The documentary about the Isle of Eigg on The One Show this evening can be viewed from this page. Have to say that there was little in it that wasn't already known, or aired at the time that the electricity grid went live. Nonetheless, a nice plug for one of Scotland's stunning isles.
Wednesday, 9 April 2008
Wednesday 9 April
Quite a nice morning, gentle breezes and not feeling cold. The port is relatively full this morning, with freigh ferry Muirneag, Coastguard tug Anglian Prince, fuel tanker Border Heather and small freighter Grip Superior all jostling for space. The tanker left half an hour ago, just as I came back from town for a few errands.
Anyone in the UK should mark The One Show on BBC1 at 7pm this evening. The islanders of Eigg, south of Skye, will feature in it. They will demonstrate how life has changed since they got 24/7 power. Until February this year, they relied on diesel generators for their electricity, leading to constraints. Ever since they won control of their island in 1997, the Eiggach have not looked back.
Anyone in the UK should mark The One Show on BBC1 at 7pm this evening. The islanders of Eigg, south of Skye, will feature in it. They will demonstrate how life has changed since they got 24/7 power. Until February this year, they relied on diesel generators for their electricity, leading to constraints. Ever since they won control of their island in 1997, the Eiggach have not looked back.
Tuesday, 8 April 2008
Close of day
Two developments caught my eye this evening. The first concerns the abduction of Shannon Matthews, the 9-year old girl. She went missing Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, but was found at her stepfather's uncle's house 24 days later. Her mother has now been formally charged with perverting the course of justice and child neglect.
I am very relieved that Mohammed Al-Fayed has done the honourable thing and discontinued his pursuance of the alleged murderplot against Princess Diana. The inquest into her death found that a murderplot was not the likely cause of her death. Mr Al-Fayed has expressed his misgivings over the inquest, but, for the sake of Princes William and Harry (Diana's sons), he has decided to abandon his quest. I am profoundly grateful for that - Diana and Dodi can now finally rest in peace, and we're also spared further degrading tirades from Mr Al-Fayed.
Stornoway, April 4th
I am very relieved that Mohammed Al-Fayed has done the honourable thing and discontinued his pursuance of the alleged murderplot against Princess Diana. The inquest into her death found that a murderplot was not the likely cause of her death. Mr Al-Fayed has expressed his misgivings over the inquest, but, for the sake of Princes William and Harry (Diana's sons), he has decided to abandon his quest. I am profoundly grateful for that - Diana and Dodi can now finally rest in peace, and we're also spared further degrading tirades from Mr Al-Fayed.
Stornoway, April 4th
Credit problems
Plugging one hole with another is never a good idea, and the current credit crunch is going to cost the world economy the tidy sum of at least 1 trillion (that's 1 million million) dollars. I am not an economist, and do not fully understand everything that lies behind it all. But the effects are already becoming clear, with a reported reduction in house prices in parts of England of up to 2.5%. Here in Scotland, and certainly in remote areas such as the Western Isles, prices are still going up. But for how long. Back in the 1980s, we had a spectre roaming the country that answered to the name "negative equity". Having a mortgage for more than your house will eventually yield upon sale.
Zimbabwe
More than a week after the elections in that country, its citizens still don't know who their next president will be. The current one, Robert Mugabe, is unleashing violence upon his people, and it is suggested that up to 60 white farmers have been forced to abandon their property by gangs of 'war veterans'. A challenge in court, to force the electoral authorities to release the result of the election, is proceeding.
I don't think anyone is going to win, whichever way things go. Robert Mugabe as victor will slump Zimbabwe into further misery, and I have not got this distinct impression that he will take a defeat lying down. Although Mugabe did a good thing in removing the racist regime of Ian Smith from power in 1980, his rule has degenerated to the same level.
I don't think anyone is going to win, whichever way things go. Robert Mugabe as victor will slump Zimbabwe into further misery, and I have not got this distinct impression that he will take a defeat lying down. Although Mugabe did a good thing in removing the racist regime of Ian Smith from power in 1980, his rule has degenerated to the same level.
Tuesday 8 April
Day is turning decidedly dreich, and you can check the webcam if you want to know what that means. Overcast, grey and wet. Tomorrow should be brighter.
I was pleased to hear the verdict in the inquest into the deaths of Princess Diana and Dodi al-Fayed - unlawful killing, brought about by gross negligence on the parts of driver Henri Paul and the pursuing paparazzi. Mohammed al-Fayed has declared his disappointment, but has also hinted that he might consider the matter closed. It is a pity that none of the French paparazzi were attending the inquest to give evidence, but they could not be compelled to attend. I really hope this WILL bring matters to a close, and let Diana and Dodi rest in peace.
I was pleased to hear the verdict in the inquest into the deaths of Princess Diana and Dodi al-Fayed - unlawful killing, brought about by gross negligence on the parts of driver Henri Paul and the pursuing paparazzi. Mohammed al-Fayed has declared his disappointment, but has also hinted that he might consider the matter closed. It is a pity that none of the French paparazzi were attending the inquest to give evidence, but they could not be compelled to attend. I really hope this WILL bring matters to a close, and let Diana and Dodi rest in peace.
Monday, 7 April 2008
Last thing
Worked my way through today's alerts just now. I'm feeling fairly satisfied with myself, having uninstalled some programs that were being obstinate. Netscape had its support terminated in March, but had to download it again to be able to delete it. One file was missing from the original installation. Netscape has been merged into Firefox, which I already use. Secondly, some program for the "ripping" of CD's, which I don't need. Had to edit the PC's registry to do that, which I am always reluctant to do. Fortunately, I had full instructions, so it is gone for good.
On the subject of cleaning up the PC, there is a program, designed by people who combat malware, which will clean out temporary files, caches and what have you. It is called ATF Cleaner, and when I last used it, it freed up half a gigabyte. Lessens another security risk. When you go to the page I linked to above, you need to scroll down a little.
On the subject of cleaning up the PC, there is a program, designed by people who combat malware, which will clean out temporary files, caches and what have you. It is called ATF Cleaner, and when I last used it, it freed up half a gigabyte. Lessens another security risk. When you go to the page I linked to above, you need to scroll down a little.
Evening notes
After a poor start, the weather has cleared up to some extent. It's breezy and cold outside, but at least the sun is shining.
Managed to make my way through about four dozen alerts, little thanks to AOL Webmail which is now at the tantrum stage. It will only show you the next mail IF you jump through some hoop or another. No thanks. Have complained before the weekend.
This afternoon, we had a very low tide, which enabled me to go scallop hunting at the bottom of the basin across the road. Found one large scallop, which (as I type) is being turned into an aperitif for dinner. Last year, I found eight clams, which sat clattering away on a tray for a few hours. These creatures can actually move along the seabed by squirting a jet of water. Here is a video I took of the clams last year.
Managed to make my way through about four dozen alerts, little thanks to AOL Webmail which is now at the tantrum stage. It will only show you the next mail IF you jump through some hoop or another. No thanks. Have complained before the weekend.
This afternoon, we had a very low tide, which enabled me to go scallop hunting at the bottom of the basin across the road. Found one large scallop, which (as I type) is being turned into an aperitif for dinner. Last year, I found eight clams, which sat clattering away on a tray for a few hours. These creatures can actually move along the seabed by squirting a jet of water. Here is a video I took of the clams last year.
Food for thought
Found a disconcerting report on BBC News about the situation in the Somali capital Mogadishu, which is to a large extent destroyed and deserted. The message at the end is stark. If the world continues to turn its back on trouble spots, they usually come round and hit it squarely in the face. Whether it be Somalia, Zimbabwe or the Middle East.
Eerie silence in empty Mogadishu.
Eerie silence in empty Mogadishu.
Monday 7 April
Good morning from northern Scotland, where the fun has just resumed after a nice start. A heavy snow and rain shower is clattering down. The severe weather conditions are playing havoc with our ferry service. I am just reading that the afternoon sailings have been cancelled; the MV Isle of Lewis is in Ullapool, and won't come across until 4pm. Conditions will improve slightly through the afternoon.
The case of Shannon Matthews, 9, from Dewsbury, who was abducted a number of weeks ago, is turning into ever murkier waters. Her mother has now been arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice. The man accused of her abduction was taken to hospital in Leeds after he harmed himself. I don't think I'll make any further attempt to understand this situation until the trial commences on November 11th.
Down in Wales, a horse has been injured in an alleged anti-English attack on a stables, run by a woman of English origin. An anti-English slogan was daubed on the walls of the stables. Some years ago, a militant group went round Wales setting fire to second homes, owned by people living in England. I vividly remember staying in self-catering accommodation just east of Aberdyfi on the west coast in 1984. The cottages were on the top of a hill, and the access road started by the fire-gutted ruin of a house.
The case of Shannon Matthews, 9, from Dewsbury, who was abducted a number of weeks ago, is turning into ever murkier waters. Her mother has now been arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice. The man accused of her abduction was taken to hospital in Leeds after he harmed himself. I don't think I'll make any further attempt to understand this situation until the trial commences on November 11th.
Down in Wales, a horse has been injured in an alleged anti-English attack on a stables, run by a woman of English origin. An anti-English slogan was daubed on the walls of the stables. Some years ago, a militant group went round Wales setting fire to second homes, owned by people living in England. I vividly remember staying in self-catering accommodation just east of Aberdyfi on the west coast in 1984. The cottages were on the top of a hill, and the access road started by the fire-gutted ruin of a house.
J-land Angels
I said I was going to bed, but my eye was caught by the calendar, which told me it is now April 7th. Two years ago, Pam [his1desire] made her last entry in her journal. She passed away 9 days later, on Easter Sunday. That was the event which drew me into J-land proper.
I also called round Kim's journal, where I found that her last entry now has 409 comments; Lahoma and Irene were also on my list tonight. Please visit Sunny's excellent journal J-land Angels for updates on others who have gone before.
I also called round Kim's journal, where I found that her last entry now has 409 comments; Lahoma and Irene were also on my list tonight. Please visit Sunny's excellent journal J-land Angels for updates on others who have gone before.
Sunday, 6 April 2008
Midnight hour
And I still have 30-odd alerts to go through. No fear - I'll do those in the morning. We should see more wintry showers on Monday, although probably fewer and lighter than today. It should also be milder - today's max was 4C / 39F.
Night night all.
Night night all.
Scottish notes
I mentioned that one person was missing following a house fire in Foyers, south of Inverness a few days ago. The body of a man has now been found in the wreckage.
Meanwhile, the Coastguard has its hands full this weekend with the poor weather conditions. Snow showers cause severe deterioration of visibility, leaving several pleasure craft disorientated. Sends me wondering who on earth would venture out to sea with the forecast we've been having. Did they check the forecast?
Up in Orkney, a search was launched yesterday for a diver, who had not resurfaced from a dive to the wreck of the Markgraf in Scapa Flow at a depth of 40 metres. The worst is feared.
Scapa Flow is an area of sea, almost surrounded by the southern isles of Orkney, and was in use as a naval base until 1945. After World War I, the German Hochseeflotte was interned there - until a day in June 1919, when the commander gave the secret signal to scuttle all the ships. The islanders of Orkney watched in disbelief as one ship after another turned turtle and disappeared below the waves.
The Royal Navy was out in the North Sea, conducting exercises. By the time they hared back, nothing much could be done. Several German sailors drowned; only the highest ranking officers on board ships were aware of the scuttling plans, so the foundering of the ships even came as a surprise to the ratings.
The majority of wrecks were refloated between 1919 and 1939, but several remain at the bottom of Scapa Flow. They are an attraction to divers. They are also a source of radio-activity free metals, which certain sensitive instruments require. All iron and steel produced since Hiroshima is contaminated with radio-active isotopes as a result of nuclear explosions in the atmosphere.
Meanwhile, the Coastguard has its hands full this weekend with the poor weather conditions. Snow showers cause severe deterioration of visibility, leaving several pleasure craft disorientated. Sends me wondering who on earth would venture out to sea with the forecast we've been having. Did they check the forecast?
Up in Orkney, a search was launched yesterday for a diver, who had not resurfaced from a dive to the wreck of the Markgraf in Scapa Flow at a depth of 40 metres. The worst is feared.
Scapa Flow is an area of sea, almost surrounded by the southern isles of Orkney, and was in use as a naval base until 1945. After World War I, the German Hochseeflotte was interned there - until a day in June 1919, when the commander gave the secret signal to scuttle all the ships. The islanders of Orkney watched in disbelief as one ship after another turned turtle and disappeared below the waves.
The Royal Navy was out in the North Sea, conducting exercises. By the time they hared back, nothing much could be done. Several German sailors drowned; only the highest ranking officers on board ships were aware of the scuttling plans, so the foundering of the ships even came as a surprise to the ratings.
The majority of wrecks were refloated between 1919 and 1939, but several remain at the bottom of Scapa Flow. They are an attraction to divers. They are also a source of radio-activity free metals, which certain sensitive instruments require. All iron and steel produced since Hiroshima is contaminated with radio-active isotopes as a result of nuclear explosions in the atmosphere.
Snow shower
Just a few moments of one of this morning's snow showers. And some static images of its aftermath.
Video no longer available
Video no longer available
Sunday 6 April
It is winter all over again. A heavy snow shower just left us with 2 inches of snow on the ground. A northerly gale is lashing the coasts of the island, although the wind is less here in Stornoway, which is sheltered.
The relay of the Olympic torch through London has been marred by incidents, such as the man who nearly seized the torch. The protests are related to China's very poor human rights record - China hosts the Olympics later this year. I am increasingly going off the Olympics, as they are continually hijacked for political ends.
The relay of the Olympic torch through London has been marred by incidents, such as the man who nearly seized the torch. The protests are related to China's very poor human rights record - China hosts the Olympics later this year. I am increasingly going off the Olympics, as they are continually hijacked for political ends.
Scottish notes
A suitcase full of bodyparts has been recovered from the harbour at Arbroath. Case and contents are now subject of forensic examination, as they could belong to Jolanta Bledaite, whose head and hands were found on the beach there earlier this week. The Lithuanian had come to the UK to save money for cancer treatment for her father, according to some reports.
A light aircraft is missing in the Cairngorm mountains, 40 miles south of Inverness, amidst severe weather, in the shape of blizzards. The plane, which was flying from Carlisle to Wick, disappeared from the radar screens at 11 this morning. People on the nearby funicular railway reported hearing the plane, followed by a loud bang.
The Apprentice Boys of Derry have marched through the streets of Inverness today, without incident. Local councillors do not approve of this vestige of Northern Ireland passing through the streets of the Highland capital, and I don't understand it. The Apprentice Boys are an organisation linked to historical events in 1688, when 13 of them closed the gates of the city of Londonderry against advancing Catholic forces.
I am wary of any of the factions in Northern Ireland, so close to the cessation of the internecine troubles there, and do not see any connection with Highland Scotland at all. However, there is a freedom of speech and of demonstration in this country, and as such I cannot fault this march.
A light aircraft is missing in the Cairngorm mountains, 40 miles south of Inverness, amidst severe weather, in the shape of blizzards. The plane, which was flying from Carlisle to Wick, disappeared from the radar screens at 11 this morning. People on the nearby funicular railway reported hearing the plane, followed by a loud bang.
The Apprentice Boys of Derry have marched through the streets of Inverness today, without incident. Local councillors do not approve of this vestige of Northern Ireland passing through the streets of the Highland capital, and I don't understand it. The Apprentice Boys are an organisation linked to historical events in 1688, when 13 of them closed the gates of the city of Londonderry against advancing Catholic forces.
I am wary of any of the factions in Northern Ireland, so close to the cessation of the internecine troubles there, and do not see any connection with Highland Scotland at all. However, there is a freedom of speech and of demonstration in this country, and as such I cannot fault this march.
Saturday, 5 April 2008
Close of day
Twenty minutes to midnight, and it's white outside following an evening of hail and snow showers. Yep, it's April 5th, and it's winter.
Nonetheless, it is spring, as shown by these pretty colours outside Stornoway Town Hall this afternoon.
Some of you may have noticed me in the buddylist over the past hour or so, as I went through my alerts on the AOL client software. AOL webmail is one huge frustration at the moment, seizing up after showing me 3 emails, and taking ages to show me any emails at all. There has been an upgrade - huh! - to version Goa. Anyway, went through 60 alerts, some dating back to yesterday, which was an enjoyable read.
Nonetheless, it is spring, as shown by these pretty colours outside Stornoway Town Hall this afternoon.
Some of you may have noticed me in the buddylist over the past hour or so, as I went through my alerts on the AOL client software. AOL webmail is one huge frustration at the moment, seizing up after showing me 3 emails, and taking ages to show me any emails at all. There has been an upgrade - huh! - to version Goa. Anyway, went through 60 alerts, some dating back to yesterday, which was an enjoyable read.
What animal am I?
| Which Animal Are You?
Your Result: Cat
Cats are curious and agile, as well as highly independent. They also have a distinct mischievous side and can get themselves into trouble. You embody these characteristics. | |
| Mouse |
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| Horse |
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| Duck |
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| Bear |
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| Hawk |
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| Dog |
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| Snake |
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| Which Animal Are You? | |
Classical corner
The Warsaw Concerto by Richard Addinsell, background to Dangerous Moonlight, a 1941 movie set in the Poland of 1939, as Nazi forces bomb Warsaw.
Saturday 5 April
Very unpleasant weather at the moment, with a hail & snow shower passing over. Temperature at 11 o'clock was reported at 4C / 39F. The weather radar shows the north of Scotland (north from a line between Mull and Dundee) under a rash of showers. More snow forecast for tonight, with a low of -2C / 28F. Temperature remaining the same tomorrow. We are under an advisory for heavy snow, with accumulations of 2 to 5 cm (1 to 2 inches) possible on low ground, and more higher up.
April is a bit of a Janus month, both winter and summer. Janus? He was the Roman god of beginnings and doors, and had a head with two faces on it. Either face looked in the opposite direction.
The mess that is Zimbabwe's election results remains unresolved. Armed police prevented lawyers from the opposition party MDC from entering a court building. They had intended to use legal powers to force the release of election results. A recount of 16 results is being ordered. It is possible that this would swing the result against MDC - and the consequences could be civil unrest. Don't have a good feeling about this one. Mugabe is going to fight for his life - and not just the political one.
April is a bit of a Janus month, both winter and summer. Janus? He was the Roman god of beginnings and doors, and had a head with two faces on it. Either face looked in the opposite direction.
The mess that is Zimbabwe's election results remains unresolved. Armed police prevented lawyers from the opposition party MDC from entering a court building. They had intended to use legal powers to force the release of election results. A recount of 16 results is being ordered. It is possible that this would swing the result against MDC - and the consequences could be civil unrest. Don't have a good feeling about this one. Mugabe is going to fight for his life - and not just the political one.
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