Improving Island Life

A second attempt to make a posting. Our postings for the last few months are just suspended in some "Processing limbo". I think the BBC are up to clandestine tricks.

Well, I am happy to report that M has now been divested of her plaster cast, which you may recall had been secretly “decorated” by some yobs while she was asleep in town. These obscene scribbles were removed by me: after initial laborious attempts with Tippex, I realised that a can of left-over emulsion from the garage would do the job rather faster. M was rather pleased with her magnolia-coloured leg, and indeed added some yellow flower stencils. We may have hit upon a niche business here! I will write to Dragon’s Den.

So, it appears that we are not allowed to express “commercial” opinions on this blog. What a disgraceful suppression of free speech by the BBC, of all people. Perhaps they could define what “commercial” means in this context. I doubt it, as apparently opinions on ferry companies – surely commercial organisations - are allowed. What if there were two ferry companies? (which on some routes there are). Are we allowed to express a preference between them, or an opinion of either? But enough of this - in spite of this BBC nonsense we will continue to push the boundaries!

I am pleased to say that our house modifications have at last been completed, though we did need to imprison a joiner for the duration. Our thanks to those who consoled us for only having two bathrooms, but we pride ourselves on being able to ‘rough it’ when necessary (our travels have seen us in many an en-suite bedroom with no sink plug), and there is a downstairs toilet which we omitted to mention, so it’s not all doom and gloom.

Anyway, the main point is that we are back in business!

We’ve not quite got the hang of this blogging business so sorry if this is a repetition of interesting comments we have said elsewhere. I think this was a reply to someone on Bute who liked the stink of sweaty horses:

I'm afraid M and I have different opinions here. M loves horses (seems to be a woman thing) whereas I think the best place to ride a horse is to the glue factory - they are over-rated, nasty, smelly animals that bite and kill people on a regular basis. The best part of Animal Farm was when Hercules the horse was driven off to be made into dog food. How I laughed. And as for smelling a warm horse and sniffing under strangers' duvets, I have no interest in giving either of these marks out of ten (it would be 0). I wouldn't dream of smelling under M's duvet, especially if she'd recently had a curry (another bad liking of hers).

J and M from Bute

We must apologise for our absence from this “blog” for some two months. The reasons for this are numerous.

Firstly, we have been attempting various renovations and extensions on our little home here on Bute (e.g. a second bathroom, a conservatory and a fifth bedroom), and have had an absolutely disgraceful time with so called “tradesmen”. I now give every tradesman I contact an Agreement to sign before I engage them. This penalises them for not attending when agreed and for late completion of the work agreed (I have some experience in the contracting business, you see). And to date, true, to form, not one of them has yet even had the decency to reply.

Secondly, I am sorry to report that M was thrown from her horse some weeks ago (down south), This has somewhat diverted my attention, in that I have had to make my own meals and suchlike. However, my particular grievance is as follows. M – her leg in plaster – fell asleep on a bench in Guildford Square. On my arrival to pick her up in the 4 x 4, I noticed that all kinds of rude and obscene scribbles had been secretly made on her plaster. These were signed “The Shinty Team”, whoever they are. I have been informed that they may be some kind of Glasgow gang visiting for the day, but in any event they should be ashamed of themselves. We would welcome any light to be shed on this disgraceful act.

And now to more important matters. You may remember that one of our contributions to this blog was censored by the BBC, and that we promised to address this disgraceful matter.

Here is the censored text, except for TWO WORDS which I have omitted, in the belief that these were the words which caused the censoring. I defy the BBC to censor the following. If they do, they should send the text to the blog and explain their reasons.

I have been told by the BBC that these blogs have certain rules. These seem to include that one is not allowed to express one’s opinion unless it fits with the BBC’s view of what “type” of opinions are allowed. Can the BBC state that they will also follow such a rule e.g. they will only express opions where allowed by – say – the government? I think (and hope) not.

However, here is the text (less the two words);
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“Now, I must admit that this a little "bee in our bonnet".

M and myself love to dine out on a regular basis (funds allowing), but dining on Bute seems to be very much a hit and miss affair. So, we intend to provide regular restaurant reviews, and we invite others to do the same in this column.

We will not, of course, divulge where and when we intend to inspect, but I would imagine that over the months we will cover

- Chandlers

- the two Chinese restaurants in town (we would rather someone else did this - a little downmarket for us!)

- the two Indian restaurants in town (ditto!)

- Bute's Italy, now that it has re-opened.

- Brechin's

- The Kingarth Hotel.

- The St Blanes Hotel

- The Victoria Hotel

- The Esplanade.

- The Waterfront

- That one behind the Discovery Centre.

Are there any others? Do you have any comments on such establishments?

To be frank, we are not sure about some of the above establishments, having passed by and looked in, but we will start with a blank scorecard and be totally impartial!

J and M”
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Who can guess what – and where – the two words were? The reason for rejection, by the way, was “Adverising/Plugging”, which is a disgraceful and unfounded assertion.

Best wishes
J and M

Well, we have just returned from a sojourn down south (to check on the horses and suchlike) to find that we have been censored by the BBC. This is, of course, an outrage, and we shall be providing details soon (BBC permitting!).

Today we want to talk about Calmac, our 'lifeline' to the mainland.

It seems that they are always being criticised no matter what they do, and perhaps the argument should be a little more balanced.

For example, an hourly schedule is surely ample, given the increased capacity of the new vessels, and it gives one time to have a cup of coffee and do some shopping in that excellent delicatessen (butcher's also, M reminds me!).

We are well acquainted with Calmac's upper echelons on a personal basis. Indeed, it was through such an acquaintance that we first discovered Bute. We believe that they have nothing but the good of the community at heart.

Calmac's senior management have done a splendid job for years, in the face of wind, weather, hate campaigns and employees. I can also tell you that these stalwart managers have solid industry experience, for not only do they extensively travel the islands to ensure quality standards, but many have boats of their own.

Now you may say "Who are we to talk"? Well, we can vouch for all this from personal knowledge, gained at several Calmac dinners and other functions.

We would be very happy to hear your praises of Calmac, for a change, or at least balanced criticism.

J and M on Bute

We were pleasantly surprised at the walking on Bute, in particular the "West Island Way", and have now covered several stretches.

We understand that these paths are maintained by local volunteers, but quite frankly they do not seem to be doing their job. For example, it is not at all clear where the two stretches connect at St Blanes. Perhaps these voluntary people should get their act together? In my opinion, they should be utilising the quiet winter months to get such repairs and erections ready for summer.

M and I, unfortunately, are far too busy to volunteer for things. Nor are we fond of rambling clubs, having had experience of these in the past. We are rather too "sprightly" for them, I fear, and often the conversation is a little "rambling" also. (M's little joke there!)

What do you think?

Good Day and Welcome

We thought that the people of Bute might like a regular little journal about life here on our lovely island. M and I came up here to make Bute our home - at least in summer, when we can get in some sailing before the monsoon season starts! (M's little joke there!)

M and I will strive to improve, and participate in, island life, so we will not hesitate to investigate and speak out on any important matters, no matter how controversial. For example, what is Calmac's side of things? Why, when we go walking, are the signs so completely inadequate?

Maybe you have other ideas.

We will be posting shortly. In the meantime, we look foward to hearing from you.

J and M