Silversprite

Another coincidence.

I was looking for an icon of a reindeer to incorporate into this website. A few searches on Flickr turned up the perfect one, combining the animal with the RSS logo (on the end of its nose). And the picture is under the Creative Commons licence, so it was installed:

Icon by Dr Cole Henley

The coincidence part? The creator of the reindeer icon used to be an archaeologist, and his PhD was on the Neolithic of the Outer Hebrides. And so several years ago, he spent some time here on Berneray doing, well, whatever archaeologists do. While here, he took some pictures, of which this is one of many he has put onto Flickr:

Picture by Dr Cole Henley

The picture shows Norman on his croft on Sunhill. He is standing in front of one of the stones in the circle that can be seen from much of the eastern side of the island.

The picture was taken on November 1st 2001, the field trip being postponed from that summer due to foot and mouth. The largest size version of the picture is of particular interest as it shows much of Backhill and some of Church Road in detail.

Surprisingly, perhaps, very little has changed between then and now. There’s a wind turbine, and a few residents have different cars, but that’s about it (unless am missing anything?). My house is just out of shot a few to the left of the picture.

Wonder what the odds of that are, that the person who designed the reindeer icon I use has previously visited Berneray.

One of the more peculiar things I noticed in 2008 were academics who knit at conferences. I had never seen this before (and still haven’t at UK events), but it was noticeable in the US.

Here’s a picture I took (not very clear) of two people knitting at a conference in Chicago. I was surprised, almost shocked, at this but no-one else seemed concerned:

The knitter at the back commented on the picture, as have a few other academics and librarians. And, during that conference, tour of the USA and since then, I’ve become more aware that knitting is not so much a niche thing but a mainstream thing, and it is not something to be profoundly disturbed about, as I was at first.

Lorcan today blogged about the website of the University of Plymouth. The awesome screenshot alone is worth it, but it raises a point - is knitting now a central part of the academic culture?

In fact, going through my social space alone it’s noticeable that there’s a lot of librarians and academics who do ALL THREE of these:

Why is this?

Is it perhaps because all three of these can be done on your own, but are better when there’s someone else participating (I’ve just re-read that sentence and no, it is not innuendo, so no smutty replies please.)?

Is it because all three occupy the hands? Because they are cheap? Because they can be done in a variety of places, practically wherever you want, as  a laptop, Nintendo DS and two needles and a ball of wool can be carried around anywhere? Because they all result in a satisfying outcome (something completed or a friendship enhanced)? Because they are socially acceptable to most, in both private and public? Because they occupy the mind?

Hat knitted and worn by Courtney Stephens

And can the concept of “flow” [Csikszentmihalyi, 1988], as explored in video game research, be applied to knitting and twitter use?

(Suddenly has idea for research funding proposal…)

So it’s cool to knit, twit and vid, especially if you can do them all at the same time. There are various online resources for the cross-overs between these communities, such as webrings for librarians who knit. And also perfectly acceptable if you are male, as well. There’s more evidence of librarians knitting by doing a Flickr search.

A word of caution; perhaps this will increase demands placed on library and academic conferences. Wifi and unlimited coffee are expected by default, now. Increasingly video game facilities are demanded, especially at librarian events (”No Wii? Hmmm, maybe I’ll skip the planned evening event and find a bar instead.”). Now, will conferences need to incorporate knitting logistics e.g. replacement kneedles, chair pull-out tables, emergency wool supplies in order to entice delegates?

This is my fifth New Year as a resident of Berneray and the Outer Hebrides.

It’s January 1st, and as I was getting a bit fed up of my cluttered website and blog, I’ve changed the theme. It’s now the Nice Wee Sites theme, running on an installation of Wordpress 2.7.

The adverts for Berneray calendars et al have gone, as the clutter was getting a bit daft. These items are still for sale (I get back a few pounds for each one which goes towards the costs of hosting the Berneray website), and can be viewed and purchased on the Isle of Berneray e-shop on Cafepress.

I’ve been blogging now for 3 years and 2 months, though of late this has diminished somewhat due to work divergence, and also returning to Twitter (microblogging). Various bits of software pump out irrelevant statistics, and they show that during that time I’ve:

• Written 512 blog entries.
• … comprising of 119,386 words.
• Gotten 957 (approved) comments back.
• … and over 70,000 spam comments, most automatically generated.

Heck, that is a lot of words; in fact it’s about a book and a half in size.

On the picture front, my Flickr account now has 1,235 pictures in it. Considering the variable speed at which I write, and the fact that the vast majority (easily 90%+) of pictures I take I delete without putting on line, it’s suddenly easy to see how the last few years have flown past.

A review of the year on Berneray. Thanks to eight other Berneray residents who have, through several evenings of blathering and alcohol, helped with this.

For Berneray, 2008 has finished in pretty much the same way that it started, demographically, with 125 residents. The number of births, deaths, and people moving away from/to Berneray has been surprisingly small in the last year. The average age of residents, as best as can be estimated, is around 58 (give or take 1.5 years either side to be sure); however, the age profile of the island is very uneven, with clumps of residents around the 45 to 55, and 75 to 85 age points.

The population has stayed remarkably stable over the last four years, being within the band of 121 to 131 between 2005 and 2008. That pretty much mirrors the Outer Hebrides, where very recent years have shown a levelling-out, and a slight rise, in the overall population. The statistics show that the myth of an ever-plummeting population figure is just that: a myth.

Will the population of Berneray change much over the next few years?

At least three houses will be renovated next year, and a new build completed. That should help increase the figures in some way, in addition to other developments which will occur. The Berneray school building, currently being turned into three flats and a three bedroom house by Hebridean Housing Partnership, will also affect the demographics. Like many other residents, I’m hoping that the general talk of sustainable communities e.g. enabling younger people to get their own place, privacy and independence, will be borne out by the first residents of the refurbished building. Otherwise, Archie our councillor who also sits on the board of HHP will have to contend with some unhappy residents

On the negative side, deaths and people moving away will pull the population figure down. What happens to these houses will, of course, affect the demographics. It is also possible, especially in the 2009 year of “homecoming”, that overseas visitors may purchase property. Certainly, with the weakness of the pound against both the US dollar and the Euro, property in the Outer Hebrides is very attractively priced for Americans and Europeans alike.

There are many other factors and variables, but overall I feel it is much more likely that there will be an overall rise in the resident population than a fall between now and the end of 2010. In two years time, I would be surprised if the population was not somewhere in the 130’s. There are still many people who wish to move to Berneray, and places like Berneray; a constant flow of them contact me through my blog and the Berneray website with an extremely varied range of questions. If suitable property is available (and that’s the number one problem), then new residents will come.

What else happened on Berneray in 2008? Almost unnoticed, the fishing industry declined further. Just 3 or 4 residents now earn most or all of their income from fishing. Several of us worked out the figures last night; here is a ranking, by the number of residents in each ‘trade’ (not all trades lists), of how Berneray residents earn most or all of their income:

1. Teleworking (working from home online).
2=. Ferry crew.
2=. Education.
4. Crofting.
5. Fishing.

I thought teleworking being the “largest” industry would happen eventually, but am surprised it’s happened this quickly. (“Largest” is in quotes as we are still talking about a single digit number of people for each of those trades). That will probably surprise other people, especially as fishing and crofting are high visibility industries and working from home is practically invisible, but the math bears out. More of a surprise is how quickly the fishing industry has declined, which is really sad; the harbour, especially in summer, is now more of a pleasure boat arena.

Teleworking is crucial to Berneray and other islands for several reasons; one of which being the demographics. Remove the teleworkers and their families from the spreadsheet of Berneray data and (a) the average age of a Berneray resident becomes 61.5, while (b) several children are lost. Generally, teleworking is something done more by people of family age, so it’s pretty obvious what needs to be focused on to make the Outer Hebrides an attractive (sustainable, realistic income) place to live for many families.

Speaking of teleworking, more people on Berneray had broadband installed. By the end of the year the majority of residents had broadband access at home (which is excellent and progressive), though some residents are still awaiting this upgrade. Out of the 125 residents, 64 have home-based broadband, with another 22 remaining on dialup. Even though you can now buy a good PC or laptop for less than the cost of a ton of coal for the fire, few of the remaining 39 will get Internet access, so the island will have an internet take-up rate of around 70%.

Anything else? The shop and tearoom came under new ownership from people new to the island. The prospect of the Sound of Harris fixed link receded. Sue continued to diligently build an impressive database of Berneray ancestral data. It became possible to visit a Tesco (in Stornoway) without leaving the Outer Hebrides, and quite a few residents did so. Tourism was statistically and visually quieter on Berneray, as it was across the Uists and the Outer Hebrides. The weather was generally good, apart from some nasty autumn storms. Several residents watched Obama’s acceptance speech on TV or online; one resident was there (smug).

The normal cycle of events: first footing, Calluinn night, sheep being moved off the island, Berneray Week, annual ferry refit, sheep being moved onto the island, the Christmas meal, the market in Lochmaddy, continued. More people got into growing their own, and making their own foods. No new groups were formed, though most of the existing groups had changes of officers. In a partnership between Andy and Berneray Community Council, the island finished the year with an excellent Christmas tree, sleigh and Santa.

And, of course, everyone got a little greyer and/or older.

The most significant Berneray event for me personally (and it is loosely connected with the population figures) is something which didn’t happen. And that is – Berneray did not lose the Post Office.

I heart Berneray Post Office.

List all the services, facilities and amenities on the island (there’s actually quite a few) and focus on each one. What would it be like if it was gone. With most of them, I wouldn’t be bothered if they were lost (apart from the excellent Grenitote Bus Service), but the thought of losing the post office panics me.

Lose the post office and it’s a ridiculous 20 mile round trip to buy stamps, or send a parcel, or post things overseas or that are not a regular size. And on buses, that’s a large chunk of the day gone.

And it’s not just stamps and parcels, as Berneray post office offers a very wide range of services; in fact, everything except drivers licences. You can even withdraw cash from your Bank of Scotland bank account free of charge. Do not be deceived by the small size of the post office; it’s very well equipped and is pretty much the hub of the island. Minutes of meetings are kept in a box by the window. Mary the Post Mistress is one of the friendliest and most helpful people you will ever meet. It’s open 9:30 till 1 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

So it was with huge relief that Berneray Post Office avoided the last round of cuts. Especially looking at remote communities on the mainland. In my home county of Worcestershire, many rural post offices have been axed, some in villages much larger – and with much worse public transport – than Berneray.

Even if you are not visiting Berneray but are passing through e.g. to get the ferry to Harris, then the Post Office is useful. Waiting at Berneray ferry terminal? The Post Office is just over a mile, about 20-25 minutes walk, along a pleasant coast road. There aren’t many other places in Britain where, as you walk to the Post Office to buy stamps, you have a chance of seeing seals, otters and porpoise (all seen recently here). In fact, more often than not you’ll see seals from outside the post office.

I use Berneray Post Office generally in bouts of ebay sales, for stamps, for sending stuff overseas, and for paying some bills. If I got more organised, I’d use it more and that’s one of my resolutions for 2009. Some things are more important than others in a place like Berneray and, for me, keeping the local, friendly, useful and efficient Post Office is one of them.

Wishing all blog readers a healthy and prosperous 2009; John.

A generous local gift of two lobsters came this way yesterday (thanks). Cue B-52’s soundtrack and time spent dealing with the pair, which were named Douglas and Wendy (non-Brits: it’s a political thing). And here they are, being prepared for lobster salad later:

Thankfully, lobster tastes a good bit better than it looks. There’s a couple of bottles of nice New Zealand white wine chilling in the fridge which will provide an excellent foil. Bon appetite!

My fifth Christmas as a resident of the Outer Hebrides. The pictures on this entry are taken from a larger set.

Things really kick off the evening before, when many people open presents from each other. Last minute baking et al is also done, so here’s what the kitchen has been looking like for the last few days:

Christmas day itself started with the usual; the last of the present opening, and the remainder of the cards. There’s definitely an American-theme with my presents this year, and the opening took place next to the Credit Crunch Christmas Tree (compare to last years):

Of the dozen or so trees I’ve seen in Berneray houses this Christmas, the best one is probably that belonging to Donald, Nico and Cassandera. Here’s a picture of it I took this Christmas Day afternoon:

Then it was time to prepare and despatch Palin the Goose to the oven, then off for a Christmas Day walk. I dropped in at the houses of two residents who otherwise would be unlikely to see anyone today. The walk took me past the “Santa in the sleigh”, parked next to the tree at the Nurses Cottage:

Being increasingly Pagan in nature, I did the usual Christmas Day thing of visiting a stone circle, this one being on Sunhill. From here, I can look across to the house:

… returning to which, it was time to extract Palin from the oven, and have a most excellent (best of the five) Christmas day dinner of goose, all the trimmings, and a splash of vino.

Afterwards? I’ll skip the Queen’s speech as she is stuck doing it using banal last century technology. When she does it properly e.g. Twittering under the @liz2nd moniker, then I’ll take it seriously. Instead I did what an increasing number of (sensible) Brits do, and hunt for bargains in the Christmas online sales:

I hope your Christmas day is as equally satisfying and relaxing.

These customers and these and these.

I sincerely hope your houses get burgled and your presents stolen on Christmas Eve. Karma.

Woolworths closing down

Unfortunately this doesn’t appear to be an isolated incident. A friend from schooldays who works in Woolworths (though obviously not for much longer) informs that his branch has extra security in. This is to protect the staff from customers angry that the stock isn’t cheaper. He’s carrying one minor injury through having a pram thrown at him, but only has a few days left so he’s going to face it out.

Ah, what a country.

Berneray Community Council has funded a brightly lit Christmas tree for the island, as the Comhairle are too stingy / bankrupt / focused on Lewis to the detriment of all the other islands, to fund Christmas decorations. Andy Carr did a superb job on making the sleigh and getting it and the tree sorted out. Thanks also for Jim in his garage / shed, which provided the electricity for the tree when it was parked next to the Nurs’es Cottage.

The tree is currently travelling around Berneray, and will appear in various locations over the next few weeks. Here’s a not very good picture of it:

And here’s a short and also not very good video of it, twinkling away a few nights ago next to the Nurs’es Cottage:

A peaceful Christmas, and a healthy and prosperous 2009, to readers of this blog.