Scottish Independence

Quite an interesting poll is being run by The Scotsman at the moment. It’s a simple Yes/No question, “Should the independence referendum be brought forward from 2014?"

At present, 61% of the people that have taken part have said no and that’s quite a good answer, I believe. Alex Salmond set the date in the first place and there is no reason to cause an argument about it, there is no reason to rush into it and there is no reason to screw it up.

Personally, I'm looking forward to escaping fom the U.K. It does nothing but cost us money and get us into wars.

And don't forget - It's our oil, it always has been.

This might sound daft!!!

This might sound daft but here in Shetland, men used to knit. When my grandfather was at sea and he had a little time to himself he would get the pins out to do some repairs or make a new pair of socks, maybe a jumper for himself or his wife, perhaps for one of his children, my mother and uncles and aunt.

I'm sure that a lot of men still do knit here, especially if there is no pub close by, the telly is on and it's raining outside. What better to do as you stare at the news or the music is on - and save a fortune as you do it.

So, I've made a decision. Not just a wee decision either but a big one!!! A change in my life when you think about it. I'm going to learn to knit. I'm doing this to keep myself busy, to give myself the ability to have clothes that I like and to be able to repair clothes instead of having to buy new ones that I can't afford.

You never know, this might have been a photo of one of my older relatives - or maybe one of yours - making a new pair of underpants.

You can do a lot with a pair of knitting needles you know!!!

I'll let you know how I get on and if I start taking orders I'll give you an idea of the prices, alright!!!

The cashline card and the Co-op

I have found out what happened at last!!!

Remember the story about the cashline card and the Co-op? Well, it turns out that some chancers have been trying to pinch my money, accessing it via the cashline card and because of that The Royal Bank of Scotland had, quite rightly, stopped my card. The annoying bit is that they had, quite correctly, done that - but, and a big but too - the information about it had not reached me at that point in time so I tried to buy food using a piece of plastic that was nothing more than that - a piece of plastic.

It's all sorted now though, the new card is on its way here and I'm aware what has all been happening. Well done RBS!!!

But now I can't pay for the grub - can I come around to yours for dinner please?

Am I missing something?

Lying in bed last night, thinking as I drifted off. Do I get it wrong - are there people, here in Shetland that have left wing - or, God forbid, right wing - views. If so, do they stay silent in fear of being mocked or castigated. Am I the only one around here that votes for the Scottish Socialist Party, or for that matter, any other party that does not "fit".

If I am right in the way that I have been thinking then I have to ask myself "Why". Is it because it is the way that everyone believes to be right or is it because everyone wants to fit in, does not want to be "different" from the rest, be it their family, friends, neighbours or employers, whatever.

There must be the odd person with views akin to myself. Why do they stay silent? Please, someone, let on. Is it socially unacceptable around these parts to think differently. Pretty awful if it is.