How is the staycation going? Still at the planning stage?
My blog is a little later this time (sorry) as we have just retuned from the beautiful island of Lewis & Harris. What's not to love !?? Sea sand...and Harris Gin :)🍸
Lewis and Harris lie at the top of the Outer Hebrides, off the west coast of Scotland.
Harris is particularly stunning with white power sand and lush dunes sloping into crystal clear waters.....shame about the temperature though 🥶 Vest on ...bikini off!!
The Harris landscape is dramatic with deep costal single track roads winding around lochs and sea inlets. An artists dream.
Lewis has more yearning moorlands which are flatter and peaty. Deep history with ancient stone circles, blackhouses and of course, home to The Lewis chessmen
You can find a little more about them here:
Here I am with ma wee pal, who is a blown up replica of one of the Lewis chessmen.
He looks terrified...he might be thinking I am going to whip out my ukulele!
If you ever fancy a trip to Lewis & Harris, here is my PDF of the places and sights we visited with links
Remembering Israel Kamakawiwo'ole & Judy Garland
Sadly, we lost both these talented iconic personalities too soon in the month of June
back in the day. Israel, died on 26th June 1997 age 38 and
Judy we lost on June 10th 1969 age 47.
Israel Kakakawiwo'ole
Simply know as IZ, was a Hawaiian singer- songwriter and social activist who was known as the voice of Hawaii.
A gifted musician who was an advocate for Hawaiian independence and kicked back about the effect tourism was having on the islands. Born in 1959 he started playing music at a young age and formed the group "Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau" with his brother and friends. He released his solo album "Ka 'Ano'i in 1990 with the medley "Over the Rainbow & What a wonderful World" The acoustic version recorded a few years earlier is the version we all know and love today. Smooth velvet vocals beautifully accompanied by the sweet rhythmic ukulele.
On June 26th 1997 IZ passed away to due medical complications over his weight.
10,000 people attended his funeral and his ashes are in a Koa casket in the state capitol building.
Judy Garland
What a doll! I must admit I am a huge Judy Garland fan. More so, after reading "Get Happy" the fascinating and comprehensive biography by Gerald Clarke.
We all have an image, memory or song about the cute little girl with Toto in "Wizard of Oz "or the troubled fragile Esther Blodgett in "A Star is Born". What I loved about this book was, it's not too wordy and a great mix of stories from the ruthless dark days of Hollywood and how badly she was treated by her family and lovers. But those amazing films, her dream voice and sleek dance moves. A true talent and missed by many.
You know her story...but pour a (Harris) Gin..and relax with the book then revisit one of her films. A perfect Sunday. Enjoy!
Little known facts about Judy:
She was frightened of thunderstorms and earthquakes
She wanted to be a nurse after making movies
Her name was not Garland. She was Frances Ethel Gumm - agents thought it sounded like glum!
Judy and the dog Toto in the Wizard of Oz were inseparable.
The role of Dorothy in Wizard was originally offered to Shirley Temple
She lived in the famous Dakota Building in New York. Home to fellow celebrities Lauren Bacall & John Lennon.
In tribute to these Iconic Greats here is Israel Kakakawiwo'ole singing his hit "Over the Rainbow Wonderful World. Ukulele chums will be able to download and playalong from link on Newsletter
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