Scotland is Another Country: they do things differently here

It has not snowed here (yet). They are predicting snow showers later in the day and overnight, though nothing on the scale of the snow that seems to have brought most of England skidding to a halt. Anyway, it seemed like a good idea to go to Tesco's now, rather than wait until later. So I got there at about ten to nine, only to find it shut. Which seemed a little odd. We have a 24 hour Tesco in Dingwall, though (for the benefit of US readers who might think that implies 24/7) it is, of course, closed on Sunday nights. I was surprised that it hadn't opened earlier on Monday morning, though.

There was a little crowd gathered waiting for it to open at nine, so I waited and then did my shopping very quickly in the nearly empty supermarket. When I came out, I noticed a sign: Public Holiday, Feb 2nd, Opening Hours 9am - 6pm. Hmm, I thought, glad I didn't wait until later. And also, public holiday? What on earth for?

So I came home and looked it up. Ah. Not a bank holiday. Nor even a holiday to celebrate a particular event.

Oh no. In Scotland, public holidays are decided randomly and on local whim. I particularly like the line: "bank holidays in Scotland are neither public holidays nor the days on which banks are closed."

Secret Santa!!!

Well, I think that the 2008 Secret Santa gift exchange is now officially over, with the arrival of stmargarets's gift at my flat this afternoon. She posted it on November 5th. Today is, um, February 2nd. So, not quite three months. I'm glad I don't have to rely on the Canadian postal service very often. Still, it's nearer last Christmas than next, which is something.

Anyway, onto the good stuff. She sent me... books, of course!

Three lovely books, all of which were explained in her letter:

The Cloister Walk by Kathleen Norris. This is one which stmargarets had recommended to me before. It's a series of reflections on the author's time in a Benedictine monastery and looks really fascinating.

Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie. I've never read any Rushdie, though I feel I should have done. This looks like a great place to start.

The Blue Castle by L. M. Montgomery because, as Mary says, she is THE Canadian author and also a Queen of Fluff. And, because she's so lovely, Mary has sent me her own copy of this, because she couldn't get hold of a new copy in time(!) Which makes it all the more special - I shall really treasure this one.

Thanks, Mary!

The demise of the infinitive?

Recently I seem to keep coming across examples (spoken and written) of constructions where I would expect an infinitive form of the verb (or possibly a present participle) but instead a past participle is used. I can't decide if this is regional usage or changing contemporary usage. So let's have a poll!
( Grammar poll! )