Fitaloon at MicroShaft

This is how Scotland is celebrating Global Warming:

Hundreds of skiers and snowboarders dressed for the summer have been enjoying a “carnival atmosphere” as the sun shone on a Highland ski resort.

About 200 snow sports fans took to the slopes at CairnGorm Mountain to enjoy the unseasonably warm temperatures of 21C on the slopes.

Operations manager Colin Matthew said skiing was still possible right down to mid-mountain level.

He said it was set to become one of the longest skiing seasons on record.

Mr Matthew said:

“CairnGorm today has had a real carnival atmosphere with the public out in shorts, shades , t-shirts and even the occasional kilt.

“The sledge park and the fun park have both been really popular today.

“Snow conditions are soft and a bit like summer skiing on a European glacier with the temperature on the top slopes well into the lower 20s – the only difference is that we’re short a few thousand feet on altitude here at CairnGorm.”

He added that he hoped skiing would continue until at least the Bank Holiday weekend at the end of May.

BBC News – Skiers enjoy carnival in the sun.

In all the hoo-haa about Bigotgate this was overshadowed. The SNP must be hopping that the £50,000 they raised to help their case resulted in little or no media attention and even less public exposure. Basically they have pissed the money up against a wall in a failed publicity stunt.

My feeling has always been that the debates shouldn’t be shown in Scotland on Normal (This is not a bigoted comment, honest) TV. If you really wanted to watch them they would be on Free to View channels or the regional channels you can pick up if required. The exclusion of the SNP gives undue advantage to other parties.

Stupidly though the SNP didn’t do this early enough as they tried to use the court case as a publicity event rather than a true attempt to ensure fairness in Scotland. They have paid the price for this, both on the ruling, and on the lack of publicity.

The ruling was as follows:

In her ruling, Lady Smith said the SNP’s demands would lead to

“wholesale disruption”

to the series of debates and would leave viewers with an

“incomplete picture”.

She stated:

“Whether one compares the debates to three rounds of a boxing competition, a three-course meal, a play in three acts or any similar convenient analogy, the planned event that is the series of leadership election debates is now two-thirds of the way through and has, thus far, taken place according to plan.”

The Nationalists are still seeking a judicial review of the decision to hold the debates between the leaders of the three main UK parties, with a two-day hearing due to take place in June.

SNP fails in Scottish court bid to block prime ministerial TV debate – Press & Journal.

I listened and watched the Scottish Labour Party Election broadcast on television tonight, not the comic one designed for 2 year olds, but the one that attacks Margaret Thatcher, I looked for a copy on the Labour website but it seems to  have disappeared into a black hole. It ran for 2-3 minutes and never once mentioned anything Labour would do, all it did was lie about the ’80s.  There was no future in it, no forward plans, nothing but scaremongering and attempts to suggest that Tories eat babies.

Contrast that with the video from David Cameron below and these words.

A country is at its best when the bonds between people are strong and when the sense of national purpose is clear. Today the challenges facing Britain are immense. Our economy is overwhelmed by debt, our social fabric is frayed and our political system has betrayed the people. But these problems can be overcome if we pull together and work together. If we remember that we are all in this together.

Some politicians say: ‘give us your vote and we will sort out all your problems’. We say: real change comes not from government alone. Real change comes when the people are inspired and mobilised, when millions of us are fired up to play a part in the nation’s future.

Yes this is ambitious. Yes it is optimistic. But in the end all the Acts of Parliament, all the new measures, all the new policy initiatives, are just politicians’ words without you and your involvement.

How will we deal with the debt crisis unless we understand that we are all in this together? How will we raise responsible children unless every adult plays their part? How will we revitalise communities unless people stop asking ‘who will fix this?’ and start asking ‘what can I do?’ Britain will change for the better when we all elect to take part, to take responsibility – if we all come together. Collective strength will overpower our problems.

Only together can we can get rid of this government and, eventually, its debt. Only
Together can we get the economy moving. Only together can we protect the NHS. Improve our schools. Mend our broken society. Together we can even make politics and politicians work better. And if we can do that, we can do anything. Yes, together we can do anything.

So my invitation today is this: join us, to form a new kind of government for Britain.

The Conservative Party | Policy | The Conservative Manifesto 2010.

Thom is carried from the Field.

Sad news after today’s defeat at the hands of Wales. Sky has this

Scotland wing Thom Evans has undergone neck surgery after being injured in the RBS 6 Nations clash against Wales at the Millennium Stadium.

The 24-year-old Glasgow player was carried off following a sickening first-half collision and taken to Cardiff’s University Hospital.

Scotland team doctor James Robson said tonight that Evans was “moving his arms and legs”.

Full-back Chris Paterson, who won his 100th cap today, will also be detained overnight at the same hospital after suffering damage to his right kidney.

Robson said: “Thom has sustained damage to his neck that has required surgery.

“He is moving his arms and legs, and we are hoping for a speedy recovery.

“Chris sustained damage to his right kidney during a collision in the first half.

“On behalf of the players, their families and the entire Scotland party, I would like to thank the hospital staff and the medical team at the Millennium Stadium for the quality of their care.”

Scotland head coach Andy Robinson added: “Our thoughts are with Thom and Chris. We wish both a speedy recovery.”

Hopefully both players will be OK and back playing for Scotland shortly.

Thom Evans Scotland Rugby Player Has Neck Surgery After Sickening Collision In Six Nations Match | UK News | Sky News.

With Brown and Blair playing for Scotland, I should have known we were jinxed. With 70 minutes to go, a great performance from Scotland meant they were leading by ten and seemed to have the game sealed.

Sadly it was not to be and Wales scored the final try with Scotland down to 13 men.

A great game and we should congratulate the Welsh on keeping it going until the final whistle, but nothing short of heart-breaking for Scotland.

Never mind there is, as always, next year!

BBC Sport – Rugby Union – Wales 31-24 Scotland.