This question was posed on week 3 of a Future Learn Course on The history of Ireland between 1912 and 1923.
'What amounts to political activism in a period of war and revolution?
The significance of the current troubles of today can only be emphasized with what has happened in many places before. Including The United Kingdom, most of mainland Europe and The Middle East. This week there is 'Civil Disobedience' in Hong Kong which can not end happily as in Tibet.
However my comments below were written in respect of Ireland.
In an instance I pose this question, when does revolution start? Ireland was always a problem to the 'British Crown' with much suppression in forms of violence and land re-possession. Hatred and revulsion at oppression would have been plenty enough to polarize views. A display of open force individually or as group action is the militant face of political activism. When there is a survival need to fight then activists will roll this through politics to the use of the gun and the bomb. Propaganda would have been used by all sides - Crown - Pro-treaty and Anti-treaty - with rallies, speeches, newspapers and posters. The main impact would have been made by the orators who could stir the passion of the people. In hard violent times that would be easy to arouse. In some ways the political posturing was a four-cornered affair if the Unionists are included.
As we know politics were put to one side, albeit temporary, in The Easter Rising, and the executions of the principal combatants. A 'war' during a major European War that would have created a greater rift between factions than before because Irishmen did fight and die to free Europe of German influence.
It would be foolish to assume that political activity ceased when two sides fought for supremacy in Ireland. Michael Collins was for one solution whereas De Valera took the view that a final break with the then British Empire was his only way. So, during this short internal war political activities on a region and parish level would have continued and continued to influence people's opinions and their lives. Sadly, during that time many good men were killed by their own and families were split. Then, of course, the political activities commenced with word-of-mouth stories, not always accurate, but slewed to reflect a political point. These still influence the divides of today.
Tuesday 30 September 2014
The Murder Wall by Mari Hannah
THE MURDER WALL by MARI HANNAH
Where on earth has this author been hiding? The good news is that since The Murder Wall was published in April, 2012 she has three more books for her ace investigator, Detective Chief Inspector Kate Daniels, to show how very good she really is.
Okay back to the story. Saint Camillus would not have liked it. Victims already slaughtered and a trail to be followed within a page or two.
I was hooked before the end of the first paragraph. I loved the writing. I loved the way the characters were fleshed out as the stories were developed. I felt that I was living with Kate, sitting on her shoulder watching her fellow detectives doing the right thing or maybe 'cocking-it-up' and living with the story as the various plots emerged. Of course, there has to be some that are there to irritate, and one maybe I would have liked to have 'kicked in the balls', but that is what good writers can achieve.
Oh yes, people die, but I am not going to go into that; you can do that yourself. What I will say is that the intrigue Mari creates within the team, the personal relationships that are there and sometimes could be there, and of course throw in the personal elements in the life of DCI Kate Daniels. There is more to this story that is in excess of the usual. It is set in the north of England and this book has a very good relationship with that area. I do like to know where a story belongs.
This is a book written with care, with love, and an understanding of both, with ample empathy and sympathy, but it is(about the all consuming urge for revenge), unpleasant deaths, savoured by the killer.The search for a killer who has a reason to go on and on until....
If you call yourself a reader of crime then it is a must read and with three more to follow you are in for lots of treats.
Where on earth has this author been hiding? The good news is that since The Murder Wall was published in April, 2012 she has three more books for her ace investigator, Detective Chief Inspector Kate Daniels, to show how very good she really is.
Okay back to the story. Saint Camillus would not have liked it. Victims already slaughtered and a trail to be followed within a page or two.
I was hooked before the end of the first paragraph. I loved the writing. I loved the way the characters were fleshed out as the stories were developed. I felt that I was living with Kate, sitting on her shoulder watching her fellow detectives doing the right thing or maybe 'cocking-it-up' and living with the story as the various plots emerged. Of course, there has to be some that are there to irritate, and one maybe I would have liked to have 'kicked in the balls', but that is what good writers can achieve.
Oh yes, people die, but I am not going to go into that; you can do that yourself. What I will say is that the intrigue Mari creates within the team, the personal relationships that are there and sometimes could be there, and of course throw in the personal elements in the life of DCI Kate Daniels. There is more to this story that is in excess of the usual. It is set in the north of England and this book has a very good relationship with that area. I do like to know where a story belongs.
This is a book written with care, with love, and an understanding of both, with ample empathy and sympathy, but it is(about the all consuming urge for revenge), unpleasant deaths, savoured by the killer.The search for a killer who has a reason to go on and on until....
If you call yourself a reader of crime then it is a must read and with three more to follow you are in for lots of treats.
Lo Monte
Just to say that Parque Natural at Lo Monte that only opened this year is now closed for works. Whatever that means and I will try to discover for how long.
Friday 12 September 2014
Costa Blanca Bird Club - Day Four
FINAL DAY - FRIDAY 12th SEPTEMBER.
We over-nighted in Puçol, I suspect with the previous intention of revisiting the site we saw yesterday evening. However since we are experiencing a drought this lagoon was dry and how all wildlife must be suffering in these prolonged high temperatures and still no rain. It was decided to go towards Valencia and Albufera. Unfortunately the 'convoy' became fragmented and most of us did not even see Tancat de Ratlla which is a great shame as Temminick's Stint was there. Some of us then headed for the observation site at Albufera. It was tremendously hot and there was some water, but there was nothing exceptional to see except that small bird list was added to with Blackcap, another Sardinian and a Great Tit.
We are now in possession of a plan of this area which would have been very helpful if we had one to start with. You can also go on line at www.albuferadevalencia.com for more information.
I only wish that I had the foresight to do that.
REFLECTIONS - generally.
Our first few hours were great and we saw many birds on the delta on both days. Some were amazing in that they were firsts for us. I had a good view of a Wood Sandpiper for the first time. The two 'superb' birds was a Pectoral Sandpiper and two White-rumped Sandpipers which will be reported by Malcolm.
The hotel was in a superb location surrounded by rice fields and water and our early morning strolls before breakfast was very good. The rooms were pleasant and comfortable and there was free WIFI. The dining area and bar were both good and I thought that the food was excellent but on the second day four meals had to be returned. This was not acceptable and neither was the giving of a free after dinner drink - in my view a poor apology. However even this should not have happened even though our group had eighteen members.
I would certainly stay there again even though the rooms seemed a little 'tired'. I have to say that our shower was comical although it did the job!
The first two days were good but Thursday and Friday not so.
OBSERVATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.
Information needed to be imparted fully as where and how we were to get there. Convoy driving is never that easy and people did get detached.
A Pacific Golden Plover had been located previously and this seemed to be the focus of attention although our group's knowledge was varied. More stopping, observing and waiting would have been preferable to more driving. Some locations were not found and it must be remembered that this is a maze of a place.
Our drive inland on day three was expensive on time, effort and we were all glad to get to Puçol and disappointed to find a dry lagoon.
Clearly after a sustained dry period and continuing hot weather we needed to know where there was water. Obviously the delta rice fields had controlled water supply and so will Pego.
I am decided that there needs to be much more thought as to where a group like this should go and how they can proceed together, in convoy and without having the difficulties that some of us experienced.
We headed for home early having decided that neither Alcoy or Pego were worthwhile on a hot afternoon. I hope that who ever did go found it to be worth the effort.
TECHNOLOGY. It is out there and you can use it on the move not only with a SatNav (it did get us to some places!) and Google Maps and IPads.
When we got home Michelle tapped in the location that we had tried to visit in the morning as she found the name was on the plan.
Try This. Put in birdingalbufera.es and ask to translate the page.
On the left hand side of the page is a plan and on the right a list of locations. If you were to tap on TANCAT de RATLLA You can see where we had tried to go this morning and according to their listings Malcolm's Citrine Wagtail had been seen there. The information is really out there.
I will certainly give more thought to another group expedition as we have done such things on our own or with friends. The upside of taking this trip is that we knew there was some very experienced birders that we could reply upon. So, it is with many thanks, I say 'well done' for everything that was pointed out, scoped on and identified. Also well done to everyone else for their humour, comradeship and company. Thank you to all.
We over-nighted in Puçol, I suspect with the previous intention of revisiting the site we saw yesterday evening. However since we are experiencing a drought this lagoon was dry and how all wildlife must be suffering in these prolonged high temperatures and still no rain. It was decided to go towards Valencia and Albufera. Unfortunately the 'convoy' became fragmented and most of us did not even see Tancat de Ratlla which is a great shame as Temminick's Stint was there. Some of us then headed for the observation site at Albufera. It was tremendously hot and there was some water, but there was nothing exceptional to see except that small bird list was added to with Blackcap, another Sardinian and a Great Tit.
We are now in possession of a plan of this area which would have been very helpful if we had one to start with. You can also go on line at www.albuferadevalencia.com for more information.
I only wish that I had the foresight to do that.
REFLECTIONS - generally.
Our first few hours were great and we saw many birds on the delta on both days. Some were amazing in that they were firsts for us. I had a good view of a Wood Sandpiper for the first time. The two 'superb' birds was a Pectoral Sandpiper and two White-rumped Sandpipers which will be reported by Malcolm.
The hotel was in a superb location surrounded by rice fields and water and our early morning strolls before breakfast was very good. The rooms were pleasant and comfortable and there was free WIFI. The dining area and bar were both good and I thought that the food was excellent but on the second day four meals had to be returned. This was not acceptable and neither was the giving of a free after dinner drink - in my view a poor apology. However even this should not have happened even though our group had eighteen members.
I would certainly stay there again even though the rooms seemed a little 'tired'. I have to say that our shower was comical although it did the job!
The first two days were good but Thursday and Friday not so.
OBSERVATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.
Information needed to be imparted fully as where and how we were to get there. Convoy driving is never that easy and people did get detached.
A Pacific Golden Plover had been located previously and this seemed to be the focus of attention although our group's knowledge was varied. More stopping, observing and waiting would have been preferable to more driving. Some locations were not found and it must be remembered that this is a maze of a place.
Our drive inland on day three was expensive on time, effort and we were all glad to get to Puçol and disappointed to find a dry lagoon.
Clearly after a sustained dry period and continuing hot weather we needed to know where there was water. Obviously the delta rice fields had controlled water supply and so will Pego.
I am decided that there needs to be much more thought as to where a group like this should go and how they can proceed together, in convoy and without having the difficulties that some of us experienced.
We headed for home early having decided that neither Alcoy or Pego were worthwhile on a hot afternoon. I hope that who ever did go found it to be worth the effort.
TECHNOLOGY. It is out there and you can use it on the move not only with a SatNav (it did get us to some places!) and Google Maps and IPads.
When we got home Michelle tapped in the location that we had tried to visit in the morning as she found the name was on the plan.
Try This. Put in birdingalbufera.es and ask to translate the page.
On the left hand side of the page is a plan and on the right a list of locations. If you were to tap on TANCAT de RATLLA You can see where we had tried to go this morning and according to their listings Malcolm's Citrine Wagtail had been seen there. The information is really out there.
I will certainly give more thought to another group expedition as we have done such things on our own or with friends. The upside of taking this trip is that we knew there was some very experienced birders that we could reply upon. So, it is with many thanks, I say 'well done' for everything that was pointed out, scoped on and identified. Also well done to everyone else for their humour, comradeship and company. Thank you to all.
Thursday 11 September 2014
Leaving the Delta
Costa Blanca Bird Club - Thursday 11th September - Day Three
The plan for the day was to find a body of water to see what waders we could see on our way to the N340 and then take the N232 at Vinarós to head inland. This would give us a much different habitat and hopefully a greater selection of birds. However, before we left, there was a Yellow-crowned Night Heron perched with Tree Sparrow close-by. One of the group saw a Cetti's Warbler perched on a low fence.
We did a lot of driving, covered many miles on a day when the temperatures were in mid to high thirties for very little reward. Amongst the pines we did see Long-tailed Tits in flight, a conspicuous Stonechat, and both male and female Pied Flycatchers. On route we had magnificent sightings of two Short-toed Eagles.
We headed to Puçol, booked in at Hotel Alba and then headed for Marjal del Moro. This is an area of reeds, several pools, scrub and alongside the pebble beach. This is better viewed in the morning as the sun will then be over the sea. We did see Turnstones and twenty one Spoonbills flew right over us. Unfortunately the main area of water was 'bone' dry, but this should not be that surprising as we are experiencing a period of least rainfall since 1857.
Our overall list stands at 92 with only seven new species being added for today, but we do have plans for tomorrow.
The plan for the day was to find a body of water to see what waders we could see on our way to the N340 and then take the N232 at Vinarós to head inland. This would give us a much different habitat and hopefully a greater selection of birds. However, before we left, there was a Yellow-crowned Night Heron perched with Tree Sparrow close-by. One of the group saw a Cetti's Warbler perched on a low fence.
We did a lot of driving, covered many miles on a day when the temperatures were in mid to high thirties for very little reward. Amongst the pines we did see Long-tailed Tits in flight, a conspicuous Stonechat, and both male and female Pied Flycatchers. On route we had magnificent sightings of two Short-toed Eagles.
We headed to Puçol, booked in at Hotel Alba and then headed for Marjal del Moro. This is an area of reeds, several pools, scrub and alongside the pebble beach. This is better viewed in the morning as the sun will then be over the sea. We did see Turnstones and twenty one Spoonbills flew right over us. Unfortunately the main area of water was 'bone' dry, but this should not be that surprising as we are experiencing a period of least rainfall since 1857.
Our overall list stands at 92 with only seven new species being added for today, but we do have plans for tomorrow.
Wednesday 10 September 2014
Still in the delta
Costa Blanca Bird Club - Wednesday 10th September - Day Two.
Some were up before the sun and under a grey sky we saw Kingfishers flying and at least three Night Herons. The smaller species were very conspicuous in their absence, but there was one Reed Warbler and others saw a Chiff.
Today was a slower day, but as in often the case there are new ones to be seen. Although we had seen one Caspian Tern we did have four in full view later. At one stage we had about two hundred Glossy Ibis in the sky and then there were twelve Spoonbill that landed near about four Collared Prantincole. We were looking for Red-knobbed Coot, but there was not one in view. Amongst the ducks there were some Gadwell and Red-crested Pochard. This certainly will be an area once the over-wintering wildfowl have arrived from the north. Raptors were in low numbers, but there was the odd kestrel and very good views of Marsh Harriers. We also saw clearly a Booted Eagle.
During lunch we were pleased to see a Spotted Flycatcher and shortly after I had my first un-interrupted view of a Wood Sandpiper. We had both Cetti's and Fan-tailed Warblers calling and flying. Michelle had a good view of a Sedge Warbler which was probably in passage. We saw many of the birds that we had seen yesterday but the new birds for today was counted at twenty-two. On out way to the Delta Hotel we saw a Whimbrel walking along the road which then flew around us and our first Wood Pigeons were seen. In the grounds of the hotel there was a perched female Pied Flycatcher. The above is not an inclusive list, but the total for both days now stands at 84 species. Tomorrow we will start with this local habitat before moving away via a woodland one to try to increase our species count. Then onto Puçol for Marismas, dunes and a closer to the sea environment.
Some were up before the sun and under a grey sky we saw Kingfishers flying and at least three Night Herons. The smaller species were very conspicuous in their absence, but there was one Reed Warbler and others saw a Chiff.
Today was a slower day, but as in often the case there are new ones to be seen. Although we had seen one Caspian Tern we did have four in full view later. At one stage we had about two hundred Glossy Ibis in the sky and then there were twelve Spoonbill that landed near about four Collared Prantincole. We were looking for Red-knobbed Coot, but there was not one in view. Amongst the ducks there were some Gadwell and Red-crested Pochard. This certainly will be an area once the over-wintering wildfowl have arrived from the north. Raptors were in low numbers, but there was the odd kestrel and very good views of Marsh Harriers. We also saw clearly a Booted Eagle.
During lunch we were pleased to see a Spotted Flycatcher and shortly after I had my first un-interrupted view of a Wood Sandpiper. We had both Cetti's and Fan-tailed Warblers calling and flying. Michelle had a good view of a Sedge Warbler which was probably in passage. We saw many of the birds that we had seen yesterday but the new birds for today was counted at twenty-two. On out way to the Delta Hotel we saw a Whimbrel walking along the road which then flew around us and our first Wood Pigeons were seen. In the grounds of the hotel there was a perched female Pied Flycatcher. The above is not an inclusive list, but the total for both days now stands at 84 species. Tomorrow we will start with this local habitat before moving away via a woodland one to try to increase our species count. Then onto Puçol for Marismas, dunes and a closer to the sea environment.
Costa Blanca Bird Club visits the Ebro Delta.
We met at the Gran Buffet at Sant Carles de la Repita and while standing in the car park awaiting other arrivals there were two Short-toed Eagles overhead with one being harassed by a Sparrow Hawk. We saw at least six Short-toed which we assumed were on their passage south. Then, again flying south we saw a Honey Buzzard.
We moved on to Deltebre and the Delta Hotel and there playing in a puddle were two Willow Warblers. One of our group saw a Kingfisher nearby.
The quest for the afternoon was to find a Pacific Golden Plover. We toured the rice fields with out success but what else did we see?
Marsh Harriers
Herons - Grey, juvenile Purple and Squacco
Egrets - Little, Cattle and Large White.
They have just started to harvest the rice crop and in the churned up mud we saw about 50-60 Glossy Ibis, two Curlew, about six Lesser-backed Gulls among the other gulls and a Blue-throat.
We continued our search for this elusive Plover and during this time we saw Common Terns, Whiskered Terns and one Caspian Tern. One churned up field that we passed yielded six flying Snipe and in another location we saw Green Sandpipers in flight. Also a Night Heron was spotted.
At an observation point overlooking shallow lagoons we saw Ruff, Little Stint, Little-ringed and Kentish Plovers with Red-shank and Green-shank nearby. We feasted our eyes on the birds before us and the experts saw a Pectoral Sandpiper and then two White-rumped Sandpipers were located and then flew for us. Also here I saw one Grey Plover in winter plumage and one other still in its summer attire.
In the sky twelve Purple Herons flew away from us and about two hundred Glossy Ibis did the same.
The identifications have been made with people that know their birds and hopefully tomorrow we will all get clear views of these rarities and whatever else we can see. Malcolm last view of a Pectoral was in 1975 - so he was pleased with especially as these two species were seen in out last twenty minutes before the light faded. Later the list was written up and the total was 62.
Now for the morning at sun-up.
We moved on to Deltebre and the Delta Hotel and there playing in a puddle were two Willow Warblers. One of our group saw a Kingfisher nearby.
The quest for the afternoon was to find a Pacific Golden Plover. We toured the rice fields with out success but what else did we see?
Marsh Harriers
Herons - Grey, juvenile Purple and Squacco
Egrets - Little, Cattle and Large White.
They have just started to harvest the rice crop and in the churned up mud we saw about 50-60 Glossy Ibis, two Curlew, about six Lesser-backed Gulls among the other gulls and a Blue-throat.
We continued our search for this elusive Plover and during this time we saw Common Terns, Whiskered Terns and one Caspian Tern. One churned up field that we passed yielded six flying Snipe and in another location we saw Green Sandpipers in flight. Also a Night Heron was spotted.
At an observation point overlooking shallow lagoons we saw Ruff, Little Stint, Little-ringed and Kentish Plovers with Red-shank and Green-shank nearby. We feasted our eyes on the birds before us and the experts saw a Pectoral Sandpiper and then two White-rumped Sandpipers were located and then flew for us. Also here I saw one Grey Plover in winter plumage and one other still in its summer attire.
In the sky twelve Purple Herons flew away from us and about two hundred Glossy Ibis did the same.
The identifications have been made with people that know their birds and hopefully tomorrow we will all get clear views of these rarities and whatever else we can see. Malcolm last view of a Pectoral was in 1975 - so he was pleased with especially as these two species were seen in out last twenty minutes before the light faded. Later the list was written up and the total was 62.
Now for the morning at sun-up.
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