MIght be the wrong choice of words, but "what a send off", he would have enjoyed being there.

Sadly I am talking about the funeral service for Grant Inverarrity who passed away so suddenly.   What a lovely service by a celebrant, packed crematorium with probably one hundred and eighty plus fronds present. many kind words spoken and many fond memories of Grant.   I was not surprised by the large number who returned with Yvonne and the family to the Laird and Dog, a great sign of respect for Grant who would have had a ball if he had been there , so many folks to blether to, I am sure he would have still been there chatting. A tragic sudden loss, a friend who will be missed so much by so many.

Must congratulate to team at the Mercat Grill, well done to Claire, RGB , and all for their award last night.

Still not sure what the award category was as RGB still in bed !!!   but he, Claire and Brenda went through to the Crowne Plaza Hotel last night for the award dinner, not too hopeful however, they have come home with an award for the Restaurant.   So it  goes to prove that you cannot guarantee success overnight, has taken a while and lots of hard work to achieve it. Quite appropriate in view of all the Gold Medals being awarded in Rio.

Been a hectic time, being a couch potato and watching as much of the coverage of the games as possible,  even managed to have a TV and two computers on different channels on Sunday.  I think that all the athletes competing at this level deserve medals, well done to them all, and an extra pat on the back for the many medal holders.

Back on the road again with both the Steed of Steel and the Time machine, although still not up to long runs.

Here , there and everywhere, however, unexpected sad news .

Having had visitors for the past two weeks which kept us on our toes , active and out and about,  but sadly we received news on Monday that our good friend Grant Inverarrity, from Lasswade, had passed away having collapsed with a stroke from which he never regained consciousness -  Grant , my friend, sadly missed by all - RIP.   Funeral service will take place at 11 am  on Friday 19th at Warriston Crematorium.

Gentleman,s dinner Sunday 18th September, Roslin.,

One for the diary,being organised by the Edinburgh and South East of Scotland Licensed Trade Association, at the Original Hotal, Roslin,  £22.50 a head unless you can work up a table of ten for £200.   Guest speaker, entertainer,  and dress code is Hawian shirt.   Hopefully there will be a bit of sponsorship from the licensed trade so a couple of drinkie are guaranteed.
Bear in mind that the Hotel,is on a bus route !!!  NO excuses for either getting there or home.

NIvea sun tan crime and Wellington boots, a fine Scottish summer

There I was yesterday, sweltering in our one day of. summer, so much so that I managed to find an out of date tub of sun tan crime, just in case !!  Anyway, so dashed hot I had to take cover eventually, and wait for it to cool down before watering the pot plants.  never mind, all short lived, this morning so dark that we had lights on at 9 am and even the PIR on the garage door was coming on.  Wee
 bit thunder and lightning, bit of flooding so wellies on (Nearly).  So, that was summer,  just getting fed up listening to the weather forecast for sunny South of England, think it is time that they were banned as they just make folks depressed. ME  especially.

Battered and bruised, Cruella strikes again, but for my own good.

Been a while since I had a Massage from the wonderful Cruella,  doing her best to fix my back and neck.  NOw that my ribs have recovered from my tumble down the stairs, I can cope with a decent massage
had a couple of nights away last week, not far, made it to the Barony Castle at Eddlest, and thoroughly enjoyed the wee break. NOw back home, pottering in the house and garden, however still wondering where summer has gone. CErtainly time the weather reporters stopped filling our head with the sunshine stories of down South.

It paid me to shop around and not be lazy this time.

Nearly had a fit when my car insurance renewal arrived, however unlike the past two years I did not allow it to roll on automatically.  Checked with a broker who could save me about 30%, and they said to contact the Insurance company which I did and the agent immediately agreed that price was far too high and reduced it by a similar 30% !!!   Why then was the original renewal so high?    Anyway I then contacted another company who ended up giving me identical cover for 50% less that my renewal.

Not quite as bad but I queried my Broadband and phone bill and was able to get it reduced by 10%.

Was shopping in Tesco's and recieved the usual receipt at the check out telling me how much I had saved compared to Asda , Sainsburys and Morrisons,  BUT not with Lidl or Aldi.   A kilo bag of Caster sugar was £1.48 in Tesco and £1 in Lidl,

Slightly different tale,   went to church on Sunday, Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh, where the congregation was joined by HRH the Queen and Prince Philip along with members of the Royal Household from Hollyrood Palace.  So nice to see them both relaxed and comfortable.  The minister gave an excellent sermon around the current anniversary of the WW1 battle of the Somme.
Mrs B, excelled herself by accidentally photobombing a piece of video of HRH as she was heading for her car,  popped up on Mailonline website.

Only downside of the day was when we went to the Sailbury Arms for Sunday lunch, must have been a bad day for the staff and chefs, so much so that I am not likely to be back, sorry.