The last day of the month, and the 15th anniversary of the death of Princess Diana. In the early hours of 31 August 1997, she died of injuries sustained in a car crash in a Parish underpass. One of the most popular royals, her death led to a massive, nationwide (and beyond) outpouring of grief, something that was missed by the Royal Family - until it was almost too late. I have seen no reference to the anniversary in British websites; the reminder came from Dutch broadcaster NOS.
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar [Western Isles Council] has seen the light and scrapped the community skips. Dotted all over the islands, the green skips are available for people to dump their waste into; whether it be defunct household appliances, metal, wood - it was always there. The scrapping of this service will backfire spectacularly, because the uplift from people's homes costs £20 for up to 5 items. Knowing the economic hardship, suffered by many islanders, we can duly expect an increase in fly-tipping. The excuse, for excuse it is, is that the skips are a hazard for children who may be injured when they play in the skips. That is something I find less than likely; the aperture for putting stuff into the skips stands 4 feet off the ground. The reason that refuse workers may get injured through handling the contents of the skips can only be met with scorn.
Today was a day of overcast skies and occasional rain. It wasn't really cold, 15C / 59F, but neither was it vastly warm. The next few days will see more rain and wind. On Monday, the remains of hurricane Kirk will pay us a flying visit - just a near-gale.
