...though it took part in none of the traditional activities!
Universalis
Friday, 7 August 2009
Inverness Highland Games - 16
This wise owl was present at the Games...
...though it took part in none of the traditional activities!
...though it took part in none of the traditional activities!
Thursday, 6 August 2009
Transfiguration of the Lord
It is high time today was made a Solemnity!
’Tis good, Lord, to be here,
Thy glory fills the night;
Thy face and garments, like the sun,
Shine with unborrowed light.
’Tis good, Lord, to be here,
Thy beauty to behold
Where Moses and Elijah stand,
Thy messengers of old.
Fulfiller of the past,
Promise of things to be,
We hail Thy body glorified
And our redemption see.
Before we taste of death,
We see Thy kingdom come;
We fain would hold the vision bright
And make this hill our home.
’Tis good, Lord, to be here.
Yet we may not remain;
But since Thou bidst us leave the mount,
Come with us to the plain.
Happy Feast!
’Tis good, Lord, to be here,
Thy glory fills the night;
Thy face and garments, like the sun,
Shine with unborrowed light.
’Tis good, Lord, to be here,
Thy beauty to behold
Where Moses and Elijah stand,
Thy messengers of old.
Fulfiller of the past,
Promise of things to be,
We hail Thy body glorified
And our redemption see.
Before we taste of death,
We see Thy kingdom come;
We fain would hold the vision bright
And make this hill our home.
’Tis good, Lord, to be here.
Yet we may not remain;
But since Thou bidst us leave the mount,
Come with us to the plain.
Happy Feast!
Wednesday, 5 August 2009
Inverness Highland Games - 15
This athlete is well pleased with his hammer throw!
Just like other throwing events, the competition is decided on who can throw the hammer the furthest. The 'Hammer Throw' derived from old competitions where an actual sledge-hammer was thrown. Nowadays however the hammer is replaced with a steel or lead weight, one of the adopted methods derived from one of the most significant players in Hammer Throwing, Donald Dinnie.
Back in the 19th century, he was the first athlete to turn hammer throwing into a full 360 degrees before releasing. The turns allowed the athlete to achieve a much greater distance. This marked a significant split between traditional Scottish Highland games and modern track and field athletics.
Just like other throwing events, the competition is decided on who can throw the hammer the furthest. The 'Hammer Throw' derived from old competitions where an actual sledge-hammer was thrown. Nowadays however the hammer is replaced with a steel or lead weight, one of the adopted methods derived from one of the most significant players in Hammer Throwing, Donald Dinnie.
Back in the 19th century, he was the first athlete to turn hammer throwing into a full 360 degrees before releasing. The turns allowed the athlete to achieve a much greater distance. This marked a significant split between traditional Scottish Highland games and modern track and field athletics.
Tuesday, 4 August 2009
Inverness Highland Games - 14
Here we see a successful throw!
Throwing the weight for height was originally practiced in farmyards where an object such as a barrel top would be suspended from a pulley at the hay loft or alternatively from the branch of a tree.At the Inverness Games the weight is 42 pounds (3 stone) wit an attached handle. It is thrown over a bar on stands, as used in the pole vault. Three consecutive failures at any weight eliminate the thrower from the contest.
Throwing the weight for height was originally practiced in farmyards where an object such as a barrel top would be suspended from a pulley at the hay loft or alternatively from the branch of a tree.At the Inverness Games the weight is 42 pounds (3 stone) wit an attached handle. It is thrown over a bar on stands, as used in the pole vault. Three consecutive failures at any weight eliminate the thrower from the contest.
Monday, 3 August 2009
Inverness Highland Games - 13
Throwing the weight for height is another important event at the Games.
For many first time visitors to the Inverness Games this is the biggest surprise of the afternoon. This is the event that everybody finds themselves drawn into and Inverness is famous on the international Highland Games circuit for the volume of roars of encouragement that the spectators produce!
To really appreciate what you are seeing you have got to try and lift one of these weights, so every now and then the crowd at the barrier is asked to pass the weight along the front. They find this very difficult!
For many first time visitors to the Inverness Games this is the biggest surprise of the afternoon. This is the event that everybody finds themselves drawn into and Inverness is famous on the international Highland Games circuit for the volume of roars of encouragement that the spectators produce!
To really appreciate what you are seeing you have got to try and lift one of these weights, so every now and then the crowd at the barrier is asked to pass the weight along the front. They find this very difficult!
Sunday, 2 August 2009
18th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Today, in the Gospel, Jesus explain to us that he is 'the bread of life'. Our picture today is based on the first reading from the Book of Exodus.
Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendour,
first-begotten from the dead.
Thou alone, our strong defender,
liftest up thy people's head.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Jesus, true and living bread!
Here our humblest homage pay we,
here in loving reverence bow;
here for faith's discernment pray we,
lest we fail to know thee now.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou art here, we ask not how.
Though the lowliest form doth veil thee
as of old in Bethlehem,
here as there thine angels hail thee,
branch and flower of Jesse's stem.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
We in worship join with them.
Paschal Lamb, thine offering, finished
once for all when thou was slain,
in its fullness undiminished
shall for evermore remain.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Cleansing souls from every stain.
Life-imparting heavenly Manna,
stricken Rock with streaming side,
heaven and earth with loud hosanna
worship thee, the Lamb who died.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Risen, ascended, glorified!
Happy Sunday!
Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendour,
first-begotten from the dead.
Thou alone, our strong defender,
liftest up thy people's head.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Jesus, true and living bread!
Here our humblest homage pay we,
here in loving reverence bow;
here for faith's discernment pray we,
lest we fail to know thee now.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou art here, we ask not how.
Though the lowliest form doth veil thee
as of old in Bethlehem,
here as there thine angels hail thee,
branch and flower of Jesse's stem.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
We in worship join with them.
Paschal Lamb, thine offering, finished
once for all when thou was slain,
in its fullness undiminished
shall for evermore remain.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Cleansing souls from every stain.
Life-imparting heavenly Manna,
stricken Rock with streaming side,
heaven and earth with loud hosanna
worship thee, the Lamb who died.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Risen, ascended, glorified!
Happy Sunday!
Saturday, 1 August 2009
Inverness Highland Games - 12
Contrary to general belief, athletes do not aim to throw the caber further than their opponents; they have three throws to try to toss or throw it 'straighter' than their opponents.
A 'twelve o'clock throw' is a perfect throw. Just imagine the caber as the hour hand of a clock with the thick end of the caber starting in the 12 o'clock position with the competitor tossing from the 6 o'clock position. If the thick end of the caber lands in the 6 o'clock position and stands proudly in a straight line with the thin end pointing towards heaven, that's a perfect throw!
A 'twelve o'clock throw' is a perfect throw. Just imagine the caber as the hour hand of a clock with the thick end of the caber starting in the 12 o'clock position with the competitor tossing from the 6 o'clock position. If the thick end of the caber lands in the 6 o'clock position and stands proudly in a straight line with the thin end pointing towards heaven, that's a perfect throw!
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