91热爆

Finally back to the island next Friday after a couple of months undercover on government business. Been out in Afghanistan (Hellman Province) persuading the ocals to grow mayonnaise and ditch the heroin crop. Met up with Chrissie Mary who is representing the UK in Bejiing in the modern biathlon - darts and dominoes. She is a favourite for a medal in this event. Annie B was in Spain last week but now it's Portugal - hunting for a branch of C and A!
Looking forward to seeing the Siadar Wave Project and see how it compares with the Mexican version. See the white settler's gone all McGanagall on us - what happened to his heather coloured prose? The ferry terminal sounds as if it's undergone a facelift - I bumped into the cafe owner in Darlington recently - the Mackinnon's van gave him away.
The film is 'in the can' but has to come back from Boot's yet then it's into the cinemas around Crimbo.
I've invested in a Vodafone link for my laptop and hope I don't have to climb on the roof in Fivepenny to get any reception - people think it's a Fathers for Justice protest but it's only me trying to get a pizza delivered or emailing my analyst.
Great photos of Ness cemetery Arnish - like looking at my family album. My mother's name is on a headstone there and another 500 miles away - how clever is that to be apparently resting in two places?
Looking forward to a Stag Pie and MacBraynes Macaroni
calumannbel batchelor of this parish and many others

Spent the first three days checking out the lectures at the Shawbost 'Islands at War' conference. All very interesting. One little fact stood out for me. In a lecture on clan warfare I think it was Frank Thompson who mentioned that due to deals struck between various parties for supplying soldiers in the 17th century the Isle of Lewis has the right to four seats in the Isle of Man Parliament, The Tynwald.
I think the Jobcentre in Stornoway should send the four people who have been unemployed the longest and exercise this right. A bit of dialogue with the Isle of Man might be very useful. Lewis would be great for a TT if they finished the circular route between Tolsta and Ness and Brue would make a great tax haven. Any volunteers for the posts and what would you bring to the job? You've the weekend to think about it.
Calum Friday mid morning.

I heard a wonderful story about Lewis football just after the end of the war and I'd like to think it was true. Apparently football strips were difficult to come by although one district team had a strip that Portsmouth FC didn't realise was missing. Point had shirts and socks but no shorts so an old lady with a sewing machine was enlisted to make shorts from the large flour sacks that could be found in every house. She finished the job and when the team ran out for the first time in their new kit every player had shorts with '180 pounds' emblazoned on the back and 'self raising' in clear lettering on the front.
Thanks to DJ MacLeod for this gem.
Weather still amazing. We are the only part of GB not building arks apparently.

Was watching Newcastle dismantle Coventry on Sky 2 last night when Annie B phoned to tell me the Gaelic Channel was active and testing. Dilemma. For at 10 oclock I like to watch Swiss Railway Journeys on Sky Channel 2 - no I am not an anorack or train spotter - the programme is better than a sleeping tablet.
Anyway switched to 169 and a showing of Annie Bheag shot in Port of Ness. A shortish film about child abduction with the guy who does the PO ads taking a starring role. The scenery was fantastic and I look forward to seeing what else is on offer.