The Gurn on Sunday

October Sunset

2011-10-03T07:38:00.002+01:00

Another very good one last night.

Nairnshire Chain Restoration Society

2011-03-25T09:05:00.003Z

This digitally manipulated picture from the previously unknown group the Nairnshrie Chain Restoration Society.

Sunset 02/04/10 Nairn Beach

2010-04-03T20:49:00.001+01:00

More pictures here.

Last month's cloud display

2009-10-13T08:22:00.002+01:00

Iright saw the clouds last month too. Picture will enlarge

New Scottish Navy and Water?

2009-10-13T08:18:00.004+01:00

Jingle Bangle, our new correspondent, has been out on patrol again and wonders if Scotland now has a new navy, seems Scottish Water have a new logo too.

Dyke Church

2009-10-13T08:15:00.004+01:00

Pictures from Hamish, although Dyke is outside Nairnshire Hamish thinks the pictures may be of some interest. Indeed Dyke is one of those places, like Brodie, that quite often come into the orbit of Nairnites.

Anyone been out collecting firewood?

2009-08-27T22:55:00.002+01:00

From a Gurnite:

'It's late fall and the Indians on a remote reservation in South Dakota asked their new chief if the coming winter was going to be cold or mild.
Since he was a chief in a modern society, he had never been taught the old secrets. When he looked at the sky, he couldn't tell what the winter was going to be like.
Nevertheless, to be on the safe side, he told his tribe that the winter was indeed going to be cold and that the members of the village should collect firewood to be prepared.
But, being a practical leader, after several days, he got an idea. He went to the phone booth, called the National Weather Service and asked, 'Is the coming winter going to be cold?''It looks like this winter is going to be quite cold,' the meteorologist at the weather service responded.So the chief went back to his people and told them to collect even more firewood in order to be prepared.A week later, he called the National Weather Service again. 'Does it still look like it is going to be a very cold winter?'
'Yes,' the man at National Weather Service again replied, 'it's going to be a very cold winter.'The chief again went back to his people and ordered them to collect every scrap of firewood they could find.Two weeks later, the chief called the National Weather Service again. 'Are you absolutely sure that the winter is going to be very cold?''Absolutely,' the man replied. 'It's looking more and more like it is going to be one of the coldest winters we've ever seen.''How can you be so sure?' the chief asked.The weatherman replied, 'The Indians are collecting firewood like crazy.'

Remember this whenever you get advice from a government official!'

Where’s your head at?

2009-07-15T20:16:00.002+01:00

For a short time the bum bag was a must have fashion accessory. Hung from your belt you could keep all matter of items tucked inside it, a little like a modern take on a sporran.
These days the bag tends to just be sold on travel item stands at airports, where you can also purchase the likes of mini needles and thread sets and inflatable neck cushions.
As a tourist item it means your valuables can be kept in front of you and saves having the wallet picked from your back pocket when you are in foreign climes.
The Americans dub these wonders ‘fanny packs’, which causes no end of mirth when they reach our shores and talk about retrieving items from said fanny pack. But to add to our joy someone has come up with the idea of a fanny ha t, it doesn’t translate to bum hat too well but that will have to do. Apart from the name issue I have great difficulty trying to imagine as to what items you could keep in your fanny hat without it drooping over your eyelids, or rather dropping on your toes, and with a strong gust of wind all your valuables and your fanny could be blown away forever!

How big is yours

2009-07-14T17:59:00.001+01:00

How much is one’s pile worth? The Gurn staff always find it vulgar to discuss such matters so an on line ready reckoner which offers one a near instant answer is welcomed in the Gurn offices.
Be advised that one will need an estate of at least 500 acres to obtain a valuation

Free OCR

2009-07-06T18:58:00.002+01:00

If you have been sent a document in a graphic format (PDF, JPG, GIF, TIFF or BMP format) and don’t have access to a scanner with OCR software (Optical Character Recognition), then your only course of action to get it into a text format is to retype it.
Free OCR is a web site that will OCR your file for you, and as the title suggests it is free!

There are restrictions on document file size and the number of files it will process for you in any given hour, but well worth a bookmark if it might be of use to you.

Fashion

2009-07-05T15:02:00.003+01:00

Just spotted your favourite film star up the street and want to know where she buys her wellies, a new website called The Nod may be able to help you.
Designed to expose the products bought by the truly rich and famous The Nod offers fans the chance to deck themselves out in the style of a celebrity, I wonder what style Nairnites will soon be wearing, Viktor and Rolf maybe?

A sunny day at Nairn

2009-07-04T22:24:00.001+01:00

You Tube videos are often shot via wobbly mobile phones. Nice to see some well shot and edited footage of some BMX action ☺

Cool for cats

2009-07-04T22:13:00.002+01:00

Litter trays are never very nice. There is the smell, the small pieces of cat litter that seem to get trodden all over your home, and then there is the chore of scooping up the poops and emptying out the litter.
A new product promises that you will have to do none of this. It scoops the poops, cleans and dries the tray automatically; a human hand hardly ever has to touch it.
I wonder what your cat will think of it?

Scotland according to Boris

2009-06-29T14:05:00.002+01:00

Mayor of London Boris Johnson speaks to the BBC on the subject of Scotland.

Boris is often controversial in his views; he’s not too happy about free care for the elderly and tuition fees that London is effectively supporting by giving money to Scotland.
He also thinks Scots might vote Tory again… hmm!

You’ve been scraped

2009-06-22T22:02:00.001+01:00

The New York Times reports on ‘scraping’. This is a seemingly innocent request from some social networking sites that allows them access to your address book. Your friends may not only get an email asking them to look at your non-existent photos, but if they don’t respond a 2nd email is sometimes sent suggesting that they don’t want to be your friend, playing on the guilt trip.
Scraping might mean some of your aquaintances might not be too happy with you, so think twice before giving out any details on the web.

The taste of Scotland

2009-06-19T19:11:00.002+01:00

Costa has carried out research into regional tastes.
Scottish ‘Mouth Melters’: Seek rich, melting tastes and flavours in rear mouth
In Scotland, the national dish that is at the heart of their palate is not Haggis – that’s for the tourists – it’s Tablet. Tablet explains the Scottish sweet tooth, why Mars Bars were deep-fried first in Scotland and also why Italian Ice Cream has been such a success there. Why Italian Ice Cream is a Scottish favourite
Associated / Favourite Flavours: Tablet, Ice Cream, Neeps and Tatties, Cappuccino with sugar, Caramel flavoured Coffees

Dirty

2009-06-16T20:42:00.002+01:00

As we battle against an increase in folk suffering from allergies, it has been suggested that our clean living might have something to do with our immune systems not working too well.
The Hygiene Council has been working with Dettol to highlight the germs lurking in our kitchens.
I’m sure on the back of the current swine flu epidemic many of will be more susceptible to such marketing. Should we be really worried and buy more chemicals to kill all those nasty bugs or just wash our hands a little more carefully?

Have a break, have a…

2009-06-15T12:09:00.001+01:00

The Japanese have their own version of a Kit Kat. Apple vinegar may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but as someone who uses vinegar in the likes of cake recipes I can vouch for the fact that apple vinegar flavour is probably OK.
I wonder if there is a blog in Japan questioning the likes of Irn Bru or haggis?

Beanz meanz more blogz?

2009-06-10T16:40:00.002+01:00

Just what the Gurn team have been waiting for, a microwave that plugs into our computers and saves us leaving our desks for the daily snack. It seems Heinz are developing a mini microwave that will be powered from a computer USB port and sit on your desk ready for you to heat your favourite cuisine or hot drink. I can just see IT departments are going to love this!

World Ocean Day

2009-06-07T11:56:00.003+01:00

On June 8th hundreds of communities around the globe will celebrate World Oceans Day – an opportunity to learn about our world ocean and our personal connection to the sea, to raise awareness about the crucial role the ocean plays in our lives, and the important ways people can help to protect our shared world ocean.

The Ocean Project – with over 830 Partner aquariums, zoos, science museums and other educational organizations in all 50 states and 70 countries – is the largest network ever formed to focus on conservation of the ocean. The Ocean Project, working closely with the World Ocean Network, helps to coordinate events and activities to celebrate World Oceans Day with our Partners and other organizations around the globe. Working together, we also succeeded in our petition to have the United Nations officially designate World Oceans Day as June 8th each year.

This year’s theme: Since climate change and the ocean are inextricably tied together, and our society’s future depends on a healthy climate and a healthy world ocean, this year’s theme will better make that connection that binds us together as part of an interconnected planet. This year we are encouraging Partners to promote the theme "one ocean, one climate, one future."

Climate change and the ocean: The ocean and climate are inextricably linked – the ocean plays a crucial role in maintaining the Earth’s climate and ocean life is vulnerable to climate change. As human activities produce too much carbon dioxide, it is absorbed by the ocean and, as a result, ocean waters are becoming warmer and more acidic, threatening the fundamental building blocks of life in the ocean. The ocean is also rising as a result of climate change.

Impact on marine life: Coral reefs - important food, medicinal, economic, aesthetic and cultural resources - are particularly vulnerable to these changes. Scientists are recording record coral reef die-offs and are worried about the future survival of these treasured ecosystems. Other ocean life and ecosystems are also at risk - invasive species and diseases are spreading into new waters, and marine mammals continue to face decreased food supplies as a result of climate change and other factors. People’s homes and livelihoods in coastal communities are seriously threatened as sea level continues to rise and severe weather events increase in frequency.

World Oceans Day provides an opportunity to make the connections between a healthy climate and a healthy ocean, and our own lives. People can learn more and get directly involved in protecting our future through ocean-themed art contests, musical events, beach and watershed cleanups, sustainable seafood events, outdoor exploration and educational programs, storm drain stenciling, film festivals, and more.

A continually updated list of events for 2009 as well as event ideas can be found at the World Ocean Day website .

Enough to make you leave home!

2009-06-06T21:05:00.001+01:00

Coca Cola Enterprises have joined Scotland's Homecoming celebrations with the launch of a limited edition Homecoming Scotland Coke bottle featuring an image of Robert Burns.
As Coke hadn’t been invented in Burns life time, no one can be sure if our bard would have enjoyed a tipple, but we bet had he been given a choice of soft sugary fizzy drinks he would have settled for Iron Bru, surely a more fitting refreshment for the year of Homecoming?

Better than a sickie

2009-06-06T18:02:00.001+01:00

Email means it can be difficult to find an excuse as to why you have missed a deadline for sending through material to your boss/college/school etc.

Corrupted files offer you a white lie in the form of a corrupted file to buy you more time to complete your work.
Send your material and meet the deadline but the required attachment will be corrupted and not openable by the recipient, hopefully this will give you enough time to complete the task!

National Pet Vaccination Month

2009-06-05T13:32:00.002+01:00

This month save up to £30 per pet at your vets and have your beastie vaccinated against common diseases. The Moray Coast Veterinary Group in St Ninian Road is participating in the scheme.

Danger, Danger, Dangerous

2009-06-03T19:51:00.001+01:00

American software company McAfee has released details of research into dangerous search terms. Google one of these and you could find yourself downloading all kinds of nasties onto your computer, you will be pleased to know that the Gurn isn’t in the top ten, but people like Alistair Darling and Gordon Brown are! We thought they were just dodgy politicians but apparently there could be more to it than that.

Brass in Pocket

2009-06-03T13:33:00.002+01:00

This may be known as the 'Summer of MPs expenses' (SOME) as the exposés continue; many heads will roll and indeed Government itself may topple in the not too distant future.
Back in the real world our High Street banks must be quietly pleased that the media spotlight has moved away from them.
Still keeping a tight hold on their money (In many cases ours!) the housing market is not exactly moving, and businesses are finding bank support rare.
An article in The Telegraph highlights the course of action taken by a few disgruntled customers, so if you smell slurry on our High Street!

Recycling week

2009-06-01T17:14:00.001+01:00

With the last couple of day’s news on the main Gurn, Recycling Week couldn’t have come around at a more apt time?
Go on… recycle something this week, join in the fun and give yourself a credit as a world saving citizen!

Banking change

2009-05-28T16:08:00.001+01:00

Not many people will have heard of Santander before this week, but if you bank with the Abbey, Bradford & Bingley, or Alliance & Leicester your future banking will be with this company.
Apart from the name change the company promise a new computer system. I wonder if this along with the fact that it is a Spanish company will mean that some investors will be looking to change their bank to something now owned by our Government?
The Daily Mash as always has a view point!

Flash Castle

2009-05-26T09:46:00.001+01:00

A recent article in the main Gurn highlighted the fact that some Nairn residents are unsure as to where they can buy a bucket and spade in order to have fun on the beach building sandcastles, what a shame!
For those of you unable to revel in the delights click here for a sandcastle building game. It’s not quite the same as the real thing but will maybe give you an idea until your mum or dad manages to buy you a bucket and spade and take you to the beach!

And so castles made of sand fall in the sea, eventually

Moby

2009-05-25T13:47:00.001+01:00

The Internet can be an incredibly useful tool but sometimes some things just take too much effort.
How many of us are guilty of just renewing each year with: Household insurance, Car insurance, Buildings insurance, Telephone, Gas, Electricity suppliers etc rather than surf the web to get the best deal?
One service that left me completely fazed is that of mobile phones, no matter how much I have tried, I can’t get my head around as to what the best deal might be. This is also complicated by the fact that I have found Vodafone to offer the best reception for the Highlands. Billmonitor might just make me check on line for the best price rather than just sign the contract again without looking.

The Internet circa 1969

2009-05-25T09:47:00.001+01:00

Just for once a reasonably accurate technology based prediction of the future. Just see the home shopping as Amazon, and watch out for pa near the end using a tablet type device to write with. Good to see the kids covered by CCTV but what is that strange looking game they are playing?

Bite forecast

2009-05-23T16:25:00.001+01:00

The midge is legend in Scotland with more stories and sightings than the Loch Ness monster, the problem is the midge really does exist and we are heading toward midge season.
Avon’s ‘Skin so Soft’ is a favourite repellent of mine; the smell keeps most folk away as well as the midges that seem to like biting me behind the ears. I’m almost wanting to scratch just writing this and thinking about them.
I like the story of a tourist from south of the border marching into a west coast hotel reeking of garlic and proclaiming to locals that he had solved the midge problem by rubbing himself with raw garlic, ‘not a bite’ said he. No one has the heart to tell him that midges aren’t usually a problem in February!
A new web site now gives a midge forecast for Scotland, lets hope it will be more accurate than the ones we get for the weather. Happy scratching!

The bus driver

2009-05-22T12:45:00.004+01:00

Tales of a Glasgow bus driver (NSFW).

'She stepped aboard hesitantly and peered up the bus. Her gaze was met by the worst social pestilence imaginable: cross-eyed mutants, desheveled drunks, exhumed neolithic bog bodies and a team of feral brats'.

Bet s/he wishes they were driving the near empty Jet service to Inverness Airport!

Bliadhna nan Caorach

2009-05-22T12:19:00.002+01:00

BBC reporter Steven McKenzie writes on what became known in Scotland as ‘the year of the sheep’
When sheep became a more valuable asset than people on the land, many lost their homes with the ensuing clearances.
In this year of Homecoming it is sobering to read this report when people were deported from Scotland for ever for chasing sheep from the land.

When to pee

2009-05-20T20:59:00.001+01:00

Do you sit there watching a film wondering when it might be safe to head for the toilet? You don’t want to miss any of the action so what do you do? The answer is a site called Run Pee that will tell you at which precise piece of dialogue to run and have a pee. Never suffer a full bladder again!

Now the swans want one!

2009-05-18T22:04:00.002+01:00

The new river sofa was quickly populated by ducks who are now awaiting delivery of a plasma screen TV, this has prompted a call from the swan family for similar facilities.
A spokesperson for the swans said that they were on the bread line and couldn’t afford to fund furniture for themselves, but any donations from Nairnites would be gratefully received.

National Vegetarian Week

2009-05-18T09:52:00.001+01:00

If you’ve recovered from last weeks ‘hug a nettle’ event try going veggie for a week. Help your health, the planet, and all those duck babes that you might otherwise have gobbled up!

Stung

2009-05-14T16:04:00.000+01:00

They might sting a little if you handle them without wearing gloves but this is ‘Be nice to nettles week’. They play an important role for some of our wild life and also make a very nice soup!

Film review

2009-05-07T19:00:00.003+01:00

Amazon encourages customer feedback and for the most part this is both useful and helpful if you are a potential buyer. End users are surely more likely to be impartial than say a newspaper reviewer who might be afraid of lost advertising revenue if s/he posts a poor product review.
I have to admit I’ve never seen this film but judging from these reviews should I bother?

This movie was made in the sixties, we live in the 21st century, GET OVER IT!

Maybe I should stick to the movie critiques over on the Cinema of Dreams!

Robo poop

2009-05-06T21:56:00.002+01:00

It’s national compost week and from Japan comes a doggy style bin that will turn waste into compost. No need to leap out the front door with your shovel when you see a horse going past, just feed the doggy and empty the contents of this bin on your roses.

How burgers are made

2009-05-04T20:52:00.002+01:00

If you are into burgers this is a fascinating short film as to how they are produced in the US for McDonalds the fast food chain.

The factory is very clean and modern and seems to make a huge amount of product with shifts kicking off at 5:30 am

Just what we need in Nairn?

Make compost

2009-05-04T16:45:00.001+01:00

This is national compost week, recycle in your back garden and get great compost for free. No compost bin? See the site for details of compost bins that are on offer, many are subsidised in terms of cost.

Free electricity

2009-05-04T16:25:00.001+01:00

Got a burn running through your garden? The company Freeflow are offering to install free of charge a micro hydro system giving you free electricity. The company will provide a free survey, obtain planning permission, and install the equipment. Apparently the flow from a garden hose is not sufficient for the scheme, but Freeflow already have a healthy queue of folk waiting for their install.

Culloden 1746 re-enactment

2009-04-30T15:59:00.004+01:00

A video showing the Culloden 1746 re-enactment 3 day walk & night march in April 2009.

See the full story in the Gurn

Nairn tourists

2009-04-30T15:44:00.001+01:00

Looking happy in their photos these folk have assembled a video that they have posted on You Tube of their recent week’s holiday in Nairn. Looks like they found Loch Ness, and were fond of a certain tinnie!

Tiny worlds

2009-04-29T20:15:00.003+01:00

Tilt-shift lenses are positioned to give an extremely limited depth of field. In this film still shots are used to create a time-lapse video with Lilliputian type results. Very strange, but interesting!

Google flu

2009-04-29T09:39:00.003+01:00

The news brings us updates of the current swine flu virus, but over in the states Google has been mapping the annual flu virus. Our uses of search engines has really taken off and as our searches increase for say medicine to treat flu symptoms, Google is able to plot the date of outbreaks and how they spread geographically each

Instant books

2009-04-28T20:53:00.001+01:00

The Espresso is a mini printing press come book binding machine that could herald a new revolution in print, just went print is supposed to be going out of fashion.
No-longer will a book be out of print, and we won’t need huge warehouses to store them in, for the Espresso will currently print any one of half a million titles for you in just 5 minutes, this should increase to over a million by the summer.

Therapy with a pin

2009-04-26T16:20:00.002+01:00

Sir Fred Goodwin may be a very rich man but he is also deeply unpopular, it is hard to imagine anywhere in the UK where he could go without drawing some very steely looks. Sir Fred retired with a nice wedge of our money, sorry, the Royal Bank of Scotland’s money and despite appeals from the Prime Minister seems in no mood to relinquish any of it.
RBS shareholders and anyone else for that matter are being invited to bid for a voodoo doll model of Sir Fred on Ebay. Entitled ‘Fred the Shred’ you will currently have to bid more than £10.50 if you want one. I wonder if it is indeed Sir Fred that is selling these dolls?

May the force be with you

2009-04-25T19:45:00.001+01:00

Oops, wrong bit of sci-fi. This I suspect is a toy for the boys who tend to like science fiction more than their female counterparts. Anyhow if you are tired of playing with your light sabre (Wrong toy – Ed) you can go trek yourself here. Upload a picture of your face and you too can be spook with pointy ears and get beams and things. Should keep some folk amused for hours and stop you gurning!

Feeble Scotland v England

2009-04-25T11:29:00.003+01:00

Relationships between Scotland and England are often tenuous at the best of times.
Historian David Starkey has chosen to describe Scotland as a ‘feeble little nation’ which has enraged many people, and led to 72 complaints being made to the BBC’s Question Time where he aired the comment.
It would seem Mr. Starkey is not afraid of controversy, he labeled the Quee n as ‘uncultured and poorly educated’ in an interview with the Guardian newspaper.
I wonder what he would make of Nairn?

Something for the weekend?

2009-04-24T21:17:00.001+01:00

For those of you reading this who may just consume a little too much poison (Alcohol) a bacon sandwich might just ease matters in the morning.

Failing that, plenty of water and sleep may also help, there again prevention is cure so just drink the water instead of the booze tonight and you will feel fine!

Asbestos compensation challenged

2009-04-24T18:24:00.007+01:00

Sadly some insurers and lawyers are to launch a legal challenge to Scotland’s asbestos compensation laws. The headline in the Peter Cherbi's blog reads...

‘Money must come before life’

Insurers are claiming that the new law makes it easier for victims of asbestos related illnesses in Scotland to claim compensation. I’m sure that if you are a victim it beggars belief that anyone is challenging a law that makes your life any ‘easier’.

GM Free Scotland

2009-04-24T18:07:00.001+01:00

Many Nairnites were involved in the anti-GM protests at Munlochy, some were even arrested for their endeavors (tut-tut).
Despite a firm no to GM food from the British public, the Government in Westminster continues to try and promote the pro GM cause, it is therefore refreshing to see that the Scottish Government is today reaffirming their anti-GM stance, one measure that has not been forgotten.

Make yer ain piece

2009-04-24T17:18:00.003+01:00

Processed food often contains high levels of fat and salt. A recent survey by Which found that supermarket sandwiches also fall into the processed food bracket in terms of salt and fat content.

NHS choices details recent newspaper studies with links to their findings.
Making your own sandwich at home is not only cheaper but it seems it can be healthier as well.

Ghost of Nairn

2009-04-24T11:22:00.001+01:00

Bad British architecture is a blog written by ‘Ghost of Nairn’. Maybe it is Prince Charles writing under a pseudonym, or is it someone who has visited Nairn?
(Warning: site contains strong language!)

Blog my new model T

2009-04-18T17:35:00.002+01:00

It’s not easy selling anything in the current economic climate, especially cars, and specifically cars so small as to be considered toy like by a motoring public, but in the US Ford are trying to do just that, sell a suspicious motoring public the Ford Fiesta.
Americans like cars that drink copious amounts of gas and weigh in at several tons. Cars that those of us who are vertically challenged need a small set of steps to reach up to the driver’s door, and cars that once you are inside might give susceptible folk a feeling of vertigo.
In Europe the Fiesta has become a top selling car, but then Europeans are perhaps more conservative and don’t feel the need to wrap themselves in vast amounts of metal before going for a drive. Fuel is more expensive than in the US and our wages are lower, small cars make a lot of sense. Small cars will make a lot of sense in the US but most of Detroit doesn’t know that yet.
So in the middle of a bad recession how do you launch a new motoring concept to whomever the US equivalent of Jeremy Clarkson is? The answer Ford has come up with is you don’t. The company has handed out Fiestas to a 100 US volunteers, not motoring scribes but ‘ordinary’ people who will chat about their new rides on their blog or social networks such as Bebo or Facebook. It is a brave but novel marketing idea for the car industry and if 100 or even 95 of the Fiesta test drivers start a Twitter following the curious might just go out and buy Fords cool new offering, if indeed it remains ‘cool’.

What you see isn’t what you get

2009-04-17T11:04:00.001+01:00

When you’re hungry a poster in a fast food outlet window can seem inviting enough for you to wander in and order.

This web site contrasts how the carefully shot studio photos of the food compares with what you are actually served, not so inviting in the flesh?

A short film about Julie Fowlis

2009-04-17T02:56:00.000+01:00

Lorg bhidiothan eile mar seo air AbairThusa

May the force be with you

2009-04-16T21:10:00.003+01:00

Watch out if your travel takes you to the Strathclyde area as eight of its Police Officers have declared themselves to hold the religion of Jedi. For those who want to study the religion there is a Jedi church and many icons of the religion are available in toyshops.
Just be aware of the light sabre next time a flashing blue light passes you!

Credit Crunch Chaos

2009-04-16T20:22:00.001+01:00

Help Gordon in a flash to get through the credit crunch.
Note: No malicious emails were sent in the making of this game

Aircrew map of Great Britain

2009-04-16T10:07:00.002+01:00

Alternative names for famous sites allegedly used by RAF aircrew.
Looks like the A9 might be part of the ‘Star Wars Valley’ which having seen aircraft look as though they are going to land on top of your car I can confirm!

Salmond on the menu

2009-04-15T13:10:00.001+01:00

There have been many recorded massacres when Clan Chief’s have invited their contemporaries to come dine with then, no doubt bidding would be very high if a fly on the wall were up for auction for tonight’s meal hosted by Gordon Brown for Alex Salmond. Only intellectual swords are likely to be drawn tonight and the bloodshed will be limited to how little can be given away financially by Mr. Brown, as well as how much independence Mr. Salmond can draw.
Not a Jamie Oliver in sight so it could be a healthy Scottish menu on offer?
Bon Appétit

Who are we, where are we?

2009-04-14T19:07:00.002+01:00

The Gurn has recently commented on the county of Nairnshire not always being recognized, with folk sometimes being forced to use Morayshire especially when filling in their address details on-line.
Today though, International Supermarket News reports that ‘Sainsbury’s take Irish goods to the Highlands’. I read on with interest thinking perhaps that Sainsbury’s had a mighty plan for their Nairn store with distribution from Ireland, but no, it would seem this is just an honest mistake by someone I can only assume is based south of the border thinking that the Highlands is indeed Scotland, easily done!
Apparently Sainsbury’s existing Scottish stores are to start getting the likes of oats, mashed root vegetables, and cheese and onion crisps from Irish producers. I’m not sure about the crisps but with the other two products the phrase ‘coals to Newcastle’ comes to mind!

Have a break, have a...

2009-04-13T10:46:00.004+01:00

You bite into your favourite chocolate bar and are left with a Turin shroud like image of Christ. We have seen similar food images sold on eBay (Toast). Will this one be up for sale or will the owner of the Kitkat just finish the snack?

On yer bike

2009-04-10T19:49:00.002+01:00

Did you know there is a tax incentive to encourage us to cycle to work?
The Government has a cycle to work scheme that offers help with buying a bike; one company offering help with this incentive is Cyclescheme.
New Labour unlike the Conservatives has not really had any champions of the bicycle.

Norman Tebbit once encouraged us all to get on our bikes to look for work. David Cameron showed us his green credentials by cycling to work, but dented it a little by having his chauffeur travel behind him in the ministerial car, and Boris Johnston uses a bicycle and managed to get to work in the snow when many Londoners failed.
If you are interested in the Governments scheme the Gurn suggests you hurry up, as with the way the car industry is failing at the moment we reckon the tax break will be switched to make us buy new cars!

Cooking with cardboard

2009-04-09T11:57:00.001+01:00

Many years ago I bought a solar powered shower unit, this was in effect a thick black plastic bag that you filled with water and hung in the sun. It was an impulse purchase as it wasn’t till I got it home that I realised that in the main I like a shower in the morning and that the water wasn’t going to warm under a full moon. Maybe if camping in say the Sahara the solar shower would have been a great success, but abject failure of said bag meant that even in the height of summer, hung all day in a south facing conservatory, the end results were tepid water (If you were lucky!)
Meanwhile one Jon Bøhmer based in Kenya rather than the north of Scotland has invented and won a prize for a cardboard based solar cooker. ‘Boils water’, aye that’ll be right!

Lycra: the facts

2009-04-08T22:35:00.003+01:00

Thanks to Pookie Candelabra for forwarding this interesting letter:

A Doctor Writes:
Lycra: The FACTS!
By Dr Hannibal Lecter, Md,Bd,Dng,Tknw
(mad, bad and dangerous to know...)

In my esteemed opinion, and after many, many, many long years of intensive and thorough research into the phenomenon known as LadieswhowearLycra, or LWWL, I am convinced that this material, without any shadow of a doubt, is by it's very nature, intrinsically damaging
to the mental health of non-lycra clad people. I regret that I must include myself in their number, and blame my well-documented descent into the darkest depths of murderous criminal insanity, more or less entirely on LWWL. To this end, I am currently petitioning the BMA and indeed anyone else who will listen, to insist on health warnings being mandatory on all lycra garments, perhaps accompanied by a Government Health campaign etitled: JUST SAY NO TO LYCRA! Catchy, eh? I thought so. Anyway, please do excuse me, only I'm meeting an old friend
for dinner. Ta ta.....

(Who is this nutter?!! - ed)

Sniffing chocolate

2009-04-08T20:19:00.004+01:00

A company claims to have developed a zero calorie chocolate that you inhale rather than chew on. Le Whif comes in an aerosol and promises to bring you all the pleasures of the food without the addition of inches to your waist size. Downside is that you won’t get sticky fingers and there is no silver paper to unwrap. We dread to think what will be stuck in an aerosol next, any ideas Gurnites?

Girdle pizza

2009-04-08T13:50:00.003+01:00

The girdle has been an essential item in the Scot’s kitchen for hundreds of years, traditionally used to bake the likes of oatcakes (See earlier Gurn on Sunday article).
Unkind food critics might describe pizza as no more than tomatoes on toast, but its popularity as a fast food is huge.
The cost of shop bought pizza is high, with a massive charge of £9.50 if you fancy a large sized one from a local pizza parlour, so why not make your own?

AyeRight’s girdle pizza recipe

Makes 2 large pizzas

Base
8 ozs strong white flour
1 tsp dry yeast
1 tsp salt

1 tsp honey
4 fluid ozs warm water
Scoosh of olive oil

Directions
Stir dry ingredients together in a bowl, mix warm water, honey and oil and add to dry ingredients, mix and then need on a floured board. Leave to rest in a bowl for 30 minutes and roll out on a floured board to the size of your girdle (Or baking tray)

Topping
Essential is tomatoes in the form of tomato paste, beyond that the choice is yours. Be careful not to put too much topping on or your pizza will be soggy rather than crisp

Directions
Spread tomato paste over pizza dough and add the rest of your toppings

Cooking
If using a girdle cook for a few minutes over a hot ring and finish under a grill. The girdle is like a pizza stone and holds the heat to produce a crisp base. No girdle (Shame on you), place dough on a baking tray with topping and cook in a high oven for 7 -10 minutes

Cost
Two large (10”) pizzas with a tomato, tomato paste, onion, cheese, and olive topping cost less than 95p for the two. If you can’t manage the pizza base from scratch buy shop prepared ones, you’ll still be quids in!

$50 on the spot fine for playing with the wolf

2009-04-08T08:05:00.007+01:00

A wolf story with a very tenuous Nairn connection. The connection, in October 2007 gaelic blogger Chuck Trip from Alaska spent a few days in Nairn. He saw quite a lot of Scotland but was most impressed with our town, he said later that if he ever moved to Scotland it would be to Nairn. Anyway that’s the slight connection. Most days Chuc takes his young German Shepard Nellie for a walk on a large frozen loch on the edge of Junneau in southern Alaska. What is interesting is that a lonely wolf, nicknamed Romeo, has been following dog walkers and their pets for a couple of years. The authorities have tried to scare him away with gunshots etc, but that only worked for a while. Chuc has pictures of his dog playing with the wolf. Nellie gets on fine with Romeo but Chuc recently got a $50 fine from a nearby ranger for letting his dog off the lead in the presence of Romeo. It seems that recently Romeo has taken up with a visiting pack and got himself a girlfriend so perhaps walking the dog on the loch might become a bit duller in the future.

Chuc's blog An Gaidheal Alascanach is here.

Nellie and Romeo
Getting stalked

Like ' a ghost in an old Jack London story', the ranger comes out of the frozen wastes with an on the spot fine.

It was 20 years ago today

2009-04-07T22:01:00.002+01:00

EMI have announced today that all 12 of the Beatles albums have been remastered and will be released later this year. I can’t wait, or rather I can and EMI will be waiting a very long time before they get any of my money for these recordings.
My early pieces of vinyl were played on a blue Dansette record player and sounded just fine to me. Years later the Beatles were the first band I heard on a then prototype CD player, ‘isn’t it great what you can hear’ said a colleague, I was unimpressed, blank CDs were £25 each back then.
It has allegedly taken four years for the 12 Beatles albums to be remixed at Abbey Road. I have been to the hallowed studios several times; Studio 2 where the Beatles did a lot of their recording is shrine like and is often hired out for parties rather than for music making these days.
I wonder if and when the new recordings are purchased they will be squished into iPods and the whole remastering process lost a little? I think I’ll just stick with the Dansette and happy memories.

Scone face

2009-04-07T09:19:00.001+01:00

The search is on by Forres business Mackenzie & Cruickshank for what your idea is of the prefect taste in a scone. The winning combinations will be available in their cafes and a prize of £100 is being offered.
So, if you can think beyond butter and jam you may be in with a chance.

Rubber banned

2009-04-06T19:02:00.001+01:00

I’m quite happy for the postie to give me a bundle of post wrapped with a red rubber band. I haven’t noticed any red rubber bands discarded in the street, yet it seems that in some parts of the country band dropping is a serious problem with calls for posties to be fined.
The trickle of free rubber bands supplied by Royal Mail means I haven’t had to purchase any in years, some Gurn staff have started making their own red rubber balls made entirely from red bands, long may the supply continue.

A bit fishy

2009-04-06T14:08:00.002+01:00

Many years ago when you could legally do such things, chip shops would often sell a fish called rock salmon. The salmon tag made it seem a little luxurious even though it had a relatively cheap price tag compared to say cod, but in reality the fish was a small shark called a dogfish.
Times have changed and shark would probably be considered quite posh if it was now on the menu, but one supermarket has found problems selling a fish called a pollack and in an attempt to make it seem more appetising and easier on the tongue have renamed it ‘Colin’.
Colin and chips just seems so wrong?

It's good to talk

2009-04-06T12:02:00.003+01:00

Chat rooms usually come with dire warnings for younger users about chatting to strangers, with your on-line pal maybe not being the same in real life as the person they present to you on the web.

Disregarding this advise a new chat service Omegle connects you to a complete stranger for an on-line chat. You might have nothing in common, not know who they are, but you can chat away.

An internet friend (Or not) when you need one.

40% off booze

2009-04-06T10:08:00.002+01:00

With this free voucher get up to 40% off wine and champagne at Victoria Wine on our High Street!
Free with today’s Gurn on Sunday and many other publications.

Note: The Gurn is not linked in anyway to the Thresher group but is happy to bring our readers detail of this offer!

Seagull practice

2009-04-05T11:38:00.003+01:00

The gulls are nesting which means that there will be young soon. This in turn means that we should prepare for the odd seagull attack. Hone your avoidance skills with this game!

Conficker virus update

2009-04-03T22:25:00.002+01:00

April 1st came and went and for the most part the Conficker virus seemed akin to the Y2K scare in terms of its effect, very little.
If you are still concerned that your computer might be infected this has to be the easiest virus check ever, take a look here!

Food for thought

2009-04-03T20:46:00.002+01:00

The Munlochy GM vigil now seems very distant history but Rob Gibson (MSP) is keeping the debate alive and well this week in the Scottish Parliament.
Our Westminster Government has recently made positive noises about GM even though the great majority of the UK overwhelmingly rejected it, as always money talks.

Have you heard of Scotland?

2009-04-03T20:10:00.003+01:00

April marks the start of ‘Scotland Week', follow the Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution Michael Russell in the USA and Canada as he promotes Scotland.
April 6th is Tartan Day, so along with Homecoming Year; Scotland is getting well and truly put on the map this year!

London calling

2009-04-03T16:37:00.002+01:00

Our London based Gurn correspondent faced some problems getting to work this week. It seems that the G20 summit attracted many groups to protest on the streets of the capital, heavy policing seems to have ensured that the protests were minimal.

All work and no cooking

2009-04-02T17:15:00.002+01:00

Working from home can be a problem, namely distractions. Another cup of coffee before you start work, visitors to the door, maybe start making lunch.
The Office Pod which you can house in your garden, means you can step out your back door and really get down to business, unless of course you start daydreaming looking out of the capacious window!
The Gurn team loved the idea but found it a little tight for space, maybe they would need one each?

Jings

2009-04-01T19:52:00.002+01:00

Oor Wullie and The Broons are favourites for generations of Scots, the cartoons appearing every weekend in The Sunday Post.
The characters were for the most clean living, but occasionally needed to exclaim a word or two. Sweary words were out so certain made up words were used, ‘jings, crivvens, help ma boab, and michty me’. But is seems these words were corruptions of religious terms

Jings – Jesus
Crivvens – Christ in Heaven
Help ma boab – help me God
Michty Me – Mighty God

I’m sure our folks were unaware of the meaning of the words or as children we’d have been given a good skelp for using such profanities, which we frequently did.

April 1st computer virus

2009-03-31T13:59:00.003+01:00

No-one is quiet sure as to what the outcome of the Conficker computer virus might be, experts think it has infected some 9 million Windows PCs worldwide.
What is apparent is that at midnight today (31st March) infected machines will start scanning for a new set of instructions, Conficker is the biggest ‘botnet’ in history.
In reality nothing might happen, but computer companies are taking this virus very seriously, Microsoft has put up an award of $250,000 for exposure of the virus writer.
The PC World site offers some ways to protect yourself.

Baking soda, the new black?

2009-03-30T15:34:00.003+01:00

If your pot of baking soda remains somewhere in the back of a cupboard dig it out as you’ll need it after you read this.
Great for cleaning and removing smells you can use it as an alternative to many expensive home products.
For more a more traditional use you may want to follow this recipe!

What would you do with a $900 windfall?

2009-03-30T15:01:00.002+01:00

The Australian Government is planning to give tax handouts of up to $900 (£434.55) to families next month, not everyone is happy with this.
The idea is to stimulate the economy by giving cash back to taxpayers, I wonder if this is a good idea? What would you spend the money on if Gordon Brown offered us a similar handout (Apart from buying the odd bank or building society!)

Life of Brian

2009-03-30T11:38:00.004+01:00

Thirty years on from its initial release, the ban of the film Life of Brian has been lifted in the Welsh town of Aberystwyth. The screening which was attended by two of the films stars Terry Jones and Michael Palin has made national headlines, many people being unaware that in some towns in the UK the film is still banned.
When released the film outraged many Christian groups, some of whom held protests outside cinemas that dared to show the film.
Michael Palin recalls. "Local authorities had power over certain cinemas through health regulations, and they used this extraordinary clause to ban Monty Python because it was unhealthy. I don't know if they thought it would spread diseases in cinemas."
The film has proved to be a comedy classic with famous quotes (Contains strong language) such as ‘he’s not the messiah, he’s just a very naughty boy
Was the film ever shown in Nairn?

Will that be a table for one?

2009-03-28T19:09:00.003Z

As more of us are living alone is there a need to redesign household objects?

Do you need a cooker that has an oven large enough to cook a huge family turkey (Once a year), or a fridge that will hold a months worth of supermarket groceries.
In many countries space is restricted in terms of the size of your home so it makes sense to scale down.

A young Chinese designer has come up with this concept design for the single person, is this the kitchen of the future?

Vote Earth

2009-03-28T15:15:00.002Z

Earth Hour is but a short time away - how will you vote, for or against?

This year, Earth Hour has been transformed into the world’s first global election, between Earth and global warming.
For the first time in history, people of all ages, nationalities, race and background have the opportunity to use their light switch as their vote – Switching off your lights is a vote for Earth, or leaving them on is a vote for global warming. WWF are urging the world to VOTE EARTH and reach the target of 1 billion votes, which will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009.
This meeting will determine official government policies to take action against global warming, which will replace the Kyoto Protocol. It is the chance for the people of the world to make their voice heard.

Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.

In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday.

We all have a vote, and every single vote counts. Together we can take control of the future of our planet, for future generations.

VOTE EARTH by simply switching off your lights for one hour, and join the world for Earth Hour.

Scotland’s global impact

2009-03-27T16:37:00.002Z

A contribution to this years Homecoming Scotland is a three-day international conference entitled ‘Scotland’s Global Impact – how one small nation changed the world!’
The event will start on October 22nd at Eden Court.
The conference will appeal to people interested in Scotland, its history and the Scottish contribution to countries and communities all around the world.

Tickets are on sale now.

We don’t need no…

2009-03-26T19:27:00.003Z

As Internet content builds two sites are offering free lectures in a range of subjects gleaned from universities across the US, there is a mass of material to browse through.

Academic Earth has the easier interface, whilst YouTube Edu has over 200 courses to choose from.

Shame these sites didn’t appear at the beginning of the winter, I can see a few late nights ahead of me!

I know where I'm going

2009-03-25T21:05:00.002Z

I have always marvelled at Nairnites who switch on their car satellite navigation systems to get them from say Nairn to Forres. True the A96 has some twists and turns and it must be reassuring when the sat nav voice agrees with your driving directions ‘In 100 yards you will be approaching a roundabout’, yup you’ve once again made it through to Forres thanks to technology.
I have used a GPS to help me around cities but have to admit that rather than a smart dashboard box it’s part of the software on my phone which calls roundabouts ‘circles’ which I kind of like.
Out at sea the GPS confirms what you have known for many years just by looking at your paper chart, or for many centuries by consulting with the stars. Personally I trust the older methods of navigation, my GPS had me firmly on the A82 whilst sailing in the middle of Loch Ness, and I have heard tales of a GPS telling sailors they were many feet above sea level whilst at sea!
Human error is sometimes to blame but there is nothing like common sense, which clearly the driver highlighted here just didn’t have!

Who do you bank with?

2009-03-25T19:59:00.002Z

Many of us are tempted through attractive rates to buy all our energy from one Energy Company and to pay through direct debit. Meter readers appear once in a blue moon and many of the bills people get are estimates, but even if you submit accurate meter readings you may find yourself at odds with what the company would like you to pay.
If your account is in credit in the middle of summer you may be told ‘it is best to be in credit ready for your winter bills’. This seems prudent advise and you sit happily knowing that a shock statement is not going to arrive just after Christmas to add to your seasonal joy, but what if you find your account is in high credit at the end of winter?
My own experience is that energy companies are not keen to give you your money back and I only received a refund when I threatened to switch companies.
Excuses are lame, ‘my supervisor is not here, it’s company policy that we only refund over £150’.
The banks might not be paying that high an interest rate at the moment, but I’m sure a company with many thousands of our money to invest can manage to get a reasonable return?
Which in a report has highlighted that I was not alone in being taken for a ride by an energy company, a third of us are owed over £100.
If the company you are with refuses to play ball just cancel your direct debit and set up a new one with the amount you want to pay, and make sure they remain a supplier and not a bank!

Former Regal joins Nairn Green and Beautiful initiative

2009-03-25T07:54:00.004Z

More pics on Gurn Flickr miscellaneous.

Keep it or toss it

2009-03-24T19:36:00.003Z

I always find it a scunner when I unearth a piece of Forsterkase or a half bottle of Cucina Viva Bella di Cerignola and not know if they are safe to eat, the items having spent awhile in my fridge.
We are being encouraged not to waste food and are being told that should there be any leftovers to keep it for lunch the next day. I often follow this advice and now ask for a doggy bag whenever I eat and find a surplus on my plate post my meal (It used to be considered polite to leave a little for the servants).
Back to the fridge… a US website offers a quick and easy way to find out how long you can store food in your fridge. You have to type in ‘candy bar’ for the likes of chocolate (Which frustratingly seems to keep for months) and it has never heard of that illegal food in the states, a haggis! Other than that it offers a fine guide, Bon Appétit!

A Royal Straight

2009-03-24T18:13:00.002Z

The Castle of Mey, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mothers former home has upset various groups by not allowing civil partnership weddings to be performed there, the trustees of the castle have said that the late Queen Mother preferred Christian marriages.
It is a little ironic that Prince Charles who is president of the trustees was himself married in a civil ceremony at Windsor’s Guildhall to Camilla Parker Bowles.
Pink News reckons that the ‘Queen Mother would be spinning in her grave’ as it she was fond of gay people.
The decision seems all the stranger when it is a known fact that the Royal family are always very open minded about minority groups.

Poilis station no more

2009-03-24T14:12:00.003Z

Demolition work continues on the Police Station. Note how Salty managed to get into the top left hand side of the picture.

Man food

2009-03-23T19:53:00.003Z

I thought Unilever made soap powder but a press release today alerts me to the fact that they own a range of food products as well.
I've always seen Pot Noodle as a rich student sort of food for those who could afford something a little more upmarket than the shops own brand can of baked beans from the dunted tin bargain bucket?
Peeling back a foil lid and adding hot water has to be one of the laziest concepts of cooking a meal ever, only matched by the fact that no washing up is involved for you eat it out of the pot. It is no-doubt an instant hole filler if you happen to find one that needs near instant filling in your tummy, and with the low price of the main ingredient (Noodles) one supposes is quite a good money spinner for Unilever.
But today they have announced what they see as a winning combination, a kebab pot noodle.

Quite how this works I’m not sure. I doubt it involves reheating a plastic pot for several days on a spit, and more likely than not once again requires the peel of a foil lid and the application of boiling water.
The press release promises that this is ‘the ultimate food combination for men’.
Yorkie were in trouble a few years back for aligning a chocolate bar with men, but we’re talking pot noodle here and I doubt many women will be wanting to claim the product let alone try it.
I just hope it washes off the pavements OK!

Move to Scotland

2009-03-23T13:07:00.004Z

The weaker pound is making Scotland more affordable; we’re not talking tourists here but people who want to buy large and expensive parts of it. The credit crunch may be here but The Times reports of a property buyer who thinks 2009 could be a boom year for foreign investment in Scottish property.

In his book ‘Who owns Scotland?’ Andy Whiteman claims that just 500 people own half of Scotland, few of them are actually Scots.
But should Scots just welcome incomers who may provide some employment on the likes of sporting estates?

'Just 500 people own half of Scotland, few of them are actually Scots'

Another Times report covers the TV program ‘Monty Halls’ Great Escape’. The series painted a rather romantic portrait of crofting on the West coast in summer and has seen property agents flooded with enquiries with people wanting to ape Monty’s lifestyle. Monty himself has made the statement that he would not buy a local property, as it would be depriving someone in the local area of a place to live. Hall though has stated that he is up for making another series, which can only further interest in the area.
House prices in the Highlands have risen dramatically in the last 10-15 years, and many remoter communities contain few locals. Salaries remain low and jobs hard to find, are the Highlands destined to be the new retirement hotspot of the UK? Certainly many younger people are leaving to find both work and housing elsewhere.

Design cool

2009-03-22T17:15:00.002Z

The choice item of clothing for demonised youth has to be the hoodie. Banned from some shopping centres and other public places, the hoodie is essential clothing alongside the baseball cap, trainers, and jeans. Throw in a t-shirt and you have what is surely the choice of youth clothing around the world
A US sports clothing company is running a competition to design a hoodie. Unfortunately it is only open to US residents but nonetheless AyeRight quite fancies the design he has come up with (See picture), it might be a task to find a tie to go with it though!