Wednesday 01/02/06

Into the second month of the year already. Doesn't time fly...

No sun this morning, it's a blanket of grey and misty cloud. After yesterday's record 128 viewers on the webcam, we now only have a few. Helped mrs B set up a website last night for her B&B. The art centre man, who has helped to dismantle the Sharmanka exhibition, is leaving for Glasgow. The chap that works for the security firm is back with us again. Sunrise today 8.32, sunset 16.45. NHS Western Isles is reported to have a £ 3 million shortfall (American readers: $ 5 m). The Health Board was planning to announce this in a meeting in Tarbert tomorrow, but local councillors spilled the beans early. A high-ranking official within the Health Board was sacked on the spot last Saturday for blowing the whistle on mismanagement within the organisation. His pay was stopped with immediate effect. He had worked within the NHS for 32 years. People are now really scared to speak out. Continuing with the problems in the local Health Board, there are now appeals for direct action from the Scottish Executive. In the evening, mrs B and I take one of her relatives out for supper in the Crown Hotel. We start with soup. I carry on with lasagna and chips and vegs. Liberally sprinkled with wine. Sweet is sticky toffee pudding. We're driven back home by 10.20 pm.