Memories

rThe Top of the Morning , (Midi file - I suggest you right click to open your media player in another window)

LONG BEFORE KAPiSco My first memory is back at KAPiCa '02 of making some sort of a commitment to hold a KAP tour of Scotland in 2004. It seemed like a good idea at the time, and 2004 seemed a long way away. It turns out that it was a good idea, and that 2004 came around plenty quickly enough! JUST BEFORE KAPiSco I remember speaking to Doug and Ginni on the phone, hearing the anticipation, excitement in their voices as the day of arrival neared. E-mailing back and forth among the group, finalising details getting everything organised, hotels, all the details of the bus, from power supplies tables, KAP gear storage and so on. OUR GROUP GETS TOGETHER I remember wandering round Aberdeen shopping centre on a hot summer afternoon with Merv, Carl, Nicole and Lyn, sitting in the sun, waiting for Doug and Ginni's train from Edinburgh to arrive. Ginni and Doug: I remember the warm greeting at the train station in Aberdeen ..... the thrill of hooking up with fellow Kapers for a new adventure. I remember we all sat outside in my garden in the sun - a convivial group, happy voices, wine and food and laughter, the women teasing us for our tecchie-talk as the camera systems came out of the bags, "boys and their gadgets…"  Then a caravanette drew up in the driveway and Patrick and Marilyn tumbled out to greetings and laughter, and our little group was almost complete. Marilyn and Patrick: I remember Lyn greeting us at the South Lodge   GOING FOR A WALK ON THE FETTERNEAR ESTATE Ginni: I remember Simon's Fetternear woods and the mysterious woodland creatures hidden there. Nicole: Fetternear Estate's woodland makes me think of ancient times with its beautiful ferns and large trees.   LIFE IN THE CHALETS, CARL AND THE FARM CAT I remember seeing the group settled into the chalets, seeing the farm cat insinuate his way into the chalet and make himself at home. Carl and Nicole: I remember a mid-night tour of the barn with it's twin calves at the Kemnay farm. Ginni: I remember Gillian's garden with its well loved plants and trees of many varieties ...... reminding me of her eclectic upbringing. FIRST DAY OF KAP - CASTLE FRASER Simon: I remember waking to sunshine, driving down the road the couple of miles to Castle Fraser. Sitting on the lawn in front of the castle, watching our team slowly get their equipment working, taking their time. Seeing the little problems get ironed out. I remember seeing Merv's Mona Lisa Rokkaku lit by sunshine, Carl's Purple and red kite lift above the trees from behind the castle. I remember Lyn, having been to the airport, walking across the grass with Scott to join our group. Laughter and greetings. I remember Scott turning to look at the Castle - "Awesome - and this is just 5 minutes from your home?" I remember thinking we'd never get anywhere else that day, the sun too warm, nobody in a hurry. But we did.     ON TO EASTER ARQUHORTHIES STONE CIRCLE Patrick: I remember the cross eyed smile on Doug's face just after Scott's rig made a 30 foot descent onto his head. Scott: Before KAPiSco officially kicked off, we were flying at Arquhorthies Stone Circle near Simon's home. Suddenly my flowform 16 turned 90 degrees and dove straight down, into the ground. I remember panicking briefly, but I was frozen in disbelief and amazement, and I could only watch as the kite hit the ground a couple seconds later. My flowforms (16 and 30) sometimes dive to the side, but never straight down--in fact, no other KAPer in attendance had witnessed this behavior. Patrick Snodin said it acted as if someone placed a box of rocks into the kite. Of course my rig crashed too, but not into the ground--it rammed poor Doug in the head, tangling my picavet string snuggly around the bulb top of his baseball cap. He insisted that it didn't hurt since it glanced him, but I'm not so sure I believe that. I certainly felt bad, and it obviously was not an ideal way to begin the week..... Marilyn: I remember we all laid down in a stone circle, hands touching (See Scott's site for the picture) LEAVING THE STONE CIRCLE WE DROVE ON TO SLAINS CASTLE I remember at Slains lots of rig problems, going into the centre room of the castle to guide the cameras in. In the evening Lyn prepared a barbecue at home for us all. THE FOLLOWING DAY IN BRIGHT SUNSHINE,WE HEADED DOWN THE COAST TO DUNNOTAR CASTLE I remember Dunottar castle, it is etched bright in my mind. Hot bright weather, the perfect location for KAP. I remember each of us launching from a different spot.  And I remember bright colour, I remember Scott with his camera high in blue sky over the castle trying to take a shot that would be his trademark bubble panorama. I remember heat and light suffusing the day. I remember seeing kites over the castle, against a blue sky. I remember members of the Stonehaven art group sitting on the clifftop, in the ravine, overlooking the castle painting the scene in bright colours. Ginni: I remember Scott's joy at KAPing LUNCH AT THE HARBOUR I remember sitting outside a harbour pub in baking sunshine having our meal, I remember going off to the harbour wall to do a quick watercolour sketch. THEN BACK HOME TO AN AFTERNOON IN THE SUN AND PREPARATIONS FOR THE EVENING PARTY Ginni: I remember learning to spin and the the feel of Marilyn's different wools. I remember the team effort to put up the party tent frame for the evening event. The engineers measuring to the nearest half inch. IN THE EVENING OUR PARTY BEGAN WITH A PIPER AND DANCERS Doug: I remember the great party on the grounds of South Lodge ( the pipes, the dancing, the quaich, etc.) Merv: I remember the opening party and dancing with all the girls and appreciating good old whisky. Nicole:Simon and Lyn really know how to throw a party, female bagpipe player accompanied by a couple of highland dancers. People were very warm and friendly and I enjoyed myself very much. I remember the party, wine and food, piper, dancers, music and laughter friends, guests, colleagues, family. Going to bed knowing that in the morning KAPiSco itself would begin. Ginni: Quaffing gorgeous Scottish amber liquid from the KAP quaich. THE TOUR BEGINS, WE SET OFF, LEAVING PAT AND MARILYN TO MEET UP AGAIN ON ORKNEY Marilyn: I remember the hugs and kisses when leaving  ALL ABOARD Simon: I remember setting off for Edinburgh with our theme tune playing and wondering what the road ahead would bring. Lyn by my side and all of us beaming in anticipation. Ginni: Eating a bacon roll. What on earth ???!!! ??? (we stopped at a "traditional" transport cafe en route to experience "trucker's fare") Merv: I remember how many things went wrong with my rig--broken frame-repaired,stripped servo-replaced,broken wire-repaired, worn batteries-replaced. Merv: I remember getting up early every morning and going walking or KAPing and going to sleep late and napping on the bus 3-4 times during the day. I remember a hot afternoon in Edinburgh, an open-topped bus tour, a pint of cider in the grassmarket and piling back on the bus to go down to the Forth bridge. FLYING AT THE FORTH BRIDGE I remember flying from almost under the bridge structure, trusting my rig to a strong and fickle wind just to get some pictures. I remember joining the group down at the pier as Carl finished off his shoot. I remember George, his face showing his surprise at what the reality of KAP was. I wondered what was going through his mind, the prospect of driving a busload of crazies around Scotland for a week.   PITLOCHRY - EVENING I remember our Indian meal, happy faces, our first day over, I remember Nicole's infectious laughter and sense of fun I remember a certain passion among members of our group for Indian food. If there is one thing we are not short of it is Indian Restaurants. DAY 2 - THE CENTRAL BELT I remember Blair castle in the rain, a stunning location, but no KAP     I remember meeting James and Peter at Stirling castle, happy greetings and anticipation. I remember feeling the responsibility of planning, of ensuring we went to the best sites. Deciding to get away from the low wind around Stirling and head for the Falkirk Wheel (where we found enough wind to fly) FALKIRK WHEEL - A BOAT LIFT James: I remember flying 5 kites and rigs from the Falkirk Wheel, with not a lot of space to move around in! Nicole: The Falkirk wheel was a technological wonder. I remember seeing James' brilliant high tech rig and the obvious care and pride he took in flying it. Seeing KAPpers working together, giving each other space to fly and watching the cameras over the wheel     ACROSS TO OBAN I remember our lovely hotel overlooking the harbour town of Oban with its view out to the western isles. I remember us all shooting from room to room to check out what each room was like. Squealing with laughter when we saw Carl and Nicoles four poster. Nicole: Kimberley Hotel, wow. It was very impressive and it was worth every penny. I will never forget our bedroom. Doug and Ginni: The narrow roads of Oban and the masterly driving of George....... Nicole: Our bus driver, George kept us on our toes with a near miss with a logging truck under a rail bridge. Thank God for his excellent driving. especially the quick braking! I remember a fantastic meal and great company, stories and wine. Then after, walking up the steep hill in the dark to see McCaig's tower lit by floodlights. In the morning flying at the tower, Flying 2 rigs on the one line with Carl. On the bus, Scott showed us the results of his shoot at the tower earlier in the morning with the ultra wide angle lens... Awesome ! OFF TO KILCHURN CASTLE I remember climbing over the railway gate to get to Kilchurn castle and all the "keep out" signs. So little wind, such a great location. PORT APPIN LUNCH Doug: Warm, hearty clam chowder at the pier house at Port Appin FORT WILLIAM I remember  the group splitting up, to tackle 3 locations around Fort William, inverting my image of the road to make the road markings readable. James: I remember trying to download pictures to a laptop in the car, and wishing I'd paid a bit more to get a seat on that "bus" UP THE GREAT GLEN TO INVERNESS I remember the wonderful scenery of Loch ness, stoppping off to see Urquhart castle. I remember our fantastic waterside hotel, the Bunchrew House just outside Inverness. Ginni and Doug: The myriad ways of arranging modern plumbing in ancient buildings. James: I remember all sitting together at a round table for breakfast at Bunchrew House Hotel, exchanging stories and waiting for enough wind to get up so we could fly from the hotel grounds.   HOOTENANNIES - INVERNESS   James: I remember a night of Scottish Music and hospitality in Inverness. I remember a night of traditional music and enjoyment, faces, glowing with pleasure in the soft light, Ginni: Deep conversation with James at Hootenanny that I could only guess what he was saying.   AROUND INVERNESS, CAWDOR CASTLE, FORT GEORGE AND CROMARTY FIRTH OIL RIGS I remember a day of fickle winds, of rain squalls and lovely locations we couldn't fly at. James: I remember a day of frustration around Inverness, with some great sites (Cawder, etc), but the wind only blew in the 5minutes before each downpour started! Nicole: I was very envious the grandiose gardens at the Cawdor and Dunrobin castles. I'm sure there's a few hours of work weeding. Scotland has the perfect weather to grow roses, you could say it was a gardener's delight. James: I remember the hours we spent on the Cromarty, waiting on the wind to get up, and discussing technique, experiences and making friends. I remember Scott forgetting various parts of his gear at various sites. I guess Scotland has lots to remember Scott ......... I remember flying at Dunrobin castle from down at the beach, in fickle winds, never getting a rig on the line, seeing Scott's kite high over the castle, imagining the shots he was getting. Returning to the castle to find that things were not quite going to plan and that the owner was not well pleased with our intrusion. After some pacifying, all was well. But Dunrobin remains "the one that got away". Only a couple of shots were taken and they were not special at all. Nicole: Castle, castle and castle, everywhere you look. It is unbelievable. Ginni: Gardens everywhere with their riot of color Merv: I remember the great castles, lochs, farms, and scenery of Scotland ....... and I want to go back! Ginni: A wood spirit in my backpack Merv: I remember green rolling hills,the smell of freshness in the morning,the sound of the wind and birds singing. MARINE HOTEL BRORA I remember a big circular table and wonderful meal ACROSS TO ORKNEY I remember the hilarity as our ferry tickets were handed out to find that not one had the right name on.   Meeting up with Pat and Marilyn again on Orkney. I remember Merv's fascination with the Reliant Robin in Stromness.   Carl: Sometime, Murphy's law is right behind us, tapping us on our sholders. The more complex rigs are susceptible to bending and breakage or a longer pre-flight check list. I enjoyed the technological challenge of fixing rigs on the road whether mine, our helping someone else. I remember beautiful sunshine down at the Churchill barriers   Patrick & Marilyn: I remember the fascinated people who came to quiz everyone and the amazement of the onlookers Ginni: Laughing and talking our way through the Orkneys with Lyn Patrick: I remember a crowd who had just spent their life savings on a luxury tour of Scotland pushing the bus !!  (The  water heater on the bus for making coffee got left on at Skara Brae, so we all had to push start the bus with its flat battery.!) I remember Scott was always flying from that "other" spot, he would size up a site and choose his shooting location with care. BOAT TRIP I remember our evening boat trip and meal out on Scapa flow, getting the skipper to take us back and forth over a submerged wreck a couple of metres below the surface. Getting dozens of shots of black water. I remember our Thai curry on the boat, moored up in still water, drinking wine and more laughter. 4 AM SUMMER SOLSTICE - THE RING OF BRODGAR there were 21,000 people this year at Stonehenge at dawn this year on the 21st of June, up on Orkney at the Ring of Brodger there were about 15. Doug and Ginni: Perhaps one of the best memories was being included in the life changing decision at the Ring of the Brodgar with you and Lyn I remember Champagne, camaraderie, and cheer at 4:10 AM at the Ring of the Brodgar. Marilyn: I remember the friendship, cameraderies and laughter Simon: I remember asking Lyn if she would be my wife.   LEAVING ORKNEY I remember leaving Pat and Marilyn on Orkney, waving frantically from the boat. I remember the pang I always feel when leaving the magical isles. I remember the long journey home to Aberdeenshire   SCOTT: I remember listening to our theme song on the coach each morning, "The Top of the Morning, Tubular Bells III." In particular, the last time we listened to it stands out--we were nearing Simon's house on the return leg of our journey, and we played it one last time. As it was playing, I watched the beautiful Scotland scenery pass by through the bus window, and I realized that the song would be forever associated with wonderful memories of KAPiSco '04, an unforgettable experience.   GENERAL RECOLLECTIONS   Ginni: Admiration for the Scottish forbearers for their tenacity and love of their land. Doug & Ginni: Patrick and Marilyn's unbounded joy in life Carl: Watching KAPers unselfishly help each other. Doug: Healthy, happy livestock in every yard & field Doug: I remember that everything is Scotland is about a 5 minute walk. Of course the formula is 5 minutes X 2 ( or 3) + 32 minutes for the conversion. ......... or something like that. Merv: I remember how relaxed I was, Carl: I remember Seeing Scotland's many intersting historial sites, cities, distilleries, bridges and ports, giving us many memories and stories to talk about for years to come.  Scotland has a lot of history to offer compared to Canada and it was a great learning experience. - I recommend visiting Scotland to all my friends and family. Lyn's Perspective: Up to a year ago I'd never heard of KAP. THEN I met Simon. Then everything changed in my world! (and Simon's ). Since the KAPISCO tour I've been thinking about our group and the similar characteristics which the KAPPERS share. This, I believe is one of the the magic ingredients which made the trip so successful and created firm bonds. These are BOUNDLESS ENTHUSIASM, A SENSE OF THE RIDICULOUS, A SENSE OF HUMOUR - EVEN AND ESPECIALLY WHEN THINGS FALL APART, CAMARADERIE, CREATIVITY, A WILLINGNESS TO SHARE IDEAS AND EXPERTISE, A GENEROSITY OF SPIRIT AND DETERMINATION, A WILLINGNESS TO EXPLORE UNCHARTED TERRITORY etc. In other words a bunch of real characters from different backgrounds and cultures met up who share a similar passion for KAP and seem to display some similarities in personality as well !! AND they're a pretty talented lot who take amazing pictures. Also a tribute to us girls who added balance (plus brains and beauty of course) to the experience. Less boys teckie talk and more stories and fun! SO it's been great fun and HASTE YOU BACK as they say in Scotland. Merv: I remember how beautiful the country is. Pat & Marilyn: I remember thinking life is good Simon: Finally, I remember the smiles on all our faces,the sound of laughter all week and the contentment we felt when it was over. Thanks to Carl, Doug, Ginni,James, Marilyn, Merv, Nicole, Pat, Peter, Scott for coming, George for his great driving and good humour. and to Lyn for coming too, and agreeing to be my wife.