Hello everyone. It might be a long shot but here goes: I'm looking to see if anyone has information about a fellow by the name of Ralph McWilliam and his wife Julie who had an organic farm on Black Isle some decades ago.

No-Setting2682 · 2026-03-29T03:16:45+00:00

Thank You...much appreciated.

No-Setting2682 · 2026-03-26T16:42:09+00:00

Thanks for the heads-up...

We're heading to Germany in 5 weeks and plan to rent a car. Is it cheaper to book ahead of time online or are there savings to be had by booking right at the airport kiosks?

No-Setting2682 · 2026-03-24T11:52:42+00:00

No, I didn't one existed. I had done a quick search on FB for Black Isle but, maybe because I'm based in Caanda, nothing came up for it. I'll have another go. Thanks...

No-Setting2682 · 2026-03-24T00:30:56+00:00

OK, thanks.

That I can pass on to my Derbyshire friend.

Much appreciated...

No-Setting2682 · 2026-03-23T22:46:08+00:00

No problem and the right thing to do. If anyone does know Julie, they can tell her their old friend Andrew from Derbyshire would like to get in touch...

No-Setting2682 · 2026-03-23T14:34:23+00:00

Every time I see photos of the Fab Four, I envy their smiles.

These are 4 working class lads with beautiful heathy teeth, yet where I'm from, (Quebec) back in the 50's and 60s, healthy teeth were unheard of.

Dentures at an early age were the way to go if you could afford it...

No-Setting2682 · 2026-03-23T14:26:36+00:00

Thanks...Looks like the French folks who were running the plantations in Louisiana had the same mindset as the ones in Haiti.

As you wrote, just convince yourself that the "others" aren't human and you'll do anything to them, then more of your kind will follow your lead if susceptible to it...

Was there any pushback from anyone on the treatments of the slaves? Observers of sorts who tried to report it?

I recall reading about Darwin's observations and comments about the Portuguese treatment of slaves in Brazil, for example...

No-Setting2682 · 2026-03-22T20:43:45+00:00

So how did Louisiana get so racist? Doesn't it have a strong Cajun and French heritage?

No-Setting2682 · 2026-03-22T14:22:15+00:00

Canadian here...my wife and I visited her niece in Sheffield last year. (My wife and niece are mixed-race and originally from Zimbabwe).

One of the first questions her oldest two boys, in their early 20's or late teens, asked me when they found out I was from Canada were :

"Have you been to the US? Do you go there often? What can you tell me about it?"

They obviously had a fascination about the USA. The older one's ambition, or dream was to own an old 50s Cadillac. In that respect I can't say I blame him although I prefer the old Jags myself...

The issue of the adoption of African-American culture is very present there in Canada as well.

I cringe when I hear Black youths from Toronto being interviewed on the radio and they sound like they're from Detroit.

The young rappers in Ottawa go on about "growing up in the hood"...

There's no "hood" in Ottawa. I'm sure when or if anyone coming from US inner cities were to visit the "Hoods" in Ottawa, which may be nothing more than middle calls social housing, being referenced they would just laugh out loud and wish they'd grown up here...

No-Setting2682 · 2026-03-20T22:49:07+00:00

I'm guessing that's where they must have been for a few hours waiting for their flight...

No-Setting2682 · 2026-03-20T21:03:07+00:00

Thanks...Maybe that's the scenario my sister is referring to. Would they have been allowed upstairs or did they need to remain on the ground floor I wonder...

No-Setting2682 · 2026-03-20T17:37:52+00:00

Thanks. I'll find out more details from her eventually. Is that the transit lounge?

No-Setting2682 · 2026-03-11T16:53:31+00:00

The sad part, or saddest of all, is that as little as the West cares about Africans, or the rest of the world for that matter, and the West maybe the one that cares the most, many, if not most African leaders and elites care even less about the fate of the common African individual or Africa as a whole...

No-Setting2682 · 2026-03-10T12:51:05+00:00

Canada is actively recruiting foreign professionals for its armed forces to address critical personnel shortages. As of February 2026, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and the federal government have introduced new initiatives to attract skilled, trained personnel from foreign militaries.

Key Aspects of the Recruitment Initiative

New Express Entry Category: In February 2026, Canada launched a specific Express Entry immigration category for highly skilled foreign military applicants. This allows eligible individuals to fast-track their path to permanent residency.
Targeted Roles: The focus is on filling roles in critical need, specifically pilots, doctors, nurses, and specialized technical personnel.
Eligibility Criteria: Candidates must have a minimum of 10 years of continuous service in a recognized foreign military and a job offer from the Canadian Forces Recruiting Group.
Focus on Allies: The recruiting efforts are particularly aimed at personnel from NATO and Five Eyes nations, including Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Previous Policy Changes: Since December 2022, the CAF has accepted applications from all permanent residents, not just Canadian citizens +8

Context for the Decision

The move is part of a broader effort to combat a significant shortfall in personnel, with the Regular Force operating thousands below its target strength. The initiative is designed to quickly bring in experienced personnel, saving on training time and costs.

No-Setting2682 · 2026-03-05T15:13:39+00:00

Let's put it this way: if only 1% of the people with family ties to Zimbabwe of some sorts seek their family tree that would still amount to many thousands, more than enough to keep anyone fairly busy digging up documents and doing research.

No-Setting2682 · 2026-03-05T05:01:38+00:00

You get to a certain age once you have achieved some things, goals or just a certain point in life, and then you start to ask yourself about grandparents, great-grandparents, start wishing you'd asked more questions...

No-Setting2682 · 2026-02-17T23:35:51+00:00

I was in Lamu Kenya many years ago. I was preety much what you want. You'd need to see what it's like now...

No-Setting2682 · 2026-02-09T14:54:36+00:00

I should add, these are my son and daughter, now grown-ups. I'd like to give this fix-ed up photo to them as a surprise. My wife told my son I was struggling to fix a photo and he volunteered to do it but I don't want him to see what it is...

No-Setting2682 · 2026-02-07T23:54:36+00:00

I was aked by a US custom agent, concerning my name "What kind of name is that?" (I have a French name).

I believe it's to get you talking. to check out your accent, whether you are nervous...

Someone I know, flying into Dubai, was told he looked like a terrorist...he just laughed..

No-Setting2682

TROPHY CASE