Dawn

Dawn, originally uploaded by fitaloon.

Dawn's are fine when you are met with views like this at the end of your road. Makes the drive to work easy on the eyes and you appreciate it so much more. This one came from yesterday morning.

See more at Diack Photos

Age law 'threat to minimum wage'

What a wonderful government we have. Not satisfied with making a pigs ear of Iraq/Afghanistan they have now turned their attention to the UK. As usual, from them, an ill thought out and applied law. When will they learn.
BBC NEWS | Business | Age law 'threat to minimum wage'

Ballon and Trees

Ballon and Trees, originally uploaded by fitaloon.

Spotted this balloon on Wednesday night on the way home and chased it across the countryside trying to get a some good photos.
See more at Diack Photos

Stone Dyke

Stone Dyke, originally uploaded by fitaloon.

Was in Banchory at the weekend and was taking photos for my Cousin in America and popped along to Scolty Hill. Well worth a visit for the views and changing scenery.

Sunrise over Tornaveen

Sunrise over Tornaveen, originally uploaded by fitaloon.

Another wonderful morning of views. Was a bit late so only managed a couple of snaps. Had to stop to look at this.

Sunrise at Tarland

Well the sunrises have now got to that time when I can see them on the way to work. I took this on Wednesday morning when the sky was amazing. Makes going to work a joy.

Warning to Which? subscribers.

A warning to Which? subscribers. The following letter was sent out by Which? to all Which? online users. It appears that due to a complete lack of expertise they have sent the user id and password for current subscribers of the Which? web site in clear. So if anyone else sees this letter they have all your details, Membership Number, Address, ID (which is your e-mail address) and Password.

OK you say but that site doesn't have anything on it of any great interest that I can't get anywhere else, but the problem is, that many people use the same password for all their ID'S. So now we have a larger problem. Using the E-Mail address and the password many things may open up. Bank Accounts, Credit Cards, Amazon etc etc. Manna from heaven for anyone who knew what to do.

I was lucky the password on the letter is one I use for insecure or general sites. I use different passwords for my secure sites. I was also lucky I noticed this as the letter lay around our house for a few days before I read it, just before throwing it away.

I phoned Which? and their only answer was SORRY. Wonderful, no advice on what to do next and what they were doing to sort this out. I was not the first person to complain.

So you have been warned.

P.S. Just in case I have changed my passwords!!

Corgarff Castle

Corgarff Castle,
originally uploaded by fitaloon.

Corgarff Castle is now fully open again after refurbishment. It is looking stunning, helped by the great sunshine we had yesterday.

See more at Diack Photos.

Visit the following website for more information.
Corgarff Castle

Looking Towards Queens View

View of Queens View,
originally uploaded by fitaloon.

Just a quick post of a photo of the area I live in. Normally I look down on this area as I drive home at night. Took this on a walk round Tarland a couple of weeks ago.

The Fairy Hill of the Caledonians - Schiehallion

The Fairy Hill of the Caledonians - Schiehallion,
originally uploaded by idg.

Thought I'd just put an entry in for this gorgeous picture of Schiehallion. Hopefully my father-in-law Jim can then see it on his new computer, which I will hopefully shortly connect to the internet. It might bring some memories back for him.

Scottish Junior Masters

Scottish Golf Union I forgot to blog this a while ago, but Cameron competed in this competition, he was just unlucky on getting into the final even though he was one of the youngest taking part. He is now playing off a handicap of 17 and well and truly beating his dad.

Newest Two Seater Convertible

 
Down here in deepest Tarland the latest exhibition of two seater convertibles took place this weekend... 

Holiday Snap Time

Ruaridh on the Tor's,
originally uploaded by fitaloon.

Just been on Holiday to Devon. Had great time with great people. Pity about the English residents who appeared to be weeping into their Beer and trying to sell used flags.
See all my Flickr photos here

Date for your Diary - Wishbone Ash

My brother said blog this so I have. Was at the last concert in Aberdeen last year and it was amazing. Thirty years on and they still play great music.
See you at The Lemon Tree

Another reason to move to Tarland !

Noddy & Mr Plod: This is pants too!

The Dilbert Blog: Common Knowledge

The Dilbert Blog: Common Knowledge

This article points at two things I am currently interested in
a) Politics - Why and how people vote.
b) Education - I have three kids currently going through School.

Both are mentioned in some way in the articles.

My main comment is to say that I was always a big reader and I know how much it helped me both at school, in work and at home.

Now how to convince some of my sons (not all) what a boon reading is both in terms of knowledge and education but also that it is a source of great pleasure.

Now back to my reading...

A Mars a day....

For those who have seen that Mars Bars have launched a marketing campaign to support England in the World Cup, you will have seen that the word 'Mars' on the wrapper has been changed to 'Believe'. These are currently on sale in most stores in England.


They have also launched a separate campaign in Scotland, as attached.


Thanks to BigBruv for this one.

Updated 12:05:

Have a look at

Mars Bar sales slump in Scotland

BBC NEWS | UK | Magna Carta tops British day poll

BBC NEWS | UK | Magna Carta tops British day poll

Nice to see that the day selected to celebrate "Britishness" is about England.

The English out there might like to know / remember that the Magna Carta starts as follows:-

JOHN, by the grace of God King of England, Lord of Ireland, Duke of Normandy and Aquitaine, and Count of Anjou, to his archbishops, bishops, abbots, earls, barons, justices, foresters, sheriffs, stewards, servants, and to all his officials and loyal subjects, Greeting.

I don't quite see any mention of King of Scotland in there but never mind Scotland is just part of England isn't it.

The king of Scotland at that time was Alexander II or as sometime known Alasdair II. Not a bad name really.

Iain Dale's Diary: Cherie Scrapes the Barrell by Signing Hutton Report for Auction

Iain Dale's Diary: Cherie Scrapes the Barrell by Signing Hutton Report for Auction
Following stolen from Iain Dale's page

"This piece seems to have caused such outrage that I'm reprinting selected exercpts of the article by the Mail on Sunday's Jonathan Oliver below..."

"Cherie Blair was last night accused of 'bad taste' amd 'insensitivity'after helping the Labour Party to cash in on the suicide of Governmet scientist Dr David Kelly. Mrs Blair signed a copy of the Hutton Report into the weapons inspector's death, which was then auctioned off to raise money for the party. The document, which was also signed by Alastair Campbell, fetched £400 at an after dinner auction. Last night Reg Keays, whose Red Cap son Tom was killed by an Iraqi mob in 2003 said: "Cherie and Campbell have shown very bad taste. The coffins draped in the Union flag are still returning from Iraq. To auction off a report which inquired into the suicide of a very eminent, respected scoientist is effectively profting from other people's misery. But themn that is just typical of this government's attitude." Mrs Blair also came under fire from Labour MPs, shocked at the way the tragedy which rocked the government was now the subject of jokey fundraising events. Jeremy Corbyn MP said: "It is incredibly insensitive and in seriously bad taste. The Hutton Report is not a triumph of anything except obfuscation and secrecy." The auction took place on Wednesday at London's Arts Club in mayfair and was organised by James Purnell, the newly promoted pensions minister. The auctioneer was Rhondda MP Chris Bryant who explained to the audience this was not the first time a Hutton Report had been sold for party funds. To excite interest in the sale he pointed out that even unsigned copies cost £70 from HMSO. He boasted that at the previous event the buyer was able to make a profit by reselling the document signed by Alastair Campbell on Ebay. But Mr Bryant insisted this year's lot was unique becasue it also bore the imprint of Mrs Blair. One guest told the Mil on Sunday: "Even at the time there were a lot of people wondering whether it was really appropriate - even in jest." Among the 200 guests were Rosie Winterton, Gerry Sutcliffe and Tom Watson".

Updated 13:15

BBC now reporting on this see http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/5007874.stm

Updated again at 14:45

And I love this
Hat Tip to Beau Bo D’Or

How Scottish Are You?

Just a quick game for you to play and a little tune. How Scottish Are You?