What started out as quite reasonable day with good sunny spells, has now gone downhill at a rate of knots. As I type this (just after 11pm), a force 7 southerly wind is lashing us with spells of rain. A major Atlantic depression, whose influence on weather extends from Iceland to the Azores, is pushing frontal systems in. These will be followed by cooler weather. Conversely, or perhaps perversely, after being hit by snow this week, New York will be enjoying temps of 17C in the next few days.
I have to observe, with considerable sadness, that after a day's respite, vitriol has returned to the internet regarding the re-election of Barack Obama as president of the USA. I can very well imagine that those who did not relish the prospect of Mr Obama's second term are perhaps disappointed that Mr Romney did not get in. But it is not done to assail others, who hold differing political opinions, on-line. I think it would be much better if politics was given a rest for a couple of weeks. Here in Scotland, we are facing 98 weeks of independence debate (read: garbage), and things will be getting a lot worse than over the USA, I'll give you that as my opinion.
Thursday, 8 November 2012
Stulaval
Now derelict on the shore of Loch Reasort
Little Luachair stands
Years back a carpenter came
over the hills from Bowglass
After job's end he was left
with some planks
which he carried back
below the frowning cliffs
A sound of hammerblows
echoed below the face
of stern Stulaval
Regular and slow
Turning around
the carpenter espied
nothing
and nobody
But the tapping
continued
Soon he descended
over the hills into Vigadale
Reached home but
his hearth was cold
and nobody around
except his wife, no longer alive
The carpenter hammered
his wife's coffin
An echo of the hammerblows
Below cold Stulaval
Little Luachair stands
Years back a carpenter came
over the hills from Bowglass
After job's end he was left
with some planks
which he carried back
below the frowning cliffs
A sound of hammerblows
echoed below the face
of stern Stulaval
Regular and slow
Turning around
the carpenter espied
nothing
and nobody
But the tapping
continued
Soon he descended
over the hills into Vigadale
Reached home but
his hearth was cold
and nobody around
except his wife, no longer alive
The carpenter hammered
his wife's coffin
An echo of the hammerblows
Below cold Stulaval
Wednesday, 7 November 2012
Wednesday 7 November
A better day, in terms of weather, than yesterday, but still hefty showers interspersed with reasonable sunny spells. It's become rather milder than of late, with the thermometer rising to a respectable 11C / 52F this afternoon. Went out for a walk round the harbour, and to buy a book. One of the local bookshops sells classical novels for £2 each, so my choice ended up Crime and punishment by Dostoevsky. As I said, slightly tongue-in-cheek, some light bedtime reading. Another book that I have ordered is a chilling account of what Great Britain would have looked like under Nazi occupation during WW2. It's something that fortunately never came about, but am nonetheless intrigued how this topic will be covered.
I was sad to learn that Dad's Army star Clive Dunn (lance-corporal Jones) has died at the age of 92. Apparently, Dunn specialised in acting roles that were much older than himself. Most of us will know the keyphrases like "No panic, no panic!" etc.
Barack Obama was elected for a second term in office as president of the USA first thing this morning. The election has changed nothing in political terms, and Mr Obama will have quite a job getting his legislation through an opposing parliament, being the House of Representatives. By my observation, the USA is deeply divided and remains so.
I was sad to learn that Dad's Army star Clive Dunn (lance-corporal Jones) has died at the age of 92. Apparently, Dunn specialised in acting roles that were much older than himself. Most of us will know the keyphrases like "No panic, no panic!" etc.
Barack Obama was elected for a second term in office as president of the USA first thing this morning. The election has changed nothing in political terms, and Mr Obama will have quite a job getting his legislation through an opposing parliament, being the House of Representatives. By my observation, the USA is deeply divided and remains so.
In spring
I met you on the rising road
that sunny afternoon in April
Innocent eyes looking up
as I looked down
The dark mountains loomed
over the deep waters
under the rays of the
springtime sun
A first spring with
gentle winds from
the distant seas
carrying aloft the shadows
Their calls mocked
at what they had taken
not caring, in fact
relishing and enjoying
She was expiring
as I approached
only a step or two
from the roadside edge
You did not know
but looked at me to explain
what was beyond your days
and was to befall you too
The sun shone through
the pink ears of the young lamb
The ewe was breathing its last
after being blinded by crows
that sunny afternoon in April
Innocent eyes looking up
as I looked down
The dark mountains loomed
over the deep waters
under the rays of the
springtime sun
A first spring with
gentle winds from
the distant seas
carrying aloft the shadows
Their calls mocked
at what they had taken
not caring, in fact
relishing and enjoying
She was expiring
as I approached
only a step or two
from the roadside edge
You did not know
but looked at me to explain
what was beyond your days
and was to befall you too
The sun shone through
the pink ears of the young lamb
The ewe was breathing its last
after being blinded by crows
Tuesday, 6 November 2012
Tuesday 6 November
An overcast, grey and mostly wet day. The drizzle kept visibility down to just about 1 mile, with the lighthouse and the fabrication yard only just about within sight. There was a strong breeze today, but that did serve to keep our temps at an unexpectedly mild 10C / 50F, the highest in the land. This often happens in the winter half-year, when mild air off the Atlantic warms us up.
This evening, momentous news came through from the island of Scalpay, just off the coast of North Harris, 8 miles east of Tarbert. A ballot was held among its residents, 78.2% of whom turned out to vote whether to take their island into community ownership. Scalpay is owned by a man called Fred Taylor, but he has decided to gift the island to its residents. 197 were in favour, only 8 against. A second question was whether to go it alone, or under the umbrella of the North Harris Trust, a body that took control of that area of Harris a few years ago. Votes were 110 in favour, 96 against.Apart from being a new addition to the list of areas now under community ownership, it is also historical because up to now, the people from Scalpay did not really regard themselves as from Harris - separate islands.
Today, as we all know, the USA is voting for its next president. We shall learn within 12 hours of this post going live whether #45 will be Barack Obama or Mitt Romney.
This evening, momentous news came through from the island of Scalpay, just off the coast of North Harris, 8 miles east of Tarbert. A ballot was held among its residents, 78.2% of whom turned out to vote whether to take their island into community ownership. Scalpay is owned by a man called Fred Taylor, but he has decided to gift the island to its residents. 197 were in favour, only 8 against. A second question was whether to go it alone, or under the umbrella of the North Harris Trust, a body that took control of that area of Harris a few years ago. Votes were 110 in favour, 96 against.Apart from being a new addition to the list of areas now under community ownership, it is also historical because up to now, the people from Scalpay did not really regard themselves as from Harris - separate islands.
Today, as we all know, the USA is voting for its next president. We shall learn within 12 hours of this post going live whether #45 will be Barack Obama or Mitt Romney.
A dreich day
Light fades over the islands
Grey to greyer still
not a ray of
sunshine to be had today
The drizzle hides
what isn't that far off
the breeze shakes
the now bare branches
From sun-soaked seas
to the northern Hebrides
a final hint of distant
summer wafts our way
Soon the edge of mild
will move away east
leaving us with crisp
and once more chill
A grain of hail
a splash of wet snow
winter draws near
dark at half four
Look north for the
merry dancers
a moving green
curtain down from the pole
Even further north
beyond the land of fire
no sunshine at all
on solstice day
Grey to greyer still
not a ray of
sunshine to be had today
The drizzle hides
what isn't that far off
the breeze shakes
the now bare branches
From sun-soaked seas
to the northern Hebrides
a final hint of distant
summer wafts our way
Soon the edge of mild
will move away east
leaving us with crisp
and once more chill
A grain of hail
a splash of wet snow
winter draws near
dark at half four
Look north for the
merry dancers
a moving green
curtain down from the pole
Even further north
beyond the land of fire
no sunshine at all
on solstice day
Monday, 5 November 2012
Monday 5 November
Guy Fawkes night today, but other than a few firecrackers, little evidence of the event here in Stornoway. This morning, a crane was spotted on Goat Island, hoisting a rusty, twin-hulled boat out of the premises of the slipway and put on blocks on the roadway outside. The significance of that is not known to me.
Today was a bright and fairly sunny day, although cloud did increase through the afternoon. It left us with another stunning sunset at 4.30pm. By late December, sunset will have receded to 3.30pm.
The fuel price saga took another twist today, when wholesalers Scottish Fuels announced that their retail customers could switch suppliers and not be tied into a 5-year contract. However, those wishing to do so were advised to seek legal advice. The average price of a litre of fuel is not far off £1.50 a litre (= $9 a gallon), and is consistently 15 pence higher than on the mainland.
Today was a bright and fairly sunny day, although cloud did increase through the afternoon. It left us with another stunning sunset at 4.30pm. By late December, sunset will have receded to 3.30pm.
The fuel price saga took another twist today, when wholesalers Scottish Fuels announced that their retail customers could switch suppliers and not be tied into a 5-year contract. However, those wishing to do so were advised to seek legal advice. The average price of a litre of fuel is not far off £1.50 a litre (= $9 a gallon), and is consistently 15 pence higher than on the mainland.
The boat from Pabbay
Row boys, row!
We're going out again
The sail will help us on our way
Out to the fishing grounds
Look, there goes another boat
They too are venturing forth
Can't be too bad a day
If we're all out here just now
Ominous grey clouds
scudding on the rising wind
soon touching galeforce
soon right up to stormforce
From the open ocean
Squalls of rain fly past
The islands loom up to the west
Now shrouded from sight
Row boys, row!
We've got to turn back
if we can
The sail has gone
Did you see the others?
Not for quite some time
Never mind, keep bailing
We may yet have a chance
Two days the storm lasted
nobody could put to sea
the herring was left uncaught
as the boats remained in port
The boat from Mingulay
weathered the storm to return
to their island
safe and well
Pabbay lost ALL
its menfolk
that May Day in 1897
all in one boat
We're going out again
The sail will help us on our way
Out to the fishing grounds
Look, there goes another boat
They too are venturing forth
Can't be too bad a day
If we're all out here just now
Ominous grey clouds
scudding on the rising wind
soon touching galeforce
soon right up to stormforce
From the open ocean
Squalls of rain fly past
The islands loom up to the west
Now shrouded from sight
Row boys, row!
We've got to turn back
if we can
The sail has gone
Did you see the others?
Not for quite some time
Never mind, keep bailing
We may yet have a chance
Two days the storm lasted
nobody could put to sea
the herring was left uncaught
as the boats remained in port
The boat from Mingulay
weathered the storm to return
to their island
safe and well
Pabbay lost ALL
its menfolk
that May Day in 1897
all in one boat
Sunday, 4 November 2012
Sunday 4 November
Like yesterday, today started out wet but cleared up nicely. As I type this, we have fallen back to near-zero after achieving a day-time high of 8C / 46F. There was no wind to speak of; I went for a walk which was sheltered from the light northwesterly wind that the weatherstation at airport was reporting.
I was just going through my blogs on Google Reader, and could not help but notice that things have changed a lot over the past four years. In AOL J-land, we communicated our blogposts primarily through the Alerts, which have only recently been discontinued. After moving away from AOL, Facebook came on the scene and I can safely say that I am keeping up to date mainly through that medium, rather than through the blogs. Even though many of you (like I) resort to blogging to express ourselves in longer entries. As you all know, I have been blogging for more than 8 years, and still enjoy putting a couple of lines down each day.
I was just going through my blogs on Google Reader, and could not help but notice that things have changed a lot over the past four years. In AOL J-land, we communicated our blogposts primarily through the Alerts, which have only recently been discontinued. After moving away from AOL, Facebook came on the scene and I can safely say that I am keeping up to date mainly through that medium, rather than through the blogs. Even though many of you (like I) resort to blogging to express ourselves in longer entries. As you all know, I have been blogging for more than 8 years, and still enjoy putting a couple of lines down each day.
Calm
Flat calm
Upside down
in the water
Indistinguishable
Reflections
or original
Even the lighthouse
perhaps even the mountains far-off
Benign clouds
slowly move
on an unseen
but unfelt wind
A small boat
carves through
the mirror which
quickly resmoothes
Dusk slowly
overtakes and dulls
the reflections of
daytime
To be replaced
by the high moon
of nearing winter
Enoy the calm - while it lasts
Upside down
in the water
Indistinguishable
Reflections
or original
Even the lighthouse
perhaps even the mountains far-off
Benign clouds
slowly move
on an unseen
but unfelt wind
A small boat
carves through
the mirror which
quickly resmoothes
Dusk slowly
overtakes and dulls
the reflections of
daytime
To be replaced
by the high moon
of nearing winter
Enoy the calm - while it lasts
Sunday
The grey canopy
breaks to the southeast
A promise of sunshine
over the mainland hills
A gentle rain
falls over grey streets
calm and movementless
a Sunday morning
Worshippers proceed
to church in an orderly
fashion, quietly so
to beseech blessings
Whether He listens
is up to Him to decide
Most appear favoured
others are oblivious
Should we go somewhere
on the day of rest
None are disturbed
Peace has remained
Our link to the world
will sail in the afternoon
Another link takes to the air
But none are disturbed
breaks to the southeast
A promise of sunshine
over the mainland hills
A gentle rain
falls over grey streets
calm and movementless
a Sunday morning
Worshippers proceed
to church in an orderly
fashion, quietly so
to beseech blessings
Whether He listens
is up to Him to decide
Most appear favoured
others are oblivious
Should we go somewhere
on the day of rest
None are disturbed
Peace has remained
Our link to the world
will sail in the afternoon
Another link takes to the air
But none are disturbed
Saturday, 3 November 2012
Saturday 3 November
A bright day, although the morning was punctuated by some downpours. These faded after lunchtime, giving me the opportunity to go for a walk round the Castle Grounds, 3½ miles or so. It is particularly rewarding to do so at this time of the year, when the leaves are turning and falling. So far, this autumn has been quite benign in terms of high wind, which we have been spared. This means that rather than being blown off the trees, leaves have a chance of showing their colours.
I was not surprised that the New York marathon was cancelled for tomorrow, although some of the participants were. What planet were they on?
I was not surprised that the New York marathon was cancelled for tomorrow, although some of the participants were. What planet were they on?
November
Low sun
pale blue sky
bare branches
a cold wind
Dark green losing
colour to palest hue
Leaves gently
drift down
Demure yellow
before falling
Standing out
in final glory
Riches in berries
seeds being scattered
in the blanket of leaves
new life in waiting
Dark clouds speed in
the wind lifts its voice
the command is heeded
Leaves scatter
Distant hills don
their white caps
the sun now sets early
ice glazes what rain has wetted
The signal is raised
The window is open
For the voice of the North
To sing the final of the year
pale blue sky
bare branches
a cold wind
Dark green losing
colour to palest hue
Leaves gently
drift down
Demure yellow
before falling
Standing out
in final glory
Riches in berries
seeds being scattered
in the blanket of leaves
new life in waiting
Dark clouds speed in
the wind lifts its voice
the command is heeded
Leaves scatter
Distant hills don
their white caps
the sun now sets early
ice glazes what rain has wetted
The signal is raised
The window is open
For the voice of the North
To sing the final of the year
The clearance
Let's have some cuts
can't sustain all that lumber
I'm not here to provide
for those that can't help themselves
Back when Napoleon strode
the battlefields of Europe
we needed gunpowder
and only kelp would do
I had those natives
along the shoreline cutting
seaweed for me for
just a few bob
They didn't need much land
but now they're just sitting there
eating out of my pocket
leaving me out of pocket for all the meal
Going forth and multiplying
well, they can go on daddy's croft
divide, subdivide
and rule
I want my money out of them
Can't get it from anywhere else
Can't afford to be seen to be less rich
So they can't afford the rent?
Gone round the villages
Who's in arrears, off you go
We'll cancel what's owed
if you go to America
Here is the ship
you can take so much
leave the rest behind
including your relatives
Don't want to go, how dare you
Torch to the roof
Milk on the fire,
OK, we'll let you bury your dead
The statue stands grand
in the deserted glen
Green fields of grass
Rolling hills around
The statue stands grand
in the Canadian city
The achievements celebrated
of those boldly gone forth
Did they want to leave their
humble homesteads
where their forefathers
lived happily?
Achievements for sure
Many did great things
in the land of the prairie
But why not in their homeland?
can't sustain all that lumber
I'm not here to provide
for those that can't help themselves
Back when Napoleon strode
the battlefields of Europe
we needed gunpowder
and only kelp would do
I had those natives
along the shoreline cutting
seaweed for me for
just a few bob
They didn't need much land
but now they're just sitting there
eating out of my pocket
leaving me out of pocket for all the meal
Going forth and multiplying
well, they can go on daddy's croft
divide, subdivide
and rule
I want my money out of them
Can't get it from anywhere else
Can't afford to be seen to be less rich
So they can't afford the rent?
Gone round the villages
Who's in arrears, off you go
We'll cancel what's owed
if you go to America
Here is the ship
you can take so much
leave the rest behind
including your relatives
Don't want to go, how dare you
Torch to the roof
Milk on the fire,
OK, we'll let you bury your dead
The statue stands grand
in the deserted glen
Green fields of grass
Rolling hills around
The statue stands grand
in the Canadian city
The achievements celebrated
of those boldly gone forth
Did they want to leave their
humble homesteads
where their forefathers
lived happily?
Achievements for sure
Many did great things
in the land of the prairie
But why not in their homeland?
Friday, 2 November 2012
Friday 2 November
Quite a bright day with an occasional shower or two, but turning very cold after nightfall - we are just on or below freezing at the moment. We didn't manage more than 6C / 43F in the afternoon.
News came through that the interconnector is to be delayed by at least a year. The interconnector is a subsea high-voltage electricity cable, which is crucial for exporting power, generated by proposed renewable energy projects in the Isle of Lewis. These consist in the main of windfarms. Two are currently under construction, but reading the submission from power company SSE, it sounds as if they are gradually backing out of the idea. The cost has risen to a total of £775m, and the delay would augment the cost further. I'm not too unhappy with the idea of the interconnector never coming here, but others are crying wolf, claiming it would be the wrecking of the islands' economy.
I have been in Lewis 8 years this month, and over that period, windfarms have been talked about an awful lot. They were vaunted as the salvation for the employment problems here, with some rosey-eyed individuals thinking it would lead to the return of the diaspora to work in the local fabrication yard. Since then, the fabrication yard has operated more off than on, switching owners several times. Constructing a windfarm does generate jobs, but only for a limited period of time. The Pentland Road windfarm has had its wind turbine components fabricated elsewhere, as they were shipped in earlier this week from another factory. And if the interconnector never materialises, then many millions of pounds will have been wasted.
News came through that the interconnector is to be delayed by at least a year. The interconnector is a subsea high-voltage electricity cable, which is crucial for exporting power, generated by proposed renewable energy projects in the Isle of Lewis. These consist in the main of windfarms. Two are currently under construction, but reading the submission from power company SSE, it sounds as if they are gradually backing out of the idea. The cost has risen to a total of £775m, and the delay would augment the cost further. I'm not too unhappy with the idea of the interconnector never coming here, but others are crying wolf, claiming it would be the wrecking of the islands' economy.
I have been in Lewis 8 years this month, and over that period, windfarms have been talked about an awful lot. They were vaunted as the salvation for the employment problems here, with some rosey-eyed individuals thinking it would lead to the return of the diaspora to work in the local fabrication yard. Since then, the fabrication yard has operated more off than on, switching owners several times. Constructing a windfarm does generate jobs, but only for a limited period of time. The Pentland Road windfarm has had its wind turbine components fabricated elsewhere, as they were shipped in earlier this week from another factory. And if the interconnector never materialises, then many millions of pounds will have been wasted.
Callanish
Sun and moon
seasons' cycle
winter snow
round to autumn rain
Marked out in stones
high on the ridge top
two dozen others
not far away
Aligned to distant hills
obscuring the moon
when the nights
are not dark
One was interred
in the centre circle
where he is now, none know
but not there for sure
They come now from far-off loands
to visit the stones
celebrate the sunrise
at solstice, forgetting the moon
All is quiet
as the days shorten
winds batter the circle
impervious to what passes
They have seen many
pass by
never returning
They will remain
seasons' cycle
winter snow
round to autumn rain
Marked out in stones
high on the ridge top
two dozen others
not far away
Aligned to distant hills
obscuring the moon
when the nights
are not dark
One was interred
in the centre circle
where he is now, none know
but not there for sure
They come now from far-off loands
to visit the stones
celebrate the sunrise
at solstice, forgetting the moon
All is quiet
as the days shorten
winds batter the circle
impervious to what passes
They have seen many
pass by
never returning
They will remain
The old cemetery
A rusty gate
from the sandy dunes
A wall of stone
on all four sides
A rock-strewn hillside
inside
The sea incessantly
speaks from the shore
Strange
no rocks
outside the walls
just flower-clad sands
Rolling away
in every direction
down to the ocean
their ancient roadway
Living from the bounty
of the ever-present sea
it would exact its price
giving change - wreckage on the shore
Living in penury
but happily
demure hamlets
strung out to the north
Poor ground prompted
a move inland for summer
gathering fuel
before the storms came
Unknown were the riches
in money and goods
Riches in happiness and
the strength of kinship
Only a rock
remains within walls
a mark of ending
to remember their days
Nine thousand you'll find
on that rock-strewn hillside
No carved tombstone
Just a rock
from the sandy dunes
A wall of stone
on all four sides
A rock-strewn hillside
inside
The sea incessantly
speaks from the shore
Strange
no rocks
outside the walls
just flower-clad sands
Rolling away
in every direction
down to the ocean
their ancient roadway
Living from the bounty
of the ever-present sea
it would exact its price
giving change - wreckage on the shore
Living in penury
but happily
demure hamlets
strung out to the north
Poor ground prompted
a move inland for summer
gathering fuel
before the storms came
Unknown were the riches
in money and goods
Riches in happiness and
the strength of kinship
Only a rock
remains within walls
a mark of ending
to remember their days
Nine thousand you'll find
on that rock-strewn hillside
No carved tombstone
Just a rock
Thursday, 1 November 2012
Thursday 1 November
A cold day, in spite of the 8C / 46F on the thermometer, the bitterness being caused by a strong easterly breeze. It grew even less pleasant when we lost the sun in the afternoon to showers. I was glad to have taken the woolly hat and gloves out, even for the short walk to the shop and into town. Was that haircut such a good idea? Nggg, that hair in my face was driving me batchy.
Western Isles Council has put proposals out for consultation that would result in service cuts amounting to £5.7 million. The details of the proposals are breathtaking; I had a look at a six-page document outlining them all, and it is absolutely horrendous. It begs the question what we have a council for if it isn't doing anything for the local people anymore. OK, that's an overreaction, but it is very bad news.
Western Isles Council has put proposals out for consultation that would result in service cuts amounting to £5.7 million. The details of the proposals are breathtaking; I had a look at a six-page document outlining them all, and it is absolutely horrendous. It begs the question what we have a council for if it isn't doing anything for the local people anymore. OK, that's an overreaction, but it is very bad news.
Chessmen?
Village by the sand
hiding the ninety-one
pieces carved from ivory
brought in from across the sea
Men from the north
left them for us to guess
their play with the future
after they had gone from these shores
Leaving behind only names
for the villages along the shores
the hills, bays and inlets
no further trace was left
Except the ninety-one
in the sand by the village
along the bay that named a whole district
Were they chessmen?
hiding the ninety-one
pieces carved from ivory
brought in from across the sea
Men from the north
left them for us to guess
their play with the future
after they had gone from these shores
Leaving behind only names
for the villages along the shores
the hills, bays and inlets
no further trace was left
Except the ninety-one
in the sand by the village
along the bay that named a whole district
Were they chessmen?
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