A walk, but not in the Park.

Most mornings as part of his daily exercise routine, Elder Bylund walks from our flat up along the river Tay, or the Firth of Tay as it is called. This is the estuary where Tay empties into the North Sea. It is salt water, ever changing with the tides. At spring tide, the difference in the water level between high and low tides is about 5 meters, or 15 feet.

Looking east, toward the North Sea, is a dock, which generally has one or two ships in port. In addition, oil drilling rigs from the North Sea come in to dock for weeks at at time.

The docks, with a ship and two oil drilling rigs east of our flat.

There are two bridges that cross the Tay as shown in the photo, the closer one (1.5 miles long) for pedestrian (I have walked it once), bike and vehicle traffic is, and the further one for rail traffic.

The Firth of Tay, looking west from our flat

Along the way, there is a “work of art” composed of 11 slabs of concrete spaced about 18 inches apart. The centers are cut out in the shape of a ship. 

There is ship inside there.

Looking form left to right

Looking from right to left

Further on down, is Chandler Lane, a street and buildings (now with flats) that are restored to how they  were in the 1800s.  

Chandler Lane

 Next is the observation tower, overlooking the Firth of Tay, which I climb several times, mostly for exercise.

Firth of Tay Observation Point

The waterfront area of Dundee is undergoing a major redevelopment, which won't be finished until 2016. Since we have arrived, there has been mostly demolition. I watched each day as this building was slowly demolished, such that there is not much left. 

Start of Demolition

Almost done

 This is a Hilton Hotel which is being demolished to make room for redevelopment. The large orange piece of equipment with jaws is one of several around the area. We affectionately call it a dinosaur, and when it is working, it is feeding. The smaller one in the lower left is a scavenger.

What used to be a hotel is now feeding grounds for dinosaurs. 

The ship Discovery, which was built in Dundee and sailed to the Antarctica about 1900, is in dry dock as a museum.  There is a second “dry dock” next to the Discovery. It was full of water when we came, but they are now filling in with, at least in part the rubble from the building above (above the hotel).

Former dry dock on the left. Discovery on the right. 

 In front of the museum four penguins (only two of which are shown) who greet visitors to the museum.

 As part of the redevelopment, they are redoing the approach to the Tay Bridge. We drive through here often, but haven't quite figured out what they are doing.

Redoing the on-ramp to the Tay River Bridge

Beyond the Discovery, is more of the path along the Firth of Tay, and it goes on for 4 miles.

Path and railroad bridge 

We live on kind of a peninsula, so on the way back I sometimes walk on the other side of the peninsula where there are two ships, a lightship and the Unicorn, a 46-gun frigate launched in 1824.

Northcarr Lightship. 

 Not exactly a hike through the woods, but not bad for a morning stroll. 

The Stone of Scone

Elder Bylund noticed in the news in July that a Kay Matheson had passed away. Her claim to fame is  that she was the only woman among four Glasgow University students who “retrieved” Scotland’s historic Stone of Destiny (Stone of Scone) from London’s Westminster Abbey in a dramatic raid on Christmas Day, 1950. Historically, the Stone, over which Scottish Kings were traditionally crowned, was kept at the now-ruined Scone Abbey in Scone. Because we had recently visited Scone Palace (only 20 miles from Dundee),  I pursue the story further, both watching the movie, “Stone of Destiny” and reading the book, The Taking of the Stone of Destiny”, written by Ian Hamilton, the ringleader of the group.

Some Scotts have quite the dislike of the English and dislike even more being governed from London. The retrieval of the Stone of Scone awakened the Scots sense of nationalism, which is alive and well today. One year from now, the Scots will vote on independence from the United Kingdom. The question to be voted on is simply "Should Scotland be an independent country?" It will be interesting to watch. 

The retrieval of the Stone is quite the story. The four students from Glasgow drove to London, a journey which took them eighteen hours. Later that day Ian Hamilton hid under a trolley in the Abbey, but was caught by a nightwatchman after the Abbey doors had been closed, briefly questioned, and then let go.

In the middle of the following night, the three men entered a works yard and gained entrance to the Abbey. On removing the Stone from under the Chair, it crashed to the floor and broke into two pieces.  The three men, using Hamilton's coat, dragged the larger piece down the high altar steps, then Hamilton took the smaller piece to one of the cars waiting outside dirven by Kay Matheson.

Ian Hamilton placed the small piece of Stone in the boot of the car and got into the passenger seat. As he did this, a policeman approached, and Hamilton and Matheson immediately fell into a lovers' clinch. The policeman stopped and the three proceeded to have a conversation even though it was 5 am.. Matheson drove off to Victoria and Hamilton went back to the Abbey. Unable to find the other 2, he proceeded to drag the large piece of stone to the car himself. Hamilton drove to Kent, hid the large piece of stone in a field and made his way back to Scotland. Matheson left her car, containing the small piece of the Stone, with a friend in the Midlands. On discovering that the Stone was missing, the authorities closed the border between Scotland and England for the first time in four hundred years.

A fortnight later Hamilton and some friends recovered the two pieces of stone and brought them to Glasgow. They hired a stonemason to mend the Stone.

In April 1951 the police received a tip-off and the Stone was found on the site of the High Altar at Arbroath Abbey (10 miles from Dundee) where in 1320 the assertion of Scottish nationhood was made in the Declaration of Arbroath.. The Stone was returned to Westminster Abbey in February 1952.. The perpetrators were not prosecuted.  The Stone was officially returned to Scotland in 1996 and resides in the Edinburgh Castle, as we have independently confirmed. 

  

Freshers’ Week 2013

Immediately following our YSA Sunday, there was a week of activities known as Freshers’ Week, including an Outreach Night, Institute Registration, a Talent Show, a Bad Luck Party, and cleaning the Church followed by a Barbecue.

Freshers’ Week, according to the Collins English Dictionary, is (British) a week at the beginning of a university year, usually with a program of events intended to welcome new first-year students. It is a big thing in Scotland at the major universities, such nearby St. Andrews University. As it turns out in practice, many of the “activities” involve lots of drinking and other partying, not in keeping with our standards. So the YSAs put on their own Freshers’ Week as an alternative. This year, for each of the activities Neil posted a clever Facebook announcement (in italics below). 

Outreach Night

Welcome YSAers to Freshers’ Week 2013! It all kicks off Tuesday with a most exciting interactive event with Hot Chocolate! Come along to the YSA Centre at Liff Road for 7pm and bring your laptops, iPads or mobile devices. Don't have one? No problem, come anyway! Can't make it to Dundee? That’s ok too, simply log on at home at 7pm, come to The YSA Dundee page and turn your Facebook Chat on so we know you are there and together we will build Zion...online! 

The basic idea was to send personal FB messages to the less active YSA. It was great for a first attempt at this type of thing.  Everyone had a fun time reaching out. There were a total of 21 participating throughout the evening, 14 in person and 7 only on FB.

        In addition Neil posted several questions on FB such as “There are people who have never been to YSA or haven't been for a while. There are people we care about but we haven't seen in ages. In this new year of Institute why should people come to YSA?” What is your favorite YSA memory?  

What has been one of your personal favourite YSA activities?

       

Institute Registration

Freshers’ Week continues Wednesday at 7 pm with our traditional institute Enrolment Dinner. Start the institute year right by signing up to study the new Book of Mormon course then sit down for the Bylunds’ home cooked meal with Chicken Enchiladas, salad and tigerbread and there is even dessert, too. If that wasn't enough there will be socializing, games and new friendships to be made. It is part of the plan for you to be here and it’s always better when we're together! 

We started with Br. Johnson conducting Institute Registration in the cultural hall with 37 YSA registering for the yearlong Book of Mormon course, followed by the sit-down dinner. After dinner, we moved to the YSA room for a few games (Never have I ever, Do you love your neighbor and Werewolf).   

Talent Night

Day 3: Is the Thursday Talent Night! Everyone has some sort of talent. It’s just some are more conspicuous - we just want you to come and share something - play a piano, dance, sing, read a poem, tell a joke, bake a cake, balance a dog, eat a pineapple whole, ping a rubber band on a target, transmogrify yourself into a badger, waddle back and forward to music, tell a story, do kickyups, move your supermobile knees, build a bridge, eat pies, train a monkey to wear roller-skates - the possibilities are endless. Come do something good or something with feeling but just come!:)

We had about 19 at the Talent night. The “talents” included Elder Winn roping Elder Burt, who made a feeble attempt to be a cow, and lassoing Elliot on the run around the ankles, Jordan playing the pots as drums, Sister Bylund tap dancing, readings in French and German  Jimmy’s impersonation of Elvis. The highlight was Stephen, a newly baptized member, doing his magic tricks.

  

Bad Luck Party

Does the bread always fall buttered-side down?

For Friday the 13^th don't hide away in fear, don't lock the doors and windows or run from black cats, and don’t worry if it’s safe to go near that step ladder. No! Come to the YSA Centre at Liff Road instead and try your luck. Bring an Umbrella and come dressed wacky or weird. Feel free to be creative, you can come frumpy or dumpy, goofy or geeky, mad as a hatter, or as chavy as a Jeremy Kyle guest. Just be an...ahem... unfortunate person ;) It’s a party but with a difference. How many parties pit you against the universe? Try our activities of skill, strength, endurance, intelligence and mystery and test how blessed you really are! So tell me do you feel lucky...punk? My name is Neil and I endorse this message!

The Bad Luck Party was attended by about 20 YSAs. There were an innovate variety of games/activities based on the theme, including things like buttered bread falling onto a face either buttered side up or buttered side down, renaming people, progressive bad luck/good luck stories, and dancing. It was a lucky night for those attending.

Service Project/Barbecue

Freshers Week is coming to end but it’s not finished yet - Our 2nd last activity is Saturday at 10:30 am - It’s a service project then a Barbecue. We have been blessed so much with a place to have fun and relax, to hold our activities, a place for institute and home evening group, a place where we play volleyball and werewolf and line up for the Bylunds home cooked meals. Tomorrow we can show our gratitude and take a little time to take care and make nice that place AND then afterwards bring your own food for the BBQ and let’s eat and have fun together. Please if you can make it come and be part of the YSA.

The Chapel was cleaned and tummies were filled.

CES Fireside with Elder Nelson

Well the end of Freshers’ Week arrives tomorrow with Home Evening Group in Liff Road at 6 pm - Elder Russell M Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in a broadcast from Salt Lake gives a special message for the young adults of the church. How blessed we are to have prophets, seers and revelators care enough to speak to us today. You can’t afford to miss this! Home Evening Group happens every Sunday at 6pm!

There were 26 YSAs in attendance for this wonderful fireside.

Last post

So Fresher's Week has come to an end. I would just like to write one last post. We pray in our meetings and give thanks for the service of our missionary couples and our institute teacher but there is one person I would like to formally recognize, whom we rarely give thanks to and that is Jonathan. As YSA President he has the near impossible task of leading a YSA program that has to please all of us, it’s difficult coming up with new activities every week and as a council we do our best we can always do better but he does it with love, hard work and never a complaint. I am grateful to have the pleasure of working with such a good man. All your worries are worth it. All hail the chief!

YSA Sunday

        Twice a year, the Young Single Adults have the full block of Church services for and by them. This one, Sunday, Sep. 8, was our first.  It started at 2 pm and didn't end until around 8pm.  Many of them also attend their regular Ward services in the morning. All of the YSAs in the Stake and surrounding areas were invited to join with us. About 36 YSAs from Dundee Stake and 13 from Aberdeen Stake attended all or part of the afternoon/evening, along with a variety of married leaders. We started with Relief Society and Priesthood, followed by Sunday School. The Sacrament meeting was a lovely testimony meeting.

       After having a bit to eat (Munch and Mingle) our Stake President presented an interactive fireside on standards, which was brilliant. He started with a video of the 2003 World Wide Leadership Training by Elder Eyring for Priesthood Leaders on giving temple recommend interviews.  He then had several of the YSA role play being a Bishop and the interviewee preparing to receive their own endowment. He stressed individual accountability and answered several insightful questions about our standards and the interview process. 

Young Single (now Married) Adults Weddings

It has been a good "season of love" and weddings here in Dundee area.  Temple weddings are not recognized officially, so the couples first marry in a civil ceremony, then are sealed (usually the next day) at the Preston Temple. So, it's kind of like having a "pre-ception", in that you get all the party stuff done first, then end with the beautiful Temple ceremony.  This arrangement does give us the chance to be part of some of the festivities. First, we had the marriage of Mark and Hollie. Mark's dad led the procession into the chapel with his bagpipe, parading down one aisle, up the other, then leading the rest of the wedding party. Mark, as well as his brother were in full kilt.  Hollie was a beautiful "princess"-looking bride.

The groom's dad at the church

Mark and Hollie on the Preston temple grounds

Next was the marriage of Matthew and Patrice.  Mathew comes from a large family, that has 4 YSAs in it! Patrice is from Edinburgh, so we didn't know her that well.  They were married at a castle near Perth, before heading to Preston Temple.

Castle wedding

At Preston Temple

.The 3rd wedding is coming up soon.  Dallin and Claire make such a cute couple, and will be married on November 1.

Dallin and Claire

This is what it's all about.  We hope more YSAs will get on board the marriage train for a wild and wonderful ride..

Strathardle Highland Gathering

In the latter part of August we attended the Strathardle Highland Gathering, which was 30 mi northwest of Dundee in a small village named Kirkmichael. It was just like a small county fair with animal judging, antique vehicles, games, track and field competitions, homemade foods judging, and rides for the kids and various food vendors. There was a tug of war that lasted for about 20 min – quite a test of stamina. There was place for piping, where young pipers were critiqued on their piping by two judges and similarly for young dancers..  It was a very interesting two hours.  

And of course a bagpipe band.

Young Single Adult baptisms and beyond

We were so happy to have had two young single adult baptisms this past month.  First was Aimee, whose mother joined the Church recently.  Aimee was then taught and accepted the gospel.  She was also already friends with one of our YSAs, and has been coming to Institute and activities.  Aimee is very sweet, and has been rather reserved and quiet, but right after she was baptized, she punched the air and did a wee jig of joy in the font.  It surprised everyone, including her.  She has been "coming out of her shell" ever since.  We are so delighted to have her in the group.

Elder Tinsley, Aimee, Elder McCarthy

A few weeks later, Jimmy was baptized.  He has been coming out to YSA activities for quite a while.  His girlfriend is a member.  He is a cheerful, happy person, but was even more so at his baptism.  

Elder Burt, Jimmy, Jonathan (our YSA president), Elder Winn

A week ago, we had a "skit night".  What we did was divide into two teams.  Each team chose from a random selection of props, wigs and hats, and then put together a "skit" using those props. After they practiced their skit, they were each given 3 "lines" from the other team to incorporate into their skit, such as "Pardon me, but I think that penguin stole your Ferrari."  It was quite a hilarious night.  

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Jimmy driving and Aimee behind him