Sailing ship Oosterschelde alongside pier no 1
International flags along South Beach Street
Hebridean Celtic Festival signs by the ferry terminal
Saturday, 17 July 2010
Friday 16 July
Not a very good day weatherwise, feeling cold in the wind and there is occasional light rain. Went into town, which is quite busy. The Hebridean Celtic Festival is now in full swing, and the big blue tent is up. Last night, I could hear some of the music wafting across from the Castle Grounds, a mile away.
Sailing ship Oosterschelde alongside pier no 1
International flags along South Beach Street
Hebridean Celtic Festival signs by the ferry terminal
Sailing ship Oosterschelde alongside pier no 1
International flags along South Beach Street
Hebridean Celtic Festival signs by the ferry terminal
Thursday, 15 July 2010
Thursday 15 July
Pouring with rain today, and a cold northerly wind. The forecast is for the rain to persist for the rest of the afternoon and possibly the evening. The adverse weather is exacerbating the disruption on ferry routes to Lochboisdale and Castlebay (in the south of this island chain). The usual boat, MV Clansman, is out for repairs and its replacements rather smaller. Apparently, people ran out of space, sickbags and everything else, alleging that cattle were treated better than they.
From Holland, a story of trees blown down, steeples lifted off churches and trees blown over railway tracks. After a heatwave, with temperatures into the mid 90s, a thundery breakdown moved over the east of the country, wreaking havoc.
From Holland, a story of trees blown down, steeples lifted off churches and trees blown over railway tracks. After a heatwave, with temperatures into the mid 90s, a thundery breakdown moved over the east of the country, wreaking havoc.
Wednesday, 14 July 2010
Condescension
At the hearings of the Napier Commission in Stornoway, in June 1883, the following discussion developed between the witness, Donald Martin from the village of Back and the Commissioners. It illustrates graphically the attitude towards Gaelic speakers by English speakers - including their own clergymen.
16138. Sheriff Nicolson.
—Are there no Gaelic words for 'compensation' and ' improvements ' ?
—Well, I would endeavour to express it in Gaelic.
16139. Is there not a good Gaelic word for improvement ?
—Yes.
16140. Why did you not put it in Gaelic when you were writing the Gaelic paper? Why did you choose English ?
—Because I was not certain that the Gaelic phraseology would express the same thing.
16141. If you never heard the people speaking, or if you had never spoken yourself about compensation for improvements in Gaelic, what first put it into your head ? Was it English-speaking people ?
—I knew very well what the English phrase meant, but I was not sure that I could express it quite accurately in Gaelic—that my Gaelic expression would be a quite accurate rendering.
16142. I asked that question because Lowlanders and English people will be apt to think that Gaelic people have no idea of improvement, and that they have no word for it. You understand what I mean ?
—I knew myself the meaning of the phraseology quite well.
16143. Is it not a pity that strangers should think that Gaelic people have no idea of improvement and no word for expressing it ? Is it not likely to put it into their head that the ideas of the people were got from outside, and not out of their own heads ?
—Perhaps it is.
[---]
[Rev. Mr Cameron, Free Church, Back.
—I wish to explain that the delegate or witness is in the habit of reading the newspapers for himself, and it is there he saw the words 'compensation' and 'improvement.']
16138. Sheriff Nicolson.
—Are there no Gaelic words for 'compensation' and ' improvements ' ?
—Well, I would endeavour to express it in Gaelic.
16139. Is there not a good Gaelic word for improvement ?
—Yes.
16140. Why did you not put it in Gaelic when you were writing the Gaelic paper? Why did you choose English ?
—Because I was not certain that the Gaelic phraseology would express the same thing.
16141. If you never heard the people speaking, or if you had never spoken yourself about compensation for improvements in Gaelic, what first put it into your head ? Was it English-speaking people ?
—I knew very well what the English phrase meant, but I was not sure that I could express it quite accurately in Gaelic—that my Gaelic expression would be a quite accurate rendering.
16142. I asked that question because Lowlanders and English people will be apt to think that Gaelic people have no idea of improvement, and that they have no word for it. You understand what I mean ?
—I knew myself the meaning of the phraseology quite well.
16143. Is it not a pity that strangers should think that Gaelic people have no idea of improvement and no word for expressing it ? Is it not likely to put it into their head that the ideas of the people were got from outside, and not out of their own heads ?
—Perhaps it is.
[---]
[Rev. Mr Cameron, Free Church, Back.
—I wish to explain that the delegate or witness is in the habit of reading the newspapers for himself, and it is there he saw the words 'compensation' and 'improvement.']
Wednesday 14 July
The French are celebrating their national holiday, Bastille Day today. In French, it is "Quatorze Juillet", which is the day in 1789 that the infamous Bastille prison was stormed in Paris, which sparked off the French Revolution.
Here in Stornoway, a warm wind is blowing today as the ferry comes in on the first of its three calls today. It will bring another load of festival goers. This week will see the Hebridean Celtic Festival, with an (eye-watering) 20,000 revellers expected to pack the streets of Stornoway - which is a town of barely 8,000. On the water, this week sees Sail Hebrides, with an action packed programme on water and ashore. I'm attending a concert by folkrock band Runrig, which has been going since the late 1970s. They last played in Stornoway in 2005, a concert that I went to as well.
Here in Stornoway, a warm wind is blowing today as the ferry comes in on the first of its three calls today. It will bring another load of festival goers. This week will see the Hebridean Celtic Festival, with an (eye-watering) 20,000 revellers expected to pack the streets of Stornoway - which is a town of barely 8,000. On the water, this week sees Sail Hebrides, with an action packed programme on water and ashore. I'm attending a concert by folkrock band Runrig, which has been going since the late 1970s. They last played in Stornoway in 2005, a concert that I went to as well.
Tuesday, 13 July 2010
Tuesday 13 July
A fairly bright day with a lot of high cloud, but also pleasant sunshine. The amount of flies around signifies that high summer is here. The mercury is at 17C / 63F, which is quite pleasant and average for this part of the world. Tomorrow will probably be broadly the same, as a frontal zone passes far to our east.
Spent the morning resolving the query that I reported in my previous query. By the way, anyone for some parsnip cake?
Spent the morning resolving the query that I reported in my previous query. By the way, anyone for some parsnip cake?
Genealogy
Genealogy is a subject that I have brushed against during my researches into the military history of the Isle of Lewis. I recently received a genealogy query that I could resolve with sources that I have at my disposal.
Someone was looking for a Canadian soldier, surname Murray, who had died in the First World War, leaving behind a widow, Christina, and three young children. Christina died not long after the end of the war, and the children were adopted.
The question was: is there a Canadian soldier from WW1, who died in the conflict and was married to a Christina.
I looked up the listings for anyone called Murray on the website for Veteran Affairs Canada, which displayed all that were killed in WW1. I then cross-referenced those against attestation papers, which are displayed on the website for Library & Archives Canada, using the service numbers. And after more than 100 searches, I finally found the man I was looking for:
On the website of Veteran Affairs Canada, James Watson Murray is quoted as being the husband of a Christina Murray. His attestation paper does not mention the name of his wife, but he is marked down as married. James Watson lies buried at Contay; further details on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website.
I summarise the information:
James Watson Murray
Son of Robert Murray, of Aberdeen, Scotland, born on 18th April 1882.
Trade or calling: Decorator
Last address: 15 Markham Place, Toronto (attestation)
Last address: 2903 Lafontaine St., Maisonneuve, Montreal.(CWGC)
Name of spouse: Christina
Signed up to the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force on 5 April 1915 in Toronto.
He was assigned to 3rd Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment) with registration number 172080.
Upon medical examination, on 30 March 1915, James Watson was found to have the following characteristics:
Height 5 ft 4 in (1.62 m)
Chest girth when fully expanded 34 in (85 cm)
Range of expansion 1¼ (3 cm)
Complexion: dark
Eyes: blue
Hair: dark brown
Religious denomination: presbyterian
Has 10 tattoo marks on forearm
A scar on left hip
James Watson lost his life on 9th October 1916 at the age of 34.
This newspaper article reports his death.
He lies buried at Contay British Cemetery, grave IV. A. 9.
This picture shows his gravestone.
Someone was looking for a Canadian soldier, surname Murray, who had died in the First World War, leaving behind a widow, Christina, and three young children. Christina died not long after the end of the war, and the children were adopted.
The question was: is there a Canadian soldier from WW1, who died in the conflict and was married to a Christina.
I looked up the listings for anyone called Murray on the website for Veteran Affairs Canada, which displayed all that were killed in WW1. I then cross-referenced those against attestation papers, which are displayed on the website for Library & Archives Canada, using the service numbers. And after more than 100 searches, I finally found the man I was looking for:
On the website of Veteran Affairs Canada, James Watson Murray is quoted as being the husband of a Christina Murray. His attestation paper does not mention the name of his wife, but he is marked down as married. James Watson lies buried at Contay; further details on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website.
I summarise the information:
James Watson Murray
Son of Robert Murray, of Aberdeen, Scotland, born on 18th April 1882.
Trade or calling: Decorator
Last address: 15 Markham Place, Toronto (attestation)
Last address: 2903 Lafontaine St., Maisonneuve, Montreal.(CWGC)
Name of spouse: Christina
Signed up to the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force on 5 April 1915 in Toronto.
He was assigned to 3rd Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment) with registration number 172080.
Upon medical examination, on 30 March 1915, James Watson was found to have the following characteristics:
Height 5 ft 4 in (1.62 m)
Chest girth when fully expanded 34 in (85 cm)
Range of expansion 1¼ (3 cm)
Complexion: dark
Eyes: blue
Hair: dark brown
Religious denomination: presbyterian
Has 10 tattoo marks on forearm
A scar on left hip
James Watson lost his life on 9th October 1916 at the age of 34.
This newspaper article reports his death.
He lies buried at Contay British Cemetery, grave IV. A. 9.
This picture shows his gravestone.
Monday, 12 July 2010
Cordoba House
That is the name of a mosque, which could be built in the proximity of Ground Zero, the site where the World Trade Center stood in New York until 11 September 2001. It appears to have divided New Yorkers down the middle and has even led to a Facebook page with more than 44,000 followers. An article on the Voice of America news-site gives a balanced view of the issues at play. Cordoba, a city in Spain, was once a centre of Islamic learning. A lot of that culture is still on display in the Spain of the 21st century. I will restate my oft repeated opinion on the issue of Al Qa'eda, Islam and 9/11. Al Qa'eda abuses Islam to justifies its political and terrorist campaign. It uses brainwashing techniques, playing on frustrations and anger amidst disaffected Muslims, to recruit new operatives. It has nothing to do with Islam.
I totally understand the pain, anguish and anger that was brought about by the horrendous events of 9/11, and condemn in the strongest possible terms anyone who seeks to justify mass murder by whichever means. And on whichever pretext. I deplore the confusion of issues, as outlined in the VOA piece, and hope that folk in NYC will see the Cordoba Initiative as a start of reconciliation, to show that Muslim culture is not about violence. And in fact condemns it.
Monday 12 July
A changeable day weatherwise; the intermittent light rain that dogged the morning and afternoon has now given way to a flat calm and bright skies. The sun is setting in about 10 minutes' time, with the cloudscapes and the reflections on the sea making it quite a spectacle. The current temperature of 12C is not warm, but quite acceptable in the calm conditions at the moment. We never made it above 15C today.
Roadworks will be affecting traffic in Stornoway in the coming weeks. The traffic lights on Matheson Road will be out of action, meaning that traffic coming out of Church Street and Goathill Road will have to give way to traffic on Matheson Road itself.
Similarly, the pedestrian crossing on Cromwell Street is to be restored following the upheaval on the adjacent Perceval Square. Trying to cross Cromwell Street without the lights is like taking your life into your own hands. This image dates back to July 2005 and shows a bit of street theatre in progress.
I'll make a separate posting of today's pictures tomorrow.
Roadworks will be affecting traffic in Stornoway in the coming weeks. The traffic lights on Matheson Road will be out of action, meaning that traffic coming out of Church Street and Goathill Road will have to give way to traffic on Matheson Road itself.
Similarly, the pedestrian crossing on Cromwell Street is to be restored following the upheaval on the adjacent Perceval Square. Trying to cross Cromwell Street without the lights is like taking your life into your own hands. This image dates back to July 2005 and shows a bit of street theatre in progress.
I'll make a separate posting of today's pictures tomorrow.
Sunday, 11 July 2010
Sunday evening
Well, that's the Football World Cup gone to Spain, who beat Holland 1-0 in the last twenty minutes. Disappointing game, in which about 8 yellow cards were doled out and one player sent off after a second yellow. The game was pretty physical, as demonstrated by the number of bookings. I did not really enjoy it, and am naturally a bit sad that Holland did not get it - again. However, in all fairness, the Spaniards played better and got that all deciding goal after 116 minutes of play.
In the early hours of Saturday, the discharge from a sawn-off shotgun ended the troubled life of Northumberland man Raoul Moat. This 37-year old had previously shot his former girlfriend, killed her new partner and shot a police constable in his patrol car. Moat then went into hiding near the village of Rothbury, 30 miles north of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He issued threats against the police, the media and the general public. Moat had serious psychological problems, and the police appeared to have been aware of that, judging by the way they addressed him through the media, and through letters. On Friday evening, he was spotted on the bank of a river at Rothbury, and quickly surrounded. After a six-hour stand-off, with police within 20 feet of him, Moat received two shots from a Taser-gun. He then shot himself in the head.
Leaving the over-exposure in the media to one side (which did not help the situation), the family are claiming that the police declined offers of help from them. It's always easy to see the (perceived) right path with the benefit of hindsight. But questions are being asked from more impartial quarters as well with regards to the handling by police.
In the early hours of Saturday, the discharge from a sawn-off shotgun ended the troubled life of Northumberland man Raoul Moat. This 37-year old had previously shot his former girlfriend, killed her new partner and shot a police constable in his patrol car. Moat then went into hiding near the village of Rothbury, 30 miles north of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He issued threats against the police, the media and the general public. Moat had serious psychological problems, and the police appeared to have been aware of that, judging by the way they addressed him through the media, and through letters. On Friday evening, he was spotted on the bank of a river at Rothbury, and quickly surrounded. After a six-hour stand-off, with police within 20 feet of him, Moat received two shots from a Taser-gun. He then shot himself in the head.
Leaving the over-exposure in the media to one side (which did not help the situation), the family are claiming that the police declined offers of help from them. It's always easy to see the (perceived) right path with the benefit of hindsight. But questions are being asked from more impartial quarters as well with regards to the handling by police.
Sunday 11 July
A cold and wet start to the day, but the weather appears to be brightening up at the moment. What a luxury, to complain about cold weather, when elsewhere the birds drop down dead from the roofs due to excessive heat.
Four days ago, it was 15 years ago since Srebrenica was overrun by Bosnian Serb forces, in spite of the fact that it was a UN protected enclave in Bosnian Serb territory. The Dutch UN battalion was unable to halt the Bosnian Serb advance. Once they had established supremacy, the Serbs gathered up the male population of Srebrenica and took them into nearby woodlands. Some 8,000 were murdered; 6,000 have to date been buried at a cemetery in nearby Potocari. An interesting article on Dutch news site NOS.nl states that reconciliation appears to be in progress, with both sides recognising that continuing anger over events in the 1990s serves no constructive purpose. The military commandant of the Bosnian Serbs, Ratko Mladic remains at large; their former president, Radovan Karadzic, is facing the War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague on multiple counts of genocide.
Four days ago, it was 15 years ago since Srebrenica was overrun by Bosnian Serb forces, in spite of the fact that it was a UN protected enclave in Bosnian Serb territory. The Dutch UN battalion was unable to halt the Bosnian Serb advance. Once they had established supremacy, the Serbs gathered up the male population of Srebrenica and took them into nearby woodlands. Some 8,000 were murdered; 6,000 have to date been buried at a cemetery in nearby Potocari. An interesting article on Dutch news site NOS.nl states that reconciliation appears to be in progress, with both sides recognising that continuing anger over events in the 1990s serves no constructive purpose. The military commandant of the Bosnian Serbs, Ratko Mladic remains at large; their former president, Radovan Karadzic, is facing the War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague on multiple counts of genocide.
Saturday, 10 July 2010
Saturday 10 July
Today started sunny but ended cloudy. The rainfall radar shows an area of rain moving north across the country, with heavy falls over mainland Scotland. We'll get some rain during the night, I expect. Winds are forecast to increase during Sunday.
Not much else to report on, due to a spot of headache during the day. Worst of it is gone, thanks.
Not much else to report on, due to a spot of headache during the day. Worst of it is gone, thanks.
Friday, 9 July 2010
From the Napier Commission, 1883
Bosta Beach, 2006
In June 1883, the Napier Commission into the condition of the crofters and cottars in the Highlands and Islands visited the village of Breasclete, a mile from the famous Callanish Stones. They were hearing from a villager from Great Bernera, just across the water from Breasclete. The people of Bernera found themselves prevented from properly entering their cemetery, just off the beach at Bosta. I relay that part of the discussion. Today, in 2010, there are TWO gates into Bosta Cemetery.
14849. Lord Napier, Commission Chairman: With regard to the dyke which prevents you getting into the burial ground, why was there not a gate left in it through which you could carry the bodies ?
—Murdo Macdonald, Tobson, Gt Bernera: When the dyke was being made I was working at it, and we made a gate for the purpose of access to the churchyard, and it was shut up and filled with stones, and notice was sent to us by the farmer of Linshader that we must fill it up.
14850. Did you make any remonstrance to the authorities at Stornoway ?
—I don't think so.
14851. Are you aware that it is not lawful by the law of Scotland to shut up a road to a burial ground?
—I did think so.
14852. Then why did you not apply to the authorities ?
—Because the local government was stronger than we.
14853. In consequence of the shutting up of the wall, are you, in point of fact, to this day, obliged to lift the bier over the wall when you come to it ?
—Yes, we are obliged at this time to lift the coffin up on to the wall, and men to stand there, with others on the other side.
14854. Do you know whether the proprietor or those in authority were aware of that fact ?
—I don't know.
Friday evening
The morning's and afternoon's rains have moved away, and we're now enjoying some pleasant evening sunshine. The ferry is just coming into port, half an hour late, on the second of its three Friday calls - only in July and August by the way.
I posted on Facebook and Twitter the news that the Food Standards Agency has now lifted restrictions on the last Scottish sheepfarm following the Chernobyl disaster of April 1986. After 24 years, it's unbelievable. No details on the location of the farm are given in the article.
And they want to build windfarms in the Minch, the stretch of water between Lewis and mainland Scotland. Yep, it's an eyesore. People are protesting - but some of those are in favour of a landbased windfarm of similar turbine size.
I was watching the Coastguard helicopter taking off this morning and head inland. They were tasked to search for a walker, who had gone missing near Loch Langabhat yesterday. The 46-year old man was located cold and wet, but otherwise unhurt, between Loch Morsgail and Loch Reasort, a few miles west of Loch Langabhat.
Loch Langabhat from near Scaliscro
Loch Morsgail
Loch Resort
I posted on Facebook and Twitter the news that the Food Standards Agency has now lifted restrictions on the last Scottish sheepfarm following the Chernobyl disaster of April 1986. After 24 years, it's unbelievable. No details on the location of the farm are given in the article.
And they want to build windfarms in the Minch, the stretch of water between Lewis and mainland Scotland. Yep, it's an eyesore. People are protesting - but some of those are in favour of a landbased windfarm of similar turbine size.
I was watching the Coastguard helicopter taking off this morning and head inland. They were tasked to search for a walker, who had gone missing near Loch Langabhat yesterday. The 46-year old man was located cold and wet, but otherwise unhurt, between Loch Morsgail and Loch Reasort, a few miles west of Loch Langabhat.
Loch Langabhat from near Scaliscro
Loch Morsgail
Loch Resort
Friday 9 July
Pouring with rain as I type this, and it's going to continue pouring down until evening. The rainfall radar looks decidedly ominous. More later.
Thursday, 8 July 2010
Thursday 8 July
The gale has died down, but we're left with a stiff breeze of nearly 25 mph. Heavy showers continue to punctuate the morning. The swell from yesterday's high winds has prevented the cruiseliner Marco Polo from putting its passengers ashore. That is usually done using tenders, which cannot manage in choppy conditions. Three years ago, two hundred cruisepassengers were left stranded ashore after being put ashore just as a gale was blowing up.
Yesterday, the Germans lost their semi-final match in the football world cup against Spain, 1-0. The Dutch, always ready to rib the Germans, immediately swamped Twitter and made Schade, Deutschland, alles ist vorbei (What a shame, Germany, it's all over) a trending topic. The Germans did not really like this exercise in "schadenfreude" and seethed at the Käseköpfe. The Germans refer to the Dutch as cheeseheads. Anyway, whoever wins the World Cup on Sunday will do so for the first time.
Yesterday, the Germans lost their semi-final match in the football world cup against Spain, 1-0. The Dutch, always ready to rib the Germans, immediately swamped Twitter and made Schade, Deutschland, alles ist vorbei (What a shame, Germany, it's all over) a trending topic. The Germans did not really like this exercise in "schadenfreude" and seethed at the Käseköpfe. The Germans refer to the Dutch as cheeseheads. Anyway, whoever wins the World Cup on Sunday will do so for the first time.
Wednesday, 7 July 2010
Wednesday 7 July
Awake to a very windy morning, with winds blowing at nearly 40 mph (galeforce), with gusts up to 65 mph near the Butt of Lewis. The ferry is sailing, but I imagine it will be a vomit comet as it does its customary three crossings. Today, the analogue signal for BBC2 TV has been switched off at the Eitsal transmitter near Achmore. Digital TV's need retuning today, and again on July 21st when the other analogue signals will be switched off.
Today is also the fifth anniversary of the attacks on the London Underground and Transport systems. Between 8 and 10 am on 7 July 2005, four suicide bombers struck underground stations in London and one bus at Tavistock Square, near Euston. Fifty-two innocent civilians died. An effort has been made to improve the integration of the Muslim community in Great Britain, but radicalisation appears to be rearing its ugly head again, the BBC reported this morning.
I'll go so far as to disapprove thoroughly of tarring all Muslims as terrorists on account of both 7/7 and 9/11. The perpetrators, in my mind, abused their religion to commit mass murder - if any justification were possible, political motives could be quoted. The Koran, which I have not studied, apparently disapproves of murder, and takes into account other religions, telling Muslims to treat both Jews and Christians with respect.
Today is also the fifth anniversary of the attacks on the London Underground and Transport systems. Between 8 and 10 am on 7 July 2005, four suicide bombers struck underground stations in London and one bus at Tavistock Square, near Euston. Fifty-two innocent civilians died. An effort has been made to improve the integration of the Muslim community in Great Britain, but radicalisation appears to be rearing its ugly head again, the BBC reported this morning.
I'll go so far as to disapprove thoroughly of tarring all Muslims as terrorists on account of both 7/7 and 9/11. The perpetrators, in my mind, abused their religion to commit mass murder - if any justification were possible, political motives could be quoted. The Koran, which I have not studied, apparently disapproves of murder, and takes into account other religions, telling Muslims to treat both Jews and Christians with respect.
Tuesday 6 July
Uninspiring grey and wet day, so much so that I resorted to taking pictures of fruit and flowers. If only to have something colourful. As the day wears on, the weather brightens up, but the wind starts to pick up through the evening. The Football World Cup is now into the semi-finals, with Holland beating Uruguay 3-2. For the first time since 1978, the Dutch are in the finals. Their opponents, Germany or Spain, will meet them on Sunday. The other semi-final takes place on Wednesday.
Monday, 5 July 2010
Hurricane update - 5 July
Not even a fully fledged tropical cyclone, but a tropical disturbance is moving ashore in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana this evening. Heavy rain and strong winds can be expected in that area. Windspeeds will be below galeforce, although there is a good chance (60%) that this system briefly becomes a tropical storm immediately before coming ashore. The NHC has updates.
Monday 5 July
Weather more autumnal than summerlike, with intermittent showers and still fairly windy. In the course of the evening tomorrow, we can expect another gale. Yippee. Let's hope that's the end of them for a while, although I do recall a severe gale around this time in July five years ago - see pic below..
This picture was taken near Holm Point, 2½ miles south of Stornoway
Had a restful day after quite a varied weekend. Here in Stornoway, a flat burned out on Church Street in the early hours of Sunday. Two dogs were killed in the blaze, but no people were hurt. Adjacent properties suffered smoke damage; the flat itself was destroyed.
This picture was taken near Holm Point, 2½ miles south of Stornoway
Had a restful day after quite a varied weekend. Here in Stornoway, a flat burned out on Church Street in the early hours of Sunday. Two dogs were killed in the blaze, but no people were hurt. Adjacent properties suffered smoke damage; the flat itself was destroyed.
Sunday, 4 July 2010
Sunday 4 July
Happy 4th July to all in the United States. It is now 234 years since the Declaration of Independence, so a big bash will be on the cards for 2026. Please be careful with barbeques and fireworks.
Here in the Western Isles, this morning's rain has moved away to be replaced by high winds. At the moment, it is blowing force 6 to 7, with gales approaching from the southwest. Many ferry services are disrupted up and down the west coast of Scotland - our ferry appears to be on schedule to depart at 2.30pm.
This picture shows the rescue that took place in Stornoway in the morning of 2 July, when a fishing trawler lost power and was nearly blown into the ferry linkspan. The RNLI lifeboat came to its aid.
Here in the Western Isles, this morning's rain has moved away to be replaced by high winds. At the moment, it is blowing force 6 to 7, with gales approaching from the southwest. Many ferry services are disrupted up and down the west coast of Scotland - our ferry appears to be on schedule to depart at 2.30pm.
This picture shows the rescue that took place in Stornoway in the morning of 2 July, when a fishing trawler lost power and was nearly blown into the ferry linkspan. The RNLI lifeboat came to its aid.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)