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?

NHS Blog Doctor: I'm all right, Jack

The attached article about Mr Bliar strikes a chord with me as one of my work mates is currently in this position. He has just had another appointment delayed for 2 weeks.

He has now been waiting over a year for some sort of succesful treatment. The worst thing about this, is that, up until about a year ago he had the symptoms but was blissfully unaware of what was wrong.

It was only at a simple interview for participation in a Company Health Programme that concerns were raised. To cut a long story short over the past year he has had a variety of treatments / problems / appointments none of which have so far sorted out the problem for any length of time and in somes cases the side-effects seem to be worse that the condition.

Whilst we tend to joke about him nipping in for a quick electrocution and offering him some quick DIY surgery with a balloon and a penknife, he has had a year of worry.

I obviously don't know the full facts about his case, but the treatment of Mr Bliar does make you think.

Also can I just recommend NHS Blog Doctor as being a good read and exposure of the NHS as it is today. This is from a GP with a wealth of experience who voted New Labour 10 years ago, in the now mistaken belief it would renew the NHS.

NHS Blog Doctor: I'm all right, Jack

One of the many reasons we moved to Tarland

About two years ago whilst living in rented accomodation we saw a possible house in Tarland. We weren't really that sure where that was but knew it was close to the Aboyne area where we were looking for houses. The advert on the Property Centre wasn't that great but as there were so few houses on the market we thought we would go and have a look. One problem, there was about 15-30 cm of snow on the roads to Tarland, but having been told they were passable with care, we drove out to Tarland on a lovely cold March day.

One of the many great views that day was of coming out at the top of Queens View about 2 miles from Tarland. It was then a very snowy scene but with a view of many miles.

I now get to to see this view twice every working day as I drive to work and it is still a privilege.

Is this how Blair affords his Mortgages

John Lidstone wrote the following on Lloyd George. Is Mr Bliar the new Lloyd George?

"Lloyd George perfected this lucrative trade. He appointed an honours broker, one Maundy Gregory who set up an impressive office in Whitehall. Those who called on Gregory found themselves in surroundings which had all the trappings of the office of a government minister. Even the flunky who ushered in the visitors to the inner sanctum wore a uniform which, to the untrained eye, looked like an official government Messenger.

In this stage setting, Gregory interviewed well-heeled businessman, newspaper owners, politicians on the make, crooks and status seekers, to discuss how they might help the government in return for a consideration. And the consideration was an honour. The costs were: a viscountcy from £80,000 to £120,000 depending on your bank account; baronies from £30,000 - £50,000; baronetcies from £25,000: and for run of the mill knighthoods the rate was £10,000 - £15,000.

When the Order of the British Empire was founded by George V in 1917, Lloyd George is said to have asked Gregory what he could ask for an OBE, Gregory's reply was 'about £100 a time'.

Between 1917 and 1922 when Lloyd George resigned, 25,000 people had received the OBE. A nice little earner. Lloyd George is estimated to have amassed in his private bank account over £1.5 million pounds from the sales of honours. (Value £150 million today). As a child, in the 1930s, I remember seeing how he had spent some of this money on his estate at Churt, in Surrey.

Gregory, according to John Walker, author of 'The Queen has been pleased', was paid £30,000 a year from the traffic in honours. A letter published in The Times in 1918, signed by 25 peers included the comment that 'honours may come to be regarded as Dishonours'.

As a result of Lloyd George's scandalous conduct, the exploitation of the honours system for gain was made illegal under The Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925."

UK peerage for sale! Going Cheap.

Want to buy a UK Peerage. Heres where to find one.

UK peerage for sale on eBay | The Register

Clearing the Air Scotland

A reminder to all you smokers out there in Scotland that you become official Lepers in 5 days time.

Even living in West-Aberdeenshire, which has one of the best smoking records in Scotland, more than 100 people die every year of directly attributable smoking related diseases. This is more than 2% of all deaths.

In the worst region (Glasgow Shettleston) nearly 10% of deaths are caused by smoking. The life expectancy of all males in Shettleston is 63.9 years versus 76.7 in West Aberdeenshire, the difference is not all due to smoking, but much of it is (Chibbing, murder and drug and lard overdoses are more common in Shettleston).

So before you light up again, think and stub it out. You know it makes sense!

Smoking Ban Scotland, Scottish Executive Smoke Free Laws - Clearing the Air Scotland