I am kicking off again along with the Six Nations, and so far so good

Twenty one minutes into the start of the new tournament and Scotland, despite being hammered in the scrum, are currently fourteen points ahead. Two tries and two conversions, so keep out the scrums and play the ball.   Spoke too soon, Ireland just scored a try so looks like we are in for a good game.

So , no blog since December,  primarily because I lost all interest following some criticism and obviously no one is particularly interested when all I am doing is commenting about the weather, etc.   so where will I start today.
Maybe with the weather,  quite a nice day,   but with everything happening at the moment, not going to manage a run on the Steed of Steel,  maybe tomorrow.     If I do it will just be to get the Steed to a pick up point as there is a wee problem with the rear brake needing fixed, and also time to change rear tyre,  not to worry, Andy Mimms from Border Bikes is on the case and all will be remedied quickly.

Heart of Midlothian FC  just won a game of football again today, which must be a big relief for their fans, hoping that the new manager was not struggling in his new post.    

New stand at Tynecastle now underway, and as my friend Mr Black told me the other day, he was quite excited to see the "truss" being lifted into place,  which I suppose for Heart's fans is as big an event as the final section of the "Queensferry Crossing" (the third Forth Bridge) being slotted into place yesterday. Probably need a couple of planks needed to fill in the gap, if there is one.
Surprised our Nicola (first minister and brunt of a brilliant Tracy Ullman show last night) was not there for a selfie !!!,  But then she is far too busy acting  as a mentor, and probably writing her column for the Daily Record to get on with running the Country.  She will be sitting in Bute House, spitting nails and sticking pins in an effigy of Theresa May following the latest revelations on Brexit.

Half time,  21  -  8  for Scotland.   Well done to Stuart Hogg for now being the all time highest score trier for Scotland.

Maybe cynical but are BSKYB at it

I find it either strange or coincidental that only a couple of weeks after I refused the warranty contract for my Sky box, it starts to play up big time.   The same seems to apply to numerous other modern electrical appliances fitted with fancy electronics and computer chips, etc,   QUestion are they programmmed to self destruct after warranty expires.
Had a day out in Livingston  designer outlet today, I actually enjoy going over there and being able to wander around the shops all under one roof and indoors.   Made the mistake of going into Waterstones the book shop and spotted a couple of new books by Lee Child and Stuart McBride, must have I thought (While still waiting on Peter Ritchie's new book to be released).
Bumped into one of my Royal Arch Companions however he is heading for Prestonpans tonight while I am off to Dundas with Sparky Mark.
First x mas cards arrived yesterday,  Bob Stewart beat his own record by one day, well done Bob.

Run in the country while it was mild (ish).

Relatively mild today so once the morning chores were completed saddled up the "Steed of Steel" and headed off, A702 to Biggar, then turned off at Coulter Mill into Coulter Village and headed across country through the hills to Broughton, South then East through the valley past Stobo Castle and Stobo Kirk to the A 62, then towards Peebles before heading back into the hills and through the Meldrums to Eddlstone before heading north back to Penicuik and home.  Downside was having to wash the Steed which was mega mucky with all the mud and rubbish on the back roads. 

Out last night at the Musselburgh / Tranent PUBWATCH  meeting, an excellent scheme which involves a number of local publicans banding together to form an alliance and if an individual commits an offence and is barred from one pub , he/ she will be banned from all the member pubs. Even Police Scotland treat it seriously and have a presence at all the meetings. 

Still having my usual gripe about lights on cars, pedal cycles, etc, and now Edinburgh have rolled out their next phase of the 20 MPH scheme,   so now we will be passed my even more speeding pedal cyclists. 

Edinburgh planning on building another 60,000 homes,  looks like the centre of the town will be a no go area unless you travel in my train. 

Several options on the cards for the weekend, just need to wait and see. 

Next week, planned walkabout on Tuesday lunchtime for members of the SE & ELTA ( pub crawl !!!), but they are progressing with plans for the trip to Spain in April next year.  

TV meal tonight, a chip roll, and "special fish" tea,

Managing to get my rolls to fit in.

Before I comment on tonight's TV,  must say that I went to Penicuik library on Thursday night to listen to Peter Ritchie give a short talk on his writings to the writers and readers club.  Having known Peter for many years it was fascinating to hear "his own story" and how he came to write his Grace Den Herder crime thriller trilogy (four) books, and with a fifth very near publication. Lots of his background in various Police operational units in the UK, and Europe have given him a wealth of experience to draw from.  His treat for the night was a couple of bags of hand made chocolates from Mrs B.

Tonight, I have to admit that I am actually enjoying Strictly Come Dancing,   it is a shame that the dancers with no previous experience are being overshadowed by those who have lots.  But, will not be bothered with the phony hype and idiotic comments from the X Factor,  no wonder their rating are dropping.  Will either give Michael McIntyre a look or just resort back to my paper back book.

On a roll now, two in a row so far and the night is still young.

Took myself off to The RA at Loanhead last night, sadly it was not the warmest of night, still below freezing, and not much warmer in the Hall. So with a poor attendance we just had a quick meeting and then a bit harmony.   Several of the lads are also members of the "Widows Sons"  the Scottish Masonic motor cycle club, and they have a charity run out on the 3rd December on behalf of the Masonic Homes.
Today, with a dramatic change of temperature,  yes, no frozen assets to worry about, I saddled up the Steed of Steel and headed into Edinburgh.  Just as well that I used the bike as the traffic was pretty bad so I was able to diddle in and around the poor souls stuck in their motors.  
I am not sure whose supporters they were, but at Roseburn I watched as several Police officers on foot backed up by three cars were escorting a crowd of supporters towards Tynecastle Stadium.  The youths had their faces covered with scarfs, balaclavas, etc, and had a drummer who they were chanting along to.  Very sad that there were hundred of other supporters making their way to the game, causing no problems, yet this group presented as the stereotypical football hooligan. A shame for the other sixteen thousand supporters who enjoyed the game which Hearts won.

Heading homewards I called into the Morrison's store at the Hunter's Tryst looking for one of their so called Black Friday bargains,  what a load of rubbish -  (Black Friday deals I mean), made my choice and headed for the Express Checkout,  bad mistake - worse than ScotRail, took ages while the assistant blethered to her pals and then the man in front of me just simply dithered.  Lady before me would have burst a blood vessel  had she needed to wait any longer.  She was "kind" enough to give me several examples of how customer service has deteriorated over the years, all in the name of progress,  and how correct she was.

In need of a good feed, model maybe but not a roll in sight !!

one to think about perhaps,    yesterday Mrs B and I ended up at the Waldorf Caledonian Hotel, Edinburgh, for afternoon tea, plus bubbly in the Peacock lounge.   It was actually very nice,  but once again, lots of people coming and going heading for the toilets, so it is fine if you are nebby like me but if you want real peace and quiet, then I would suggest Prestonfield House.    Anyway, there were lots of "lovlies" wandering about, turned out that there was a charity find raiser taking place in another suite on behalf of Breast Cancer Research and Help for Heroes, hosted by Lorraine Kelly and David Soul,  the ladies were in their finery  and several were obviously models, tall, slim and looking like a good feed would do them no harm.  Wee bit about it in tonight's Evening News and it appeared to go well.

GIrl on the TV said that she wrote a blog - she has been doing a lot better than me recently.

Not sure why my scribbles have been curtailed, just a frame of mind thing for some time.
Usually my chance to have a bit of a gripe, and having said that currently watching the One Show where there is an item about the amount of equipment belonging to the NHS which is loaned by hospitals and never ever returned, i.e.  Crutches, zimmers, even wheel chairs.  I was in a charity shop in Galashiels recently where they had a number of items which could have been returned with one simple phone call.
Yet another serious accident in the Howgate area tonight, five fatal accidents in the last five weeks and might even be another today.
Still moaning about lights etc,  time these motorway overhead boards were prompting the use of lights and checking of the same.
Had another visit to the ERI yesterday, thankfully a good report, apart from my current cough which is dashed annoying.    Even managed to pop in and see Alan Sinclair before he was discharged home following treatment for a fractured leg, and he does need his zimmer just now.
Tomorrow night, all being well will be at Penicuik Library, where, as part of their book week they have invited Peter Ritchie in to talk to the readers and writers club.
managed to get to the Grand Superintendent.s dinner on Saturday night , where there was a really good attendance, and even better was the presentation of a cheque from the Province to the Iris Murdoch Centre at Stirling University where they train staff who gout out into the community to work with clients who have dementia, great work.