Quite a nice day, but not very warm. The sun set an hour ago, with some clouds over the horizon. It's been a calm and quiet day, as I process the results from my researches in the island croft histories. Tomorrow, I shall look at these books again, this time at the request of another researcher. I may also have to go out of town to check records that have not been published by an island genealogist, Bill Lawson. It is these books that I am currently using for reference, but the range, covering all of Lewis, is by no means complete.
Did I mention that fuel prices here in Stornoway are close to £1.50 a litre? That, for my American readers, equates to $9 per gallon. The fact that remote communities will not get a so-called fuel-derogation has led to an angry outburst by local MPs against the Treasury. Funnily enough, the UK government is going to introduce a minimum price for alcohol, a measure opposed by members of the Scottish Parliament in 2010. Oh well, just as well I don't drink much (alcohol), and that I don't own a car.
Tuesday, 18 January 2011
Monday, 17 January 2011
Without the Internet
Without the internet? I would not be able to do what I have been able to do over the past decade, and especially over the last 7 years or so. But who am I in the grand scheme of things. No, I am writing this post with several events in mind.
Without the Internet, Julian Assange would never have been able to globally publicise the documents that were leaked to his organisation from the American government. That in itself has only led to embarrassment to the US authorities, not just because of the leak, but also over the persecution of Mr Assange. Worse is yet to come. Today, it was revealed that a former Swiss banker has leaked data on 2,000 secret Swiss bank accounts to Wikileaks. These could implicate dozens of people in high office; any pertaining to UK residents could lead to investigation by the Serious Fraud Squad and prosecution. Without the Internet, this would never have happened.
Without the Internet, the people of Tunisia would never have been empowered to rise up against their autocratic leader, forcing him to flee the country. Without the Internet, the demonstrations in Iran against alleged fraud in the reelection of its president last year, would never have made it onto the world stage. They would have been brutally suppressed, and hardly a beep leaked to the outside world. And, on the subject of Iran, without the Internet, the Stuxnet worm would not have been conceived, or been able to disrupt the workings of Iranian uranium enrichment plants.
Without the Internet, seemingly impenetrable bastions of power are now vulnerable. Swiss banks, thought to be the safest in the world, are now shown to be as strong as their weakest links: the much feared disgruntled employee. And he can be prosecuted, fined, jailed, even put to death. But the information is out there; and even disrupting the website does not help, as the establishment of dozens if not hundreds of mirror-websites will render that defence futile.
The Internet has come of age, and the second decade of the twenty-first century is opening to a whole new, brave world, which operates to new rules. The old ones are becoming defunct.
This video shows the opening credits to the 1995 BBC series "People's Century". Which person, alive in 1900, would ever have been able to envisage what the world would be like 111 years later? And who, alive today, will be able to imagine the world in 2122? We won't be there to see it.
Without the Internet, Julian Assange would never have been able to globally publicise the documents that were leaked to his organisation from the American government. That in itself has only led to embarrassment to the US authorities, not just because of the leak, but also over the persecution of Mr Assange. Worse is yet to come. Today, it was revealed that a former Swiss banker has leaked data on 2,000 secret Swiss bank accounts to Wikileaks. These could implicate dozens of people in high office; any pertaining to UK residents could lead to investigation by the Serious Fraud Squad and prosecution. Without the Internet, this would never have happened.
Without the Internet, the people of Tunisia would never have been empowered to rise up against their autocratic leader, forcing him to flee the country. Without the Internet, the demonstrations in Iran against alleged fraud in the reelection of its president last year, would never have made it onto the world stage. They would have been brutally suppressed, and hardly a beep leaked to the outside world. And, on the subject of Iran, without the Internet, the Stuxnet worm would not have been conceived, or been able to disrupt the workings of Iranian uranium enrichment plants.
Without the Internet, seemingly impenetrable bastions of power are now vulnerable. Swiss banks, thought to be the safest in the world, are now shown to be as strong as their weakest links: the much feared disgruntled employee. And he can be prosecuted, fined, jailed, even put to death. But the information is out there; and even disrupting the website does not help, as the establishment of dozens if not hundreds of mirror-websites will render that defence futile.
The Internet has come of age, and the second decade of the twenty-first century is opening to a whole new, brave world, which operates to new rules. The old ones are becoming defunct.
This video shows the opening credits to the 1995 BBC series "People's Century". Which person, alive in 1900, would ever have been able to envisage what the world would be like 111 years later? And who, alive today, will be able to imagine the world in 2122? We won't be there to see it.
Monday 16 January
The flurry of tropical cyclone activity in the southern oceans has come to an end - for now. TC Zelia has turned into a storm depression which will lash New Zealand over the next day or so. Nothing else appears to be forming, but the southern hemisphere season is yet young - equivalent to July in the northern season.
Here in the far north of Scotland, it has turned perceptibly colder. After 10 degrees over the weekend, the 5C this afternoon felt quite cold. The hat and gloves came in handy as I made my way into town for a stint in the library. I went through the croft histories for several townships in order to glean more information on some of the WW1 casualties, for whom I only have scant information. I have already made amendments to more than half a dozen names, and more are to follow as I continue to process the information.
Here in the far north of Scotland, it has turned perceptibly colder. After 10 degrees over the weekend, the 5C this afternoon felt quite cold. The hat and gloves came in handy as I made my way into town for a stint in the library. I went through the croft histories for several townships in order to glean more information on some of the WW1 casualties, for whom I only have scant information. I have already made amendments to more than half a dozen names, and more are to follow as I continue to process the information.
Sunday, 16 January 2011
Sunday 16 January
Quite a nice day, but breezy and feeling cold in the wind. There were a few showers out and about earlier, but it has turned dry through the afternoon.
The weather remains the main topic, as I continue to monitor the one tropical cyclone currently left in the southern hemisphere: Zelia is racing southeast across the Pacific at a breathtaking 24 knots (nearly 30 mph), with winds near its centre of 105 mph. The storm will cease to be a TC within about 48 hours, before it reaches New Zealand. As I type, Zelia is west of New Caledonia, which will experience strong winds and heavy rains in the north.
I intend to gather some more information on some of the WW1 casualties from Lewis, by taking a look at the croft histories for parts of the islands. These show the people that lived on each croft since it was established as such - usually in the late 18th century. There are about 80-90 names that I have too little information on, and I hope to get some clarity for about half of that number.
The weather remains the main topic, as I continue to monitor the one tropical cyclone currently left in the southern hemisphere: Zelia is racing southeast across the Pacific at a breathtaking 24 knots (nearly 30 mph), with winds near its centre of 105 mph. The storm will cease to be a TC within about 48 hours, before it reaches New Zealand. As I type, Zelia is west of New Caledonia, which will experience strong winds and heavy rains in the north.
I intend to gather some more information on some of the WW1 casualties from Lewis, by taking a look at the croft histories for parts of the islands. These show the people that lived on each croft since it was established as such - usually in the late 18th century. There are about 80-90 names that I have too little information on, and I hope to get some clarity for about half of that number.
Saturday, 15 January 2011
Saturday 15 January
I am typing this blogpost whilst trying not to be annoyed over the murder being committed on a Chopin piano concerto on Classic FM. The interpretation is laboured, heavy and the pianist sounds as if he has his nose pressed against the score, wondering how he is going to reach the end of that lot of peasoup that Frederic jotted down a century and a half ago. Classic FM tells me that it comes from an album entitled "Bullets and Lullabys", compiled by James Rhodes. Well, how apt.
Saturday started decidedly wild, and it's been a while since we had a gale. The ferry crew wasn't sure they were going to do all the runs today first thing, but I saw the Isle of Lewis heading out at half past two, and no further indication on the Calmac website that there was going to be further disruption. After today's high, 10C, the highest for nearly two months, we are likely to see slightly colder weather with night frosts into the new week.
Here in Scotland, we are due elections to the Scottish Parliament, and the pary-political skermishing is already starting up as the main parties are selecting their candidates. Please don't ask me to explain the system of proportional representation they have in place in Scotland. In practice, you have constituency MSPs and regional MSPs. Yes, I know, it's easier to explain that the universe is based on the square root of minus one. For the next four months we're going to be subjected to all sorts of rubbish, not just from the candidates but also from everybody else who is a party faithful and thinks they know it all.
Saturday started decidedly wild, and it's been a while since we had a gale. The ferry crew wasn't sure they were going to do all the runs today first thing, but I saw the Isle of Lewis heading out at half past two, and no further indication on the Calmac website that there was going to be further disruption. After today's high, 10C, the highest for nearly two months, we are likely to see slightly colder weather with night frosts into the new week.
Here in Scotland, we are due elections to the Scottish Parliament, and the pary-political skermishing is already starting up as the main parties are selecting their candidates. Please don't ask me to explain the system of proportional representation they have in place in Scotland. In practice, you have constituency MSPs and regional MSPs. Yes, I know, it's easier to explain that the universe is based on the square root of minus one. For the next four months we're going to be subjected to all sorts of rubbish, not just from the candidates but also from everybody else who is a party faithful and thinks they know it all.
Friday, 14 January 2011
Friday 14 January
I am slowly getting rid of another bout of cold, which crept up on me through the week. Just as well I had this new box of hankies in, they've been going at a rate of knots. Nonetheless, I have not really got any reasons for complaint, if I see what nature is throwing at Queensland and Brazil.
Here in the Western Isles, it is a day of brightness and showers (I have not seen the sun as such today), and we are on warning for a gale tonight. The overnight freight ferry, MV Muirneag, has been cancelled.
There is a bit of a wrangle going on regarding the closure of local schools. Eleven had been earmarked for closure, but the junior secondary schools in Lionel (Ness) and Shawbost have been reprieved by the Scottish Government, as have the primary schools in Carloway and Seilebost (Harris). The council is displeased, because this puts a spanner in their works of revamping education in the isles. Local parents are pleased though, as it means that children can be taught closer to home.
Again on the subject of natural disasters, there are two tropical cyclones around that people should be wary of. TC Vania is currently traversing New Caledonia, an island some 1,000 miles east of Cairns, Australia. The storm carries winds of about force 10 on the Beaufort scale. More worrying is TC Zelda, which has blown up off the eastern tip of Papua New Guinea. This system will reach hurricane force within 24 hours as it marches southeast across the Pacific. New Caledonia could (again) get a swipe from it, and New Zealand will probably see the storm when it has ceased being a cyclone - but still a nasty storm depression.
Here in the Western Isles, it is a day of brightness and showers (I have not seen the sun as such today), and we are on warning for a gale tonight. The overnight freight ferry, MV Muirneag, has been cancelled.
There is a bit of a wrangle going on regarding the closure of local schools. Eleven had been earmarked for closure, but the junior secondary schools in Lionel (Ness) and Shawbost have been reprieved by the Scottish Government, as have the primary schools in Carloway and Seilebost (Harris). The council is displeased, because this puts a spanner in their works of revamping education in the isles. Local parents are pleased though, as it means that children can be taught closer to home.
Again on the subject of natural disasters, there are two tropical cyclones around that people should be wary of. TC Vania is currently traversing New Caledonia, an island some 1,000 miles east of Cairns, Australia. The storm carries winds of about force 10 on the Beaufort scale. More worrying is TC Zelda, which has blown up off the eastern tip of Papua New Guinea. This system will reach hurricane force within 24 hours as it marches southeast across the Pacific. New Caledonia could (again) get a swipe from it, and New Zealand will probably see the storm when it has ceased being a cyclone - but still a nasty storm depression.
Thursday, 13 January 2011
Thursday 13 January
Darkness has fallen on an indifferent day, very grey and lightless. Although the days are lengthening, it is still very much mid-winter.
I am not very pleased with my on-line travelagents, whom I contacted to submit a claim for compensation after my delayed journey to Holland last month. They got back to me today, telling me to send my claim to the wrong airline. Wonderful. I can see an insurance claim coming up.
Floods seems to be the order of the day. The flood at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, has peaked at nearly 3 feet below the predicted level. The devastation remains huge, and I anticipate the loss of life to rise further. Two or three tropical cyclones surround Australia, although none will affect the landmass of that continent directly.
I am not very pleased with my on-line travelagents, whom I contacted to submit a claim for compensation after my delayed journey to Holland last month. They got back to me today, telling me to send my claim to the wrong airline. Wonderful. I can see an insurance claim coming up.
Floods seems to be the order of the day. The flood at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, has peaked at nearly 3 feet below the predicted level. The devastation remains huge, and I anticipate the loss of life to rise further. Two or three tropical cyclones surround Australia, although none will affect the landmass of that continent directly.
Wednesday, 12 January 2011
Wednesday 12 January
A much milder day in Lewis today, and not too bad in terms of weather. The ice has nearly all gone now, and for the first time since November 26th, I am seeing green grass again. That is seven weeks... I'm nonetheless not complaining about weather, certainly not after seeing the devastation wrought in Queensland. An area of about 300,000 sq miles is inundated there, after rainfalls of 11 inches within 24 hours in places. The death toll continues to rise slowly, but once this is all over, it will be much, much higher than the dozen or so currently on the list. This video shows the incredible power of the water as it rises in a flash flood, emptying a car park of cars and not in the conventional manner.
Meanwhile, two tropical cyclones are around Australia as well. Vince is headed for the west coast of Australia, but is not expected to affect mainland WA. Vania is expected to pass near or over New Caledonia by Friday. My tropical cyclones blog is taking its usual high number of readings, with nearly 700 today. The one-day record of 2,300, taken when cyclone Gamede threatened Mauritius in 2007, is yet to be bettered.
Meanwhile, two tropical cyclones are around Australia as well. Vince is headed for the west coast of Australia, but is not expected to affect mainland WA. Vania is expected to pass near or over New Caledonia by Friday. My tropical cyclones blog is taking its usual high number of readings, with nearly 700 today. The one-day record of 2,300, taken when cyclone Gamede threatened Mauritius in 2007, is yet to be bettered.
Tuesday, 11 January 2011
Hurricane update - 11 January
Australia's year of disasters
The floods in the Australian state of Queensland are getting worse and worse. It all started before Christmas with a tropical storm near Cairns, which was followed by a protracted period of rain. This led to extensive and deep flooding, with the situation around the town of Rockhampton, 700 miles further south, being particularly dire. This now appears to have been eclipsed by flooding around the state capital, Brisbane, where 6 inches of rain fell within 75 minutes last night. Walls of water, up to 20 feet (6 m) deep have come crashing down the river valley, sweeping away everything in its path. A dozen people have died in the floods, although the casualty toll may not be known accurately until the floods subside. Queensland's state government publishes emergency updates on this link.
Elsewhere in Australia:
Over the next few days, the state of Western Australia will have to look over its shoulder, as a tropical cyclone appears to be forming 900 km to the north of Exmouth. Once it has formed, it will double back on its present westerly course and could pose a threat to the Pilbara or Kimberley coasts.
A similar hazard exists some 700 miles east of Queensland, where a tropical cyclone could form in the island state of Vanuatu. Four provinces of Vanuatu are on Yellow or Blue Alert at present.
Elsewhere in Australia:
Over the next few days, the state of Western Australia will have to look over its shoulder, as a tropical cyclone appears to be forming 900 km to the north of Exmouth. Once it has formed, it will double back on its present westerly course and could pose a threat to the Pilbara or Kimberley coasts.
A similar hazard exists some 700 miles east of Queensland, where a tropical cyclone could form in the island state of Vanuatu. Four provinces of Vanuatu are on Yellow or Blue Alert at present.
Tuesday 11 January
A bright and sunny day, although the sun has now disappeared behind a veil of high cloud that is moving in from the west. Rain and sleet are on the menu tonight, and a gradual thaw is forecast for tomorrow. Today's max was +5C just after midnight; five hours later, the mercury had dipped to -3C. We're just above freezing, but that has not done much for the perilous state of the pavements. Yesterday morning, the presenter on local radio station Isles FM broke her arm whilst walking along the road to the station. I copy the story from the station's website:
Isles FM presenter Kathleen MacIver was a casualty of the winter ice yesterday morning - but she didn't let it stop her presenting live radio for two and a half hours. Kathleen slipped and fell on icy pavements on Newton Street at 5.30am, breaking a bone in her elbow and bruising her leg badly. After crawling to a kerb and getting back on her feet, she limped in to the radio station and was on air at 7.30am. "I did the show with one arm and between gritted teeth," said Kathleen, who did not tell listeners of the pain she was in. Fellow presenter Lionel Sewell took over soon after 9am and Kathleen went to Western Isles Hospital, where a broken elbow was diagnosed. Managing director David Morrison said: "That she still went in to do the breakfast show with a broken arm says a great deal about Kathleen. Not many people would have done that." She's now on bedrest and forbidden to work until she has recovered completely!
Isles FM presenter Kathleen MacIver was a casualty of the winter ice yesterday morning - but she didn't let it stop her presenting live radio for two and a half hours. Kathleen slipped and fell on icy pavements on Newton Street at 5.30am, breaking a bone in her elbow and bruising her leg badly. After crawling to a kerb and getting back on her feet, she limped in to the radio station and was on air at 7.30am. "I did the show with one arm and between gritted teeth," said Kathleen, who did not tell listeners of the pain she was in. Fellow presenter Lionel Sewell took over soon after 9am and Kathleen went to Western Isles Hospital, where a broken elbow was diagnosed. Managing director David Morrison said: "That she still went in to do the breakfast show with a broken arm says a great deal about Kathleen. Not many people would have done that." She's now on bedrest and forbidden to work until she has recovered completely!
Six years ago today
11 January 2005 is one of those days that everybody who was in the Outer Hebrides at the time will not forget. A deep Atlantic depression moved past our islands, bringing with it winds of force 12 on the Beaufort scale, with gusts in excess of 130 mph. At the time, I was staying in Kershader, 12 miles south of Stornoway as the crow flies - more like 22 miles by road. At 6.22pm, the power went off, not to go back on again for 48 hours. The wind was already howling around the building. Blue flashing lights penetrated the darkness from across Loch Erisort - police cars were stopping traffic on the Stornoway to Tarbert road after a lorry driver reported a sheep flying past his windscreen. The driver of the South Lochs bus that night was mightily relieved to make it home in one piece, he told me later. Trees were downed, roofs taken off, vehicles crushed under trees - and hundreds of them toppled in the Castle Grounds in Stornoway. High tides lapped at the doors of people on Cromwell Street and Bayhead in the town. Boats were torn off their moorings and smashed into the ferry terminal. Slates became like missiles, and pedestrians blown off their feet. Some who sought refuge were denied entry; others were taken inside.
The next morning dawned breezy and bright. Everybody heaved a sigh of relief. That was a bad one, but it's only damage. By 9.20 am however, reports start to emerge from the Southern Isles. Five people are missing in South Uist, after they fled their home the previous evening at around 7pm. Rising tides had started to approach their home, and pebbles were hurled against walls and windows. They enter two cars and drive from their home at Eochdar towards the causeway, linking South Uist and Benbecula. A fatal decision. That road parallels the stretch of sea that separates the two islands. The southeasterly storm, combined with a springtide from the northwest pushed the waters of Loch Bi up; but on account of the floodtide they could not drain into the sea. The loch flooded a small causeway, sweeping the cars into the water. By morning, the five missing people are found dead. They include a mother and father with two young children and a grandfather.
This is a repost from an entry I made on 11 January 2010.
The next morning dawned breezy and bright. Everybody heaved a sigh of relief. That was a bad one, but it's only damage. By 9.20 am however, reports start to emerge from the Southern Isles. Five people are missing in South Uist, after they fled their home the previous evening at around 7pm. Rising tides had started to approach their home, and pebbles were hurled against walls and windows. They enter two cars and drive from their home at Eochdar towards the causeway, linking South Uist and Benbecula. A fatal decision. That road parallels the stretch of sea that separates the two islands. The southeasterly storm, combined with a springtide from the northwest pushed the waters of Loch Bi up; but on account of the floodtide they could not drain into the sea. The loch flooded a small causeway, sweeping the cars into the water. By morning, the five missing people are found dead. They include a mother and father with two young children and a grandfather.
This is a repost from an entry I made on 11 January 2010.
Monday, 10 January 2011
Monday 10 January
An overcast and chilly day, although the mercury is slowly creeping up. The pavements in this town are in a hazardous state, but as the thaw progresses, this should steadily improve. Whether the weather contributed to an accident involving a school bus at Galson is not known. Nobody was injured when the vehicle went into the ditch on its way to town.
I am very pleased to hear that the harsh rhetoric in American politics is finally being called to account. Since Barack Obama came into office, two years ago this month, I have been quite frankly disturbed by the highly charged tone of political debate in the States in that time. It is a good thing that there is an open debate, and that politicians are criticised, where criticism is due. But people like Glenn Beck and the Teaparty Movement should really examine their consciences as to whether the tone of their criticism could have contributed to pushing the murderer of the six at Tucson over the edge. Jared Loughner is accountable for his own actions - if his mental state is deemed to be such that he can stand trial. I hope we will see some change in tone from here on.
I am very pleased to hear that the harsh rhetoric in American politics is finally being called to account. Since Barack Obama came into office, two years ago this month, I have been quite frankly disturbed by the highly charged tone of political debate in the States in that time. It is a good thing that there is an open debate, and that politicians are criticised, where criticism is due. But people like Glenn Beck and the Teaparty Movement should really examine their consciences as to whether the tone of their criticism could have contributed to pushing the murderer of the six at Tucson over the edge. Jared Loughner is accountable for his own actions - if his mental state is deemed to be such that he can stand trial. I hope we will see some change in tone from here on.
Sunday, 9 January 2011
Sunday 9 January
Kept a quiet day today, with lots of television (not all good). The weather was reasonable, with good spells of sunshine but low temperatures. Some freezing rain this evening, but it would seem that the mercury will rise during the week. At least we'll be rid of the ice-locked pavements. I've "enjoyed" that since late November, and the fun is wearing thin.
I was horrified to hear of the shooting of US congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot in Tucson, Arizona, yesterday. The death of six bystanders was even more shocking. Whatever the reasons for the gunman, I am pleased he was captured alive to face justice. I am aware of a strident debate within the state of Arizona, which borders Mexico, on the subject of immigration. Whether that had any bearing on this incident is not known; some people appear to think the polarisation of that debate may have contributed to it. I can obviously not comment.
I was horrified to hear of the shooting of US congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot in Tucson, Arizona, yesterday. The death of six bystanders was even more shocking. Whatever the reasons for the gunman, I am pleased he was captured alive to face justice. I am aware of a strident debate within the state of Arizona, which borders Mexico, on the subject of immigration. Whether that had any bearing on this incident is not known; some people appear to think the polarisation of that debate may have contributed to it. I can obviously not comment.
Saturday, 8 January 2011
Saturday 8 January
A nice sunny day, after yesterday's heavy snowfall. We are due more heavy snow showers tomorrow. Perversely, I am told by my family in Holland that the mercury there has leapt up to 11C / 52F. Not so here; the thermometer at the airport has not risen above freezing all day, and is currently plunging down: -4C a quarter of an hour ago. The snow on the pavement turned to ice overnight, making the walk into town a slip-sliding affair. Pavements are not cleared of snow or ice. The wintry conditions have also caused travel disruption in the air.
The American government has demanded that the Twitter.com website hand over all details of supporters of Wikileaks. This has been endorsed by a court order, which has prompted Twitter to describe the action as harassment. I am of the opinion that this court action is not so much upholding the law of the land as upholding the illusion that the emperor wears clothes, if you catch my meaning. Whilst releasing classified documents is an offence, it seems that thus far, the only casualties of the whole operation has been one diplomat's career and the good standing (what good standing) of the US government overseas. I am quite frankly appalled.
The American government has demanded that the Twitter.com website hand over all details of supporters of Wikileaks. This has been endorsed by a court order, which has prompted Twitter to describe the action as harassment. I am of the opinion that this court action is not so much upholding the law of the land as upholding the illusion that the emperor wears clothes, if you catch my meaning. Whilst releasing classified documents is an offence, it seems that thus far, the only casualties of the whole operation has been one diplomat's career and the good standing (what good standing) of the US government overseas. I am quite frankly appalled.
Friday, 7 January 2011
Switzerland, 1983
In July 1983, we went on a family holiday to Switzerland, at the resort of Blatten, marked on the below map. I am sharing a handful images from that time.
Sparrhorn mountain, 3,021 m [10,070 ft]
Belalp resort overview
Matterhorn mountain, Zermatt
Sparrhorn mountain, 3,021 m [10,070 ft]
Belalp resort overview
Matterhorn mountain, Zermatt
Friday 7 January
The dominating theme of today is the snow, and I'll let the imagery do the talking. Suffice to say that the airport shut late in the afternoon, and there is a nice blanket of the stuff now that darkness has fallen.
Going like the clapper
I could not help but smirk when I read that the clapper for the main bell in Cologne Cathedral had fallen down. You may recall from my 23 December post on the Shell Gallery that I was less than impressed with the reception in the Cathedral. It is of course no laughing matter that an 800 kg metal object comes crashing down from a height of about 400 feet; but its fall was fortunately broken by a metal structure further down the tower. The main bell itself weighs 24 tons. "Fat Peter" is only rung on a few occasions, and the clapper broke into pieces on January 6th (yesterday) as the bell was rung for Epiphany. Nobody was hurt in the incident. The clapper is likely to be recast. [source: NOS.nl, in Dutch].
Thursday, 6 January 2011
Thursday 6 January
Epiphany today; some Orthodox Christian churches celebrate Christmas today. Pope Gregory put the calendar forward by 12 days in 1582, but Orthodox churches did not adopt this change.
It was a wintry day today, with frequent snow showers sweeping over Stornoway. The ferry is sailing normally, after being repaired following a breakdown on Hogmanay. The Muirneag, which carries our freight, is not going out tonight due to adverse weather conditions.
During my absence in Holland, I received a large amount of information on a former president of the London Gaelic Society, who originated from the Isle of Lewis. Roderick Mcleod was involved with the LGS for decades, between 1882 and 1930. I shall summarise his information on my local history blog Pentland Road.
It was a wintry day today, with frequent snow showers sweeping over Stornoway. The ferry is sailing normally, after being repaired following a breakdown on Hogmanay. The Muirneag, which carries our freight, is not going out tonight due to adverse weather conditions.
During my absence in Holland, I received a large amount of information on a former president of the London Gaelic Society, who originated from the Isle of Lewis. Roderick Mcleod was involved with the LGS for decades, between 1882 and 1930. I shall summarise his information on my local history blog Pentland Road.
Picture post - 5 January
Rising above a closed cloud cover over western Holland and the North Sea
Amassed snow at Gatwick - remember the snow disruption over Christmas?
Snow showers moving south over Lancashire, leaving snow visible on the ground
Snow over the Lammermuir hills south of Edinburgh
Edinburgh and the Forth Bridges
Last light over central Scotland, 5.31pm
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