors, you’ll love returning to your tranquil cottage to relax before dinner.

Book a break in Brecon

#8 Chipping Campden, Cotswolds

Whether you relish the challenge of hiking up a hill or want to take it easy with a gentle stroll, the Cotswolds is rich in hiking and walking opportunities. The utterly charming village of Chipping Campden boasts some of the best holiday rentals in the area, so it’s a wonderful place to choose a classic cottage to rent for a relaxing getaway. There’s also a variety of circular walks which include level and stile-free routes ideal for wheelchairs and easy access.

If you’re feeling energetic, why not complete the Cotswold Way National Trail? This 102-mile route takes walkers through some of the Cotswolds’ best scenery with historic monuments and pretty villages en route. The rolling hills and lush woodland surrounding Chipping Campden is sure to make any hiker or keen walker want to return again and again.

Choose a holiday rental in Chipping Campden

#9 Winchester, Hampshire

For lovers of history and architecture, Winchester is an excellent base for a hiking holiday in Hampshire. Visit The Great Hall where you can see an interpretation of King Arthur’s round table, head to the bustling cultural quarter of the city where you can watch a play or listen to live music. But don’t forget the surrounding landscape: Hampshire has some of England’s most inspiring countryside where ancient woodlands, secluded valleys and open down lands sit side by side. Popular routes in the area include the Clarendon Way, the Wayfarer’s Walk and the South Downs Way National Trail.

Book your hiking break in Winchester

#10 Welshpool, Powys

This pretty market town in Wales is famous for its elegant Georgian buildings, Montgomery Canal and the 17th-century Powis Castle and Gardens. It’s a great place to stay when you’re hiking in the region. If you’ve never experienced the thrill of climbing to the summit of a mountain, Pen y fan is a good place to start. Or for a nice easy walk long the lake, hike along Llyn Safaddan in Llangorse where you can enjoy a picnic as a reward at the end. You’ll find a wide array of rentals in the area, from log cabins to converted barns, so picking a place to stay is easy.

Find a wonderful walking holiday in Welshpool

#11 The Lizard, Cornwall

This picture-perfect peninsula in Southern Cornwall is perfect for a hiking holiday. You have some fantastic inland trails and coastal paths right on your doorstep! For an easy but rewarding hike, start at the impressive Lizard Lighthouse, Tennyson’s “Southern Eyes of Britain”. You’ll also see the huge conical hole in the cliff top know as ‘Lions Den’ created when a sea cave collapsed in 1847. The Old Coastguard lookout on this route is still manned and, as you head into the more remote sections of the Cornwall Coast Path, you will be logged in as you pass. At the end of a day outdoors, there’s nothing like kicking back and relaxing in the cosy atmosphere of your private rental.

See all holiday rentals in The Lizard

#12 Fort William, Lochaber

Known as the gateway to Ben Nevis, this beautiful town has plenty of independent shops and restaurants, so it’s a great place to base yourself for a walking holiday in the area. If you love expansive beaches, take a walk along the Ardnamurchan peninsula with its fabulous views of The Small Isles and Ardnamurchan Point. Shell collectors will love it here, too, as the white sandy beach is strewn with sparkling treasures. And, of course, Ben Nevis will be a major highlight for hiking enthusiasts during their stay.

Find a rental in Fort William

The post 12 Best Hiking Holiday Destinations In The UK appeared first on Holiday Lettings Blog.

from News And Tips For Traveling https://blog.holidaylettings.co.uk/best-hiking-holiday-destinations-uk/

[robertmcangusgroup]

The Daily Thistle

The Daily Thistle – News From Scotland

Thursday 9th November 2017

"Madainn Mhath” …Fellow Scot, I hope the day brings joy to you…." Very cold again this morning, temperature is currently showing 7c so before I went out jacket and scarf this morning.. Not a cloud in the sky, and the moon that is waning was just slipping below the horizon, so all the stars and planets could be seen with clarity.. Venus, Mars and Jupiter could all be seen gleaming brightly in the heavens.. ablutions performed, dog’s daily paper read it’s back to the house for coffee and digestive biscuits for me and dog food for Bella..

SCOTS DIALECTS 'AS GOOD AS A SECOND LANGUAGE'…. Do you speak Dundonian? Have you sometimes felt the rest of Scotland doesn't understand you? Researchers at Abertay University in Dundee have good news for you. Being fluent in both your dialect and standard English is as good as speaking two different languages. That is when it comes to how your brain handles them. They have found that the brains of people who are equally fluent in two dialects work in the same way as those who speak two languages. Colleagues in Germany have found the same effect there, meaning the results are likely to apply to all dialects.

ELGIN FIREWORKS SPECTATORS FORCED TO FLEE…. Spectators were forced to flee when an organised fireworks display went wrong in Moray. Witnesses said several people were hit when the pyrotechnics flew in their direction in Elgin on Saturday evening. One mother who was at the display with two young children was hit on the head while another firework bounced off her daughter's buggy. Elgin Rotary Club, which organised the display in the town's Cooper Park, has been contacted for a comment. There were no reports of serious injuries as a result of the incident. Ann Hamilton told BBC Scotland she was standing behind the barrier close to the crazy golf course when things started to go wrong early in the display. She said: "Everyone ran back thinking we were at a safe distance but as we were running they were hitting people and landing on people. "We were quite scared, we never knew what was happening. Everybody was running - it was quite panicked - including some of the stewards who were running with us. "There was nobody approaching us, or telling us to stay calm. I'm glad nobody was hurt - there's a few people got burns and stuff. One of them hit me on the head but it's nothing major. "But it's more the fact that no-one's admitting what's gone wrong."

GALASHIELS CINEMA FIRE AN 'ACT OF STUPIDITY'…. Police have said the consequences could have been "far more serious" after a cinema door was set alight in the Scottish Borders. A customer reported smelling burning at the Pavilion Cinema in Galashiels on Saturday at 18:30. A fire exit door was discovered to have been set alight. Insp Mike Bennett said that thanks to the customer and the quick actions of staff, the blaze had been stopped before it could "grow and spread". "Nevertheless, this reckless act of stupidity had the very real potential to become a far more serious incident and we are keen to identify the culprits as soon as possible," he added. "If you saw any suspicious activity around the cinema on Saturday evening or have any other information that can assist with this investigation then please contact police immediately." Damage which will cost about £1,000 to repair was caused to the door.

MISSING BARLINNIE PRISONER WALTER BETT ARRESTED…. A prisoner who went missing while taking part in an external work placement in Glasgow has been detained. Walter Bett, 39, a prisoner at HMP Barlinnie, absconded while working near Crow Wood Golf Course, Muirhead, on Tuesday morning. Police Scotland said a 39-year-old man had been detained and was now in custody.

PLAN TO TURN BLACK ISLE STEADING INTO WEAVING MILL…. A disused farm steading on the Black Isle in the Highlands is to be converted into a mill for weaving tartan. Clare Campbell, founder of tartan design studio Prickly Thistle, is raising £500,000 for the project. Architectural technology students at Inverness College UHI are assisting with designs and plans of the mill. The 20 final year students have been split into four "clans" to produce to work on their designs. Ms Campbell will selected her preferred design which will form part of a planning application to Highland Council.

On that note I will say that I hope you have enjoyed the news from Scotland today,

Our look at Scotland today is of Achnahaird Beach which is a lovely crescent of sand in Wester Ross that is considered one of Scotland’s best beaches. ... Lying north of Ullapool, the beach is reached by a road two miles past Achiltibuie. ... There are lovely views of Stac Polly and other neighbouring mountains from the beach ...

A Sincere Thank You for your company and Thank You for your likes and comments I love them and always try to reply, so please keep them coming, it's always good fun, As is my custom, I will go and get myself another mug of "Colombian" Coffee and wish you a safe Thursday 9th November 2017 from my home on the southern coast of Spain, where the blue waters of the Alboran Sea washes the coast of Africa and Europe and the smell of the night blooming Jasmine and Honeysuckle fills the air…and a crazy old guy and his dog Bella go out for a walk at 4:00 am…on the streets of Estepona…

All good stuff....But remember it’s a dangerous world we live in

Be safe out there…

Robert McAngus