Finely honed specimens - Olympians , (not)

With the Olympics only a matter of weeks away we will be getting ready to witness the various activities of hundreds of finely honed athletes, and doubtless be inspired (mentally and physically) to emulate their actions.  Sadly, it was a bit of the opposite yesterday as I spent two and a quarter hours on the bowling green playing one of my "ties" at the club.  The only consolation was that I won, however this morning I am a physical wreck, sore back, knees, hands - lead me to the "knacker's yard" -  but the sun shone most of the time and it was very enjoyable.

Interesting day yesterday, managed to contact three of my former colleagues, (Bones, Scraggy and Sleazy) lovely hearing from them, now all retired (or about to) and either enjoying life or about to.  On a sadder note, Mike Foster, former Ch. Insp. was buried yesterday after a long illness.  I remember when Mike first joined and was posted to Bonnyrigg,  his wife was also a Policewomen and worked with me occasionally at Loanhead - my condolences to the family.

June 2nd, next wine dinner at The Mercat Bar, so a date for the diary, clashes with the Annual Provincial R.A. Bowling match at Gorebridge,  but lots of water to pass under the so called bridge before that.

Dashed perishing again this morning, no two days the same,  rain and sun, rain and snow, rain and wind -  unlike the Spanish who are apparently getting great weather with high temperatures - probably too hot and then they will suffer from  water shortages and damaged crops.

But never daunted, I will be out on the "steed of steel", shining and raring to go with new oil, engine additive, etc,  just better not fall off and spoil the illusion ( perhaps I should put the stabilisers back on in view of my many aches).

Hold the Prize High.

Heart stopping stuff this afternoon as the final minutes of the football ticked by - I had been listening to the radio and as I left the car Manchester United were in the winners seat and Manchester City were trailing by two goals.  I went into the "Chippy" where one of the staff was so pleased with the result, for him, his family and friends - BIG DIZZY- what a surprise when I got back into the car and found that Manchester City were the new League Champions having scored two goals in four minutes - WELL DONE.
My friend Mr. L. will now be a happy bunny- he was sweating a bit.  Mr. Ferguson will not be so pleased with his "noisy neighbours" any more.

Even more exciting was the final of Britain's Got Talent, WHO would have thought that Pudsey the Dog would win !!!!!   Everybody did, because the way things are going in this country, with people voting for penguins in the local elections, there is every likelihood that there will be piggies standing for election as MEP's in Brussels to join the current bunch dining daily at their troughs.
Anyway, Pudsey was in fact very good, excellent, and although his owner has received a cheque for £500.000.00p I am sure that the pair will be receiving a number of offers from Pet Food companies and the likes - good on them.
I just felt sorry for Jonathon and his partner, phenomenal singers for their age, and with a great career ahead of them, just like Susan Boyle, another runner up-  but who was great last night.  She is apparently singing for the Queen at a private party this week.

Sunday, and our summer appears to be past, high winds, rain, dug out the thermals and was well wrapped up while working outside.  The Penicuik Archery Club have had a two day tournament over in the park, but with today,s high winds I am sure there were more than a few wayward arrows. Reminds me of the late  Duncan MacRae, who used to do the poem to the "Wee Cock Sparrow" on the hogmanay shows.
New week dawning, fans getting excited about the forthcoming Hearts and Hibs game next weekend - nae pressure !!

Cup cakes , sun, Bishops, ponies and bikes

Bit of a mixed day today,  up early and into town, wee jobs to do at The Mercat Bar, where, later in the day  Mrs. B. appeared with a box of little cup cakes, nice, nice  nice.

Lots going on around Haymarket, businesses flooded by a burst sewer and the Tramworks are getting the blame - however, round the corner  at St Mary's Cathedral, some six hundred guests were present for the consecration of the new Bishop of Edinburgh The Very Rev Dr. John Armes.  A lovely day for the occasion and as you can see many had an enjoyable time on the lawns.

back to Penicuik, and with the sun shining took the opportunity to have a bit of a run out on the Steed of Steel,  over by Newbigging and Rosslynlee Fishery where the Shetland ponies were even taking an interest in the days activities -  just a pity I did not get the sequence of photos right ?   the man I was watching casting, had been on his mobile phone for ages - no wonder he had no catch.

Headed for Dalkeith and the premises of Motorrad BMW to have a bit of a day dream (drool) over the newest machines and pick up some bits for my own machine. 

So, while the sun shone here in Edinburgh, the roadman for Highland Council tasked with cutting the grass verges over the Schloct on the A9, had a bit of a problem as  they were under snow - but as they say, every cloud has a silver lining,  and the ski slopes at Avimore are still busy with good coverage. The consolation for those down South who have been complaining about rain and foot rot due to wearing their wellies - the hose pipe ban is slowly being lifted.

Leaks and not related to the floods and drout

Curiously and co-incidentally, I was thinking about this latest expose about the underpant bomber which has hit the headlines compliments of the USA  media -  me thinking that they were making their usual media circus of the news. So of course we now hear that what was supposed to be a covert operation by MI 6, has now been compromised by the "Yanks".
In the past few days we have had items in our own media about police officers who have breached the Data Protection Act by giving out information about local villains, however, some of these so called breaches pale into significance compared to this expose by the USA, which has probably undermined years of undercover work.
Several years ago (after retiring from the police) I was involved in an investigation in Lanarkshire where we had identified a number of people involved in criminal activities, however when the confidential report was submitted, someone "leaked" the information overnight and about thirty guys who were involved all "walked" and avoided prosecution.   Thinking back even further, there was a long and intensive investigation in Edinburgh into a paedophile ring -  information leaked to the press, case knackered. 

From a media point of view, they have to sell papers, and not everyone is interested in the results of "bonnie baby" competitions,  it is bad news, crimes, etc which attract interest.

I suppose that, sadly, tonight's news about the death / murder of the six children in England will generate massive publicity in view of the background of the father - all sorts of speculation now,  and no doubt the gutter press will be on site waving cheque books.

Fresh milk on tap

Come in No. 55 - or mother cow !! - complete with a week old calf - I had tried to get some photos of a calf born just a few hours previously, but with the wrong camera and baby wanting to recover from the shock of a rainy day it was not possible - so I will need to try again later.

Makes a change to commune with nature,  having been into town this morning - what a "bloody mess", one way systems, closed off roads, and holes in the ground everywhere -  apart from the obvious costs of the tramworks in wages, machinery and materials - the hidden costs must be at least equal if not more than the principle costs ,  I was only in the town because I was forced to be there, and I am sure there are hundreds of others who are giving it a wide berth-  Knock on effect, once you lose a customer it is so much harder to get them back.

Dalkeith Corn Exchange and St Nicholas Church.

Couple of days ago I had a wander along Dalkeith High Street for a wee change,  and being able to take my time I had a look at the Old Corn Exchange which has now been lying empty for the past thirty odd years, which is a bit of a shame as it was once a beautiful building and very well used.   the crest above the front door is beautifully carved with lots of detail.

A bit further along the street is the Old St Nicholas Church on a site where churches have stood since the early 1300's.

The oldest grave stone of the site dates back to 1722 (the big grave above), and around the walls there are some of the old style skeletal carvings.   Next time I will try and get into the church where there are apparantly a lot of the older artefacts on display.

Fyona's little story.

Public holidays are a bit of a pain, there are so many now that some areas take them, other's do not and we end up never knowing what to expect in the pub.
The Charity weekend ended well,   there were nine cars still in the car park this morning so there were several who played safew and walked home after the evening session with the bands.

Today we had a couple of big tables in for lunch, both groups being regulars - so in the course of conversation one of the "young ladies" said that she would write me a story  - so here it is - as she wrote it, and for a seven year old she did very well.

"Today at the Dolphin inn I et beans and chips and sausages and I loved it but I did not eat pudding cause I was writing this story that you are reading. I loved the plac it was very tidy and it was quit aswell not a lot of people there. And just before I went I ran to the swing park I went on the climing frame I steared the stearing wheele i went on the other climing frame.

by fyona age seven.