Sunset notes

The sun set five minutes ago, after a bright afternoon. The clouds have slowly moved away south, and we're all set for a cold night. Over on the Scottish mainland, the overnight low is expected to be about -9C. Further east, heavy snow is once more on its way into Aberdeenshire. The winter is by no means over, although I'd like to think that the Western Isles is having the best of the weather.

Here in the island of Lewis, planning permission has been granted for an electricity converter station at Gravir, 27 miles south of Stornoway by road (15 by sea). It will be the exit-point for all power generated by windfarms in the island. The electricity plant is expected to be huge, and a colossal blot on the landscape. The vote in the local council was not unanimous, with concerns raised over the impact on roads and landscape.

Gravir in July 2007

Remembering Today - 10 February

On this day in the First World War, this man from the Isle of Lewis lost his life in the service of King and Country. RIP.

Private MALCOLM MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 17 Knock, Point,
Son of John Macleod, of 17, Knock Point, Stornoway, Scotland. Also served in R.N.R.
Regiment or division: 15th Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment)
Service number: 447137
Date of death: 10 February 1919 at the age of 28
Died of pneumonia in Belgium
Interred: Huy (La Sarte) Communal Cemetery
Memorial reference: I. B. 19.
Lewis Memorial: Point (Garrabost)

Tuesday 10 February

Bright and sunny with some (rain) showers. The remnants of snow that were lying around since the weekend have melted, as temperatures have risen slightly. +4C is still no great shakes though. Further south, rain and snow are wreaking havoc in England as a winterstorm moves across. I am not very pleased with the BBC who are relaying coverage of bankers being grilled by members of parliament on the reasons for the current financial crisis in the UK in particular. However topical that may be, I do grudge being denied television coverage of other major news events, such as the Australian bushfires, and having to watch City fatcats making excuses to cover their greed.

Remembering Today - 9 February

On this day in the First World War, this man from the Isle of Lewis lost his life in the service of King & Country. RIP.

Private LOUIS MACKENZIE

Last address in Lewis: 1 Callanish,
Regiment or division: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 8867
Date of death: 9 February 1915 at the age of 31
Died of shrapnel wounds at Netley Hospital
Interred: Netley Military Cemetery
Memorial reference: N. 326
Lewis Memorial: East Loch Roag, Callanish

Remembering Today - 8 February

On this day in the First World War, this man from the Isle of Lewis lost his life in the service of King & Country. RIP.

Piper JOHN MACLEOD

Last address in Lewis: 39A Balallan,
Son of Marion MacLeod, of 39A, Ballallan Lochs, Stornoway, Scotland, and the late Donald MacLeod.
Regiment or division: 67th Western Scots Canadian Infantry
Service number: 103327
Date of death: 8 February 1919 at the age of 37
Died of wounds, sustained in January 1918 in France. Invalided to Canada where he died.
Interred: Victoria (Ross Bay) Cemetery
Memorial Reference: N. 18E. T.
Local memorial: Kinloch, Laxay

Sunset, sunrise

Sunset

8 February

Sunrise

9 February

Thrift journal restarted

The frugal living journal, which used to exist on AOL, has been restarted here on Blogger by Lisa-Jo as Our Thrifty Thoughts. If anyone would like to make contributions to this journal as a writer should contact Lisa Jo direct. Please relay on your own journal if this has your interest.

Monday 9 February

Overcast day, but it started brilliantly sunny. Recent snowfalls on the Scottish mountains have left them eminently visible on the distant horizon - I'm about 40 to 70 miles from the mainland. Sunrise this morning at 8 was a blaze of colours, and in one of my later entries I'll link to a few images.

I am horrified to learn that the death toll of the Australian wildfires could exceed 200. It is indeed incomprehensible that someone could deliberately start, if not restart, those fires, knowing that they would be fanned out of control by the strong winds. The stories are heartrending, and I'm referring to the news media for details.

Bishop Williamson, who gained infamy in recent times as a Holocaust denier, has been sacked from the post as director of a seminary in Argentina. It now emerges that the Vatican was unaware of his views regarding the Holocaust, and Pope Benedict XVI has expressed his unreserved support for Jews. I find it a wee bit incomprehensible that these views were unknown to the Holy See.

Sunday 8 February

Bright but hazy and very cold out here. According to the Met Office, the mercury at 11 am stood at -1.9C, after an "overnight" low of -4.2C at 9 am. As I type, the mercury at coldspots Loch Glascarnoch and Tulloch Bridge is still below -7C. Aviemore went down to -14C apparently. Leaving the cold to one side, we're still having the best weather in the country. Southern England is due more snow today, and a winterstorm tomorrow.

The exact opposite in terms of weather is happening in southeastern Australia, where firestorms have claimed more than 80 lives, razing several communities to the ground. Reports quote winds of 60 mph and more fanning the flames. Temperatures have risen to 46C out there - I think I prefer our current frosty weather.

Encouraged by the successful emergency landing in the Hudson River a few weeks ago, two more planes have endeavoured the method. In Australia, a plane successfully landed in shallow water, and its passengers could wade ashore. A plane in Brazil was less lucky, when it was forced down by heavy rain. Although 4 survivors were found, several bodies were found in the wreckage of the aircraft.

Health matters

In the period that I have been writing Northern Trip (on AOL) and Atlantic Lines, I have come out very outspoken against the Big Brother programme and its participants. More so, since BB is actually a Dutch invention. One object of my objections was Jade Goody, a contestant in the 2002 edition of the show in the UK, who stood out for having a big mouth that was commonly engaged before her brain was. A few years ago, she gained more infamy by participating in a Celebrity version of BB and opening her mouth too wide again.

Ms Goody was diagnosed with bowel cancer last August, and it has since emerged that the disease has spread. She has used her celebrity status to promote awareness of cancer, which is a good thing. Last night, Jade underwent a 4-hour operation to remove a growth on the bowel, which was causing much pain. Whilst realising that metastatic cancer is not usually curable, I do hope that Jade's illness has a positive outcome. I am happy at any rate that she is using her status as a celebrity for a positive cause.

Remembering Today - 7 February

On this day in the First World War, this man from the Isle of Lewis lost his life in the service of King & Country. RIP.


Seaman ALEX MACKAY
Ailig Ruadh or Alastair Dhomhnaill Aonghais
Last address in Lewis: 15 Valtos,
Son of Donald and Annie Mackay, husband to Christina, father of 3 children
Regiment or division: Royal Naval Reserve, SS Vedamore
Date of death: 7 February 1917 at the age of 48
Ship sunk by U-boat
Survivor from sinking of HMS Hermes
Lewis Memorial: Uig, Timsgarry

Saturday 7 February

Bright and sunny day, but quite cold in the brisk northerly wind. The thin layer of snow may melt in the afternoon sun, and I do think we're having the best weather in the country. I do not envy those in England who may find themselves in a 12 to 15 degree frost overnight tonight. More snow is on its way to the southern parts of the UK over the weekend, so this cold winter is not over by a long shot.

In recent days, there has been ongoing coverage in the news media about the credit crisis and particularly bonuses for bankers. I think it is a complete outrage for bonuses to be paid to bankers anywhere in the world, for adopting the policies that have led to the current crisis. They are the ones that were selling debts, in other words air, between each other, getting rich in the process. For instance, the Royal Bank of Scotland, currently 70% in public ownership, says it has to pay the bonuses in order to retain its top bankers. Methinks they can do without those bankers if they caused the bank to be taken into partial public ownership. I have also noticed that the banks continue to rake in money from their customers in order not to have to change their modus operandi.

A few months ago, news emerged of a so-called City fat cat taking his own life. Whilst deploring suicides for whichever reason, my sympathy wore thin when I read that this particular chap was holding down a lavish lifestyle, throwing parties in sumptuous locations across Europe at very frequent intervals. It struck me that he probably was unable to cope with the loss of earnings and therefore a loss of face for not being able to hold down said lifestyle.

For as long as banks and other financial institutions do not realise and own up to the fact they are mostly responsible for the current financial crisis, this same crisis will not be resolved any time soon. A complete overhaul in attitude is required, not just on the part of the banks. People do not seem to remember that when you borrow money it also has to be paid back at some stage. Creditcards, storecards and the like are all very nice and convenient, but you don't see you are spending money - until the day the final demand comes in.

Remembering Today - 6 February

On this day in the First World War, this man from the Isle of Lewis lost his life in the service of King & Country. RIP.

Seaman NORMAN MACIVER
Tormod Thormoid Mhoir or Tormod Thormoid Mhurchaidh
Last address in Lewis: 25 Valtos,
Son of Norman and Mary Maciver, of 25, Daltos Uig, Stornoway, Ross-shire.
Regiment or division: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Inconstant
Service number: 3817A
Date of death: 6 February 1915 at the age of 28
Drowned after he was washed overboard
Memorial: Chatham Naval
Memorial reference: 14
Lewis Memorial: Uig, Timsgarry

Friday 6 February

Bright and sunny day, with some snow on the ground. It does not feel cold, although the mercury is only +3C. I'm glad I'm not in England, with all the snow they are having down there. I hope they manage to get enough roadsalt to grit the roads; stocks are apparently running low. The salt quarry at Carrickfergus in Northern Ireland is working flat out, so hard in fact that they cannot stop to talk to the BBC.

I heard this morning that the West Highland Railway has been voted the most scenic railway journey in the world. I could not agree more; it is my favourite rail trip in the UK. The 154 miles from Glasgow to Fort William and Mallaig pass through some stunning mountain scenery, by Corrour Station (not served by public road) and on to Glenfinnan and Mallaig. The most remarkable feature for a few years was a toilet bowl, which sat on a knoll by the railway, a few miles south of Corrour Station in 1995. One year later, I passed the same way again, and a teddy bear was sitting on the toilet. Yet another year later, both toilet and teddy had disappeared.

Hurricane update - 5 February

In the southern hemisphere, the cyclone season is cranking up to its high point. At the moment, cyclone Gaël is moving west towards Madagascar, 300 km north of La Reunion. Before the storm reaches the Big Island, it is expected to veer sharply south. Gaël will continue to strengthen, and could reach up to 115 knots in strength - that is equivalent to winds of 210 km/h. The islands of La Reunion and Mauritius are feeling the effects of Gaël, with winds of 100 km/h on exposed coasts of La Reunion, and up to 80 km/h on Mauritius. A swell of 3.5 to 7 metres is running on the north to east coasts of La Reunion. All cyclone warnings are cancelled on Mauritius, but La Reunion remains on Yellow Alert. Malagasy residents are closely monitoring the progress of Gaël, but are not expected to suffer a direct hit; its rainbands and the periphery of the core of winds could affect the east coast of Madagascar. The point where Gaël will veer south is to determine the level of impact on the Big Island, and that is where the uncertainty lies.

Concerned residents of La Reunion, Mauritius and Madagascar should closely follow the 12-hourly updates on the JTWC website, or the 6-hourly updates on the website of RSMC La Reunion (in French).

Thursday 5 February

So, I'm back in Stornoway, and I brought the winter with me. Temperatures down to +2C today, with frequent hail and snow showers. Although there is not much wind, a heavy swell in the Minch is keeping our freight ferry in port.

Elsewhere in the UK, 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 cm) of snow is causing extensive disruption to travel, and ain't I glad not to be among all that now. There is a lot of discussion going on about ineffective gritting and clearing, but if snow is not an annual problem, then there is not much point keeping a huge infrastructure in place to tackle it. Question of priority. However, planning for such an eventuality would make dealing with it a bit easier.

I have resumed my photography using a digital camera, given to me to use by my father.

Tuesday 3 February

Along the M25


In Terminal 5 at Heathrow

Wednesday 4 February

Pitching in the Minch


View from Loch Broom

Thursday 5 February

Thin layer of snow in Stornoway

Remembering Today - 4 February

On this day in the First World War, these men from the Isle of Lewis lost their lives in the service of King & Country. RIP.

ANGUS MACDONALD

Last address in Lewis: Islivig,
Regiment or division: New Zealanders
Date of death: 4 February 1917
Died of wounds

Private MALCOLM MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 2, Stag Road, Stornoway
Son of John and Bella MacDonald, of Lower Bayble; husband of Isabella MacDonald, of 2, Stag Rd., Stornoway.
Regiment or division: "B" Coy. 4th Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3135
Date of death: 4 February 1919 at the age of 34
Interred: Eye / Aignish Cemetery
Memorial reference: B. 45

Remembering Today - 3 February

On this day in 1915 (during the First World War), these eleven men from the Isle of Lewis lost their lives in the service of King & Country. They perished with the sinking of HMS Clan Macnaughton, which struck a mine northwest of Ireland. RIP.

DONALD FINLAYSON

Last address in Lewis: 19 Aird Tong,
Regiment or division: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS "Clan MacNaughton"
Service number: 2289A
Date of death: 3 February 1915 at the age of 29
Drowned in sinking of ship Clan MacNaughton
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial
Memorial reference: 14
Lewis Memorial: Back

Leading Seaman JOHN MACLEOD

Last address in Lewis: 25 Aird Tong,
Son of Mrs. P. MacLeod, of 25, Aird of Tong, Stornoway, and the late Peter MacLeod.
Regiment or division: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS "Clan MacNaughton"
Service number: 3092A
Date of death: 3 February 1915 at the age of 23
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial
Memorial reference: 14
Lewis War Memorial: Stornoway, Back Division, plaque 7

Seaman DONALD CAMPBELL
Last address in Lewis: 7 Arnol,
Son of Norman Campbell; husband of Christina Campbell, of 26, North Bragar, Stornoway.
Regiment or division: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Clan MacNaughton
Service number: 4018B
Date of death: 3 February 1915 at the age of 40
Drowned in sinking of ship Clan MacNaughton
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial
Memorial reference: 14
Local memorial: West Side, Bragar

Seaman DONALD MORRISON
Last address in Lewis: 41 Borve,
Regiment or division: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Clan MacNaughton
Service number: 2395D
Date of death: 3 February 1915 at the age of 46
Died in sinking of Clan MacNaughton
Left six orphans
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial, panel 14
Local memorial: North Lewis, Borve

Seaman KENNETH MACAULAY

Last address in Lewis: 3 Breasclete,
Son of George and Christina Macaulay, of 3, Breasclete, Stornoway.
Regiment or division: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Clan MacNaughton
Service number: 4971B
Date of death: 3 February 1915 at the age of 30
Drowned in sinking of ship Clan MacNaughton
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial
Memorial reference: 14
Lewis Memorial: East Loch Roag, Callanish

Seaman DONALD FINLAYSON (jnr)
Last address in Lewis: 11 Brue,
Regiment or division: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Clan MacNaughton
Service number: 2289A
Date of death: 3 February 1915 at the age of 22
Drowned in HMS Clan MacNaughton
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial, panel 14

Seaman DUGALD KENNEDY
Last address in Lewis: 2 Calbost,
Son of Donald and Kate MacKay Kennedy, of 2, Calbost, Stornoway.
Regiment or division: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Clan MacNaughton
Service number: 5424A
Date of death: 3 February 1915 at the age of 17
Drowned in sinking of the Clan MacNaughton
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial
Memorial reference: 14
Local Memorial: Pairc, Kershader

Seaman NEIL MORRISON
Last address in Lewis: 9 Calbost,
Son of John and Marion Morrison
Regiment or division: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Clan MacNaughton
Date of death: 3 February 1915 at the age of 22
Drowned in sinking of the Clan MacNaughton
Was a survivor of the sinking of the Hermes
Local Memorial: Pairc, Kershader

Seaman DONALD CAMPBELL
Last address in Lewis: 26 North Bragar
Son of Norman Campbell; husband of Christina Campbell, of 26, North Bragar, Stornoway.
Regiment or division: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Clan MacNaughton
Service number: 4018B
Date of death: February, 3th, 1915 at the age of 40
Died in sinking of ship
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial
Memorial reference: 14

Seaman DONALD MARTIN

Last address in Lewis: Portvoller,
Son of William and Mrs. Martin, of Port Voller Point, Stornoway.
Regiment or division: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Clan MacNaughton
Service number: 6803/A
Date of death: 3 February 1915 at the age of 21
Enlisted after outbreak of war and had just completed 3 months' service
Drowned in sinking of ship
Memorial: Chatham Naval, panel 14
Lewis Memorial: Point (Garrabost)

Seaman DONALD MURRAY
Last address in Lewis: 33 South Dell,
Son of Murdo and Catherine Murray, of South Dell, Ness; husband of Mary McDonald Murray, of 33, South Dell, Ness, Island of Lewis.
Regiment or division: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Clan MacNaughton
Service number: 3275C
Date of death: 3 February 1915 at the age of 37
Left widow and 5 children
Memorial: Chatham Naval
Memorial reference: 14
Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross

The epic journey - postscript

The Calmac website advises me that MV Clansman did not depart Ullapool as scheduled this afternoon at 5.35pm due to the weather conditions. Neither will it sail tomorrow, on any of its sailings. Seems I was very lucky in getting on the boat this morning, as it was the last sailing until Friday at the earliest.

The epic journey - part 3

Well, I made it. Forty-three hours late. At 1.45 pm this afternoon, MV Clansman docked at Stornoway, and I stepped ashore in Lewis. Originally, I was to have come back by plane at 6.50pm on Monday 2 February, but it did not quite work out that way. Instead of 12 hours, it took me 55 hours.

This morning, I left the Royal Highland Hotel beside Inverness's railway station and went to the bus station. The station building was dark and deserted, so I could not buy a ticket. The driver had to sell me one. He left 5 minutes early, and we reached Ullapool without any problems whatsoever. Dire warnings were out about snow, but there was only a thin wreath of white on the higher summits, and some slushy stuff by Loch Glascarnoch, the highest point on the A835 between Garve and Ullapool. Reached the latter place at 9.30 am. MV Clansman turned up just after 10, and headed back out to sea 45 minutes later. We had a very rough crossing, and I think a lot of crockery got broken, judging by the sounds from the gallery and the desperate running around from a member of staff. Not everybody enjoyed the trip, there were a few green faces around. The weather is pretty dismal, snow, sleet, rain, and barely +2C. That's 7 degrees down on the previous weekend's performance.

So, the epic journey is finally at an end.