Daylight is fading slowly as I type this just after 9.45pm. It has been another brilliantly sunny day, but cooler than yesterday. The mercury did not make it above the mid 50s Fahrenheit, 13C. Nonetheless, the sun compensated in no mean fashion. The continuing sunny weather is provoking wildfires in various parts of the UK, the smoke of which affected Lewis yesterday. Rain will be spreading in from the Atlantic later in the week, hopefully alleviating the drought conditions that arose in April.
The repercussions of the death of Osama bin Laden continue to be felt. The US administration is cogitating whether to release pictures of the body, saying they are gruesome and could be inflammatory. Al-Jazeera says Bin Laden was not armed when his compound was raided late on Sunday (local time). His corpse was buried at sea, in order to prevent a burial site on land becoming a shrine. I reiterate what I said yesterday: the reasons for the advent of Al Qa'eda have not gone away, and although this particular group may well fade away, others could take its place.
Tomorrow is the last day of campaigning in the Scottish Parliament elections on Thursday. The latest polls suggest that the Scottish National Party could do better than in 2007, giving them a stronger grip on power. Over the past four years, the SNP have governed a minority administration, requiring other parties' consent for enacting legislation. The SNP's main policy aim is full independence for Scotland; the country became part of the United Kingdom in 1707. In my opinion, an independent Scotland is not a good idea, for economic and political reasons. The economic powerbase of Scotland is too narrow, and the SNP's approach to Westminster can be classified as confrontational. Furthermore, the banking collapse of 2008 would have bankrupted Scotland. We have all seen what happened to the countries of the Arc of Prosperity, Iceland and Ireland. I am in favour of further devolved powers being afforded to Holyrood - breaking up the United Kingdom carries more risks than benefits.
Tuesday, 3 May 2011
3,519 days later
Osama bin Laden was killed 3,519 days after 2,996 people were lost in the 9/11 attacks in the USA. This reminder came from Dale C. Roe, who is in charge of Project 2996, where the victims of 9/11 are remembered. To quote Martin Luther King Jr: I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy.
Each year, on 11 September, I remember Norberto Hernandez and Jeffrey Dwayne Collman on this blog. With Dale C. Roe, I hope that their relatives' pain will have been lessened a little now.
Each year, on 11 September, I remember Norberto Hernandez and Jeffrey Dwayne Collman on this blog. With Dale C. Roe, I hope that their relatives' pain will have been lessened a little now.
Monday, 2 May 2011
Monday 2 May
A brilliantly sunny day, but for a couple of hours, we had a bank of smoke rolling across the island. The smoke comes from wildfires on mainland Scotland, 50 miles to the east. April has been one of the warmest and driest on record, giving rise to tinderbox conditions. One fire, near Torridon, is threatening properties. As I type this, visibility is back to normal, but around lunchtime we could barely see the lighthouse and the fabrication yard - both only a mile away across the harbour.
I have said what I have to say about Osama bin Laden in my previous post. Good riddance, but no real cause for celebrations. Too many have died, and his lieutenants are queueing up to take his place and carry out acts of vengeance.
The BBC is reporting that certain operators of windfarms in Scotland have been paid to switch the machines off, as their output outstripped the capacity of the electricity grid. I am an opponent of large-scale windfarms, and this licence to print money degrades their argument to the level of ridicule. A waste of money - and on windless days, all of Scotland's windfarms only generate enough power to boil 1,000 kettles.
I have said what I have to say about Osama bin Laden in my previous post. Good riddance, but no real cause for celebrations. Too many have died, and his lieutenants are queueing up to take his place and carry out acts of vengeance.
The BBC is reporting that certain operators of windfarms in Scotland have been paid to switch the machines off, as their output outstripped the capacity of the electricity grid. I am an opponent of large-scale windfarms, and this licence to print money degrades their argument to the level of ridicule. A waste of money - and on windless days, all of Scotland's windfarms only generate enough power to boil 1,000 kettles.
Osama bin Laden
It is reported this morning that Osama bin Laden, the world's most wanted man has been killed in Pakistan. Whilst understanding the feelings of elation and vengeance sought and wreaked, I will go so far as to say that when you chop a head off the Medusa, you don't kill the monster. Another head will grow back, another man will taken Bin Laden's place.
There are a couple of observations I want to make at this juncture.
Bin Laden used the pretext of religion for perpetrating his atrocities. What he did had nothing to do with religion. Any true Muslim will tell you, without even glancing at his religious texts, that murder is not permissible under any circumstances. I object in the strongest possible terms to the vilification of Muslims on this account. Much blood has been shed because of religion - do not forget the continent-wide genocide that was committed on the peoples of the Americas, from Barrow in Alaska to Tierra del Fuego in South America, on the pretext of Christianity.
Bin Laden got support for his cause on account of the problems in the Middle East, which are seen to be aided and abetted by the United States and its allies. The vexed problem of Israel, a state established through invasion and displacement, is far from being resolved. Israel is a magnet for aggression and terrorism, through its policies towards the people it displaced at the time of its foundation, back in the 1940s. The on-going strife with the Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank is a festering sore, which no amount of talking will ever cure. Bin Laden and his allies see one solution: the eradication of Israel and the Jews, putting him on the same level as Adolf Hitler.
Following 9/11, the US attacked the Taliban in Afghanistan, throwing them out of power and replacing them by a so-called democratic regime - which is as corrupt as the night is dark. Nobody likes to have foreign forces in their country, and this presence is once more a rallying point for the likes of Bin Laden. Not just in Afghanistan or its hapless neighbour, Pakistan - where Bin Laden had a base opposite the country's top military academy. Bin Laden's network, Al Qa'eda, tried to exploit the invasion of Iraq in 2003, but their extreme brutality led the Iraqis to expel most of Al Qa'eda.
It is good that Bin Laden has finally gone to meet his Maker, and it won't be the six dozen virgins he will be enjoying this day. But the problems he has left behind, the problems that brought him into the ascendency, are still around, and nowhere near being resolved.
This post is dedicated to the victims of 9/11, and of all the other atrocities perpetrated under the pretext of religion.
There are a couple of observations I want to make at this juncture.
Bin Laden used the pretext of religion for perpetrating his atrocities. What he did had nothing to do with religion. Any true Muslim will tell you, without even glancing at his religious texts, that murder is not permissible under any circumstances. I object in the strongest possible terms to the vilification of Muslims on this account. Much blood has been shed because of religion - do not forget the continent-wide genocide that was committed on the peoples of the Americas, from Barrow in Alaska to Tierra del Fuego in South America, on the pretext of Christianity.
Bin Laden got support for his cause on account of the problems in the Middle East, which are seen to be aided and abetted by the United States and its allies. The vexed problem of Israel, a state established through invasion and displacement, is far from being resolved. Israel is a magnet for aggression and terrorism, through its policies towards the people it displaced at the time of its foundation, back in the 1940s. The on-going strife with the Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank is a festering sore, which no amount of talking will ever cure. Bin Laden and his allies see one solution: the eradication of Israel and the Jews, putting him on the same level as Adolf Hitler.
Following 9/11, the US attacked the Taliban in Afghanistan, throwing them out of power and replacing them by a so-called democratic regime - which is as corrupt as the night is dark. Nobody likes to have foreign forces in their country, and this presence is once more a rallying point for the likes of Bin Laden. Not just in Afghanistan or its hapless neighbour, Pakistan - where Bin Laden had a base opposite the country's top military academy. Bin Laden's network, Al Qa'eda, tried to exploit the invasion of Iraq in 2003, but their extreme brutality led the Iraqis to expel most of Al Qa'eda.
It is good that Bin Laden has finally gone to meet his Maker, and it won't be the six dozen virgins he will be enjoying this day. But the problems he has left behind, the problems that brought him into the ascendency, are still around, and nowhere near being resolved.
This post is dedicated to the victims of 9/11, and of all the other atrocities perpetrated under the pretext of religion.
Sunday, 1 May 2011
Sunday 1 May
A beautiful sunny morning with a slight breeze and some high cloud about. Today is the third anniversary of my mother's death. Although the immediate pain of her passing has dulled, not a day goes by without a thought of her. Most people in a similar position will feel the same way. In 2008, I had to wait for several days before I could travel, due to bank holidays and formalities needing to be fulfilled. Perhaps it was just as well, as my mother's passing was unexpected and the news came rather as a blow.
Later next month, I shall join my dad for a trip down memory lane. Over the past three years, I have been to one of the Dutch islands and the Yorkshire Dales with him for that purpose.
Those of you who follow my local history blog Pentland Road will be familiar with the daily postings 'Remembering Today'. Today, there will be an additional posting, referring to the sinking of a fishing craft off Pabbay, today in 1897. Five men from that island were lost, which meant virtually all young men were gone. I have had quite a job finding any reference to this in the regional press, and I doubt anyone will be thinking of Ronald and Alexander Morrison, Donald Macneil, John Gillies or Ronald Campbell anymore. Although, knowing these islands, I think there may be families who do. I hope so. Whilst remembering my own personal loss, I also keep in mind those poor souls.
I shall post more later today.
Later next month, I shall join my dad for a trip down memory lane. Over the past three years, I have been to one of the Dutch islands and the Yorkshire Dales with him for that purpose.
Those of you who follow my local history blog Pentland Road will be familiar with the daily postings 'Remembering Today'. Today, there will be an additional posting, referring to the sinking of a fishing craft off Pabbay, today in 1897. Five men from that island were lost, which meant virtually all young men were gone. I have had quite a job finding any reference to this in the regional press, and I doubt anyone will be thinking of Ronald and Alexander Morrison, Donald Macneil, John Gillies or Ronald Campbell anymore. Although, knowing these islands, I think there may be families who do. I hope so. Whilst remembering my own personal loss, I also keep in mind those poor souls.
I shall post more later today.
Saturday, 30 April 2011
Saturday 30 April
A brilliantly sunny and warm day, with the mercury at a very enjoyable 18C / 64F. Those are summer values, to be absolutely clear. Awoke at 6.45 to the sight of the Athena cruiseliner anchored off the Arnish lighthouse.
A few hours later, it became clear that another cruiseliner was in port; the Ocean Nova was tied up on the near side of the ferry pier.
In the afternoon, we headed west for a visit to the beach at Bosta, Great Bernera. Absolutely stunning, in a word. I'll let the images speak for themselves. Oh, the Time & Tide Bell is (still) not working; it has to be tuned (thought you tuned bells immediately after casting, before putting them out) and the clapper is not there.
Bernera Road
Bosta Beach
Bosta Beach
Iron Age House, Bosta Beach
Bosta Beach - Time & Tide Bell
Bosta Beach
Breacleit
Lundal
A few hours later, it became clear that another cruiseliner was in port; the Ocean Nova was tied up on the near side of the ferry pier.
In the afternoon, we headed west for a visit to the beach at Bosta, Great Bernera. Absolutely stunning, in a word. I'll let the images speak for themselves. Oh, the Time & Tide Bell is (still) not working; it has to be tuned (thought you tuned bells immediately after casting, before putting them out) and the clapper is not there.
Friday, 29 April 2011
Friday 29 April
Today saw the wedding between Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey in London. The happy couple are now known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in England and Wales, and the Earl and Countess of Strathearn in Scotland. About a million people lined the streets of London to wish the bridal couple well. I have expressed my cynicism about the hype surrounding royal wedding in previous weeks, but will go so far as to wish them well for the future.
It has been a bright and sunny day in Stornoway, with the mercury up to 17C / 63F. The streets were quiet on a Sunday scale. Although shops were open, there were not many people about when I was on a walk around the harbour. A cement boat was unloading its cargo, and fishermen seeing to their boats.
Last night's rush hour in Stornoway was exacerbated by a carfire on Macaulay Road, the main thoroughfare into town from the north. The vehicle's engine compartment caught light at the Manor Roundabout, causing lengthy tailbacks on all the routes into town (minus the one from the airport which comes in from the east). Nobody was injured in the incident.
It has been a bright and sunny day in Stornoway, with the mercury up to 17C / 63F. The streets were quiet on a Sunday scale. Although shops were open, there were not many people about when I was on a walk around the harbour. A cement boat was unloading its cargo, and fishermen seeing to their boats.
Last night's rush hour in Stornoway was exacerbated by a carfire on Macaulay Road, the main thoroughfare into town from the north. The vehicle's engine compartment caught light at the Manor Roundabout, causing lengthy tailbacks on all the routes into town (minus the one from the airport which comes in from the east). Nobody was injured in the incident.
Thursday 28 April
The day started misty with low cloud over the Arnish hills. As the hours went by, the cloud lifted and the weather brightened up a little. There is much talk about the Scottish elections (due next week), with debates involving local candidates on TV, radio and the Internet. There is so much sitting going on on that fence, it's a miracle it hasn't collapsed yet. But then, their calibre does not warrant much concern in that direction. Tomorrow is Royal Wedding day, and I've already had enough. It's not likely I'll watch much of it - I watched the 1981 wedding between Charles and Diana, and we all know what tragedies ensued from that. Yes, the result of that match is now getting wed himself, 30 years later. No, I'm not British, as you all know. But neither did I watch the Dutch Royal Wedding in 2002, which was fraught with controversy, after the bride's dad was found to be involved with the infamous Argentinian junta under which people kept disappearing.
Wednesday, 27 April 2011
Wednesday 27 April
A day of changing fortunes in terms of weather. Although the morning was bright and sunny, the afternoon brought increasing cloud, followed by rain after 4pm.
Morning
Afternoon
The Scottish Parliament elections will be held in 8 days' time, and I duly watched one of the most boring election debates ever on TV. It was three of the five candidates for the Western Isles, and it was short on substance and commitment. As I said on Twitter, it's a miracle the fence didn't collapse with the sitting that was done on it.
I'll just leave you with a selection of pictures of the past few days, as I don't have an awful lot to write about tonight.
At 10.20pm
Industrial Stornoway on Sunday: not very industrious
Reflections of a boat
Morning
Afternoon
The Scottish Parliament elections will be held in 8 days' time, and I duly watched one of the most boring election debates ever on TV. It was three of the five candidates for the Western Isles, and it was short on substance and commitment. As I said on Twitter, it's a miracle the fence didn't collapse with the sitting that was done on it.
I'll just leave you with a selection of pictures of the past few days, as I don't have an awful lot to write about tonight.
At 10.20pm
Industrial Stornoway on Sunday: not very industrious
Reflections of a boat
404 message
We are all familiar with the dreaded 404-error on the Internet, which means "Page not found". I came across one website, which shall remain unnamed, which had a unique error message when I tried to access a page using my Google Reader.
You 404’d it. Gnarly, dude.
Surfin’ ain’t easy, and right now, you’re lost at sea. But don’t worry; simply pick an option from the list below, and you’ll be back out riding the waves of the Internet in no time.
- Hit the “back” button on your browser. It’s perfect for situations like this!
- Head on over to the home page.
- Punt.
Tuesday, 26 April 2011
Tuesday 26 April
A beautiful sunny day, with a bit of a breeze going. The temperature was a respectable 14C, and it was possible to sit out in the sun (and out of the wind). Which I did, whilst reading 80 pages of Victor Hugo's Les Miserables. I have had some problems putting a Windows Update on this PC, but thanks to the folks at Microsoft, I was able to get the machine to swallow it. Took a couple of hours, but it was worth it. In the middle of that, I also looked at the youngest casualty from Lewis in WW1 at the request of the people administering Lijssenthoek Cemetery in Belgium - where he lies buried.
The TV news is getting taken over by the imminent wedding of Prince William and his bride Catherine Middleton. And I'm already quite fed up with it. Whatever I'm doing on Friday, it won't be done in front of a television screen. The forecast is good for the rest of the week, so I might do something out of doors. Sorry if I offend anyone, but I'm decidedly underwhelmed by all the hype.
The TV news is getting taken over by the imminent wedding of Prince William and his bride Catherine Middleton. And I'm already quite fed up with it. Whatever I'm doing on Friday, it won't be done in front of a television screen. The forecast is good for the rest of the week, so I might do something out of doors. Sorry if I offend anyone, but I'm decidedly underwhelmed by all the hype.
Monday, 25 April 2011
Monday 25 April
Easter Monday, but the shops are open and it doesn't feel any different to a normal working day. The lorries full of heavy gear still come flying round the corner - I really hope nothing will go wrong while the diversion from the Sandwick Road works remains in place, until mid July.
A fuel tanker (a relatively small craft) came in this lunchtime, but was unable to dock due to strong westerly winds. Its sheer size acts like a sail, making it difficult and dangerous to manoeuver into pier no 2. The Solway Fisher is presently at anchor, just south of the Arnish Lighthouse.
Today is ANZAC Day, when the people of Australia and New Zealand remember their war dead. Today is 96 years ago since the ill-fated operation at Gallipoli, Turkey, was started. It was wholesale slaughter on both sides, which changed nothing. But that description fitted the bill of the whole of the First World War. Pointless, and sowing the seeds of even more bloodshed in the 1930s and 1940s.
A fuel tanker (a relatively small craft) came in this lunchtime, but was unable to dock due to strong westerly winds. Its sheer size acts like a sail, making it difficult and dangerous to manoeuver into pier no 2. The Solway Fisher is presently at anchor, just south of the Arnish Lighthouse.
Today is ANZAC Day, when the people of Australia and New Zealand remember their war dead. Today is 96 years ago since the ill-fated operation at Gallipoli, Turkey, was started. It was wholesale slaughter on both sides, which changed nothing. But that description fitted the bill of the whole of the First World War. Pointless, and sowing the seeds of even more bloodshed in the 1930s and 1940s.
Sunday, 24 April 2011
Sunday 24 April
Easter Sunday, and not too bad a day, in terms of weather. Quite bright and at times sunny, a breeze going and the mercury at around 13C. Finished a piece of research, which will publish on 1 May, the 114th anniversary of an island tragedy, some 130 miles south of here near Barra. Watch Pentland Road next Sunday.
The fun bit came when I was looking for a news paper article from 1897. Having trawled through the Highland News for that year, I was finally pointed to the Aberdeen Weekly Journal, now the Press & Journal (my daily rag). A website did show part of the article, but wanted me to cross its palms with silver to show the whole thing. A bit of clever use of search terms finally gave me the complete article. Although the Procurator Fiscal (District Attorney) was made aware of the loss of life, no Fatal Accident Inquiry was conducted (as far as I could tell). I looked at the National Archives for Scotland for the FAIs for Inverness and Lochmaddy (the nearest courthouse), but nothing came out. Just people falling off roofs, under carriages and down mines. Not very cheerful reading at 11.30 at night.
That's me done blogging for Easter Sunday 2011 - more tomorrow.
The fun bit came when I was looking for a news paper article from 1897. Having trawled through the Highland News for that year, I was finally pointed to the Aberdeen Weekly Journal, now the Press & Journal (my daily rag). A website did show part of the article, but wanted me to cross its palms with silver to show the whole thing. A bit of clever use of search terms finally gave me the complete article. Although the Procurator Fiscal (District Attorney) was made aware of the loss of life, no Fatal Accident Inquiry was conducted (as far as I could tell). I looked at the National Archives for Scotland for the FAIs for Inverness and Lochmaddy (the nearest courthouse), but nothing came out. Just people falling off roofs, under carriages and down mines. Not very cheerful reading at 11.30 at night.
That's me done blogging for Easter Sunday 2011 - more tomorrow.
Saturday, 23 April 2011
Saturday 23 April
Quite a contrast to yesterday, with the mercury a full 8 degrees down - at 13C / 55F. The wind picked up to force 7 in the morning, although it abated a little later in the day. A few light showers peppered the morning, but the sun managed to get the upper hand in the afternoon.
I completed the mapping of cemeteries and memorials to island casualties from both World Wars. By 'island' casualties I refer to all islands from Lewis to Barra. Some of the cemeteries were difficult to locate, particularly the ones outside France. The most difficult ones were located in Greece, where, in one instance, the reference was 'near Kilo [metre] 71'.
Yesterday, the postcrossing site was off-line, but I found it back up and running this morning. It had problems with the hosting provider, which fortunately got resolved just after midnight last night. I had to register three new cards, from Holland, Finland and the USA. On Postcrossing, you get allocated a random address of another Postcrosser, whom you have to send a postcard. I print my own, using my collection of pictures.
I completed the mapping of cemeteries and memorials to island casualties from both World Wars. By 'island' casualties I refer to all islands from Lewis to Barra. Some of the cemeteries were difficult to locate, particularly the ones outside France. The most difficult ones were located in Greece, where, in one instance, the reference was 'near Kilo [metre] 71'.
Yesterday, the postcrossing site was off-line, but I found it back up and running this morning. It had problems with the hosting provider, which fortunately got resolved just after midnight last night. I had to register three new cards, from Holland, Finland and the USA. On Postcrossing, you get allocated a random address of another Postcrosser, whom you have to send a postcard. I print my own, using my collection of pictures.
Friday, 22 April 2011
Call for Support
Most of my readers are familiar with the Call for Support blog, which I initiated several years ago to muster moral support for bloggers in distress. Its use was demonstrated this week, when one blogger wrote an entry, saying they had been feeling suicidal and requiring hospital admission. Upon discharge, they came across the post on Call for Support, and expressed their gratitude for people's support. I'm not flying my own flag here by the way. It is the support that is given by those who respond that counts. I'm only a conduit.
Friday 22 April
A beautiful day, which can only be described as the first day of summer. The mercury reached 21C / 70F, which is quite high for this part of the world at any rate. The highest temperature I have experienced here is 25C / 77F. Had morning coffee outside, and sat outside for a while reading Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. It was very hazy as well, and some high- and medium-level cloud slowly edged across the sky in the afternoon and evening. This is obviously the Easter weekend, and as I type this (at 9.20pm) the 8.20pm ferry is still to arrive, full of holiday traffic. The weather is expected to cool down, with some rain in the night, but more sunshine tomorrow. Expected maxima on Saturday: 13C, which is still not bad going for Lewis in April.
The shellfish processing plant, which has sat off South Beach since the 90s has been taken apart bit by bit, and coming down the street into town there is now an unobstructed view of the buildings on the seafront. One other reason why I'm not loth to see the plant go was its terrible smell. Situated by the ferry terminal and the bus station, it created a poor sensory introduction for visitors to the island.
The shellfish processing plant, which has sat off South Beach since the 90s has been taken apart bit by bit, and coming down the street into town there is now an unobstructed view of the buildings on the seafront. One other reason why I'm not loth to see the plant go was its terrible smell. Situated by the ferry terminal and the bus station, it created a poor sensory introduction for visitors to the island.
Good Friday 2011
I would like to take this opportunity to wish all my friends and readers, far and wide, a happy Easter this year.
Thursday, 21 April 2011
Thursday 21 April
A brilliantly sunny day which has been feeling quite warm. The northeasterly breeze did make it feel a bit cool, but the sun was very warm indeed. I duly went out for a stroll, after enjoying a cup of coffee outside in the sun (and out of the wind). This took me to Steinish, then via the farm Carse of Steinish to North Street in Sandwick. A shortcut through the Old Cemetery returned me to base. I'll share some of today's pictures in the next post.
I would like to share his image, one that I obtained through Google Earth. This shows Loch Tallasvay on the southwest coast of Lewis. It lies about 7 miles southeast of the nearest habitation, the village of Brenish, and 12 miles from the nearest road-end. I came across this location whilst browsing through the 1851 census for the district of Uig. It shows two households; one has family, the other contains "labourers-on-the-road", meaning itinerant labourers.
A second image, also through Google Earth shows Lamadale, located a mile south of Tallasvay on Loch Resort. The hill on the left of the image can be seen from the village of Achmore in the centre of Lewis - it is called Taran Mor. Lamadale does not feature in the 1851 census, because it had been deserted since then.
I would like to share his image, one that I obtained through Google Earth. This shows Loch Tallasvay on the southwest coast of Lewis. It lies about 7 miles southeast of the nearest habitation, the village of Brenish, and 12 miles from the nearest road-end. I came across this location whilst browsing through the 1851 census for the district of Uig. It shows two households; one has family, the other contains "labourers-on-the-road", meaning itinerant labourers.
A second image, also through Google Earth shows Lamadale, located a mile south of Tallasvay on Loch Resort. The hill on the left of the image can be seen from the village of Achmore in the centre of Lewis - it is called Taran Mor. Lamadale does not feature in the 1851 census, because it had been deserted since then.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)