For the greater part of a decade I have maintained this blog, and out of the greater part of four thousand posts, I have taken down no more than half a dozen which caused upset or offence.  I try to be responsible but I don't always get it right, and in recent weeks have managed to get it wrong, at least for some readers, on at least two occasions, which feels like two too many.

This is not me taking a huff and stomping off with my ball; this is me recognising that I need to step back and think afresh whether this is the appropriate platform for the things I write about.  It's not about who is 'right' or who is 'wrong', it's about me trying to take seriously my responsibilities.

So, sincere apologies to anyone who I have hurt, upset or offended in recent times.

And apologies to anyone who is disappointed at my decision.

For the next little while, at least, I will not be blogging, if only to give me time to reflect carefully on what is or is not suitable for public consumption.

That was a fun afternoon, seeing lots of families have a ball (well a ceilidh obviously) this afternoon.

Accordians, guitar, bagpipes, saxophone, singers, dancing, games, snacks... a lovely pack out time for all who came along.

Huge thanks to A, N, N, C, G, L, M, G, H, E, F, S, A, B who gave their time and energy to make it so much fun for all who came along.

My very elderly (better part of 30 years old) 21st Edition copy of Patons Woolcraft - still my 'go to' after all these years.  I did have an earlier edition, the 18th I think, but I wore it out (and shared it with my sister and mother).

I taught myself to knit from the Ladybird book on knitting - alas it seems my copy is long since lost, and I'm not about to pay £3.50 (or more) to replace it purely for nostalgic reasons.  My first successful knitting project was a bright green pencil case (with a white zip hand stitched into it - back in the 70s it was expected that you could put in a zip by age 11!) before I soon progressed to a jumper with a cable design up the front, and in time won prizes for my fairisle and Arran knits.

Now, I just dug out the book for fancy stitches to work into squares I'm knitting for a charity.  Just opening it, looking at patterns that have been knitted over the years is a source of great joy... and I realise now that I was actually a mighty good knitter back in the day!

In just a few minutes time, possibly whilst I am still typing this, the funeral of Charles Kennedy, former leader fo the Liberal Democrats, career politician, father and above all, human being will take place.  The great and the good will gather.  Respresentatives of parties who opposed his views.  Public figures.  And his family, his friends and the people who really knew and loved him.  In the embrace for the church (Church) into which he was brought as an infant, in familiar words and ancient promises, in ritual and remembrance.

It strikes me as somehow significant that thirty minutes later, far away at the other side of the country, one of his former a constituents, J, a quiet, private woman married to an even quieter, more private, man, will be laid to rest.  I can't be there - commitments in Glasgow made it unworkable - and I know that this will be a small, intimate affair.  No press.  No reporters.  No public figures.  Family and such friends as were able to travel.  A humanist ceremony for a woman who lived a quiet life, unobserved, save by those who knew her.

Very different, and yet very similar.  Each in thier fifties; both taken by cruel hidden diseases.  Both people of principle and passion.  Each loved and loving others.

A reminder, were one needed (I hope it is not) that at the heart of every large, public funeral is a real human loss, a family in grief.

A reminder too, were one needed (I hope it is not) that everyone is equally significant in the eyes of God; that a quiet life, lived privately and without report is just as valuable as one spent in the public arena.

So, I will take my lunch break and go to the park.

I will sit in the sunshine and pause to reflect and remember two people, one known a little, one known only by repute; both highlanders and each now at rest and peace.

Eternal rest grant unto them, oh Lord, let perpetual light shine upon them, may they rest in peace.