View across the Outer Harbour of Stornoway

Wednesday 3 April 2013

Wednesday 3 April

The northeasterly wind, which has been plaguing us for weeks now, has subsided to a force 3, making the 7C on the thermometer feel almost springlike. Went out for a long walk this afternoon, by taking the bus to Achmore, 11 miles (18 km) by road and walking back along the Pentland Road, 9½ miles (15 km). The walk took me 3¼ hours. The first half was along the road, the second half led along a track to the access road to the Pentland Road windfarm, on the foothills of the Barvas Hills. I have been driven up and down the Pentland Road to Achmore many a time, but even when you tootle along at 35 mph, you don't have the time to take many proper pics. I therefore took a total of about 85 this afternoon.

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15 comments:

  1. I am using this comment box as it is the only way to get a >140char message to you, but I am not under any illusion that you will publish it. Whilst I truly deplore your treatment recently over the excellent historical work you've been doing, I am extremely disappointed to have received absolutely no response to my words of encouragement via DM and @ reply on Twitter. Having received almost no response from you to blog comments in the past, I thought a Twitter comment might elicit some response. I read recently that the secret to a successful blog is to ENGAGE with its readers, but you have done your very best to ignore us. I understand that you may not be the most social of people, and that is fine, but is it too much to expect some simple common courtesy in the form of an acknowledgement at the very least? I will not persist any longer, but encourage you to think about this with future readers' comments. I wish you all the best with your excellent work. I would love to visit your wonderful island one day, but don't worry.. I won't be foolish enough to knock on your door! In the meantime I will continue to enjoy your blogs, as a 'virtual' traveller.

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    1. Jude,
      I acknowledge receipt of your comment response, and it is a sign of my anger with you that I publish it. You have to bear in mind, if not learn, that any user of blogging platform, Twitter or Facebook, has a life away from the screen. I have been subjected to visceral verbal abuse on account of my use of such media for keeping in touch with people, and last week (March 29th), it plunged me into a state of profound depression. It took me several days to get over that, and whilst I acknowledge your encouragement, I was and am not in a fit state to reply. This absolutely does not help, and saying that I am not the most social of people is verbal abuse, and I'd thank you for retracting that.

      A blog, Jude, is a one-way street of communication. I post, and you [all readers] have the option of commenting. I do not reply to comments, because I have never interacted like that on my blog, for the 8 years that I have blogged. Twitter and FB are two-way streets, and I'm sorry I did not respond, but I gave you the reasons. I'm pleased my output may entice you to visit the Hebrides, but as I profoundly dislike judgmental attitudes of the variety you have displayed, you wouldn't be welcome at my door at any rate.

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  2. Like you Guido I started blogging with AOL eight years ago ,We would post our blog,and our friends would then comment ,hmm end of !it is only recently I discovered some bloggers reply to the comment,Ooo- err ,then what ? comment on the reply ..it would go on and on heehee,dont let the b****rs grind you down ,your better than that and we all appreciate all your help ,care and well everything ...Jan xx

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  3. I rest my case. Agree to disagree. Thankyou for your response.

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  4. Guido, you're one of the kindest, caring people I know on here and Facebook. You're always looking out for all your friends here via Call For Support. How anybody could imply that you're anti social I really don't know! Life gets busy and we don't always want to spend precious time answering comments which really need no answer. I haven't posted in my blog for ages but I do know that we never used to acknowledge comments as we do on Facebook. You seem to be getting it from all sides Guido, I hope you know that I and I daresay all of your old J-Land friends will always be here to support you against the attention seekers you seem to have! Jeannette xx

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  5. Anti social???? You??? LOL that has to be the funniest thing I've heard... but then again. I rarely, if ever, responded to comments on my blog.. I guess I'm anti social as well... ohhh snap... sounds like someone is just trying to guilt you into giving attention.. any one who knows you, knows drama is not the way... move on my friend you have too many folks who truly care about you to worry about it... ♥

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  6. I don't know how this person became an expert on blogging... I myself have been blogging for almost ten years, and I was never aware of any rule that a "successful" blogger engage with commenters. I sometimes, but by no means always, engage with people who comment on my blog. In fact, the "reply" feature is a relatively new addition to the comment format here at blogger, so I can only assume that replying to comments had not previously been a "rule."

    This commenter has shown an amazing meanness and self-centeredness (even though this is YOUR blog, it should be all about HIM [her?]) Why would such a person believe they would be welcome to knock on anyone's door?

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    1. Never even noticed until you said that about the reply option Lisa... lol thanks..

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  7. oh boy...again this is your blog..your opinions...your life. I only rarely responded on my blog, except for the trauma that I went through with Joe dying. After all we are not old fashioned "pen-pals" where you write and I write back.....be well....

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  8. I think that case closed is the way to go now dear Guido..
    We all know just how caring and helpful you are when we are in need, and this certainly does not mean commenting on our comments etc etc etc!!! LOL you would never stop if that was the case...and would certainly not have time for these lovely walks that you take me on...I am sure you know how much I especially appreciate these walks and the photo's to "see" just where I have been LOL xx

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  9. not a popularity contest. ♡ u bud

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  10. not a popularity contest. ♡ u bud

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  11. oh Lord,I am sorry now for suggesting you keep that friendship going. That person has no clue as to what a good friend you are to all of us old timers from waay back. No,we rarely commented on comments.

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    1. This is a different person from the one I was referring to elsewhere, Connie

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  12. Oh my Guido! I am so sorry! I read your blogs and I don't always comment, but over the years I have come to know that you are one of the most caring people I have had the pleasure to know via Aol and Facebook. I think "case closed" is good. I hope everything works out for you my friend!

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