The below pic shows the crowds gathering at the memorial.
Sunday, 11 November 2012
Sunday 11 November
Remembrance Sunday today. I watched the parade in Whitehall in London at 11 am, then walked the 40 minutes to the local war memorail for a ceremony at 1pm. The shortest route on foot leads through the local golf course. There were about 150 people present at the war memorial. The minister of one of the local churches conducted proceedings, which included the laying of wreaths by military and civilian dignitaries. After the singing of hymns and psalms, the national anthem closed the ceremony at half past one. I returned through a practically deserted town centre. It was a chilly day, but the threat of showers receded and the sun even came out. As I type this, at 7pm, we are not far above freezing.
The below pic shows the crowds gathering at the memorial.
The below pic shows the crowds gathering at the memorial.
Saturday, 10 November 2012
Lewis War Memorial
Twenty-three plaques
More than fiteen hundred names
Standing in a circle
Below a prominent tower
Looking out over the town
Over the Minch
which they all had to cross
but never to return
Looking out over the island
At the villages near and far
From where they flocked
Eagerly but with hidden trepidation
In a circle near the top
their names are remembered
Parish by parish
In each World War
On land, in France or Mesopotamia
Out at sea, in the Atlantic or in the Mediterranean
In the skies over Britain and Europe
or even further from home
But closest to home
Within view of the tower now
The two hundred who drowned
at Holm Point, as 1919 started
Twenty-three plaques
More than fifteen hundred names
Remembered by theirs
Remembered by us all
More than fiteen hundred names
Standing in a circle
Below a prominent tower
Looking out over the town
Over the Minch
which they all had to cross
but never to return
Looking out over the island
At the villages near and far
From where they flocked
Eagerly but with hidden trepidation
In a circle near the top
their names are remembered
Parish by parish
In each World War
On land, in France or Mesopotamia
Out at sea, in the Atlantic or in the Mediterranean
In the skies over Britain and Europe
or even further from home
But closest to home
Within view of the tower now
The two hundred who drowned
at Holm Point, as 1919 started
Twenty-three plaques
More than fifteen hundred names
Remembered by theirs
Remembered by us all
Saturday 10 November
Quite a reasonable day, with showerclouds in abundance, but not much rain falling. The result was the inevitable mix of cloudscapes and rainbows. We maintained a reasonable temperature of 9C, and while the barometer rose, the showers started to peter out.
I could not help but notice that the leaves on the fuchsia bush are turning yellow. Not something that merits the news headlines, but in previous years, the gales had blown both blooms and leaves off by now. Not this year. We have had very few days with high winds this year, and (likewise in the Castle Grounds) has allowed mother nature to put up a fine display of autumn colours.
I have made a good start with my two new books. The first one, If Britain had fallen, gives a chilling account of what might have happened if the Germans had mounted a successful invasion. I'm about 1/3 of the way through, and I'm blessing my stars that this never came to be. The second one, Crime and punishment, is a very wordy but intriguing novel by Russian writer Dostoevsky, and the first twists and turns are already appearing - I'm on page 37 (of nearly 500).
Want a mince pie? Sorry, they've all been eaten :-)
I could not help but notice that the leaves on the fuchsia bush are turning yellow. Not something that merits the news headlines, but in previous years, the gales had blown both blooms and leaves off by now. Not this year. We have had very few days with high winds this year, and (likewise in the Castle Grounds) has allowed mother nature to put up a fine display of autumn colours.
I have made a good start with my two new books. The first one, If Britain had fallen, gives a chilling account of what might have happened if the Germans had mounted a successful invasion. I'm about 1/3 of the way through, and I'm blessing my stars that this never came to be. The second one, Crime and punishment, is a very wordy but intriguing novel by Russian writer Dostoevsky, and the first twists and turns are already appearing - I'm on page 37 (of nearly 500).
Want a mince pie? Sorry, they've all been eaten :-)
Calum Zachary
Hey, where are you?
Need a word, real quick
You and I, well, what do you say?
Be together for good
But listen, we're poor
Can't get any land
Your folks have so little
splitting it would leave even less
Don't get me wrong, though
I'll be yours alright
We are as one
And will always be
Look, come look, who's that?
He's here for the money
What my dad hasn't got
Hasn't had for so long
Hey, where are you?
Got some news, bad and good
We've got to leave the island
Dad's been turned off his land
Come with me tonight
Nothing left here for us
We'll start a new life together
Take our chance, wherever
They were to meet on the pierhead
To start afresh somewhere
The moon set early though
and darkness shrouded all
He could not find his lady
She could not find her man
He therefore went to America
without his love by his side
His name was Calum Zachary
A name living on in song
echoing his loss
across the waves and years
Need a word, real quick
You and I, well, what do you say?
Be together for good
But listen, we're poor
Can't get any land
Your folks have so little
splitting it would leave even less
Don't get me wrong, though
I'll be yours alright
We are as one
And will always be
Look, come look, who's that?
He's here for the money
What my dad hasn't got
Hasn't had for so long
Hey, where are you?
Got some news, bad and good
We've got to leave the island
Dad's been turned off his land
Come with me tonight
Nothing left here for us
We'll start a new life together
Take our chance, wherever
They were to meet on the pierhead
To start afresh somewhere
The moon set early though
and darkness shrouded all
He could not find his lady
She could not find her man
He therefore went to America
without his love by his side
His name was Calum Zachary
A name living on in song
echoing his loss
across the waves and years
Friday, 9 November 2012
Friday 9 November
After last night's wind and rain, the day dawned fairly brightly, but with intermittent heavy showers. The temperature was no great shakes either, managing 9C / 48F, achieved soon after midday. The afternoon only got colder.
My heart bled when I heard the terrible privations having to be endured by Anders Breivik as he continues his 21-year sentence (mininum) for the murder of 78 people in Norway last year. At least he has a comfy prison cell for the rest of his life; his victims' lives were cut short by him. I hope he is now deprived of the oxygen of any further publicity.
St Kilda has been awarded an international award for preserving architecture. The group of islands, 45 miles west of North Uist, was abandoned by its permanent residents in August 1930. The houses were restored by the National Trust for Scotland, and the main island is home to a tracking station for test missiles, fired from a range in South Uist. The St Kilda Centre, which is due to be constructed at Mangersta in Lewis is yet to be put up.
My heart bled when I heard the terrible privations having to be endured by Anders Breivik as he continues his 21-year sentence (mininum) for the murder of 78 people in Norway last year. At least he has a comfy prison cell for the rest of his life; his victims' lives were cut short by him. I hope he is now deprived of the oxygen of any further publicity.
St Kilda has been awarded an international award for preserving architecture. The group of islands, 45 miles west of North Uist, was abandoned by its permanent residents in August 1930. The houses were restored by the National Trust for Scotland, and the main island is home to a tracking station for test missiles, fired from a range in South Uist. The St Kilda Centre, which is due to be constructed at Mangersta in Lewis is yet to be put up.
To Canada
The man walked down the road
his knapsack slung over his shoulder
although he had gained some land
he had lost his neighbours
There had been only one way out
to Canada
Cutting down trees
building the Pacific railway
Gratitude had led to this separation
for the man left his family behind
sending back money
that he had earned over there
His neighbours were behind with the rent
And as he had saved the proprietor's life
The reward was a piece of land
taken off his neighbours' croft
The man did not ask for a reward
even less for more land
however useful
And certainly not at the expense of his neighbour
So he walked down the road
His family staring after him
As he disappeared in the distance
Never to return
his knapsack slung over his shoulder
although he had gained some land
he had lost his neighbours
There had been only one way out
to Canada
Cutting down trees
building the Pacific railway
Gratitude had led to this separation
for the man left his family behind
sending back money
that he had earned over there
His neighbours were behind with the rent
And as he had saved the proprietor's life
The reward was a piece of land
taken off his neighbours' croft
The man did not ask for a reward
even less for more land
however useful
And certainly not at the expense of his neighbour
So he walked down the road
His family staring after him
As he disappeared in the distance
Never to return
Death of army cadet
Five years ago, in August 2007, an army cadet from Fyvie, Aberdeenshire, drowned following an accident in Loch Carnan, South Uist. Kaylee Macintosh had become trapped under a RIB after it overturned, and her absence had not been noticed for 90 minutes. When the boat was finally turned over, the cadet was found drowned underneath.
It is reported today that the officer in charge, Major George Maccallum, has admitted at Inverness Sheriff Court charges on health and safety issues at the time.
It is reported today that the officer in charge, Major George Maccallum, has admitted at Inverness Sheriff Court charges on health and safety issues at the time.
Kristallnacht
9 November 1938 - an organised mob of Nazi forces and sympathisers go on the rampage in towns and cities across Germany, smashing and destroying Jewish-owned property and businesses. It was to be a marker, to what was to come during World War II - the extermination of anyone deemed sub-human by the warped mind of Adolf Hitler and his henchmen. Jews topped their league of the unfit, closely followed by gypsies, the mentally ill and many many others. The Reichskristallnacht was a night of infamy, and not just to Germany.
For Hitler was allowed to get away with literally murder for several years beforehand. In 1936, he occupied the Rhineland which had been ceded to France at the end of the First World War. The League of Nations, a toothless talkingshop, cried wolf but had no bite. In March 1938, Nazi forces marched into Austria to join that country to Germany, an event referred to as the Anschluss. Neville Chamberlain flew to Munich to meet with Adolf Hitler on 30 September 1938, returning with the infamous phrase: "Peace for our time". Six weeks later, the Reichskristallnacht took place, a sign of ill omen. Only a few months later, Germany invaded the Sudetenland area of Czecho-Slovakia, and again, nobody moved a finger to stop. In September 1939, Hitler thought he could get away with the invasion of Poland. But instead, it prompted the outbreak of the Second World War.
The lights have gone out in Europe, it was said at the time. The lights in Europe were extinguished in 1914, and had not been relit, not even at the end of the First World War. The Versailles Peace Treaty of June 1919 contained all the ingredients for another war, which duly materialised.
9 November
Light fills the room
refracted by hundreds of
finely cut crystals
hanging from the chandelier
A fire demurely crackles
in the hearth
filling the room
with warmth and comfort
A waltz gently plays
and couples glide
in tender embrace
along the polished floor
Darkness rules outside
as does the November chill
wafting along city centre streets
with marked windows
Light flares up rudely
as a bonfire shoots tongues
of fire into the night sky
illuminating the scene
Light flares up further
refracted by thousands
of crystals scattered
along streets of darkness
Gaping mouths where windows were
Glass pulverised into countless crystals
Fire spreads
consuming the culture
Books are burned
their writers were deemed unfit
for the country whose Leader
sought to exterminate
The millions of fragments
of broken glass, of crystal
scatter the light of the fire
burning the synagogues
Soon the worshippers
will follow the fate of their temple
The light of the fire
overshadows the continent
Dying into dull embers
the dancers fade into shadows
as the light goes out over Europe
on Kristallnacht
refracted by hundreds of
finely cut crystals
hanging from the chandelier
A fire demurely crackles
in the hearth
filling the room
with warmth and comfort
A waltz gently plays
and couples glide
in tender embrace
along the polished floor
Darkness rules outside
as does the November chill
wafting along city centre streets
with marked windows
Light flares up rudely
as a bonfire shoots tongues
of fire into the night sky
illuminating the scene
Light flares up further
refracted by thousands
of crystals scattered
along streets of darkness
Gaping mouths where windows were
Glass pulverised into countless crystals
Fire spreads
consuming the culture
Books are burned
their writers were deemed unfit
for the country whose Leader
sought to exterminate
The millions of fragments
of broken glass, of crystal
scatter the light of the fire
burning the synagogues
Soon the worshippers
will follow the fate of their temple
The light of the fire
overshadows the continent
Dying into dull embers
the dancers fade into shadows
as the light goes out over Europe
on Kristallnacht
Thursday, 8 November 2012
Thursday 8 November
What started out as quite reasonable day with good sunny spells, has now gone downhill at a rate of knots. As I type this (just after 11pm), a force 7 southerly wind is lashing us with spells of rain. A major Atlantic depression, whose influence on weather extends from Iceland to the Azores, is pushing frontal systems in. These will be followed by cooler weather. Conversely, or perhaps perversely, after being hit by snow this week, New York will be enjoying temps of 17C in the next few days.
I have to observe, with considerable sadness, that after a day's respite, vitriol has returned to the internet regarding the re-election of Barack Obama as president of the USA. I can very well imagine that those who did not relish the prospect of Mr Obama's second term are perhaps disappointed that Mr Romney did not get in. But it is not done to assail others, who hold differing political opinions, on-line. I think it would be much better if politics was given a rest for a couple of weeks. Here in Scotland, we are facing 98 weeks of independence debate (read: garbage), and things will be getting a lot worse than over the USA, I'll give you that as my opinion.
I have to observe, with considerable sadness, that after a day's respite, vitriol has returned to the internet regarding the re-election of Barack Obama as president of the USA. I can very well imagine that those who did not relish the prospect of Mr Obama's second term are perhaps disappointed that Mr Romney did not get in. But it is not done to assail others, who hold differing political opinions, on-line. I think it would be much better if politics was given a rest for a couple of weeks. Here in Scotland, we are facing 98 weeks of independence debate (read: garbage), and things will be getting a lot worse than over the USA, I'll give you that as my opinion.
Stulaval
Now derelict on the shore of Loch Reasort
Little Luachair stands
Years back a carpenter came
over the hills from Bowglass
After job's end he was left
with some planks
which he carried back
below the frowning cliffs
A sound of hammerblows
echoed below the face
of stern Stulaval
Regular and slow
Turning around
the carpenter espied
nothing
and nobody
But the tapping
continued
Soon he descended
over the hills into Vigadale
Reached home but
his hearth was cold
and nobody around
except his wife, no longer alive
The carpenter hammered
his wife's coffin
An echo of the hammerblows
Below cold Stulaval
Little Luachair stands
Years back a carpenter came
over the hills from Bowglass
After job's end he was left
with some planks
which he carried back
below the frowning cliffs
A sound of hammerblows
echoed below the face
of stern Stulaval
Regular and slow
Turning around
the carpenter espied
nothing
and nobody
But the tapping
continued
Soon he descended
over the hills into Vigadale
Reached home but
his hearth was cold
and nobody around
except his wife, no longer alive
The carpenter hammered
his wife's coffin
An echo of the hammerblows
Below cold Stulaval
Wednesday, 7 November 2012
Wednesday 7 November
A better day, in terms of weather, than yesterday, but still hefty showers interspersed with reasonable sunny spells. It's become rather milder than of late, with the thermometer rising to a respectable 11C / 52F this afternoon. Went out for a walk round the harbour, and to buy a book. One of the local bookshops sells classical novels for £2 each, so my choice ended up Crime and punishment by Dostoevsky. As I said, slightly tongue-in-cheek, some light bedtime reading. Another book that I have ordered is a chilling account of what Great Britain would have looked like under Nazi occupation during WW2. It's something that fortunately never came about, but am nonetheless intrigued how this topic will be covered.
I was sad to learn that Dad's Army star Clive Dunn (lance-corporal Jones) has died at the age of 92. Apparently, Dunn specialised in acting roles that were much older than himself. Most of us will know the keyphrases like "No panic, no panic!" etc.
Barack Obama was elected for a second term in office as president of the USA first thing this morning. The election has changed nothing in political terms, and Mr Obama will have quite a job getting his legislation through an opposing parliament, being the House of Representatives. By my observation, the USA is deeply divided and remains so.
I was sad to learn that Dad's Army star Clive Dunn (lance-corporal Jones) has died at the age of 92. Apparently, Dunn specialised in acting roles that were much older than himself. Most of us will know the keyphrases like "No panic, no panic!" etc.
Barack Obama was elected for a second term in office as president of the USA first thing this morning. The election has changed nothing in political terms, and Mr Obama will have quite a job getting his legislation through an opposing parliament, being the House of Representatives. By my observation, the USA is deeply divided and remains so.
In spring
I met you on the rising road
that sunny afternoon in April
Innocent eyes looking up
as I looked down
The dark mountains loomed
over the deep waters
under the rays of the
springtime sun
A first spring with
gentle winds from
the distant seas
carrying aloft the shadows
Their calls mocked
at what they had taken
not caring, in fact
relishing and enjoying
She was expiring
as I approached
only a step or two
from the roadside edge
You did not know
but looked at me to explain
what was beyond your days
and was to befall you too
The sun shone through
the pink ears of the young lamb
The ewe was breathing its last
after being blinded by crows
that sunny afternoon in April
Innocent eyes looking up
as I looked down
The dark mountains loomed
over the deep waters
under the rays of the
springtime sun
A first spring with
gentle winds from
the distant seas
carrying aloft the shadows
Their calls mocked
at what they had taken
not caring, in fact
relishing and enjoying
She was expiring
as I approached
only a step or two
from the roadside edge
You did not know
but looked at me to explain
what was beyond your days
and was to befall you too
The sun shone through
the pink ears of the young lamb
The ewe was breathing its last
after being blinded by crows
Tuesday, 6 November 2012
Tuesday 6 November
An overcast, grey and mostly wet day. The drizzle kept visibility down to just about 1 mile, with the lighthouse and the fabrication yard only just about within sight. There was a strong breeze today, but that did serve to keep our temps at an unexpectedly mild 10C / 50F, the highest in the land. This often happens in the winter half-year, when mild air off the Atlantic warms us up.
This evening, momentous news came through from the island of Scalpay, just off the coast of North Harris, 8 miles east of Tarbert. A ballot was held among its residents, 78.2% of whom turned out to vote whether to take their island into community ownership. Scalpay is owned by a man called Fred Taylor, but he has decided to gift the island to its residents. 197 were in favour, only 8 against. A second question was whether to go it alone, or under the umbrella of the North Harris Trust, a body that took control of that area of Harris a few years ago. Votes were 110 in favour, 96 against.Apart from being a new addition to the list of areas now under community ownership, it is also historical because up to now, the people from Scalpay did not really regard themselves as from Harris - separate islands.
Today, as we all know, the USA is voting for its next president. We shall learn within 12 hours of this post going live whether #45 will be Barack Obama or Mitt Romney.
This evening, momentous news came through from the island of Scalpay, just off the coast of North Harris, 8 miles east of Tarbert. A ballot was held among its residents, 78.2% of whom turned out to vote whether to take their island into community ownership. Scalpay is owned by a man called Fred Taylor, but he has decided to gift the island to its residents. 197 were in favour, only 8 against. A second question was whether to go it alone, or under the umbrella of the North Harris Trust, a body that took control of that area of Harris a few years ago. Votes were 110 in favour, 96 against.Apart from being a new addition to the list of areas now under community ownership, it is also historical because up to now, the people from Scalpay did not really regard themselves as from Harris - separate islands.
Today, as we all know, the USA is voting for its next president. We shall learn within 12 hours of this post going live whether #45 will be Barack Obama or Mitt Romney.
A dreich day
Light fades over the islands
Grey to greyer still
not a ray of
sunshine to be had today
The drizzle hides
what isn't that far off
the breeze shakes
the now bare branches
From sun-soaked seas
to the northern Hebrides
a final hint of distant
summer wafts our way
Soon the edge of mild
will move away east
leaving us with crisp
and once more chill
A grain of hail
a splash of wet snow
winter draws near
dark at half four
Look north for the
merry dancers
a moving green
curtain down from the pole
Even further north
beyond the land of fire
no sunshine at all
on solstice day
Grey to greyer still
not a ray of
sunshine to be had today
The drizzle hides
what isn't that far off
the breeze shakes
the now bare branches
From sun-soaked seas
to the northern Hebrides
a final hint of distant
summer wafts our way
Soon the edge of mild
will move away east
leaving us with crisp
and once more chill
A grain of hail
a splash of wet snow
winter draws near
dark at half four
Look north for the
merry dancers
a moving green
curtain down from the pole
Even further north
beyond the land of fire
no sunshine at all
on solstice day
Monday, 5 November 2012
Monday 5 November
Guy Fawkes night today, but other than a few firecrackers, little evidence of the event here in Stornoway. This morning, a crane was spotted on Goat Island, hoisting a rusty, twin-hulled boat out of the premises of the slipway and put on blocks on the roadway outside. The significance of that is not known to me.
Today was a bright and fairly sunny day, although cloud did increase through the afternoon. It left us with another stunning sunset at 4.30pm. By late December, sunset will have receded to 3.30pm.
The fuel price saga took another twist today, when wholesalers Scottish Fuels announced that their retail customers could switch suppliers and not be tied into a 5-year contract. However, those wishing to do so were advised to seek legal advice. The average price of a litre of fuel is not far off £1.50 a litre (= $9 a gallon), and is consistently 15 pence higher than on the mainland.
Today was a bright and fairly sunny day, although cloud did increase through the afternoon. It left us with another stunning sunset at 4.30pm. By late December, sunset will have receded to 3.30pm.
The fuel price saga took another twist today, when wholesalers Scottish Fuels announced that their retail customers could switch suppliers and not be tied into a 5-year contract. However, those wishing to do so were advised to seek legal advice. The average price of a litre of fuel is not far off £1.50 a litre (= $9 a gallon), and is consistently 15 pence higher than on the mainland.
The boat from Pabbay
Row boys, row!
We're going out again
The sail will help us on our way
Out to the fishing grounds
Look, there goes another boat
They too are venturing forth
Can't be too bad a day
If we're all out here just now
Ominous grey clouds
scudding on the rising wind
soon touching galeforce
soon right up to stormforce
From the open ocean
Squalls of rain fly past
The islands loom up to the west
Now shrouded from sight
Row boys, row!
We've got to turn back
if we can
The sail has gone
Did you see the others?
Not for quite some time
Never mind, keep bailing
We may yet have a chance
Two days the storm lasted
nobody could put to sea
the herring was left uncaught
as the boats remained in port
The boat from Mingulay
weathered the storm to return
to their island
safe and well
Pabbay lost ALL
its menfolk
that May Day in 1897
all in one boat
We're going out again
The sail will help us on our way
Out to the fishing grounds
Look, there goes another boat
They too are venturing forth
Can't be too bad a day
If we're all out here just now
Ominous grey clouds
scudding on the rising wind
soon touching galeforce
soon right up to stormforce
From the open ocean
Squalls of rain fly past
The islands loom up to the west
Now shrouded from sight
Row boys, row!
We've got to turn back
if we can
The sail has gone
Did you see the others?
Not for quite some time
Never mind, keep bailing
We may yet have a chance
Two days the storm lasted
nobody could put to sea
the herring was left uncaught
as the boats remained in port
The boat from Mingulay
weathered the storm to return
to their island
safe and well
Pabbay lost ALL
its menfolk
that May Day in 1897
all in one boat
Sunday, 4 November 2012
Sunday 4 November
Like yesterday, today started out wet but cleared up nicely. As I type this, we have fallen back to near-zero after achieving a day-time high of 8C / 46F. There was no wind to speak of; I went for a walk which was sheltered from the light northwesterly wind that the weatherstation at airport was reporting.
I was just going through my blogs on Google Reader, and could not help but notice that things have changed a lot over the past four years. In AOL J-land, we communicated our blogposts primarily through the Alerts, which have only recently been discontinued. After moving away from AOL, Facebook came on the scene and I can safely say that I am keeping up to date mainly through that medium, rather than through the blogs. Even though many of you (like I) resort to blogging to express ourselves in longer entries. As you all know, I have been blogging for more than 8 years, and still enjoy putting a couple of lines down each day.
I was just going through my blogs on Google Reader, and could not help but notice that things have changed a lot over the past four years. In AOL J-land, we communicated our blogposts primarily through the Alerts, which have only recently been discontinued. After moving away from AOL, Facebook came on the scene and I can safely say that I am keeping up to date mainly through that medium, rather than through the blogs. Even though many of you (like I) resort to blogging to express ourselves in longer entries. As you all know, I have been blogging for more than 8 years, and still enjoy putting a couple of lines down each day.
Calm
Flat calm
Upside down
in the water
Indistinguishable
Reflections
or original
Even the lighthouse
perhaps even the mountains far-off
Benign clouds
slowly move
on an unseen
but unfelt wind
A small boat
carves through
the mirror which
quickly resmoothes
Dusk slowly
overtakes and dulls
the reflections of
daytime
To be replaced
by the high moon
of nearing winter
Enoy the calm - while it lasts
Upside down
in the water
Indistinguishable
Reflections
or original
Even the lighthouse
perhaps even the mountains far-off
Benign clouds
slowly move
on an unseen
but unfelt wind
A small boat
carves through
the mirror which
quickly resmoothes
Dusk slowly
overtakes and dulls
the reflections of
daytime
To be replaced
by the high moon
of nearing winter
Enoy the calm - while it lasts
Sunday
The grey canopy
breaks to the southeast
A promise of sunshine
over the mainland hills
A gentle rain
falls over grey streets
calm and movementless
a Sunday morning
Worshippers proceed
to church in an orderly
fashion, quietly so
to beseech blessings
Whether He listens
is up to Him to decide
Most appear favoured
others are oblivious
Should we go somewhere
on the day of rest
None are disturbed
Peace has remained
Our link to the world
will sail in the afternoon
Another link takes to the air
But none are disturbed
breaks to the southeast
A promise of sunshine
over the mainland hills
A gentle rain
falls over grey streets
calm and movementless
a Sunday morning
Worshippers proceed
to church in an orderly
fashion, quietly so
to beseech blessings
Whether He listens
is up to Him to decide
Most appear favoured
others are oblivious
Should we go somewhere
on the day of rest
None are disturbed
Peace has remained
Our link to the world
will sail in the afternoon
Another link takes to the air
But none are disturbed
Saturday, 3 November 2012
Saturday 3 November
A bright day, although the morning was punctuated by some downpours. These faded after lunchtime, giving me the opportunity to go for a walk round the Castle Grounds, 3½ miles or so. It is particularly rewarding to do so at this time of the year, when the leaves are turning and falling. So far, this autumn has been quite benign in terms of high wind, which we have been spared. This means that rather than being blown off the trees, leaves have a chance of showing their colours.
I was not surprised that the New York marathon was cancelled for tomorrow, although some of the participants were. What planet were they on?
I was not surprised that the New York marathon was cancelled for tomorrow, although some of the participants were. What planet were they on?
November
Low sun
pale blue sky
bare branches
a cold wind
Dark green losing
colour to palest hue
Leaves gently
drift down
Demure yellow
before falling
Standing out
in final glory
Riches in berries
seeds being scattered
in the blanket of leaves
new life in waiting
Dark clouds speed in
the wind lifts its voice
the command is heeded
Leaves scatter
Distant hills don
their white caps
the sun now sets early
ice glazes what rain has wetted
The signal is raised
The window is open
For the voice of the North
To sing the final of the year
pale blue sky
bare branches
a cold wind
Dark green losing
colour to palest hue
Leaves gently
drift down
Demure yellow
before falling
Standing out
in final glory
Riches in berries
seeds being scattered
in the blanket of leaves
new life in waiting
Dark clouds speed in
the wind lifts its voice
the command is heeded
Leaves scatter
Distant hills don
their white caps
the sun now sets early
ice glazes what rain has wetted
The signal is raised
The window is open
For the voice of the North
To sing the final of the year
The clearance
Let's have some cuts
can't sustain all that lumber
I'm not here to provide
for those that can't help themselves
Back when Napoleon strode
the battlefields of Europe
we needed gunpowder
and only kelp would do
I had those natives
along the shoreline cutting
seaweed for me for
just a few bob
They didn't need much land
but now they're just sitting there
eating out of my pocket
leaving me out of pocket for all the meal
Going forth and multiplying
well, they can go on daddy's croft
divide, subdivide
and rule
I want my money out of them
Can't get it from anywhere else
Can't afford to be seen to be less rich
So they can't afford the rent?
Gone round the villages
Who's in arrears, off you go
We'll cancel what's owed
if you go to America
Here is the ship
you can take so much
leave the rest behind
including your relatives
Don't want to go, how dare you
Torch to the roof
Milk on the fire,
OK, we'll let you bury your dead
The statue stands grand
in the deserted glen
Green fields of grass
Rolling hills around
The statue stands grand
in the Canadian city
The achievements celebrated
of those boldly gone forth
Did they want to leave their
humble homesteads
where their forefathers
lived happily?
Achievements for sure
Many did great things
in the land of the prairie
But why not in their homeland?
can't sustain all that lumber
I'm not here to provide
for those that can't help themselves
Back when Napoleon strode
the battlefields of Europe
we needed gunpowder
and only kelp would do
I had those natives
along the shoreline cutting
seaweed for me for
just a few bob
They didn't need much land
but now they're just sitting there
eating out of my pocket
leaving me out of pocket for all the meal
Going forth and multiplying
well, they can go on daddy's croft
divide, subdivide
and rule
I want my money out of them
Can't get it from anywhere else
Can't afford to be seen to be less rich
So they can't afford the rent?
Gone round the villages
Who's in arrears, off you go
We'll cancel what's owed
if you go to America
Here is the ship
you can take so much
leave the rest behind
including your relatives
Don't want to go, how dare you
Torch to the roof
Milk on the fire,
OK, we'll let you bury your dead
The statue stands grand
in the deserted glen
Green fields of grass
Rolling hills around
The statue stands grand
in the Canadian city
The achievements celebrated
of those boldly gone forth
Did they want to leave their
humble homesteads
where their forefathers
lived happily?
Achievements for sure
Many did great things
in the land of the prairie
But why not in their homeland?
Friday, 2 November 2012
Friday 2 November
Quite a bright day with an occasional shower or two, but turning very cold after nightfall - we are just on or below freezing at the moment. We didn't manage more than 6C / 43F in the afternoon.
News came through that the interconnector is to be delayed by at least a year. The interconnector is a subsea high-voltage electricity cable, which is crucial for exporting power, generated by proposed renewable energy projects in the Isle of Lewis. These consist in the main of windfarms. Two are currently under construction, but reading the submission from power company SSE, it sounds as if they are gradually backing out of the idea. The cost has risen to a total of £775m, and the delay would augment the cost further. I'm not too unhappy with the idea of the interconnector never coming here, but others are crying wolf, claiming it would be the wrecking of the islands' economy.
I have been in Lewis 8 years this month, and over that period, windfarms have been talked about an awful lot. They were vaunted as the salvation for the employment problems here, with some rosey-eyed individuals thinking it would lead to the return of the diaspora to work in the local fabrication yard. Since then, the fabrication yard has operated more off than on, switching owners several times. Constructing a windfarm does generate jobs, but only for a limited period of time. The Pentland Road windfarm has had its wind turbine components fabricated elsewhere, as they were shipped in earlier this week from another factory. And if the interconnector never materialises, then many millions of pounds will have been wasted.
News came through that the interconnector is to be delayed by at least a year. The interconnector is a subsea high-voltage electricity cable, which is crucial for exporting power, generated by proposed renewable energy projects in the Isle of Lewis. These consist in the main of windfarms. Two are currently under construction, but reading the submission from power company SSE, it sounds as if they are gradually backing out of the idea. The cost has risen to a total of £775m, and the delay would augment the cost further. I'm not too unhappy with the idea of the interconnector never coming here, but others are crying wolf, claiming it would be the wrecking of the islands' economy.
I have been in Lewis 8 years this month, and over that period, windfarms have been talked about an awful lot. They were vaunted as the salvation for the employment problems here, with some rosey-eyed individuals thinking it would lead to the return of the diaspora to work in the local fabrication yard. Since then, the fabrication yard has operated more off than on, switching owners several times. Constructing a windfarm does generate jobs, but only for a limited period of time. The Pentland Road windfarm has had its wind turbine components fabricated elsewhere, as they were shipped in earlier this week from another factory. And if the interconnector never materialises, then many millions of pounds will have been wasted.
Callanish
Sun and moon
seasons' cycle
winter snow
round to autumn rain
Marked out in stones
high on the ridge top
two dozen others
not far away
Aligned to distant hills
obscuring the moon
when the nights
are not dark
One was interred
in the centre circle
where he is now, none know
but not there for sure
They come now from far-off loands
to visit the stones
celebrate the sunrise
at solstice, forgetting the moon
All is quiet
as the days shorten
winds batter the circle
impervious to what passes
They have seen many
pass by
never returning
They will remain
seasons' cycle
winter snow
round to autumn rain
Marked out in stones
high on the ridge top
two dozen others
not far away
Aligned to distant hills
obscuring the moon
when the nights
are not dark
One was interred
in the centre circle
where he is now, none know
but not there for sure
They come now from far-off loands
to visit the stones
celebrate the sunrise
at solstice, forgetting the moon
All is quiet
as the days shorten
winds batter the circle
impervious to what passes
They have seen many
pass by
never returning
They will remain
The old cemetery
A rusty gate
from the sandy dunes
A wall of stone
on all four sides
A rock-strewn hillside
inside
The sea incessantly
speaks from the shore
Strange
no rocks
outside the walls
just flower-clad sands
Rolling away
in every direction
down to the ocean
their ancient roadway
Living from the bounty
of the ever-present sea
it would exact its price
giving change - wreckage on the shore
Living in penury
but happily
demure hamlets
strung out to the north
Poor ground prompted
a move inland for summer
gathering fuel
before the storms came
Unknown were the riches
in money and goods
Riches in happiness and
the strength of kinship
Only a rock
remains within walls
a mark of ending
to remember their days
Nine thousand you'll find
on that rock-strewn hillside
No carved tombstone
Just a rock
from the sandy dunes
A wall of stone
on all four sides
A rock-strewn hillside
inside
The sea incessantly
speaks from the shore
Strange
no rocks
outside the walls
just flower-clad sands
Rolling away
in every direction
down to the ocean
their ancient roadway
Living from the bounty
of the ever-present sea
it would exact its price
giving change - wreckage on the shore
Living in penury
but happily
demure hamlets
strung out to the north
Poor ground prompted
a move inland for summer
gathering fuel
before the storms came
Unknown were the riches
in money and goods
Riches in happiness and
the strength of kinship
Only a rock
remains within walls
a mark of ending
to remember their days
Nine thousand you'll find
on that rock-strewn hillside
No carved tombstone
Just a rock
Thursday, 1 November 2012
Thursday 1 November
A cold day, in spite of the 8C / 46F on the thermometer, the bitterness being caused by a strong easterly breeze. It grew even less pleasant when we lost the sun in the afternoon to showers. I was glad to have taken the woolly hat and gloves out, even for the short walk to the shop and into town. Was that haircut such a good idea? Nggg, that hair in my face was driving me batchy.
Western Isles Council has put proposals out for consultation that would result in service cuts amounting to £5.7 million. The details of the proposals are breathtaking; I had a look at a six-page document outlining them all, and it is absolutely horrendous. It begs the question what we have a council for if it isn't doing anything for the local people anymore. OK, that's an overreaction, but it is very bad news.
Western Isles Council has put proposals out for consultation that would result in service cuts amounting to £5.7 million. The details of the proposals are breathtaking; I had a look at a six-page document outlining them all, and it is absolutely horrendous. It begs the question what we have a council for if it isn't doing anything for the local people anymore. OK, that's an overreaction, but it is very bad news.
Chessmen?
Village by the sand
hiding the ninety-one
pieces carved from ivory
brought in from across the sea
Men from the north
left them for us to guess
their play with the future
after they had gone from these shores
Leaving behind only names
for the villages along the shores
the hills, bays and inlets
no further trace was left
Except the ninety-one
in the sand by the village
along the bay that named a whole district
Were they chessmen?
hiding the ninety-one
pieces carved from ivory
brought in from across the sea
Men from the north
left them for us to guess
their play with the future
after they had gone from these shores
Leaving behind only names
for the villages along the shores
the hills, bays and inlets
no further trace was left
Except the ninety-one
in the sand by the village
along the bay that named a whole district
Were they chessmen?
Wednesday, 31 October 2012
Wednesday 31 October
Hope you have all had (or having) a nice Hallowe'en today. As my previous post indicates, to me, it has a rather more sombre connotation, but I have said enough on the subject. I continue to be horrified at the extent of the damage and loss of life left behind as a result of Sandy. The storm system has dissipated over the Great Lakes, and its after-effects are diminishing. Tropical cyclone Nilam has slammed into southeastern India with winds at severe gale force and heavy rain.
Today in Stornoway saw cool weather, but with nice sunny spells. As I type this, the decrescent moon has risen high in the eastern sky and the mercury has gone down to near zero. We should continue to have the same sort of weather over the next few days, so actually, little reason for complaint.
Locally, there is an on-going discussion about the price of fuel ($9 a US gallon, or £1.50 a litre). Allegations have been levelled against one wholesaler about price-fixing, profiteering and monopoies - refuted by said wholesaler. The price difference with Inverness (15p) remains noticeable, and one wonders about that.
Today in Stornoway saw cool weather, but with nice sunny spells. As I type this, the decrescent moon has risen high in the eastern sky and the mercury has gone down to near zero. We should continue to have the same sort of weather over the next few days, so actually, little reason for complaint.
Locally, there is an on-going discussion about the price of fuel ($9 a US gallon, or £1.50 a litre). Allegations have been levelled against one wholesaler about price-fixing, profiteering and monopoies - refuted by said wholesaler. The price difference with Inverness (15p) remains noticeable, and one wonders about that.
Hallowe'en 2012
Reposted from 2010
Hallowe'en is not a tradition I grew up with, and I've only grown more familiar with it since I came to the UK, 15 years ago this month. It is a relatively inoccuous event, although I resent, like the gentleman in the pic above, the abuse of black cats just because they have black fur.
I'll just stick to the black cat as depicted in this graphic. My family had a black tomcat for 15 years in the 1970s and 1980s, and he was the friendliest creature you could care to find. Other cats, around at the time, would agree or disagree with that vehemently; other toms would get a sound thrashing out of him, whilst the females of the species got all they ever wanted out of him and more.
Donna provided me with this graphic 5 years ago, and I'm glad to see she's slowly getting back in the habit. She was also behind this graphic
which had us trick-or-treating through J-land, meaning this image is at least 4 years old. I had two Hallowe'ens in J-land (2006 and 2007); J-land was closed down on Hallowe'en 2008. I was sitting in an airport lounge at Aberdeen when news came through that our blogs had gone. I've never understood why they had to be deleted, rather than being kept in an archived status. It caused a lot of upset, and I've not forgiven AOL for it.Hallowe'en has a serious side to it. Its full name is All Hallows' Eve, the day before All Hallows, when we remember those that have passed away. 1 November will be the day, 4½ years ago, that my mother passed away, and I'll bear that in mind on the day. Others who have recently lost loved ones or friends will be kept in mind on that day. November is also the month that I post the links to journals whose bloggers have gone before, and I'm closing this admittedly sombre post with that.
In remembering those that went before us, we will gain strength from their memory and the fortitude they showed in adversity.
One Girl's Head Noise (UK) - Pam, RIP 16 April 2006
There are no Sundays - Jim, RIP April 2007
The Diatom Project - Walt, RIP 27 April 2007
Pennie's Pieces of Ohio - Penny, RIP 1 October 2007
My Reason for Reasoning - Barbara, RIP 20 November 2007
Lahoma's Laments - Lahoma, RIP 25 December 2007
I shaved my legs for this??? - Kim, RIP 26 December 2007
Sylvia Boiling, RIP 2 May 2008
Dribble by Chuck Ferris - Chuck, RIP 1 July 2008
Lori's Love Tribe - Lori, RIP 22 November 2009
Just Plain Bill, Bill, RIP 28 November 2010
A journey of another kind, Jane, RIP 30 May 2010
Daria, RIP 22 January 2011
Angie Marshall, RIP 30 January 2011
Lori Johnson, RIP 16 February 2011
Rebecca Robertson, formerly as Journeyzpath (Summer 2011)
Say it Baldy, Sam Shafer, RIP 29 June 2011
Gypsypaths, Carol Martinez, RIP 28 September 2011
Larry Wayland (moondawg), 2 December 2011
Frances Lawson, RIP 28 March 2012
Dad's Tomato Garden, Ray White, RIP 9 May 2012
Andy, RIP 15 September 2012
Sandy
I know several ladies, some of whom I have met in person, who have the first name Alexandra, in certain instances abbreviated to Sandy. It has been common practice to name tropical cyclones (hurricanes), and the storm that hit the eastern USA on Monday was named Sandy. Now, I have made it clear in the past that I tend to look at hurricanes as a natural phenomenon, depersonalised and not malicious. Referring to Sandy as a "monster" storm is something I scorn at. But seeing the effects on television, I can certainly understand the emotions that underpin such descriptions.
The storm surge flooding in New York City has brought the place to a virtual standstill, exacerbated by the fire in the borough of Queens that could not be combated because of flooding. The water can be pumped away, for sure. Damage can be repaired, although there will be many people who will find it hard if not impossible to locate the funds to do that.
I was taken aback by the result of the flooding in New Jersey, which did not just leave water but feet and feet of sand in the streets and around houses. The electricity outages here are likely to last for some days yet, and will make life very difficult for those still in situ. Many have been evacuated, and will not be able to return home for a while yet - if they have a home to return to.
I am quite disgusted with the politicking that has promptly resumed on Facebook, and negative at that. If you support a candidate, please just extol his virtues rather than downcry the opponent. In slamming the opposition you waste time you could spend more constructively supporting your candidate. Unless he does not have anything that is worth highlighting. And it's not even certain that there will be an election on November 6th, bearing in mind the disruption caused by Sandy.
The storm surge flooding in New York City has brought the place to a virtual standstill, exacerbated by the fire in the borough of Queens that could not be combated because of flooding. The water can be pumped away, for sure. Damage can be repaired, although there will be many people who will find it hard if not impossible to locate the funds to do that.
I was taken aback by the result of the flooding in New Jersey, which did not just leave water but feet and feet of sand in the streets and around houses. The electricity outages here are likely to last for some days yet, and will make life very difficult for those still in situ. Many have been evacuated, and will not be able to return home for a while yet - if they have a home to return to.
I am quite disgusted with the politicking that has promptly resumed on Facebook, and negative at that. If you support a candidate, please just extol his virtues rather than downcry the opponent. In slamming the opposition you waste time you could spend more constructively supporting your candidate. Unless he does not have anything that is worth highlighting. And it's not even certain that there will be an election on November 6th, bearing in mind the disruption caused by Sandy.
Tuesday, 30 October 2012
The circle of peat
Distant summers
Forgotten breezes
Rains long since flowed to sea
The autumns of years
Green growth
Long grass
First yellow
Now brown
Moss capturing moisture
Deepening below
Cracks open in drought
Disappear in wet seasons
The memory of years
cut with the spade
dried over weeks
as the sun rises high
Stacked by the house
prepared for winter
to release warmth
when the cold wind blows
Smelling of springtime
smoke drifts away
the cycle completes
the circle of peat
Forgotten breezes
Rains long since flowed to sea
The autumns of years
Green growth
Long grass
First yellow
Now brown
Moss capturing moisture
Deepening below
Cracks open in drought
Disappear in wet seasons
The memory of years
cut with the spade
dried over weeks
as the sun rises high
Stacked by the house
prepared for winter
to release warmth
when the cold wind blows
Smelling of springtime
smoke drifts away
the cycle completes
the circle of peat
Tuesday 30 October
Another cold and mainly wet day, looking very grey indeed. Nonetheless, compared to what the eastern USA is having to go through, I'm not going to complain. A ray of sunshine would be welcome, but the only celestial body I see a lot of these days is the moon.
After two days of shopping in the supermarket, trying to dodge empty shelves, MV Muirneag came in at 10 o'clock this morning, carrying loads of supplies. I was asking myself what the reason for the cancellation was, until I spoke to someone who had just come off the ferry, looking a bit green about the gills. In other words, there had been quite a swell running in the Minch.
And I just felt like posting this image of one our cats in his hey-day: Thomas. He went over the Rainbow Bridge in 1988 at the age of 15.
After two days of shopping in the supermarket, trying to dodge empty shelves, MV Muirneag came in at 10 o'clock this morning, carrying loads of supplies. I was asking myself what the reason for the cancellation was, until I spoke to someone who had just come off the ferry, looking a bit green about the gills. In other words, there had been quite a swell running in the Minch.
And I just felt like posting this image of one our cats in his hey-day: Thomas. He went over the Rainbow Bridge in 1988 at the age of 15.
Arnol
Empty windows look out on the yellowed grass
Panes blown out in a forgotten gale
Tiles disappearing from the roof
But no one is caring
The ocean thunders onto distant cliffs
A moving wreath around the western coast
An army of white riders incessantly
assail the crumbling fortress that is shore
Sagging poles carry rusting wire
No longer delineating the patch
of infertile, poor, unsustaining ground
where once cattle and sheep grazed
The door has gone, a void beyond
Another frame behind, also unshuttered
Countless rocks from the empire of
sonte, yet choked with rocks the ground remains
Walls stand up, bewildered now that
the roof has vanished, perhaps
a beam remains, collapsed into
the ruin below
A squall blows in, the scene darkens
no shelter here, in the old dwelling
an echo of years gone by
left as an in memoriam
Fled the yoke of the man in the castle
his cruel minions who cared not
to improve the lives of those
he was in charge of caring for
A distant gun echoes, multiplying the life it took
by countless millions, including
those who answered the call
from the humble abodes out here
Now crumbling slowly, remembering
the golden days of long sunshine and warmth
laughter, singing, merry-making
love, kinship and bonds
Some crossed the seas for better lives
Never to return tto the humble home
Looking down to the shoreline below
Remembering all who departed
Panes blown out in a forgotten gale
Tiles disappearing from the roof
But no one is caring
The ocean thunders onto distant cliffs
A moving wreath around the western coast
An army of white riders incessantly
assail the crumbling fortress that is shore
Sagging poles carry rusting wire
No longer delineating the patch
of infertile, poor, unsustaining ground
where once cattle and sheep grazed
The door has gone, a void beyond
Another frame behind, also unshuttered
Countless rocks from the empire of
sonte, yet choked with rocks the ground remains
Walls stand up, bewildered now that
the roof has vanished, perhaps
a beam remains, collapsed into
the ruin below
A squall blows in, the scene darkens
no shelter here, in the old dwelling
an echo of years gone by
left as an in memoriam
Fled the yoke of the man in the castle
his cruel minions who cared not
to improve the lives of those
he was in charge of caring for
A distant gun echoes, multiplying the life it took
by countless millions, including
those who answered the call
from the humble abodes out here
Now crumbling slowly, remembering
the golden days of long sunshine and warmth
laughter, singing, merry-making
love, kinship and bonds
Some crossed the seas for better lives
Never to return tto the humble home
Looking down to the shoreline below
Remembering all who departed
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