Thursday, 14 August 2008
Thursday 14 August
Another visit to South Harris today, with mrs B in attendance. Like yesterday, the bus left at 10 am and took us to Scarista in 2½ hours; this includes a half-hour stop-over in Tarbert (filled in with coffee and carrot cake) and photo-stops along the way. A Czech lady alighted north of Tarbert at Maraig, intending to march through the hills to the main town of Harris. The weather being sunny and warm, it won't have taken her long.
At Tarbert, the usual posse of tourists joined the bus, filling it up to capacity. We were dropped off at the church at Scarista, where I photographed more wargraves, including several private ones. By this I mean family gravestones, which refer to death by war. Trying to find access to the beach was tricky, and curtailed our time there - the return bus was due at 1.45. It delivered us to Stornoway at 3.30.
At Tarbert, the usual posse of tourists joined the bus, filling it up to capacity. We were dropped off at the church at Scarista, where I photographed more wargraves, including several private ones. By this I mean family gravestones, which refer to death by war. Trying to find access to the beach was tricky, and curtailed our time there - the return bus was due at 1.45. It delivered us to Stornoway at 3.30.
Wednesday, 13 August 2008
Pictures - 13/08/08
Pictures for today can be found here. There are several pictures of plaques on the Tarbert War Memorial (on their sides), which you may want to ignore.
Tears and sorrow
That is the caption used by satellite TV channel Russia Today, in its reporting on the crisis in Georgia. The station portrays the military action there as brought on by the Georgians, and necessary to counteract genocide. What a load of tosh. If anything, it's the Russian forces that are committing genocide in Georgia, bearing in mind the thousands of dead.
Wednesday 13 August
Very nice day, up to a point, which I spent in Harris. Took the 10 am bus down to Luskentyre; when you get off the bus, you're only at the road-end. To reach the beach, there is a 3 mile walk ahead of you.
Luskentyre is a small village, some 10 miles southwest of Harris's main town, Tarbert. The hamlet is strung out along a river estuary, which merges into an area of stunning sands. When I turned up, it was 11.30 am and sunny. I made my way down the road and had lunch in the dunes. Then it was a hop down the beach, which overlooks the island of Taransay (infamous for the Castaway 2000 project) and the west coast of South Harris.
My primary objective was to photograph more wargraves in the local cemetery, but it had eluded my attention (and memory) that Luskentyre has two graveyards. The second cemetery had 4 wargraves in it; the first one, nearest the beach, was too recent.
I had wanted to sit by the beach, but the midges were ferocious at times of no wind.
Also, it started to rain, and I got pretty wet on my way to the bus shelter. Bus stops do not exist here, you just flag down the bus. Service W10 was 15 minutes late, as the driver had to do the tourist thing, stopping at all the beaches and letting people off to take pictures. Some intrepid souls are reported to have taken a bath in the sea at such points. If I say that water temperatures at this latitude are 12C / 54F, would you be tempted?
As I kicked my heels at the Luskentyre road-end, a woman came jogging out of the village and headed up the main road towards Tarbert. She was chaperoned by two dogs. An hour later, as I left Tarbert for Stornoway, the same lady appeared in the village main street - she had covered the 8 miles in an hour on foot. The A859 road is pretty busy (by Hebridean standards), and whenever a vehicle appeared, she had to get self and dogs off the road.
I returned to Stornoway at 5.15. The driver had to stop to answer a mobile phone call, and also to drop off people at various points along the way - in other words, he was 10 minutes late.
Luskentyre is a small village, some 10 miles southwest of Harris's main town, Tarbert. The hamlet is strung out along a river estuary, which merges into an area of stunning sands. When I turned up, it was 11.30 am and sunny. I made my way down the road and had lunch in the dunes. Then it was a hop down the beach, which overlooks the island of Taransay (infamous for the Castaway 2000 project) and the west coast of South Harris.
My primary objective was to photograph more wargraves in the local cemetery, but it had eluded my attention (and memory) that Luskentyre has two graveyards. The second cemetery had 4 wargraves in it; the first one, nearest the beach, was too recent.
I had wanted to sit by the beach, but the midges were ferocious at times of no wind.
Also, it started to rain, and I got pretty wet on my way to the bus shelter. Bus stops do not exist here, you just flag down the bus. Service W10 was 15 minutes late, as the driver had to do the tourist thing, stopping at all the beaches and letting people off to take pictures. Some intrepid souls are reported to have taken a bath in the sea at such points. If I say that water temperatures at this latitude are 12C / 54F, would you be tempted?
As I kicked my heels at the Luskentyre road-end, a woman came jogging out of the village and headed up the main road towards Tarbert. She was chaperoned by two dogs. An hour later, as I left Tarbert for Stornoway, the same lady appeared in the village main street - she had covered the 8 miles in an hour on foot. The A859 road is pretty busy (by Hebridean standards), and whenever a vehicle appeared, she had to get self and dogs off the road.
I returned to Stornoway at 5.15. The driver had to stop to answer a mobile phone call, and also to drop off people at various points along the way - in other words, he was 10 minutes late.
Tuesday, 12 August 2008
Blown away
An inflatable dog turd the size of a house wreaked havoc in Berne, Switzerland, when a freak gust of wind (sic) blew it away. The giant stool brought down a powerline, smashed a window and came to rest in the grounds of a children's home. The excrement was in fact an art work which had floated in a pond outside a museum.
Harris Tweed loom
Last Friday, we went to the Gearrannan Blackhouse Village. Once there, we found that the weaving loom was in operation. I managed to video 19 seconds of it.
Update
Many thanks to Dirk for pointing out the broken links in the picture post. Have corrected the mistake; I typed in an "s" too many.
Georgia
This crisis played out over the past 5 days, but I can only now sit down and write a comment on it. It appeared to me that Russia was reverting back to the bad old days of Soviet communism, where any dissent from neighbours would be violently quashed. The years of 1956 (Hungary) and 1968 (Czecho-Slovakia) spring to mind.
Georgia has been beset by two separatist movements within its borders, aided and abetted by the administration up in Moscow. The region of South Ossetia has seen its citizens being issued with Russian passports, providing a pretext for Moscow to mount a full-scale military invasion of the area, leaving thousands dead and tens of thousands displaced. It was not until an intervention by US president George W. Bush (characteristically late) that Moscow backed off, with troops withdrawn from South Ossetia.
Georgia is led by a president who aims to join NATO, and had the country been a member of the alliance, it would have precipitated a direct confrontation between the USA and Russia. An extremely dangerous scenario. Membership of the alliance, with the on-going unrest in mind, seems only a remote possibility at this stage.
Russia's government deserves to be censured in the strongest possible terms for endangering security in an already unstable area (there is a simmering conflict between Georgia's southern neighbour Armenia and Azerbaijan), and I hope they are dissuaded from mounting any further adventures in neighbouring countries whose politics they dislike.
Georgia has left the Commonwealth of Independent States (which encompasses Russia and the former constituent republics of the USSR).
Georgia has been beset by two separatist movements within its borders, aided and abetted by the administration up in Moscow. The region of South Ossetia has seen its citizens being issued with Russian passports, providing a pretext for Moscow to mount a full-scale military invasion of the area, leaving thousands dead and tens of thousands displaced. It was not until an intervention by US president George W. Bush (characteristically late) that Moscow backed off, with troops withdrawn from South Ossetia.
Georgia is led by a president who aims to join NATO, and had the country been a member of the alliance, it would have precipitated a direct confrontation between the USA and Russia. An extremely dangerous scenario. Membership of the alliance, with the on-going unrest in mind, seems only a remote possibility at this stage.
Russia's government deserves to be censured in the strongest possible terms for endangering security in an already unstable area (there is a simmering conflict between Georgia's southern neighbour Armenia and Azerbaijan), and I hope they are dissuaded from mounting any further adventures in neighbouring countries whose politics they dislike.
Georgia has left the Commonwealth of Independent States (which encompasses Russia and the former constituent republics of the USSR).
Tuesday 12 August
Nice sunny day, and warmer than of late, with the mercury at 18C / 64F. After seeing my father off at the airport at 8 am, I walked back to Stornoway along the shoreline. This is a walk of some 4 miles, but taking 1½ hours due to the relative difficulties that you encounter along the way.
Kept a quiet afternoon, catching up with some local history work among other things.
Kept a quiet afternoon, catching up with some local history work among other things.
Monday 11 August
The last day of my father's visit saw us traversing the Castle Grounds from the Waterwheel to the Creed and back to the YM bridge in about 2½ hours. Pictures will follow - I took 86 today, and I haven't put them up yet.
Lunch was salted mackerel - very nice, but the milk and tatties were absolutely necessary. At 2.50, the bus left for Tolsta, and we went for a flying visit to Garry Beach. Unfortunately, the tide was in, and we had a bus to catch back to SY. Had we missed the 4.45, it would have meant a 2-hour wait.
Weather started off a bit iffy, but the sun came out and the mercury made it to 18C / 64F. Looked outside a minute ago, and if you look south at midnight, you'll see a bright star. That's actually the planet Saturn, and a pair of binoculars will show the rings.
Lunch was salted mackerel - very nice, but the milk and tatties were absolutely necessary. At 2.50, the bus left for Tolsta, and we went for a flying visit to Garry Beach. Unfortunately, the tide was in, and we had a bus to catch back to SY. Had we missed the 4.45, it would have meant a 2-hour wait.
Weather started off a bit iffy, but the sun came out and the mercury made it to 18C / 64F. Looked outside a minute ago, and if you look south at midnight, you'll see a bright star. That's actually the planet Saturn, and a pair of binoculars will show the rings.
Sunday, 10 August 2008
Sunday 10 August
A day of varying fortunes in terms of weather. We set off for the Iolaire Memorial in the morning, which is a few miles by road. Apart from the historical context, the site has got some very nice views down the Minch. A jaunt round Stornoway Harbour brought us to Arnish after midday, a mile from the Memorial by sea, but about 7 miles by road. The Fabrication Yard was empty and looking derelicht, devoid of any signs of activity. The place was overrun by ragwort, a plant deemed a noxious weed by law, and requiring eradication. We kept a quiet afternoon, reading books and the like.
Saturday 9 August
Weather today is nothing short of grotty. It has been raining or drizzling all day, and we've barely seen the sun. The morning started out cold, but we managed to get up to 17C / 63F. During the afternoon, we drove along the Pentland Road to Carloway, and the Blackhouse Village at Gearrannan a few miles beyond. A man was working a Harris Tweed weaving loom. The Village was quite busy - a place to get out of the rain. After a repeat visit to the gallery at Morven (Barvas), we returned to town. We're hoping for better weather tomorrow.
Saturday, 9 August 2008
Friday 8 August
In the morning, we took the bus to Melbost to take a walk along the Braighe. Nice idea, except when we reached the Aoidh Church at the eastern end of the Braighe, the heavens opened. We got suitably soaked on the way back to Melbost, and had to change clothes when we reached our Stornoway base again. Did not anticipate rain - object lesson: don't trust the Met Office forecasts.
In the afternoon, our trip went by car to Great Bernera, and in particular the beach at Bosta and the Iron Age House. The lady guide was able to give us 10 minutes' worth of explanation, after which she hurried to catch her bus home. Bosta is a beautiful beach, and I'll upload photos tomorrow (Saturday) to share the imagery.
In the afternoon, our trip went by car to Great Bernera, and in particular the beach at Bosta and the Iron Age House. The lady guide was able to give us 10 minutes' worth of explanation, after which she hurried to catch her bus home. Bosta is a beautiful beach, and I'll upload photos tomorrow (Saturday) to share the imagery.
Thursday, 7 August 2008
Pictures
Photographs of the trips to Ness (yesterday) and Harris (today) are available, click on the relevant link. I took over 120 pictures today; have not yet annotated, just enjoy.
Thursday 7 August
After breakfast, we headed off by bus to Harris. £8.40 for a return to Rodel, which is a journey of 55 miles one way. The bus was pretty full with holiday makers, who were heading for the Isle of Skye; the service connects with the 11.50 ferry to Uig from Tarbert.
The weather was a bit iffy on crossing the Clisham, but you are in the mountains there, so no surprise. At Tarbert, the bus turned into a tourbus and as we hared south, the driver pulled over at regular intervals for a photography break. This was to view Luskentyre, Horgabost, McLeod's Stone and Scarista beach. At Rodel we had the grand total of 12 minutes to race round St Clement's Church. I also located 5 wargraves, which I duly added to my collection. At 1pm sharp, we made for Leverburgh, 4 miles to the west, where we disgorged the 21 tourists; us two changed buses to return to Tarbert along the eastern side of the island. The main route passes along the western shores. Had the southbound service kept up a brisk 50 mph pace, the northbound service turned into a dizzying 45 mph race around sharp hills, sharp bends, up and down, left and right - without much of a break. We left the wee bus in Tarbert with a distinct feeling of vertigo. It was a stunningly beautiful journey though.
On returning to Stornoway at 3.30pm, we went for a cuppa. Dinner was fish & chips.
The weather was a bit iffy on crossing the Clisham, but you are in the mountains there, so no surprise. At Tarbert, the bus turned into a tourbus and as we hared south, the driver pulled over at regular intervals for a photography break. This was to view Luskentyre, Horgabost, McLeod's Stone and Scarista beach. At Rodel we had the grand total of 12 minutes to race round St Clement's Church. I also located 5 wargraves, which I duly added to my collection. At 1pm sharp, we made for Leverburgh, 4 miles to the west, where we disgorged the 21 tourists; us two changed buses to return to Tarbert along the eastern side of the island. The main route passes along the western shores. Had the southbound service kept up a brisk 50 mph pace, the northbound service turned into a dizzying 45 mph race around sharp hills, sharp bends, up and down, left and right - without much of a break. We left the wee bus in Tarbert with a distinct feeling of vertigo. It was a stunningly beautiful journey though.
On returning to Stornoway at 3.30pm, we went for a cuppa. Dinner was fish & chips.
Wednesday, 6 August 2008
Wednesday 6 August
That's my birthday nearly over, but it was one to remember. Here I was, dragged downstairs at 9 a.m., as something had arrived 'from my country'. Only to find my father sitting in the kitchen here, who had arrived unexpectedly (well, I was the only one NOT in the know) from Holland to help me celebrate.
We duly set off by bus to Ness for a walk down the coast from the Butt of Lewis to Aird Dell, a distance of a good 7 miles or so. The weather today has cooled down even further, and the force 5 northeasterly felt decidedly cold when the sun was away. It has been quite a while since I ventured along the coast south of Swainebost, and I did feel my muscles.
You'll have to forgive me for not following entry alerts for the next 7 days or so, as I only have a wee while in the late evening to do my Internet activities. I will keep y'all posted regarding our outdoor forays.
We duly set off by bus to Ness for a walk down the coast from the Butt of Lewis to Aird Dell, a distance of a good 7 miles or so. The weather today has cooled down even further, and the force 5 northeasterly felt decidedly cold when the sun was away. It has been quite a while since I ventured along the coast south of Swainebost, and I did feel my muscles.
You'll have to forgive me for not following entry alerts for the next 7 days or so, as I only have a wee while in the late evening to do my Internet activities. I will keep y'all posted regarding our outdoor forays.
Tuesday, 5 August 2008
Tuesday 5 August
Nice bright, if cool day, with a brisk wind blowing. We're once again at 60F, but the sun takes the edge of the lower temperatures.
Upper Texas has taken delivery of tropical storm Edouard, which was a notch or two below hurricane strength; 55 knots (65 mph) were the strongest sustained winds on landfall at the McFaddin Nature Reserve. The storm is moving into central Texas where it will dump a lot of much-needed rain. Edouard disrupted oil production and deliveries.
Germany's WPC's are being issued with bullet-proof bras. Ordinary bras, when struck by a bullet, would have their wiring pushed into the underlying tissues, causes serious injury. Read more here.
Upper Texas has taken delivery of tropical storm Edouard, which was a notch or two below hurricane strength; 55 knots (65 mph) were the strongest sustained winds on landfall at the McFaddin Nature Reserve. The storm is moving into central Texas where it will dump a lot of much-needed rain. Edouard disrupted oil production and deliveries.
Germany's WPC's are being issued with bullet-proof bras. Ordinary bras, when struck by a bullet, would have their wiring pushed into the underlying tissues, causes serious injury. Read more here.
Monday, 4 August 2008
Proofreading
As I mentioned late last week, I'm participating in a proof-reading site. This evening, I proofed a handful of pages from the Bible - in the Dakota language. Now I obviously don't speak or understand that, but you only need to compare the scan of the original print with the output from the Optical Character Recognition software. Interesting.
Pity the site couldn't manage better feedback than: "You haven't done anything".
Pity the site couldn't manage better feedback than: "You haven't done anything".
Alerts back
I'm getting Comments alerts again; apparently, a piece of kit @ AOL had stopped working. They've restarted it.
Advice: use a feedreader for your public journals.
Advice: use a feedreader for your public journals.
Tornado
A tornado has wreaked death and destruction in the French town of Hautmont, close to the Belgian border. On Sunday evening, the twister rampaged down the town's high street, demolishing hundreds of houses and killing three people; one of these committed suicide after his house was destroyed by the storm. Sniffer dogs were brought in to search for survivors who might be buried underneath the rubble. The nearby towns of Maubeuge, Neuf-Mesnil and Boussieres-sur-Sambre were also affected, although the damage there was not as extensive as in Hautmont.
The tornado struck at around 11pm last night. Further pictures here.
Monday 4 August
Fairly bright if cool day (barely 60F).
The Russian author Alexandr Solzhenitsyn has died in his home country, aged 89. He was famous for exposing Stalin's gulags (hard labour camps), and left for the West in the 1970s. Solzhenitsyn returned to Russia in 1994. Tributes have been pouring in from inside and outside Russia.
When you're out on the beach with your children, please keep an eye on them when they dig deep holes or tunnels under the sand. A 16-year old died when a sand tunnel collapsed on him on a beach in South Wales
The Russian author Alexandr Solzhenitsyn has died in his home country, aged 89. He was famous for exposing Stalin's gulags (hard labour camps), and left for the West in the 1970s. Solzhenitsyn returned to Russia in 1994. Tributes have been pouring in from inside and outside Russia.
When you're out on the beach with your children, please keep an eye on them when they dig deep holes or tunnels under the sand. A 16-year old died when a sand tunnel collapsed on him on a beach in South Wales
Sunday, 3 August 2008
Tagged.com
Please do not react to invitations from Tagged.com. If you do, the site will send invitations on, using your address-book, and without much thought for considerations of privacy. I have posted about this several times, but this week I have received about half a dozen emails from Tagged.com, indicating that this pernicious pest is still snaring people.
Hurricane update - 3 August
Tropical storm Edouard has formed off the Mississippi delta this afternoon (local time) and is moving west whilst intensifying. The system might reach hurricane strength by the time it makes landfall, at around midnight on Tuesday morning, in the northeast of Texas.
Tropical storm warnings are in force from the Mississippi delta west towards Intracostal City (tropical storm conditions likely within 24 hours), with a watch in place from Intracostal City west towards Port O'Connor, Texas. Here, tropical storm conditions are possible within 36 hours.
Please monitor output from NHC at 3-hourly intervals, as well as local hurricane statements, which are likely to be introduced later this evening.
PLEASE RELAY
Tropical storm warnings are in force from the Mississippi delta west towards Intracostal City (tropical storm conditions likely within 24 hours), with a watch in place from Intracostal City west towards Port O'Connor, Texas. Here, tropical storm conditions are possible within 36 hours.
Please monitor output from NHC at 3-hourly intervals, as well as local hurricane statements, which are likely to be introduced later this evening.
PLEASE RELAY
Avalanche
An avalanche on the world's second highest mountain, K2, has claimed the lives of 9 climbers. The incident occurred when an ice-pillar collapsed, breaking ropes and
causing an avalanche. Several climbers are thought to be stuck above
the area of the fall, known as the bottleneck, and may have to make
their own way down; fixed ropes were broken by the icefall.
The mountain is located in the western Himalayas, on the border between Pakistani controlled Kashmir and China. K2 stands 8,611 meters above sealevel, that's 28,251 feet. It has only been climbed by a few hundred people, and has claimed dozens of lives.
The highest mountain I have ever ascended is a very easy peak called the Sparrhorn, some 7 miles north of Brig in Switzerland, which stands 3,011 meters (10,020 feet) above sealevel.
The mountain is located in the western Himalayas, on the border between Pakistani controlled Kashmir and China. K2 stands 8,611 meters above sealevel, that's 28,251 feet. It has only been climbed by a few hundred people, and has claimed dozens of lives.
The highest mountain I have ever ascended is a very easy peak called the Sparrhorn, some 7 miles north of Brig in Switzerland, which stands 3,011 meters (10,020 feet) above sealevel.
J-land photoshoot #138
J-land photoshoot #138 - Photographer's Choice
A tub full of mackerel, left at the door together with two loaves.
A tub full of mackerel, left at the door together with two loaves.
Saturday, 2 August 2008
Evening notes
Attended the exhibition at Barvas this afternoon, which was interesting. Afterwards, we took unexpected delivery of two loaves and rather more than five fishes. In fact, it was several dozen mackerel, one of them in the process of being eaten by another fish - a posture continued in death for both of them.
No comments alerts or private journal entry alerts all day. Great.
I make overseas phonecalls, and I did a little market research on mobile phone charges for those calls: varying from 5 to 90p a minute.
No comments alerts or private journal entry alerts all day. Great.
I make overseas phonecalls, and I did a little market research on mobile phone charges for those calls: varying from 5 to 90p a minute.
Community Photo Challenge
This month's subject is Summer Fun. Well, here is Eoropie beach in northern Lewis on July 25th. A rare beach scene in the Hebrides.
Saturday 2 August
Bright and sunny morning, with cruiseliner Mona Lisa anchored off the Arnish Lighthouse. A great improvement on yesterday's rainy day.
Are you a UK citizen or resident, and do you feel that hospital care for military service personnel, wounded in the line of duty, leaves room for improvement? Have a look at this on-line petition to the Prime Minister - needs signing before August 19th. Sorry, UK only.
I'm off to an exhibition later this afternoon, will post photographs either tonight or tomorrow.
Are you a UK citizen or resident, and do you feel that hospital care for military service personnel, wounded in the line of duty, leaves room for improvement? Have a look at this on-line petition to the Prime Minister - needs signing before August 19th. Sorry, UK only.
I'm off to an exhibition later this afternoon, will post photographs either tonight or tomorrow.
Friday, 1 August 2008
Close of day
Darkness is falling now, and the evenings are noticeably drawing in. We had a glimpse of sun earlier this evening, and some strange colours on the clouds towards sunset time.
Have been keeping myself busy with an Internet proof-reading site Distributed Proofreaders. This site, pointed out to me by Lori, is run by volunteers, and intends to turn scanned books into e-books. Anyone can participate - have a look.
So Radovan Karadzic didn't like the witchhunt? Well, he should reckon himself lucky not to have suffered the fate that would befall many a witch in the Middle Ages - being burned at the stake.
Have been keeping myself busy with an Internet proof-reading site Distributed Proofreaders. This site, pointed out to me by Lori, is run by volunteers, and intends to turn scanned books into e-books. Anyone can participate - have a look.
So Radovan Karadzic didn't like the witchhunt? Well, he should reckon himself lucky not to have suffered the fate that would befall many a witch in the Middle Ages - being burned at the stake.
Friday 1 August
Rain all morning today, so not a sight of the solar eclipse at 10.15 a.m.. Would have been nice, 40% of the sun's disk obscured, but it was not to be.
MV Muirneag returned to Stornoway, after being away for 5 days for repairs following her grounding last Friday. Thursday was an overcast day, and occasional drops of rain fell. It felt quite warm (for our parts) with the mercury at 21C / 70F.
A horror story in the news this morning from Canada, where a passenger on a long-distance coach was murdered, then decapitated in an apparently unprovoked attack. The other passengers fled the coach, and kept the culprit inside by barring the door. Police have taken a suspect into custody.
MV Muirneag returned to Stornoway, after being away for 5 days for repairs following her grounding last Friday. Thursday was an overcast day, and occasional drops of rain fell. It felt quite warm (for our parts) with the mercury at 21C / 70F.
A horror story in the news this morning from Canada, where a passenger on a long-distance coach was murdered, then decapitated in an apparently unprovoked attack. The other passengers fled the coach, and kept the culprit inside by barring the door. Police have taken a suspect into custody.
Thursday, 31 July 2008
Jersey
The remains of 5 children have been recovered from the former children's home Haute de la Garenne on the Channel Island of Jersey. These include 65 milk teeth and over 100 bone fragments. The milk teeth were determined to have come out after death.
It is suggested that there is sufficient evidence to mount a case for prosecution, except that apparently steps have been taken to ensure that such a prosecution would fail - apparently to preserve reputations. An investigation will be mounted into the separation of powers (legislative, executive and legal) in Jersey, which are allegedly too intimately intertwined. The abuse could easily be proved. More on this here.
It should be borne in mind that Jersey, although part of Great Britain, has a large degree of autonomy from mainland Britain. London takes care of matters like foreign affairs and defense, but Jersey has its own laws.
It is suggested that there is sufficient evidence to mount a case for prosecution, except that apparently steps have been taken to ensure that such a prosecution would fail - apparently to preserve reputations. An investigation will be mounted into the separation of powers (legislative, executive and legal) in Jersey, which are allegedly too intimately intertwined. The abuse could easily be proved. More on this here.
It should be borne in mind that Jersey, although part of Great Britain, has a large degree of autonomy from mainland Britain. London takes care of matters like foreign affairs and defense, but Jersey has its own laws.
Wednesday, 30 July 2008
Rainy evening
It's been raining all evening and it's cooled down a bit. Have posted some pictures of Monday's cruiseliners on a forum related to AIS (the ship tracking system), which elicited some positive responses. Will see if I get round to do alerts this evening, am not sure.
Wednesday 30 July
Quite a nice day, but with a steady deterioration in the weather. Mind you, it is still quite bright, but you'd have a job to find the sun. No complaints about the temperature, which is a pleasant 21C / 70F. Went to town this morning to get the newspapers. There was a European street market in Point Street and the lower part of Francis Street, selling a lot of continental-type food as well as a variety of teas (leaves), crockery and other little things. Very nice - will be here until the weekend. It is carnival weekend, so the funfair was already in place.
MV Muirneag is on its way home. The ship ran aground on Friday morning, nearly knocking over a jogger who was out for an early-morning run on the shoreline path between Cuddy Point and the Creed. Fancy having to dodge a 5,800 tonne ship coming straight at you!
MV Muirneag is on its way home. The ship ran aground on Friday morning, nearly knocking over a jogger who was out for an early-morning run on the shoreline path between Cuddy Point and the Creed. Fancy having to dodge a 5,800 tonne ship coming straight at you!
Tuesday, 29 July 2008
Tuesday 29 July
First week back is over and done with, and the weather remains anything but Hebridean. Although we got a downpour at 11 am, the sun got back out and it became quite acceptable. Not been doing much today, apart from sorting out my pictures of gravestones (have more than 150). It is turning grey and overcast again as I type.
Soufrière Hills
This volcano on the Caribbean island of Montserrat erupted without warning during the night. Large plumes of ash and smoke are emitted by the volcano, rising to 40,000 feet in the atmosphere. Ashfalls are occurring over surrounding areas of the Caribbean. Apparently, the lava dome that had built up in the volcano collapsed, sending a so-called pyro-clastic flow out towards Plymouth, the island's capital.
Monday, 28 July 2008
Monday 28 July
The fog took until 5pm to clear, after which we had a brilliant evening. Sunset at 9.45pm, meaning we've already lost 50 minutes since the summer solstice. The normal ferry is covering for the freight ferry, which is in dry-dock in Aberdeen for repairs.
Both cruiseliners left at or before lunchtime. I only got very foggy images of both of them, a pity, as I had not previously seen them here in Stornoway before. The fog also put paid to the delivery of newspapers, which failed to appear in the shops today (as far as I know).
Both cruiseliners left at or before lunchtime. I only got very foggy images of both of them, a pity, as I had not previously seen them here in Stornoway before. The fog also put paid to the delivery of newspapers, which failed to appear in the shops today (as far as I know).
Foggy morning
It's foggy this morning, with a visibility of about 400 yards. The fog came drifting in at sunset time last night. Awoke earlier on to the dulcet tones of two ship's horns, blasting nearby. A glance at the ShipAIS site showed two cruiseliners, the Christopher Columbus and the Maasdam. The Maasdam is more than 3 times the size of the C.C.; neither of them are currently visible from my position.
Sunday, 27 July 2008
Radovan Karadzic
A reminder, if one were necessary, why the former leader of the Bosnian Serbs is sought for alleged genocide. This indictment does not make for cheerful reading. Karadzic's lawyer has lodged an appeal against his extradiction to the International War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague, an appeal that is expected to fail.
The Rook's Hawk
Your result for Which Chess Piece are You Test?...
The Rook's HawkCongrats! Only 12-16% of the population score this!
The Rook’s Hawk is like a judge. They have a great sense of right and wrong especially in their area of interest or responsibility. They are devoted to duty. They are punctual. People who set their clocks on others are typically measuring their time with the Hawk. It is common to perceive that the Hawk is cold or aloof. They frequently protect their emotions via practicality.
They work systematically to get the job done. When a new procedure is proven, they can be depended upon to carry it out. The Rook’s Hawk is deeply frustrated by the inconsistencies of others, especially when it comes to commitments. They will keep their feelings to themselves – but when asked expect truth over tact. They are quite able to make the tough call and carry it out. You will find the Rook’s Hawk at home in government, schools, military or any other organization which maintains strict hierarchy. They are the traditionalist and are perfect for balancing out the idealists of other types.
The Rook’s Hawk thrives on organization. They keep their lives and environments well-regulated. They bring painstaking attention to detail in their work and will not rest until satisfied with a job well done. They are obviously hard workers. They will sort through ideas and find the most practical ones, again revealing how common sense prevails in this type. This ‘Pawn’ is the cornerstone of an ethical working society. They are centered on dealing with the present and most practical affair. They observe life and promote consistency in society. They value loyalty and others are best to acquaint themselves with this type if they wish to gain a fruitful insight to what makes the world tick.Summer continues
It looks as if the summery conditions will continue for a few days yet, until a breakdown moves up from the south on Tuesday or Wednesday. Temperatures here in Stornoway have been pegged back a little, to 19C as opposed to the 23C seen yesterday, by a moderate northeasterly breeze. Elsewhere in the country, the mercury has sped past the 80F mark without any impediment.
Sat outside for a while around the midday mark, but just managed to add more sunburn to what I had already acquired in Holland over the past few months. The sea haar that plagued us through the night and into the early hours of the morning was quickly dispersed by that northeasterly.
Sat outside for a while around the midday mark, but just managed to add more sunburn to what I had already acquired in Holland over the past few months. The sea haar that plagued us through the night and into the early hours of the morning was quickly dispersed by that northeasterly.
Four die on A9
The A9 has seen yet another fatal accident. Yesterday afternoon, a pick-up truck collided with a Dutch registered Volvo estate at the Slochd summit, half way between Aviemore and Inverness on the A9 Inverness to Perth road. The pick-up apparently swerved across the carriageway, barely missing one vehicle before colliding head-on with the Dutch car. This burst into flames, killing a man and a baby; a woman and a girl were injured and transferred to hospital in Inverness. A man and a woman in the pick-up also lost their lives in the smash, together with 3 of their 4 dogs. The road was closed for 7 hours; the cause of the crash is being investigated.
The A9 is a 110 mile accident blackspot, notorious for its intermittent single- and dual-carriageway stretches.
The A9 is a 110 mile accident blackspot, notorious for its intermittent single- and dual-carriageway stretches.
Saturday, 26 July 2008
MV Muirneag
Our freight ferry, MV Muirneag, met with a wee bit of an accident on docking at Stornoway yesterday morning. Muirneag takes cargo vehicles across the Minch in an overnight run between Stornoway and Ullapool. Yesterday, she was preparing to dock along no 1 pier here when an apparent technical fault caused her to run aground at Priest's Island [shown on the left of this picture], off the Castle Grounds. The ship refloated half an hour later on the rising tide and docked successfully shortly afterwards. Conditions were clear with light winds. The cause of the incident is being investigated. Earlier this evening, the ship was seen leaving Stornoway, and the AIS ship monitoring site showed her passing Cape Wrath at 8pm, bound for Aberdeen.
Blogger returns
Kate went private back in March, but has gone public again and would like to welcome back any previous readers!
Fox and chickens
Dirk touched on the fraught subject of the teaching of Spanish in American schools, resulting from the number of illegal Latino migrants in the States. I could not disagree more, so I'm going to engage in an exercise of putting the fox in amongst the chickens and wait to see the feathers fly.
As you know by now, I am Dutch, and was taught 4 languages at school - Dutch, English, German and French. Dutch being a minority language in greater Europe, this makes sense. I think that it is beneficial to anyone to speak more than one language, as it creates greater opportunity in the world at large. Spanish is spoken by many of the residents of the American continent (both South, Central and North), and represents a rich cultural heritage. Who has not heard of Cervantes' Don Quixote, or Picasso's Guernica?
I feel that English speakers should drop that arrogance that you only count if you can speak English, and the rest does not count. Don't forget that there are more Chinese speakers (1,200 million) for a start. If your children can speak Spanish, at least they are able to communicate with more people, who are there in the US whether you like it or not. Here in Europe, we also have problems with illegal immigration, but don't go all xenophobic over it.
Please don't forget that if you ostracise a sizeable section of your community, you start to tally up problems that will come back to haunt you in the future. It happened in Europe in the 1950s and 60s, when "temporary" migrant workers were attracted from the Mediterranean (Morocco and Turkey e.g.), who were not invited to integrate into society. The migrants are still there, 40 to 50 years later, not speaking the local languages, and a fertile breeding ground for religious extremism.
Mr Obama at least had the sense to realise that, and if the Hispanics cannot learn English (because they are ostracised from and by society), well, the English speakers will have to come the other way. As the Muslims say, if Mohammed cannot come to the mountain, the mountain will have to come to Mohammed.
As you know by now, I am Dutch, and was taught 4 languages at school - Dutch, English, German and French. Dutch being a minority language in greater Europe, this makes sense. I think that it is beneficial to anyone to speak more than one language, as it creates greater opportunity in the world at large. Spanish is spoken by many of the residents of the American continent (both South, Central and North), and represents a rich cultural heritage. Who has not heard of Cervantes' Don Quixote, or Picasso's Guernica?
I feel that English speakers should drop that arrogance that you only count if you can speak English, and the rest does not count. Don't forget that there are more Chinese speakers (1,200 million) for a start. If your children can speak Spanish, at least they are able to communicate with more people, who are there in the US whether you like it or not. Here in Europe, we also have problems with illegal immigration, but don't go all xenophobic over it.
Please don't forget that if you ostracise a sizeable section of your community, you start to tally up problems that will come back to haunt you in the future. It happened in Europe in the 1950s and 60s, when "temporary" migrant workers were attracted from the Mediterranean (Morocco and Turkey e.g.), who were not invited to integrate into society. The migrants are still there, 40 to 50 years later, not speaking the local languages, and a fertile breeding ground for religious extremism.
Mr Obama at least had the sense to realise that, and if the Hispanics cannot learn English (because they are ostracised from and by society), well, the English speakers will have to come the other way. As the Muslims say, if Mohammed cannot come to the mountain, the mountain will have to come to Mohammed.
Friday, 25 July 2008
Hurricane update - 25 July
Dolly has disappeared off the charts as a formal tropical cyclone, and its remnant is fizzling out over northern Mexico. Therefore, I swing my glance across the Pacific where tropical storm Fung Wong is winding up towards typhoon strength. Fung Wong will be making a beeline for the east coast of Taiwan, which it will strafe with winds of 85 knots, that's a mere 95 mph, on Monday.
24°C
Now that 75F may not seem much to some, but it was warm today in the Hebrides. The sun was out, and everybody mentioned how warm it was. I took myself off by bus to Ness, 25 miles north of Stornoway on an errand: to continue photographing wargraves. To this end, I went to the old and new cemeteries of Ness. The downside of the nice weather was the plague of flies which greeted me the moment I left the village of Swainbost, where I alighted from the bus. The fares had gone up, so I'm now paying £4.60 for a return (about $9) covering a 25 mile stretch.
The old cemetery is a wee bit messy, full of stones, flies and dead rabbits. I'm not blaming the bunnies for the flies (they were omnipresent), but it did not help. The gravestones in that churchyard are the hide-outs for snails, measuring almost an inch across. I found 8 gravestones in addition to the ones I had already located in April 2007 related to the Iolaire disaster. A short hike up the hill brought me to the new cemetery, where 8 military graves were found. At one point I feared I was photographing the flies rather than the stones. I beat a quick retreat and went to the beach, which lies half a mile away. Eoropie Beach is famous - see the pictures - and very busy this afternoon. Many young families taking advantage of the nice weather.
Beyond the beach I trudged round the headlands to the Butt of Lewis lighthouse and back to Eoropie village. The bus appeared at 6.20pm to take me back to Stornoway.
Another feature that struck me today was the wealth of wild flowers that turned the area above the shoreline into a sheen of yellow. The machair is a habitat, unique to the islands. It is created when sand is blown onto peat. Peat is acidic and not conducive towards growth of many plants. However, the finely ground shells in the sand neutralise the acidity, leading to a wide variety of multi-coloured flowers.
I have uploaded the pictures, but you'll have to call back for the annotations tomorrow.
The old cemetery is a wee bit messy, full of stones, flies and dead rabbits. I'm not blaming the bunnies for the flies (they were omnipresent), but it did not help. The gravestones in that churchyard are the hide-outs for snails, measuring almost an inch across. I found 8 gravestones in addition to the ones I had already located in April 2007 related to the Iolaire disaster. A short hike up the hill brought me to the new cemetery, where 8 military graves were found. At one point I feared I was photographing the flies rather than the stones. I beat a quick retreat and went to the beach, which lies half a mile away. Eoropie Beach is famous - see the pictures - and very busy this afternoon. Many young families taking advantage of the nice weather.
Beyond the beach I trudged round the headlands to the Butt of Lewis lighthouse and back to Eoropie village. The bus appeared at 6.20pm to take me back to Stornoway.
Another feature that struck me today was the wealth of wild flowers that turned the area above the shoreline into a sheen of yellow. The machair is a habitat, unique to the islands. It is created when sand is blown onto peat. Peat is acidic and not conducive towards growth of many plants. However, the finely ground shells in the sand neutralise the acidity, leading to a wide variety of multi-coloured flowers.
I have uploaded the pictures, but you'll have to call back for the annotations tomorrow.
Friday 25 July
Another bright and fairly sunny day, which is going to be pretty warm again as well. There is a lot of high cloud about, which heralds a change in the weather. Tomorrow will probably see more in the way of showers as an Atlantic front moves up from Ireland in the night.
Major news in the UK is related to a by-election (interim election) for the UK Parliament in a constituency in Glasgow. The seat was previously held by the Labour party, currently in government, but their 13,000+ majority was overturned by the Scottish National Party. It is the latest in a series of bad election results for Labour, which is currently in government. In Scotland, the SNP has been in office since elections to the devolved Scottish Parliament in May 2007.
A plane, en route from London to Melbourne, was diverted to Manila, Philippines, after an 8 by 10 ft hole appeared in its fuselage below the wing. This was also noticeable to the passengers, because pressure was lost in the passenger cabin, the floor and ceiling collapsed and winds began to blow inside. On landing at Manila, passengers saw the hole for themselves, making some of them physically sick.
Major news in the UK is related to a by-election (interim election) for the UK Parliament in a constituency in Glasgow. The seat was previously held by the Labour party, currently in government, but their 13,000+ majority was overturned by the Scottish National Party. It is the latest in a series of bad election results for Labour, which is currently in government. In Scotland, the SNP has been in office since elections to the devolved Scottish Parliament in May 2007.
A plane, en route from London to Melbourne, was diverted to Manila, Philippines, after an 8 by 10 ft hole appeared in its fuselage below the wing. This was also noticeable to the passengers, because pressure was lost in the passenger cabin, the floor and ceiling collapsed and winds began to blow inside. On landing at Manila, passengers saw the hole for themselves, making some of them physically sick.
Thursday, 24 July 2008
Soup-resistant laptop
The Onion has announced that a laptop is on stream which is resistant to soup, poured directly into the Ethernet port.
Warm day
By Hebridean standards, any temperature of 20C or more means the day was warm if not positively hot. It was 20C this afternoon. Today started cloudy, but the sun came out at lunchtime. Went into town at 2pm, but away from the seafront it really was quite warm. Following all the building and refurbishment work, carried out during my absence, a little clearing up was done. You've got to take advantage of the nice weather.
Wednesday, 23 July 2008
Commercial
This video is not in English, but it doesn't matter. As you start to watch, ask yourself the question: what is this all about.
J-land Angels 2 / Silent Keyboards
Jeannette [jeanno43] has started a new journal J-land Angels 2 / Silent Keyboards, due to problems with the original J-land Angels. It is a shared journal, to commemorate J-landers who have passed away. Please put this on alerts / feeds.
Wednesday 23 July
Day is gradually improving in terms of weather. It started off overcast, but the sun is out and there are broad swathes of blue sky. No complaints about 16C/ 60F on the thermometer.
Yesterday, the new Tesco supermarket opened up the road. Somerfields closed on May 3rd and it took all this time to revamp the premises ahead of the opening. Yesterday, all islanders crammed through their doors to have a look. When I went shopping, it took me half an hour to get round the store. Mayhem. Today was much better.
Had a brief amble round town just now, and not much has changed.
Yesterday, the new Tesco supermarket opened up the road. Somerfields closed on May 3rd and it took all this time to revamp the premises ahead of the opening. Yesterday, all islanders crammed through their doors to have a look. When I went shopping, it took me half an hour to get round the store. Mayhem. Today was much better.
Had a brief amble round town just now, and not much has changed.
Tuesday, 22 July 2008
Alive and wrestling
A man went canoeing on Loch Fyne in Argyll over the weekend, but was tipped out of his canoe. He left everything in the water and swam ashore, as he was due to take part in a wrestling match at a Highland Games at Inveraray. Meanwhile, his floating equipment was spotted by a member of the public, who rang 999 and the Coastguard came out to search. Ashore, police also made inquiries and located the man at the Highland Games. The Coastguard politely reunited him with his canoe and paddles.
Alerts
I have not done the rounds today, as I am rather busy settling back into the old SY routine. I shall endeavour to catch up tomorrow, but am not promising.
Anyone in the path of Dolly - landfall is expected within 24 hours; more details on the location from NHC. Updates from them every 6 hours.
Anyone in the path of Dolly - landfall is expected within 24 hours; more details on the location from NHC. Updates from them every 6 hours.
Hurricane update - 22 July
PLEASE RELAY
Tropical storm Dolly is in the Gulf of Mexico, some 200 miles southeast of Brownsville, TX. This system is moving slowly northwest and will intensify to a category 2 hurricane, with winds up to 80 knots (90 mph) by landfall. The exact location of landfall, expected sometime tomorrow, is not yet certain, but will be in the area of the US / Mexico border.
I copy the 1500 GMT / 1000 CDT warnings from the National Hurricane Center.
A HURRICANE WARNING is now in effect for the coast of Texas from Brownsville to Corpus Christi, and for the northeastern coast of Mexico from Rio San Fernando north to the border with the USA.
A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are expected in this area within the next 24 hours. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.
A TROPICAL STORM WARNING is now in effect from north of Corpus Christi to San Luis Pass.
A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area within the next 24 hours.
A TROPICAL STORM WARNING and a HURRICANE WATCH is in effect from La Pesca to south of Rio San Fernando.
A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 36 hours.
Tropical storm Dolly is in the Gulf of Mexico, some 200 miles southeast of Brownsville, TX. This system is moving slowly northwest and will intensify to a category 2 hurricane, with winds up to 80 knots (90 mph) by landfall. The exact location of landfall, expected sometime tomorrow, is not yet certain, but will be in the area of the US / Mexico border.
I copy the 1500 GMT / 1000 CDT warnings from the National Hurricane Center.
A HURRICANE WARNING is now in effect for the coast of Texas from Brownsville to Corpus Christi, and for the northeastern coast of Mexico from Rio San Fernando north to the border with the USA.
A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are expected in this area within the next 24 hours. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.
A TROPICAL STORM WARNING is now in effect from north of Corpus Christi to San Luis Pass.
A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area within the next 24 hours.
A TROPICAL STORM WARNING and a HURRICANE WATCH is in effect from La Pesca to south of Rio San Fernando.
A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 36 hours.
New community journal
Jeannette [jeanno43] has created a journal, These We Have Loved, remembering those that have passed on. It is a shared journal, so everybody can make an entry.
Tuesday 22 July
Today started bright and fairly sunny, but as I type there are spits and spots of rain on the brisk wind. We went to the newly opened Tesco supermarket, which has taken the place of Somerfields. The supermarket was heaving, in a word. Impression favourable, but I'd have to go back at a quieter time to really see what it is like. Tesco are employing a lot of folk that used to work at Somerfields.
Otherwise, I'm keeping a quiet day, as I'm still pretty knackered following my long journey yesterday.
Otherwise, I'm keeping a quiet day, as I'm still pretty knackered following my long journey yesterday.
Monday 21 July
Yesterday, I returned to Stornoway by plane at 5.50pm. I left my father's at 7.50 am (local time) to go on the train to Schiphol Airport. It was pouring with rain in Holland. Schiphol was heaving, and it took a while to go through check-in. The plane left a smidgen late at 12.30, and very quickly rose above the rainclouds. These extended halfway across the North Sea, but on reaching the North Kent coastline at Birchington the sun was out, and remained out all the way to Gatwick. It was a scenic end to the first leg of the journey.
At Gatwick, I had to transfer from the North to the South Terminal by rail shuttle. At the South Terminal, there was some time to spare before the 2.35 flight departed for Inverness. This proved to be a lesson in geography, as the aircraft flew the length of the country, with good views out over the western coastline. The northern coast of Wales was laid out beautifully, with Anglesey, Great Ormes Head and the Wirral. Further north, Blackpool, Lancaster and southern Cumbria moved into view, until high cloud obscured the outlook. On descending over the Highlands, the plane left the clouds over Loch Ericht and Dalwhinnie, following the line of the A9 north to Aviemore, thence over Culloden Moor to Nairn and Inverness airport.
It was sunny and mild at Inverness, with a pleasant smell of heather and wild flowers. The staff were most helpful, pleasant and polite, and made sure that my bag had followed me all the way from Amsterdam. The wee plane to Stornoway departed on time at 5.10. The pilot promised us a delight of views, but the only good view was had over the city of Inverness with Loch Ness and the Kessock Bridge. A little further west, we sat in clouds all the way to Stornoway.
It was cold and very windy in Lewis, and I was freezing by the time the wee service bus turned up to return me to Mrs B. in the town.
At Gatwick, I had to transfer from the North to the South Terminal by rail shuttle. At the South Terminal, there was some time to spare before the 2.35 flight departed for Inverness. This proved to be a lesson in geography, as the aircraft flew the length of the country, with good views out over the western coastline. The northern coast of Wales was laid out beautifully, with Anglesey, Great Ormes Head and the Wirral. Further north, Blackpool, Lancaster and southern Cumbria moved into view, until high cloud obscured the outlook. On descending over the Highlands, the plane left the clouds over Loch Ericht and Dalwhinnie, following the line of the A9 north to Aviemore, thence over Culloden Moor to Nairn and Inverness airport.
It was sunny and mild at Inverness, with a pleasant smell of heather and wild flowers. The staff were most helpful, pleasant and polite, and made sure that my bag had followed me all the way from Amsterdam. The wee plane to Stornoway departed on time at 5.10. The pilot promised us a delight of views, but the only good view was had over the city of Inverness with Loch Ness and the Kessock Bridge. A little further west, we sat in clouds all the way to Stornoway.
It was cold and very windy in Lewis, and I was freezing by the time the wee service bus turned up to return me to Mrs B. in the town.
Karadzic captured
The former leader of the Bosnian Serbs, Radovan Karadzic, has been captured in Serbia and is being processed for extradition to the Yugoslav War Crimes tribunal in The Hague. Karadzic has been on the run since the 1990s. Karadzic's worst crime is his alleged involvement in the massacre of 7,000 civilians in the enclave of Srebrenica in 1995. His henchman, Ratko Mladic, remains at large.
Sunday, 20 July 2008
Hurricane update - 20 July
At 15.45 GMT (11.45 EDT), the National Hurricane Center declared tropical storm Dolly, located east of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. The storm will traverse the peninsula and reemerge over the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. There is a good deal of disagreement over the path of this storm, but it seems likely that it may make landfall near the Texas / Mexico border as a strong tropical storm or a hurricane, early on Thursday.
PLEASE RELAY
PLEASE RELAY
20 July
I shall resume blogging on this journal as of next Tuesday, 22 July. Tomorrow I am travelling for nearly 12 hours, so I'll be pretty knackered at the end of it all. I have immensely enjoyed my visit to Holland, although the reason that sparked it off was very sad. Nonetheless, time has come to return northwest. I'll see y'all on Tuesday.
Saturday, 19 July 2008
Hurricane update - 19 July
Tropical depression 03 has formed off the coast of the Carolinas. Winds are increasing, but at the moment not exceeding 35 mph (force 7 on the Beaufort scale). This system will become a tropical storm later today, and will amble northeast, parallel to the coastline before being scooped up by a frontal system to the north.
Hurricane local statements are in force in SC, NC and VA, but I must stress that this is NOT a hurricane. The main problem with TD 03 is the amount of rainfall - 2 to 4 inches. Please check the NHC website for 6-hourly updates and further details.
Hurricane local statements are in force in SC, NC and VA, but I must stress that this is NOT a hurricane. The main problem with TD 03 is the amount of rainfall - 2 to 4 inches. Please check the NHC website for 6-hourly updates and further details.
Friday, 18 July 2008
Solar Eclipse
On 1 August, as Cathy reminds us, a solar eclipse will grace the skies of Europe and Asia. Starting at 08.04 GMT and lasting for 4½ hours until 12.36 GMT, the UK will see between 20% and 40% of the sun's surface obscured at around 10.15 am. More info on this official NASA site.
WARNING
NEVER look DIRECTLY at the sun, with the naked eye, binoculars or darkened glass. Your sight may be irreversibly damaged or lost.
WARNING
NEVER look DIRECTLY at the sun, with the naked eye, binoculars or darkened glass. Your sight may be irreversibly damaged or lost.
Hurricane update - 18 July
Everyone in the states of Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina should be aware that a low pressure system off southern Georgia could be turning into a tropical depression later today or tomorrow. The system is moving north northeast, parallel to the coast. Heavy rain is possible in these areas; please monitor bulletins from your local National Weather Service buro, as well as the NHC into the evening and night.
PLEASE RELAY
PLEASE RELAY
Thursday, 17 July 2008
Hurricane update - 17 July
The NHC are watching a low pressure system 75 miles east of Jacksonville, FL, which shows some potential to develop into a possible tropical system. It is not directly affecting weather in FL or GA, although a line of showers is draped along the eastern seaboard of both states.
The Netherlands Antilles are affected by a tropical wave, which will bring heavy showers and strong winds. A tropical wave is a seasonal weather phenomenon in the Atlantic, where bulges of moist air are released from the African continent. These waves tend to be the sparking points for hurricanes to form.
At this point in time, I'm monitoring 4 tropical cyclones around the world, as well as three pieces of weather that could become that. A typhoon has just passed near Taipei, the Taiwanese capital. Two systems in the Eastern Pacific, and tropical storm Bertha, which has been around for more than 2 weeks; NHC are currently on their 59th advisory. It could become one of the longest living storms in the Atlantic.
The Netherlands Antilles are affected by a tropical wave, which will bring heavy showers and strong winds. A tropical wave is a seasonal weather phenomenon in the Atlantic, where bulges of moist air are released from the African continent. These waves tend to be the sparking points for hurricanes to form.
At this point in time, I'm monitoring 4 tropical cyclones around the world, as well as three pieces of weather that could become that. A typhoon has just passed near Taipei, the Taiwanese capital. Two systems in the Eastern Pacific, and tropical storm Bertha, which has been around for more than 2 weeks; NHC are currently on their 59th advisory. It could become one of the longest living storms in the Atlantic.
Wednesday, 16 July 2008
2,200,000%
The inflation percentage in Zimbabwe at the moment. Mugabe still in power, and likely to remain there until he goes to meet his Maker. Country in economic melt-down, but as long as RM is in power, all is well in his world. Everybody else can go hang - he used that quote in relation to the United Kingdom, but you can safely add another 6 billion or so people to that. I despair.
Monday, 14 July 2008
Monday 14 July
Olive Riley, the world's oldest blogger aged 108, sadly passed away at a nursing home in Australia last Saturday. With the help of a friend, she posted reminiscences on her life on the web. Her blog is currently inaccessible due to too high and interest; a satellite blog is available.
The president of Sudan, Omar al-Bashir, has been indicted by the War Crimes Tribunal of The Hague, for alleged crimes against his own population in Darfur. However, Sudan does not recognise the jurisdiction of the tribunal, so he won't be seen around The Hague just yet. He should be though, with the way things have gone in Darfur recently.
The president of Sudan, Omar al-Bashir, has been indicted by the War Crimes Tribunal of The Hague, for alleged crimes against his own population in Darfur. However, Sudan does not recognise the jurisdiction of the tribunal, so he won't be seen around The Hague just yet. He should be though, with the way things have gone in Darfur recently.
Alerts sorted
I seemed to remember that AOL Alerts cannot cope if you have more than 200 alerts outstanding. I had 217. So, I deleted all the alerts I am currently following through Google Reader, reducing them to a manageable 23, including the private journals. I hope these now work.
Sunday, 13 July 2008
Alerts & AOHell
Those of you who have given me access to your private journals please bear with me. AOL is no longer permitting me to add new alerts to the list, and private journals cannot be read with a feed-reader. I'll just have to make a list in Firefox with the URL's. Sorry.
Saturday, 12 July 2008
J-land
As several of you will have found out by now, I've decided to resume reading everybody's journals. I think I have all stations covered, except the private journals. Can all whose private journals I read please email me direct. I have visited a couple tonight, but there are quite a few more. I made a list, which I unfortunately left in Scotland. I will not be posting much just yet, more likely on the Shell Gallery journal. See you around!
Friday, 11 July 2008
Technical advice
If you hear of any people suddenly losing Internet access after July 8th who are using a ZoneAlarm firewall, please tell them to access the Net from a different PC (one that does NOT use ZA) to view this advice.
Apparently, a Windows update clashes with ZoneAlarm, causing it to deny all Internet access. Basically, the best thing to do is to un-install the update (through Add Programs on your Control Panel). It does NOT apply to Windows Vista.
Apparently, a Windows update clashes with ZoneAlarm, causing it to deny all Internet access. Basically, the best thing to do is to un-install the update (through Add Programs on your Control Panel). It does NOT apply to Windows Vista.
Thursday, 10 July 2008
Five Years of J-land
Donna very kindly made a tag for our 5th anniversary. Please note it's an animation, so you CANNOT store it on AOL, 'cause it will not work. Feel free to snag, if you haven't already got it.
Wednesday, 9 July 2008
Alerts and all that
Officially, you should receive alerts as pop-ups and/or emails. When you go to http://alerts.aol.com, and click on My Alerts, you'll see the names of the journals you've subscribed to. Personally, I find this list less than helpful. If they but put the blogs on as URLs, I'd be a lot happier. Anyway, an icon like the AIM logo should show in bright red, and a little envelope should appear in blue, indicating that these are the methods by which your alerts are delivered. You can switch an alert on or off that way.
Google Reader is what is known as a feed-reader. Every time a site (such as a blog) is updated, a signal is released from part of the code that this has happened - a feed. Feed readers can receive this signal and flag up the new entry on a blog on a site like Google Reader. There are plenty of other websites that can do the same.
For Reader to work, you need the URL of a journal. When you view a blog, the address bar should show that (the bit starting with http://journals.aol.com or co.uk). Highlight the URL and copy it (press Ctrl-C), then go to the feed reader and add the URL (by pressing Ctrl-V) in the bit where you can add a subscription.
Google Reader is what is known as a feed-reader. Every time a site (such as a blog) is updated, a signal is released from part of the code that this has happened - a feed. Feed readers can receive this signal and flag up the new entry on a blog on a site like Google Reader. There are plenty of other websites that can do the same.
For Reader to work, you need the URL of a journal. When you view a blog, the address bar should show that (the bit starting with http://journals.aol.com or co.uk). Highlight the URL and copy it (press Ctrl-C), then go to the feed reader and add the URL (by pressing Ctrl-V) in the bit where you can add a subscription.
Tuesday, 8 July 2008
Alerts
I've decided to ditch AOL's New Entry alerts. When I come back, I shall be monitoring new entries through Google Reader, which appears to be slightly more reliable. Comment alerts I shall continue to receive, although I have to go to a non-AOL email to collect those. Don't even think of asking.
Sunday, 6 July 2008
Resumption
I am slowly resuming topical entries on Northern Trip to get back into the swing of things. I am not yet resuming my J-land activities, as I am not ready for that at this point. Thanks to all for welcoming my return here.
Don't forget I'm currently running the Shell Gallery blog as a personal journal.
Don't forget I'm currently running the Shell Gallery blog as a personal journal.
Piper Alpha
6 July 1988
A black day in the history of North Sea oil exploration.
167 men die on board the Piper Alpha platform in the North Sea after a gaspipe ruptures, causing a huge fire. The horrifying images are etched on the minds of all who work in that industry, as well as of their relatives, friends, neighbours and communities. The BBC has published a good but chilling account on this page. Lessons have been learned, but those that died will not come back. Those with scarring, physical or emotional, will not be much helped by that.
I know one or two people who work in the oil industry, and their tale is one of money before men. On one rig, a man was killed instantly in an accident. His corpse was covered in a tarpaulin and his co-workers ordered to continue operations over the body. The production of oil may not be interrupted without serious cause, as national interests are at stake.
This entry is dedicated to the memory of those who died on Piper Alpha.
This entry is dedicated to those who suffered injury of whichever form there.
A black day in the history of North Sea oil exploration.
167 men die on board the Piper Alpha platform in the North Sea after a gaspipe ruptures, causing a huge fire. The horrifying images are etched on the minds of all who work in that industry, as well as of their relatives, friends, neighbours and communities. The BBC has published a good but chilling account on this page. Lessons have been learned, but those that died will not come back. Those with scarring, physical or emotional, will not be much helped by that.
I know one or two people who work in the oil industry, and their tale is one of money before men. On one rig, a man was killed instantly in an accident. His corpse was covered in a tarpaulin and his co-workers ordered to continue operations over the body. The production of oil may not be interrupted without serious cause, as national interests are at stake.
This entry is dedicated to the memory of those who died on Piper Alpha.
This entry is dedicated to those who suffered injury of whichever form there.
Saturday, 5 July 2008
Betancourt
Ingrid Betancourt, Colombian politician of French/Colombian extraction, was finally freed from captivity earlier this week. The subterfuge employed by the Colombian armed forces to do so without bloodshed deserves the credit it merits. The political pressure, brought about by Nicolas Sarkozy, the French head of state, appears to have attracted a lot of praise too. Whilst being happy for Mrs Betancourt that she is out of the hands of those who held her against her will, I don't see what all the fuss is about. The FARC movement are holding more than 700 hostages, most of them not as high profile as this lady, and several were previously freed or released.
Ingrid Betancourt was seized in 2002 when she was campaigning to become president of Colombia. As such, she tried to engage the FARC movement in an effort at national reconciliation - and FARC seized her, as it has taken hundreds hostage. It was almost to be expected. The Colombian rebels have been severely weakened in recent times, not least because several of their leaders have been killed or died naturally.
I just hope that this spectacular action will be the prelude to the release of all of FARC's hostages, and the dissolution of the rebel movement. Methinks Colombia should be united in its battle against the cocaine barons, not divided.
Ingrid Betancourt was seized in 2002 when she was campaigning to become president of Colombia. As such, she tried to engage the FARC movement in an effort at national reconciliation - and FARC seized her, as it has taken hundreds hostage. It was almost to be expected. The Colombian rebels have been severely weakened in recent times, not least because several of their leaders have been killed or died naturally.
I just hope that this spectacular action will be the prelude to the release of all of FARC's hostages, and the dissolution of the rebel movement. Methinks Colombia should be united in its battle against the cocaine barons, not divided.
Saturday, 28 June 2008
AOL Journals at 5
I know it's still 2 months away (August 21st or something), but AOL Journals are quietly approaching their first lustrum, i.e. their 5th anniversary. At present, I'm not actively involved in J-land, so I'm just putting the baton on the counter and hope someone picks it up.
Thursday, 26 June 2008
Stripped
of all credibility, decency and even his honorary knighthood. Cannot resist putting up this topical video of his rooms. Whose? Oh well, all shall be revealed. No, I haven't returned to blogging as before, but this story plumbs ever deeper depths of depravity. Code word: 1,000,000% inflation.
Friday, 13 June 2008
Acknowledgements
I have just pushed out over 100 emails to J-landers, and this entry is to reach those I missed by email. This message is to acknowledge the condolences, sympathy and support from J-landers following the sudden death of my mother 6 weeks ago, on May 1st. Everybody's contributions certainly helped to make a very difficult situation bearable in those early days. J-land has shown itself to be a caring community, which I have always believed to be its strong point.
I sincerely hope all are well, or as well as can be under the circumstances. I do intend to return to blogging, but you'll have to watch this journal for updates.
I am currently blogging on my journal from Holland called The Shell Gallery. However, I am not active in J-land (with a few exceptions), and do not respond to comments from that journal. Do feel free to call round though.
I sincerely hope all are well, or as well as can be under the circumstances. I do intend to return to blogging, but you'll have to watch this journal for updates.
I am currently blogging on my journal from Holland called The Shell Gallery. However, I am not active in J-land (with a few exceptions), and do not respond to comments from that journal. Do feel free to call round though.
Thursday, 29 May 2008
Exception
Well, I had to point to this story. It made me ill. In August 2006, a group of army cadets set out on Loch Carnan, South Uist, in winds of force 7. A boat overturned and all but one was saved. The 14th was not found until 45 minutes later, drowned under an upturned boat. The fatal accident inquiry is hearing harrowing and shocking evidence. Read more here, but heed my warning.
Monday, 26 May 2008
Header entry
I am posting this entry to reiterate that this journal remains suspended, as are my activities in J-land. Northern Trip will resume if and when I return to Lewis.
On May 1st, 2008, I lost my mother (as earlier entries indicate), and I am currently in Holland, coming to terms with my loss and supporting my family where possible. I am writing a diary-type journal called The Shell Gallery, using the screenname Veluweman. Feel free to come over and leave a comment.
On May 1st, 2008, I lost my mother (as earlier entries indicate), and I am currently in Holland, coming to terms with my loss and supporting my family where possible. I am writing a diary-type journal called The Shell Gallery, using the screenname Veluweman. Feel free to come over and leave a comment.
Sunday, 18 May 2008
Orkney & Shetland pictures
I have scanned in the last pictures of my 2004 journey through the Northern Isles of Scotland. I link to the relevant entries in Northern Trip - The Start, and thence on to Flickr.
Thursday, 15 May 2008
Pictures
Well, many thanks for the compliments on my photography. I guess it's a combination of being in a pretty environment and having an eye for the right scene. Mind you, there are plenty of horrible places in Holland as well as in Scotland, but then I'd never picture them.
Photo updates - Orkney
I spent 4 weeks in that archipelago, and have started to work my way through a fair collection of pictures, about 100. The first two days can be viewed through the usual process. Follow the link to the diary entry, thence another link to the pictures on Flickr.
Wednesday, 14 May 2008
Tuesday, 13 May 2008
Photo updates
I am currently catching up with pictures from 2004, when I started Northern Trip as a true journey through Northern Scotland. I have put photos on Flickr, from the following dates. Please note the link takes you to the diary entry of that day (on Northern Trip - The Start), where a separate link takes you to the pictures on Flickr. You may want to open the journal in 2 windows (just a tech hint), lest you keep jumping back and forth.
14 August
15 August
8 October
9 October
10 October
11 October
12 October
20 October
22 October
23 October
24 October
25 October
26 October
27 October
28 October
29 October
30 October
31 October
Friday, 9 May 2008
Thank you all
Just want to take the opportunity to once more thank all who went to the bother to comment in recent times, in excess of more than 100 all told. I am currently not blogging, and neither am I replying to emails. I do check emails, hence the post here.
I am currently in Holland. The funeral went as well as could be, but the emotion remains raw. Whether I shall remain here, or return to Lewis is totally undecided. If anything, it's too blinking hot here. Not used to 80F...
If anyone is interested in more Scottish pictures, please check out the pictures on my Flickr account. I am in the process of scanning 250 pictures from the start of Northern Trip, and the first 90 are there now. More to come, keep an eye on Flickr.
Monday, 5 May 2008
Monday
Very nice and warm here in Stornoway, everybody is outside (except for me at the moment). Will make final preparations for tomorrow's journey later this evening. Plane is at 8.30 am, so will have to be at airport even earlier. Hope that formalities are sorted quickly, after which I can organise onward transport.
I hope to return to Stornoway at some point in the future - whether that be soon or late I cannot tell at this point. Neither can I tell whether I'll resume blogging on here or on the alternate journal (The Shell Gallery).
I wish all well, and special thoughts to those coping with a bereavement of their own.
I hope that those of you who are coping with ill health yourselves or in the family will soon find an improvement.
Bye for now,
I hope to return to Stornoway at some point in the future - whether that be soon or late I cannot tell at this point. Neither can I tell whether I'll resume blogging on here or on the alternate journal (The Shell Gallery).
I wish all well, and special thoughts to those coping with a bereavement of their own.
I hope that those of you who are coping with ill health yourselves or in the family will soon find an improvement.
Bye for now,
Sunday, 4 May 2008
Sunday
I may make one or two posts before I head off early on Tuesday.
Although my alerts are off, I was checking a few journals on Technorati, and found that Kathy [onestrangecat] lost her mom yesterday, May 3rd. I know what she is going through, please call round. I'm very sad for her, and worried.
I am deeply moved by the tributes to myself on various journals, as well as the 100-odd comments on previous posts, as well as on Call for Support.
I shall be very sad to leave the Isle of Lewis which has been my home for the past 3½ years. You can access some of the work I've been doing from my website, www.adb422006.com.
Although my alerts are off, I was checking a few journals on Technorati, and found that Kathy [onestrangecat] lost her mom yesterday, May 3rd. I know what she is going through, please call round. I'm very sad for her, and worried.
I am deeply moved by the tributes to myself on various journals, as well as the 100-odd comments on previous posts, as well as on Call for Support.
I shall be very sad to leave the Isle of Lewis which has been my home for the past 3½ years. You can access some of the work I've been doing from my website, www.adb422006.com.
Saturday, 3 May 2008
No need to comment
Please place on alerts (if you want of course) my new journal The Shell Gallery. It'll be a while before I start making entries - if I decide I want to continue blogging.
Thursday, 1 May 2008
Thank you
Although I've turned off alerts (save comments alerts), I have read the many messages by email and comments, also on Call for Support, in sympathy and compliment.
Just want to let y'all know that I'm touched. I cannot look into the future, but if you want, you can keep my alert open.
I'll continue to monitor emails until (probably) Monday.
Just want to let y'all know that I'm touched. I cannot look into the future, but if you want, you can keep my alert open.
I'll continue to monitor emails until (probably) Monday.
Suspended
I know this will come as an unexpected announcement and a shock, but I am having to suspend this blog until further notice, due to a bereavement in close family. I'll email the group with further details. I do not know when or if I'll be resuming this journal.
I am also going to turn off alerts by the end of today, again with the same proviso - I do not know if I'll be able to return to J-land.
As the eventual answer could well be negative, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all for welcoming me into a wonderful community.
The Call for Support journal will remain available.
All the best,
Guido
I am also going to turn off alerts by the end of today, again with the same proviso - I do not know if I'll be able to return to J-land.
As the eventual answer could well be negative, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all for welcoming me into a wonderful community.
The Call for Support journal will remain available.
All the best,
Guido
Thursday 1 May
Labour Day today (please note the spelling), which used to be marked with marches with red flags, plenty of military ironware and patriotic or socialist sing-songs along tree-lined streets in Eastern Europe. That all fell silent 20 years ago. Only China still engages in that rigmarole.
May 1st is Beltane, the ancient start of summer, marked in Celtic Europe. Winter is over (is it?), the beasts can go to pasture and the evenings have already grown very long.
It's an overcast day today, and rain is possible.
May 1st is Beltane, the ancient start of summer, marked in Celtic Europe. Winter is over (is it?), the beasts can go to pasture and the evenings have already grown very long.
It's an overcast day today, and rain is possible.
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