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Craig has left WhatsApp

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Written by Craig McKay
Category: Static
Published: 06 March 2021
Hits: 1063

WHEN? From 1st May 2021 I am no longer on Whatsapp.  Instead, I'll be on Signal (and Telegram, as some have switched to this platform).

WHY?

The new terms and conditions of use of Whatsapp were the final straw that broke my Facebook camel's back.  The new T's&C's probably don't have a material impact on me - certainly not right now - although with the UK's departure from the EU no doubt GDPR will be unpicked and replaced with something that enables the Facebook machine to harvest yet more data, even if it's only metadata.

I'm not a subscriber to conspiracy theories.  Facebook and its many tentacles had just secured too tight a stranglehold over me that I needed to cut myself loose:

  • Instagram.  Instead of just seeing pictures of my friend's activities, I was seeing adverts at a ratio of 2 friends to 1 ad.  Jeff became a distinct problem; his products were things that interested me but in which I had expressed no previous interest.  Temptation.  Instagram app deleted.
  • Facebook.  Verbally discussing the need for a leaf blower to tidy up the front lawn, suddenly Mark is presenting me leaf blowers - and not just any leaf blower, but the Makita compatible with a few of the LXT products that I use.  Facebook and Messenger apps deleted.
    • I do still use Facebook on a browser as we have a community page I need to access

SO WHAT?

Not really a big deal is it?  Or more precisely, who cares what I do?  Well, you've clicked this link and I haven't lost you so far...

The reason for writing this post is not to attempt to influence anyone else - far from it.  It is primarily an explanation for why I have left and won't be able to receive your messages any more.

Switching off Whatsapp is not an insignificant change for me personally.  I hadn't realised how useful it had become.  I have dozens of groups and use Whatsapp as a vital link - particularly in Lockdown (and until normal gatherings resume).

I have moved platform to Signal.  A small number of my contacts have also installed the app.  It's a non-profit - funded by donations - and the only viable alternative.  It offers everything Whatsapp does except a web interface.

So... here's the rub: I obviously can't tell you to install the Signal app just to keep in contact with me.  If you do: great!  If not... we still have SMS and email.

STILL READING?

When a friend first told me about Whatsapp - in 2009 - I was sceptical.  What did the platform have to benefit?  Particularly once end-to-end encryption was added in 2016.  So why did Facebook pay $21.8 billion in 2014?  Let me just repeat that - 21.8 BILLION DOLLARS.  That's more than the GDP of Estonia.  Ok, that means nothing to me either.  How about, that's more than the G20 pledged to fight Coronavirus?  It's more profit than Shell, BP and Chevron made last year.  However you look at it, it's colossal number.  I am no longer comfortable using the platform.

COMPARISON OF SIGNAL VS. WHATSAPP

In a nutshell, Signal does almost everything WhatsApp does, with one significant improvement:

Feature WhatsApp Signal Comments
Groups Yes Yes Signal offers a lot more control around group membership.
Reply and Forward Yes Yes WhatsApp has "Reply Privately" from a group, which Signal doesn't.
React to a message No Yes Signal allows you to 'like' with a thumbs up (or any emoji).  This often saves "ok" replies, particularly in groups.
Bold/Italic/Underline Yes No Feature request for all clients...
Desktop Client (Win/Mac) Yes Yes  
Web Client Yes No Signal discussion suggests the web client is a security issue.

 

 

Visit Brechin

Details
Written by Craig McKay
Category: Static
Published: 17 May 2020
Hits: 1194
  • Glen Cruick, Afflochie
  • Capo Cottages, near Edzell

 

Crovie

Details
Written by Craig McKay
Category: Static
Published: 17 May 2020
Hits: 1597

Crovie — take a break and drink in the tranquility of the Moray Firth Coast

We couldn't find a complete listing of all the holiday cottages available for rent in Crovie, so we created this page... we hope you find it useful!  If we've made any mistakes, please let us know at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The page contains three sections:

  1. Rental Properties, with links to the rental website — click on the House or Address to jump to the Details section
  2. Full listing of all properties — for interest
  3. Details of each of the rental properties, with a photograph — click on these to visit the rental website

Note: at the bottom left of every page on this website there is an up arrow that you can use to return to the top of the current page.

Rental Properties

House Comments Rental Website Address
5   Unknown No. 5 Crovie
7   Unknown No. 7 Crovie
10 3 Bedrooms, Sleeps 5 Cottages4You W41840 | Trip Advisor No. 10 Crovie
12   Unknown No. 12 Crovie
13 3 Bedrooms, 1 Bathroom, Sleeps 6, Wifi Free Scotland | Trip Advisor No. 13 Crovie
23 Accommodation for 5 (+2), Wifi, Wood burning stove Scottish Cottages 512064 | Dedicated Website No. 23 Crovie
25 Sleeps 4/5 Scotland.org.uk No. 25 Crovie
30 3 Bedrooms, Sleeps 6 Your Hotel Alternative No. 30 Crovie
33 2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 4 Cottages4You 28658 No. 33 Crovie
36   Unknown No. 36 Crovie
39   Unknown No. 39 Crovie
40 3 Bedrooms, 1 Bathroom, Sleeps 6 Holiday Lettings 194460 | Trip Advisor No. 40 Crovie
53   Unknown No. 53 Crovie
56   Unknown No. 56 Crovie
57 2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 5 Cottages4You 26036 No. 57 Crovie
64 2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 4 Book Cottages 1783 No. 64 Crovie
Mission Hall 2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 4 Scotland Holiday Cottage | Trip Advisor Mission Hall Crovie

Full listing

House Status Comments
1 Site Destroyed in 1953
2&3 Private  
4 Private  
5 Rent  
6 Private  
7 Rent  
8 Site Garden
9 Private  
10 Rent  
11 Private  
12 Rent  
13 Rent  
14 Private  
15&16 Private  
17&18 Private  
19 Private Garden of 17&18
20 Private  
21 Private  
22 Private  
23 Rent  
24 Private Last house south side of burn
25 Rent Set back, south
26 Private Set back, north
27 Private Beside Phone Box
28 Site Bench beside burn
29 Site Garden of 30
30 Rent  
31 Private  
32 Site No longer exists
33 Rent  
34a Private  
34 Private  
35 Private  
36 Rent  
37 Site Garden of 38
38 Private  
39 Rent  
40 Rent  
41 Site Garden of 43
42 Private Ruin
43 Private  
44 Private Asbestos roof
45 Private Behind
46 Private  
47 Private Red roof, small
48a Private Top half
48 Private Bottom half
49 Private  
50 Private  
51 Private  
52 Private  
53 Rent  
54 Private  
55 Site Garden of 54
56 Rent  
57 Rent  
58 Private Site + Small building
59 Private  
60&61 Private Light blue
62 Private Chocolate
63 Private Dark blue
64 Rent  
65 Private  
Mission Hall Rent No number
66 Private  

Details

No 5 Crovie

No 5 Crovie

No 7 Crovie

No 7 Crovie

No 10 Crovie

No 10 Crovie

No 12 Crovie

No 12 Crovie

No 13 Crovie

No 13 Crovie

No 23 Crovie

No 23 Crovie

No 25 Crovie

No 25 Crovie

No 30 Crovie

No 30 Crovie

No 33 Crovie

No 33 Crovie

No 36 Crovie

No 36 Crovie

No 39 Crovie

No 39 Crovie

No 40 Crovie

No 40 Crovie

No 53 Crovie

No 53 Crovie

No 56 Crovie

No 56 Crovie

No 57 Crovie

No 57 Crovie

No 64 Crovie

No 64 Crovie

Mission Hall Crovie

Mission Hall Crovie

 

Southesk Savouries

Details
Written by Craig McKay
Category: Static
Published: 17 May 2020
Hits: 1194

Southesk Savouries

I have always been an enthusiastic fan of chutneys - what better accompaniment to a tasty cheese or ham than the concentrated flavours of preserved fruit and spices?

I made my first batch in 2008 after reading a recipe for Pineapple Chutney.  I modified it significantly and it has become my favourite: Appley Pineappley Chutney.

These chutneys are made for pleasure, for sharing - if you have received one and are looking up the website,  I trust you enjoy it!

A friend gave me her grandmother's book of chutney recipes and this inspired me to explore more, and I have since dabbled in several variants:

Concentrations of 2'5' OAS were maximal at 24 hours after dosing, while serum levels of & Order Vicodin (Dilaudid, Hydromorphone) medication buy In these patients, the oral clearance of Modafinil was decreased by about click for more info.

  1. Appley Pineappley Chutney - Pineapples are often £1 at Lidl (sometimes 85p!) and I just cannot resist this old favourite, which goes so well with many things, but especially ham.
  2. Plummey Chutney - We have several family, friends and neighbours with victoria plums.  These make a wonderful, rich, sweet chutney that goes well with cheeses and ham.  In 2013 I made a variant with brambles called 'Brummel Plum' and it was delicious - lovely colour and rich!
  3. Plum'n'Beetie - a variation on the plum with an equal measure of beetroot.
  4. Appley Figgy Chutney - We have access to a number of apple trees and in late autumn there is often some fruit spare, and makes a mild but flavoursome chutney that accompanies any cooked dish, or soft cheeses like brie and Cambazola.
  5. Sweet Tomato Chutney - who doesn't love tomato chutney?!  There are two tricky aspects that prevent me making it often: blanching & sticking to the pan.  I have mastered the blanching and actually enjoy this, but haven't worked out how to prevent the sticking, other than stirring constantly which slows the process down and means I cannot sterilise jars and do other things...
  6. Coull Tomato Chutney - an attempt to replicate a favourite of the Coull's, this chutney includes fennel and carraway seeds.
  7. Pommie Pineapple - after watching the kids eating pommegrante seeds, I thought how great they would look in a chutney... this light-coloured version highlights the bright pommegrante seeds and has all the flavour of the pineapple.
  8. Merry Cranberry Chutney - largely based on BBC Good Food's recipe, this is a real treat to accompany the turkey at Christmas.

Enjoy, and thanks for looking up the page!

Brechin Path Network

Details
Written by Craig McKay
Category: Static
Published: 16 May 2020
Hits: 3470

Angus Council Links

  • Placeholder Page
  • Map (PDF)
  • All the Angus Path Networks!

Walk reports

  • Excellent report on Walk Highlands - with superb photos

BPN Waste Bins

Wondering about those orange bins?  Maybe you're already scanned the QR code and found out... We just thought it's such a great path network and a shame when there is litter and dog waste bags lying around... and also as dog walkers ourselves we know how unpleasant it is to carry a bag back for a mile... or two!  

So, we've installed 37 bins - see the handy map below!  Many of these have been suggestions from the community.  Thanks to the Rotary Club who gave a generous donation towards the purchase of the bins.

When you scan the code, a team of around a dozen volunteers get an email, and we empty soon after.

Would you like to get involved?  Drop us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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