Mother nature, in the shape of a "stiff breeze" is causing havoc at St Andrews today - no mercy for the finely tuned athletes of the golf world.
Thursday was a wonderful day, apart from the rain , with some real high scoring due to the almost still conditions at times, but today is different and many will be heading back to their hotels to pack their suitcases, head home and look for the next competition.
John Daly was looking splendid in his psychedelic trews, matching those of his wife who was there to head to the markers hut on the 18th with him , might be fun if she was to design trews for all the players to wear on the final round - certainly brighten up the place.
Fun and games for the spectators this morning with one of the main routes into St Andrews blocked by a road traffic accident at peak time.
We had a nice family in the Bar today from Illinois, USA and the two gentlemen are heading up for the final two days play, having received tickets as part of their x-mas present. The three ladies were being let loose on the City for the two days !!
The Mercat Bar has certainly been busy these past two days giving me little or no time to myself !! and when I made it home , it was a wee rest and then on with some more wee jobs. BUT - Saturday, I will hopefully see some of the golf at some stage, but it is to be a trip to the big City, pop ion to see the big Pole Dancer at The Standing Order, and later on we plan to have "Afternoon tea" at the Balmoral Hotel, - no, we have not won the lottery - just using up one of our x-mas gifts - so there might even be a report on that event.
Whilst we sit wrapped up in our blankets, listening to the wind whistling through the rafters, young Grant@photogenix and his good lady are toasting themselves in sweltering 101 degrees in Ibiza - I am sure they would be better off here with us, and having said that - Michael from Bookers was looking well tanned after a week of touring Scotland last week and seemed to have found the sun everywhere he went.
Friday, 16 July 2010
Wednesday, 14 July 2010
The night before "The Open, 2010"
It is now time for the British Open to take place again, St Andrews, which might be the purported home of golf, but bear in mind that golf was played on the old links course at Musselburgh ( part of the current race course) before St Andrews 
True to form, considering the weather we have been having here, looks as though this Open Championship is going to be a good test for the players, especially the fair weather ones who are used to manicured greens and roughs.
Seve Ballesteros will not be there as he is recovering from his brain tumor and it was nice to hear that the past champions have agreed to give their prize of £50000 to his cancer charity. You can see that I managed to spot a few of the favourites getting in some practice, doing a bit of posing, etc ready for the big day. John Daly, eat your heart out.
We had a couple from the South coast in the Mercat Bar yesterday (Tuesday) who were up for the tournament and had managed to get a B & B in St Andrews on Monday night over the Internet (lucky). Even FlyBMI are getting into the act with flights into Dundee airport every day timed to suit the golf.
On the other hand, HM Queen Elizabeth managed to get a really nice day for her Garden party at Holyrood Palace, yesterday, so the hundreds of guests would have had a lovely day on the lawns with their strawberry tarts and sandwiches. One of Mrs B.s colleagues was there as a guest but we have not yet heard how she got on.
True to form, considering the weather we have been having here, looks as though this Open Championship is going to be a good test for the players, especially the fair weather ones who are used to manicured greens and roughs.
Seve Ballesteros will not be there as he is recovering from his brain tumor and it was nice to hear that the past champions have agreed to give their prize of £50000 to his cancer charity. You can see that I managed to spot a few of the favourites getting in some practice, doing a bit of posing, etc ready for the big day. John Daly, eat your heart out.
We had a couple from the South coast in the Mercat Bar yesterday (Tuesday) who were up for the tournament and had managed to get a B & B in St Andrews on Monday night over the Internet (lucky). Even FlyBMI are getting into the act with flights into Dundee airport every day timed to suit the golf.
On the other hand, HM Queen Elizabeth managed to get a really nice day for her Garden party at Holyrood Palace, yesterday, so the hundreds of guests would have had a lovely day on the lawns with their strawberry tarts and sandwiches. One of Mrs B.s colleagues was there as a guest but we have not yet heard how she got on.
Back to the rants and raves, I am just getting ever so fed up of all these cold calls on the telephone,fitted kitchens; double glazing, alarm systems ( our National Crime Survey squad have obviously NOT stopped calling). It is supposed to be possible to stop all these callers, especially the ones at meal times - and even worse the automated calls announcing that I have won some form of competition.
Monday, 12 July 2010
Viva Espana - Ole Ole - well done
Great result for Spain last night. Having started off fairly neutral, however as Mrs B drew them in the pub sweep it gave us a bit of an incentive to watch the games and they did play well. I was even happier with the result having read the quote in the Sunday Express by Arjen Robben of Holland who said " No one in our team is too special to get their hands dirty, I,d prefer to win a very ugly game than lose a beautiful one" - so "up you Holland - you reap what you sow".
Now we have a big problem - have hardly slept all night worrying about how Mrs B will spend the £16 she has won , deposit on a car - holiday - the list is endless, just what will she do with it ? Probably look for an 80% discount sticker in the sales and get a real bargain.
I see that the Police - as expected, as going to be castigated following the death of Raoul Moat who eventually shot himself, doubtless there will be a queue of compensation lawyers lining up to represent his brother ( who had not seen him for years) and seeking professional witnesses to say that the Police caused him to pull the trigger involuntarily - just has he had already done on several occasions a week ago when he accidentally shot three people , killing one - WHAT a sad world we live in when apparent psycho's become local hero's.
On a brighter note - it is not raining this morning, "T" in the Park finished and no one drowned in the downpour although there has been a double stabbing last night which kind of mars the event which was attended by 85000 music !!! fans.
The Scottish Open was won by Edoardo Molinari who played exceptionally well to hold off Darren Clarke, they can now have a re run next week at the Open Golf in St Andrews.
Back to sport and CCTV, I see that the South African player, Botha is being investigated following replays on CCTV when he was seen to headbut Jimmy Cowan during the Tri- Nations game on Saturday - I wonder how many football players would suffer if they underwent such scrutiny after the event.
Anyway - had my ramble on - finished, time to prepare for a session with the Dr and find out what will now happen now that I shave stopped taking the tablets which make me unwell - perhaps I should try healthy eating, exercise, honey and red wine again .
Now we have a big problem - have hardly slept all night worrying about how Mrs B will spend the £16 she has won , deposit on a car - holiday - the list is endless, just what will she do with it ? Probably look for an 80% discount sticker in the sales and get a real bargain.
I see that the Police - as expected, as going to be castigated following the death of Raoul Moat who eventually shot himself, doubtless there will be a queue of compensation lawyers lining up to represent his brother ( who had not seen him for years) and seeking professional witnesses to say that the Police caused him to pull the trigger involuntarily - just has he had already done on several occasions a week ago when he accidentally shot three people , killing one - WHAT a sad world we live in when apparent psycho's become local hero's.
On a brighter note - it is not raining this morning, "T" in the Park finished and no one drowned in the downpour although there has been a double stabbing last night which kind of mars the event which was attended by 85000 music !!! fans.
The Scottish Open was won by Edoardo Molinari who played exceptionally well to hold off Darren Clarke, they can now have a re run next week at the Open Golf in St Andrews.
Back to sport and CCTV, I see that the South African player, Botha is being investigated following replays on CCTV when he was seen to headbut Jimmy Cowan during the Tri- Nations game on Saturday - I wonder how many football players would suffer if they underwent such scrutiny after the event.
Anyway - had my ramble on - finished, time to prepare for a session with the Dr and find out what will now happen now that I shave stopped taking the tablets which make me unwell - perhaps I should try healthy eating, exercise, honey and red wine again .
Friday, 9 July 2010
Popped down to Risley, and had thoughts.
How time flies when you are enjoying yourself !! Thursday - spent the whole day in The Mercat where we had many visitors to the City dropping in for food and drinkies, nice to see some of them coming back again even though they were only in the City for a few days.
Off early this morning to Risley ( not Runcorn as is normal) , nice run down the motorways, fairly quiet with the weather reasonable. BUT with the hosepipe ban implemented this morning in the North West , it obviously had to rain - which it did - heading both ways. The newsreader had some weird story about reservoirs and lying water, etc as an excuse - but it has been the driest year since records began.
Down to Risley where I met up with Cath and Alan who I have not seen for about four years, like us all they are a bit older and Alan still supports Everton !! bit sad - however I will need to wait for a couple of weeks before I see the lovely Angela once again.
Someone remind me NEVER to do this run on a Friday afternoon - the M6 was really badly congested heading North through about four sets of roadworks between the Blackpool turn off and Lancaster - looks like everyone was heading to the Lake District, maybe planning to wash their cars in the lakes !!! . Between the additional cars, the tortoise folks, motor homes, and the people taking all their bicycles for a run( on the roofs and boots) I was nearly an hour slower than usual for the trip north to Glasgow. Fortunately I spotted an unmarked Police BMW near Abington Services, but they were going to help a stranded motorcyclist, and it was raining so no problems.
Full house at Glasgow - Fraser and Bob on site, and young Jill had just left , so a cuppa was a welcome treat. on the M6 home wards saw a fine piece of road rage between J 2 and Hermiston Gait - I thought I was bad, but this chappie was bonkers. Weaving in and out, waving fists, and trying to cut off a BMW.
A fair day , but a long one - so a fine piece of Gilmour's steak was needed to revive the system.
No result yet, but Raoul Moat, the Northumbria gunman is in a stand off with the Police - we are so tolerant here - considering the news today about the policeman in Oaklands, USA who accidentally shot his prisoner by drawing his gun instead of his taser !!! Many moons ago we had a man at Dalkeith blow his head off with a shotgun because when he phoned our Boss demanding that he go see him, he sent one of the guys to the door, result - not happy - BANG.
BIG QUESTION - will the nutter "pastor" in Eastenders get away with murdering his wife to try and conceal the other murders he has committed , or will he try and blame her ? Bad enough that he said it is all in the good book - just a matter of individual interpretation.
Perhaps we should ask the German Octopus which has been getting all the World Cup football results correct ?
Off early this morning to Risley ( not Runcorn as is normal) , nice run down the motorways, fairly quiet with the weather reasonable. BUT with the hosepipe ban implemented this morning in the North West , it obviously had to rain - which it did - heading both ways. The newsreader had some weird story about reservoirs and lying water, etc as an excuse - but it has been the driest year since records began.
Down to Risley where I met up with Cath and Alan who I have not seen for about four years, like us all they are a bit older and Alan still supports Everton !! bit sad - however I will need to wait for a couple of weeks before I see the lovely Angela once again.
Someone remind me NEVER to do this run on a Friday afternoon - the M6 was really badly congested heading North through about four sets of roadworks between the Blackpool turn off and Lancaster - looks like everyone was heading to the Lake District, maybe planning to wash their cars in the lakes !!! . Between the additional cars, the tortoise folks, motor homes, and the people taking all their bicycles for a run( on the roofs and boots) I was nearly an hour slower than usual for the trip north to Glasgow. Fortunately I spotted an unmarked Police BMW near Abington Services, but they were going to help a stranded motorcyclist, and it was raining so no problems.
Full house at Glasgow - Fraser and Bob on site, and young Jill had just left , so a cuppa was a welcome treat. on the M6 home wards saw a fine piece of road rage between J 2 and Hermiston Gait - I thought I was bad, but this chappie was bonkers. Weaving in and out, waving fists, and trying to cut off a BMW.
A fair day , but a long one - so a fine piece of Gilmour's steak was needed to revive the system.
No result yet, but Raoul Moat, the Northumbria gunman is in a stand off with the Police - we are so tolerant here - considering the news today about the policeman in Oaklands, USA who accidentally shot his prisoner by drawing his gun instead of his taser !!! Many moons ago we had a man at Dalkeith blow his head off with a shotgun because when he phoned our Boss demanding that he go see him, he sent one of the guys to the door, result - not happy - BANG.
BIG QUESTION - will the nutter "pastor" in Eastenders get away with murdering his wife to try and conceal the other murders he has committed , or will he try and blame her ? Bad enough that he said it is all in the good book - just a matter of individual interpretation.
Perhaps we should ask the German Octopus which has been getting all the World Cup football results correct ?
Wednesday, 7 July 2010
So there are clear skies.
Folks laughed at me talking about the hosepipe ban, but as of Friday the North West of England has the ban implemented as the reservoirs are so low. Here, despite the regular rain and grey skies, I am sure we are heading that way also - but in the future. BUT - worse news, the Bruinladdich Distillery on Islay is down to a fifth of its normal production due to their reservoir being so low - just think, no water to make whiskey and no water to put in it !!
So much for taking the tablets which make me ill - call from the Dr to see how I was doing so it is stop all new medications, and resort back to plan A and hopefully feel a great deal better.
Good entertaining football last night but it should have been a draw at full time and should have gone into extra time if the offside goal had been spotted.
Who says crime does not pay - once again we have examples of this wonderful system letting crooks away with crime - the Ukranians who netted Millions with the scam at Inland Revenue claiming back tax and getting their cheques sent to them - bloody scandal when we have to account for everything- at the same time the corser store shopkeepers who pay for everthying in cash , keep no books and declare nothing - the black economy thrives.
Back to my old gripe about the European Bill of Human Rights, used by lawyers to fund criminals - what about the workers - and the honest folks?
Back in the Mercat Bar today, and off to Risley on Friday for a run and meeting about future work - watch this space.
So much for taking the tablets which make me ill - call from the Dr to see how I was doing so it is stop all new medications, and resort back to plan A and hopefully feel a great deal better.
Good entertaining football last night but it should have been a draw at full time and should have gone into extra time if the offside goal had been spotted.
Who says crime does not pay - once again we have examples of this wonderful system letting crooks away with crime - the Ukranians who netted Millions with the scam at Inland Revenue claiming back tax and getting their cheques sent to them - bloody scandal when we have to account for everything- at the same time the corser store shopkeepers who pay for everthying in cash , keep no books and declare nothing - the black economy thrives.
Back to my old gripe about the European Bill of Human Rights, used by lawyers to fund criminals - what about the workers - and the honest folks?
Back in the Mercat Bar today, and off to Risley on Friday for a run and meeting about future work - watch this space.
Sunday, 4 July 2010
The sun MUST be shining somewhere !!
Sunday morning (Independance Day in the USA), and I am just waiting to see when the hose pipe ban will come into effect !!! NOT - so much for the news flash last week as we drove home in the drizzel and mist - today it is peeing down, blowing a gale so the old toupee is needing an extra squidge of super glue to keep it in place.Big change from yesterday which was pretty good, Mrs B and friend Carol spent the day at Aberlady attending the "humanist" wedding ceremony and reception of the new Mr and Mrs Gareth and Cheryl Jones. The ceremony took place on the "public green" in Aberlady, looking out over the bay and nature reserve, under a modern type tee pee canopy, then the guests either walked through the village to the golf club or took the No 33 double decker "love bus" along to the reception. The golf club was a superb venue for the Reception and when I arrived late on doing my Taxi duties, the guests ( and bride) were still outside dancing on the lawn to the band - a good day had by all and congratulations to the newly weds.
I spent my bit of the day helping out at the Mercat Bar, with a bit of a sojourn along to Fraser's to see the "Fragrant Girls, Gillian and Megan", then watched the tennis - bit one sided win by Miss Williams who is certainly an exceptional athlete. Footie was good with the Spain game causing great excitement with the missed penalty kicks - but Mrs B still has Spain to win in the sweep.
While I was aiding Sir Christopher at the Mercat, young RGB was out at the Old Original Hotel, Roslin, along with three of his staff assisting with the wedding banquet taking place there - the wedding of Mr Harris Jnr - so as many of the hotel staff were guests there was a need for help for the days events. RGB met up with one of my former scouts, Shane Mckenna, who was a guest at the reception, nice to know that the lads are still doing well. Anyway - the Mercat team did their bit to help make the day a successes and memorable for the happy couple.
Young Dee Dee has left us for pastures new, so we wish her well in her new job as a pastry chef in a local deli - looks like I might end up helping in the kitchen - God forbid.
Big Surprise - NOT - following the recent revelations in the USA we are now being told that there might be some "Russian Spies" on the loose in the UK, trying to blend in with the populace !! so get out there and check out the neighbours, Radio Forth , the Boogie and Dingo lads had a feature last week about what to look for !! use your imagination and give MI 5 a call.
Young Dee Dee has left us for pastures new, so we wish her well in her new job as a pastry chef in a local deli - looks like I might end up helping in the kitchen - God forbid.
Big Surprise - NOT - following the recent revelations in the USA we are now being told that there might be some "Russian Spies" on the loose in the UK, trying to blend in with the populace !! so get out there and check out the neighbours, Radio Forth , the Boogie and Dingo lads had a feature last week about what to look for !! use your imagination and give MI 5 a call.
Thursday, 1 July 2010
Blood , sweat and tears
Received a bit of a reprimand today as I had not added anything of interest since Monday night, but as I did not feel there was much to report, and being out of sorts I have had a sort of quiet week. But if they must know - Tuesday being a day off I sampled my latest Calcium tablets supplied by the Doctor, thought I was getting along fine with little or no side effects . Headed to town to see our legal advisers and headed home. Then late afternoon thought that I had been battered from all angles, felt terrible, so had to miss the bowling and eventually headed to bed early - as I have said before , this stuff is supposed to make you better, not kill you off.
In between watched a good game of footie between Spain and Portugal, which Spain eventually won, making Mrs b very happy as she has Spain in a sweep to win the world Cup.
Bad night, but as needs must it was up up and away to open up the Mercat bar , and get my coveted parking space in Roseburn. Place ticked along nicely, but with one member of staff down I remained there late, so by the time I got home and watched the end of the Andy Murray tennis match, I was really not wanting to do anything but get the aching feet up. Andy played well, gave Mr Tonga a bit of leeway early on but finished in style - I would presume that there will be good audiences on Friday, when it will hopefully not clash with the next world cup game.
Up early again this morning and was at the swimming baths by 0715, managed a bit of steam, and a short swim before I went for my appointment with the Plebotomist !!!! ( the nurse who takes your blood) at the local surgery. The young lady was very pleasant and right into the blood letting game - even told me how she used to practice on her parents, boyfriend and girl friends when she was in training !! She just conveniently had a syringe and swaps in her handbag when she went visiting. It was easy for me as I apparently have lovely veins and some nice fruity blood. She was not too chuffed to see that I was wearing a white Polo shirt which had some small traces of red paint on it - she thought I should cover it up in case some of the other patients thought I had been spurting all over the place. Due to the assortment of tablets which I take I cannot be a Blood donor, something which I did regulalry, following in my father's footsteps - who got his wee badges for regular donations.
Took RGB into the Mercat and helped with lunches again, steady, then left and headed home via College, and to see Grant@photogenix, who is swanning off to Ireland in the morning for a weekend of drunken misbehaviour with his pals allegedly for a birthday party.
Sparky Mark has come out of hiding again having carried out a ramming operation on a poor hapless motorist in Edinburgh during our absence, although his version of the story makes you thing that the poor 3rd party was at fault !! We have suggested that Sparky should apply for a vacancy with the Secret Service, not the Russian lot as they try to keep a low profile and not destroy the Nations treasures as Sparky does with obscene regularity
Have received word from the land of Oz, that the Upside down boy and his wonderful partner Caitlin plan to get hitched on 9th April 2011 and make the puppies part of a stable nuclear family - wrong choice of words for a country which is Non nuclear.
I once had a friend Terence Eugene Grant who was a stoker on the original HMS Ark Royal, and he was allowed into Oz with him shovelling furiously, however, the new Ark Royal was not allowed I believe because of its modern propulsion.
Need to do for the evening.
In between watched a good game of footie between Spain and Portugal, which Spain eventually won, making Mrs b very happy as she has Spain in a sweep to win the world Cup.
Bad night, but as needs must it was up up and away to open up the Mercat bar , and get my coveted parking space in Roseburn. Place ticked along nicely, but with one member of staff down I remained there late, so by the time I got home and watched the end of the Andy Murray tennis match, I was really not wanting to do anything but get the aching feet up. Andy played well, gave Mr Tonga a bit of leeway early on but finished in style - I would presume that there will be good audiences on Friday, when it will hopefully not clash with the next world cup game.
Up early again this morning and was at the swimming baths by 0715, managed a bit of steam, and a short swim before I went for my appointment with the Plebotomist !!!! ( the nurse who takes your blood) at the local surgery. The young lady was very pleasant and right into the blood letting game - even told me how she used to practice on her parents, boyfriend and girl friends when she was in training !! She just conveniently had a syringe and swaps in her handbag when she went visiting. It was easy for me as I apparently have lovely veins and some nice fruity blood. She was not too chuffed to see that I was wearing a white Polo shirt which had some small traces of red paint on it - she thought I should cover it up in case some of the other patients thought I had been spurting all over the place. Due to the assortment of tablets which I take I cannot be a Blood donor, something which I did regulalry, following in my father's footsteps - who got his wee badges for regular donations.
Took RGB into the Mercat and helped with lunches again, steady, then left and headed home via College, and to see Grant@photogenix, who is swanning off to Ireland in the morning for a weekend of drunken misbehaviour with his pals allegedly for a birthday party.
Sparky Mark has come out of hiding again having carried out a ramming operation on a poor hapless motorist in Edinburgh during our absence, although his version of the story makes you thing that the poor 3rd party was at fault !! We have suggested that Sparky should apply for a vacancy with the Secret Service, not the Russian lot as they try to keep a low profile and not destroy the Nations treasures as Sparky does with obscene regularity
Have received word from the land of Oz, that the Upside down boy and his wonderful partner Caitlin plan to get hitched on 9th April 2011 and make the puppies part of a stable nuclear family - wrong choice of words for a country which is Non nuclear.
I once had a friend Terence Eugene Grant who was a stoker on the original HMS Ark Royal, and he was allowed into Oz with him shovelling furiously, however, the new Ark Royal was not allowed I believe because of its modern propulsion.
Need to do for the evening.
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