In Germany's most northern plains you see them every year.
Come summer sun or winter rains, those soldiers without fear
preparing for the world war to hold those Russians back.
This story tells the year when I joined in on the attack.
Whilst putting on my combat clothes before the war begun,
I opted against underpants considering the sun.
My tackle, unrestricted, would be comfortable that way
and so I went commando on the historic day.
The exercise had soon begun, the battle raged full pelt
and, as I ran across those palins, how comfortable I felt
until, behind a tree I tripped and spread my legs apart
and heard my combat trousers ripped with ever sinking heart.
And, where the rip had come from I was left in little doubt
as all too soon my unrestricted tackle tumbled out.
In panic I yelled 'Medic!' and one ran through the attack.
I realised what he would see and quickly yelled, "Go back!".
The others were advancing fast, I just could not stay put.
The only option left to me was run and shout and shoot
and hope that the attention would be focussed on my gun
and not upon my tackle swinging freely in the sun.
I pulled my bravest Rambo face, jumped out beside that tree
my rifle blazing madly and my tackle swinging free.
The sight was much too fearsome for the gallant enemy
who turned and fled a full 3 miles as far as they could flee.
We camped up in a small dark wood, the battle having won
to get some rest and eat some food in shelter from the sun.
I ate a tin of pilchards and then, as I drifted off,
an angry nest of wood ants made their way to me to scoff.
Well, there's several hundred thousand million trillion ways to wake.
It's never hard to single out the harder ones to take,
alarms blaring loudly or those boring breakfast shows
but try being woken by an ant that bites inside your nose.
It's true! That's how this story goes. Of that fact I can swear.
Because, in fact, I owned the nose, you could say I was there.
And very soon another wood ant moved inside my smalls
and then before I stopped it, well it bit me on the balls!
The blow which I delivered then to kill that tiny beast
could have knocked out 20 men or knocked them down at least
and such a blow between my legs sent me onto the ground
where, for close to half an hour, my screaming form was found.
The enemy had heard my screams but kept themselves at bay,
remembered, all too vividly, the image of that day.
For sure they didn't save us out of wanting to be kind
but kept themselves outside those woods for fear of what they'd find.
I didn't have a battle plan, no troops had I commanded,
but I had surely won that war and won it single handed.
No medal was forthcoming nor a hint of a promotion,
just underpants cos going commando caused too much commotion.
Author: Sean McBride
I have been travelling regularly, sometimes on the road constantly since I left home to join the British Army at the tender age of 17 more years ago than I care to mention.
Since then I have been in every continent and lost count of the number of countries I have had the pleasure of visiting. From the Silence of the Marlborough Sounds in New Zealand's South Island to the endless noise of the motorbikes, trikes and tuc tucs in several parts of Asia. From the luxury of Dubai to the poverty of Mumbai and everything in between.
Ever since a good friend of mine some time ago encouraged me to step out of the Irish Pubs and off the beaten track into the vibe which fires the hearts and souls of the people amongst whom we travelled, I have never looked back.
Now, I want to share this with you to whet your appetite for what's out there and give what practical pointers I can on how to get there and move around.
By all means read my articles and pictures, enjoy my music and videos and meet me either here or on Social Media. I look forward to meeting you.
About Time We Heard Her Story
Debbie Campbell shares her heart through the magic of music
For some, music holds the magic of time travel. A song can take you back to a specific time decades ago and draw out the very emotions you were feeling at the time. For some, music brings happiness, even joy. Breaking the ice in a silent room where people start to dance, and strangers become friends. And, of course, music nurtures love. The eternal soundtrack to the beating hearts, gentle breathing and whispered sentiment shared in lovers’ arms. For sure music is magic in many forms and here in Prestwick, on the west coast of Scotland, our very own Debbie Campbell wields that magic well.
It was of a Saturday night in a pub called The Eagle, once legendary in the Ayrshire music scene, that I first encountered Debbie spreading the warmth of her music with her group, The Splinters. Their set covered everything from Punk Rock to Country featuring classics by Blondie and the Eurythmics to name but a few. As those, less shy than myself, graced the dancefloor to the strains of ‘Sweet Dreams’ by the Eurythmics, I started to realise this lady has a big voice and an even bigger heart.
Recently Debbie has taken a quantum leap of faith with the launch of her Debut Album aptly named ‘About Time’. The album is a project where Debbie, her partner, Robert and friends Scott and Alex share a love of writing, music, and life. Produced in Dramatic Studios by Brian MacDonald, one half of the famous Macdonald brothers, it’s about triumph, love, laughter, and loss. For the rest of us, it’s a joy to be a part of.
The music has a folky, foot tapping feel that’s easy to dance to and make you feel good about yourself. The opening track, ‘Never Had The Hunger’, is a declaration of war on the kind of fear that made this girl once think she couldn’t sing. In keeping with the album, it’s a triumph over shyness and a joy to get caught up in. Tracks like ‘Beyond Belief’ (Written by a mutual friend, Alex Frew) and ‘Love, Love, Love (Never Forget It), Written by Debbie’s partner Robert Neil, have a timeless romantic feel that underscores the passion in the writing overall.
‘Beyond Belief’ is a declaration of love by Alex Frew written to honour his wife who tragically passed away from Cancer. ‘Love, Love, Love (Never Forget It)’ is Robert Neil’s tribute to Terry Hall, lead singer of The Specials. It is said that those were Terry Hall’s last words before he tragically passed of Cancer in December 2022. And, if you get the concept of a shooting star becoming a meteor which crushes your car, you’ll get the lighthearted lift that comes from ‘I’m Lonesome, I’m Lovesick & I’m Cold’ co-written by Robert and Scott. Scott Nicol, a major part of the music scene in Ayrshire and an inspiration for many aspiring songwriters and singers has been a constant support for Debbie and her music and has been a huge part of producing, promoting and releasing About Time.
Debbie says she was once a shy girl who auditioned but never got into the choir at school and believed she couldn’t sing. I remember that feeling myself. I got kicked out of the school choir in Primary School when asked to sing descant for a song. I was simply baffled at the idea of singing the same song as everyone else but to a different tune. That Debbie overcame those barriers to emerge as the amazing and powerful singer that she is today, I for one am extremely grateful. As to me and my shyness, I’ve even found myself occasionally leaving the safety of the bar for that big scary dancefloor to the tune of Debbie’s music. Such is its power, that of a star that should never fade.
To find out more about Debbie’s music or to get a copy of ‘About Time’ visit the Debbie Campbell Music Facebook page here. Copies may still be available as Debbie Wrote on her Facebook Page at the end of January, “I still have some cds left, priced at £10, available from me or at one of the following amazing businesses that have supported me right from the start of my journey. Get one before they are gone 
(and help a hungry musician at the same time.. win win!)”
Daisy Chain & Prestwick Post Office
Her songs can also be streamed on Spotify
You can find out more about Scott Nicol and his music here.
A Different Way To Everest
I recently found out that the classic route isn’t the only way to reach Everest Base Camp in Nepal. I’ve just been the hard way.
The cloud sweeping over her indicates the jet stream with winds of up to 140mph.
This is the incredible panorama before us as we acclimatise in the hills above Namche Bazaar. Looking right from Everest we see the summit of Lhotse also in the jet stream. Further right and closest to us is the summit of Ama Dablam.
We’re standing at a mere 3,900m (12,987ft) above mean sea level. By climbing to this height and then descending to Namche Bazaar at 3,440m (11,286ft) for the night we are helping our bodies adjust to the ever-thinning air.
On reflection, this was my most confident part of the trek. I was out on my own climbing slowly and mind wandering. It was one of those times when I just knew I could take whatever this trek could throw at me.
At once I am exhausted, ill, elated, and apprehensive. The climb was steep, dark, and freezing. My water supply froze. I’m really feeling the altitude. After a sip of water, I started uncontrollably hyper ventilating and nearly passed out twice on the way up. My head is pounding and my eyes bulge in time with my racing pulse.
This valley emerging from the darkness into the sunrise was one of the most incredible things I’ve ever seen. For all that ails me still I bask in the glory of this achievement and the majesty of this view.
It’s not going to be easy to cross that glacier tomorrow. And somewhere in the mountains beyond it, the Cho La Pass is waiting.
He always hung back with me when I couldn’t match the pace of the group. Even carried my bag at times when I was struggling. Countless times I dropped a walking pole and he always beat me to it to pick it up for me. Every single time I tripped; he steadied me before I could fall.
A man as mountainous as the mountains around him. A soul in harmony with this place.
Subdued and, quite frankly, scared, we crossed the dead ground towards her.
Approaching from Dragnak and heading towards the Everest Base Camp Trail, the climb is rocky and looks near vertical. A metal rope is pegged into the rocks along the length of the ascent. The main ascent starts up the left-hand side of the pass as you look at it. After about 400ft of airy, exposed, rocky steps and loose scree, a long traverse brings you onto the band of dark coloured rock you can see in the picture.
“How am I ever going to make that?!” seems to have been the common thought as we looked up from there to the pass itself. The answer, another couple of hundred feet of near vertical, high, rocky steps. Personally, I had to stop and rest after almost every step. Eventually, about half an hour behind the main group, I emerged exhausted onto the pass.
The steep rocky path descending from the memorials of the Thukla Pass (out of picture) to the teahouses of Thukla (centre of picture). Looking right, we see the route back to Dingboche and the drop down from Thukla to the Pheriche valley which will be on the route of our descent in a few days.
I had to stop and put my gloves on. By the time I did I was in tears with the pain in my fingers as we crunched our way up the frozen valley. I could see the sun ahead in the mountains and I prayed for it to reach us and thaw us out.
The sun reached us at the top of the valley at the foot of the moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. I went from utterly freezing to overheated and dehydrated with nothing in between.
Clambering through the endless boulders on the approach to Gorakshep (the last settlement on the Everest Base Camp Trail) things finally started to settle. My down jacket and gloves were packed away and my water supply had thawed.
Tears rolled out from under my glasses as exhaustion was washed away in a wave of raw emotion.
It was seeing the embrace of Will and Becks (2 of our group) as they arrived that started me off, but I think I was already pretty tender.
I’d been here before 6 years ago exhausted then as now, elated just the same. Time passes, we get older but the immensity of standing in a place like this never does. I guess that’s why I came back. Because a journey like this never strays far from your mind. It’s always in your heart.
Andy put up with my snoring, often lost at cards and often tried to clear rocks from the path in front of me whenever he saw me tripping. G was as ever present as my shadow and as helpful and patient as a saint.
Will and Becks are a couple. They constantly looked out for me on the journey. They gave me encouragement and always made me smile.
Dawa is the personification of Dal Bhat Power. He led from the front and kept a sensible pace for the group. He started out quiet but soon came out of his shell. A bit of a magician with cards.
These guys are amazing. When I consider that the memories of what we achieved will last forever, I know they couldn’t have been achieved without these guys. Their positive, gentle spirit and their ever-present encouragement and help was a total blessing.
Protected: I’ve Rolled The Rover Over… Over…
Discover the Wonders of the Ocean Scene: Exploring the Beauty and Life of the Sea
The Beauty of Our Evolutionary Home: A Celebration of the Sea
Growing up, the sea held a special place in my heart thanks to my mother’s love for it. Last Spring, I explored the North Atlantic Ocean between Iceland and Denmark and stopped over at the Faroe Islands. Before that, in December 2021, I drove around the North Coast 500 in my native Scotland. Whenever I stand at a shore, I’m transported away from the stress of modern life.
These pictures are a celebration of the raw, stunning beauty of the ocean and its surroundings. They were taken during my travels, and I’m excited to share them with you. My hope is that they inspire you to take a break from your daily routine and embrace the adventure and joy of exploration.
Exploring Denmark’s Hirtshals Port Town and Nordsoen Oceanarium
Before heading south to Germany, I spent a night in the picturesque port town of Hirtshals, Denmark. During my stay, I visited the Nordsoen Oceanarium, a fascinating attraction featuring a diverse array of ocean life, including sharks, rays, and seals. I was amazed at how up close and personal I could get with these magnificent creatures. Here are some of the best shots I captured during my visit.
Childhood And The Sea:
A Poem of Love and Longing for the Mysterious and Deep Beauty of the Ocean
I've known her since my childhood, the girl upon the shore with her moods to ever changing, her whom I grew to adore. She was with me through the playtimes of a dozen childhood years but, in time, I had to leave her, and I couldn't hide my tears. There were times I saw her angry, full of passion, free and wild, never caring what was thought of her. Showing emotion like a child. Down the beach I'd run towards her, she'd retreat and make me chase and then turn and grab my body in a powerful embrace. I would watch her in the evening when the sun hung red and low and a blush which came from heaven on her skin would rise and glow. She would lie there, oh so peaceful underneath the setting sun. Softly breathing, lightly sleeping, gentle beauty matched by none. She is loved the world over but she's nobody's to keep. She's the talk of generations, so mysterious and deep. There are none who are her master though so many try to be. She's the mistress of my memories of childhood and the sea.
Travel Writer 