Gritter Critters
YOU might think that global warming, and the growing catalogue of endangered species doesn't affect us in West Lothian. But you'd be wrong.
Two species in particular seem to have dropped to dangerously low numbers, perhaps even approaching extinction.
I am talking, of course, about the Lesser Spotted Gritter Critter.
They come in two species: one is the Big Yellow Gritter, easily recognised by its amber flashing lights and trail of rock salt, so often seen carrying out sterling work on our icy roads in years past. The other is the smaller Pavement Gritter.
It's the talk of West Lothian – where ARE they? I have to say, I was beside myself with excitement during the recent Arctic cold-snap when I spotted one of these shy creatures just outside Uphall.
Unfortunately, it wasn't gritting because it was stuck in a traffic jam caused by the fact the roads hadn't been gritted.
So, I was thinking that perhaps some enterprising wildlife photographers could set up a hide beside some of our busy country roads and attempt to snap one in its natural habitat.
We could include it in next week's blog. Wouldn't that be exciting?
Or you could slide and slither along to your nearest old folk's housing complex and watch all the auld yins performing spins, half-somersaults and sideways-shuffles as they try to get to the newsagents.
Alternatively, you could visit A&E at St John's Hospital to check out the increased number of sprains and fractured bones in the waiting room. Or how about watching the sideway vehicle hill-slides around our county? Or cyclists on the Great Black Ice Hunt.
You see? Not protecting our endangered species really DOES affect us all. Of course, some might see all of this entertainment as one of the benefits of the disappearance of the pavement gritters. You decide.
That aside, I suppose it does give rise to one of the great unanswered questions: How DOES the man who drives the snowplough get to work in the morning?
WEARING YOUR HAIR IN A BUN:
YEUGH! I was in the queue at MacDonald's in Livingston the other day when one of the customers brought back a bun in which she had found a long human hair.
"Shouldn't you lot be wearing hair nets?" she demanded of the staff member.
I rather think she had a point there. However, all she received was a shrug – and the offer of another bun. Eh, no thank you!
A GREAT GAME:
I READ recently that "Hot Cockles" was a popular game at Christmas in medieval times. Players took turns striking a blindfolded player who had to guess the name of the person delivering the blow.
Methinks this sounds like a blast; right up there with a shin-kicking competition.
Maybe we could resurrect this game for criminals.
Email Drew with your views here
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Bathgate
Friday 18 May 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 6 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 5 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North east
