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.
Sunday, 10 April 2011
Bloodbath in Holland
A 25-year old man, Tristan van der Vlis, has caused a bloodbath at a shopping centre in the town of Alphen-aan-den-Rijn in western Holland yesterday. He walked into the mall just after midday and opened fire with an automatic weapon. Having killed six people, he turned the gun on himself. In a suicide note, the culprit had said that he had left bombs in the mall and elsewhere in Alphen, but that turned out to be a hoax. had faced police enquiries about weapons 8 years ago, but had not been convicted of any crime.
As much a hoax was the tweet from a youngster who had threatened to emulate Alphen in the town of Hoogvliet, west of Rotterdam. The teenager has been arrested by police and is being interrogated.
Mass shootings like this are virtually unheard of in Holland, where gun possession is strictly regulated, and automatic weapons banned.
Saturday, 9 April 2011
Saturday 9 April
Today started as shown in the picture above. People in and around Stornoway were awoken at around 7 am by the foghorns of the ferry, the cruiseliner Marco Polo, the pilot boat and the freight ferry Muirneag blasting away at regular intervals.
A few hours later, the fog was lifting, giving way to a bright and sunny day. The mercury rose to a respectable 16C / 61F, although the air felt cold due to the lingering high humidity. The passengers on the Marco Polo trooped through the town, and went on bustrips around the island.
I carried on with my piece of research on the Bishops Islands, posting about the smaller island of Sandray. Pabbay will follow later tonight or tomorrow. The biggest island, Mingulay, will take me a wee while to process. It had a population of between 120 and 160. The last person left in 1912.
The second subject, which is a long-running project, concerns the witnesses to the Napier Commission. I have now moved to those giving evidence at Miavaig here in Lewis.
Friday, 8 April 2011
Friday 8 April
An overcast day, but little wind and not too cold. The Greenpeace ship Esperanza has left Stornoway, and is headed for Londonderry - by going north. Londonderry is about 300 miles south of here. I went into town this morning to exchange an item of clothing which turned out to be oversized. And it also turned out to be very dark blue rather than black - but then I am known to be colourdeaf.
Around midnight last night, a man fell into the water at the harbour here. He was rescued a little while later by the lifeboat and other services, and taken to Western Isles hospital. Regrettably, he was found to be dead on arrival. The fisherman came from Aultbea in Wester Ross, across the water from here. Police are investigating, but are not treating the incident as suspicious.
This afternoon (I'm posting this around 1.30pm), I'll be transcribing the final part of the Bishops Isles census, for 1901. I'll then process the resulting data and post them on my local history blog Pentland Road.
Around midnight last night, a man fell into the water at the harbour here. He was rescued a little while later by the lifeboat and other services, and taken to Western Isles hospital. Regrettably, he was found to be dead on arrival. The fisherman came from Aultbea in Wester Ross, across the water from here. Police are investigating, but are not treating the incident as suspicious.
This afternoon (I'm posting this around 1.30pm), I'll be transcribing the final part of the Bishops Isles census, for 1901. I'll then process the resulting data and post them on my local history blog Pentland Road.
Thursday 7 April
Very breezy today, but not terribly cold. Went into town to buy more stamps (13% dearer than last week) to indulge my postcrossing hobby. A stamp to Europe now costs 68p, and to outside Europe 110p. Was 60p and 97p respectively. I also went to buy some new items of clothing, to replace what had been worn out. Happens. I have also continued my transcription of the censuses for the Bishops Isles (Sandray, Pabbay, Mingulay and Berneray). In case you are wondering: many of the names in the Hebrides have a Norse derivation, and the suffix -ay denotes an island. The Greenpeace ship Esperanza continues to be tied up at Arnish, awaiting a break in the weather.
Thursday, 7 April 2011
Culloden: apologies sought
I could not believe my eyes when this article appeared on the BBC News website. It says that members of a secret society, called A Circle of Gentlemen, aims to march from Derby to London to petition 10 Downing Street for a state apology for alleged war crimes, committed following the Battle of Culloden in 1746.
It is a matter of historical record that atrocities were committed by Hanoverian forces after Prince Charles Edward Stuart’s defeat at this battle, fought near Inverness, in April 1746.
In my personal opinion, I do not feel that it serves any useful purpose to hark back to an awful event, which occurred 265 years ago. Nothing that happened since will be changed by a state apology, and neither will any state policy towards the Highlands and Islands be altered as a result.
I think it is rather more pertinent that an apology be sought over the Battle of the Boyne, of 1689, the repercussions of which include the euphemistically called Troubles in Northern Ireland. Is anyone going to go to The Hague, Netherlands, to demand an apology from Queen Beatrix for the misdeeds resulting from the actions of one of her predecessors, 322 years ago? And is anyone going to go to Ankara to seek contrition from the Turkish government over the battle of Kosovo in 1389, as a result of which a bloody civil war was fought in the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s?
In recent years, the government of Australia has apologised to the Aborigine population of that nation, for the way they had been treated until very recently. From now on, this should result in the Aborigines being treated in the same way as everybody else in Australia. That is a positive, constructive result from that apology. I see no constructive outcome of any apology for Culloden. It’s too long ago, and I have pointed out the two other historical examples to highlight the dangers of living in the past.
Furthermore, to really put the cat amongst the pigeons, I think that Bonnie Prince Charlie was ill advised to commence this campaign to claim the English throne. He did not have the full backing of all Highland clans, his military strategy were seriously flawed. Charles is responsible for the consequences of his actions. He gave Cumberland et al the pretext to commit the atrocities they had been itching to perpetrate.
It is a matter of historical record that atrocities were committed by Hanoverian forces after Prince Charles Edward Stuart’s defeat at this battle, fought near Inverness, in April 1746.
In my personal opinion, I do not feel that it serves any useful purpose to hark back to an awful event, which occurred 265 years ago. Nothing that happened since will be changed by a state apology, and neither will any state policy towards the Highlands and Islands be altered as a result.
I think it is rather more pertinent that an apology be sought over the Battle of the Boyne, of 1689, the repercussions of which include the euphemistically called Troubles in Northern Ireland. Is anyone going to go to The Hague, Netherlands, to demand an apology from Queen Beatrix for the misdeeds resulting from the actions of one of her predecessors, 322 years ago? And is anyone going to go to Ankara to seek contrition from the Turkish government over the battle of Kosovo in 1389, as a result of which a bloody civil war was fought in the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s?
In recent years, the government of Australia has apologised to the Aborigine population of that nation, for the way they had been treated until very recently. From now on, this should result in the Aborigines being treated in the same way as everybody else in Australia. That is a positive, constructive result from that apology. I see no constructive outcome of any apology for Culloden. It’s too long ago, and I have pointed out the two other historical examples to highlight the dangers of living in the past.
Furthermore, to really put the cat amongst the pigeons, I think that Bonnie Prince Charlie was ill advised to commence this campaign to claim the English throne. He did not have the full backing of all Highland clans, his military strategy were seriously flawed. Charles is responsible for the consequences of his actions. He gave Cumberland et al the pretext to commit the atrocities they had been itching to perpetrate.
Wednesday, 6 April 2011
Wednesday 6 April
A thoroughly wet day, with quite strong winds at times. We managed 12C; Norfolk rose to 23.9C, with Aberdeenshire (northeastern Scotland) not far behind at 21C / 70F. Well, let's hope it dries up by tomorrow. Same temperatures, but a bit brighter, the forecast said.
Spent the day transcribing censuses for the Bishops Isles south of Barra, which is becoming increasingly complicated as the census transcription on Ancestry no longer differentiates between the four islands of Berneray, Mingulay, Pabbay and Sandray. Furthermore, there are some serious transcription errors which I need to double-check on another website. Bit troublesome.
The Eoropie Tearoom is reporting aurora borealis on the northern horizon. Unfortunately, it is raining here in Stornoway (25 miles to the south), so I can safely forget about the northern lights. The night will come that I can see them - keep believing :-)
Spent the day transcribing censuses for the Bishops Isles south of Barra, which is becoming increasingly complicated as the census transcription on Ancestry no longer differentiates between the four islands of Berneray, Mingulay, Pabbay and Sandray. Furthermore, there are some serious transcription errors which I need to double-check on another website. Bit troublesome.
The Eoropie Tearoom is reporting aurora borealis on the northern horizon. Unfortunately, it is raining here in Stornoway (25 miles to the south), so I can safely forget about the northern lights. The night will come that I can see them - keep believing :-)
Tuesday, 5 April 2011
Tuesday 5 April
An overcast and cold day, with plenty of rain and wind. The overnight gales subsided well before daybreak, but otherwise, there was little temptation to venture out. I did go to the shop for a few bits and pieces. I spent most of today transcribing censuses for the islands of Berneray (Barra), Mingulay, Pabbay and Sandray. I have outlined the purpose for this exercise on my Pentland Road blog.
The typhoon season in the Pacific Ocean is trying to get off the ground, but the season has not advanced far enough. The northeast monsoon is still active near East Asia, which brings atmospheric conditions that are not conducive for tropical cyclones to form. But I will keep an eye open over the weeks and months to come. It is two months until the Atlantic hurricane season kicks off, not that far away. Winter is over, spring is progressing. Be aware.
I heard on the grapevine that a selection of the Lewis Chessmen have arrived in the island, to be exhibited at Museum nan Eilean on Francis Street here in Stornoway. An opening night will be held on April 14th, with the exhibition running from 15th April until 12th September. The same source also advises that some of the chessmen could come to the Uig Museum, a mile or so from the location where they were first unearthed from the dunes at Ardroil, 35 miles west of Stornoway.
(Image courtesy National Museums for Scotland).
The typhoon season in the Pacific Ocean is trying to get off the ground, but the season has not advanced far enough. The northeast monsoon is still active near East Asia, which brings atmospheric conditions that are not conducive for tropical cyclones to form. But I will keep an eye open over the weeks and months to come. It is two months until the Atlantic hurricane season kicks off, not that far away. Winter is over, spring is progressing. Be aware.
(Image courtesy National Museums for Scotland).
Monday, 4 April 2011
Monday 4 April
Today was mainly overcast, and the morning saw some quite unpleasant weather. Persistent moderate rain, blown along by a strong easterly wind made it feel particularly cold. The Greenpeace vessel Esperanza came in to seek shelter from the poor weather, docking alongside no 3 pier until just before 6pm this evening.
I had to go to the post office to get 8p worth of stamps. A postcrossing card was ready with a 60p stamp to go to Germany, but the postal rates went up as of today, so the extra postage was required.
I am not a terribly political person, but one thing stood out in terms of the May 5th Scottish election campaign. One of the main political parties have announced that if they come into government, they will scrap the Road-Equivalent Tariff, which has led to a halving of ferry fares over the past few years - resulting in a 30% increase in tourism trade in the Outer Hebrides. I think that's a classical case of turkeys voting for an early Christmas.
I have now completed the research into the Harris witnesses, who gave evidence to the Napier Commission in 1883. You may wonder why an event from 128 years ago is so important in 2011. The findings by Lord Napier led to a fundamental change in laws and practices surrounding land ownership and land usage. Next, I shall have a look at the witnesses at St Kilda, thence on to Uig (Lewis).
I had to go to the post office to get 8p worth of stamps. A postcrossing card was ready with a 60p stamp to go to Germany, but the postal rates went up as of today, so the extra postage was required.
I am not a terribly political person, but one thing stood out in terms of the May 5th Scottish election campaign. One of the main political parties have announced that if they come into government, they will scrap the Road-Equivalent Tariff, which has led to a halving of ferry fares over the past few years - resulting in a 30% increase in tourism trade in the Outer Hebrides. I think that's a classical case of turkeys voting for an early Christmas.
I have now completed the research into the Harris witnesses, who gave evidence to the Napier Commission in 1883. You may wonder why an event from 128 years ago is so important in 2011. The findings by Lord Napier led to a fundamental change in laws and practices surrounding land ownership and land usage. Next, I shall have a look at the witnesses at St Kilda, thence on to Uig (Lewis).
Sunday 3 April
The day start off fairly sunny, but we got a healthy dose of April showers not long after midday. Rain, hail, snow, not to mention the kitchen-sink came down. It is supposed to be mild darn sarf [down south], but not so up here in the far north. I kept a quiet day, looking into the witnesses to the Napier Commission who hailed from Taransay. That island's reputation took a bit of a knock in 2000, when 35 people were boated out there for 12 months and told, upon punishment of public humiliation, to build a community there. Local people were not really amused, except by the antics of some of the participants. Castaway 2000 only has one of the living pods left in mainland Harris - it sits along the village road into Luskentyre, 10 miles southwest of Tarbert.
There is a tinge of sadness about the personal story of the two witnesses. Although nobody lived permanently in the island after the 1880s, they both died on Taransay, in 1909 and 1913. People had to move away after they had been banned from sowing seed or keeping livestock.
Paible, Taransay, from Horgabost
There is a tinge of sadness about the personal story of the two witnesses. Although nobody lived permanently in the island after the 1880s, they both died on Taransay, in 1909 and 1913. People had to move away after they had been banned from sowing seed or keeping livestock.
Paible, Taransay, from Horgabost
Sunday, 3 April 2011
Saturday 2 April
The day started nice and sunny, after yesterday's wall-to-wall rain. Apart from a few spits and spots in the afternoon, the weather remained quite acceptable. The only downside was the wind, which made it feel cool if not cold out of the sun. Went to Coll beach, about 7 miles north of Stornoway on the east coast. It is one of the few beaches in Lewis I had not previously explored (strangely enough). And even stranger, to digress, was to see a program on TV from 2006 about people seeking a home to buy in Lewis, where the presenter started by talking from the banks of the Coll River, only a few yards away.
Anyway, here are some of the pics from that little foray.
Anyway, here are some of the pics from that little foray.
Saturday, 2 April 2011
Friday 1 April
April Fool's Day was a sopping wet and very windy affair. At one point, the wind rose to galeforce, with gusts to 70 mph at the Butt of Lewis. I spent this Friday collating information regarding the islands of Ensay and Killegray in the Sound of Harris, south of Leverburgh.
I am currently enjoying the Island Parish series on BBC2, which is featuring the islands of Barra, Eriskay and South Uist. These are the only Roman Catholic islands in this archipelago, with the boundary with Protestantism straddling Benbecula. The final episode will be on Friday 15 April. The series focuses on the life and times of three Roman Catholic priests, as well as some of the islanders. Tonight's instalment showed an American couple (named Macniel, after the predominant surname in Barra), who came looking for their roots. The gentleman found it rather hard to cope with the history of Kishmul Castle, in Barra's main town, Castlebay.
Another television series I am watching on Channel 5, is Ice Road Truckers, showing truck drivers on the Dalton Road in Alaska, which links Fairbanks to the oilfields at Prudhoe Bay on the Arctic Ocean. In last night's episode, one of them crashed off the carriageway after taking his eyes off the road to hang up his CB mike. Fortunately, he was uninjured and his rig basically unscathed. But he will be facing some form of disciplinary action.
I am currently enjoying the Island Parish series on BBC2, which is featuring the islands of Barra, Eriskay and South Uist. These are the only Roman Catholic islands in this archipelago, with the boundary with Protestantism straddling Benbecula. The final episode will be on Friday 15 April. The series focuses on the life and times of three Roman Catholic priests, as well as some of the islanders. Tonight's instalment showed an American couple (named Macniel, after the predominant surname in Barra), who came looking for their roots. The gentleman found it rather hard to cope with the history of Kishmul Castle, in Barra's main town, Castlebay.
Another television series I am watching on Channel 5, is Ice Road Truckers, showing truck drivers on the Dalton Road in Alaska, which links Fairbanks to the oilfields at Prudhoe Bay on the Arctic Ocean. In last night's episode, one of them crashed off the carriageway after taking his eyes off the road to hang up his CB mike. Fortunately, he was uninjured and his rig basically unscathed. But he will be facing some form of disciplinary action.
Friday, 1 April 2011
Thursday 31 March
The day started wet and overcast, but also with the unusual sight of a flock of 7 swans. They were sedately swimming in the basin across the road. Not long after this pic was taken, they had turned round and gone back to the main part of the harbour.
Spent the day with further research into the islands in the Sound of Harris, between North Uist and Berneray. Places like Boreray, Pabbay, Ensay and Killegray. I have not completed the work on the latter two islands, which lie close together, just south of Leverburgh. I also nipped up the road to have a look at the new sorting office, which will open on Rigs Road here in Stornoway on Monday.
The old sorting office burned out in November 2007.
The day ended sunny and quite pleasant, but increasingly windy.
Spent the day with further research into the islands in the Sound of Harris, between North Uist and Berneray. Places like Boreray, Pabbay, Ensay and Killegray. I have not completed the work on the latter two islands, which lie close together, just south of Leverburgh. I also nipped up the road to have a look at the new sorting office, which will open on Rigs Road here in Stornoway on Monday.
The old sorting office burned out in November 2007.
The day ended sunny and quite pleasant, but increasingly windy.
Wednesday, 30 March 2011
Wednesday 30 March
A grey, wet and increasingly windy day today. The overnight freight ferry has been cancelled due to adverse weather. That did not quite become clear from the forecast, but some weathermen give us force 7 winds at some point during Thursday.
Some good news regarding the campaign against cuts in the coastguard service. I quote from Prime Minister's Questions this afternoon:
In other words, the plans that were on the table from the beginning of this year appear to be dead in the water. These involve downgrading or closing five of the Scottish Coastguard stations (including the one here in Stornoway), as well as quite a few others south of the border.
Some good news regarding the campaign against cuts in the coastguard service. I quote from Prime Minister's Questions this afternoon:
Sarah Newton (Truro and Falmouth): From his visits to Cornwall, the Prime Minister will appreciate the high regard for the coastguard service there and around the UK. I am reassured that the Under-Secretary of State for Transport, my hon. Friend the Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mike Penning), has said that the current modernisation proposals are not a done deal. Does the Prime Minister agree that it is very important to get the plans right?
The Prime Minister: I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend. She is a Cornish MP, and I am sure that she and the whole of the House would want me to say how much we feel for our colleague, my hon. Friend the Member for South East Cornwall (Sheryll Murray), who lost her husband in a tragic fishing accident. That demonstrates the extraordinary risks that people in coastal communities take, and our hearts should go out to her and her family.
We want to make changes only if they improve the coastguard support that people in fishing communities and elsewhere get. That is what the reform is about: trying to ensure that the real impetus is on the front line. If that is not the case, we will obviously have to reconsider the reforms, and that is why they are being reviewed. What I would say to everyone who cares about this issue is: work with us to make sure we get the maximum amount in those lifeboats and other ways of helping our fishing and other communities.
In other words, the plans that were on the table from the beginning of this year appear to be dead in the water. These involve downgrading or closing five of the Scottish Coastguard stations (including the one here in Stornoway), as well as quite a few others south of the border.
Tuesday, 29 March 2011
Tuesday 29 March
A cold day today, with no sun to speak of. The mercury managed 10C at one point, but I think the average was nearer 6 or 7C. I went to town for a few bits and pieces, and found a book on the Italian Chapel in Orkney, which I visited myself in October 2008. It is an old Nissen hut which Italian prisoners-of-war had converted into a beautiful little church during the Second World War.
with more of my pictures on this link.
I also managed to resolve a riddle in my local history research, when I found references in the 1901 Scottish census to people living in the island of Scarp. In the course of resolving the same query, I came across names of townships that no longer exist in Harris: Luachair is one of those. I visited its neighbour, Kinloch Resort, in May 2005.
with more of my pictures on this link.
I also managed to resolve a riddle in my local history research, when I found references in the 1901 Scottish census to people living in the island of Scarp. In the course of resolving the same query, I came across names of townships that no longer exist in Harris: Luachair is one of those. I visited its neighbour, Kinloch Resort, in May 2005.
Monday, 28 March 2011
Monday 28 March
Overcast and feeling cold today, as we have to do without direct sunlight. I've been busy with my current project, looking up census information on those who gave evidence to the Napier Commission in 1883. All those who showed up at Obbe (Leverburgh today) have been tracked, with the exception of one man who was based in North Uist, 10 miles to the south across the water. I am also looking into the residents of Boreray, an island now derelict, just off North Uist. In 1851, there were 150 residents.
In Libya, the rebels have apparently run into substantial opposition near Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte. Which was to be expected. A debate is raging within NATO, currently conducting operations to implement UN resolution 1973, over the extent of its remit. Should the rebels be helped, or should Gaddafi be stymied. A difficult call to make.
A delivery driver for the local Tesco supermarket disrupted a funeral procession at Callanish last week. He drove his vehicle into the cortege as it moved slowly along the road towards the cemetery. He stopped ahead of the coffin, on board radio blaring, leaving the procession to veer around his vehicle. It is common practice for funeral processions in Lewis to be allowed to proceed unimpeded and uninterrupted. The manager for Tesco has apologised to the family concerned.
When I attended a funeral a few years ago in Holland, traffic stopped when the hearse left the church, on its way to the graveyard. And it was a servicebus that pulled up first.
In Libya, the rebels have apparently run into substantial opposition near Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte. Which was to be expected. A debate is raging within NATO, currently conducting operations to implement UN resolution 1973, over the extent of its remit. Should the rebels be helped, or should Gaddafi be stymied. A difficult call to make.
A delivery driver for the local Tesco supermarket disrupted a funeral procession at Callanish last week. He drove his vehicle into the cortege as it moved slowly along the road towards the cemetery. He stopped ahead of the coffin, on board radio blaring, leaving the procession to veer around his vehicle. It is common practice for funeral processions in Lewis to be allowed to proceed unimpeded and uninterrupted. The manager for Tesco has apologised to the family concerned.
When I attended a funeral a few years ago in Holland, traffic stopped when the hearse left the church, on its way to the graveyard. And it was a servicebus that pulled up first.
Sunday, 27 March 2011
Sunday 27 March
Yes, the clocks went forward an hour last night, so it stayed light until after 8pm this evening. Makes a pleasant transition from winter to spring. It was a variable day, with some sunshine and a few light showers about. It is the Hebrides, after all. I spoke to someone from the Baltic states today who was surprised that we don't get a lot of snow, and that it isn't really cold here. The Baltic states are at the same latitude as the Hebrides - but we have the benefit of the Gulf Stream.
The situation in Libya has changed dramatically over the past week, with the aerial intervention from coalition forces weakening pro-Gaddafi forces to such an extent that they had to abandon all their recent territorial gains. At present, the rebel forces are on a speed march west, towards Sirte. However, it is to be expected that pro-Gaddafi forces will possibly regroup in a major population centre to mount a concerted defence. How this will pan out in the end remains hidden in the future, and there is no predicting.
I have continued my research into the Napier witnesses, but am occasionally drawing blanks. Nonetheless, it is quite interesting to see the family life from people from 19th century Harris come to life again; even if through the drab pages of the censes of 1841 through 1901. Today was census day in the UK, and I have duly recorded myself. Reading a census from the past is like shining a narrow beacon into the dark recesses of history. For one night, we see where all those people were, what they were doing and what age they were. None of those are now left alive. As much as no one that filled out the census form today will be alive by the time the 2011 census is put in the public domain in April 2111. On Tuesday 5 April, the census for 1911 will become publicly available, but you have pay for the privilege.
The situation in Libya has changed dramatically over the past week, with the aerial intervention from coalition forces weakening pro-Gaddafi forces to such an extent that they had to abandon all their recent territorial gains. At present, the rebel forces are on a speed march west, towards Sirte. However, it is to be expected that pro-Gaddafi forces will possibly regroup in a major population centre to mount a concerted defence. How this will pan out in the end remains hidden in the future, and there is no predicting.
I have continued my research into the Napier witnesses, but am occasionally drawing blanks. Nonetheless, it is quite interesting to see the family life from people from 19th century Harris come to life again; even if through the drab pages of the censes of 1841 through 1901. Today was census day in the UK, and I have duly recorded myself. Reading a census from the past is like shining a narrow beacon into the dark recesses of history. For one night, we see where all those people were, what they were doing and what age they were. None of those are now left alive. As much as no one that filled out the census form today will be alive by the time the 2011 census is put in the public domain in April 2111. On Tuesday 5 April, the census for 1911 will become publicly available, but you have pay for the privilege.
Saturday 26 March
It is supposed to be dry and bright, but never trust the weather in these islands. We promptly got a handful of light showers after midday. By mid evening, the mercury had plummeted to freezing - another unexpected quirk. Daytime high was 11C / 52F, which gives no reasons for complaint at this time of year.
I spent most of the day researching aspects of local history, more specifically the people who gave evidence to the Napier Commission in 1883. This report, several thousand pages long, has kept me occupied since last summer. However, in recent times I have acquired some new skills in accessing census data (thanks Peter), which has enabled me to paint the picture of (e.g.) the Reverend Alexander Davidson, who gave evidence to Lord Napier et al on 31 May 1883. He was the minister in the Free Church in Harris, more specifically in the Bays area (the eastern side of South Harris).
At the end of the day, all the clocks had to be put forward by an hour, as British Summer Time is once more upon us. Did you put your clocks forward?
I spent most of the day researching aspects of local history, more specifically the people who gave evidence to the Napier Commission in 1883. This report, several thousand pages long, has kept me occupied since last summer. However, in recent times I have acquired some new skills in accessing census data (thanks Peter), which has enabled me to paint the picture of (e.g.) the Reverend Alexander Davidson, who gave evidence to Lord Napier et al on 31 May 1883. He was the minister in the Free Church in Harris, more specifically in the Bays area (the eastern side of South Harris).
At the end of the day, all the clocks had to be put forward by an hour, as British Summer Time is once more upon us. Did you put your clocks forward?
Saturday, 26 March 2011
Friday 25 March
It appears that Stornoway will experience traffic problems when all traffic coming in from the east, along Sandwick Road, will be diverted between 11 April and 18 July. The road closure is marked between the two markers, with a red line. The diversion routes are marked in blue.
The summer timetables for the buses have come into force today, but the Council is not able to print timetable booklets (with all 15 routes). Instead, we are issued with computer printouts for each individual routes. Fine if you're a resident, but not good for tourists. The Council says it is cutting back - but not on refurbishing its own HQ at a cost of £160,000.
Today's weather was quite bright and at times sunny. I spent most of the afternoon looking into a small village, now deserted, in Harris. It's called Molinginish, and I have written this post on the history of its people in the 19th century.
The summer timetables for the buses have come into force today, but the Council is not able to print timetable booklets (with all 15 routes). Instead, we are issued with computer printouts for each individual routes. Fine if you're a resident, but not good for tourists. The Council says it is cutting back - but not on refurbishing its own HQ at a cost of £160,000.
Today's weather was quite bright and at times sunny. I spent most of the afternoon looking into a small village, now deserted, in Harris. It's called Molinginish, and I have written this post on the history of its people in the 19th century.
Thursday, 24 March 2011
Thursday 24 March
Not quite as nice as yesterday, but still pretty bright with some elusive sunshine. As timetables are changing tomorrow, I went out to the ferry terminal to get copies of the summer timetables for the Calmac ferries. No problem. At the bus station, they only had timetables for the individual routes, not a booklet with all timetables combined. A bit of a nuisance, and I told the staff I'd download the timetables from the Internet.
It would appear that the no-fly zone over Libya is in force, and being enforced. Gaddafi's "ceasefire" is precisely the opposite, and it is better to view that man's words in their exact opposite - he is a proficient liar. His people are suffering as a result, and I hope for their sake, that Libya will soon be a no-Gaddafi zone. Not just Muammar, but also the clique of his offspring, which are just as nefarious.
A young woman who went missing from Swindon in Wiltshire a few days ago has been found dead near the town. Another corpse was also located, and a man has been charged with a double murder.
It would appear that the no-fly zone over Libya is in force, and being enforced. Gaddafi's "ceasefire" is precisely the opposite, and it is better to view that man's words in their exact opposite - he is a proficient liar. His people are suffering as a result, and I hope for their sake, that Libya will soon be a no-Gaddafi zone. Not just Muammar, but also the clique of his offspring, which are just as nefarious.
A young woman who went missing from Swindon in Wiltshire a few days ago has been found dead near the town. Another corpse was also located, and a man has been charged with a double murder.
Wednesday 23 March
A beautiful spring day, which saw the mercury at its highest so far this year: 15C / 59F. During the morning, the clouds drifted away and I took advantage of the nice weather with a foray out in the general direction of Carloway. The most scenic route there is along the old Pentland Road, which had been designed to be the trackbed of a light railway, but is now a roadway. It leads through the desolate centre of the island towards the villages of Breasclete and Carloway.
At Carloway, we diverted to the Doune Breas Hotel for lunch - but I prefer to keep my opinion of that particular meal private, as it's not suitable for publication on an open blog. We then made our way north to Dalmore, which is a tiny hamlet a mile or two from Carloway, in by the shore.
Dalmore hosts a large cemetery, and I had taken along a list of wargrave stones I needed to photograph again, as the originals (taken in 2007) were not very clear. The strong sunlight made light work of that on this occasion. The Dalmore graveyard lies right above the beach.
Here are some of the pics I took there:
At Carloway, we diverted to the Doune Breas Hotel for lunch - but I prefer to keep my opinion of that particular meal private, as it's not suitable for publication on an open blog. We then made our way north to Dalmore, which is a tiny hamlet a mile or two from Carloway, in by the shore.
Dalmore hosts a large cemetery, and I had taken along a list of wargrave stones I needed to photograph again, as the originals (taken in 2007) were not very clear. The strong sunlight made light work of that on this occasion. The Dalmore graveyard lies right above the beach.
Here are some of the pics I took there:
Tuesday, 22 March 2011
Tuesday 22 March
A beautiful sunny day, with hardly a cloud in the sky. Went for a short walk around the basin in front of my position, looking for scallops. However, I only found empty shells. Looks as if the oystercatchers beat me to them.
This morning, I received notification that a little boy in the States, Caden Hall, had died six months after being diagnosed with cancer. His mother and other family members had kept us updated through a website called CaringBridge, and over the weekend the situation became desperate. Just before 2 am local time, he died. Now, without being callous, this happens a lot of the time. I am flagging it up to highlight the power of the Internet in a situation like this. Dozens of people who never met the family involved, and will never do so either, flocked to the site to leave a message of sympathy. Some professed to be in tears, or at least quite emotional. I trust these messages will help the family through their grief. I am not a parent, and cannot imagine the torment they will have gone through as their child deteriorated in front of their eyes.
I have downloaded the latest update for my webbrowser, Firefox. It is now at version 4, and it does appear to be working faster than the old version. I suspect that disabling all the incompatible add-ons will have speeded matters up for a start.
A few pics from my walk this afternoon.
Know that sinking feeling?
Houses at Newton
Hooded crow
This morning, I received notification that a little boy in the States, Caden Hall, had died six months after being diagnosed with cancer. His mother and other family members had kept us updated through a website called CaringBridge, and over the weekend the situation became desperate. Just before 2 am local time, he died. Now, without being callous, this happens a lot of the time. I am flagging it up to highlight the power of the Internet in a situation like this. Dozens of people who never met the family involved, and will never do so either, flocked to the site to leave a message of sympathy. Some professed to be in tears, or at least quite emotional. I trust these messages will help the family through their grief. I am not a parent, and cannot imagine the torment they will have gone through as their child deteriorated in front of their eyes.
I have downloaded the latest update for my webbrowser, Firefox. It is now at version 4, and it does appear to be working faster than the old version. I suspect that disabling all the incompatible add-ons will have speeded matters up for a start.
A few pics from my walk this afternoon.
Know that sinking feeling?
Houses at Newton
Hooded crow
Monday, 21 March 2011
Monday 21 March
An overcast and very breezy day. When I was outside it felt quite cold in the wind, although the mercury is at 11C / 52F. Two hundred miles to the east, in Aberdeen, the mercury is forecast to reach 17C in bright sunshine. This results from the wind passing over the mountains and warming up as it descends on their eastern flanks. In German speaking countries they call it the föhn effect.
I am very pleased to learn that the Scottish Government have now approved the right of the Pairc Community to force their landowner, Mr Barry Lomas, to sell his estate against his will. It is understood that Mr Lomas is considering legal action against this decision.
An independent valuation of the land will be carried out, after which the Pairc Trust has six months to come up with the money. If this is successful, projects for the regeneration of the area can be implemented.
This saga has dragged on for more than 6 years, starting in November 2004 when the community voted to go for a buy-out. The estate owner has used every delaying tactic in the book, trying to frustrate the legal right of the residents to buy the estate.
A complicating factor has been a proposed windfarm for the Pairc Estate, which (upon approval) would send the cost of the estate spiralling out of the reach of the Pairc Trust. Whether this will be given the go-ahead remains in the balance, particularly now that the Scottish Parliament is about to rise for elections on May 5th.
I would like to join with the Rural Affairs Minister in wishing the Pairc Trust every success in raising whatever funds are required for the purchase, and in their endeavours to regenerate the Pairc area of Lewis.
Sunday, 20 March 2011
Sunday 20 March
I was interested to see the rather large full moon out last night. My pictures did not turn out as good as some others' (I have to fiddle around with camera settings, and not used to that). However, here are two of my late night pics from yesterday.
I had a very quiet day today. The weather turned increasingly windy, as per forecast. Whereas the rest of the UK is nice and warm, with temps of 15C, we are going in the opposite direction, with the mercury slumping to 5C by the end of the week.
The military intervention to impose a no-fly zone over Libya, and to stop the advance of Gaddafi's forces appears to be meeting its objectives. Whether the unspoken aim of removing Gaddafi from power will be met is uncertain.
I had a very quiet day today. The weather turned increasingly windy, as per forecast. Whereas the rest of the UK is nice and warm, with temps of 15C, we are going in the opposite direction, with the mercury slumping to 5C by the end of the week.
The military intervention to impose a no-fly zone over Libya, and to stop the advance of Gaddafi's forces appears to be meeting its objectives. Whether the unspoken aim of removing Gaddafi from power will be met is uncertain.
Saturday, 19 March 2011
Saturday 19 March
The day is showery and fairly cold, at least it feels cold when there is a downpour and strengthening wind. Events started after midday, when a man could be seen walking a llama down the road. Like you do. Seriously, there is someone in Ness (North Lewis) who has llamas, and people can go on walks with them.
At 2pm, a march was held from the centre of Stornoway to the Coastguard Station, just down the road from my position. It was well attended, about 200 people were on the march, with a police escort and the pipe band keeping up the spirits in the face of inclement conditions. Local politicians held short speeches once outside the CGS. The march was in protest against proposed cutbacks to the Coastguard service. The below video shows the march as it files past the Tesco supermarket on Shell Street.
Rally at the Coastguard Station
March passing along Newton Street
At 2pm, a march was held from the centre of Stornoway to the Coastguard Station, just down the road from my position. It was well attended, about 200 people were on the march, with a police escort and the pipe band keeping up the spirits in the face of inclement conditions. Local politicians held short speeches once outside the CGS. The march was in protest against proposed cutbacks to the Coastguard service. The below video shows the march as it files past the Tesco supermarket on Shell Street.
Rally at the Coastguard Station
March passing along Newton Street
Friday, 18 March 2011
Friday 18 March
The day started out with beefy showers, which gradually subsided as the afternoon wore on. The mercury is headed down at the moment, with the possibility of a frost in the night.
The UN resolution to impose a no-fly zone over Libya was met by Gaddafi's immediate cease-fire. Something that was a pertinent lie, as heavy fighting was reported to the west of Benghazi, the centre of the uprising against Mr Gaddafi. Resolution 1973 provides for all measures, save an invasion, to protect the people of Libya against the oppression of the ruling clique. And may they get lost soon.
It was a week ago today that the 9.0 earthquake and tsunami ravaged the northeast of Japan. So far, about 17,000 people are either dead or missing, with half a million displaced. The crisis in the nuclear reactor has finally been recognised by the Japanese authorities, who upgraded the severity of the incident at Fukushima to grade 5 on a scale of 0 to 7.
I have continued the transcription of the war diaries from the First World War, describing wholesale slaughter. A battalion of 440 men was reduced to 80 in one day, during the Battle of Arras in April 1917. It becomes quite wearying to read the battleplans, and the futility of that conflict rises from the pages like a dark mist. I have always enjoyed doing the research into WW1, but this aspect has not been easy.
The UN resolution to impose a no-fly zone over Libya was met by Gaddafi's immediate cease-fire. Something that was a pertinent lie, as heavy fighting was reported to the west of Benghazi, the centre of the uprising against Mr Gaddafi. Resolution 1973 provides for all measures, save an invasion, to protect the people of Libya against the oppression of the ruling clique. And may they get lost soon.
It was a week ago today that the 9.0 earthquake and tsunami ravaged the northeast of Japan. So far, about 17,000 people are either dead or missing, with half a million displaced. The crisis in the nuclear reactor has finally been recognised by the Japanese authorities, who upgraded the severity of the incident at Fukushima to grade 5 on a scale of 0 to 7.
I have continued the transcription of the war diaries from the First World War, describing wholesale slaughter. A battalion of 440 men was reduced to 80 in one day, during the Battle of Arras in April 1917. It becomes quite wearying to read the battleplans, and the futility of that conflict rises from the pages like a dark mist. I have always enjoyed doing the research into WW1, but this aspect has not been easy.
Thursday, 17 March 2011
No fly zone authorised
The United Nations have authorised the imposition of a no-fly zone over Libya. This means that all aircraft who are flying over the country without prior authority are liable to be shot down. All air defences in Libya will be disabled first - i.e., bombing raids will be carried out to that effect.
Gaddafi has issued a series of threats, when it became clear over recent days that this was in the offing. He has said that no mercy would be shown to the rebels in Benghazi. Retaliatory strikes would be carried out against military and civilian targets in the Mediterranean, with shipping in the basin being rendered unsafe in the medium and long term.
It is pretty clear to see what has happened over the past 4 weeks. From being in a state of denial, Gaddafi has actually moved to acknowledge the presence of the rebels and will exterminate them. I am deliberately using that term. We have seen what he was like against unarmed civilians, who dared to demonstrate against him - heavy weaponry, normally only used against armoured vehicles or fighter jets, was deployed. I remember a man being brought into a hospital, with an unexploded rocket-propelled grenade sticking out of his leg.
Since 2003, Gaddafi had portrayed himself as the bad boy turned good, after he saw what had happened to Saddam Hussein in Iraq. British Prime Minister (at the time) Tony Blair went to Libya to seal deals with the country's leader - but Blair had forgotten the old adage that a fox never loses its true character. Gaddafi has, so far, survived the insurrection in his own country, but in suppressing it has completely lost all credibility.
I am quite apprehensive about the outcome of the imposition of the no-fly zone, coming as it does rather late in the day. Gaddafi feels he is back in the ascendency, and being in a position of total isolation, will stick at nought to maintain his position.
For reference, Gaddafi is not really a colonel. He has promoted himself to that rank.
EDIT: Did I say that this means we've got another war on our hands?
Gaddafi has issued a series of threats, when it became clear over recent days that this was in the offing. He has said that no mercy would be shown to the rebels in Benghazi. Retaliatory strikes would be carried out against military and civilian targets in the Mediterranean, with shipping in the basin being rendered unsafe in the medium and long term.
It is pretty clear to see what has happened over the past 4 weeks. From being in a state of denial, Gaddafi has actually moved to acknowledge the presence of the rebels and will exterminate them. I am deliberately using that term. We have seen what he was like against unarmed civilians, who dared to demonstrate against him - heavy weaponry, normally only used against armoured vehicles or fighter jets, was deployed. I remember a man being brought into a hospital, with an unexploded rocket-propelled grenade sticking out of his leg.
Since 2003, Gaddafi had portrayed himself as the bad boy turned good, after he saw what had happened to Saddam Hussein in Iraq. British Prime Minister (at the time) Tony Blair went to Libya to seal deals with the country's leader - but Blair had forgotten the old adage that a fox never loses its true character. Gaddafi has, so far, survived the insurrection in his own country, but in suppressing it has completely lost all credibility.
I am quite apprehensive about the outcome of the imposition of the no-fly zone, coming as it does rather late in the day. Gaddafi feels he is back in the ascendency, and being in a position of total isolation, will stick at nought to maintain his position.
For reference, Gaddafi is not really a colonel. He has promoted himself to that rank.
EDIT: Did I say that this means we've got another war on our hands?
Thursday 17 March
Quite a nice if rather cool day, but with intermittent showers passing us by. It is now clearing up, after sunset, and we can expect a frost in the night. The Highlands will dip to -7C, and we won't be that far behind.
It appears that the situation at the Fukushima reactor in Japan is barely under control, if the reactor cores have to be kept cool by dumping water out of helicopters. I hope that the rigging up of an auxiliary powercable puts things on a more sensible footing. The death toll of last Friday's earthquake and tsunami has been increased to 14,000, and there will be many more.
Libya's leader, Col Gaddafi, has threatened all shipping in the Mediterranean if the UN Security Council passes a resolution, approving the imposition of a no-fly zone over Libya. Rather too flicking late.
Locally, there will be a tidal energy generator in the Sound of Islay, between the latter island and Jura. There are very strong tidal currents in those narrows. In the future, similar machines could be installed in the Pentland Firth, which separates Orkney from mainland Scotland. It is expected to bring work to the Arnish Fabrication Yard here in Stornoway, where the tidal generators could be made. The AFY has struggled over the years I have been in Stornoway, opening and closing at regular intervals.
It appears that the situation at the Fukushima reactor in Japan is barely under control, if the reactor cores have to be kept cool by dumping water out of helicopters. I hope that the rigging up of an auxiliary powercable puts things on a more sensible footing. The death toll of last Friday's earthquake and tsunami has been increased to 14,000, and there will be many more.
Libya's leader, Col Gaddafi, has threatened all shipping in the Mediterranean if the UN Security Council passes a resolution, approving the imposition of a no-fly zone over Libya. Rather too flicking late.
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
Wednesday 16 March
A fairly bright but quite breezy day, which has made it feel cold outside. In spite of the sun. It contrasts quite sharply with the weather in southern England, where the mercury has reached 17C or 18C over the past few days. You can take 10 degrees off that for our max today.
The UK Shipping Minister visited the Coastguard Station and Iolaire Memorial in Stornoway today. The visit to the latter was related to the on-going controversy about the revision of Coastguard services. On current plans, the station in Stornoway could be closed or downgraded. A vociferous local opposition is active, but restricted itself to the strategic placement of a banner along the access road to the station.
I am getting despondent regarding the situation in Libya. With a bit of bad luck, Gaddafi will manage to crush the rebellion in the east of the country, bearing in mind the sheer brutality he has been seen to be deploying so far. If he manages to recapture Benghazi, the focal point of the uprising, there will be a bloody purge of all those who dared to stand up to Gaddafi. I think the repression of opposition in Bahrain will have been inspired by Gaddafi's successes in recent times.
And the Japanese are now getting seriously worried, after their emperor appeared on television in relation to the nuclear emergency at Fukushima. If waterbombing using helicopters or watercannon is being considered, you can safely conclude that the nuclear plant is not under control, and we should expect the worst. People are beginning to flee Japan, and not just foreign nationals.
The UK Shipping Minister visited the Coastguard Station and Iolaire Memorial in Stornoway today. The visit to the latter was related to the on-going controversy about the revision of Coastguard services. On current plans, the station in Stornoway could be closed or downgraded. A vociferous local opposition is active, but restricted itself to the strategic placement of a banner along the access road to the station.
I am getting despondent regarding the situation in Libya. With a bit of bad luck, Gaddafi will manage to crush the rebellion in the east of the country, bearing in mind the sheer brutality he has been seen to be deploying so far. If he manages to recapture Benghazi, the focal point of the uprising, there will be a bloody purge of all those who dared to stand up to Gaddafi. I think the repression of opposition in Bahrain will have been inspired by Gaddafi's successes in recent times.
And the Japanese are now getting seriously worried, after their emperor appeared on television in relation to the nuclear emergency at Fukushima. If waterbombing using helicopters or watercannon is being considered, you can safely conclude that the nuclear plant is not under control, and we should expect the worst. People are beginning to flee Japan, and not just foreign nationals.
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