Hi Wolf. Thanks for paying attention. Didn't actually say that Red discovered America, did I old boy? Just that perhaps one might believe that the nature of such a Viking people perpetuated itself into the young Orcadians who might have at a seemingly young age, stepped aboard a ship of the HBC, with a similar outlook. In fact as I recall, it was Bjarni Harjolfsson who in about 986 sort of got blown to Labrador's coast in a gale off Greenland. It was in fact the son of Eric the Red, namely Lief Ericson I think, who later (officially if that means anything to someone) re-established contact with the shores first visited by Bjarni. So, Eric the Red isn't far off the mark. Eric the Red is easier to spell than Harjolfsson, and as a pronounced, multi-generational underachiever, I felt it less risky to use his name as an example, the skip of a generation notwithstanding. I recall reading about one young Thorfin who actually died in Newfoundland, which I found interesting having been historically attached to that name. Heck, I am a third rate land developer and a bushpilot with a trappers licence. I am no academic. Just interested in Orkney for a very very selfish reason. I intend to plant some trees there this year. maybe go out fishing with some fisherman with a sense of humor. One thing for sure, Christopher Columbus and the Italian connection were 506 years behind. That's according to my measuring stick. Great Canadian websites on all this stuff by the way, with photos of inground digs similar sortof to some I see on Sig's site. Even as we read history, we must remember to challenge conclusions made by people who may have had reason(grudge) to discolour an issue.(all Americans who voted for George Bush take note) That I feel is what a few writers did to these men. I can't fathom the blanket criticism that besmirches young people in their teens, and brands them underachievers. On this side of the pond, and certainly by the HBC professional researchers, the theory doesn't quite hold up, and if you want to read about how the English performed over here, read the journals of the French. If it wasn't for the Indians, we would be either Americans or French today. Without native allies fighting their battles, the English could not have won out. they dressed funny and wore the wrong stuff. Stuck out like warts on a hog's nose. Orcadians were quick to adapt to moosehides and furs. Of course, they were the ones who left the fort. All things being as they be, and we mortals infallible if not downright underachievers (it's in my blood you know) it is fun chatting with you Wolf and all, and I live for the day when we can have a "SigSite Reunion" in some stone wateringhole, on a chilly fall day when the ale and the malt tastes it's best, and a peat fire pulses out it's historic value to an enthusiastic and eclectic assembly of international Orkney affectionados. Had I gone last year in the fall I could have met for example, the fascinating and very much invigorating Jan Nary from Australia on her excursion. She had made some arrangement to go to sea in a Viking ship in the Shetlands. Kool lady! Of course we'd have to have to mix the fascinating history chats with some outrageous fun, Viking style perhaps. who knows, with the right crowd, perhaps we could attack England again! Hats off to old Sig. I'd pay happily to support this marvelous electronic exerience. The wealth of knowledge available to us is overwhelming. My dear recently departed wife and I had hoped to come there last fall for a looksee, but now I will come alone to commiserate with the souls of my ancient Viking forbears, and to meet and thank a few people there who have so generously and enthusiastically helped me trace my very long roots. The dreaded cancer took away one of the main reasons I live, and a chance for us to share Orkney together. But it will not stel our dream. So I shall take the trip alone, visit some distant relatives I have recently discovered, say hi and thanks again to the artist that painted our farm, take some maple syrup to wonderful Mr. Phillips at the Mill who sent me the flour, meet the nice lady on the farm that makes cheese and tolerates my eccentric passions for my roots, meet a dear old cousin, and finish this bloody big book without my partner at my side. By the way, a friend just returned from there, and brought me a bottle of something called Scapa. It is quite good, while seemingly more harsh than the Highland Park breed.Guess that's because they have only been doing this since 1885, where Highland park have been at it since 1798. Some might say that the newer distillery is an underachiever, but not me laddy! But in fact I prefer the Highland Park, so I shall peddle the other stuff to those who really can't tell the difference. I had to wonder if there is a local brewery as well. Don't see any Orkney brews over here you know. I seldom drink beer. Not much whisky either. But the whisky is very popular here that comes from Highland Park. I punched open their website lately and the volume was elevated somewhat on my computer. Sounded like someone whistling while flushing a very powerful toilet. I suppose that one could create a thought as to why they would project such an audible international image. perhaps it is a picture of happiness and achievement. There's that word again Wolf! By the way , Wolf, I was wondering how old a fellow you are, for you have shown yourself to be very knowledgeable in your history. But I can't ask your age on this site, I feel. So, what year were you born in? Thanks for the info. Yours Aye: ( I love that expression!) Stephen On Sunday, August 8, 2004, at 09:51 AM, Wolfgang Schlick wrote: >>>> The real debate, it seems, is just who's measuring stick was used >>>> ...? > > I agree, that's a good question! > So, Eric the Red discovered America? Just for a minute: Try to think > about > the chap who sat on bench four starboard side and the other some 40 > men who > rowed an sailed Eric across the water to get your measuring stick > rescaled > ... :-) > > > ==== ORCADIA Mailing List ==== > To unsubscribe from the Orcadia mailing list, send an e-mail with the > word > 'unsubscribe' in the message body to orcadia-l-request@rootsweb.com >