Tuesday, 22 April 2014
Sunday 20 April
Easter Sunday and not a single cloud in the sky. The southerly breeze takes the edge of the temperature, but in a sheltered position it is positively warm. Went for a 4 mile walk in the Castle Grounds, from the Castle to the College, across the Golf Course to the Waterwheel and back through town. Lots of folk out, walking dogs and kids. Mercury reached 14C / 57F, very good for this time of year.
Saturday 19 April
It's drying up and brightening up after a rather wet
start to the day. The mercury has barely moved in the last 24 hours,
varying between 8 and 10C / 46 to 50F. Prefer that to the wild and
wonderful swings I'm seeing reported by some of my US contacts!
Friday 18 April
Aye, it's Good Friday, and not a bad day weatherwise.
Breezy this morning but quite bright with some intermittent sunshine and
about 11C / 52F. It is customary in some parts of the world to attend a
performance of JS Bach's St Matthew's Passion today, and it is one of
the few pieces of classical music where the audience does NOT applaud at
the end. You file out in silence. The Passion ends with the death of
Christ being mourned with the words: "In tears we are sitting here".
Never a dry eye in the house...
One of those glary days. Sun is not openly out in the
sky, but the thin high- and mid-level cloud makes the light very bright
indeed. It doesn't always agree with me, unfortunately. Where's me
paracetamol?
Thursday 17 April
This morning, I was greeted at the front door by a playful young, black cat with amber eyes. Like another feline before it, 6 years ago virtually to the day, it wanted to rub itself all over me, jump at the strap on my camera and needed to be gently removed from the porch, lest it get locked in. No, it isn't mine, although I'm very fond of cats.
Today, I took delivery of a copy of The English Camp at Groningen 1914-1918 (in Dutch). The subject of this internment camp propelled me into the subject of local history, particularly First World War.
Today, I took delivery of a copy of The English Camp at Groningen 1914-1918 (in Dutch). The subject of this internment camp propelled me into the subject of local history, particularly First World War.
Wednesday 16 April
Morning all from a very wet Stornoway. And the Scottish Government is in Stornoway today (is that the reason it's pissing down with rain?). Mr Salmond will do something to do with the harbour development (watch that rock!) and Ms Sturgeon will dig the first sod at a new housing development at Melbost Farm, outside Sandwick.
At 8.40pm, the electricity went out. All the way from Fort William to Lerwick. The reason appears to have been a 'transient fault' between Inverness and Elgin, which spread right across the north of Scotland. Here in Stornoway, it lasted for 50 minutes, after which the local power station kicked in. It's nice to have the candles etc out, but electrical light is preferable.
At 8.40pm, the electricity went out. All the way from Fort William to Lerwick. The reason appears to have been a 'transient fault' between Inverness and Elgin, which spread right across the north of Scotland. Here in Stornoway, it lasted for 50 minutes, after which the local power station kicked in. It's nice to have the candles etc out, but electrical light is preferable.
Tuesday 15 April
There is a lunar eclipse tomorrow morning (British time). Its commencement (moon moving into the prenumbra) will just about be visible in the UK before moonset, but North America will have a grandstand view.
Talk of poor timetable design. In order to establish the exact route of a certain bus, I have to go to one table, but emulate Sherlock Holmes to deduce from a secondary table that it does take that route. I'm talking about CnES and its W6 and W7 town services in Stornoway.
Looks as if I've had my last search for shellfish at springtide by the ferry terminal. Works have started to reclaim that bit between the current terminal area and the outflow of the Newton Basin. This will end up burying that stretch of tidal mudflat forever.
Such strange weather tonight. Suddenly blowing a hoolie between 9 and 10, and now it's calmed right down again. Odd.
Talk of poor timetable design. In order to establish the exact route of a certain bus, I have to go to one table, but emulate Sherlock Holmes to deduce from a secondary table that it does take that route. I'm talking about CnES and its W6 and W7 town services in Stornoway.
Looks as if I've had my last search for shellfish at springtide by the ferry terminal. Works have started to reclaim that bit between the current terminal area and the outflow of the Newton Basin. This will end up burying that stretch of tidal mudflat forever.
Such strange weather tonight. Suddenly blowing a hoolie between 9 and 10, and now it's calmed right down again. Odd.
Monday 14 April
Beautiful Monday morning here, with broad sunshine and little wind. Temps already in double figures. Went out for a walk through the Golf Course to the War Memorial. Returned across the Golf Course, but this time in the general direction of the Castle. In sheltered areas, it felt quite warm in the sun, although the wind pegged temps at 12C / 54F. Gorse is in full bloom, and the dandelions are also beginning to put in an appearance. Lots of people out playing golf, noticed at least three golf balls along the path.
After a ship got into difficulties south of Barra Head, calls are being made for an Emergency Towing Vessel to be positioned in the Minch again. I'd like to think that my Facebook comments were picked up by a local journalist, and by the MSP.
After a ship got into difficulties south of Barra Head, calls are being made for an Emergency Towing Vessel to be positioned in the Minch again. I'd like to think that my Facebook comments were picked up by a local journalist, and by the MSP.
Sunday 13 April
Afternoon all, it's brightened up here after a dull and rainy start. Sun is making haphazard appearances, and the wind remains strong. It's April!
Thursday, 17 April 2014
Iolaire Memorial
So the First Minister of Scotland has laid a wreath at the Iolaire Memorial this afternoon.
I wonder if Mr Salmond will be pressing for the early release of Royal Navy papers related to the Iolaire Disaster, which has its centenary on 1 January 2019, several weeks after the fuss over the centenary of the Armistice War will have passed. I wonder if the people of this island will ever be told the truth, if the truth is known in the first place. Maybe the truth went down with the ship, with the crew members who perished. The Admiralty awarded the families of the crew members lost in the sinking of the ship a sum of money. The families of the 180 naval personnel, or more accurately, FORMERLY naval personnel, lost in the tragedy, were awarded precisely nothing. They had been demobbed and were strictly speaking civilians, so the Admiralty were no longer interested.
I wonder if Mr Salmond will press the Ministry of Defense in London to get the Admiralty to acknowledge that they had some degree of responsibility or even involvement for this tragedy, as it was on His Majesty's Yacht Iolaire that these men were being transported home. The cause of the grounding and sinking of the Iolaire has never been satisfactorily cleared up, and may never be, even if Royal Navy papers are put in the public domain. I do not think that the people of Lewis will be pressing for mass compensation, nearly a hundred years on. Even if it was all down to the poor weather at the time, an unavoidable accident, possibly resulting from insufficient navigational aids at the entrance to Stornoway Harbour.
Since 2006, I have adopted the Iolaire and her story. I am not from these parts - my home soil lies two seas and six hundred miles away. The tragedy has affected me, and I can feel (from a distance) the pain it has caused, and still causes, in the island. I would like to think Mr Salmond also perceived this.
Maybe he could be prevailed upon to answer my questions. Not for me, but for the Dead of the Iolaire. The bodies of sixty of whom were never recovered from the sea, 95 years ago.
I wonder if Mr Salmond will be pressing for the early release of Royal Navy papers related to the Iolaire Disaster, which has its centenary on 1 January 2019, several weeks after the fuss over the centenary of the Armistice War will have passed. I wonder if the people of this island will ever be told the truth, if the truth is known in the first place. Maybe the truth went down with the ship, with the crew members who perished. The Admiralty awarded the families of the crew members lost in the sinking of the ship a sum of money. The families of the 180 naval personnel, or more accurately, FORMERLY naval personnel, lost in the tragedy, were awarded precisely nothing. They had been demobbed and were strictly speaking civilians, so the Admiralty were no longer interested.
I wonder if Mr Salmond will press the Ministry of Defense in London to get the Admiralty to acknowledge that they had some degree of responsibility or even involvement for this tragedy, as it was on His Majesty's Yacht Iolaire that these men were being transported home. The cause of the grounding and sinking of the Iolaire has never been satisfactorily cleared up, and may never be, even if Royal Navy papers are put in the public domain. I do not think that the people of Lewis will be pressing for mass compensation, nearly a hundred years on. Even if it was all down to the poor weather at the time, an unavoidable accident, possibly resulting from insufficient navigational aids at the entrance to Stornoway Harbour.
Since 2006, I have adopted the Iolaire and her story. I am not from these parts - my home soil lies two seas and six hundred miles away. The tragedy has affected me, and I can feel (from a distance) the pain it has caused, and still causes, in the island. I would like to think Mr Salmond also perceived this.
Maybe he could be prevailed upon to answer my questions. Not for me, but for the Dead of the Iolaire. The bodies of sixty of whom were never recovered from the sea, 95 years ago.
Sunday, 13 April 2014
Saturday 12 April
Westerly gale this morning, but with good sunny spells and showers. Typical Hebridean day, just feeling sorry for the poor lambs coming into the world on a day like today. It's not very warm (8C / 46F), and that strong wind could easily chill them.
SNP leader Alex Salmond has said that the independence referendum is not about the SNP. It IS about the SNP. It is the SNP that have initiated the process, on their terms and using their methods. IMHO they are fighting on a negative premise, against the English, against the Conservatives. They have failed to answer questions on many substantive issues that would face any independent country, and that is how the debate should be conducted.
Right, Maritime and Coastguard Agency, this is the sort of situation that highlights why we need an Emergency Towing Vessel around the Outer Hebrides. Not stationed 200 miles away in Orkney.
SNP leader Alex Salmond has said that the independence referendum is not about the SNP. It IS about the SNP. It is the SNP that have initiated the process, on their terms and using their methods. IMHO they are fighting on a negative premise, against the English, against the Conservatives. They have failed to answer questions on many substantive issues that would face any independent country, and that is how the debate should be conducted.
Right, Maritime and Coastguard Agency, this is the sort of situation that highlights why we need an Emergency Towing Vessel around the Outer Hebrides. Not stationed 200 miles away in Orkney.
Friday 11 April
Overcast morning has now turned into rain. Wind is picking up, and we should have galeforce winds tomorrow. However, that's nothing compared to the 95 mph gusts experienced in North Queensland, Australia today, as cyclone Ita slams into Cape Flattery.
We can't redeem the fuel saving discount in the islands, so Tesco deign to grant us double Club Card points. Until 19th April. We bow to thee, oh supermarket ;-)
Went to watch a performance of Dogstar Theatre's "Factor 9" at An Lanntair. I refer to the below event from a few days ago, when the same play was performed at Strathpeffer.
It was an intense hour and a half, attended by only two dozen people or so. It highlighted the scandal of contaminated bloodproducts for haemophiliacs, compounded by the callous use of the victims for "medical research". Medical research that falls in the same category of wholly unethical behaviour as displayed by Joseph Mengele in the death camps of Nazi Germany.
We can't redeem the fuel saving discount in the islands, so Tesco deign to grant us double Club Card points. Until 19th April. We bow to thee, oh supermarket ;-)
Went to watch a performance of Dogstar Theatre's "Factor 9" at An Lanntair. I refer to the below event from a few days ago, when the same play was performed at Strathpeffer.
It was an intense hour and a half, attended by only two dozen people or so. It highlighted the scandal of contaminated bloodproducts for haemophiliacs, compounded by the callous use of the victims for "medical research". Medical research that falls in the same category of wholly unethical behaviour as displayed by Joseph Mengele in the death camps of Nazi Germany.
Thursday 10 April
Afternoon all, it's April showers on the menu here. In spite of that, it doesn't feel cold on account of the warm sun.
On Twitter, the 102nd anniversary of the sinking of RMS Titanic is being commemorated on @TitanicRealTime.
On Twitter, the 102nd anniversary of the sinking of RMS Titanic is being commemorated on @TitanicRealTime.
Wednesday 9 April
Afternoon all from a very wet Stornoway. Although it isn't really that cold, the rain is fairly tipping down. Not an outside day, therefore I shall do more digging. I keep finding additions and corrections for my WW1 listings, so that will be on my menu this afternoon.
If you bear in mind the population of this island, I think we have a very good and cheap bus service. The only exception is the route to Uig, where the first bus out of Stornoway leaves at midday, and you have to be careful about your return trip in the afternoon - not all days of the week. However, if you wish to travel to Leverburgh for the day (55 miles from Stornoway), it's only about £10 return. A single ticket for the Ullapool to Inverness bus (similar distance) costs £12. Frequencies to the more populated rural areas (Point, Back and Ness) are quite acceptable (every 1-3 hours). What is the population of Lewis? About 20,000, just under half of which live in Stornoway.
If you bear in mind the population of this island, I think we have a very good and cheap bus service. The only exception is the route to Uig, where the first bus out of Stornoway leaves at midday, and you have to be careful about your return trip in the afternoon - not all days of the week. However, if you wish to travel to Leverburgh for the day (55 miles from Stornoway), it's only about £10 return. A single ticket for the Ullapool to Inverness bus (similar distance) costs £12. Frequencies to the more populated rural areas (Point, Back and Ness) are quite acceptable (every 1-3 hours). What is the population of Lewis? About 20,000, just under half of which live in Stornoway.
Tuesday 8 April
Bright and sunny today - in between the April showers. The brisk west wind does nothing to augment the temps, 12C at best.
Excuse me. A man living at number 6 is bailed to stay at number 5 and ordered not to go near his usual address. I don't know how close no 5 is to no 6, but this looks faintly ridiculous.
Went to see the plans for the new ferry terminal at Stornoway, works just starting I think. Should be interesting to see the finished product, by the end of the summer.
Wasn't that eerie? The lady from the guest house in Stornoway who said that you could see eagles in Lewis. She couldn't think of anything else to be seen in the island. Now, I have very, very little Gaelic, but I do know that the Gaelic for eagle is Iolaire. All people from Lewis (and those that have been in touch with me over the years) know about the tragic story surrounding HMY Iolaire, which sank outside Stornoway harbour on 1 January 1919 with the loss of 205 lives. The news item about tourism in the Outer Hebrides only elicited feelings of scorn with me. Sorry. But I'm sure that the eagles were mentioned for a reason - and not for the reason that the lady had in mind. It has inspired me to write a new short story, my 14th.
Excuse me. A man living at number 6 is bailed to stay at number 5 and ordered not to go near his usual address. I don't know how close no 5 is to no 6, but this looks faintly ridiculous.
Went to see the plans for the new ferry terminal at Stornoway, works just starting I think. Should be interesting to see the finished product, by the end of the summer.
Wasn't that eerie? The lady from the guest house in Stornoway who said that you could see eagles in Lewis. She couldn't think of anything else to be seen in the island. Now, I have very, very little Gaelic, but I do know that the Gaelic for eagle is Iolaire. All people from Lewis (and those that have been in touch with me over the years) know about the tragic story surrounding HMY Iolaire, which sank outside Stornoway harbour on 1 January 1919 with the loss of 205 lives. The news item about tourism in the Outer Hebrides only elicited feelings of scorn with me. Sorry. But I'm sure that the eagles were mentioned for a reason - and not for the reason that the lady had in mind. It has inspired me to write a new short story, my 14th.
Monday 7 April
First cruiseliner of the season is here, the good ole Marco Polo. She has been on the go for nearly 50 years. Tragedy struck in February, when a huge wave in the English Channel smashed windows, causing the death of a passenger. We remember him, whilst wishing her godspeed.
April showers this morning, with rain, hail, snow and the kitchen-sink. Only 9C / 48F on a brisk southerly breeze.
I don't want to be insensitive or disrespectful with regards to the death of Peaches Geldof. Any death is the cause of profound sorrow and sadness for the family involved, particularly for such a young person.
Having said that, I find it a gross exaggeration to devote five whole minutes at the start of the main evening news bulletin to the death of this celebrity. There are more important things happening today. The crocodile tears of Oscar Pistorius do not rank among them. Neither, sorry folks, does the first overseas visit of Prince George.
Pistorius. Oh, I am so tempted to write down my theories on that case. But it is a live trial, and this blog is visible to all. So, die Gedanken sind frei.
Think Queensland could get a very nasty surprise this weekend. It's called tropical cyclone Ita, and it will graze the length of the eastern coast from Cape Melville a long way down towards Brisbane. That is my guess at any rate, it's still 4-5 days until the first landfall occurs.
April showers this morning, with rain, hail, snow and the kitchen-sink. Only 9C / 48F on a brisk southerly breeze.
I don't want to be insensitive or disrespectful with regards to the death of Peaches Geldof. Any death is the cause of profound sorrow and sadness for the family involved, particularly for such a young person.
Having said that, I find it a gross exaggeration to devote five whole minutes at the start of the main evening news bulletin to the death of this celebrity. There are more important things happening today. The crocodile tears of Oscar Pistorius do not rank among them. Neither, sorry folks, does the first overseas visit of Prince George.
Pistorius. Oh, I am so tempted to write down my theories on that case. But it is a live trial, and this blog is visible to all. So, die Gedanken sind frei.
Think Queensland could get a very nasty surprise this weekend. It's called tropical cyclone Ita, and it will graze the length of the eastern coast from Cape Melville a long way down towards Brisbane. That is my guess at any rate, it's still 4-5 days until the first landfall occurs.
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