I was pleased to read on the Orcadian and Orkney Today websites that Scotland's Minister for Public Health, Shona Robison "...was left in no doubt of the community's desire that Orkney should have an aircraft based in Kirkwall" after meeting OIC convener, Stephen Hagan. It seems quite ludicrous that a doctor has to call out a helicopter from Inverness if s/he wants to transfer a patient from the Northern Isles to Kirkwall - and then helicopter has to call into Kirkwall to refuel on its way north. Loganair has the aircraft and skilled pilots who can provide a much better service (they fly to all the islands every day and in all kinds of weather) and I have grave doubts that Loganair cannot be used because of rules about single pilots and unhygienic aircraft. -- Bruce Fletcher Stronsay, Orkney <www.stronsay.co.uk/claremont> "I’m sorry, you have reached an imaginary number. Please rotate your telephone 90 degrees and dial again"

Some of you might be interested in a gizmo set up on my neighbour's website. It's a ship plotter and gives the position of various ships in Orkney waters, including the various Orkney ferries, the Northlink vessels etc. see: www.graemsay.org.uk Either click on the link "Ship Plotter" in the menu on the left of the screen and read the blurb, or simply click on the Orkney Flag at the end of the menu. Mick has this running via his home computer and at the moment it's not running 24/7 but he's working towards that. He also has some interesting photos taken at the top of the lighthouse. Plus photos of various island events, including strange island rituals! Sian Graemsay