Leodhasach

Well, that's me back in Glasgow after a hectic couple of days at home. It all went as well as it could though, and everyone is doing well. His family are quite remarkable and lovely people, who in no way deserve to have been through what they have lately, but still show complete dignity, solidarity, and concern for everybody else at such a sad time. His two step-daughters have 'adopted' me as their wee brother It all really hit me once I got home to Stornoway on Tuesday night, like I thought it would. Had a bit of a cry. I think it was good to do it then though, because I was then able to stay composed during the funeral yesterday, which I felt was important as I was involved in greeting people at the church and also lowering the coffin into the grave. The funeral was really fitting. His remains were brought home for the last time on a Calmac ferry...he was a skipper for Calmac. When they couldn't get access to the church as early as they'd liked, the hearse was parked in the masonic lodge car park...he was a pretty enthusiastic Freemason. His grave overlooks the sea...he was a seaman pretty much all his working life. Kind of bittersweet, really. Oh, and the hearse was a lovely big Mercedes...my uncle was a Mercedes fan, he would have approved Also, on Monday's memorial service in Glasgow for those who couldn't reach the island for the funeral, his coffin was piped in and piped out by three pipers from his lodge. Full Highland dress, properly loud Highland bagpipes...incredibly stirring and powerful stuff. Also, the undertaker was a personal friend of his, who he wanted to carry everything out all along. Not only was it his first solo funeral (he did a sterling job), but it was his first time on the island. Long story short, he needed me to help navigate from the church to the cemetery. I was with my uncle on his final journey...that really did mean a lot to me. All very sad and sombre, but strangely comforting as well. I can't really explain it. Now, we just have to come to terms with the fact that he really is gone. I'll miss him... :( Sincere and heartfelt thanks to everybody who has posted on this thread, whether to say a quick 'sorry' or to offer support and advice, or share their own experiences. I really, really appreciate it. Andrew

Thanks. Yeah, here's hoping. I've just had a rough night unable to sleep, so I tried doing lots of studying for the two exams I have today (immediately after which, I must dash to the airport to fly home to Stornoway). At 9am I'm going to go and see my course leader and see what he says. It's not easy as due to the nature of Merchant Navy training, timetables and schedules are quite tight. I also have an exam on Thursday that will need rescheduled as that's the day I travel back to Glasgow. The kicker? Next week is my final week of college until January. Not much time to get things sorted, and of course at home I will be too preoccupied with the funeral. Stressed? Just a tad. Very grateful to have such a wonderful family though, who are taking this sad time in their stride. No idea mate, details are sketchy at best :S And yeah, it's been a hell of a time for bad news lately. Given the choice, I would be holed-up in an anchorage somewhere on our boat, just relaxing. So I know what you mean. Unfortunately, I have to keep busy for a wee while yet before I can think of relaxing.

Might be stuck under my car, it's a bit low after all :p

It's quite an easy job, just take your time and don't break anything!

I cut down the rears, but not the front...worth a try?

I am growing to hate my AP's, they squeak like crazy. It's an odd sound, like I'm driving over a flock of geese. A bit of research shows a few people have found the same. Do the Weitecs/KW's do the same? :S

Thanks so much guys. Just steeling myself for what's sure to be a heavy week of mileage, emotional drain and sorting out the practicalities...

Aye, changed my mind in the end, was good to get a change of scene after the last few days. Bit windy though

A couple of you guys may already know that I can no longer attend, sorry.

Merde indeed! There's a few other little worries, but those are the two big 'uns... I really hope your mate pulls through it all!

Thanks Felly, yeah it does seem that way. My friend in the coma was declared brain-dead yesterday also :(

First of all, a heartfelt and sincere 'thank you' to all of you who have posted on here or sent text messages over the last few days. My uncle went downhill very quickly on Wednesday evening, and has had a very difficult and painful few days since then. However, after everyone had managed to come and visit him, he passed away peacefully around 1am. The family, and myself, all think that it is probably a blessing that his suffering didn't continue for too much longer, as sad as it all is. Andrew

Proper reply to you all in the morning, but I think I may have just seen my uncle for the final time :(

Just a quick 'thank you' from me for now folks, I'll be back later to reply properly. Just off to visit my uncle again. Very lucky, if you click on this link there's a report and a photograph of the accident: http://www.hebrides-news.com/harris-accident-24511.html I can echo what you're saying. A couple of years ago, I had an accident when I hit a fuel spill at 50mph in a Ford Fiesta hire car belonging to my boss. I too was very lucky to walk away from an upside-down car! Touch wood, there's been nothing like that since, and long may it stay that way. Just plodding on for now, trying to do my best for everyone.

I think a massive drop on the back looks odd, because the wheel seems to get sucked forward in the arch. That's why I haven't taken my adjusters out!

I fergot, yer Honour :p

Thanks Ian, I do hope you're right!

Hi everyone, Be warned, this is not a cheery post, and I need to get stuff off my chest. Right, here's the script. I'm a 21 year old marine engineering student, from the Western Isles but currently living in the city of Glasgow. Most of my family are either still in the islands, or in Canada, with just my gran and great-uncle, her brother, being around the Glasgow area. My family has always been very close. Recently, my great uncle was diagnosed with terminal cancer at the age of 64. Because my gran is not exactly mobile after recent hip replacements, I'm the one who has been doing all the visits and running errands for him, which of course I don't grudge, but it's always hard to see every deterioration, especially as he was always so active. He was a skipper for Calmac on the wee Clyde ferries until recently. Today we got word that he probably doesn't have much time left. The timing isn't great. Without wishing to sound selfish, I have lots of exams and reports due just now, but more importantly I go away to sea soon for 3 months, and I will be unable to get back or communicate easily if anything happens, a thought which I find really difficult :( On top of all this, in the last week our cat, whom we have had since I was 7 years old, has died, and a friend of mine is in a coma after an incident at a party (we don't know what yet). Today, a cousin of mine was seriously injured after the wind toppled the HGV he was driving, sending it over a guardrail and down a steep hillside (by all accounts, he's extremely lucky, it took 3 hours to extract him): http://www.stornowaygazette.co.uk/news/local-headlines/road_accident_on_harris_1_1642117 I suppose my gist is that lately, it feels like there's just been an unrelenting stream of bad news all at once, it's as if somebody has disabled the 'happy' switch. I feel a bit overwhelmed at times while putting on a brave face, but deep down I feel like I am losing control. It's not easy especially when most of my family and friends are so far away. I then tried to fight this feelig by drinking too much, which of course has not worked and just made things worse. At least I've realised that now. Not sure what the point of this post is, I just felt the need to tell...someone. Oh, and the icing on the cake, me and my Skoda were nearly flattened by a tree yesterday! Andrew

It's a bit of a pain actually...the connections are different.

So sorry to hear that Brimma :'( Particularly poignant for me, as we are likely to lose my great-uncle in Greenock soon to cancer as well...the thing is, the rest of my family are still in the islands whereas I am studying here in Glasgow, so I'm the one doing all the visiting, seeing every deterioration...it's not easy :'( You are in my thoughts, and you know you have friends here! Andrew

Howdy!

What he said