View across the Outer Harbour of Stornoway

Friday 31 August 2012

Friday 31 August

The last day of the month, and the 15th anniversary of the death of Princess Diana. In the early hours of 31 August 1997, she died of injuries sustained in a car crash in a Parish underpass. One of the most popular royals, her death led to a massive, nationwide (and beyond) outpouring of grief, something that was missed by the Royal Family - until it was almost too late. I have seen no reference to the anniversary in British websites; the reminder came from Dutch broadcaster NOS.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar [Western Isles Council] has seen the light and scrapped the community skips. Dotted all over the islands, the green skips are available for people to dump their waste into; whether it be defunct household appliances, metal, wood - it was always there. The scrapping of this service will backfire spectacularly, because the uplift from people's homes costs £20 for up to 5 items. Knowing the economic hardship, suffered by many islanders, we can duly expect an increase in fly-tipping. The excuse, for excuse it is, is that the skips are a hazard for children who may be injured when they play in the skips. That is something I find less than likely; the aperture for putting stuff into the skips stands 4 feet off the ground. The reason that refuse workers may get injured through handling the contents of the skips can only be met with scorn.

Today was a day of overcast skies and occasional rain. It wasn't really cold, 15C / 59F, but neither was it vastly warm. The next few days will see more rain and wind. On Monday, the remains of hurricane Kirk will pay us a flying visit - just a near-gale.