A second chance at the To Do list

Van Gough. Picasso and Turner,  eat your hearts out -  there I was  6.30 a.m. brush in hand, lovely early morning light, out on my steps and painting my fence - first of today's "to do's", not even deterred by the light drizzle.      Finished that task and had to head into town for a while, even ended up at the Dolphin Inn, then back home where with a new paint brush in hand it was on with the Hammerite this time, treating metal instead of wood.
Enough - long day so feet up with a glass of wine to watch Germany and Portugal playing football, or is it amateur dramatics, certainly plenty of rolling around and diving going on so far. Germany won, but a very average win, even so they have been plodding along and are looking to win the tournament.

Last week there was something on the radio about the English team and their new strips, which apparently are the least breathable of all the strips being worn during this competition -  looks like they might be looking for an excuse already for not winning - "too hot sir" -  however  Boogie and Dingo" on Radio Forth 1 were suggesting that they might just use body paint or tattoo the strip on - big down side of this is that they could not cheat by pulling at the shirts !!!  These days there is far too much cheating going on.

One good thing about the panel of so called pundits who rabbit on before, during and after the game, gives me an excuse for switching on at the last minute,  going for a cuppa at half time and changing over as soon as the final whistle goes.   What a waste of money.

Next week, we have the Olympic torch coming our way, through Dalkeith, Lasswade, Loanhead, Bilston and Penicuik, so hopefully I will be somewhere on the route - so providing I get my run South on Wednesday I will be home for this event,

The outbreak of Legionnaires' Disease centred on the Dalry area of Edinburgh is still claiming victims although the authorities expect he numbers to peak today,   we heard from a lady this morning that her husband had been affected and hospitalised,  a co worker of the man who unfortunately died earlier in the week.  So far, no trace of the source.   Not sure if it is any consolation to me, home because of the outbreak, but I need to go through the waiting process once again.

Neil Sedaka - mystro

Totally uplifting - my spirits raised as I watch and sing along with Neil Sedaka,  apart from the Golden Oldies , he is one of the most prolific song writers of our time.   Speaks volumes when an audience can fill the Albert Hall to listen to man playing a piano and singing.





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A Singer with four wheels - what !!!

Old crocks together,  me and three vintage cars spotted in my travels this afternoon - a Bently, Riley and a Singer, a wee bit of work being done on the carburettors -  although when I saw it a couple of days ago it seemed to be running well.

So, I am back home which is a bit of a shock to the system considering that I was supposed to be in "dock" for a week or so,  however this is another aspect of the Legionnaires Disease outbreak whereby all hospital beds in the City are being utilised for emergency cases.  just have to make the best of it, although the "to do" list has been brought back out and being worked on again. Just have to wait and see what happens and when.

In the meantime, my opinion of Orange's communications has not improved - nor has their service in the town.

Haggis eaters - indeed not

This is like watching paint drying - sitting here in central Edinburgh using a dongle because I cannot get Wi Fi and it is so slow because the Orange signal here is literally non existent.  BUT beggars cannot be choosers so I have to make do for the next few days of internment with what I have.

Today Andy Murray lost out in the French Open,  not been playing so well due to a back injury, however he will try harder for Wimbledon I am sure - bit dashed unsporting of the French to boo him the other day- no class.

Phil the upside down man, (father of upside down Robbie / Scott and Grandad of recently born son of Caitlin - young Jack) hopefully choked on his beer when Scotland scored the winning penalty kick in extra time - so much for "the Wallabies stuffing the Haggis eaters" -  might think twice next time, but maybe not.

Late and sleepless night for me last night and again tonight, with a few painful days ahead, but no more work for a couple of months, sorry.

Really bad case of Legionaire's disease in the Dalry area of Edinburgh, one death and forty plus affected,  it will be interesting to see where the source was and whether or not they had been following procedures - bet somebody's little "botty" is twitching.

Missed my friend Graeme's birthday this week, he is now a lot older than me !!  Good one Grumpy.

Better settle for the night before I get a ticking off.

Boo the dog my newest wee pal.

New visitor to the Dolphin Inn today, accompanied by two adults !!  Boo, the dog, a name which apparently causes heads to turn when the owners are chasing after the dog shouting "Boo" to each other .   Nice little soul, but despite being told she loved posing for the camera, just remember the old adage, don't photograph animals or children.

What a night, Buckingham Palace was really rocking.

At this time of the morning, I amaze myself by achieving results on this computer, after an hours efforts, that a young child would have managed in minutes.  Once again Google and Blogger have changed the format - however, thank goodness I  sussed things out before I go into the hospital. Not sure that pain killers and computers go together.

However, despite what the philistines are saying I enjoyed the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Concert last night, totally amazing, and a remarkable window on the UK, what an advert , where else in the World can you get such a setting and with such supportive crowds.   We, probably like thousands of others applied for tickets in the random draw - just to be amongst that crowd - fantastic.  Very disappointed they never arrived in the post, but we never thought of just going and joining the crowds for the atmosphere and the fireworks, etc.   I am sure that Queen Elizabeth appreciated the efforts of the many acts, well done.
Prince Charles tribute at the end hit the spot, and it was lovely the way the crowd responded by shouting for Prince Philip who was taken to hospital - a speedy recovery -  but he should not have been out in the cold for so long on Sunday.
 Coincidentally,  on the radio news, a few minutes ago, I hear that the Prince's Trust has just received another more funding to help with its work with young people - it is now one of the most successful programmes in the country and a model used by other countries. I will never forget the many years I had on the Committee and the annual projects which I was part off - some remarkable young people, who just needed a bit of genuine support.

Two more shifts at the Dolphin Inn, then a bit of enforced R & R, need to see what I can find to write about !!!.

Jubilee weekend

Saturday was a busy day, headed for the City on the big red bus, and took the photo of the Castle from Libertontraffic lights, just imagine how travellers felt over the years as the approached the City on foot and by stagecoach to see the castle in the distance.

Jumped off in George Street and into the Standing order for the big breakfast, just to keep the wolf from the door, so to speak,  then pottered about before heading for the Mercat Bar for the Scottish themed wine lunch. Brilliant, a really nice crowd who thoroughly enjoyed themselves - excellent meal accompanied by fine wines.

Sunday, Queen's Silver Jubilee celebrations taking place around the Country, with the main event on the River Thames,  however, with the sun shining here and lots to do on the "To Do" list I spent the afternoon and early evening in the garden.