*Animal rights campaigners were heartened to learn of the WORLD FLOUNDER CHAMPIONSHIPS demise. A competition, which ran for forty years, involved wading into the muddy waters of Galloway’s River Urr and stamping on the hapless fish in order to catch them. This had to stop because Health and Safety demands for Insurance Cover became too expensive.
*At the Kelso Country day the wet weather did little to dampen the spirits of the trusty sheep dogs and shepherds (as far as I could see) and the day was enjoyable as ever! At the Sutherland show I saw a champion Aberdeen Angus bull whose every inch shone like polished ebony and at Grantown Show we watched as the Dingwall breeder of a huge honey of a British Limousin cow led her and calf round the ring, displaying her ribbons as Overall Champion. No wonder her owner was beaming broadly – he had the same success at the Black Isle Show during the previous week.
*The Caledonian 100 takes place on 2nd and 3rd October. Walking and running enthusiasts can attempt 100 kilometres in 36 hours or lesser challenges of 50kilometres in 24 hours and 75 kilometres in 36 hours. The event format is for teams of adults – minimum 4, maximum 6. The route is through “the most stunning, remote and rugged landscapes the Highlands can offer”. Think Cairngorms and Mt. Lochnagar. Unfortunately (?) the closing date for entry was 31st July but those struggling to make a team can find help on line at SOLEMATES!
*My daughter’s plane from Gatwick suffered a lengthy delay due to the pilot being trapped in a motorway traffic jam. This event reminded me of a bus driver’s story which told of his colleague’s need to spend the night in Inverness in order to be on time to drive the early bus to Edinburgh. Static traffic in the Kessock Bridge area had just held us up in the most nerve-wracking manner. My friend had a plane to catch......
*I quote a letter writer in a Scottish paper, “Surely it is time we had a National Task Force of experts in power-generating ungoverned by short-term political or commercial pressures”. I couldn’t agree more.
*More than a third of customers questioned said they thought it too much hassle to complain about UK Broadband problems and another third didn’t have faith (so that’s what’s needed?) that Broadband providers could resolve their complaint anyway. Ofcom announced that new regulations will make it easier to get help from 2011. Hang on in there if you must!
*The RSPB has won funding for a “goose management” programme until 2013. Recruiters are looking for Goose-scaring Field Operatives and will pay £9.00 an hour in Stornoway or £13.00 an hour to a Goose Scaring Co-ordinator on Uist. Perhaps experience in other busy work-places would help you qualify for the job?
*It has been revealed that hundreds of retired teachers were brought back into classrooms last year. As the government have cut hundreds of teaching posts it is now harder than ever for graduates to find employment. This is tricky as new teachers (probationers) need the support of experienced teachers in our schools. Understaffing is not the answer.
*It seems I was not alone in praising Eurostar and St. Pancras Station. Katherine Whitehorn mentioned them amongst her “Reasons to be Cheerful” programme on Radio 4 and a neighbour said that whenever they travel to King’s Cross Station they start the day in nearby St. Pancras. Also, I read in The Lady magazine a review agreeing with Katherine Whitehorn’s comments on the programme.
*A life-saving device has been developed by a Scottish engineer. The device can warn skippers that their vessel is about to capsize due to excess water or excessive loads being taken on. A red light and an audible warning alert the crew to take preventative measures and/or contact emergency rescue services.
*I think that, come winter, I will appreciate the insulation that has been applied in the loft of my house, but I suspect that during this summer the house has felt chillier inside due to losing the benefit of solar heat onto the roof tiles. Yes, the sun did not shine all the time but I would not normally have needed to supply indoor warmth during mid-summer.
After the structure of The National Trust for Scotland was described as ‘Byzantine’ the number of NTS Trustees will be cut from 87 to 15. There will also be a recommendation that ruins such as Strome Castle (NW Highland) should be transferred to Historic Scotland.
*“Vegetables don’t come much more stately than globe artichokes” began an article in Gardens monthly. Well, I’m on my second attempt to grow them after reading that they will tolerate some shade in their first season. I have 4 plantlets lurking behind some sweet peas this year so perhaps if I get them through the winter (they die down) I can grow sweet peas somewhere else and let them see the sun.
*Have you noticed how descriptive some well-known gardeners’ names are? Pippa Greenwood (double whammy there), Bob Flowerdew, Anne Swithenbank, Bernard Planterose, Rosemary Verey and Bill Sowerbutts, my favourite of all. Can you add to these bird names too? Sarah Raven and Joe Swift.
*Bees have been the subject of environmental concerns these last few years so it was great to see them enjoying the flowers again, although reduced in number. A young man I know who strims a lot of lawns used to wait patiently for the bees to fly off but now he thinks of them as B*** Bees as there are now masses of them, particularly on clover which has bloomed well this year.
*If you have time when passing The Old Church, Achanalt, please look on the table, outside the wall under ancient trees, for seedlings and plantlets which are rescues and surplus to requirements! Donations (£1.00) in aid of the Senior Citizen Fund. Hope you can use some of them profitably.
*At the Kelso Country day the wet weather did little to dampen the spirits of the trusty sheep dogs and shepherds (as far as I could see) and the day was enjoyable as ever! At the Sutherland show I saw a champion Aberdeen Angus bull whose every inch shone like polished ebony and at Grantown Show we watched as the Dingwall breeder of a huge honey of a British Limousin cow led her and calf round the ring, displaying her ribbons as Overall Champion. No wonder her owner was beaming broadly – he had the same success at the Black Isle Show during the previous week.
*The Caledonian 100 takes place on 2nd and 3rd October. Walking and running enthusiasts can attempt 100 kilometres in 36 hours or lesser challenges of 50kilometres in 24 hours and 75 kilometres in 36 hours. The event format is for teams of adults – minimum 4, maximum 6. The route is through “the most stunning, remote and rugged landscapes the Highlands can offer”. Think Cairngorms and Mt. Lochnagar. Unfortunately (?) the closing date for entry was 31st July but those struggling to make a team can find help on line at SOLEMATES!
*My daughter’s plane from Gatwick suffered a lengthy delay due to the pilot being trapped in a motorway traffic jam. This event reminded me of a bus driver’s story which told of his colleague’s need to spend the night in Inverness in order to be on time to drive the early bus to Edinburgh. Static traffic in the Kessock Bridge area had just held us up in the most nerve-wracking manner. My friend had a plane to catch......
*I quote a letter writer in a Scottish paper, “Surely it is time we had a National Task Force of experts in power-generating ungoverned by short-term political or commercial pressures”. I couldn’t agree more.
*More than a third of customers questioned said they thought it too much hassle to complain about UK Broadband problems and another third didn’t have faith (so that’s what’s needed?) that Broadband providers could resolve their complaint anyway. Ofcom announced that new regulations will make it easier to get help from 2011. Hang on in there if you must!
*The RSPB has won funding for a “goose management” programme until 2013. Recruiters are looking for Goose-scaring Field Operatives and will pay £9.00 an hour in Stornoway or £13.00 an hour to a Goose Scaring Co-ordinator on Uist. Perhaps experience in other busy work-places would help you qualify for the job?
*It has been revealed that hundreds of retired teachers were brought back into classrooms last year. As the government have cut hundreds of teaching posts it is now harder than ever for graduates to find employment. This is tricky as new teachers (probationers) need the support of experienced teachers in our schools. Understaffing is not the answer.
*It seems I was not alone in praising Eurostar and St. Pancras Station. Katherine Whitehorn mentioned them amongst her “Reasons to be Cheerful” programme on Radio 4 and a neighbour said that whenever they travel to King’s Cross Station they start the day in nearby St. Pancras. Also, I read in The Lady magazine a review agreeing with Katherine Whitehorn’s comments on the programme.
*A life-saving device has been developed by a Scottish engineer. The device can warn skippers that their vessel is about to capsize due to excess water or excessive loads being taken on. A red light and an audible warning alert the crew to take preventative measures and/or contact emergency rescue services.
*I think that, come winter, I will appreciate the insulation that has been applied in the loft of my house, but I suspect that during this summer the house has felt chillier inside due to losing the benefit of solar heat onto the roof tiles. Yes, the sun did not shine all the time but I would not normally have needed to supply indoor warmth during mid-summer.
After the structure of The National Trust for Scotland was described as ‘Byzantine’ the number of NTS Trustees will be cut from 87 to 15. There will also be a recommendation that ruins such as Strome Castle (NW Highland) should be transferred to Historic Scotland.
*“Vegetables don’t come much more stately than globe artichokes” began an article in Gardens monthly. Well, I’m on my second attempt to grow them after reading that they will tolerate some shade in their first season. I have 4 plantlets lurking behind some sweet peas this year so perhaps if I get them through the winter (they die down) I can grow sweet peas somewhere else and let them see the sun.
*Have you noticed how descriptive some well-known gardeners’ names are? Pippa Greenwood (double whammy there), Bob Flowerdew, Anne Swithenbank, Bernard Planterose, Rosemary Verey and Bill Sowerbutts, my favourite of all. Can you add to these bird names too? Sarah Raven and Joe Swift.
*Bees have been the subject of environmental concerns these last few years so it was great to see them enjoying the flowers again, although reduced in number. A young man I know who strims a lot of lawns used to wait patiently for the bees to fly off but now he thinks of them as B*** Bees as there are now masses of them, particularly on clover which has bloomed well this year.
*If you have time when passing The Old Church, Achanalt, please look on the table, outside the wall under ancient trees, for seedlings and plantlets which are rescues and surplus to requirements! Donations (£1.00) in aid of the Senior Citizen Fund. Hope you can use some of them profitably.
Pam Morrison
0 comments:
Post a Comment