If even the outcries of other Muslims go unheard by "Islamic State", then there is no hope of any reasonable or peaceful dealings with this group. Let's not forget though, that the second war in Iraq, launched in 2003 by George W. Bush and Tony Blair, let this most evil genie out of its bottle. Let's not forget either that today's "friend" was yesterday's enemy - and today's enemy may well have been yesterday's friend. The Middle East is an area that Europe and the USA have an atrocious track record in - the Israel / Palestinian stand-off being a good case in point. I agree that military force is the only way to deal with "Islamic State". But it does nothing to resolve the major, underlying, problems of the area.
Alan Henning, RIP.
Saturday, 4 October 2014
Thursday, 2 October 2014
Windfarm even less likely
For many years, I have been voicing my opposition to on-shore windfarms. Until 2008, there was a proposal to construct a 180-turbine windfarm across the north of Lewis, stretching from Port of Ness in the north via Bragar to Stornoway. One turbine every quarter mile. The proposal was sunk when it turned out that the council, one of the biggest supporters of the project, had applied for protection for the interior of the island (where the turbines were supposed to be built) under the EU habitat directive.
Another windfarm, in the Eishken Estate in southeastern Lewis, appears less and less likely to ever come about. The developer, GDF Suez, today announced that they were pulling out of the £200m project, effectively scuppering it. The area where the turbines were due to be built is uninhabited, and across the loch, a total of only about 50 people live.
It was put to me that this could have been a major contribution to the economy in the Western Isles. The windfarm was to have a community trust (the status of which is unclear) through which this community benefit, £1m per annum, was to be channeled. A million pounds is a lot of money, but peanuts in comparison with the profits that the developers would have made.
The planning consents for the area are still in place, and the Western Isles Council have indicated they may want to get another developer in for the construction of the windfarm. However, one of the reasons for GDF Suez to pull out is the lack of progress on the interconnector, the high-voltage cable to the mainland required to export the electricity generated by the windfarm. SSE have made it clear that the economic case for the cable is looking ever less feasible, and for all intents and purposes, the Eishken (and Pairc) windfarms are dead in the water. Unfortunately, this is a two-edged sword, and any major renewable energy project in the islands will be dead in the water without the interconnector. The political pressure is high, but if there is not the expected return on investment of £780m (needed for the cable), then no company will be prepared to take that risk.
Another windfarm, in the Eishken Estate in southeastern Lewis, appears less and less likely to ever come about. The developer, GDF Suez, today announced that they were pulling out of the £200m project, effectively scuppering it. The area where the turbines were due to be built is uninhabited, and across the loch, a total of only about 50 people live.
It was put to me that this could have been a major contribution to the economy in the Western Isles. The windfarm was to have a community trust (the status of which is unclear) through which this community benefit, £1m per annum, was to be channeled. A million pounds is a lot of money, but peanuts in comparison with the profits that the developers would have made.
The planning consents for the area are still in place, and the Western Isles Council have indicated they may want to get another developer in for the construction of the windfarm. However, one of the reasons for GDF Suez to pull out is the lack of progress on the interconnector, the high-voltage cable to the mainland required to export the electricity generated by the windfarm. SSE have made it clear that the economic case for the cable is looking ever less feasible, and for all intents and purposes, the Eishken (and Pairc) windfarms are dead in the water. Unfortunately, this is a two-edged sword, and any major renewable energy project in the islands will be dead in the water without the interconnector. The political pressure is high, but if there is not the expected return on investment of £780m (needed for the cable), then no company will be prepared to take that risk.
Wednesday, 1 October 2014
Tuesday 30 September
Apart from a brief glimpse of sunshine around noon, the day has been nothing but grey. It started wet, and judging by the misty outlines of the hills, rain is not far off.
Monday 29 September
I remember something called Scottish Islands Network, which was active in the late 90s, early 00s. It brought together the Argyll islands, Eilean Siar, Skye, Orkney and Shetland, to pool resources and knowledge to tackle common problems. It ceased to operate after the only local authority to back it financially, Argyll & Bute, withdrew its funding. I'm pleased to see something like that being set up - but seeing is believing. However, Mr Carmichael is an islander himself, so I'm fairly confident that something positive will ensue.
Sunday 28 September
Just read my way through a copy of DER SPIEGEL [The Mirror], a prominent publication in German. It obviously focuses heavily on German affairs, but also looks at other European countries. The edition of 15th September had a lengthy and disturbing feature on the child-abuse scandal that has rocked Rotherham in recent times - why did I have to get the full rundown on this atrocity in a foreign publication, and why was this snowed under by the effing referendum here in Scotland?
Another interesting snippet from DER SPIEGEL was on the tiny islet of #Tromelin in the Indian Ocean, some 350 miles west of Mauritius. A French ship came to grief there in the 18th century, leaving hundreds dead - illegally transported slaves - and probably leaving the survivors to resort to cannibalism to survive. It took 15 years for them to be rescued. It left one species of bird extinct on Tromelin. Nobody lives there - it is little more than a scrub-covered sandbank.
A new tropical depression in the Pacific (where is Chuuk, anyone?), a dying tropical storm southeast of Japan and a fading hurricane southwest of Mexico. Furthermore, the Atlantic has an attempt at a tropical disturbance (don't hold your breath), and the Eastern Pacific is breeding system #19.
The Council want to paint more double yellow lines (that means: no parking, for my US friends) in a town that soon won't have a traffic warden left to police them. Why don't we just ban cars from the town centre, inside the triangle formed by Matheson Road, Bayhead / Cromwell Street, and South Beach / James Street. JOKE, OK, JOKE.
When I went through a medical for my national service, back in the year of our lord 1982, I had to undergo a spelling test. The word "chauffeur" featured (it's the same in Dutch), and I was told that your average male manages to find 36 different ways of spelling that. Now go through this article on Hebrides News and count the number of different ways of spelling the Gaelic words Comunn Eachdraidh (historical society).
Another interesting snippet from DER SPIEGEL was on the tiny islet of #Tromelin in the Indian Ocean, some 350 miles west of Mauritius. A French ship came to grief there in the 18th century, leaving hundreds dead - illegally transported slaves - and probably leaving the survivors to resort to cannibalism to survive. It took 15 years for them to be rescued. It left one species of bird extinct on Tromelin. Nobody lives there - it is little more than a scrub-covered sandbank.
A new tropical depression in the Pacific (where is Chuuk, anyone?), a dying tropical storm southeast of Japan and a fading hurricane southwest of Mexico. Furthermore, the Atlantic has an attempt at a tropical disturbance (don't hold your breath), and the Eastern Pacific is breeding system #19.
The Council want to paint more double yellow lines (that means: no parking, for my US friends) in a town that soon won't have a traffic warden left to police them. Why don't we just ban cars from the town centre, inside the triangle formed by Matheson Road, Bayhead / Cromwell Street, and South Beach / James Street. JOKE, OK, JOKE.
When I went through a medical for my national service, back in the year of our lord 1982, I had to undergo a spelling test. The word "chauffeur" featured (it's the same in Dutch), and I was told that your average male manages to find 36 different ways of spelling that. Now go through this article on Hebrides News and count the number of different ways of spelling the Gaelic words Comunn Eachdraidh (historical society).
Saturday 27 September
The Council have announced that the accommodation at Lews Castle is to be managed by the company Natural Retreats. The article in the Gazette shows its a contentious subject, and a whiff of self-serving attitudes about those who are complaining against the award of the Lews Castle contract to Natural Retreats. There is insufficient accommodation in Stornoway during the summer months, and I cannot understand why anyone would want to complain against getting more beds, other than perceived competition against their own interests.
Power went off at 2pm for half an hour. However, the supermarket had to close for a full hour before their computersystems were back on.
By the end of the evening, the weather took a turn for the worse - rain all evening. Temperature never shifted much off 14C / 57F all day. Spent the evening talking German to some visitors. Have to stop myself now from capitalising all Nouns.
Power went off at 2pm for half an hour. However, the supermarket had to close for a full hour before their computersystems were back on.
By the end of the evening, the weather took a turn for the worse - rain all evening. Temperature never shifted much off 14C / 57F all day. Spent the evening talking German to some visitors. Have to stop myself now from capitalising all Nouns.
Friday 26 September
Quite a nice day here, except for the strong wind - from the west at force 7 (30 mph). Sun is shining in between the clouds (see previous photo-post), but the mercury has taken a tumble from 15 to 11 C.
This morning I was in a radio studio at the BBC on Seaforth Road to record a voice-over for a documentary about the Lewismen who were interned at HMS Timbertown during the First World War. The producer wanted an English speaker with a Dutch accent - well, it seems I fit the bill. Didn't take long. The piece I spoke dealt with a funeral of one of the internees in the city of Groningen. The coffin was draped (and I quote the newspaper article from 1 March 1916) in the English flag. Before everybody shoots me down in flames, I should add that in the Netherlands all the British home nations are referred to as "England", and they smile about that silly rivalry between the English and the Scots. After many a moon observing life in Scotland, I do not regard the issue as a laughing matter.
Autumn has descended on the northern hemisphere, and the hurricane season is at its height. Well, in the Eastern Pacific at any rate, the Atlantic season is a bit of a dead duck. However, what cropped up in my tropical disturbance update at 4 o'clock: disturbance 91S, in the southern hemisphere. It is a heavily sheared system, meaning that the winds at different levels in the atmosphere are not blowing at the same direction or speed. For a tropical cyclone to form, shear needs to be low, and that system has considerable problems. Nonetheless, we'll see more southern hemisphere systems through our winter, starting in November.
Remember that play from the 70s or 80s? The Cheviot, the Stag and the Black, black Oil? Well, with all the to-ing and fro-ing about Scotland's oil I've decided to rename it: The Cheviot, the Stag and the Red, red Face. Whichever side you were on in the independence debate, neither came out smelling of roses at the end of it - unsubstantiated, hyperbolical claims about all sorts. Glad it's OVER.
This morning I was in a radio studio at the BBC on Seaforth Road to record a voice-over for a documentary about the Lewismen who were interned at HMS Timbertown during the First World War. The producer wanted an English speaker with a Dutch accent - well, it seems I fit the bill. Didn't take long. The piece I spoke dealt with a funeral of one of the internees in the city of Groningen. The coffin was draped (and I quote the newspaper article from 1 March 1916) in the English flag. Before everybody shoots me down in flames, I should add that in the Netherlands all the British home nations are referred to as "England", and they smile about that silly rivalry between the English and the Scots. After many a moon observing life in Scotland, I do not regard the issue as a laughing matter.
Autumn has descended on the northern hemisphere, and the hurricane season is at its height. Well, in the Eastern Pacific at any rate, the Atlantic season is a bit of a dead duck. However, what cropped up in my tropical disturbance update at 4 o'clock: disturbance 91S, in the southern hemisphere. It is a heavily sheared system, meaning that the winds at different levels in the atmosphere are not blowing at the same direction or speed. For a tropical cyclone to form, shear needs to be low, and that system has considerable problems. Nonetheless, we'll see more southern hemisphere systems through our winter, starting in November.
Remember that play from the 70s or 80s? The Cheviot, the Stag and the Black, black Oil? Well, with all the to-ing and fro-ing about Scotland's oil I've decided to rename it: The Cheviot, the Stag and the Red, red Face. Whichever side you were on in the independence debate, neither came out smelling of roses at the end of it - unsubstantiated, hyperbolical claims about all sorts. Glad it's OVER.
Thursday 25 September
Our new ferry, the MV Loch Seaforth, will now arrive even later than previously forecast. Her initial date for entry into service was July this year, but it is edging ever closer to 2015 at this rate. Now it is an engine upgrade that's causing the delay.
Today's (Sept 25th) printed edition of the Gazette contains a
horrendous howler on the front piece article about the No vote in the islands. The leader of the Better Together campaign in the Western Isles is referred to as former Labour MSP Alasdair Allan, whereas his surname is of course Morrison; we all know that Alasdair Allan, our current MSP, led the Yes campaign.
Great evening at the Battery Memorial guns at Battery Point this evening. It got very windy, so after singing psalm 23 in Gaelic, holding a two minutes' silence, offering up prayers and the laying of the wreath, the company went to the community centre in Seaforth Road. There, Sandy Matheson (Lord Lieutenant of the Western Isles) and Malcolm Macdonald of the Stornoway Historical Society told stories about the Battery. The evening was concluded with some lovely tunes and songs, and tea and cakes.
Late in the evening, the wind increased further, blowing at 32 mph, force 7. It is set to increase to galeforce in the night. It is quite mild at the moment (midnight), 15C / 59F, not much down from the daytime high of 17C / 63F at lunchtime.
Today's (Sept 25th) printed edition of the Gazette contains a
horrendous howler on the front piece article about the No vote in the islands. The leader of the Better Together campaign in the Western Isles is referred to as former Labour MSP Alasdair Allan, whereas his surname is of course Morrison; we all know that Alasdair Allan, our current MSP, led the Yes campaign.
Great evening at the Battery Memorial guns at Battery Point this evening. It got very windy, so after singing psalm 23 in Gaelic, holding a two minutes' silence, offering up prayers and the laying of the wreath, the company went to the community centre in Seaforth Road. There, Sandy Matheson (Lord Lieutenant of the Western Isles) and Malcolm Macdonald of the Stornoway Historical Society told stories about the Battery. The evening was concluded with some lovely tunes and songs, and tea and cakes.
Late in the evening, the wind increased further, blowing at 32 mph, force 7. It is set to increase to galeforce in the night. It is quite mild at the moment (midnight), 15C / 59F, not much down from the daytime high of 17C / 63F at lunchtime.
Wednesday 24 September
It's quite bright but a tad cloudy here in Stornoway. When the sun does come out, it gets quite warm. A nice breeze is blowing, making it a pleasant autumnal day.
Joint Warrior is on again from October 7th for two weeks. This will involve jamming of GPS, which will only take place at set times. Those who need to know have been notified.
On a foray into town, I noticed the (slow) progress on the refurbishment of the ferry terminal. In future, you can walk to the ferry terminal from South Beach along a sheltered walkway.
Joint Warrior is on again from October 7th for two weeks. This will involve jamming of GPS, which will only take place at set times. Those who need to know have been notified.
On a foray into town, I noticed the (slow) progress on the refurbishment of the ferry terminal. In future, you can walk to the ferry terminal from South Beach along a sheltered walkway.
Sunday, 28 September 2014
10 years blogging
On 28 September 2004, I opened my first blog on AOL Journals and named it Northern Trip. For the next four years, virtually to the day, I made up to a dozen entries each day about my days in Scotland, what caught my eye about the Highlands and islands and the world.
In the autumn of 2005, I came across the on-line community of J-land. A collection of individuals in the USA and Great Britain, writing about their daily lives, trials, triumphs and tribulations. Leaving comments on their blogs, and getting comments from them. I became fully involved at Easter 2006, when one fellow blogger, Pamela Hilger, passed away following a 9 month battle with breast cancer.
Then, on 30 September 2008, AOL, in their definitely finite wisdom, decided to discontinue their blogging service. We scattered to the four winds, some regrouping here on Blogger, but it never got back to the way it was. Facebook became the choice medium for J-land, and many blogs now lie unused since that time, or were closed down.
At the moment, I copy Facebook posts on here (shame) and a selection of pictures for each day, basically reverting back to the way I used to post on Northern Trip during that first year. Every now and again, I'll make a special post (like this one) if I feel I need to write more extensively than Facebook invites you to.
I have enjoyed blogging immensely, particularly in those early years. It is slowly going out of fashion, which is a pity. But that's the way of things.
I have been promised a special graphic tag by J-land's tag artist Donna, which I shall post in the next day or so.
In the autumn of 2005, I came across the on-line community of J-land. A collection of individuals in the USA and Great Britain, writing about their daily lives, trials, triumphs and tribulations. Leaving comments on their blogs, and getting comments from them. I became fully involved at Easter 2006, when one fellow blogger, Pamela Hilger, passed away following a 9 month battle with breast cancer.
Then, on 30 September 2008, AOL, in their definitely finite wisdom, decided to discontinue their blogging service. We scattered to the four winds, some regrouping here on Blogger, but it never got back to the way it was. Facebook became the choice medium for J-land, and many blogs now lie unused since that time, or were closed down.
At the moment, I copy Facebook posts on here (shame) and a selection of pictures for each day, basically reverting back to the way I used to post on Northern Trip during that first year. Every now and again, I'll make a special post (like this one) if I feel I need to write more extensively than Facebook invites you to.
I have enjoyed blogging immensely, particularly in those early years. It is slowly going out of fashion, which is a pity. But that's the way of things.
I have been promised a special graphic tag by J-land's tag artist Donna, which I shall post in the next day or so.
Wednesday, 24 September 2014
Tuesday 23 September
Can someone explain to Alex Salmond that if a referendum on independence results in 45% of people voting for, and 55% against independence that this means that the democratic majority of people have rejected the idea? There was no vote rigging. If people changed their mind through the intervention of certain politicians at the last minute, than the yes campaign have not done their job well enough to convince people. All is fair in love, war and referenda, and I thought Mr Salmond had graciously accepted defeat. Can someone also remind the 45 campaign that the rising of 1745 ended in crushing defeat for Bonnie Prince Charlie, the humiliation of Scotland and the sack of the Highlands?
Here in Stornoway, we face "traffic chaos" as the funding for the traffic warden is running out fast. The police who contribute towards her salary are no longer prepared to stump up half the money, so we will soon see double parking, parking on double yellow lines, driving through the pedestrian precinct - hold on, that's already happening...
Here in Stornoway, we face "traffic chaos" as the funding for the traffic warden is running out fast. The police who contribute towards her salary are no longer prepared to stump up half the money, so we will soon see double parking, parking on double yellow lines, driving through the pedestrian precinct - hold on, that's already happening...
Monday 22 September
Not all those who wander are lost.
J.R.R. Tolkien
Happy birthday, Bilbo Baggins! The Fellowship of the Ring opens with a celebration of the hobbit's special day. September 22 is also Frodo's birthday and the America Tolkien society proclaimed it Hobbit Day
Tipping it down this lunchtime, but the wind seems to have abated a little after veering sharply west. Here's the change to autumn. After a wet spell at lunchtime, the sun came out in the evening, and it looks like a nice end to the afternoon.
Two cars, four people - and a job for a recovery truck. The collision happened in Francis Street at a quarter to four this afternoon. There is no word whether anyone was hurt. One of the cars ended up against the wall of the Carlton pub on the corner of Keith Street.
Can someone explain to Alex Salmond that if a referendum on independence results in 45% of people voting for, and 55% against independence that this means that the democratic majority of people have rejected the idea? There was no vote rigging. If people changed their mind through the intervention of certain politicians at the last minute, than the yes campaign have not done their job well enough to convince people. All is fair in love, war and referenda, and I thought Mr Salmond had graciously accepted defeat. Can someone also remind the 45 campaign that the rising of 1745 ended in crushing defeat for Bonnie Prince Charlie, the humiliation of Scotland and the sack of the Highlands?
J.R.R. Tolkien
Happy birthday, Bilbo Baggins! The Fellowship of the Ring opens with a celebration of the hobbit's special day. September 22 is also Frodo's birthday and the America Tolkien society proclaimed it Hobbit Day
Tipping it down this lunchtime, but the wind seems to have abated a little after veering sharply west. Here's the change to autumn. After a wet spell at lunchtime, the sun came out in the evening, and it looks like a nice end to the afternoon.
Two cars, four people - and a job for a recovery truck. The collision happened in Francis Street at a quarter to four this afternoon. There is no word whether anyone was hurt. One of the cars ended up against the wall of the Carlton pub on the corner of Keith Street.
Can someone explain to Alex Salmond that if a referendum on independence results in 45% of people voting for, and 55% against independence that this means that the democratic majority of people have rejected the idea? There was no vote rigging. If people changed their mind through the intervention of certain politicians at the last minute, than the yes campaign have not done their job well enough to convince people. All is fair in love, war and referenda, and I thought Mr Salmond had graciously accepted defeat. Can someone also remind the 45 campaign that the rising of 1745 ended in crushing defeat for Bonnie Prince Charlie, the humiliation of Scotland and the sack of the Highlands?
Sunday 21 September
A nice late September afternoon in Stornoway, quite hazy with a moderate breeze. A year ago today, the Muirneag had just completed her last crossing as our freight ferry. After discharging her cargo of trucks, she was relocated to Arnish for repainting, then to the eastern side of pier number 3. On 3 October, she departed Stornoway for good. The darker image below was taken on 21 January 2014 in a Russian port, by Vesseltracker.com user Torgachkin. Muirneag has been idle since 8 July, after plying between the Turkish port of Samsun and the Russian port of Novorossiysk. Although Muirneag was not without its problems, I somehow still expect her to pop into view from behind the Coastguard Station at 8 in the morning. But that will never happen again.
Saturday 20 September
About 15C on the thermometer, with a northerly breeze. Should I complain? Nah. My thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim of the fatal road traffic collision at Creagorry, Benbecula, on Thursday evening. He died after being struck by a car between the Co-op and the South Uist causeway.
Out for a creditable fish & chips at An Lanntair tonight, vastly improved since my last meal there, a while back. Town was heaving with people, mainly a lot younger than moi, so didn't hang around.
Out for a creditable fish & chips at An Lanntair tonight, vastly improved since my last meal there, a while back. Town was heaving with people, mainly a lot younger than moi, so didn't hang around.
Friday 19 September
Scotland voted NO to independence, by a margin of 55% against and 45% in favour. This was confirmed at 6.08 am, after the result from Fife pushed the outcome beyond doubt. Of 32 local authorities involved, only the people of 4, Dundee and three in and around Glasgow, had a majority in favour of independence.
To my friends who voted Yes, I understand your disappointment and respect your conviction. However, given time, I believe it is important for all Scots to join together to work for change towards a better country, given that such a large proportion of voters (45%) did vote Yes. We can do it. Let's get on with it
David Cameron gave an impressive speech acknowledging the outcome of the Scottish independence referendum and promising devolution within England as well. Interesting. However, as far as Scotland is concerned, quite a few people voted Yes because they wanted to be rid of Cameron, and not ruled by Westminster politics anymore. Lack of trust, I believe, is the key phrase here. It is therefore imperative that Mr Cameron et al deliver on their promises, and turn their words into decisive action, yielding tangible results. It is also imperative for the Scottish government to work positively and constructively with the Westminster administration to deliver these results for the people of Scotland.
To my friends who voted Yes, I understand your disappointment and respect your conviction. However, given time, I believe it is important for all Scots to join together to work for change towards a better country, given that such a large proportion of voters (45%) did vote Yes. We can do it. Let's get on with it
David Cameron gave an impressive speech acknowledging the outcome of the Scottish independence referendum and promising devolution within England as well. Interesting. However, as far as Scotland is concerned, quite a few people voted Yes because they wanted to be rid of Cameron, and not ruled by Westminster politics anymore. Lack of trust, I believe, is the key phrase here. It is therefore imperative that Mr Cameron et al deliver on their promises, and turn their words into decisive action, yielding tangible results. It is also imperative for the Scottish government to work positively and constructively with the Westminster administration to deliver these results for the people of Scotland.
Thursday 18 September
The day dawned with dense fog, visibility down to about 50 metres. The 7 am ferry didn't leave until about half past nine, when the fog had lifted sufficiently for visibility to rise to 250 metres. The Clipper Ranger didn't come in until after the ferry had gone out. The Sound of Harris ferry cancelled its morning crossings due to the fog. This crossing is very tricky, and the vessel is only licensed to ply the passage in the hours of daylight. In other words, the crew have to navigate by sight, as they literally sail from buoy to buoy. The Sound of Harris, which the ferry crosses, is full of rocks and shifting sandbanks, and at one point the ship will come to a full stop, perform a 90 degree turn, before proceeding. The margins for error in that stretch of water are too narrow for relying on radar. By early evening, the fog returned, but lifted after dusk.
There is a bi-annual testing of the gas alarm here in Stornoway. This involves a wailing siren - which we can only hear when the windows are open. When you hear it, you should close the windows.
Today is referendum day. The polls opened between 7 am and 10pm. The ballot boxes from Uist came by plane from Benbecula to Stornoway after 1 am; this was in doubt due to fog, but that had been blown away.
There is a bi-annual testing of the gas alarm here in Stornoway. This involves a wailing siren - which we can only hear when the windows are open. When you hear it, you should close the windows.
Today is referendum day. The polls opened between 7 am and 10pm. The ballot boxes from Uist came by plane from Benbecula to Stornoway after 1 am; this was in doubt due to fog, but that had been blown away.
Wednesday 17 September
The sun is blazing down, but noticeably lower in the sky, now that we're approaching the equinox - next Tuesday, 23rd September. The mercury remains high, 18C / 64F is very good for mid September.
Today is the last day of campaigning in the Scottish independence referendum. Voting takes place tomorrow between 7 am and 10 pm, with the results expected the next day. It is a momentous occasion, and I'll reiterate what I wrote on Monday: I hope people make the choice they feel is right for their country.
I have been posting about the Scottish referendum campaign and expressed my support for the No campaign, to stay in the United Kingdom. That is a long-standing conviction, going back to the late eighties when my interest in Scotland first emerged. The reasons are economic; latterly, those espousing a Yes vote would not have managed to change my mind, had this been required. Too many questions remain unanswered, and although everything may well come out in the negotiations (after a Yes vote tomorrow), you need to know what you are working towards. The Yes campaign, on too many issues, does not know what it's working towards. It is indicative of the Scottish National Party which, during its 7 years in office, has too often changed policies to suit popularity. I am seriously concerned, shit scared not to mince my words, what will happen after a Yes vote. I'm not scare-mongering. Too many assumptions are being made, to suit popularity. My faith lies with the quiet, canny Scot, who will work out what's best for him. My faith lies with those who were not prepared to express their preferences in public - sometimes for deplorable reasons. The campaign is virtually over. Voting starts in a little over 12 hours from now. Whatever the outcome is, I shall respect it. There will be no going back.
Seventy years ago, the airborne landings around the Dutch city of Arnhem heralded the start of an abortive attempt by allies to cross the river Rhine by capturing the bridge. A major commemoration has taken place at the Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery, in the town of Oosterbeek, a few miles west of Arnhem. It was there that some fierce fighting took place, as allied forces sought to advance east from their landing places on the Ginkelse Hei near the town of Ede, west of Arnhem. German forces were found to be far stronger than intelligence had suggested, forcing the allies to abandon the captured bridge. The operation ultimately failed, prolonguing the war by 8 months.
Tropical storm Odile is fading over the northern Gulf of California, and will bring large amounts of rain to Arizona, New Mexico and western Texas. Its impact in southern Baja California, is only just beginning to emerge. Want to know what the impact of a category III hurricane looks like? Just look at Baja California at the moment. The airport at Cabo San Lucas, at the southern tip, is closed with serious damage. Looting has broken out. Powerlines down, mobile phone service down for at least a month, fighting at La Paz airport for flights out of the disaster area - more info on BajaInsider. Meanwhile, the remnants of Odile are moving into Arizona, and will dump up to 9 inches of rain there. Did I hear you say "desert"?
Today is the last day of campaigning in the Scottish independence referendum. Voting takes place tomorrow between 7 am and 10 pm, with the results expected the next day. It is a momentous occasion, and I'll reiterate what I wrote on Monday: I hope people make the choice they feel is right for their country.
I have been posting about the Scottish referendum campaign and expressed my support for the No campaign, to stay in the United Kingdom. That is a long-standing conviction, going back to the late eighties when my interest in Scotland first emerged. The reasons are economic; latterly, those espousing a Yes vote would not have managed to change my mind, had this been required. Too many questions remain unanswered, and although everything may well come out in the negotiations (after a Yes vote tomorrow), you need to know what you are working towards. The Yes campaign, on too many issues, does not know what it's working towards. It is indicative of the Scottish National Party which, during its 7 years in office, has too often changed policies to suit popularity. I am seriously concerned, shit scared not to mince my words, what will happen after a Yes vote. I'm not scare-mongering. Too many assumptions are being made, to suit popularity. My faith lies with the quiet, canny Scot, who will work out what's best for him. My faith lies with those who were not prepared to express their preferences in public - sometimes for deplorable reasons. The campaign is virtually over. Voting starts in a little over 12 hours from now. Whatever the outcome is, I shall respect it. There will be no going back.
Seventy years ago, the airborne landings around the Dutch city of Arnhem heralded the start of an abortive attempt by allies to cross the river Rhine by capturing the bridge. A major commemoration has taken place at the Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery, in the town of Oosterbeek, a few miles west of Arnhem. It was there that some fierce fighting took place, as allied forces sought to advance east from their landing places on the Ginkelse Hei near the town of Ede, west of Arnhem. German forces were found to be far stronger than intelligence had suggested, forcing the allies to abandon the captured bridge. The operation ultimately failed, prolonguing the war by 8 months.
Tropical storm Odile is fading over the northern Gulf of California, and will bring large amounts of rain to Arizona, New Mexico and western Texas. Its impact in southern Baja California, is only just beginning to emerge. Want to know what the impact of a category III hurricane looks like? Just look at Baja California at the moment. The airport at Cabo San Lucas, at the southern tip, is closed with serious damage. Looting has broken out. Powerlines down, mobile phone service down for at least a month, fighting at La Paz airport for flights out of the disaster area - more info on BajaInsider. Meanwhile, the remnants of Odile are moving into Arizona, and will dump up to 9 inches of rain there. Did I hear you say "desert"?
Friday, 19 September 2014
Tuesday 16 September
Hurricane Odile has hit Baja California head-on, and there has been no update on the BajaInsider website since midnight local time, 10 hours ago. The airfield at Cabo San Lucas has stopped issuing weather reports twelve hours earlier. I just hope all are well over there. Odile reportedly carried winds of 110 knots / 130 mph at landfall, and is the strongest storm to hit the peninsula since 1948. The system will now slowly weaken as it drags the length of the peninsula, 1000 miles or 1670 km. Odile will turn up at the US border, in southern Arizona, on Friday, no longer a tropical cyclone but certainly a very wet area of low pressure.
Two days of campaigning left in the Scottish
independence referendum. I take the liberty of echoing HM Queen
Elizabeth II - people should think very carefully about their future.
Without attribution I'll say this: If you feel passionately that
Scotland should be independent, go for it. Shout it from the roofs,
plaster the streets with your views. It's a free country. If you feel
that Scotland should stay part of the UK, shout it from the roofs and
plaster the streets with your views. That's the beauty of democracy.
Thursday's the day. 18 September 2014. Speak then, or be forever silent.
There will not be another chance. Not to rejoin the UK, nor to go for
independence at a future date.
I went on a boattrip today from Maraig (Maaruig) in North Harris. A small powerboat took 5 passengers, including myself, on a two-hour tour of Loch Seaforth. This showed a close-up view of South Pairc, a derelict area of the island which is normally only accessible after a lengthy walk from the nearest road. Weather was dry, but with variable amounts of cloud. Fair bit of splashing going on, which prompted the skipper, from the Scaladale Centre, to slow down his craft.
Before setting out from Maraig, I had nearly 3 hours to spare, which I filled in by walking up the path towards Urgha. At the highest point, above the Laxdale Lochs, I had a lovely view of said lochs. A group of mountain bikers turned up, who were doing a circuit from Tarbert to Maraig, round to Reinigeadal and back to Urgha via the postman's trail.
More pics here
I went on a boattrip today from Maraig (Maaruig) in North Harris. A small powerboat took 5 passengers, including myself, on a two-hour tour of Loch Seaforth. This showed a close-up view of South Pairc, a derelict area of the island which is normally only accessible after a lengthy walk from the nearest road. Weather was dry, but with variable amounts of cloud. Fair bit of splashing going on, which prompted the skipper, from the Scaladale Centre, to slow down his craft.
Before setting out from Maraig, I had nearly 3 hours to spare, which I filled in by walking up the path towards Urgha. At the highest point, above the Laxdale Lochs, I had a lovely view of said lochs. A group of mountain bikers turned up, who were doing a circuit from Tarbert to Maraig, round to Reinigeadal and back to Urgha via the postman's trail.
More pics here
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