Saturday, Templars and all

38 days to go according to St Swithens, got up this morning and it was still coming down, although by now it is bright and Ok.

Feeling quite bright , left the house smart as two peas, white shirt and tie, but with things to do later it was necessary.

The Mercat Bar was steady all morning, with a multi national list of guests, four Spanish girls who were dancers doing a contemporary show at the Gallery of Modern Art at the Dean; they were very nice and understood what I meant when I said that I had two left feet !!!
We had a nice family of six in, the eldest soon having just graduated at the University yesterday, so he had his suit with him and they laughed at the comment about his Mother having to dress him !! two young ladies in for a pint and their breakfast before going to the rugby, one was a birthday girl and she was on the bell !!
At one stage Marty reckoned that all the upstairs tables were taken by our friends from the USA.

Sir Christopher was on early with me and had just been on the phone to the the Upside down boy, Robbie, giving him some stick about the way the Aussies were doing in the Ashes Test - and to make matters worse did the All Blacks not wellie the Wallabies today - so guess who will get another call soon.

Even passing the door we had a nice bright hen party , emulating the London girls who we photographed in Dublin - had to get the dark glasses on.

My one man army with the tramworks was on today, going great guns, but we still have a big hole outside the door which I guarantee will not be filled for ages.

Great consternation today, Mrs B. went looking for Archie the Pole Dancer at The Standing Order, and he is still on holiday - took himself off with the family, without submitting a leave application to me. However, she ended up at the Cafe Andalucia in George Street, where Miss talk a Lot @ Ailsa - was being kept very busy. Big day on Thursday, South African wine tasting in The Mercat bar at night - Sir Christopher and Lady Tara haver their birthdays.

Left at lunch time to head off to Dalkeith for the meeting of King David of Ballantradoch, Preceptor of the Knights Templars, no 161. Very good attendance with over sixty there because it was a Provincial meeting, but well run by Simon Fairly.
Next meeting is of St Bernard de Clairvaux, held at Newbattle, on 1st August which is a Preceptory of instruction. However, on 15th August we have a very special service at Temple Church at 11 a.m. and then the regular meeting of King David at Dalkeith.

Kind of tired , but Sparky Mark and self popped into Dalhousie 720 for one lager shandy to see Alex and Campbell - bar was busy which was nice with a group of the Saturday afternoon regulars.

The Open Golf at Turnburry is excellent, no runaway leader, but Tom Watson is doing brilliant, oldest player on the course and he has also had a hip replacement !! not bad - but tomorrow will be worth watching.

Anyway, up again sharp in the morning back to the Bar- and of course I have Tuesday to look forward to, yet another RUNCORN run - keeps me out of mischief.

Town quite busy tonight - Simple Minds are playing on the Castle Esplanade tonight, so it had better keep dry.

The question for today - What is the difference between inside out and outside in ?

Had logged off , but the subject of the P. P. P. was raised in conversation !!!! The Pagan Police Personnel, who have now taken the Police authorities to task. Their argument is that if the Police are bending over backwards to accommodate minority groups then they deserve the same rights to celebrate their respective festivals - midsummer, solstice, etc, - so what next - the ladies who only want to go to Debenham's "blue cross" days!!!!