Friday, 22 April 2011
Call for Support
Most of my readers are familiar with the Call for Support blog, which I initiated several years ago to muster moral support for bloggers in distress. Its use was demonstrated this week, when one blogger wrote an entry, saying they had been feeling suicidal and requiring hospital admission. Upon discharge, they came across the post on Call for Support, and expressed their gratitude for people's support. I'm not flying my own flag here by the way. It is the support that is given by those who respond that counts. I'm only a conduit.
Friday 22 April
A beautiful day, which can only be described as the first day of summer. The mercury reached 21C / 70F, which is quite high for this part of the world at any rate. The highest temperature I have experienced here is 25C / 77F. Had morning coffee outside, and sat outside for a while reading Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. It was very hazy as well, and some high- and medium-level cloud slowly edged across the sky in the afternoon and evening. This is obviously the Easter weekend, and as I type this (at 9.20pm) the 8.20pm ferry is still to arrive, full of holiday traffic. The weather is expected to cool down, with some rain in the night, but more sunshine tomorrow. Expected maxima on Saturday: 13C, which is still not bad going for Lewis in April.
The shellfish processing plant, which has sat off South Beach since the 90s has been taken apart bit by bit, and coming down the street into town there is now an unobstructed view of the buildings on the seafront. One other reason why I'm not loth to see the plant go was its terrible smell. Situated by the ferry terminal and the bus station, it created a poor sensory introduction for visitors to the island.
The shellfish processing plant, which has sat off South Beach since the 90s has been taken apart bit by bit, and coming down the street into town there is now an unobstructed view of the buildings on the seafront. One other reason why I'm not loth to see the plant go was its terrible smell. Situated by the ferry terminal and the bus station, it created a poor sensory introduction for visitors to the island.
Good Friday 2011
I would like to take this opportunity to wish all my friends and readers, far and wide, a happy Easter this year.
Thursday, 21 April 2011
Thursday 21 April
A brilliantly sunny day which has been feeling quite warm. The northeasterly breeze did make it feel a bit cool, but the sun was very warm indeed. I duly went out for a stroll, after enjoying a cup of coffee outside in the sun (and out of the wind). This took me to Steinish, then via the farm Carse of Steinish to North Street in Sandwick. A shortcut through the Old Cemetery returned me to base. I'll share some of today's pictures in the next post.
I would like to share his image, one that I obtained through Google Earth. This shows Loch Tallasvay on the southwest coast of Lewis. It lies about 7 miles southeast of the nearest habitation, the village of Brenish, and 12 miles from the nearest road-end. I came across this location whilst browsing through the 1851 census for the district of Uig. It shows two households; one has family, the other contains "labourers-on-the-road", meaning itinerant labourers.
A second image, also through Google Earth shows Lamadale, located a mile south of Tallasvay on Loch Resort. The hill on the left of the image can be seen from the village of Achmore in the centre of Lewis - it is called Taran Mor. Lamadale does not feature in the 1851 census, because it had been deserted since then.
I would like to share his image, one that I obtained through Google Earth. This shows Loch Tallasvay on the southwest coast of Lewis. It lies about 7 miles southeast of the nearest habitation, the village of Brenish, and 12 miles from the nearest road-end. I came across this location whilst browsing through the 1851 census for the district of Uig. It shows two households; one has family, the other contains "labourers-on-the-road", meaning itinerant labourers.
A second image, also through Google Earth shows Lamadale, located a mile south of Tallasvay on Loch Resort. The hill on the left of the image can be seen from the village of Achmore in the centre of Lewis - it is called Taran Mor. Lamadale does not feature in the 1851 census, because it had been deserted since then.
Wednesday, 20 April 2011
Wednesday evening, 20 April
A suspected letter bomb has been isolated at the Harris Tweed mill at Shawbost, 18 miles north of Stornoway. The letter had been directed at the mill's director, Brian Wilson, a prominent politician. He is also a supporter of Celtic FC, one of the two main Glasgow soccer football clubs. Celtic's manager, Neil Lennon, has also been the object of a letter bomb, as have two other prominent figures associated with the club. The rivalry between Celtic and Rangers is proverbial, and spills over to high passions, if not outright violence, both on and off the football pitch. The rivalry is rooted in religious divisions; Celtic is associated with Roman Catholics, and Rangers with Protestants. Moreover, there is also a strong link with Northern Ireland. Need I say more? I just wished they all took a cold shower and got on with playing football and supporting their team, rather than this sort of baloney.
I took a walk around town this afternoon, and collected a handful of pics.
Blossoms on Smith Avenue
Goathill Crescent
Stornoway Town Hall clock is red-faced
I took a walk around town this afternoon, and collected a handful of pics.
Blossoms on Smith Avenue
Goathill Crescent
Stornoway Town Hall clock is red-faced
Wednesday 20 April
After yesterday's boring grey skies, Wednesday dawned bright and sunny. The sun is partially shrouded by a layer of high level cloud, but otherwise it's not a bad day. Apart from the temperature, which is a mediocre 10C.
Checking Twitter just now, I was appalled to find Adolf Hitler to be a top topic of conversation. Granted, it is 122 years ago since he was born. In ten days' time, it will be 66 years since he ended his own life, surrounded by the ruin of all he stood for. Ruin is the deserved fate of Hitler's philosophies, leading as they did to the deaths of tens of millions, the destruction of thousands of towns, cities and villages across Europe - and the purposeful eradication of six million people, just because they professed to be of the Judaic faith.It is therefore entirely appropriate that Hitler's death occurred on April 30th, Walpurgis Night, the night that ends winter and sees the exorcism of all evil spirits, according to certain folklore. The following day, May 1st, is Beltane, the start of summer and the advent of light. I do not expect Twitter to be trending Adolf Hitler on April 30th, though.
Checking Twitter just now, I was appalled to find Adolf Hitler to be a top topic of conversation. Granted, it is 122 years ago since he was born. In ten days' time, it will be 66 years since he ended his own life, surrounded by the ruin of all he stood for. Ruin is the deserved fate of Hitler's philosophies, leading as they did to the deaths of tens of millions, the destruction of thousands of towns, cities and villages across Europe - and the purposeful eradication of six million people, just because they professed to be of the Judaic faith.It is therefore entirely appropriate that Hitler's death occurred on April 30th, Walpurgis Night, the night that ends winter and sees the exorcism of all evil spirits, according to certain folklore. The following day, May 1st, is Beltane, the start of summer and the advent of light. I do not expect Twitter to be trending Adolf Hitler on April 30th, though.
Tuesday, 19 April 2011
Tuesday 19 April
As brilliant as yesterday was, so boring today was - in terms of weather. Over the past few days, big lorries carrying huge amounts of stone slabs, and colossal parts of cranes have come whizzing down my road - and it's given rise to a few hairy moments on some of the corners.
I spent part of the morning and afternoon looking into more census results from remote areas of Lewis, to be precise: around Hamnaway. The villages of Tallavay, Ardbeag and Ceann Ruisle - none of those inhabited since that census 160 years ago, in 1851. When there such a phenomenon as a labourer-on-the-road.
This evening, I had an interesting conversation with a family, whose origins lie in Latin America, who were very interested in these islands after a two day visit. They were all into geology, and with the oldest rocks on the face of the Earth occurring at the Butt of Lewis, 25 miles away, they had a great time. Similarly during their visit to Skye, yesterday, which has some interesting geology as well - I but name the Trotternish peninsula.
I spent part of the morning and afternoon looking into more census results from remote areas of Lewis, to be precise: around Hamnaway. The villages of Tallavay, Ardbeag and Ceann Ruisle - none of those inhabited since that census 160 years ago, in 1851. When there such a phenomenon as a labourer-on-the-road.
This evening, I had an interesting conversation with a family, whose origins lie in Latin America, who were very interested in these islands after a two day visit. They were all into geology, and with the oldest rocks on the face of the Earth occurring at the Butt of Lewis, 25 miles away, they had a great time. Similarly during their visit to Skye, yesterday, which has some interesting geology as well - I but name the Trotternish peninsula.
Monday 18 April
A bright and sunny day, with the mercury rising to the mid-teens. Although it started a bit cloudy, the thin high clouds gradually burned away. The dandelions were celebrating the bright conditions, coming out in large numbers. I struggled with a listing of wargraves in Sandwick (New) Cemetery, finally managing to find a way to present it in a useful format.
I could not get over the news this weekend that the M1 motorway in north London has been closed since last Friday, after a scrapyard caught fire under the carriageways. It appears that this fire is now regarded as suspicious and the Metropolitan Police is investigating. The fire has eaten the concrete away to the metal reinforcing rods.
North Uist was in the news this weekend, with people stranded by the tide at Vallay, and again this evening near Loch Eport on the eastern side of the island. There are springtides at the moment, with a tidal difference of about 16 feet. It is always advisable to check the tides before setting out along the seashore. On the west side of that island, a dead whale has washed up on the shore, and it is hoped that the high tides will help to wash the remains back out to sea. If that fails, it will either be carted off to the dump here in Stornoway (hold your noses) or allowed to decompose in situ (phew...).
I could not get over the news this weekend that the M1 motorway in north London has been closed since last Friday, after a scrapyard caught fire under the carriageways. It appears that this fire is now regarded as suspicious and the Metropolitan Police is investigating. The fire has eaten the concrete away to the metal reinforcing rods.
North Uist was in the news this weekend, with people stranded by the tide at Vallay, and again this evening near Loch Eport on the eastern side of the island. There are springtides at the moment, with a tidal difference of about 16 feet. It is always advisable to check the tides before setting out along the seashore. On the west side of that island, a dead whale has washed up on the shore, and it is hoped that the high tides will help to wash the remains back out to sea. If that fails, it will either be carted off to the dump here in Stornoway (hold your noses) or allowed to decompose in situ (phew...).
Sunday, 17 April 2011
Sunday 17 April
Cloudy, but with occasional sunny spells, is the best description of today's weather. About an hour or two ago, the fishing vessel Symphonie, hailing from Bayonne in France, finally left port after an unintended stay that started on March 4th. The Symphonie broke down twice around that date, and had been tied up on the eastern side of pier no 1, awaiting repairs. This morning, her colleague, the fishing vessel Jiminy came in and took the Symphonie in tow at around 4pm. The conditions were not easy, with a force 5 southerly wind putting a strain on the tow. The two vessels have about 1,000 miles to go. and are crawling south at 5 knots. As a result, they are currently only as far as Loch Erisort, 10 miles south of Stornoway. If they are going all the way to Bayonne, it will take them about 10 days to reach there. I wish them well.
I was very sorry to hear about the devastating tornadoes that have rampaged through the southeastern USA over the past few days. At the latest count, the death toll stood at around 35. Tornadoes are a 'normal' phenomenon in the American spring, but these twisters have been particularly severe.
The upheaval in North Africa is having repercussions in Europe, with France stopping trains from Italy crossing its border between Ventimiglia and Menton. On board are refugees from Tunisia, who have been given temporary permits by Italy, which allow them to roam freely across Europe.
I was very sorry to hear about the devastating tornadoes that have rampaged through the southeastern USA over the past few days. At the latest count, the death toll stood at around 35. Tornadoes are a 'normal' phenomenon in the American spring, but these twisters have been particularly severe.
The upheaval in North Africa is having repercussions in Europe, with France stopping trains from Italy crossing its border between Ventimiglia and Menton. On board are refugees from Tunisia, who have been given temporary permits by Italy, which allow them to roam freely across Europe.
Saturday, 16 April 2011
Saturday 16 April
Thirty of the famous Lewis Chessmen are currently on display in the Museum of the Isles on Francis Street in Stornoway. The figurines, cut from ivory in the 12th century, were unearthed in 1831 at Ardroil; a competing school of thought places the original location of the find at Mealista, 6 miles to the southwest. The exhibition will remain at the Museum until September 12th. On the 13th of that month, a small number of figurines will be on display at Uig Museum in Timsgarry. The most noteworthy feature of the Chessmen for me was their size. Only a smidgen over 3 inches tall. I sought permission from Museum staff before taking some of the below pictures.
5 years ago today
I found myself drawn into the world of social networking by blog on Easter Sunday 2006, when blogger Pamela Hilger, AOL screenname his1desire, passed away after a 9 month battle against cancer. She had been logging her fight on her blog "One Girls Head Noise", until 7 April. The outpouring of grief that followed her death was quite breathtaking, and showed that a community on the Internet could care as much as a group of people who knew each other face to face. Two years later, I received a comparable level of support at the time when my mother passed away unexpectedly.
Since then, a number of other bloggers have left us, leaving their keyboards silent. This post is dedicated to their memory, as well as to the spirit of J-land which has survived the upheaval of October 2008, when AOL closed down their blogging service. Many have left the land of blog, but the advent of new social networking services like Facebook and Twitter have ensured that we can keep in touch.
J-land lives!
Since then, a number of other bloggers have left us, leaving their keyboards silent. This post is dedicated to their memory, as well as to the spirit of J-land which has survived the upheaval of October 2008, when AOL closed down their blogging service. Many have left the land of blog, but the advent of new social networking services like Facebook and Twitter have ensured that we can keep in touch.
J-land lives!
Friday, 15 April 2011
Friday 15 April
Today is a day of remembrance for several reasons. It was 99 years ago today that RMS Titanic sank after colliding with an iceberg. More than 1,500 passengers perished. Whilst not belittling the loss incurred in that tragedy, I never hear a word about other shipping disasters in peacetime, which claimed a heavy toll.
Nearest to my location was the sinking of the Norge, on 28 June 1904. The Norge was an emigrant ship which went down within 20 minutes of hitting Hazelwood Rock, just east of Rockall - 250 miles west of Scotland. The passengers were dirt poor migrants from eastern Europe, Russia and Scandinavia. Refugees from the persecution of the Jews in Poland and Russia, which nobody else wanted. The Norge was a workhorse of the Thingvalla shipping company for the previous 15 years, not a glamour boat with boastful claims of unsinkability. The death toll was 635, among them 225 Norwegians. The 160 survivors spent up to eight days in open lifeboats before rescue. Not all the lifeboats were finally accounted for. Some of the survivors were taken ashore at Stornoway, with 9 succumbing to the effects of their ordeal. An inquiry into the circumstances of the sinking revealed that there was insufficient life-saving apparatus on board for all the passengers and crew on the ship. If the recommendations of this Danish inquiry had been acted upon, the loss of life on the Titanic could have been much less.
Twenty-two years ago today, the English Football Association's Cup Final was taking place at Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield. Liverpool FC were due to play Nottingham Forest. A crush of supporters occurred, resulted in 96 dead and 766 injured fans - all Liverpool fans. Twitter is full of references to this tragedy today, using the hashtag #YNWA [You'll Never Walk Alone, the Liverpool FC song].
Nearest to my location was the sinking of the Norge, on 28 June 1904. The Norge was an emigrant ship which went down within 20 minutes of hitting Hazelwood Rock, just east of Rockall - 250 miles west of Scotland. The passengers were dirt poor migrants from eastern Europe, Russia and Scandinavia. Refugees from the persecution of the Jews in Poland and Russia, which nobody else wanted. The Norge was a workhorse of the Thingvalla shipping company for the previous 15 years, not a glamour boat with boastful claims of unsinkability. The death toll was 635, among them 225 Norwegians. The 160 survivors spent up to eight days in open lifeboats before rescue. Not all the lifeboats were finally accounted for. Some of the survivors were taken ashore at Stornoway, with 9 succumbing to the effects of their ordeal. An inquiry into the circumstances of the sinking revealed that there was insufficient life-saving apparatus on board for all the passengers and crew on the ship. If the recommendations of this Danish inquiry had been acted upon, the loss of life on the Titanic could have been much less.
Twenty-two years ago today, the English Football Association's Cup Final was taking place at Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield. Liverpool FC were due to play Nottingham Forest. A crush of supporters occurred, resulted in 96 dead and 766 injured fans - all Liverpool fans. Twitter is full of references to this tragedy today, using the hashtag #YNWA [You'll Never Walk Alone, the Liverpool FC song].
Thursday, 14 April 2011
Roadworks
I would imagine that you can all do without pictures of roadworks, but they're very unusual in this town, let alone this island. So, here goes.
Thursday 14 April
A bright if breezy day today, feeling warmer than yesterday. Went to Sandwick Cemetery, 15 minutes' walk away, to record the approximate locations of the 56 wargraves in that graveyard. The breeze was persistent, but not really a nuisance. It helps to wear a woolly hat, even if it is 14C / 59F.
Today, it will be 99 years ago since the Titanic hit an iceberg. At 11.55 pm local time, RMS Titanic struck a berg some 380 miles south southeast of Newfoundland. Two hours later, she sank, taking 1500 to the bottom with her. The last survivor died last year. A museum in Newfoundland will be tweeting the radio messages that the Titanic sent in real time, 99 years on, through the night from 11.55 pm AST (that's 4 hours behind BST or 2 hour ahead of EDT). You can follow it by searching for the hashtag #ns_mma on Twitter.com.
A number of the famous Lewis Chessmen will feature in an exhibition at the Museum of the Isles at Stornoway from today. The ivory figurines were found at Ardroil in 1831, but are being kept at the British Museum. Some islanders want to have the Chessmen returned to Lewis permanently.
Today, it will be 99 years ago since the Titanic hit an iceberg. At 11.55 pm local time, RMS Titanic struck a berg some 380 miles south southeast of Newfoundland. Two hours later, she sank, taking 1500 to the bottom with her. The last survivor died last year. A museum in Newfoundland will be tweeting the radio messages that the Titanic sent in real time, 99 years on, through the night from 11.55 pm AST (that's 4 hours behind BST or 2 hour ahead of EDT). You can follow it by searching for the hashtag #ns_mma on Twitter.com.
A number of the famous Lewis Chessmen will feature in an exhibition at the Museum of the Isles at Stornoway from today. The ivory figurines were found at Ardroil in 1831, but are being kept at the British Museum. Some islanders want to have the Chessmen returned to Lewis permanently.
Wednesday 13 April
An overcast and breezy day, with a cold wind blowing. I have continued the work on the Napier witnesses and a few other bits and pieces. The royal wedding is beginning to dominate the news; William Wales (or should that be Windsor) and Catherine Middleton will wed in Westminster Abbey on 29 April. On all the commemorative crockery &c, their initials are marked CW; not WC. You do detect the slight sarcasm, don't you? I wish them well, but wish the hype were a little less.
Two young people have been found dead in a small cottage south of Tomintoul in Morayshire. It appears now (Thursday) that an 18-year old trainee gamekeeper was cleaning his gun, when it went off by accident. The bullet hit his girlfriend, killing her instantly. Upon seeing that, he took the gun, took it outside and shot himself dead. The Press and Journal newspaper devoted four whole pages to the tragedy on Thursday.
Two young people have been found dead in a small cottage south of Tomintoul in Morayshire. It appears now (Thursday) that an 18-year old trainee gamekeeper was cleaning his gun, when it went off by accident. The bullet hit his girlfriend, killing her instantly. Upon seeing that, he took the gun, took it outside and shot himself dead. The Press and Journal newspaper devoted four whole pages to the tragedy on Thursday.
Wednesday, 13 April 2011
Tuesday 12 April
Nice and sunny, if a tad on the breezy side. After putting a parcel in the post, I diverted to Sandwick Road in order to view the roadworks, which are now well and truly in progress. The eastbound lane is closed, and diversions are signposted. This will remain in place for the next three months. However, it does not appear to be causing major problems in traffic around the town.
I have continued one or two of my current projects, including building a Google map of cemeteries and memorials to islanders from the Outer Hebrides around the world. This is in relation to those who fell in the First and Second World Wars. I am also still trying to piece together some information on the witnesses to the Napier Inquiry of 1883.
I have continued one or two of my current projects, including building a Google map of cemeteries and memorials to islanders from the Outer Hebrides around the world. This is in relation to those who fell in the First and Second World Wars. I am also still trying to piece together some information on the witnesses to the Napier Inquiry of 1883.
Monday, 11 April 2011
Monday 11 April
Quite a nice sunny day, interspersed however with the occasional shower. Went into town this afternoon, via Sandwick Road. That is a diversion, but I took the walk to check out a diversion. As of today, the east-bound lane on this road, the A866 Stornoway to Point road, is supposed to be closed for works. Nothing appeared to have changed though.
I went into the library to look at a newspaper from 1897, to check for the mention of a tragedy that happened near Mingulay that year. No word of it at all. To think that all the fencible men of nearby Pabbay were lost - and not a beep in the Highland News for May 1897. I also looked in the Stornoway Gazette of 1 May 1997, but the only thing of note in that paper was a word processing devil. Someone had taken a picture of the comet Hale-Bopp, which (to quote the Gazette): "was visible to the naked above Scotland". I wonder how many people undressed in the skies above Scotland in order to behold that comet.
By 6pm, a new roadsign appeared across the street from me.
It looks as if the roadworks will start in earnest tomorrow, so the diversions are now being signposted. It's a pity though that someone took the wrong sign out, which appears to direct drivers to turn right - into the Newton Basin. Putting two strips of black tape on to rectify the error doesn't really alleviate the confusion, so by 8pm another crew was there to put up a left-pointing sign.
It is really feeling like spring today, in spite of the lowish temperatures (10C / 50F). And the nights are really beginning to shorten: this was the northwestern sky at 9.30pm.
I went into the library to look at a newspaper from 1897, to check for the mention of a tragedy that happened near Mingulay that year. No word of it at all. To think that all the fencible men of nearby Pabbay were lost - and not a beep in the Highland News for May 1897. I also looked in the Stornoway Gazette of 1 May 1997, but the only thing of note in that paper was a word processing devil. Someone had taken a picture of the comet Hale-Bopp, which (to quote the Gazette): "was visible to the naked above Scotland". I wonder how many people undressed in the skies above Scotland in order to behold that comet.
By 6pm, a new roadsign appeared across the street from me.
It looks as if the roadworks will start in earnest tomorrow, so the diversions are now being signposted. It's a pity though that someone took the wrong sign out, which appears to direct drivers to turn right - into the Newton Basin. Putting two strips of black tape on to rectify the error doesn't really alleviate the confusion, so by 8pm another crew was there to put up a left-pointing sign.
It is really feeling like spring today, in spite of the lowish temperatures (10C / 50F). And the nights are really beginning to shorten: this was the northwestern sky at 9.30pm.
Sunday 10 April
A quiet Sunday, overcast and grey. It was a bit breezy and not terribly warm. Quite a contrast to points south, where the mercury rose to the mid 20s celsius. I think I prefer our lower teens. My activities were focused on preparing the garden chairs for putting out on the grass. And I also researched a little more on the witnesses to the Napier Commission, back in 1883.
As I said, a quiet Sunday.
As I said, a quiet Sunday.
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