Tales from the Dark Side

On the Road again...

2012-02-06T19:28:00.000Z

I’m preparing to hit the road again in the 3^rd of my series to find out what the English think about the prospect of an independent Scotland. This time, I’m only just going over the border to Cumbria.

However, I’m not going to Carlisle, as that’s to obvious. Instead, I’m heading further west to the coastal Cumbria town of Whitehaven and if time allows I may even get to Maryport. Sadly, Whitehaven is known for a day it would rather forget. Like Dunblane and Hungerford it has become synonymous by a gunman who went on a killing spree.

Pict: by Ray Hardie ..titled..Renton has been replaced!..Rentons' guide harness has been placed over the head of a large stone carved dog...bigger than Renton...even!

I’ve not chosen Whitehaven for any ghoulish Journalistic reasons. No, My reason for going there is..... it’s an area that has a sense of being bypassed by the M6 motorway as people head to and from Scotland. The areas population are not normally canvassed as to their opinion on politics but yet are just over the Border and ...Oh yes and I’ve never been there before.

My plan is a loose one which will leave space for the unexpected. However, I always set off with a few key contact numbers and emails just incase the people I have initially agreed to speak to are not in or are called away...I like to feel organised.

and of course there are a few things to organise before I leave Lanark and they are not necessarily anything to do with the content of my film. All of them have to be sorted out in advance and can’t be left to chance.

First do I take Renton? If I do, I need a Hotel that welcomes and is suitable for a large dog. Legally, they can’t refuse to take a guide dog, but there is nothing worse than staying somewhere that your not made welcome. Importantly, I need to book a place with space for Renton to do his business (polite way of saying "bathroom) what if he needs out at 2 in the morning? A hotel in the middle of town is often a non starter. This can take quite a bit of research and checking to insure that the hotel is suitable. Fortunately, there are people in the office who can help with this task.

I then have to get Renton's food, water, bowl, towel, dog whistle, treats, haulty, bells and a mat for him to sleep and pack it all. [Oh yes, my clothes.] I've also got to make sure that the hotel meets the BBC budget criteria. After all, this is licence payers cash and it’s all about best value. I do like my comfort, but if I was staying in 5 star hotels questions would be asked.

Next on the check list is - do I have a camera person? and do they have access to a camera? They both have to be checked for availability and booked. Is the car that they have big enough to take Renton and all the kit? Fortunately, I normally work with the same camera people, who have built up an understanding of working with a blind person in a visual media.

I must always leave enough time to get the camera person to the location and back within the allotted time. Giving us enough time to actually shoot a decent film. Whilst not killing the camera person with an impossible schedule. That would help neither of us.

So..check list is in order - time to get on the road again..

Renton Digs for Victory

2012-02-04T15:53:00.000Z

Picture of big paws for digging a big hole!!

In my last blog, I hinted at Renton’s foibles. For some unknown reason he’s started digging a hole in the garden and it’s getting bigger and bigger and deeper and deeper. We know, that he knows that it is wrong to dig, as when we catch him with his giant paws in his newly created crater pumping away like jack hammers, he stops.. looks up, puts his ears back, then runs away. He disappears either inside the house to his bed, (muddy paw trail across all the floors of course) Or he dashes to the front of the house and hides...Christine caught him poking his long nose and ears around the corner watching to see if we were still there.

If he would dig in the places that needed to be dug, that would be fantastic and a useful extra skill for his cv. But no! He digs in places I’m likely to walk. For example. In front of the wood store so that when I go to get wood, I fall into it...If I didn’t know better I would think he is setting a trap.

the beginnings of the whole

Having a guide dog that randomly digs holes makes life interesting. It can make strolling around my garden fraught with a combination of excitement and terror.

I have considered that maybe he’s trying to tell me something. Does he not like me? Perhaps he doesn’t like working! I wonder if he gets bored sitting at my desk at the BBC? Then again, perhaps it’s just a practical joke against his blind owner. Who knows! What ever it is, I wish he would stop digging, as it’s bloody dangerous.

Welcome to 2012 - I'm back....

2012-01-29T16:11:00.001Z

I’m back.

As you will have noted, I’ve not written anything for a while, however I’m now back with a vengeance!

Since last summer I’ve been on the road covering a whole range of stories from politics and organic produce to cost of care, history of the Scottish political parties, corporation tax the Arts Turner Prize, and the gap between rich and poor people. I’ve been all over Scotland, England, northern Ireland. I even ventured abroad when I visited Holland as part of my Cost of Care Series. (you can see some of the films on Camera Prof. Nicola Blackmore's site)

Now I’m very much into the issues around the Scottish referendum debate. I’m not long back from Cornwall and Corby to gauge their opinion. next week I’m off to the North of England to hear about their views on Scottish separation from the UK.

I suspect that I will be working on this particular topic for the next two years at least.

What about Renton and Moss I hear you ask?

Picture of Moss and Renton sitting side by side

Well, he’s been fantastic and has really matured. However, he’s not lost that sense of fun. Importantly he is a great guider and when shown a route once he never forgets. Renton just loves to please so he tries hard and enjoys his work.

Renton has just a few foibles. Which I’ll tell you about in future blogs. I’ll also give you an update on Moss, so don’t forget to return here and read more.

Come up and see my etchings!

2011-09-28T11:08:00.000+01:00

For those of you who can see please click on the following link to my past etchings..rather than having them stuck in the attic I thought it would be a good idea to have them out in the virtual world!

picture of etched cottage on the hill in the distance surrounded by leaveless trees

Ian Hamilton Etchings

sound and vision..something for all my friends

2011-09-16T12:15:00.001+01:00

Before Lorne set off on his 8 x 8 challenge he climbed the Aonach Eagach ridge in Glen Coe Scotland. and played his Bag pipes at the top his friend Greg carried the Bagpipes..his Sherpa!...he meet some German Tourists at the top and they had a go or "blaw" of his pipes also..... enjoy...sound and vision

No matter where you are in the world He is 57% of his way to his target please help
support Guide Dogs and Lornes' challenge at

http://www.justgiving.com/Lorne-brown/eurl.axd/c7c05e801740374bbca4021a40e66b79

AMAZING Achievement for Lorne and Guide Dogs

2011-09-16T12:04:00.001+01:00

Lorne Brown, 80, achieves Italian eight peaks climb

By Catherine LystBBC Scotland news website

After completing the climbs, Lorne is already thinking about his next challenge

An 80-year-old man has achieved his ambition to climb eight major mountains in eight days in the Italian Dolomites.

Lorne Brown, from North Lanarkshire, began climbing the via ferrata routes just days after his birthday to raise money for Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Using ropes and ladders, his 8x8 challenge took him up overhanging cliffs and precipitous slopes to some of the highest peaks of the Dolomites.

He was due to celebrate his achievement with a tandem paraglide.

Mr Brown's daughter Christine told the BBC Scotland news website: "I'm just really proud of him."

Lorne, who lives in Dullatur, was a late starter, only beginning to climb Munros at the age of 75.

A via ferrata is a mountain route equipped with fixed cables, stemples, ladders, and bridges to assist climbers.

Each day Lorne walked and climbed about 3,000 feet (900m) - the height of a Munro - to get to the start of each via ferrata.

He trained for the 8x8 challenge by going to the gym three days a week and climbing once or twice a week to strengthen his muscles and increase his stamina.

"He hadn't bought a pair of gym shoes for over 60 years," Christine said.

"He feels vindicated that someone who is 80 can go out and do these things.

"And he is raising awareness for guide dogs at the same time."

Lorne has so far raised £6,000. He hopes to hit his target of £8,888 and has set up a Just Giving website. This year is also the 80th anniversary of Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Tandem paraglide

"Sometimes you have no time when you're younger to follow your dreams," Christine said. "It's like he's gone into his peak in his 80s. He's really found his niche."

In April last year, Lorne gained his husky driving licence following a 10-day trek in Greenland.

He faced sub-zero temperatures as he led a sled pulled by the dogs to the Arctic Circle.

He also provided the entertainment after taking his bagpipes along.

"He's already thinking what his next challenge is going to be," Christine said.

"He's doing the tandem paraglide just for fun. It's another thing he's always wanted to do."

Following the paraglide, the group Lorne is with are taking him on a short climb, using just ropes.

Christine added: "He said 'no wonder he's losing his hair'."

A Big Thank You - know who you are

2011-08-27T23:04:00.000+01:00

A big thank you to all my Blogger readers and writers out there

I cannot believe that my Blog has had 22,202 hits...people are reading it from all over the world from Morocco to Japan - India to Skegness - please keep reading and sharing and enjoying....and learning.

The Audio Boos

2011-08-15T10:02:00.000+01:00

AudioBoos are an audio Twitter - and I just love them. I have a Twitter connection at the top of the Blog page but I have noticed that the AudioBoos do not seem to play from this Blog page so I've listed a few below. They were great fun to do.. let me know what you think...and if they work...as a blind person I can just about use them..the application on the computer is much better and comprehensive than the App for the phone...but..it is early days and the developers are still working on it...enjoy the Boos

Interview with Lorne about his raising funds for Guide Dogs..
Good morning from Renton
working from home in the sunshine

One year on....

2011-08-14T21:15:00.000+01:00

Ian being a big sook and offering Renton a nibblet for being a good boy

It’s hard to believe it’s nearly a year since the Guide Dog Association brought Renton for his matching visit with me. Basically, this is when they bring the dog for a test drive. It’s at this point when you decide whether this particular dog is the right one or not.

This can involve a number of factors. Like: walking speed, size, breed and temperament. Admittedly, it’s hard to draw any firm conclusions from such a short meeting, but often it’s best to follow your gut instinct and get some further background from the instructor.

However, it’s always best to look between the lines as guide dog trainers can be a bit like estate agents.

“The dog is very keen”

Translation - they’ll drag you off your feet.

“He responds well to firm handling.”

Translation - you’ll have to wrestle him to the ground if a cat goes past.

“The dog shows great caution at an obstacle.”

Translation - dog requires some kind of bribery usually food, to get them past anything. Even then they’ll require counselling for their nerves.

I am not saying that it has been plain sailing. He has had plenty of his own challenges to overcome. Like his suspicions and hate of cats, horses, small dogs, [not large ones he’s not stupid.] squirrels. He is a bit too enthusiastic when people come to the door, but we are working on this also. (do you like my estate agent speak there...translate..he barks the house down until you are deaf!!!...anyway other than those, Renton who had his 3^rd birthday last Wednesday is maturing nicely and it feels that I’ve been working with him for years.

Talking about his barking... this has been new to us..we are a quiet house and Moss rarely barks, far to much like hard work for a Labrador. However, Renton likes to bark at dogs going past the gate, the postman, [particularly the postman.] visitors to the door. We can quieten him down a bit and then he coughs and splutters instead.

Renton sitting at the window watching for someone to bark at!

We have had loads of laughs with him, and I mean loads, he is incredibly intelligent and caring even to Moss. (which I've talked about before)

Moss and Renton with Ian at the front of the house

Moss is still not sure about him. Renton is far to fussy and loud for Moss (the Buddhist dog) He tends to put up with Renton, but we noticed that they have started to lie together out in the grass..and run down to the gate together...so maybe there is a change happening.

So..from this sad dog who arrived, not long from the kennels, missing his handler, not eating anything and wanting to stand in a dark corner in the bathroom..we call this his ubend phase!..he was a bit disorientated at first and I think it has taken this full year for him to finally feel confident and at home..His work, however has always been good...but, I now have this big bouncy, Gucci pawed bear of a dog..Renticus Giganticus, his guiding work is just brilliant and we both love him to bits.

The Cost of Caring

2011-08-08T12:41:00.000+01:00

Nicola my camera person has managed to put our latest film on to the internet. The film was completed for Newsnight Scotland on BBC2 Scotland.

This is part one which looks at the Cost of Caring

Let me know what you think.......

My first Golfing Cup win at the Scottish Pairs

2011-08-08T09:56:00.000+01:00

My first Golfing Cup win at the Scottish Pairs

Championship Scottish Blind Golf Society..

Ian wearing his Greg Norman hat and holding the Golf Trophy

I was partnered by my sighted golfing partner Paul Bell. It was the last competition of the season and we both decided to just relax and enjoy it....there were a few strange hits...the ball hit off a rake and rebounded onto the green...and then we won...and it was just great. Alan White the Golf Pro at Lanark Golf Club has been giving me lessons...he keeps up to date with all the new techniques of teaching blind people about balance while hitting the ball and so on.....and his hard work has paid off hey..we won!!!

Cost of Care for the Baby Boomers in Scotland- Newsnight Scotland

2011-07-26T16:21:00.000+01:00

I thought you might be interested in my recent Report for BBC Scotland

We have been warned that the population in Scotland is changing.....but it has already changed..so what are we doing about?

Newsnight Scotland the link is only available to people in the UK and for 1 week only.

time for giving Renton a good grooming!

2011-07-25T09:37:00.000+01:00

With all the doom and gloom which around just now I thought I would share with you

Well it was a sunny afternoon, Renton was kind of snoozy and as Christine was complaining about the amount of dog hair over the kitchen floor, (German Shepherds cast constantly) I decided to groom Renton...now normally he is very patient and stands for ages as I make his majesty look spiffing...however yesterday he just wanted to play..he stuck his head under my arms, and wouldn't stand up and rolled about on the grass and got up to all kinds of hi-jinks...and made us laugh..when I stopped he came after me for more attention....and gave me a big paw and playful bark...

Pict: of Renton rolling about on the grass

Bagpipes at the top of GlenCoe - in aid of Guide Dogs

2011-07-17T16:24:00.001+01:00

Lorne playing his bagpipes at the top of Glencoe

Lorne is preparing for a his next challenge for Guide Dogs, by climbing the Aonach Eagach (The Toothed Ridge) of Glen Comhain (Glen Coe) I'll tell you more about this later..but is quite spectacular. He is 79 and 3/4yrs old I have to point out!!

Lorne Brown finally gets to play his pipes - Just click on the link and you will see what happened when he climbed to the top with his friend "Sherpa" Greg McShane (the carrier of the Bag pipes) who was also behind the camera. .
S'math sinn!! enjoy

to raise money for guide Dogs just click on Lorne Brown..you will also get a peek as to what his next amazing challenge will be.

Buses and rickshaws continued.

2011-05-29T15:51:00.000+01:00

Pict: steamy view of hotel pool and undergrowth

Pict:swimming in the downpour

Arriving at the end of the late monsoon season meant I experienced not only the torrential down pores with high temperatures, but I also suffered with the heavy atmosphere which was thick and sticky. I became extremely appreciative of the efficient air conditioning in the bedroom. However, with the astounding temperatures and humidity in the bathroom, especially after having a shower, I was always anticipating a violent thunder storm in the hall, as two great air systems collided.

Pict: exotic wooden door in the hotel surrounded by plants and stained glass

Large hotels can often leave me feeling lost with their never ending corridors, open plan bars and self serving restaurants; I end up feeling more blind than I normally would. Quite often hoteliers choose a room far away from the main hub, (us blind people like "quiet" you know and, and it can take me a fortnight just to learn the route to the bar. Heathers’ hotel was such a blessing, with the swimming pool, Bar and bedroom being in close proximity. Consequently, if I wished to do my own thing around the grounds, I could, without having to be guided from one part of the hotel to another.

Our friends' hotel (Mollys Retreat)was perfect for getting around, and yet despite the compactness of the grounds I still had to be cautious when moving around. Between the perimeter wall and the pool was a narrow path lined with sun-beds. When using my white cane, if I didn’t concentrate, I could potentially catch one of the beds and pole volt myself into the deep end!

Pict.view of the swimming pool from the balcony, detailed wrought iron bars

Pict: back of bamboo curved chair- neat crossings of bamboo

Pict: vines climbing up the tree with lots of lush leaves

In the early evening I looked forward to sitting on the balcony and being surrounded by the sounds and smells of what was obviously an incredible country. The warm aroma of the vegetation and early evening wood fires mixed with the sounds of the frogs, Hindu Temple music and faraway voices. My western senses were being enveloped by the Easternexperience, as I quietly contemplated what would be happening the following day.

Pict by Steve: pretty lemon flower with petals like tissue

Pict:lots of green long leaves together with light coming through the gaps

Visually, I really knew I was missing out on something spectacular, with the Asian ladies in their vibrantly coloured saris’ and the landscape with its vivid fruit, flowers and luminous green vegetation. This was all described to me in detail by a captivated Christine, as we were driven through the countryside.

Pict: Figs on a branch in the sunshine

A car journey that normally takes an hour in Scotland, takes approximately three in India. This is mainly due to the busy and poor condition of the roads. The driving was mesmerising as we never ever came to a stop. We continually seemed to be curving back and forth to the beat of the car horn, like some Indian snake, moving along the road.

Pict by Steve: busy Indian street view from the car

On one particularly hot, sticky day we decided to head to one of the Indian hill stations where the air promised to be fresher and cooler. It was going to be a three hour car journey, short by Indian standards. My friend Mark, who is also blind, came prepared for the journey; talking books, head phones and lap top computer games. Our white knuckle ride came to an end when we beat a rickshaw filled with 8 children, to the top of the hill. When we were passing them for the second time, they shouted ”how are you? My name is?” Impeccable English.

Pic: of a row of Risckshaws taken from life and change in an Indian village (Blog)

At the top we stretched our legs and took great lungfuls of fresh air. But I was disappointed, it didn’t sound, smell or feel any different from the hill-tops in Scotland.

Pict: steamy mountain top which looks like Scotland

I could have been anywhere in the world and as I wandered around over the hill and in best Scottish traditions the topic of lunch was raised.

We made our way back to our driver and he drove us down to a Beer bar offering great food and a bottle of beer for the weary traveller.

Pict:Indian Cobra beer top

Going through the door I was hit with the strong aroma of urine. I really did hope it was an Ammonia based cleaning product.

With noses twitching we reluctantly took our seats. Someone whispered in my ear. “Ian it’s not the cleanest.” Eventually someone came out to take our orders. The choice was vegetable curry, or vegetable curry. We all agreed, “Well, we’ll have vegetable curry then.” from the kitchen we heard the most incredible sounds of someone clearing their throat. “Hack! Hack! Hack! Spit.”. We shuffled nervously in our chairs as our lunch was being prepared. I heard the sizzling of the vegetables and then another whisper in my ear, “we can’t see out the windows too well and my chair is stuck to the floor with grease! The hacking intensified, not only in regularity, but in volume too.

Pict: bowl of vegetable curry

We were waiting for about 30mins...our nerve broke, getting to our feet we made some pathetic excuse of running late for our driver, so had to go…NOW!. Apologising for wasting their time we offered way over the odds for the bill before heading for the door and to the safety of the car. But where was the driver? I was frantically shoved into the back seat and Christine ran off to find him.

We waited for what seemed like an eternity, until the driver finally returned looking bemused that we had all been so quick. “We didn’t want to be late going home” we muttered “lets go.” but wait, where was Christine now?., we still couldn’t go, and we had been spotted by the proprietor, who very graciously started to bring out the curry sauce and chapattis to our car! Where was Christine?, she returned five minutes later carrying crisps! Snacks encase we were hungry, but she was confused, why were we all passing soup plates full of curry sauce between us like an unexploded bomb? And why was no-one eating? She got into the car made me stuff a chapatti into my mouth, and passed the plates back to the waiter. We asked the driver to step on it, and so we left the Beer bar far behind.

It must have been the slowest getaway in history. Normally, criminals order the food, eat it, and scarper. Not, order it, pay in advance, pay more than they asked! and then do a bunk.

Pict: Indian ornate metal padlock and bolt

Masters of crime we aint.

Trip Advisor for Mollys' Retreat

Travel to India part one

2011-05-22T12:34:00.000+01:00

Pict: of Indian Rooftop and coconut trees - looks like it has been raining

Where is our summer? It’s May and we should be having some decent weather by now. The last time I can remember being truly warm out doors is when we went to India In 2008. I had gone with Christine and some friends, one of whom Mark is also blind. The year previously I recall hesitating before booking the holiday and wondering if India really would be a good destination for someone who is blind to visit.

The descriptions from other sighted friends had left me confused as they had described the congested, frenetic, bustle of the cities and towns, people taking their lives in their hands to cross the busy roads and of being surrounded by beggars and hawkers desperate to sell their wares just to survive another day.

However, they also assured me that the country is host to smells, flavours and atmosphere in abundance, an exotic country, which would be a challenging place to visit. What finally convinced me, was that we were to stay with a mutual friend who had moved from the UK and opened a small eight bedroom hotel in Kerala, at the southern most tip of India. This would bring a stable base to travel from and invaluable local knowledge.

So getting there! Airplanes are boring enough when you can see, but imagine wearing a bag over your head, with a set of headphones which are playing white noise and you will start to appreciate what it’s like for me. As for the on board entertainment, forget it! that’s normally inaccessible and requires me to continually dig Christine’s ribs to find a film with dialog I can follow. So a 14 hour flight to India was going to be mind numbing. My experience of flying as a blind person, divides into two categories. First: I get treated like an item of lost luggage being passed from one bored member of staff to the next. Or secondly: I’m treated like a sickly child, overly pampered and slightly patronised.

I’m pleased to say this wasn’t the case with Emirates Airlines. At every step of the trip I was met and assisted in a professional and adult manner. During the first part of the trip from Glasgow to Dubai, the Cabin crew took the time to explain the extensive on board entertainment console, with its buttons and touch screens. In all my experience of many years of flying, this was the first time that anyone had ever attempted to show the workings of the in-flight entertainment to me. The technology still wasn’t totally accessible, but I was able to scan through the radio and TV channels and bombard myself with vast quantities of comedy to take the edge off of my journey.

Pict: of lots of green leaves in the sunshine

And…Just to put the icing on the cake, or Champagne on the ice, for my onward flight to India I was upgraded to first class! I stretched out in comfort but oddly, the crew in first class were more bemused by a blind passenger than they were in Economy and kept looking to my partner for re-assurance as they found it difficult to communicate with me directly. Does this say something about their training, or perhaps speaks volumes about how many blind people fly first class. Of course this is something I’m determined to rectify! This experiential India trip was looking good already and I hadn’t even landed!.

When the aircraft cabin door opened and we stepped onto Indian soil, it was like being enveloped by a boiling wet blanket, as the sizzling humidity filled our lungs. The air was so wet and thick, I could have gathered up huge arm fulls of the stuff and posted it home. We were met by our friend Heather at the airport, whose unmistakable Sunderland accent rose above the cacophony of Indian voices. Shortly after getting into the car a silence descended, and I assumed that perhaps we were all a bit tired, but slowly, gasps, barely concealed screams of terror and car horns were filling my head. I couldn’t see what was happening, but I could hear trucks, buses and powered rickshaws driving all around us. Welcome to India. Everything felt alive and we were being reminded of our imminent death!

Pict: busy Indian street by Steve

Pict: of Bus from car window by Steve

Mark and I agreed that we were lucky not to be able to see the potential carnage which surrounded us and the pair of us sunk down in our seats, and the let our senses soak everything in.

At the hotel, Heather had given her staff a mini disability awareness course. They were instructed; “Under no circumstances should you run to Mark and Ian’s assistance, as they like to be independent and find their own way. So even if you see them heading towards the swimming pool, or a table of glasses in the restaurant, don’t panic, just stand back they’ll be fine!.” Aye-RIGHT! On a number of occasions I found myself teetering on the edge of the deep-end of the pool as I headed out for dinner. Somehow, Mark and I were often strangely attracted to a table full of strangers who sat horrified unable to speak as we advanced slowly with our white canes… Only for us to via off at the last moment as we got closer to the clinking sounds of the bar.

Pict: Ian and Mark with their white canes making their way round the Pool, Sally behind

EXPERIENTIAL HOLIDAY! What was I thinking of, it was only the end of the first day and I was already exhausted. To be continued.. ….

Thankyou to all of you who Responded to: don’t put your Shepherd on the stage Mrs…

2011-05-21T13:17:00.000+01:00

Let me start by thanking all of you who responded to my request for feedback on whether I should keep Renton in my TV news reports or leave him out the picture. I received quite a number of comments, and people also contacted me by Twitter and privately by email.

I think Terry summed it up perfectly when he asked me-

“When you use a sighted guide to get to the place where you deliver your piece to camera, does the sighted guider stay in the picture? Also, "When you use one of those terribly attractive long white canes, do you hold on to it while you're presenting? If the answer to these two questions is "no", then I think you also know the answer to your question.”

Terry is correct. [He doesn’t hear that very often.] If I’m moving about in a film Renton is relevant to the story, as that’s how I move about. Just to have him in because it fills the frame nicely, is not good enough.

So, from now on, I’ve decided if I’m moving and I have Renton with me he’ll be in the film. However, if I’m doing a piece to camera and I’m static he’s out. Plus if I’m interviewing someone and Renton is at my feet, he is out of shot, no matter how tempting it might be for camera people and editors to stick him in, especially, when I’m interviewing unattractive politicians and they need a shot of a handsome dog to add interest!

So, sorry Renton but your out, although it pains me to curb your acting roles, but you are dumped from TV unless you have an action shot.

My god he’ll be asking for a stunt double next.

Don't put your Shepherd on the stage Mrs Worthington...

2011-05-16T17:45:00.000+01:00

Pict: Renton, Mary and Camerman Chas

For the last few years I’ve struggled with how I should portray myself on TV. Clearly I’m blind and it is hard to hide that fact and nor do I want to, but...do I continue to appear in my Reports to camera with Renton?

When I had Moss I tried different approaches. Sometimes I would put him on film when I worked on a piece to Camera. On other occasions the dog would not be in view and it would just be me doing the interviewing. As Moss moved towards retirement, I stopped putting him in at all, as I believed it distracted from the story.

Now that I’ve got Renton, I’ve started including him in each of my films. In fact, he is in them quite a bit. And people always comment on the programmes...not for the content..but for RENTON! I’m concerned that people are more interested in looking at Renton staring at seagulls when I’m talking to the camera, than focusing on what the issue is I’m reporting on.

Pict;graphic Ying and Yang

Is he distraction or attraction?

Renton is a very important part of my life, but he isn’t what defines me as me. Fundamentally he is a form of mobility. He’s not an extension of my personality. Nor is he some kind of co-presenter.

But..he is so handsome and full of life and maybe I should just accept that I have an unusual selling point, compared to all the other middle aged BBC Reporters(did I really say that?). Like it or not, viewers remember me because I have Renton. is that important?

So, the question is, do I put Renton infront of the camera?

I don’t have an answer. I’m not wanting to hear from you dog lovers saying, “of course you do, because he’s lovely.” that might be true, but what I’m asking is fairly fundamental in how disabled people are portrayed on Television.

It’s vital that disabled reporters are seen as any other journalist not just some guy on the TV with a big dog. Is Renton in or Out?

I’m really interested in hearing your thoughts.

what do you think?

2011-05-12T12:57:00.000+01:00

Guide Dogs UK alerted me to this story that appeared in the The Guardian newspaper.

'I'm blind. I want you to see what I'll lose if disability benefits are cut' - video

In a unique insight into a blind woman's life, Diane Marks, wearing a head-camera, shows how she will be affected by the government's proposed benefit cuts. Thousands of disabled people will march on Westminster last Wednesday to voice similar concerns

It starts with an advert first. Click here

Rentons secrets

2011-05-10T14:52:00.000+01:00

Pict: Renton in his nest of Bluebells

Well, I'm learning a lot about this dog. I never knew that he had such a strong "nesting" vibe going on. Renton has two favourite garden spots, the first one is by the hedge where he likes to gather all his toys and "garden finds" He has a fantastic Doggy Frisbee, wooden stick, favourite garden plant label..(hey who knew?) plant pots (he kindly takes the plant out first!) ball on a rope(which is like a ten tonne granite stone when wet..just about knocking him out when I throw it) and his fantastic Nyla bone that he got for Christmas

Pict of huge Nyla Bone

and the other favourite spot is in amongst the bluebells where he likes to lay flat, hiding from the world, he thinks that no-one can see him but Christine says his ears give him away! This is a fantastic nest, well flattened and cushioned with newly blossoming flowers!

Pict of flattened Blue Bells

Pic: what Renton sees from his angle..yes the photographer had to lie in his spot to get the perfect picture!

I've learnt another couple of things, that his Bowl is the size of the sink....

Pic: of Rentons huge food bowl being washed in the sink..it is so huge it could be a sink

...and because he likes sitting In the plants so much he is suffering from Doggy
Hay fever...which makes him scratch so much the vet had to shave some of his fur off to get to a bit where he had chewed and chewed.....he is on medication now and getting better.

Pic: Rentons back with square piece of fur shaved off

oh and I was going to tell you something else, but...Renton?...where has he gone..? ah

He's brought out a Celebrity Super-Injunction.....

Pic: of Rentons' tail disappearing out of the picture

Six steps to bed and back.. Continued. Challenge Four

2011-04-24T15:17:00.000+01:00

Pict. knights fighting with an armoured scorpion from Dungeon & Dragons online

......now for my fourth challenge - Where is the bathroom? After wandering around the hotel bedroom and whistling loudly, all I hear in the room is the sort of echo only ever found in a cathedral. I did eventually find the bathroom which was designed as a wet room, which was great, but it was so large it took me 15 minutes before I collided with the toilet. [Thank heavens I wasn’t desperate.]

Now then, unbeknownst to me, there was a button at waist height just outside the bathroom door. It was placed there to allow wheelchair users to open the front door from a distance (so that their wheelchair doesn't clatter into it when the bedroom door opens). I stripped off in the main room and felt my way back to the bathroom. I had a great shower, but as I came out again. I collided with that button, which activated the front door… little did I know, that as I dried myself, the extra wide front door had very smoothly and silently opened. Exposing my naked self to every passer by! It was only days later when a colleague was pressing the button out of curiosity, that I discovered what had been happening.

Pict. of disability door access button

My penultimate challenge was to close the curtains, so that I didn't expose myself to the whole city as well as the residents in the hotel.

The room had electric powered curtains, which were operated from the side of the bed. Very luxurious and practical for a wheelchair user. However, as a totally blind person, the only way I could tell if the curtains were open or closed was to get up, make my way across the room and physically feel for myself. If the curtains were open, it would then take a further five minutes to locate my bed again and activate the button and of course being completely paranoid now, I was never convinced that they worked, so I would have to get up yet again and check for a second time.

At last my sixth and final challenge - Sleep

I collapsed into bed exhausted with the day’s challenges’, whizzing round my head. I had to find a way of calming the mind to get to sleep. But after about 10minutes I woke up with a start. OH NO….I’ve got to find my way down to breakfast in the morning, ..............I better get up now….

Six steps to bed and back or the blind hotel game!

2011-04-23T13:08:00.000+01:00

http://www.expresscateringequipment.co.uk/product/Brass_Effect_Foyer_Trolley_W608

Its holiday time, and I thought I would just share my experiences of staying in hotels with a Guide Dog.

My first challenge when staying at an unfamiliar hotel is, finding my way into the building!

If the hotel has a revolving door my guide dog Renton will see it as a hazard and refuse to move. I’m left standing on the pavement wondering why he’s not budging. It is only when a passer by mutters something about a revolving door, that I understand what’s happening. I now start to coax and eventually bribe him to step into the gap while the door is slowly rotating. Not easy for a dog to co-ordinate. Timing is crucial here. (So is a small dog) Unfortunately, I’ve a seven and a half stone German Shepherd. A bit like trying to get an elephant into a lift. The door flicks us from behind into reception. Paws, luggage, bits of fur and me land in an undignified heap - what an entrance. the first challenge in this game has now been completed successfully.

The second challenge awaits, I’m in the reception area, now to locate the reception desk. You would think after making such an impressive entrance, someone would notice and call over to me. But, no.. Listening carefully I strain my ears for a clue. Nope! May be a doorman will come over and point me in the correct direction. No! Eventually a phone rings in the distance “Hello, Elvira speaking.” Aha! Renton and I make our way towards the voice.

Elvira asks me for the registration number of my car, I’m standing there with my guide dog – I doubt that she has even glanced in my direction. A porter takes me along endless corridors, two sets of lifts, and a rope swing, eventually reaching my room.

The second challenge has been completed…now the third challenge. The porter opens the door with a plastic card, quickly points around the room and tries to leave. I force him to stay and explain every detail of the room which includes funnily enough, how to open the door. I never know which way the card should go in. I’ve spent many an hour in a hotel corridor trying every possible combination.

I find that I have been given the disabled room. I can understand why they do this, However, the facilities a blind person needs aren’t the same as someone who is a wheelchair user. The room is huge and it takes me literally 10 minutes to find the bed and a chair and another 10 to find the window. I hear the dog quietly snuffling about, he thinks its a park, I hope it doesn’t have a green carpet or we could have a spillage!

Part 2 to come. .

Ode to Renton

2011-04-17T20:39:00.005+01:00

My friend Brian Orr of Lanark wrote this poem at the weekend, in honour of my new guide dog Renton..please enjoy... and thankyou Brian

Pict. loving black and white picture of Renton wit h haze surrounding him

Renton

They knew it was coming
But it was still hard to take
Trusty Moss' time was over
It was time for a break

So Ian's search started
For a guide dog supreme
And a big German shepherd
Was our macho man's dream

No poodle for Ian
And labs were now out
But a dog with some presence
Who could push folk about

Life with no guide dog
Was really a pain
Especially as Ian
Was inept with the cane

He'd breeze up the High Street
Of Lanark fair town
White stick in his hand
Knocking wheely bins down

At last the call came
A new dog had been found
A big German beauty
Called Renton - the hound

Renton came for a visit
To check out the new boss
Ian passed the test
As did Christine and Moss

Then 3 weeks of training
In sunny East Kilbride
Walking and bonding
With the "pony" at his side

Yes, Renton was a big lad
Both in length and in height
Sleek coat and fine features
A truly awesome sight

Soon Renton was at the BBC
Lying, resting on the floor
For Reevel and Jackie,

To stroke and adore

He liked the stardom status

He even had a blog
Which got over 10000 hits
Not bad for a guide dog

And then he really made it
The real star of his breed
Appeared on peak time telly
The programme -"Born to lead"

Now Renton's Ian's Porsche
As he speeds around the town
His friend and his companion
He'll never let him down

Pict. of Renton playing in the snow

Brian Orr April 2011

"Who is Lorne?" I hear you say...

2011-04-15T11:48:00.000+01:00

Pict of Lorne playing his pipes standing on dog sledge

I'VE DONE IT! I've got my Husky Dog Driving Licence

Joi-JOILLLL! HREEEIIIEEEIII

Lorne Brown is the guy who draws the cartoons for me, he is Christine's father. A couple of years ago he decided that he wanted to do something different. As you can see by these photographs he succeeded in his challenge and he got his Driving Licence.

I have pasted an enticing introduction from his website...where you can read more about his experiences. Please have a look in, it makes a jolly good read.

At 78 years of age I don't know if I'm acting maturely or not but I'm combining a trip to East Greenland to attain my Husky Dog Driving Licence with raising donations for the Guide Dogs for the Blind –

Pict. of snowy canyon with sledge tracks and blue sky

Motivation?
In July 2009, I retired for the second time having been a workaholic and always finding something to keep busy. Like many others I never seemed to have enough time in the day, week or year for that matter. Until – sitting in front of a computer screen in the office, I realised that time is finite. Response?

Lorne standing under ice and snow overhang, it dwarfs him

What am I doing here? Pack it in. Go home. I did!Next day, I had my comeuppance with the dreadful thought: What have I done by retiring? I've shot myself in the foot!
I enjoyed working and here I am at my wits’ end after 16 hours. What can be done with all this spare time? I'll go to Ittoqqortoormiit in East Greenland and see how the mushers and Inuits live. I did go; enjoyed the experience and I'm going back this year to obtain a Husky Dog Driving Licence.

Pict. of sledge at base camp, it looks cold snow everywhere clear blue sky

Lorne managed to raise over £3,000 for guide dogs and you can still donate on his

Just Giving page which is secure and can be used from anywhere in the world.

Adopt a blind man and save the world.

2011-04-10T10:35:00.000+01:00

Pic: of cute puppy winking at waving to the camera :adopt me"
gocleveland.media.officelive.com

To give you some background to me, both my parents passed away some time ago. So technically I’m an orphan. Admittedly, as I’m now 40 ish,ish!, some may say I’m too old to be someone’s adoptee. But I say "no!" Why should that be the case? As far as I’m aware, there is no age restriction to adoption.

With this in mind, I’ve decided to put myself up for adoption and I’m looking for suitable candidates.

In this crazy world of ours we now have a number of choices as to what we can adopt. We can adopt a child, adopt a granny, adopt a tree, a goat, a plant, a park bench, we can even adopt a wild animal. However, I’ve got a much better idea - how about adopt a blind man and save the world.

It’s so sad; I’ve got no old relations I can go round and sponge off when I’m financially embarrassed. Nor do I have some ageing parent to sneak round and visit to get free meals when I’m put on a diet at home. Now, I don’t want you thinking I’m motivated by hunger and financial reward. Although, if I’m being honest, these are major contributing factors in my search.

There are some advantages in adopting me, opposed to a Zebra on the plains of Africa.

I’m very good at assembling flat pack furniture, as long as you read out the instructions.

If I get you hammered on sherry down the pub, I can still get us home in the dark by using my guide dog. When you pay to fly me on exotic holidays, {a hint there} because I’m blind, we’ll be able to jump the queue to get aboard the aircraft before everyone else.

If you like dogs you’ve also struck gold. As I’ve got two. One is a lovely guide dog German Shepherd and the other is layed back retired black Labrador who both just love being spoiled. I can be reasonably entertaining, mainly by talking about me! and my fascinating life. Something that I have no doubt you will learn to appreciate over time as it fills your otherwise dull and empty days. Plus, I’ve been fully house-trained, and am over the stroppy teenage years. But, a warning, I’m in my midlife crises phase. (But being blind there is no danger of killing myself on a powerful motor cycle trying to regain my youth).

You have to acknowledge I’m starting to look like a very attractive proposition

Perhaps I should add here I am very progressive, so will accept a lone parent, widow or single sex couple. Well, to be truthful at my age I can’t afford to be too choosy.

Remember, if you take me on it’s for life. A blind man isn’t just for Christmas….