Dukla v Hearts/ Hibs legends

Made it to Newtongrange to the Victoria Park where there was a good crowd to see the Hibs / Hearts select team play against Dukla Pumpherston.

The money raised for the day is in aid of CCLASP.

The Dukla team is a mixture of radio, TV and football personalities.

I have eventually come to - dram in hand

Now, is this progress, or is this progress - a few years on, total disruption for the City, losses of £k's of business and costs to the City of £600 + million and where are we - digging up a three quarter mile stretch of tram lines in Princes Street again where nothing other than buses, taxi's and bicycles have traversed the route.

Unfortunately, this was the highlight of my day, totally wasted, 6 a.m. in The Mercat bar, for the rugby, Wales chuffed Ireland, a good game, but England never really looked like beating France - so Wales v France looks good.

Scotland even managed a win this evening - well done, their match against Spain should be fun.

Biggest disappointment being that I was unable to get out of town to attend Andrew Johnston's funeral at Bonnyrigg - but my thoughts were with him.

Been a long, long day and after this mornings abysmal turnout we are not getting out of bed in the morning - long lie for me - and then I might try and make the charity football match at "Nitten" in the afternoon - but then again !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

No Sleep for the Wicked - once again

Where has my summer gone, 5 a.m. here and pot black outside, not even squirrillious fluffytailus is daft enough to be up at this time of day.

Apart from not sleeping, the oldest "bouncer" (not baby), is going be to in action in West Maitland Street at 6.30 a.m., as RGB is opening up The Mercat Bar with a special licence for the World Cup rugby - and believe or not, same tomorrow morning, at 8 a.m., when all God fearing folks are still in bed - rugby's fanatical support will be out and about (along with me of course).

Today's birthday girl is young Amy Maynard, Happy Birthday young lady.

The penny has just dropped (no idea how I now have italics) - was watching East Enders last night and no sign of David Essex in role, but he is up here performing today at the Edinburgh Playhouse - not quite my cup of tea, but I am sure it will be good.

Hopefully I will get finished in time to get out to Bonnyrigg for Andrew Johnston's funeral at 10 a.m. this morning, if I do not make it - R.I.P. Andrew.

Technophobia - a modern illness, or just a sign of the times

Life used to be so simple - when your slate was full you wiped off the chalk, or when the pen ran out you filled up the inkwell, or filled up the pen, or even just sharpened the pencil when it got blunt. Now we have Computers !!! and you either need to be a child or have a degree to work them, Letter writing was simple and straightforward, put words on paper, put paper in envelope, stamp (which used to be cheap) on envelope, and pop same in post box. Now we have internet, broadband, ethernet, etc., and when it goes wrong - call out an engineer - or in my case fling the lot in the bin.

Do not get me wrong, it was not a bad day, just awful (technically)- but in the great picture of things, just minor irritation, trivia in fact -when you compare my problems with those of Allison, Claire, Mrs Johnston, and many others, every hour of every day.

It rained, we had hail stones, the wind blew, God was shaking the trees, was he angry ?? not sure - perhaps it was the tail of the hurricane we had been promised - an ill divided world, some have rain, others flooding, some have sunshine, others famine and dust bowls - whoever invented this planet did not want our life to be unexciting - we thrive on challenges so they say!!

Total change of tack before I head to my comfy wee bed, do I feel guilt thinking of those who will sleep under the stars tonight - perhaps, but if we did we might find life unbearable so we just return to our own mental cocoon. No - I have to comment on last night's cultural offering on the TV, my alter ego - Rab C. Nesbitt, citizen of Govan, City of Glasgow, beloved and endearing husband of Mary Doll. What a laugh, nice to see him nearly back to his old self again. If you missed it, sorry - my treat, and I cannot wait for next weeks offering.

A few notes to Grahame Fraser Allan - after the funeral

Well Grahame, not sure what you made of today - pretty impressive all round I thought. Your family friends and colleagues did you proud - Lauder nearly ground to a halt and for any passing villains it was heart attack time - there must have been more police in Lauder between those on duty and those off duty than there were working throughout the rest of the Lothian and Borders Police area. For me it was great to see them all in their best dress uniforms, real Policemen, rather than the combat style gear. From the Chief Constable, to the traffic wardens they did you proud, and if I am correct in thinking that Colin Shillitoe was you boss it was nice to see him again, sorting things out - he bought my Honda m/cycle from me years ago when he was in the Traffic Department at Dalkeith. The same bike in fact that you used to go sit on in my garage.

The Church Service was first class and considering that the Minister had only been in Lauder a few weeks he handled the proceedings well. Nice little church and I ended up nearest to God high in the balcony. Your friends did well with two personal tributes at the side of the coffin, a lot of personal information about - I did not realise that you were so keen on your garden, tatties and all.

From the Church there were many who headed up to the Crematorium at Mortonhall, to join up with many more for a short service before the internment. Lots more Police faces there, more from Penicuik, including the lads from your old team in Penicuik Rugby Club - which was good for me as I used to be their bagman at the matches, wet sponge, cold spray etc.,

I was surprised how many took the trouble to go to the "Wake" at the Tusitala - an immense turnout and tribute to you, where I am sure that Allison, your Mum, Claire, Tom , Brenda and family were able to mingle with people who genuinely cared about you, and relax a bit after a few very stressful days.

I was thinking about the day we took you and RGB on his 16th for dinner and you both ordered Port and Stilton soup, simply get get that wee glass of port !! The day I tried to make you eat veggie burgers and Mrs B had to rescue you. The couple of weeks after you were transferred out to Dalkeith and while on your own regularly popped in for tea and as many biscuits as you could manage !! But I did not realise you had even ridden your bike up to Ullapool and had two fish suppers, back to back as the two chippies on the front by the harbour were so good!! Big Chris thought you were on your way up there to see him last week the day of your accident as you had responded to his "facebook photo" while he was away.

You used to bring Olivia up to see us at the house, now she is a bit concerned as to who will cut the grass and look after the garden, but she is making sure that your rules about stones on the lawn are being stuck to. I am not sure if she managed to write that wee letter to you last week for you to read in quiet times.

RGB made it back from Portugal in time to meet up with everyone at the Crematorium and then to the "wake, he did spot on the display of photographs that you had acquired his No 7 rugby jersey, but don't worry about it - he has plenty more.

So Grahame, that's a few words from me about today, be assured that your many friends and colleagues will do their best to help support Allison , the children and the family in the difficult times ahead.

Say "hi" to your Dad, we miss him as well.

Mr. B

Even more sad news - Andrew Johnston - RA 500

I was unfortunately a bit late in getting home last night so this is the first opportunity I have had to report on the death of Andrew Johnston , well respected member of the Laird o'Cockpen RA Chapter No. 500, and a member of Lodge 26 Selkirk. He was our Master of Ceremonies, prompter, an exceptional ritualist and was always there to keep me right - good lad.

Andrew passed away in is sleep during the early hours of yesterday morning, having lost a long struggle against cancer. His last hours were spent at home, his wish, being cared for by his family who were assisted by the McMillan nurses.

His funeral service will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday 8th October 2011, in Bonnyrigg Parish Church, followed by an internment at Cockpen Cemetery - afterwards, family and friends will meed in the Masonic Hall, High Street, Bonnyrigg.

Challenge 25 - more red tape

Life just gets worse in the pub trade, the new Licensing Scotland Act came into force on 1st October so now we have to ask for proof of age / identity of anyone who appears to be under 25, and they must carry ID. Next party piece is that the Licensing Officers will be sending customers in who look Under 25 and if they are not Challenged then the bar staff are likely to be charged by the Police.

Smoking takes another hit as we have to be registered to sell tobacco, or even have cigarette machines on the premises.

My new Pubwatch, now incorporating the Tranent and Musselburgh, was put to test today, one of my customers is on the list with a five year ban, so he was non too pleased to be caught out and then put out.

Pleased to see the article in today's Scottish Daily Express about a possible debate on the UK's membership of the EU - a bunch of interfering politicians who make Robin Hood and his Merry men look like angels. AND - apart from trying to straighten bananas, cucumbers, bring in EU Regs to replicate existing identical UK Regs - latest is to do away with Greenwich Man Time and bring in the atomic clock - what utter piffle. LET US OUT / GET US OUT.

Better news for Heart of Midlothian fans after they managed to score two goals against a very lacklustre Celtic yesterday - what did I say last week - big wages do not guarantee good players - look for a heart.

SHOP EARLY FOR CHRISTMAS - not presents, but basic essentials and shop around, as TESCO failed yet another shopping test. Next, if the weather forecasters are correct, snow boots, shovels, snow tyres for the car, and I see BEAR have bought an ice breaker from Scandinavia to keep the M8 motorway in the event of repeat conditions like last year.

With Subo ( Susan Boyle) selling her new album at great speed, the BBC have got it correct by having her sing on the new Strictly Come Dancing show - which is getting better ratings than the X-Factor (now 2nd rate entertainment).