Come on Andy - Wimbledon treats

Seriously frustrated at the moment watching Andy Murray in action, although he is one set  up against Robredo he keeps making unforced errors - silly boy, but despite this he will win.   Good on Laura Robson for her win.
Commentators are the biggest pain in the backside, so totally negative,  why do they just not commentate on the game and stop speculating -  Castle and Lloyd were the mediocre never never men, so dry up boys and give us peace.

Tram works,  not just content with making a botch up with the last batch of concrete which is now being dug up again  - one hotel in Haymarket was told that the road would be open by the end of May,  now they are saying  "by the end of summer"  -   BUT one of the workmen cut through a mains power supply so the whole of the area was without "leccie"  for two and a half hours over lunch time on Wednesday, so bookings had to be cancelled and premises closed  ( no redress to the culprit).

I note that G.P.s turned down an offer for £500 plus per night to help fill shortages in Lothian hospitals !!!!!    obviously making plenty at home -  unless it is a political agenda to make a point -  our so called masters in the Scottish Office and Health boards are paying the price for previous cuts at the sharp end.

The third Forth Bridge is to be called the Queensferry Crossing, that's nice,  and Mr Fishy Salmond was seen posing with a nice new sign,   however, we hear that he is not going to the Open Golf at Muirfield, as he apparently objects to the fact that the Club is a gentlemen Only  club,    probably did not want to buy a ticket as he was not invited  -  but he is going up to open a tournament at Castle Stuart -  me, not sure that I would bother who declared the tournament open.

Police Scotland are now in trouble with their new logo,   yet another monumental waste of money - total re branding - why,  and Mr House has announced that his new computer system will now cost £60 million,  just a bit more than the original quote of £12 million -  why is no one surprised any more at botched up public spending -  he will just have to pay off a few more officers, and with morale at an all time low may get plenty volunteers.

The Mercat Grill, is now officially the name of the Whitcraig bar and restaurant,  approved at the meeting of the East Lothian Licensing Board - and also permitted to use the hog roast machine and barbecue - thank you.

Sunshine and Wimbledon, strawberries, cider and what will they call the bridge

Sun is shining, again,  in fact it is a lovely morning - so being unable to sleep I have been pottering in the garage, moving things around to make a bit more room -     should be down at the Mercat Grill,  but having to work till late this evening decided that I need to do some chores here.

Andy Murray and Ms Robson in action today at Wimbledon, hoping to keep the flag flying - no doubt Murray Mountain will be packed with fans,   good luck.  Our strawberries and cream are much cheaper!

Heard it again, and again, and again,  must be the cheapest radio advert ever made -  for Richard F Mackay's furniture sale - which seems to have gone on for the past twenty years,  everything at half price, place shut last night while they swop the price tags around, etc,   same voice on the advert as always - so it must be the same original tape - surprised it is not worn out.

Alex (fishy) Salmond is announcing the name for the new bridge being built across the River Forth today -  Saltire Crossing, Queensferry Bridge, St Mary's  Crossing,  just have to wait and see -  I thought that the "Third Forth Bridge" was fine !!!

Busy again last night at the Grill,  guests from South Africa,  having a real adventure touring Europe,  Germans,  more Australians   ( Brisbane area) (Melbourne the previous evening),  new faces from the local community, and our regulars of course-  soon be needing to book to guarantee a seat.  "T" bone steaks and Sea Bass in great demand along with haggis cigars and Ann's fabulous meringues.  Even selling the  local Thistly Cross cider.

Missing young Grant@photogenix, who is in "Sunny Beach"  tasting the 79p pints, hope he is fit for work when he gets back.
Great anticipation as one of our regulars has ordered a new motorcycle,  all waiting tom see if it is Honda ;  BMW  or even a  Harley Davidson -  camera at the ready.

Had the "steed of steel" out the stable yesterday, and looks good enough today to do the same.

Work takes precedence

Been a busy few days at the Inn, so to speak, no idea where the customers are coming from, however they keep coming and are so nice.  We sold out on steaks and even meringues today -  but not to worry more on the way,

Yesterday, should have been helping out with a Belgium visitor from the IPA, however, due the pressures of work I was unable to help out,  but one of other members stepped in at short notice to help.
Royal Highland show week, and of course the rain had to come on as part of the annual ritual, but worse than that it was both Loanhead GalaDay and the Peebles Beltane Festival - so add the three together and you have more black magic than the summer solstice.

From Loanhead Gala we had young Charlotte and her family in for a wee buffet party at the Grill.

lovely group who enjoyed a nice wee buffet, some wonderful cupcakes, marshmallow lollipops and all sorts of goodies.

 

British Lions and Scotland  teams did their bit to restore some pride in UK rugby,  sorry for our friends in the Land of Oz who were waiting to gloat.  Good job young Scott is in Canada so he will not have to listen to his father's rantings.  

 

Andy Murray did well at Queens Club and now his fans are getting all geared up for Wimbledon, but have been banned from queueing too early to try and get tickets.  Excellent documentary about him on the TV tonight, really genuine young man, down to earth,  totally unlike our footballing and entertainment prima donna's who cannot lace his boots.

 

Perverted Mr John Cronin has been moved from Tranent to an unknown location as the locals were planning a demonstration outside his parents home.

Had another session in the swimming pool,  been out on the "steed of steel"



Sun shine - and sex offenders

Sun must be shining on the righteous - not me but my bedding plants,  they are coming on great guns with the sunshine and some watering -  hose pipe ban in the offing !!!

Been busy at Grill,  once again nice to meet some lovely guests from all over, adding to our increasing numbers of regular customers.     Have added a couple of classic sweets to our desert menu,  but you need to drop in and find out what they are.

Mercat Bar in for a busy day tomorrow, despite the tramworks,  with the 49 Club's June lunch taking place  there - members are in for a treat.

On a more serious note,  John Cronin,  the serial sex offender, has been released from prison in Ireland and returned to his home in McMerry, East lothian  -  experts predict that it will only be a matter of time before he re offends -  just hope they are wrong.

Football,  pleased to see that Jackie McNamara Snr,  is trying to add a sensible dimension to the troubles being had by Heart of Midlothian FC -  in practical terms,  if Hearts fail,  in all probability Hibs could be next.   Time the football authorities got their act together -   it already happened in Germany where the main sponsors withdrew their support -  Teams had to cut wages, and bring on home grown youth players.

Had messages this evening from our recent visitors from the Land of Oz,  Rikkie and Kevin, home in one piece.

Early start in the morning, job to be done with the aid of the steed of steel, so hopefully no change in the weather.

Quaint village and events

Home again, safe and sound after a good flight up from Heathrow by Virgin Red -  once again there was a delay, caused this time by an inbound plane with problems,  but at least the crew kept us informed, and of course we were able to get a wee G & T on the flight.

Not sure what that problem was, however, the incident on the US flight yesterday which was forced to land in Glasgow, a ploy by asylum seekers -  not even locked up -   I am sure that if their case was so clear cut the US authorities would have helped !!!!   However,  here we are again, UK taxpayers footing the bill -  methinks it is time for a radical change in this Country.

Saturday,  we had another run into Woking where William managed to pick a couple of winners,  unlike me - so perhaps I should give the ponies a miss.

Popped in to the tiny village museum in Chobham, very very interesting,  formed by a group of the locals and each week they are being handed small items / treasures - well worth a visit.  The village is very picturesque, and was visited by Queen Victoria who was reviewing thousands of troops on the nearby common.

Home, changed and headed back to Woking where we had dinner before going to the theatre,  dinner in the Azzurro Restaurant, in the Peacock Centre, was excellent, nice steak, glass of wine,  and then things went a bit downhill,  we had good seats in the centre of the stalls to see a play,  Sherlock Holmes best kept Secret,     sorry to say it was just not our scene, and we , along with several other chose to leave at half time -  sorry,  think I should stick to musicals, and of course - looking forward to seeing Susan Boyle in Edinburgh which will make up for that debacle.  Pity,  there was a good cast,  but it was too dark a setting, a bit disjointed, and hard to follow the story.

Sunday, and again we had poor weather so no chance of sunbathing before we headed to Terminal 1 Heathrow and then home to Scottish sunshine.  Well done to Andy Murray for his win at Queens Club,  hopefully a good omen for Wimbledon.       Not such good news with Heart of Midlothian football club who have announced that they are going into administration,   shame for all the loyal supporters who have been buying shares and season tickets.

Nice day today, made it to the Mercat Grill, where the staff were recovering from a very busy day yesterday, going to have to make more seating available soon.

Sunny Surrey

Currently in Chobham, London,  where having left the sun at home it was cool and windy yesterday,  however that was all change today with warm sunshine. 
Came down on the Virgin Atlantic Little Red service yesterday, which was good,  even got a complimentary drink en route.     Met at the airport by the Johnston's of Chopham  and were soon in  lovely Surrey countryside.     Nice to see their new home , despite the fact it is a building site -  but will be nice in due course. 

 A brief wander round the village, whose church,  St Lawrence,  dates back to the 9th Century,  lunch at Pascha Turkish restaurant, nice plate of mussels, boss was excellent so we have some new dressings to try.

This morning had a run out to Woking, excellent shopping mall,  The Peacock Centre, wee wander, and then headed over to Windsor chocca block with bus loads of tourist.  William and I made for William Hill Ltd,  had a bit of a flutter, then headed for home and spent the afternoon basking in the sunshine.

Were thinking of going to Brooklyn Race track tomorrow,  but as there is a big event taking place, and we do not have much time,  will need to wait till next time.  

Clickety Click

Clickety click,  two fat ladies, big day today, and I must thank everyone for their condolences !!!  thanks for the stream of greetings.

Good lady woke me at 6 a.m.,  turned over and went back to sleep -  reminded me of when we first met.   she looked at me, I looked at her and something passed between us  -  " it was a double decker bus"-  we were in the same room , she rolled her eyes at me,  "I picked them up and rolled them back to her" -  she used to be a red head,  "no hair just head" -  the old jokes are the best, and those were three of the late Chick Murray's favourites.

Headed off early down to the Mercat grill with their latest batch of meringues,   home,  jumped on the bus and headed for town -  into the S. O. to see Archie, the big Pole Dancer,  wee glass of vino tinto -  no  it was  "Private Bin",  excellent.

Outside, and the rain had come on -  sort of interesting to see that all the big shops had stocks of brollies near the front doors -  so Mrs. B.  bought her 9th or 10th to add to the collection.

Up to the Scotsman Brasserie for lunch,  bit of a disappointment,  choice was not the world's best, but the food was good (overpriced), atmosphere non existent, staff, when they did talk to us were very nice-  shame,  but I will not be adding it to my list of must become a regular. They had done a great job turning it into a hotel, and it brought back memories going through the front door -  into the main reception area where we used to go to submit our adverts for the papers.  Met three lovely young ladies from Bergen, over to the City for a few days retail therapy.

Along to the Mecat Bar,   once again tramworks are a frigging disgrace,  but what more can I say or do - no one gives a toss.    Had my ears set on fire by a nice Russian lady working in the Turkish Barbers.
Female staff  from the bar were in for a "ladies bonding session", few drinks and a nice meal - hope they enjoyed themselves.

British Lions appear to be doing  OK on their tour in the Land of  Oz -  four out of four so far  -  keep up the good work.
Steed of steel in fine working order,  been out for a run the last couple of nights, so it will take me a bit longer to regain my confidence "and take the stabilisers off"  !!!