Saturday 04/06/05

Three Norwegians staying here at the moment, two of them from Kirkenes, in the Arctic north, close to the Russian border. They experience problems with brown bears, which eat pigswill. And you're not allowed to shoot them, unless they actually attack lifestock or people. The Norwegians are planning a cycletrip round the islands. Later in the morning, a bank of seafog (haar) drifts in and obscures the view of the Arnish moors. The midge season is said to have begun. After lunch, I head for the library, which has a computer problem. Only 3 terminals available. Carry on for a stroll down to Willowglen and Marybank, then back to town. The sun is warm, in contrast to the cold wind. A girl decided to choke in Willowglen, but her mate is standing by. The big yacht still lies anchored off Arnish. Late in the evening, word goes round that a 36-year old motorcyclist was killed in a crash just up the road. He collided with a cyclist in Viewfield Terrace, only 200 yards away. Police and ambulance service attend. I've seen the biker concerned many a time, roaring up and down Macaulay Road. It turns out he lived out in Tong, about 4 miles away. He rode a yellow machine, and was decked out in garishly coloured leathers. The teenager, who was riding the bicycle, was seriously injured.