A Day out in Peeblesshire

Something different today, still raining, so we headed off in the car through Peebles and stopped of at Keilzie Gardens where we popped into the Osprey Centre.  The duty Volunteer, a lovely gent spent ages with us telling us about the recent three chicks who have now left the nest along with the parent birds - packed their cases and headed for Africa.   What a marvellous project this has turned into and well worth a visit next year when the birds hopefully return.

Headed off again, and having not been on the road for many years we headed south through the moors to St Mary's Loch - which unfortunately was rather misty.

From there we passed the old AA Box and headed up the side of the Meggat Reservoir,  built in 1968, and which on a daily basis supplies enough water to Edinburgh to make 300 million cups of tea and 100 million baths !!!    Headed over the shoulder and down a very steep hill to join the Talla Reservoir  Road, and eventually to Tweedsmuir and the A701  (Edinburgh -Moffat) Road.

Into Broughton where we stopped for coffee, and with the rain clearing had a wee look at the beautiful garden there - a private garden, laid out each year by the family, and again, well worth a stop when passing.

Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2012 - part 2

The little pony mascot was retiring after the performances, twenty six year old so off to pastures green for a well earned rest.

When we left the tattoo the royal Mile was unbelievable, just totally awash with folks, thousands heading out and thousands queueing to get in for the final performance - the High Street shops and bars, etc must have made a fortune during the festival, unlike the West End, Haymarket and York Place which has been decimated by the tram works - it will be interesting to hear from the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce how many businesses have folded due to the tram works.

Bit of walk, lovely evening to get the bus home,  a very long day and really ready for bed.

Last night of the Edinburgh Military tattoo 2012

On the move - lots going on so finding time to write is hard.   Saturday we had a long day in the town , wonderful Scottish themed wine lunch at The Mercat bar,  but had to behave as we were heading off to the last night of the tattoo on the Castle Esplanade.

Despite the light rain the crowds were in good fettle with just about a total sell out, and as the performance progressed the rains eased off and the sky cleared.  A magnificent setting for an excellent performance.   A few pictures here and another four to follow.

Edinburgh Fringe, nearly over for this year (2012)

During this days wanderings around the town, a few pictures of the acts on the streets.

After five days of technical difficulties

At long last things have clicked back to norm -  no idea why I could not write any news for the past few days, computer would not let me in .

Took myself off to Risley via Glasgow on Monday to do one of my jobs, perhaps I should have stayed at home as i was suffering a bit by the time I got home -  guy in a Nissen TVR did my head in as he was on his mobile and dropping from 80 to 60 mph in the middle lane -  once again - with the hand's free systems available for under £40 who do these folks not use them - perhaps the answer is to crush a few cars when the drivers are caught.

Tuesday and Wednesday ended up doing a bit of the office wallah tasks at the Dolphin Inn, bit frustrating not being as able as I was.

Thursday - tasks at home before heading for the airport to collect the Johnston's of Cobham -  B.A. flight was an hour late and then traffic into Edinburgh was a nightmare.  Mercat  Bar was jam packed, big party on downstairs and full house upstairs,  lots of Hearts supporters, who later suffered a defeat at the hands of Liverpool,  but only thanks to an own goal.

Today,  bus into town, wandered up the High Street, St Giles Cathedral  where there had been a fire in the wee stalls outside in Parliament Square ( Signet Library - see photos), the Whisky Heritage Centre,  into the old reservoir which is now a weaving and tartan centre;  into Hunter Gardens,  down the Playfair Steps and eventually back to base at the Standing Order where Tracy and the Pole dancer were on duty - dad (old Archie) present and in good form.

Home - snooze on the bus - knackered - but tomorrow is another day.

Might even find to have a rant for a change

Especially when I read about all this Foreign Aid we are pumping into India  each year, and they, as a nation could buy and sell us, not counting their disclosed wealth - probably with the monies which float back and forwards through the untaxed black banking market.  Even the Indian Government have said that they do not want our Aid, and the way things are going they will be turning us into a satellite state.   Next daft move is for them to send their own space probe off to Mars - why ?   What a waste of money when they could use Skype for free and give NASA a call to see how the Inquisitor is getting on !!  and download photos off the web.

We have Mr Hazel locked up down south for the alleged murder of his step daughter, took the Police four searches before they found the body wrapped up and hidden in the attick, but then again, not knowing how obstructive the family and friends were, it could have been hard.  BUT based on umpteen similar incidents around the Country over many years, the family are first suspects and the home searches are crucial.   We now hear that the family were known to the Social Services also.   BUT what does gall me is the fact that the accused already has legal aid and has one of the top QC's representing him - how do these folks get this kind of aid ?    We already have Luke Mitchell up here who has run up a legal aid bill of over £660000.00p so far and is not  finished yet -  MUGS - look in the mirror.
This morning I heard of a former soldier,invalided out the Army, living is subsidised rented accommodation, because he cannot get a Council house in Edinburgh, has applied for several houses and two were given to Eatern European immigrants !!  and in London a similar family are housed in a £1.5million home, on top housing benefit of £26000. p.a. - they trashed the house causing £65 k worth of damage -   MUGS -  look in the mirror.

Slightly different theme, we are told that our school authorities are no longer to sell off playing fields as we are to encourage more "competitive" sports.  Meantime my neighbours are practicing night and day on their trampoline,  not sure if I should take the opportunity to practice my trap shooting as they bob up and down over the fence !! - just a thought - and the archery club in the park are helping speed up our future sprint stars.

Just having my ears abused by a young lady on XtraFactor - who, sadly is lacking in the ability to communicate in our mother tongue and murdering what was once a beautiful song - time we had basic English as a prerequisite for entry to the  UK.
Enough for the meantime - need to calm down before I head south in the morning

There are workers and there are workers - but

had trip into town today, and ended up in Shandwick Place again , one of the sites of our illustrious tram works -  curiously I heard a couple of tourists talking who thought it was a great idea having a tram running in from the airport - they obviously have never had to live with this upheaval.   However, I did see one of our workers  (lazy B.), on time and a half or double time, hard at work texting on the phone -  BUT along the road spotted the humble bumble bee (buzy B) hard at work gathering pollen -  and from what I have heard recently there is a severe shortage of honey and knock on effect of beeswax also,  but at least the wee soul was working.