What a day !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

3.20 a.m got fed up with a seriously restless Mrs. B. so got up well before my scheduled alarm call. Thought I could do an early blog , but no sch luck, the router had disconnected during the night and i was not going to reset it and disturb the house doing so.
left at 4.20 a.m and stopped outside the office in Glasgow where I managed to get the Netbook logged on to an insecure Wi Fi, but half way through the signal dropped off - no joy.

On my way into Glasgow on the M8 I had seen an accident on the Eastbound lane - never gave it a thought but when I left the office at 6.30 a.m. made it to the motorway and stopped - stationary - but began to move slowly as we were diverted off the motorway, so it took about 30 mins for the diversion, and then off into the mist and rain.

Weather was awful all the way to Carlisle before it cleared up, and from there it was a steady run to Runcorn arriving there for 10.30 - so it was a mad rush to get the butty ordered.

The ever on the ball Jill had my badge ready, did my tour of the offices, but some of the ladies had already started the easter weekend early and taken an extra day, so it just Lorraine left, and she thought i had gone AWOL as I was later than usual.

Christine and Sue ( Dick Turpin,s sisters) were in fine form , well and truly so, causing havoc in the restaurant - quite a laugh, so much so a couple of spectators arrived and did not want to go back to work. My bacon butty was big and good.

Headed north, there was a lorry on fire on the south side of the Thelmwell viaduct, and another crash on the off ramp at 21 A so we were all slowed down again.

The M6 north was bloody chaotic with the tortoise folks heading off on holiday, caravans, camper vans, trailers, cars stacked high with boats, canoes, bicycles, etc. there were a couple of caravans being towed far too fast and weaving all over the road. With bigger, more powerful cars the drivers seem to think they can just put the foot down - NOT. In between the usual motley crew of white van men were hurtling past, mobile phones to hand, so nothing new there.
This is the worst I have seen it for ages, made Whacky Races look tame.

At Metal Bridge, north of Carlisle, two old steam engines were puffing northwards in tandem towing a couple of carriages - looked great but I could not get a photo while belting along.

Reached Glasgow and Westbound M6 was beginning to back up with an obvious incident somewhere near the Kingston Bridge, but fortunately I was able to get off in time to miss it this time, because a short time later it was a lot worse.

Bit of a carry on yesterday with the Head of the Metropolitan Anti Terrorist Squad getting snapped at Downing Street in possession of confidential papers. The same photographer who took the famous shot of Princess Diana with the sun shining through her dress many years ago. However it seems that with digital enhancement folks could read what was on the paper and it allegedly referred to some raids about to take place. The raids happened sooner than anticipated and twelve Pakistani students were arrested - latest news is that there was supposed to be an attack of some some description in the massive Trafford Park, shopping centre, Manchester , now we have to wait for the official news.
So our Police man ( a former Chief Constable) has resigned from that post to go back to other duties. Lots of Politics involved as well, but you do not see our Politicians doing the honourable thing !!

Back to last night, twenty five members of Provincial R A arrived at Haddington, a superb deputation so I am sure that Alex Moonie and Andy McKeen were very happy. For once I did not not off, but was not far from it. BUT for me, after a long day and with work in the morning and through the weekend it is not realistic to head off out tonight - R & R is needed.

Home and found Mrs. B. with her Irish pal and her hubby in for a gossip, Irish has now got new specs, two pairs, one for reading and the other for distance, so bearing in mind hubby said it, she is now Paddy two specs - any complaints should be referred to the Race Relations Board or the Potato Marketing Board !!!!!
Todays star comment from her was to say that she was pleased she did not have three children called "Fanny" , Dick and Willie, , and have to go shout for thenm in public !!!!

Miss Mckay presently sunning herself Italy has said that her Grumpy old father is digging out his moth ridden suit for a couple of "doos", but biggest concern being that Mother will need to have either medication or a course of meditation before she gets into the traffic at Naples shortly

Time for a rest.