The blog formerly known as "Angus Nicolson - an incredulous eye on the isles" this was the blog of an ordinary, boring, former Councillor in the Western Isles of Scotland.
Angus is taking a sabbatical to be with his young family
Debate strengthens democracy, except inside the SNP, as he has discovered. If you want balance then get some scales. This is opinion - our opinion.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Ferry timetables
With the new ferry timetable coming into effect on Friday 21 March, strong rumour reaches me that Sunday 23rd will see the first Sunday ferry into Lewis, and that the brand new updated timetable will be announced after the next CalMac Board meeting.
Not so fast heathen! Some like minded bretheren and I have built a vessel out of four be two and scaffolding poles. This is called The Lords Day Observance Submarine, which we will not hesitate to use against this monstrous regiment of car ferries. Alternatively, we have a team of killer mackerel will attach limpet mines to the underside of the vessel and then swim away. Any who perish will obviously go to fishy heaven, where 72 virgin mackerels will be waiting for them. The same applies to the limpets who were martyred when we stuffed their empty shells full of plastic explosive. This post is meant as a joke and is not a serious terrorist threat.
That will be a fantastic day for many of us who care about the island but believe we are being held back by fear of change and restrictive practices which have no place in a modern society. Go for it CalMac and not before time.
Yes - let's bring the island into the 21st Century. It was terrible last century in Lewis - nice and safe, little drugs, people cared about each other, kids were safe to play outside, murders virtually non-existent, fantastic community spirit, you knew and looked after your neighbours, little crime. Let's strive to be civilised like Glasgow!!! If that's progress...
Anon 3.28 proves the point - fear of change - stay in the 20th century (or was it the 19th?) where everything was cosy and rosy - no drugs, no alcohol problems, no crime and everyone had a job. Back in the day - the Lewis condition in a nutshell.
3:28PM: Grinding poverty ... lack of property ownership and eviction without notice ... appalingly high baby and child mortality rate ... wife battering as an accepted (by male and female) activity ... low life expectancy ... disproportionate number of residents lost at sea, or in distant wars ... no prospects for life, no choices in life.
Ah yes, the good old days in the Outer Hebrides. How we miss them. Just like the Irish really want to stop being a peaceful and happy nation and go backwards - literally - to those happy days of the 1840s and 1850s...
The pick-and-mix counter belongs solely in Woolworths, not in history.
Odd timing, the way things are happening. Looks liek there'll be an announcement about RET within the next few weeks, but no announcement about Sunday ferries out of Stornoway. Kinda "There's no ferry, but if there was, it would be cheap to catch". Hmmm.
"strong rumour reaches me that Sunday 23rd will see the first Sunday ferry into Lewis"
I guess time will tell whether the ferry sails on the 23rd, but Hugh Dan Maclennan from Cal Mac issued a statement saying "I am not normally prepared to comment on rumour but in this case I can unequivocally state that it's absolute rubbish."
It might be time to get some more reliable sources, Angus.
Wouldn't want you to get (or enhance) a reputation for spreading untruths...
Lets Bl***y hope so! At least then we may start to drag this island into the 20th if not the 21st century.....
ReplyDeleteRoll on (and roll off) the 23rd
ReplyDeleteNot so fast heathen! Some like minded bretheren and I have built a vessel out of four be two and scaffolding poles.
ReplyDeleteThis is called The Lords Day Observance Submarine, which we will not hesitate to use against this monstrous regiment of car ferries. Alternatively, we have a team of killer mackerel will attach limpet mines to the underside of the vessel and then swim away. Any who perish will obviously go to fishy heaven, where 72 virgin mackerels will be waiting for them. The same applies to the limpets who were martyred when we stuffed their empty shells full of plastic explosive. This post is meant as a joke and is not a serious terrorist threat.
Sooner the better. Calmac will get some credibility back - finally, doing what the majority of its customers want it to do.
ReplyDeleteThat's Ferry Good News and I sincerely hope that the strong rumour comes to fruition....
ReplyDeleteSunday 23 March = Easter Sunday though?
That will be a fantastic day for many of us who care about the island but believe we are being held back by fear of change and restrictive practices which have no place in a modern society. Go for it CalMac and not before time.
ReplyDeleteWhat about working on a Sunday, washing cars, doing the garden etc, when will this taboo be shattered?
ReplyDeleteOh wow, can't wait lol
ReplyDeleteYes - let's bring the island into the 21st Century. It was terrible last century in Lewis - nice and safe, little drugs, people cared about each other, kids were safe to play outside, murders virtually non-existent, fantastic community spirit, you knew and looked after your neighbours, little crime. Let's strive to be civilised like Glasgow!!! If that's progress...
ReplyDeleteAnon 3.28 proves the point - fear of change - stay in the 20th century (or was it the 19th?) where everything was cosy and rosy - no drugs, no alcohol problems, no crime and everyone had a job. Back in the day - the Lewis condition in a nutshell.
ReplyDeleteAnon 3:28 PM, go and have a wee lie down in a dark room.
ReplyDelete3:28PM: Grinding poverty ... lack of property ownership and eviction without notice ... appalingly high baby and child mortality rate ... wife battering as an accepted (by male and female) activity ... low life expectancy ... disproportionate number of residents lost at sea, or in distant wars ... no prospects for life, no choices in life.
ReplyDeleteAh yes, the good old days in the Outer Hebrides. How we miss them. Just like the Irish really want to stop being a peaceful and happy nation and go backwards - literally - to those happy days of the 1840s and 1850s...
The pick-and-mix counter belongs solely in Woolworths, not in history.
couldn't resist- tried to book it on-line, but CalMac are teasing us- no sailings on that day ...yet!
ReplyDeleteI wonder which minister will be appointed to lie on the slipway this time?
ReplyDeleteHope your sources are correct. Let those of us who wish to use a Sunday ferry do so. Nobody is being forced to use it if they dont want to!!
ReplyDeleteOdd timing, the way things are happening. Looks liek there'll be an announcement about RET within the next few weeks, but no announcement about Sunday ferries out of Stornoway. Kinda "There's no ferry, but if there was, it would be cheap to catch". Hmmm.
ReplyDelete"strong rumour reaches me that Sunday 23rd will see the first Sunday ferry into Lewis"
ReplyDeleteI guess time will tell whether the ferry sails on the 23rd, but Hugh Dan Maclennan from Cal Mac issued a statement saying "I am not normally prepared to comment on rumour but in this case I can unequivocally state that it's absolute rubbish."
It might be time to get some more reliable sources, Angus.
Wouldn't want you to get (or enhance) a reputation for spreading untruths...