Auld claes and porridge - back to normality again.

Home again, what a change getting off a plane from 30 C at Bourgas. That airport is a bit of a dump,  but they have a band new terminal nearly completed to replace the existing one .  Place was a bit of a joke, and as usual the airport snack bars were run by relatives of Dick Turpin.

Had a good flight back home, left bang on time, and arrived a few minutes early, down to earth with a thump - yes, the pilot came out the clouds, going hell for leather, had to hammer on his brakes and he very nearly ran off the end of the runway -  no kidding - he was nearly in Newbridge - it is the furthest I have ever been along the runway at Edinburgh.

Did the tourist thing and took the airport bus into Edinburgh and got off at Haymarket for the Mercat Bar -  WHAT A DISGRACE -  I wonder what strangers think when they see the tram works , appalling -  hardly any progress in the last ten days, guys wandering about with cans of Red Bull, snacks from Greggs, and just making it look as though they are busy -  the "gravey train" for some right enough.

Eventually made it back to the house having collected the car which was waiting for me compliments of Jo Jo,      Rain never stopped and so much for worrying about my plants dying from the heat and lack of water,  poor things were rotton with the rain and the flower beds need some serious weeding. 
This morning, up as bright as a button at 5.30,  body clock two hours ahead of home time, so plenty done before heading off to the Mercat Grill.

Poor show tonight

Had an indifferent day today,  weather was seriously hot which obviously did not suit me.   Took myself fr a walk and I  discovered that yesterday I had walked for miles and on my about turn point, another 40 mins walk, that I had actually only been less than ten minutes from the hotel.

Had been waiting all week for an excuse to dine in the hotel and tonight was the night, seafood buffet -  big disappointment,  best bit of the meal was sausage  !!!   Considering where we are and the quality of the seafood on offer in the nearby bars, restaurants,  a real let down.   Tried to make our feelings known but the Restaurant manager had very little English.

We then had to leave and get food elsewhere,  but the consolation was to go back to the small Cake shop nearby where we have had wonderful coffee and cake each evening,  The shop  MAPKPNT, nearby is owned by a lady Markrit, who has really looked after us.

Her 18 yr old son was with her tonight so we had a good blether.

 

Not sure if we are right or not,   but I thought we saw Carlie from Zest passing,  so we presumed that it was his boat anchored in the harbour !!!!!

makes a difference from Balloch and Loch Lomond !!

Heard from RGB  this morning,  massive blackout affecting Musselburgh, Tranent and Prestonpans on Thursday,   so much for decommissioning Cockenzie Power Station.

  If the Greens get their way w will be back in the dark ages before long.

SS Riviera in for the day.

Another hot day at the Inn, so to speak.

Woke up this morning to find the SS Riviera anchored in the bay opposite the hotel, where she stayed till 6 p.m. when she sailed off into the Black Sea.

During the course of the day the tenders kept up a constant back and forth bring in and returning passengers, many who boarded coaches for tours around the area, whilst many others obviously stayed in the locality to explore on foot.

From our rooftop perch we have  amazing views of the bay, harbour etc, and there is always plenty of activity.

There was a Navy ship in the bay all day just watching the cruise ship and it followed her out as it left -  not really sure what the pirate situation is in the Black Sea, but perhaps drugs and illegal immigrants are a bigger problem.

We had a paraglider outside the hotel, taking advantage of the windier conditions this afternoon, he was rwally good and floated around the hotel for well over half an hour.

  At tea time the local hydrofoil left the harbour  and its passengers had a close up of the SS Riviera as it headed off to Bougas, passing the  daily booze cruise on its way back into harbour. 

Terribly hot old chap - need a hat and all that

Had a long day in the sun,  very hot at about 33 C so I eventually ended up in a rather chilly swimming  pool.  Once the heart started beating again it was nice and refreshing. 

Off to the hairdressers for a quick blow and brush straighten,  not me, then off for a wander and dinner.  Persuaded to eat in a beach view restaurant, pork chop was nice, but once again not quite what I am used to at home.

Back for coffee and cake (Mrs B.) then up to the Sky Bar for a drink   100ml  measures of Bombay Saphire plus tonic -  may sleep tonight.
Sky Bar, well named as there is minimal lighting so that you can study the stars which were coming out, fascinating -  reminded me of Egypt and also the centre down in Dumfries and Galloway where folks go to avoid light pollution.
Spotted someone have a bash at the two cocktails and ten shots offer !!    Not me though,  not tonight anyway 

Now is this sensible drinking?

Had planned on having a session in the bar tonight with an invite to the bar for a three hour session, dink as much as you can , etc.

However, after a long day in the sun, a walkabout and a nice meal in one of the better restaurants,  enough was enough and it was bed time.

Mrs B  has had sea bass two nights and being honest, nothing we have had has been anything as good as the food at The Mercat Grill.

As for sensible drinking, Lord knows what the pubs / bars are like in the main resort, this is a good hotel and they have the following promotion on display.

 

Looks we have it al wrong at home, so much for sensible drinking.

 

A O L who what !!!

Sitting in the sun trying to retrieve E mails and AOL have decided to go on strike -  for the money I pay for the service I should have someone from the company holding the computer for me.   Not amused.

Kind of hot today, bit too hot for me so I have been exploring the nearby streets, watching the comings and goings in the Marina, with a tall ship and also the Hydrofoil  jet boat ferries coming in and out.

Coming to terms with the peace and quiet, or is it the G& T

Now completing our 2nd day away and coming to terms with the hotel, etc.  Actually quite nice as we took a quick sojourn into the main resort which is nearby, on the wee mini train.  I nearly had kittens, it was Benidorm, Blackpool, Arenal, San Antonia, , etc all rolled into one -  6.7 km of sweltering concrete, 24 hr shops, bars, with some lovely hotels in between.   We had a brief walk which convinced me that I had actually chosen the better  hotel for us,  "far from the maddening crowds"  so  Mrs.B is content, quiet hotel, prices are Ok, enough shops nearby, and I even made it into the sea as the pool was far too cold,.
Couple of views,  one from our balcony,  other looking up at the hotel.

Updates to follow ,   so far the Ruskies and Germans  have been no bother, and we found a wee coffee shop with lovely pasties

Black marks for Edinburgh Airport

Had a bit of a bad time at Edinburgh Airport this morning.  Dropped off at 0740 for a 1000 flight.  Joined a long queue at the check in  and waited, and waited.   Queue was then split and we were moved to gate 13  where we waited and waited - seems that the new computer system in the airport had failed to download the passenger details for our flight, and they were being inputted manually at the check in , and from the looks of things in our queue by someone who was certainly not Speedy   There were people who arrived 30 mins after us in and out, and from being half way down the queue we ended up with the last dozen to be  checked in, after 95 minutes.  End result, no seats together, a mad rush to get through security and last on board.
Not happy with holding up  queue 13,  a number of our fellow travellers arrived to discover that their luggage was elsewhere in the World.     NOT AMUSED 

Motor cycles at the Mercat Grill.

Here is an adapted photo of Tom's bike at the Mercat Grill last week,  this is the bike he used to ride round the world on three years ago.

Today we had hog roast pig at the Grill,  excellent - especially the crackling.
Well done Tom Michelson for winning the Open Golf today, a good result,  I wonder if anyone had a bet on him to win both the Scottish and the Open,  would have been a great bet.

Elizabeth ( Betty) Just, R I P.

Some sad news this morning when I was told that my former next door neighbour,  Betty Just had passed away quietly during the night.  I had known Betty and her late husband Otto  since around 1969 when I briefly lived in lodgings in the same block of flats as they did in Loanhead.  It was pure coincidence that we ended up living the house next door to them in 1980.
They were lovely neighbours,  Betty was from Leith and even latterly, while in the Residential home talked about her school days in Leith -  and I also used to visit her during the night shift at Loanhead Hospital where she was a night nurse.
A non swimmer all her life , she took swimming lessons aged 60 yrs, and she and Otto enjoyed their trips to Loanhead  leisure centre

She will be missed by the family, and as we will be away we will miss the funeral, so our thoughts must go to Richard, Monica and Andrew. 

How much more can we cope with ?????? Sunshine and Golf.

Saturday evening,  sun is still shining and we are now experiencing the kind of summers I had as a youngster, weeks of pleasant weather,  bubbling tar on the road -  a Council down south had to bring in grit lorries (snow ploughs) to spread grit onto the soft tar on several roads which were potentially on the verge of self combustion - seems that the black surface absorbs so much more heat that it is much higher than surface temperatures.

Open Golf at Muirfield,  day three with Lee Westwood sitting at three under, and Tiger Woods prowling two shots behind.   Good crowds, no thanks to the BBC who say the course is twenty miles south of Edinburgh,  wrong direction - try East -   drivers are being advised to turn off their Sat navs and follow the road signs.      Local businesses  in the Aberlady, Gullane area  are not benefiting from the expected "bonanza"  as vehicles are being directed away to big off site car parks and no parking is allowed in the villages on the main routs to the course which is reserved for VIP labels.   Even the top stars are coming in by helicopter so they will not be stopping off for a beer en route.

Missed off this picture of Seacliffe Beach the other night, when I wrote about Redcliff Beatch,  sort of Freudian slip,  as it is Redcliff where Rob, Caitlin and wee Jack stay in the Land of Oz,  and which, coincidentally appeared in a recent TV documentary.

Pleased to see Chris Froome managed to eventually win the Tour de France, despite the efforts of the eejit  nanny goats who nearly managed to interfere with the three leaders a few Km's from the final tape.

No doubt Phil the Oz will a bit more subdued with the current state of play in the Ashes at Lords.

Thought I should add this picture to encourage the two young lads who were interested in the motor bikes when we parked up at the Mercat Grill the other night.

 Too nice a day today to be inside, however, I did make it to the  meeting of King David of Ballantradoch , K. T.'s at Dalkeith,  good turn out,  candidate, and an excellent working of the degree.
Next month, 17th,   10.30 a.m.  Temple Kirk, for the annual church meeting, before the meeting at Dalkeith.

Quiet evening,  open the pub, and Open Golf tomorrow and must try and get some odds and ends in a case before Monday.


 

   

Another ride out with the IPA Motorcycle section into the wilds of East Lothian

Start of the Open Golf today at muirfield,  scorching day, and already some of the professionals are complaining about the state of the course,  mostly those who have ended up down the leader board.

Never mind,  perhaps a new name on the Claret Jug on Sunday.
BUT ,  despite the crowds and the Police, Tom  and myself had a run out on the motorbikes,( an event for the I.P.A. No 1 Region Motorcycle section) starting from the Mercat Grill,  along through Aberlady, Gullane, Muirfield, to North Berwich.   From there up to Luffness Castle and Redcliff (corrected  to  Seacliff)  Beach, with its lovely beach and views out over the Bass Rock and the Fair Isle.  Tom took to the water which fairly warm,  a lovely beach and not very well known outside the locality.

Even the local residents were impressed to see the bikes.

 

Onwards to Whitekirk (known for the stories about the coven of White Witches), along the small backroads of East Lothain untill we ran into hombound traffic from the Open Golf, so we had to make for Haddington, and then along the A1 and back to the Mercat Grill.

 

Nice light supper and a drink before heading for home, however, we ground to a halt along with many more in a massive traffic jam on the City By Pass stretching from Sherrifhall eastwards to the A1 at Granada, due to roadworks associated with the new waverly railway line -  just exactly NOT what the folks returning from the golf wanted.  I was lucky enough to spot it early and detour -   so I will not be going that way in the morning.

 

 

A Bottle a day might drive the Tramworks away

So the tram works saga continues,  I was in at the Mercat Bar last night doing a wee bit of DIY,  and although the large storage container had been moved from the front of teh Bar it had been replaced by two JCB tractor units and two cars belonging to the workies.   We pay £393 for a block ticket for the NCP car park round the corner, and these blokes are parking on our doorstep free of charge,   talk about "rubbing it in"  - no wonder the traders are sick to the teeth  of them.
I has been reported that the workmen are about to reassemble the Heart of Midlothian War memorial at Haymarket  junction,    if they are as good at that as the rest of the tramworks, it will be built upside down !!!

Anyway,  young RGB has just used his initiative and has a new IPA beer for sale in the Mercat Bar, produced by the  Alchemy Brewery, West Lothian and named Cairnpapple, specially labelled to commemorate the opening of the £1,000,000 tramline!!!!!!!!!!!

If there are any further delays, he may well sell One millions bottles before it runs through West Maitland Street -  probably enough bottles laid end to end to run the trams along.

What else happened today (Saturday)

So,  who gets the occasional day off -  me !!!   and what did I do,   watered the wee flowers who were so pleased,   then took myself for a swim.  Later took the bus to town and went  to the Cafe Rouge for tea !!!  meal was Ok but not that great that I would go back there again -  however, thanks to Sparky for the treat.    Crossed  over to the Standing order,   no great Pole Dancer,   fgass of wine and a blether to a young German lad en route to Newcastle.

Up towards the Festival Theatre and had a drink at the Captains Bar,  good, with live folk singers in situ.

Up to the theatre (already reported on) great seats as a gift for my birthday and enjoyed the show.

BUT - we had three ladies sitting in front of us ( who would not have fitted into standard airline seats !!!)  and who kept phoning friends and letting them hear parts of the show.  Totally ignorant , and certainly not amused at being told to turn off their phone.

After the show we managed to catch a 62 Bus for home,  complete with drunken eejit singing in back seat, and even worse, Scottish version of  Essex girl who somehow believed, that even in this hot spell, that the bus driver still had his heater on !!!!!

What a day -  but what a great day

Susan Boyle, SuBo - Mega Star - Edinburgh Concert 13th July

What can I say,  Susan Boyle was totally wonderful, a brilliant evening at the Festival Theatre, Edinburgh.

A full house of totally adoring fans,  who, if transmitting good will while hugging a tree would have transformed a sapling into a 100 feet full grown tree.

She was amazing,  no airs and graces,  no Diva antics, just a really nice ordinary girl with a fabulous natural talent.

During the concert she mentioned Simon Cowell as being her saviour,  however, she was her own saviour when she applied for B G T.    Might well be the case that he did help her, to his and his company's own financial gain,     but as time passes she must become more self confident - and remember that apart from the clowns in her own village who treated her like rubbish when she was younger,  the remainder of her fan base only wish her 1000% well.

I believe that fans have been flying in from all over the world to see her,  so Susan,  believe in yourself, because your fans believe in you.

IPA ( International Police Association), No 1 Region (Scotland) Motor Cycle ride out, 10th July 2013.

A night out with a difference,   I have been riding motorcycles since 1965 and that was the last time I had a run out with more than one person.  However, last night I joined ten other members of IPA No 1 Region (Scotland) for a ride out.  Met Tom McInally at Newbridge and we headed up to Aberfoyle where we met two others from the west, (big surprise for my friend Fraser who did not know I was going to be there) and then up and over the Duke's Pass between Aberfoyle and Callander to meet the remainder of the group at The Lade Inn, Kilmacolm.    We should have all met at Aberfoyle, however the others had misread a road closure sign.

Took ourselves into the pub for a bite and cuppa, (very nice tea)  before deciding to head back over the Duke's Pass again,  quite impressive seeing ten touring bikes winding through this complex of hairpin bends, along the side of Loch Vennacher and Loch Askay, back to Aberfoyle where we pulled into the Rob Roy Hotel for a Kodak moment before splitting and heading for home.  There were three bus loads staying at the Hotel and many sitting out in the warm evening air -  must have wondered what was happening.    Not a Hells Angel's Chapter,  worse,  just the IPA group.

Heading for home, where Tom ground to a halt,  faulty fuel gauge said he had half a tank,  wrong  - zero -   so,   I popped into a nearby pub, The Unicorn and ?? where I was able to get a length of hose from their cellar,    Tom had the pleasure of "sooking petrol" from my tank and we were soon heading for Stirling where we both filled up  - as said,  he rode 27000 miles round the World without running out, and this happened -  sods law.

Eventually arrived home at 1115 p.m.,  shaken, and also stirred.

 

Maybe it is an age thing, or a bike thing,  but we eleven (one pillion) had a great run out, caused no fuss, generally stuck to the rules of the road,  however,  that cannot be said for a number of other blokes we saw on sports bikes - a few real nutters -  it is no wonder the area is a hot spot for the Police who are just trying to prevent accidents.    BUT - earlier in the day it was the pedal cyclists in the City who were worse than anyone on the road, -  might as  well tear up the Rule Book, Highway Code, or write it in Gibberish - name of the game being "Anything goes, please yourselves - and ignore everyone else on the roads and pavements". 

 

A pub with a view - not !!!!!!!

Headed for the Mercat Bar yesterday to find that it is certainly a pub with a unique view - thanks to the ******* tram works and their intelligent leaders.

Note the strategically placed container, used by the workies for a fly smoke and storing their tea cups -  even worse and rubbing salt into the wounds,   the traders all pay to park at rates of up to £12 per day, whilst the workies park free of charge within their private domain !!!  Whilst traders struggle, there are a few nice motors paid for by ratepayers.

Andy Murray - King of the court, Duke of Dunblane.

Well done, Andy Murray, Champion of Wimbledon after a superb match which he won in an edge of the seat three setter.   At long last he has proved the doubting Thomas's wrong, all those negative comments we have heard over the past years.
Physically there are very few sportsmen who can match his fitness, he puts the prima donna footballers to shame -  so add his win to the win by the British lions we have a great excuse for a feel good factor.
I will be very interested to see what the TV viewing figures are for the game,  certainly cost us a lot customers who obviously stayed at home to watch the match and celebrate the victory,  hopefully they will be back to see us soon.

Hash Harriers and a Harley Davidson

10 p.m..not long in,  but in time to see Andy Murry make it through to the Wimbledon finals,  despite the best efforts of his opponent who attempted to disrupt his concentration by having the game suspended while the roof was being closed.

Last night we had the Hash Harriers  out at the Grill to meet up for their run, and on return have a meal and a few beers.   Brought in a keg from Steve Stewart's brewery at Loanhead, and some specially produced bottles from the Alchemy Brewery, Livingston.    They had a good run around the Carberry and Whitecraig area,and many are staying in Musselburgh for a couple of days with runs to raise funds for one of their charities. Red dress run tonight !!!  so hopefully none of them get stopped late on -  and another in the morning.

Once again we had several new customers in the grill for meals,  even one of my former colleagues who I had not seen for about seven years, what a nice surprise.

 

Our man (John) with the new motorcycle arrived to see me on his Harley Davidson, nice and gleaming,  made mine look a bit dated beside it.

Better get the polish out and give mine a wee shine up,  even considering heading out with the No.1 IPA Region motor cycle section on Wednesday evening.

 

British Lions are playing their final test in Oz tomorrow morning,  they had better win otherwise certain folks will not be letting us live this down for a while. 

 

HLI of Canada visit Edinburgh.

Been a very busy boy,  the Mercat Grill , Whitecraig, has become the regular evening dining stop for members of the Highland Light Infantry from Cambridge/ Kitchener, Waterloo County, Canada.   The HLI is one of the biggest TA Reserve Regiments in Canada, and made up of all trades and ex servicemen.   The band are here in Edinburgh for four days taking part in many of the parades for Armed Forces celebrations,  and we were fortunate enough to have them drop by for a meal and a drink.  
The Pipe Major turned out to be be a serving Police Officer from Waterloo County, and also a member of the IPA,  so missing the No 1  Regional committee meeting tonight was not all that bad as I did manage to pop in an apology.

Tom McInally and his cohorts from No 1 Region now back after  their trip to the Black Forest region of Germany,    not allowing grass to grow under his feet, next ride out for the Region will be on 10th July, making for Callander.

Andy Murray still doing well at Wimbledon, next game tomorrow, while Laura Robson has ground to a halt.

John, out motorcycling client  has taken delivery of a new Harley Davidson,   but I am still waiting for the chance to see it.

British Grand prix, punctures galore,   me I have a problem with the wee Smart Car,  flexi pipe on the exhaust has burst,   so because it needs a genuine  Mercedes spare part, it will only cost £519 to repair !!!!!   You must be joking -  yet another example of a bargain not being a bargain,  but as the mechanic said, the cars were not designed for UK roads -  too many potholes  -  already had a burst spring after hitting a pothole - should have claimed Edinburgh Council,   but of course they have no money as they are pouring it down the great tramworks drain.
Contractors are really taking the mickey now - poor cement, wrong rails - economic disaster for the area - and as the man on the TV just said,(coincidentally)  nobody gives a s**t.  Councillors, MP's and MSP's.

Busy few days ahead.