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Hello Island Bloggers,

Given the increase in poetic leanings on display throughout our fair pages, you'll no doubt already know that this Thursday is National Poetry Day. Read more about it here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/highlandsandislands/content/articles/2008/10/06/poetry_edineast_feature.shtml

Anyone up for penning an ode to Island Blogging?

On a slightly different note, this being early October, it reminded me of things we used to do for a bit of extra pocket money. At this time of year, there were always opportunities to earn some extra cash in return for partaking in the time honoured tradition of tattie picking. Berry picking and helping to take bags of peats home from the moss were also tasks to be accomplished though these were often unpaid as it was to either help Granny or whoever make jam which we would then be able to eat or to keep the house warm during the winter.

Somehow, the aching back and all the dirt under the fingernails didn't quite seem worth it at the time. Does anyone else remember doing this or do you still do it? You don't see so many school children picking tatties or out on the moss these days and though it wasn't particularly relished at the time, it would be a shame to see these things disappear.

Hello all

You'll no doubt be aware that the spam filter and blogging engine itself have continued to be plagued by problems affecting both posts and comments. We're aware of this and wanted to let you know that it hasn't gone unnoticed. Thanks for your patience everyone. You know the drill by now, any issues with posts or comments going astray get in touch by e-mail: islandblogging@bbc.co.uk

Have a good weekend all.

PS. I'm reliably informed that Flying Cat will be incommunicado for a while due to computer problems.