Good Friday

Couple of pics added of Edinburgh Castle and the fountain in the West Gardens - along wit a colourfull view of the mini tattoo session.

Sort of mixed up day, crashed out last night and had a great kip, till about 4.30 a.m, then eventually up and away about 6.45 to The Mercat. Geoff was a bit upset as his missus Wendy had been very ill overnight.

Peace and quiet with the Tramworks being on holiday, but the blokes have been practicing for their time off the past weeks !!!- our own bit of the street is now six weeks late so far, with one casualty so far, being The Tramworks Cafe who has shut down with his taking down by 60%.

My arrogant, supercilious friends at NCP have written asking for proof that we have a parking permit - what is wrong with their own records - surely they must know who they issue these permits to, they have all the details printed on them. On top of this they have put the charges up right across the board. From way back things are not improving, now all the floodlights in the car park are out of action. Yesterday , on the radio a commentator suggested that Government ask NCO to sort out the NHS as they have a reputation for efficiency and ruthlessness.

One of my readers asked about Bluey the Budgie last week, so here is a reminder of our little pal who was probably murdered by our neighbours cat.

RGB and Jo Jo are off to OZ in May, and will be staying with Robbie and Caitlin for a few days while they are over there - so here is a wee reminder of the duo, but it seems that Robbie is a bit bigger now !!!!

Pub was fairly busy with plenty of visitors, some coming back after being here last year, staying in The Hilton , but eating here. I even met a lady from Seaham Harbour, Durham, where I worked in 1964. Memories of that were twofold, had to wade into the sea and help pull out a corpse, with the fingers and bits of limbs coming off in the process. I also attempted to cash one of the old original Scottish £5 notes( sent to me by my parents) at the local bank, these were A4 size and only printed on one side, this caused a great fuss - bank phoned the Police Station to see if I was really working there, but still did not cash it. I was staying with the Charlton family at Murton Colliery, as I had had a bit of a fall out with my Uncle who stayed at Chester Le Street, and I still have regular contact with Jean, one of the two daughters.

Got home, and popped down to see yet another of our friends (Cathy, who we went to Sri lanka with) who has just received their bus pass, she was delighted with the bouquet of flowers, and pleased to hear of the positive developments here at home.

Sparky Mark @ Dr Disaster, now out on the town , on the loose for the weekend, so watch out for any unaccounted for calamaties in the City

Tempted providence and opened a 2001 bottle of Sauvignon de Saint -Bris , by J. Moreau & Fils, turned out to be good. So it might be another good nights snooze, but up early again , off to work, but hopefully I will make it to the Edinburgh Masonic Club in the afternoon for a meeting of the Squaremen.