Morning all from a breezy but fairly bright Stornoway. It's not fair, in a way. The Western Isles are always portrayed as having the worst weather in the UK, but look at what's happening in southwestern England. Gales, downpours, floods. It's a repeat of last summer. Just checked the forecast and we're going to get rain and wind later today. OK, it IS fairly distributed.
I've just read about a new and virulent form of MRSA. MRSA (Multi-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) is a bacterium that is resistant to most common antibiotics, usually present and contracted in hospitals. Form USA300 of the bug has now emerged amongst the gay community in San Francisco, with necrotising pneumonia the most common expression of it. Necrotising means the flesh or tissue are being "eaten" by the bacterium. This can be passed on between people through casual contact, but also by sexual activitiy. Good hygiene is therefore suggested.
Tuesday, 15 January 2008
Monday, 14 January 2008
Evening notes
Although the day started nice enough, we got some rain around 3pm and clouds remained for the rest of the day.
Our freight ferry, MV Muirneag, was 8 hours late coming in - don't know why. Tonight's sailing is cancelled due to adverse weather. The forecast shows nothing worse than a force 6 from the northeast. Muirneag is not the strongest boat in the fleet, with only one engine and no bow thrusters. It ran aground in the Castle Grounds, opposite its berth, in January 2005, when high winds blew it away. In November 2005, it ventured out in the face of a storm, and ended up half-way to the Faroes.
The result of Muirneag not running is fairly serious. She carries our freight, including supplies for the supermarkets. We can expect therefore the same what we had today: empty supermarket shelves, or shelves full of goods that expire the next day, in other word no use.
Our freight ferry, MV Muirneag, was 8 hours late coming in - don't know why. Tonight's sailing is cancelled due to adverse weather. The forecast shows nothing worse than a force 6 from the northeast. Muirneag is not the strongest boat in the fleet, with only one engine and no bow thrusters. It ran aground in the Castle Grounds, opposite its berth, in January 2005, when high winds blew it away. In November 2005, it ventured out in the face of a storm, and ended up half-way to the Faroes. The result of Muirneag not running is fairly serious. She carries our freight, including supplies for the supermarkets. We can expect therefore the same what we had today: empty supermarket shelves, or shelves full of goods that expire the next day, in other word no use. Golden flops
Last night was the Golden Globes award ceremony. It was a damp squib, over in 30 minutes, where normally 3 hours of razzmatazz would have done the job. Why? Because the scriptwriters are on strike in Hollywood.
OK. Let me get this straight.
When a TV channel puts out a show like Eastenders or drama like The Old Curiosity Shop, you need a script. That's plain. Can understand.
Do you really need a script for a live show?
Does an actor need to have his words put into his mouth even at an award ceremony?
Or is it the case that the sequence of the show (the technicality) needs a script writer?
Sorry, I'm torn between not knowing and thinking that the entertainment industry is seriously challenged in the brain department.
OK. Let me get this straight.
When a TV channel puts out a show like Eastenders or drama like The Old Curiosity Shop, you need a script. That's plain. Can understand.
Do you really need a script for a live show?
Does an actor need to have his words put into his mouth even at an award ceremony?
Or is it the case that the sequence of the show (the technicality) needs a script writer?
Sorry, I'm torn between not knowing and thinking that the entertainment industry is seriously challenged in the brain department.
Monday notes
Many thanks for the compliments in response to last entry.
It is a bright morning with no wind and beautiful cloudscapes, which you can view on the webcam for the next 4 hours or so. Sun sets at 4pm here at the moment. My vantage point is so good that I just spotted a gent hopping out of his car to take a picture of the view across the water to the lighthouse. It's cold outside, only 3C at the moment.
Valerie reminded us that the trial of the suspect in the Ipswich murders case commences today. He is a chap of 49 who stands accused of the murder of five prostitutes around Ipswich (eastern England) more than a year ago. The case was very high profile, until the police collared their suspect.
During 2007, I carried a logo for the Highland Year of Culture 2007 in my sidebar. If truth be known, we have seen very little of it in the islands. The only thing that springs to mind was a guided tour to the Shawbost Norse Mill and Kiln in July. Last weekend, they blasted £300,000 ($600k) worth of fireworks into the nightsky over Inverness as a grand finale. Major complaints were raised over this 'waste'.
It is a bright morning with no wind and beautiful cloudscapes, which you can view on the webcam for the next 4 hours or so. Sun sets at 4pm here at the moment. My vantage point is so good that I just spotted a gent hopping out of his car to take a picture of the view across the water to the lighthouse. It's cold outside, only 3C at the moment.
Valerie reminded us that the trial of the suspect in the Ipswich murders case commences today. He is a chap of 49 who stands accused of the murder of five prostitutes around Ipswich (eastern England) more than a year ago. The case was very high profile, until the police collared their suspect.
During 2007, I carried a logo for the Highland Year of Culture 2007 in my sidebar. If truth be known, we have seen very little of it in the islands. The only thing that springs to mind was a guided tour to the Shawbost Norse Mill and Kiln in July. Last weekend, they blasted £300,000 ($600k) worth of fireworks into the nightsky over Inverness as a grand finale. Major complaints were raised over this 'waste'. Sunday, 13 January 2008
Mission statement 2008
At the start of each year, I've written a Mission Statement. So, I've revamped the 2007 one, headed it 2008 and here goes:
In recent times, quite a few new readers have picked up on my blog. A note of warning: it has been going for more than 3 years, so you have more than 4000 entries to go through if you want to read it all. Not to mention the hundred or so in the preceding blog Northern Trip - The Start. Link in linklist.
On a personal level, I take the following line.
I have a simple motto in life, which is live and let live. People can do what they like, as long as they don't inconvenience, trouble or otherwise make life difficult for others.
Another motto is that I take people as they come. We all have our crosses to bear, and it's nobody's business what brought those on our backs. We all make decisions and choices, in good faith at the time. Whether it all turns belly-up in the long run, well such is life. But life can also take its own course, totally outwith anybody's control.
I passionately HATE judgmentalism, pigeon-holing and intolerance.
You are you.
I am I.
I cannot stand by and let somebody run themselves into the ground. Aye, we all got our own little faults, good god, I've got more than I care to think about.
If somebody doesn't like me - I cannot be bovvered. Life's too short.
In recent times, quite a few new readers have picked up on my blog. A note of warning: it has been going for more than 3 years, so you have more than 4000 entries to go through if you want to read it all. Not to mention the hundred or so in the preceding blog Northern Trip - The Start. Link in linklist.
I commenced Northern Trip in October 2004, two months after starting my travels around Northern and Western Scotland. In November of that year, I settled in the Isle of Lewis. Things have been on the change since then.
At first, I did a lot of walking in the islands, in all sorts of weather. Later on, I began to get more involved in the local scene, although I am afraid that this has now deteriorated more into an observer's role. That is actually the premise under which I operate my other main blog, Arnish Lighthouse. Again, link in list.
I observe the weather, watch shipping coming and going and go walkabout around Stornoway. This is the capital of the Western Isles, pop 8,000; the islands themselves have 25,000 people. Occasionally, I'll go further afield within Lewis.
I rely heavily on Internet
websites for my information, although local and national radio and TV
play their part as well.
Characters: Mrs B and her family and friends; I don't name names. I sometimes give a name of a guest, staying in her B&B.
Isles FM is the local radio station. Manned by volunteers, they mean well but their rate of trip-ups is high. To quote one presenter: "I need electrocution lessons".
Ferries: The Isle of Lewis is the main passenger ferry. She sails daily (except Sundays) for Ullapool at 7.15 and 13.45, arriving back from there at 13.15 and 20.00. The weather tendsto wreak havoc with those schedules. The Muirneag is the freight ferry. She carries lorries and trailers in on aseparate schedule, departing for the mainland at midnight and returning at 8.30 a.m.. I am staying on the waterfront, so I see everything that comes and goes.
I am involved in historical projects, both relating to World War One. At that time,
about 6,000 islanders went out to fight for King and country. 1,000 did
not return, having fallen on the field of battle or perished at sea. They are remembered in my site Faces from the War Memorial.
An
additional two hundred drowned on their return from the war. They
were on board HMY Iolaire, which was wrecked 2 miles south of Stornoway. Only 75 others survived. I occasionally refer to this tragedy, read more on my Iolaire page.
About 100 islanders were interned at Groningen, Holland, for the duration of World War One, after retreating into Holland following battle at Antwerp in October 1914. They were allowed home for the harvest each year, provided they returned to Holland afterwards. Which they did, to a man. That was at a time when a man's word still stood.
A fourth project is done on an Internet messageboard, which records the location and inscriptions on War Memorials across Scotland.
Last week, I commenced a Memorial on-line for casualties of World War II.
Some general questions and answers:
Do I work? No.
Am I going to find a job here? Maybe.
Do I have a family? No. My relatives live outwith the island.
How long am I going to be here? Dunno.
What is my blogging remit?
To relay to readers news items I think are of interest. Not just from Lewis, but from the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. There is an emphasis on mattersmaritime, bearing in mind my position in a small port.
It says at the top of my blog:
"A view of the world from a small island
A view of the island for the world"
I take a special interest in the weather, and try to relay hurricane warnings where possible.
I have also taken on a role as general blogger, commenting on everything I see fit to comment on. Or not.
Since the spring of 2006, I have
become involved in the J-land community here on AOL, and try to adopt a
social role, pointing out those in J-land who could do with extra
attention for various reasons. If any new blogs come to my attention, I
sometimes give them a mention as well.
On a personal level, I take the following line.
I have a simple motto in life, which is live and let live. People can do what they like, as long as they don't inconvenience, trouble or otherwise make life difficult for others.
Another motto is that I take people as they come. We all have our crosses to bear, and it's nobody's business what brought those on our backs. We all make decisions and choices, in good faith at the time. Whether it all turns belly-up in the long run, well such is life. But life can also take its own course, totally outwith anybody's control.
I passionately HATE judgmentalism, pigeon-holing and intolerance.
You are you.
I am I.
I cannot stand by and let somebody run themselves into the ground. Aye, we all got our own little faults, good god, I've got more than I care to think about.
If somebody doesn't like me - I cannot be bovvered. Life's too short.
Lyme Disease
Lisa (wwfbison) posted about some of her animals and friends suffering from Lyme Disease. This is a disease, transmitted by ticks. These creatures suck blood and return the favour by passing on the micro-organism responsible for Lyme. If left untreated, Lyme Disease can develop into a serious and debilitating illness. The infection can be treated easily with simple antibiotics.
It is important to know whether you could be at risk when out and about, what to look for in terms of symptoms and how to check for and remove ticks safely.
For readers in the UK: check the Lyme Disease Action website for information.
For readers in the US: check the Lyme Disease Association website.
It is important to know whether you could be at risk when out and about, what to look for in terms of symptoms and how to check for and remove ticks safely.
For readers in the UK: check the Lyme Disease Action website for information.
For readers in the US: check the Lyme Disease Association website.
Cavemen
With thanks to Sue [Catslittertray]
Two Indians and an Irishman were walking through the woods. All of a sudden one of the Indians ran up a hill to the mouth of a small cave.
"Wooooo! Wooooo! Wooooo!" he called into the cave and listened closely until he heard an answering, "Wooooo! Wooooo! Woooooo! He then tore off his clothes and ran into the cave.
The Irishman was puzzled and asked the remaining Indian what it was all about. "Was the other Indian crazy or what?" The Indian replied "No, It is our custom during mating season when Indian men see cave, they holler 'Wooooo! Wooooo! Wooooo!' into the opening. If they get an answer back, it means there's a beautiful squaw in there waiting for us."
Just then they came upon another cave. The second Indian ran up to the cave, stopped, and hollered, "Wooooo! Wooooo! Wooooo!" Immediately, there was the answer. "Wooooo! Wooooo! Wooooo!" from deep inside. He also tore off his clothes and ran into the opening.
The Irishman wandered around in the woods alone for a while, and then spied a third
large cave. As he looked in amazement at the size of the huge opening, he was thinking, "Hoo, man! Look at the size of this cave! It is bigger than those the Indians found. There must be some really big, fine women in this cave!" He stood in front of the opening and hollered with all his might "Wooooo! Wooooo!Wooooo!" Like the others, he then heard an answering call,"WOOOOOOOOO, WOOOOOOOOO WOOOOOOOOO!" With a gleam in his eye and a smile on his face, he raced into the cave, tearing off his clothes as he ran. The following day, the headline of the local newspaper read.....
NAKED IRISHMAN RUN OVER BY TRAIN!!!
Two Indians and an Irishman were walking through the woods. All of a sudden one of the Indians ran up a hill to the mouth of a small cave.
"Wooooo! Wooooo! Wooooo!" he called into the cave and listened closely until he heard an answering, "Wooooo! Wooooo! Woooooo! He then tore off his clothes and ran into the cave.
The Irishman was puzzled and asked the remaining Indian what it was all about. "Was the other Indian crazy or what?" The Indian replied "No, It is our custom during mating season when Indian men see cave, they holler 'Wooooo! Wooooo! Wooooo!' into the opening. If they get an answer back, it means there's a beautiful squaw in there waiting for us."
Just then they came upon another cave. The second Indian ran up to the cave, stopped, and hollered, "Wooooo! Wooooo! Wooooo!" Immediately, there was the answer. "Wooooo! Wooooo! Wooooo!" from deep inside. He also tore off his clothes and ran into the opening.
The Irishman wandered around in the woods alone for a while, and then spied a third
large cave. As he looked in amazement at the size of the huge opening, he was thinking, "Hoo, man! Look at the size of this cave! It is bigger than those the Indians found. There must be some really big, fine women in this cave!" He stood in front of the opening and hollered with all his might "Wooooo! Wooooo!Wooooo!" Like the others, he then heard an answering call,"WOOOOOOOOO, WOOOOOOOOO WOOOOOOOOO!" With a gleam in his eye and a smile on his face, he raced into the cave, tearing off his clothes as he ran. The following day, the headline of the local newspaper read.....
NAKED IRISHMAN RUN OVER BY TRAIN!!!
Sunday notes
A dreich old day, although a little less cold than of late. Temperatures 6C / 43F. By dreich I mean wet, grey and overcast.
Across the world, Indonesia former president Suharto is reported to be in a critical condition. He was the country's second leader after independence from Holland in 1949, and ruled Indonesia with an iron fist from 1967 until 1998. He is reported to have topped the world's most corrupt leaders table in 2004.
Saudi Arabia has seen its second execution of 2008, following the conviction for murder of a foreign maid. She had suffocated her female employer and taken her jewellery. The execution, by beheading, took place in public. I am personally opposed to the death penalty, as there is no going back on any errors in the preceding trial once the person has been executed. I will go so far as to say that when in Rome you do as the Romans do.
Across the world, Indonesia former president Suharto is reported to be in a critical condition. He was the country's second leader after independence from Holland in 1949, and ruled Indonesia with an iron fist from 1967 until 1998. He is reported to have topped the world's most corrupt leaders table in 2004.
Saudi Arabia has seen its second execution of 2008, following the conviction for murder of a foreign maid. She had suffocated her female employer and taken her jewellery. The execution, by beheading, took place in public. I am personally opposed to the death penalty, as there is no going back on any errors in the preceding trial once the person has been executed. I will go so far as to say that when in Rome you do as the Romans do.
Saturday, 12 January 2008
Blog stats
Number of entries exceeded 4,000 just after New Year.
Number of comments exceeded 14,000 at around the same time.
Number of pages in hand-written diary is approaching 1,900.
Number of comments exceeded 14,000 at around the same time.
Number of pages in hand-written diary is approaching 1,900.
Three years ago - day 3
To commemorate the hurricane of January 2005, I am reprinting entries made around that time. This is the last one, Thursday 13 January 2005.
Nice, benign morning, but cold. Remains of wintry showers on the ground. Bus arrived a little after 10. Had previously retrieved the dustbins and their contents (yuk) from the hill behind the hostel. Fair amount of damage along the road to Stornoway. Garage wrecked, trees down by the dozen, trailers overturned and an isolator dangling loose on a powerline. Bins as well - anyone missing their bin? It's sitting in the garden at 6 Back (Isles FM). The residents of a house in Stornoway report the presence of a garden pond that is not theirs. Must have blown in. A row of pinetrees is uprooted in Balallan, some trees have snapped halfway down the stem. Fences are blown over as well. A funeral causes a tailback on the A859 at Laxay, because mourners park on the road. A huge number of trees are blown over in Willow Glen, including the ones that were blocking the road a few days ago. Sandbags outside houses on Bayhead, seaweed on seats at the Bridge. The grounds of Lews Castle are devastated, scores of trees (300-400) blown down, situation remains precarious. Christmas lighting has been smashed all along the harbour front. In the town, repairs are being carried out on Cromwell Street, and on the corner of Kenneth Street and South Beach Street, where the Star restaurant was damaged by flying debris. Two boats lie wrecked on the shore next to the ferryterminal. Owners clamber over boulders to check their state. Weather absolutely perfect - sunny, not a breath of wind and not too cold. Incredible, after the storms. Boat came in for the first time after Tuesday morning. Lots of electricity vans came off. Spoke to a few shopkeepers about their experiences and overheard several people exchanging experiences and showing each other their damage. Nice "warm" and sunny. Had a meal at HS-1, to compensate for not having a hot meal for a few days. Went back on the 2.20 bus. Terrible story of a family of 5, grandparents, parents and kids aged 5 and 7. They had fled their house because of rising floodwaters in two cars. These got swept off the causeway between South Uist and Benbecula, and they all drowned. Eitsal transmitter is still off air. Now a gardenpond has ended up in the wrong garden. Not all schools will reopen in the morning. People are urged to check on elderly or infirm neighbours. Missing your oiltank? It's lying in the loch just as you get into Balallan. Fire at Benbecula Hospital, worsened by an oxygen tank. Visitors are helped to move patients out of the affected ward. On return to Kershader, the power was still off, but it should come back this evening. Can't wait... It's 4.35, and I'm back to writing by torchlight. Have a book with walks and a book with Lewis history to read. Laxay has its lights back on, lucky them. Still, could be worse. Gravir has no water as the pumping station at Garyvard has no power. Eating habits slightly altered. Soaking the porridge overnight. Everyone was plundering a rather empty CO-op of buns and the like, if their power was still off. Western Isles hospital will resume normal service tomorrow, it's been on an emergency footing since Tuesday. Staff stayed in overnight Tuesday/Wednesday on account of weather. New moon in the southwest at 5pm. Not completely dark at 5.30, 85 minutes after sunset (4.06); sun rises at 9.03. Balallan is lit up again - when do we follow? At 5.50, the lights are back on, 48 hours and 30 minutes after going off, leaving that brief spell at 6.23 on Tuesday to one side. Central heating boiler plays up, need to reset it continually. Electrics still seem to wobble. There are apparently still problems at Lemreway, 10 miles down the road. Mysterious flood in kitchen, hot water tank had a lot of water on the floor. The librarian in Stornoway library was blown all over the shop on Tuesday. Still no reception on FM, apart from Isles FM, so no BBC; and no TV reception either. Don't know when that's going to be back. Various bits and pieces on Isles FM, including a song with rude lyrics, which was cut short very quickly by the DJ. Frost expected tonight; busdriver nearly lost his bus on a patch of ice at Orinsay this morning. Power still off in many areas. At 8 o'clock were blacked out briefly. Schools remain closed tomorrow, good week for the kids. Nipped out at 8.30 to watch the stars. Saw the Milky Way and Jupiter in Gemini. Have the hot water and the hot shower back: bliss...
Nice, benign morning, but cold. Remains of wintry showers on the ground. Bus arrived a little after 10. Had previously retrieved the dustbins and their contents (yuk) from the hill behind the hostel. Fair amount of damage along the road to Stornoway. Garage wrecked, trees down by the dozen, trailers overturned and an isolator dangling loose on a powerline. Bins as well - anyone missing their bin? It's sitting in the garden at 6 Back (Isles FM). The residents of a house in Stornoway report the presence of a garden pond that is not theirs. Must have blown in. A row of pinetrees is uprooted in Balallan, some trees have snapped halfway down the stem. Fences are blown over as well. A funeral causes a tailback on the A859 at Laxay, because mourners park on the road. A huge number of trees are blown over in Willow Glen, including the ones that were blocking the road a few days ago. Sandbags outside houses on Bayhead, seaweed on seats at the Bridge. The grounds of Lews Castle are devastated, scores of trees (300-400) blown down, situation remains precarious. Christmas lighting has been smashed all along the harbour front. In the town, repairs are being carried out on Cromwell Street, and on the corner of Kenneth Street and South Beach Street, where the Star restaurant was damaged by flying debris. Two boats lie wrecked on the shore next to the ferryterminal. Owners clamber over boulders to check their state. Weather absolutely perfect - sunny, not a breath of wind and not too cold. Incredible, after the storms. Boat came in for the first time after Tuesday morning. Lots of electricity vans came off. Spoke to a few shopkeepers about their experiences and overheard several people exchanging experiences and showing each other their damage. Nice "warm" and sunny. Had a meal at HS-1, to compensate for not having a hot meal for a few days. Went back on the 2.20 bus. Terrible story of a family of 5, grandparents, parents and kids aged 5 and 7. They had fled their house because of rising floodwaters in two cars. These got swept off the causeway between South Uist and Benbecula, and they all drowned. Eitsal transmitter is still off air. Now a gardenpond has ended up in the wrong garden. Not all schools will reopen in the morning. People are urged to check on elderly or infirm neighbours. Missing your oiltank? It's lying in the loch just as you get into Balallan. Fire at Benbecula Hospital, worsened by an oxygen tank. Visitors are helped to move patients out of the affected ward. On return to Kershader, the power was still off, but it should come back this evening. Can't wait... It's 4.35, and I'm back to writing by torchlight. Have a book with walks and a book with Lewis history to read. Laxay has its lights back on, lucky them. Still, could be worse. Gravir has no water as the pumping station at Garyvard has no power. Eating habits slightly altered. Soaking the porridge overnight. Everyone was plundering a rather empty CO-op of buns and the like, if their power was still off. Western Isles hospital will resume normal service tomorrow, it's been on an emergency footing since Tuesday. Staff stayed in overnight Tuesday/Wednesday on account of weather. New moon in the southwest at 5pm. Not completely dark at 5.30, 85 minutes after sunset (4.06); sun rises at 9.03. Balallan is lit up again - when do we follow? At 5.50, the lights are back on, 48 hours and 30 minutes after going off, leaving that brief spell at 6.23 on Tuesday to one side. Central heating boiler plays up, need to reset it continually. Electrics still seem to wobble. There are apparently still problems at Lemreway, 10 miles down the road. Mysterious flood in kitchen, hot water tank had a lot of water on the floor. The librarian in Stornoway library was blown all over the shop on Tuesday. Still no reception on FM, apart from Isles FM, so no BBC; and no TV reception either. Don't know when that's going to be back. Various bits and pieces on Isles FM, including a song with rude lyrics, which was cut short very quickly by the DJ. Frost expected tonight; busdriver nearly lost his bus on a patch of ice at Orinsay this morning. Power still off in many areas. At 8 o'clock were blacked out briefly. Schools remain closed tomorrow, good week for the kids. Nipped out at 8.30 to watch the stars. Saw the Milky Way and Jupiter in Gemini. Have the hot water and the hot shower back: bliss...
Photoshoot #124
Decided to take part in another photoshoot in J-land, hosted by Krissy. Hers is themed "Close up", so I went into the archives and fished out this picture of one of the Callanish Stones: close up.
Call for support
Please call round at Taking Heart, whose writer is feeling very down in the dumps today. She lost her grandfather yesterday, and suffered a miscarriage a month ago. I know it says 'Please disregard' at the end. Please do NOT disregard.
Record flights
Scotland now holds two records (at least) related to commercial aviation. The shortest scheduled flight in the world is between the islands of Westray and Papa Westray in Orkney. It is billed at 2 minutes, and costs £12 return.
The Western Isles now have the highest quoted airfare in the world as well. Residents of Benbecula, wishing to fly to Stornoway using the Air Discount Scheme, were apparently asked to fork out £1,000,000 each way. Without ADS, the price was £88 each way. ADS is a government subsidised scheme, where residents of outlying islands get a 40% reduction on their base airfares to the mainland. Benbecula lies 70 miles southwest of Stornoway.
The Western Isles now have the highest quoted airfare in the world as well. Residents of Benbecula, wishing to fly to Stornoway using the Air Discount Scheme, were apparently asked to fork out £1,000,000 each way. Without ADS, the price was £88 each way. ADS is a government subsidised scheme, where residents of outlying islands get a 40% reduction on their base airfares to the mainland. Benbecula lies 70 miles southwest of Stornoway.
Saturday notes
Brilliantly sunny day, but with a cold start. Overnight low was -2C / 28F. Couple of things doing this end, such as entering my World War II memorial data and updating my written diary. Days fly past, leaving that more and more behind.
A police vehicle crashed into the front garden of a house in Manchester as it attended an emergency call. Six people, varying in age from 8 to 38, were injured in the accident. They were all standing in the graden when the police car crashed. Its driver was suspended from driving pending an inquiry.
No tropical cyclones around at the moment, although one could develop near the Philippines.
A police vehicle crashed into the front garden of a house in Manchester as it attended an emergency call. Six people, varying in age from 8 to 38, were injured in the accident. They were all standing in the graden when the police car crashed. Its driver was suspended from driving pending an inquiry.
No tropical cyclones around at the moment, although one could develop near the Philippines.
Friday, 11 January 2008
Excursion to Callanish
Went on the 4pm bus to Callanish this afternoon, to photograph the war memorial there. It is marked "East Loch Roag War Memorial", because it encompasses the villages along East Loch Roag, namely Breasclete, Callanish and Garynahine. The phrase "Gus an Bris am Latha" means Until the Day Breaks. This is a common phrase on gravestones in Lewis, and refers to the religious belief that the Dead will be Resurrected on the Youngest Day. Bear in mind that people in Lewis are deeply religious, and although I have my personal questionmarks over some aspects of it, you can only respect that.
On arrival at Callanish, it was 4.35pm and the light began to fail. Does give rise to some interesting pics, but as time wore on, I had to start to use flash. Don't normally do that. Surprised a few sheep. Bus back came at 5.10pm.
On arrival at Callanish, it was 4.35pm and the light began to fail. Does give rise to some interesting pics, but as time wore on, I had to start to use flash. Don't normally do that. Surprised a few sheep. Bus back came at 5.10pm.
Claims
The US Federal Government faces a bit of a steep bill with regards to the failure of the levees at New Orleans, during Hurricane Katrina. According to the Associated Press, it exceeds 3 quadrillion dollars. That looks something like $3,014,170,389,176,410. For reference, the US gross domestic product is roughly 13 trillion dollars. A stack of a quadrillion pennies would reach Saturn. The claims were probably slightly over-inflated to press home the message to the administration. Read more here.
J-land News
Not a good day around J-land.
Lisa [seraphoflove9001] has decided to close down her journal, as it's giving her more grief than she could cope with. I hope she'll reconsider, but if not, I'll go so far as to say that some people ought to be ashamed of themselves. Trolls, buzz off.
Angie [peytonswater] announced that her grandfather passed away early this morning. He had been unwell for some time.
Lisa [seraphoflove9001] has decided to close down her journal, as it's giving her more grief than she could cope with. I hope she'll reconsider, but if not, I'll go so far as to say that some people ought to be ashamed of themselves. Trolls, buzz off.
Angie [peytonswater] announced that her grandfather passed away early this morning. He had been unwell for some time.
Three years ago - day 2
To commemorate the Hurricane of January 2005, I'm reprinting the diary entries for those days. This is Wednesday, 12 January, 2005
Very disturbed night, with the wind shaking the building. Electricity remains off. Trains, planes, ferries: the lot are cancelled. Shop nextdoor is closed, a rooftile lies in front of the door and one tile has come off the roof of the centre next door. Storm has been rampaging through Stornoway, and high tide led to flooding. Overnight windspeeds: Barra 106 mph, Stornoway 99 mph (steady speed: 62 mph), North Rona (40 miles north of Lewis) 124 mph. Briefly ventured out at 12.30, found the minibus for the centre had lost all its windows on the windward side, blown in. Walked round to the top of the road, then doubled back through the moorland. Encountered Mr McLeod who stopped short of calling me mad for venturing out in this weather. Shower started, which changed to hail, and very strong winds. People are asked not to venture into the Lews Castle grounds, as trees are coming down. Likewise, the Willow Glen road. Caught the shoplady, so have beans and bread. There is no busservice today. There is no mains water in Gravir and Achmore. The Eitsal transmitter is off with stormdamage. The Co-op on Macaulay Road in S'way reopened at 3 after they fixed the roof. The sun comes through at 3.10. Funny, all the water had been blown out of the U-bend in the toilet early this morning. Had to flush in order to fill it up again. Electricity not expected back on until tomorrow evening. At 4.30, Laxay had the electric back on. Found that local supply comes across the loch from there.More than half the island is still without power, so as yet: hanging on in a rather cold hostel. Only one room heated on a gas-heater which smells. Went to bed at 8 - all the emergency lights are out and it's pitchdark.
Very disturbed night, with the wind shaking the building. Electricity remains off. Trains, planes, ferries: the lot are cancelled. Shop nextdoor is closed, a rooftile lies in front of the door and one tile has come off the roof of the centre next door. Storm has been rampaging through Stornoway, and high tide led to flooding. Overnight windspeeds: Barra 106 mph, Stornoway 99 mph (steady speed: 62 mph), North Rona (40 miles north of Lewis) 124 mph. Briefly ventured out at 12.30, found the minibus for the centre had lost all its windows on the windward side, blown in. Walked round to the top of the road, then doubled back through the moorland. Encountered Mr McLeod who stopped short of calling me mad for venturing out in this weather. Shower started, which changed to hail, and very strong winds. People are asked not to venture into the Lews Castle grounds, as trees are coming down. Likewise, the Willow Glen road. Caught the shoplady, so have beans and bread. There is no busservice today. There is no mains water in Gravir and Achmore. The Eitsal transmitter is off with stormdamage. The Co-op on Macaulay Road in S'way reopened at 3 after they fixed the roof. The sun comes through at 3.10. Funny, all the water had been blown out of the U-bend in the toilet early this morning. Had to flush in order to fill it up again. Electricity not expected back on until tomorrow evening. At 4.30, Laxay had the electric back on. Found that local supply comes across the loch from there.More than half the island is still without power, so as yet: hanging on in a rather cold hostel. Only one room heated on a gas-heater which smells. Went to bed at 8 - all the emergency lights are out and it's pitchdark.
Friday notes
Nice morning, in between the showers. Their progression can be watched on the webcam.
Yesterday, I spent a number of hours on a new local history project, namely the collation of names and information of those who gave their lives in World War II. One of the first from the islands to lose their life was a pilot, shot down over Germany on 7 September 1939 whilst dropping leaflets.
Once I've gathered all the names (close on 400), I'll start collecting portraits. There are quite a few of them, so I can see myself spending hours in the library scanning in all the images. I have not placed any information on the web, as I am in the process of putting it into an Excel file, then merge it into a Word document, which will then go into a Blogger site.
A woman from Ghana, who had outstayed her visa, was removed from the UK earlier this week. She has accepted that this was fair and within the rules. There is a problem though. Ama Sumani is terminally ill with malignant myeloma, which has caused kidney damage. She requires kidney dialysis three times a week. This is available on the NHS without charge, but costs £1,000 per month in Ghana, which the patient has to pay. When Mrs Sumani returned to Ghana, a representative of the UK embassy offered to pay the first three months of treatment, but the hospital said it could not help her, as no source of funding for on-going care was available. The lady had appealed against her extradition on compassionate grounds, but this was refused. She was removed from a hospital waiting room on Tuesday and put on a plane bound for Ghana.
Yesterday, I spent a number of hours on a new local history project, namely the collation of names and information of those who gave their lives in World War II. One of the first from the islands to lose their life was a pilot, shot down over Germany on 7 September 1939 whilst dropping leaflets.
Once I've gathered all the names (close on 400), I'll start collecting portraits. There are quite a few of them, so I can see myself spending hours in the library scanning in all the images. I have not placed any information on the web, as I am in the process of putting it into an Excel file, then merge it into a Word document, which will then go into a Blogger site.
A woman from Ghana, who had outstayed her visa, was removed from the UK earlier this week. She has accepted that this was fair and within the rules. There is a problem though. Ama Sumani is terminally ill with malignant myeloma, which has caused kidney damage. She requires kidney dialysis three times a week. This is available on the NHS without charge, but costs £1,000 per month in Ghana, which the patient has to pay. When Mrs Sumani returned to Ghana, a representative of the UK embassy offered to pay the first three months of treatment, but the hospital said it could not help her, as no source of funding for on-going care was available. The lady had appealed against her extradition on compassionate grounds, but this was refused. She was removed from a hospital waiting room on Tuesday and put on a plane bound for Ghana.
Thursday, 10 January 2008
Nuclear energy in the UK
The UK government has decided to embark on a program of building new nuclear powerstations, to cover the country's energy needs in decades to come. Supplies of oil and gas are finite, and to prevent the lights going out later this century, alternative sources of energy are needed.
Apart from nuclear power, renewable energy sources like wind, water and waves will also be tapped into. A massive programme of off-shore windturbines is set to come on stream, and we in the Western Isles quietly hope that that will kill off the proposed windfarm in Lewis.
The Scottish government has responded by saying that it will oppose any new nuclear power stations under its jurisdiction. As the Scottish government has devolved powers over planning applications, this means they can block any plans the UK government has for building nuclear plants in Scotland. Holyrood has stated that Scottish energy requirements can wholly be met by renewable energy.
I'm not terribly happy with nuclear energy, until such time as the vexed issue of waste is dealt with in a safe manner. At the moment it is not. Once it has become unusable, some forms of nuclear waste will remain radio-active for thousands of years. Any solution will have to be safe over a period of centuries. And chucking it down a deep hole is NOT safe. The British Isles are not geologically inert, we do get earthquakes and movement of the earth's crust.
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