Under Seige

Took a wander, with camera, around the immediate area of The Mercat Bar today - the place is like a war zone, under siege by the tram works, held back by barricades - all to the detriment of our and others businesses.

The massive piece of works at the junction of
Dewar Place is reputed to be one of the biggest and complicated pieces of linkage and refurbishment taken on anywhere in Scotland.

I heard this morning that the Police attended in response to the alarm call to R S McColl's last Friday morning, and while the Police were at the front door the intruders were within, ransacking the offices, and who then left via the rear doors, a fact not discovered till 6 a.m. when the staff arrived !!!!!

Big smiles all round

Now lunch time in The Mercat Bar and things have calmed down considerably, although with two football matches and the rugby on the TV there are a few excitable souls in existence.

Our warm, friendly and cheerful staff are always on hand to keep the customers happy.

From last night , proof of the the saying "there's life in the old dog yet" as John Mcneil, ( with one "L") now a sprightly 82 yrs showed as he danced the night away. (Don't tell Mrs Mcneil). John a former pipe major of some renowned is a stalwart member and supporter of several masonic orders attending meeting every other night,

Valentines Day, the morning after.

Sunday, up with the birds, despite a late night at the ESk 42 valentines Dance last. Super, good company, lovely buffet and a great band Once up on the floor that was me wound up till we had to get our taxi home.

Obviously things went a wee bit wrong for Scotland who literally threw away their match against wales in the 2nd half, at this level of rugby no one can afford to have men sent off at ant stage and for Scotland to be two men down for the end of the match it was no wonder that Wales won in the final period of play.

And Ireland also suffered a severe mauling from a rampant French team, France 33 - Ireland 10

Arrived, via the bus this morning to find the that lovely Agnieszka was already in The bar and had everything up and running. took the photo of her with JP a couple of weeks ago.

Have lots of pictures from last night to work on later

A friendly pair of faces

Currently sitting watching the Scotland v Wales International from the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff ( brilliant venue). Scotland currently leading 18 -6 and have even scored two tries so far).

However Mrs B. spotted the attached photo in tonight's Edinburgh Evening News as a front on a feature about dating. There was no reference top the couple in the picture , but it is our friends Gaynor and Steven Turner from McIntyre's of Edinburgh. They are a lovely couple who we have known for about twenty years.
Made it to Bonnyrigg this morning to see Grant @ Photogenix who has done his usual wonderful job for me, printing off my memory cards so I can start afresh at tonight's Valentine's Dance at Esk 42.
Managed to win a few brownie points for myself, nice wee bouquet ( and not from a filling station), for Mrs B when she returned from her mornings travels

Haymarket again - chancers and incompetents

Feet up in front of the TV and feeling a bit cranky and in need of a good gripe !! So, as i was heading off from the Mercat I took a couple of photos of the "bloody" tram works - and this is before they even lay a bit of track. Yesterday's rockery has been moved about a bit, and I could see from the debris that it was all infill put into the ground by Carillon, and now being dug out again by this new lot. We keep getting notes from TIE to say what is happening, and the big foreman now avoids me like the plague rather than try and explain what is happening.

Headed out to Loanhead on the big red Lothian Bus to uplift the car which has been repaired, only took two days and would apparently be costing the third party Insurance Company a mere £1100 + !!!!! What a rip off, the minute the garage see an Insurance Policy number being quoted the prices go through the roof, Albeit the repair is first class the car would not even start when I got into it - needed a power pack to jump start it.

Even found a used wrap below the car in the car park - looked like heroin - not a good sign.

Took the scenic route home and although the photo is not very clear, it looks like a UFO, but is one of two para gliders up in the Pentland Hillls above the Hillend ski slope - it is a great pity that the place is losing money and Midlothian Council are dragging their heels over an external rescue package. BUT with the experience we are having with Local Authorities - this is nothing new. I have been trying to speak to one enforcer in Midlothian for over a year with no luck. AND Our ongoing situation with Edinburgh City Council is now into month fifty six, and despite the fact those involved were incompetent, out of order, and who would in private industry been fired out the doors, some of those responsible in the council are wriggling like Sparky's worms on a rod, delaying left right and centre and probably playing for time in order to get a good redundancy package before they get found out. We have now had ten months of delaying tactics to avoid matters being presented to the elected representatives.

It would drive you to drink - and perhaps make one swear.

Fiona's testimonial

Having written about Axios systems last night , we had a visit by Fiona for lunch and she wrote, as a testimonial.

Many Lunches,

Enjoyed by all,

Red wine flows,

Chat always follows,

Always a smile,

Time and again.

We love the Mercat

Breakfast business meeting - fine way to start the day

very early rise this morning to head out to the BII business Club meeting at the Novhotel, Hermiston Gait. RGB had left papers in the bar so we had a bit of a detour to collect the papers and Jodie from LEME across the road. While waiting we saw a bit of activity at RS McColls, the newsagent which had been broken into for the fourth time in a few months.

Anyway the meeting was very interesting , with over fifty folks present. We all had the chance to promote ourselves, 30 seconds in which to concentrate the mind and give the "hook". the guest member speaker was Sabine Klaus, who had ten minutes to promote her Video company ,( Creation Editor) who also did the promotional video for the Mercat. I snapped her at the Burn's supper hiding behind a pot plant !!

An excellent way to network and as these chapters are continually expanding and new ones being introduced to areas, a good idea.

Back to the Mercat where Sir Christopher, the prodigal son was back , for a few days !!