Things still do not get much better

Monday night and the weekend has just flown by - not particularly eventful apart from Scotland losing again, so wooden spoons all round once again. BUT I have to say that they look a lot more aggressive and competitive than in previous games. Their efforts might just be enough to get a few more spectators into Murrayfield on Saturday.
For the football fans, Brechin City did well against St Johnston, bit of a controversial goal but no damage done as the teams will benefit from the extra cash.

We have been up and down to the Dolphin Inn most days, Garry the chef makes me a superb toasted cheese piece (on a heel) to go with mid morning cuppa which keeps me in the office, quiet and out the way. Mercat Bar still running at full steam, hard work for all the staff but they are brilliant - keep up the good work.

Tam the man has made it back from sunny Bangalore and is no doubt revelling in the current prevailing arctic conditions. However, we must spare a thought for the ongoing unfolding tragedy in Japan, so far 451 shocks since the start of the event, the last being less than an hour ago. The scenes on the TV screens are worse than shocking, entire towns and all residents wiped out with the death toll rising every day, the threat of nuclear reactors going into melt down and the various scenarios of radioactive dust getting into the jet stream heading for the USA .

I have managed to do some of my own work thus keeping the grey matter active, and will hopefully make it to the 49 Club Lunch this week.

Japanese earthquake of 8.9 magnitude

I do not think that many people will have missed the dramatic pictures being beamed all over the World from Japan where the biggest ever recorded earthquake has caused untold damage and death.

The main shock, a massive 8.9 took place off shore at 5.46 GMT on the 11 th and the tsunami which subsequently formed drove a fifteen metre wall of water to hit the mainland. What is interesting is that there were a considerable number of earthquakes in the same area starting with a 7.2 shock at 2.45 am GMT on the 9 th, fifty hours beforehand. By the time I finish writing this blog there will have been over one hundred and forty seven associated shocks in the area all over 4.5, with many more of a lesser degree.

This part of the Pacific Basin is on the so called "Ring of Fire" where the various plates all meet and scrape over one and another - and there have been many other shocks around the rim from Hawaii, the Solomon Islands, Philippines, etc during the same period - however it should be noted that this is a regular occurrence which has been taking place for hundreds of years.

We can only hope that the death toll is not as high as might be expected from the pictures and scenes we have seen.

If you are interested you can get further information by looking for "most recent earthquakes" on Google.

MEC John Wright, RAC Esk 42 - Rest In Peace

It came as a terrible shock when I was told this morning that MEC John Wright of Esk 42 had died suddenly at home yesterday (8th) afternoon.

I knew that John was preparing to go into hospital this morning for an operation which would have put him out of circulation for a few months and he had been busy during the past weeks making sure that all his various duties were covered.

These two photos of John, (2 nd from the right wearing the Chaplain's sash) were taken in 2009 when we attended a special meeting at Melrose Abbey, where the Supreme 1st Principal, John Alexander Fraser was present along with other members of Supreme and Provincial Grand Chapter.
Most Excellent Companion John Wright was the past First Principal of Esk R.A.C. No. 42; Past W.C.N. of Esk L & C No. 42 and T.I.M. of Hermitage of Braids C.C.


John was still working for the Scottish Executive based at Ocean Terminal and was in the process of reducing his working week prior to retiring. He had a brilliant, but droll sense of humour and would go out his way to turn presentations into very special and memorable occasions, ie. He produced a spoof degree in the order of the Baa Baa's for Bert Waite; he forged an excellent link between Esk 42 and a French Chapter, members of which are in Dalkeith this evening, and his annual "Balls" were a sell out.
He has featured in many of my previous entries in this blog over the past two years.

To his wife Pat and his two sons I, along with countless Brethern and Companions extend our deepest condolences.

UPDATE - I have now heard that the funeral of John will take place at Mortonhall Crematorium, Howdenhall, Edinburgh, at 12 md on Wednesday 16th March 2011. Family flowers only and a collection for Masonic Charities)

Snow again followed by the usual gridlock

White stuff falling from the sky at 5.30 a.m., bloody snow, not a lot here in Penicuik, however enough to turn to black ice and cause the usual chaos. According to the radio we must have it easy as other parts of the Central belt and Borders are much worse off. Mrs B. left for work but returned as the car was doing its impression of Vanilla Ice on "Dancing on Ice" and took the sensible option on the bus - annoyingly, the forecast is even worse with gales and more snow on the way. Might well be an excuse for the Scottish rugby team to stay at home rather than head south to Twickenham for this weekends match against England, where we are led to believe they have plans on winning for a change.

I believe they are thinking of putting strips of velcro on the ball and wearing gloves with the sameso that they will not drop the ball, only problem is that they will either have to take the gloves off to make a pass or just keep running until they score.

Monday evening I did return to The Dolphin Inn to watch the darts team in their league match against Wallyford Miners Club, however, after a very promising start they eventually lost 7 -5 which I think rules out a nail biting final in a couple of weeks. Good bunch of lads in the Inn who took their darts very seriously, on the soft drinks untill the match finished, enjoyed their mid match buffet, good night had by all ( apart from the losers).

Bit of excitement on the way home when my Ford Escort, which was sounding like a "souped up" sports car blew off its smoke box and tail pipe on the way home - Mrs. B. who was fortunately following me saw the trail of sparks, etc, and was on hand to give me a lift as it was necessary to park up the car for the night. But it was rescued yesterday and will get me from A to B in the meantime until such time as it goes to the "great scrapyard in the sky", its ultimate and imminent destination.

Missed out on the RA meeting at Forresters, Tranent, last night where 500 Laird O'Cockpen had a deputation to support Alex Moonie, Provincial Grand Superintendent, who was being given Honorary membership - well done and well deserved.

Heading of soon to see the nurse in the Treatment Room at the surgery as the home visits to change my dressings have been transferred there, means that I have to get up, shake a leg and get some excercise.

Once again we have roadworks with temporary traffic lights on the main road through Penicuik causing lots of grief, however it is because they have decided to dig up and resurface the pavments !! My neighbours have had the phone lines red hot and given the local Midlothian councillors a real ear bashing as the pavements were in a far better state of repair than the adjacent potholed road surface. Once again the local authority money wasting machine run by the uncomprehensible strikes again.

Edinburgh Airport will receive new snow clearing equipment later this year, might not need it if the Spanish Air Traffic controllers go on strike for the 22 days they are thinking of !! Looks like a David Urquhart coach tour of the Highlands might well be on the cards this year.

A few minutes of catch up

Hard to believe it is now Monday again , how time flies, etc. Returned to the Western General Hospital again on Friday, however this time I was allowed to go home again after seeing the Dr., who was pleased with my progress, although not too amused that there was still a hole big enough to use as dipping dish (for sauce for the chips, etc) in my abdomen. Nothing a tub of polyfilla will not cure.

Managed an early morning visit to The Mercat Bar, which was nice, seeing more of the staff again after my nine weeks enforcedc absence, although one of the regular customers, having forgotton why I was away thought I was on an extended holiday !!!!. But Lawrence, reader of the blog knew where I was and what was happening.

The Dolphin Inn continues to take up a bit of our time as the new changes are implemented, but so far there has been more positive than negative feedback from the customers - but as they say " Rome was not built in a day", however I believe they also said that God "created the Earth in six days" - difference is we are still waiting for a day off!!! Still a lot to do, but I have lots of praise for our young chef, Gary, who has been brilliant and worked tirelessly all week - now he has fallen foul of his mother because he has been neglecting his lizards !!

But I do have the next "49 Club" dinner to look forward to, next Thursday, 17th at the Carlton Highland Hotel, Edinburgh, nice menu by the looks of things and some fine wines to wash down the chips.

Still waiting to see if Tam ( No 1 Soj. RA) has made it safely back from India, I spotted a bit of his video on Facebook last week as he was commuting to the office in Bangalore, winding his way past "tut tuts", cattle, bicycles and hundreds of pedestrians - brought back a few memories. On the other hand I caught up with Mr Photogenix who has become a serious jet setter and high mileage driver in his new job. So far he has not increased his tally of lost phones despite several high chimneys in the past week - I did think his 3D TV was "dead barry", but with all his travelling, when will he get to see it ?

All being well I will be considering trying to make a few meetings soon, Special at 720 Dalhousie Bonnyrigg on 15th, Esk 42 RA on 9th March, but I did miss the Squaremen on Sat past - But Sparky Mark put in an appearance and showed the flag for the Penicuik contingent.

Time has caught uo with me - must dash.

Duvet day - maybe

Thursday morning, 11 a.m. and I feel like going back to bed again - case of one step forward, two steps back, although in this instance feels like the flu rather than something associated to the operation.

Quietish couple of days, managed to get out for a wee drive yesterday, lovely afternoon so I had a slow run out to Carlops then meandered my way across the moors from the A702 till I met up with the A701 at Lamancha. It is quite nice to puddle along and take in the sights, lots of little things out there, and looking at the old lime kilns, mine workings, railway tracks and well constructed water culverts, there must have been a lot more activity out there around the turn of the century and up till the 60's.

Made a big mistake in watching the so called football match between Celtic and Rangers last night, what a disgrace, certainly not the kind of advertisement we want to see broadcast around the world - might help if they could play football and act like gentlemen instead of animals - no brains, overpaid. It is unfortunate that we do not know what was said between Neil Lennon and Ally McOist, but I am sure that a lip reader will know what Lennon said, but from the TV pictures Lennon appeared to be out of order. No doubt there was a knock on effect outside the stadium after the game.

Should have watched Masterchef as originally planned, however when I get rid of BSKYB's overpriced packages I will not have so much to choose from!! Might just sit and read and listen to music for a change.

On the positive side RGB and his team are getting themselves organised down at The Dolphin Inn, Whitecraig, new menu is in place, and the haddock are being cooked in real "Beck's beer " batter, which is a 100% better than the premixed stuff previously used. Just need a few more customers through the door and then get the word spread around that the food is good again.

The Dolphin Inn, Whitecraig - a new project

Been a strange last few days, made it to The Mercat for lunch on Saturday which was my first day out for ages, nice to see everyone again, even had duck for lunch breaking with my traditional steak.

Thanks to those, like Eddie, Lawrence and Ian who have been asking after me every time they are in - will catch up in due course.

Home in time to see the England v France rugby match which was quite good.

Sunday, a lazy day in front of the TV watching sport, between rugby and football, however the Scottish team did not fail us - yet another loss, but I did think at one point that given another ten minutes they might well have managed a try. However - kicking penalties against a team who are running in tries is no use.

I was really pleased to see Birmingham City pick up the Carling Cup. a great match to watch and the after match celebrations were a delight, the team were so genuinely happy with their win. Well done Alex Mcleish and the boys.

Monday, RGB has another project in hand, namely The Dolphin Inn at Whitecraig, so we had a run down to see how the place was looking, meet the staff and customers, and I even managed to pull a couple of pints and talk to the darts team before they headed out for their league match in Musselburgh.