People really are ignorant about water

I found myself reflecting on a recent comment along the lines of “has anyone else noticed the stupidity of some people when dealing with water? The waste, the uselessness, the ignorance?”

Well, we see it all the time here in north-east Scotland, with people constantly telling us that Scotland has plenty of water and frequent rain.

Actually, we’ve just had a six-week spell without rain, our borehole ran dry last year (we’re the highest point on our catchment) and between 3in and 36in down, the soil here is dry.

First knife

The Big Lad was given his first pocket knife today. He’s seven and is as pleased as punch that he’s now thought responsible enough, most of the time, to have one.

There are a few provisos, which he’s trying to remember.

The knife stays on top of the fridge unless he needs to use it, he’s to ask first before taking it, he’s to treat it as a tool and not a toy, he’s to use it safely, and for the first couple of months he’s only using it under supervision.

Straying into politics - briefly!

We’re right on the verge of the Scottish elections, which will be held on Thursday, and because we live in a critical constituency for the Scottish Parliament, we’re being bombarded with leaflets, phone calls and visits.

It’s all part of the democratic process, but the almost rabid and hysterical tone of many of the candidates’ communications is getting up my nose. (Not that that is hard to do, I hear some people mutter.)

The latest attempt to persuade me to jump on a particular bandwagon came with a flying visit by a chap in a flash car with a Scottish National Party logo plastered on the side.