Author Archives: davidsberry

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About davidsberry

Local ex-councillor, tour guide and database designer. Keen on wildlife, history, boats and music. Retired in 2017.

Logic, But Not As We Know It

Posted on June 20, 2011 by davidsberry

Star Trek’s Spock was never shy in pointing out illogical decisions made by his erratically human Captain Kirk. But one of the disadvantages of union with England is that we Scots have to thole their batty quirkiness when it comes … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Politics | Tagged | Leave a comment

The Hammer Ding-Dong Is the Song

Posted on June 18, 2011 by davidsberry

…of (Inver)clyde. Just back from a coast-to-coast day trip to chip in at the Inverclyde by-election. Caused by the untimely death in his forties of Labour MP and ex-priest David Cairns (who changed the rules so an ex-priest could even be … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Tagged | 1 Comment

Even Closer Than I Thought

Posted on June 18, 2011 by davidsberry

No sooner had I fired off the preceding EGIP post than I’m off to the station where I find one of two Class 380 trains already in service on the line since the 15th. Definitely a class act, these Siemens-built … Continue reading →

Posted in Transport | Tagged | Leave a comment

EGIP: Closer Than You Think

Posted on June 16, 2011 by davidsberry

No, this is not a message from the Cairo Tourist Board but shorthand for what must be the most no-brainer transport project in Scotland. Whereas five miles of M74 cost us £675m and 0 miles of Edinburgh tram cost us … Continue reading →

Posted in Transport | Tagged | 4 Comments

Isle of May: Paradise Found

Posted on June 15, 2011 by davidsberry

The legend of King Arthur dates from the days before the Brythons of Lothian were subsumed into what became Scotland. Arthur’s Seat links him to the area and there is a legend that the fabled Avalon was the Isle of … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Environment | Tagged | Leave a comment

Small = Beautiful or Uneconomic?

Posted on June 14, 2011 by davidsberry

Everyone, with the possible exception of Cabinet Secretary Russell (who is a hard man to flummox) was surprised today when Argyll & Bute binned its plans to close 11 rural schools, with the exception of 2 that had no pupils. … Continue reading →

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Can Passion & Politics Mix?

Posted on June 13, 2011 by davidsberry

Sad anorak that I am, I spent much of Saturday catching up on my politics, including seeing the June 9th debate in the Scottish Parliament—a Labour motion on Caring for our Elderly. There was a variety of speeches from across … Continue reading →

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Something Completely Different

Posted on June 10, 2011 by davidsberry

It’s a quirk that, when an actor, comedian or whoever from TV, film, etc becomes one of your favourites, you feel as if you know them, as if you could sit down over a coffee and put the world to … Continue reading →

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Hey, Big Spender

Posted on June 8, 2011 by davidsberry

One of the ‘advantages’ of the union that is often touted by the likes of Eric “Rentaquote” Joyce and his ilk is that, as a part of Britain, Scotland “punches above its weight” in the world or that we derive … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Tagged | 1 Comment

Circling the Gunboats

Posted on June 7, 2011 by davidsberry

One month on from the election in which the impossible happened—a party secured a majority at Holyrood—and the world has yet to come to an end, although it might have for some parties, if the way they are behaving is … Continue reading →

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