Blaikie's mystery

I still have to try and find out more about this paving stone, built into the pavement in Queens Street outside the Duncanson's the pawn shop.

I know that my Grandfather lived not too far away in Perth Street, his Sister lived nearby in Albany Street, but so far I have not been able to find out where their brother lived in Edinburgh.

So there we were, lying on the pavement with lots of passers by wondering just what we were up to.

Our upside down lad

Sunday p.m. and a great adventure was had on Saturday with the treasure hunt, however that will follow.

Today I had to go collect the car and in doing so found Young "Scottie" from the land of Oz, brother of Robbie, who is on his world tour !! Canada, Germany , and now here in Scotland. However this is a quick stopover of two days as he is off to London to see his compatriots beat England in the final or Fifth Test at the Oval, beginning on Wednesday. Then back up to see us again. On our way home we spotted this unlikely duo helping a "fair maid in distress" , the lady in question , Niamph ( our Irish No 2 teamleader) had found that she had a puncture. I am sure she said she had called the AA for assistance, but got it wrong when Jamie @ Shrek and his pal turned up - perhaps she called the wrong AA !! I heard her telling Jamie that her battery was flat, and he asked "what shape should it be" ?

On our way home it was easier to take Scot up to see the Hillend Ski Slope, rather than look at it from a distance and try and explain what it was like - place was quite busy, and amongst the skiers were several little lads who were in their glory hurtling down the slopes without their ski poles, etc.

Frightening sight

This is one of the comedy acts apearing at The Mercat Bar for the next few weeks, not a pleasant sight !!! and when I find their flyer, I will add the names etc.

Ginny's Hen Doo

Busy day at The Mercat Bar, kept on my toes with lots of visit,ors, highlight of the day was the arrival of Ginny and her Gang for their hen doo, they timed it right to catch one of the afternoon comedy shows.

Her group were , in her words,

Ginnny the "Hen" , Lincolnshire; Preggers "Anna" from Alnwick; Sexy "Suzy" from Suffolk; Rampant Rachael from Lincolnshire; Boozy Suzy - Lincolnshire; Clit Collette; Gingerheart Kelly; Jumping Jenny; Mini Minge Marcella; Medium Minge Marie.

So here we have them sober, at the start of their weekend - may well have the opportunity to see them again as their weekend progresses.

I had to leave our young barman , Liam to their tender mercies!!!!!!!!!!!

Views from the air -

Just adding a few odd pictures and some comments,

On the flight home took a few more photos, however with the small camera and dirty windows on the plane, the photos of the Thames barrage, Ocean Terminal, Leith Docks, Edinburgh, with a view of the Royal Yaught Brittania; and a general view of Edinburgh and Arthur's Seat were not as good as they should have been.

While in London I met two or three interesting people, one chap who Edu and I spoke to was Simon , who is an artist / journalist - his blog "Simonscrawls.Blogspot.Com" is excellent with lots of his futuristic comic strip characters - well worth a good look.

Sat and had breakfast on Tuesday morning with a gent who worked in the British Embassy in Rome, over in London on a weeks course; and no Monday with a man from Damascus, over for a holiday with his family but keen to buy a house as an investment !!!

Runcorn and home in one piece.

Up and down to Runcorn at the toot today, M6 / M74 were relatively quiet so I made good time speed, even the white van men seemed to have disappeared as none passed me !!! But the statutory two black Range Rovers did pass me at speed, although one driven by a female suddenly seemed to be lost and slowed down in the middle of no where and stuck to the inside lane for miles.

I followed a Doctor's motor for a while before it turned off, it was in immaculate condition as you can see from the photo.

Weather was lovely all the way apart from a couple of short stretches of mist or low cloud, I even saw the top of Scarfell for the first time on the run, the top was clear as a bell while the rest of the Lake District peaks were swathed and hidden by cloud.

Girls at Runcorn certainly had to be on their toes as I went through the place like a whirlwind - young Christine now recovering from a bout of Swine Flu, and her pal Sue off dealing with a family bereavement.

Listened to Radio 2 all day and there was a real stir on the phone in programme with the latest carry on in the USA about the President's suggestions that there is a need for some kind of national health service !! Some of the opponents to the scheme are making some totally ludicrous allegations about our NHS, right out of order, a pack of lies, but when you see how much money the CEO's of some of their health trusts/ corporations and Insurance Companies are making and the obscene profits of the companies it is no wonder they are stirring up opposition groups.

Other thing was about a newly appointed Mayor in England who has cut his wage from £72000 to £30000, got rid of the limousine, cut funding for junkets and minority groups, done away with translator services on the grounds that if folks want to come and work here they should be able to speak English, and some who have been here for years have never even tried to learn, while we would need to learn the language of whatever country we might choose to go and live and work. He is causing a real stir but his electorate love him and his ideas - I wonder how long it will take other Councils to follow suit ??

On the starting blocks.

Up with the Larks, although from the looks of things I think they are still in bed - which is where I think I should be. However, washed,dressed and having my cuppa so about ready to "Rock and Roll" - just hope that Fraser or Bob have remembered I am heading their way shortly in Glasgow before going to Runcorn.

Never saw the end of the movie last night, but I wish I had as I was awake every half hour hour checking the clock - I must have been terribly bad when I was a boy !!!

So here's for a safe and uneventful journey.