Posted by Ed Kiser on October 13, 2008 at 16:21:08 user Kisered.
In Reply to: Re: TARBOARD - RIP ? posted by Owen Roberts on October 13, 2008 at 15:31:10:
Mike Dennis has indeed expressed feelings shared by many, including myself.
I am a member of TARS, and have looked at their FORUM, and it seems a bit stiff after the give and take expected from TarBoard. After that first investigation there, I did not go back and try again.
TarBoard has for several years now been the one requirement upon getting up, and getting the machine up and running, as it is the "first
stop" of the day, as if it is that necessary "FIX" to get my self going
about the business of the day. For that to be taken away will leave me
drifting onto a lee shore without anchor.
Being an American, and not all that familiar with the way the English do things, my only awareness has been the books of Ransome to give me that flavoring. The TarBoard, with its many contributors that are much more closely aware of the locations Ransome described, has been very valuable in fielding my many questions about things that to me seemed a bit strange.
There is so much to be learned from each other, as I have learned so much from so many of you. I am grateful for the enrichment you have brought to me and to my understanding of All Things Ransome. To have that resource taken away leaves me with no one to ask.
Where else could I have obtained the understanding of that classic phrase:
"Girt auld hen 'at wants to be cock o' t' midden." - PM CH6
Where else could I have had the explanation as to just what a "midden" really is?
And I would have never heard of a Ram Punp if it had not been described in the discussion about (dare I mention it?) Beckfoot plumbing. (Sorry, Peter, not trying to stir up the mud here.)
There are as yet other unanswered questions, such as:
It seems like there is a ROCK CAIRN at the top of each high place. They found one on the top of Kanchenjunga, and a "time capsule" within it. So many times, I notice in Tony Richards' LAKELANDCAM.CO.UK offerings there are pictures of a pile of rocks at the summit, put there with considerable manual labor - but for what purpose? What are those things there for?
Now, as these questions come up (I dare not call them "oddities" as I once got a bit chastised for doing so) where is that collection of knowledgeable experts that understand the answers, and that will share that insight with me?
In my part of the world (Kentucky, USA) there is NO ONE that has ever heard of Ransome or the S&A series of books. It leaves me with a very lonely feeling, a feeling for which the TarBoard provided the solution.
I know and understand that all good things must come to an end, and this forum has been a Good Thing. That it is to go, is sad, and will be sorely missed.
My typed in TXT files, one for each chapter of these twelve dear friends of mine, are still accessable in case anyone wishes to get in touch with me by personal EMAIL (kisered@aol.com) with any particular request to SCAN these for them. I will be delighted to do so, and will return to you the results promptly, as it will be my pleasure.
Many thanks to you, Ian, for the effort you have put into making this forum possible. I am sure there is a lot going on "behind the scenes" that we are really not aware of, but you tended to these things and made the forum be the tremendous success that it truly is. You have provided an extremely valuable service to so many. Through your efforts, this forum has allowed me to feel that I now have FRIENDS from so many places, all over the world, FRIENDS that, if they were to show up at my door, while I might not know the face, once introduced would be a welcome guest in my home.
Parting with friends is never easy. Let us remember that other "parting" as camp life on Wildcat came to a close...
... said Mrs. Dixon. "Well,
I suppose I shan't be seeing any of you in the morning. I shall
quite miss it. I've come to be in the way of looking for you. But
perhaps you'll be coming again next year."
"Every year. For ever and ever," said Titty.
"Aye," said Mrs. Dixon, "we all think that when we're
young."
And now, the end is near...
Thanks to you all for what you have given me.
Ed Kiser, Kentucky