Sunshine , Bangs and songs

Currently a film called "Sunshine over Leith" in the cinemas which is proving very popular,  not seen it myself, but everyone is singing the songs. 
Anyway,  have added some photos from my visit to Leith Docks during the week,  when, coincidentally, the sun was shining.

I always find something to interest me there -  at the other end of the harbour is a virtual mountain with thousands of tons of scrap metal waiting to be shipped out the country, no doubt to India or China,   no wonder the metal thieves are so prevalent.  I heard a story that they were waiting under the cross country pylons while the men were repairing wires above them, and threats were such that the engineers were told to stay above ground till the thieving twats had left.
Lead stolen from windows at George Heriot's School, sculptures, Grannies's tea pot -  nothing is sacred -

Another busy day at the Mercat Grill,  once again many nice customers, repeats and newbies,  so we are certainly doing something right, good food, good staff, pleasant surroundings,  only time will tell.

Next Saturday, fireworks followed by a "yard of Ale",  something to look forward to.

Thomas Beck Hunter VC

Lovely day today, had time off and ended up at Ocean Terminal for a wee walk in the sun.
Found this memorial at the quayside, dedicated Thomas Beck Hunter VC, from Leith, a former employee of Waddies of Leith, who gave his life to save a number of his comrades.

Time to rant, a wee bit.

Not sure if I am allowed a bit of a rant today ? 

What's on my mind ?     Well on Saturday  four offices from Police Scotland were doing their bit to foster public relations by operating a speed trap in the 30 MPH bit of the road past Beeslack School,  now this is Saturday afternoon, fairly quiet, wide road which used to be a 40 mph stretch - so I presume they were out "cash generating".  Different state of affairs when you make a phone call on a Friday or Saturday night !!
Yesterday morning I heard one of the radio DJ's having a go at the lunatic fringe of the pedal cycle fraternity,  no lights, dark clothes, jumping lights, etc, and riding on footpaths.   last night I went into the City, frightening to see how stupid some of these cyclists are -  you pass a couple who are properly lit up, lights , reflective hi viz clothing, etc.  Next minute they come at you out the dark no lights, dark clothing,   had two racing each other and there was no way cars could safely pass.  At traffic lights it was onto the pavement, beat the lights and away -   time the Police had a clampdown on them - along with the one eyed motorists in the dark.

Next -  I see another child has been taken from a gypsy family, this time in Ireland as the authorities believe she may have been abducted, just like the child in Greece, so all these rumours about child stealing over the years are most likely very true -  still hope for wee maddie and little Ben.

The Greens and our PC brigade will not be happy till we are not only on our knees in this country, but also sitting in the dark - they should have been considering nuclear energy long before they built all these wind turbines.

Six kids to different fathers, unemployed, single parent, earning £11k in state benefits, yes, someone has got it right - just a pity she got caught buying stolen property - where else but Britain.  No small wonder folks are "fair skunnered" with the system ,  and to cap it  our MP's want another 11% pay rise.

Grangmouth or no more Grangemouth - looks like a big stand off there and the longer it goes on the greater the chance of the place shutting down.   Owners are one of the biggest companies in the world who own plants in Europe which are ten times the size of Grangemouth and operate a hell of a lot more efficiently and cheaper - another tax payers intervention perhaps, till the next time.

Laurie from the Windy City

Things looking up at the Mercat Grill, we have been fully booked for X-mas Day now for the past three weeks, and that was without any advertising  -  and already having a fair bit of interest in our pre-christmas lunches/ dinners.

BUT  more interesting, a lady appeared for lunch today with her friend,  having read about the Grill in a magazine in Chicago ( The Windy City), USA,.  Her friend, who lives locally was really surprised to discover where she was to have lunch, however the experience was good and she will be back.    Out of interest they both met sever years ago whilst on a cruise  ( on the River Clyde!!!) and have been close friends ever since.

 

Safe journey home Laurie.

Sunday's birthday boys.

Well,  here are today's birthday boys, been regulars at the Mercat Grill since they were born, and now celebrating their 1st birthday in style - Prosecco, steak and ale pies, and trying to chat up the young ladies.

A pair of wee stoattars,  and more than welcome whenever they wish to come and see us.

Happy birthday Kimberly and Neil

Happy Birthday to you, Kimberly, 21 again tomorrow, but only just - hopefully she enjoyed her dinner and the marshmallow brownies tonight, and she has a wonderful day with the family and friends.  Apologies as we had sold out of sticky toffee pudding -  young niece will have to come back again and make sure to let us know beforehand.
Once again  the Grill was busy, with the place full, this time many had booked, however there were plenty of walk in's to take up the vacant tables.

Amongst tonight's visitors was a gent who I first met in 1966 when he worked in the NCB transport Depot  at the Moat Pit, Roslin, with one of my (late) friends, George Lindsay.  This chap,  Alan Conner played junior football with our cousin Charlie Corbett and also Davy Pringle who was in the Grill tonight -  great surprise reunion -  which will hopefully lead to further meetings here over the coming months.

Young Mr Briggs was here today with RGB, watching his former team, Penicuik Rugby Club in action over in the Park.   He enjoyed meeting up with his former team mates -  just a pity he is here for such a short time,  however  the prime reason for his visit is to celebrate his brother  Neil's 40th birthday party tonight at Dalkeith Masonic Club.   Congratulations Neil.

Surprise, surprise,

Been quite a surprising day today,  down at the Grill early to set up for the day;
friends arrived for lunch, and unknown to them and us , their son had just flown in from the USA for a surprise birthday party tomorrow - but even more coincidental he did not realise that parents were sitting in our Conservatory dining room,  so he just could not resist taking their starters out to them :-

What a surprise they had, took a few moments for the penny to drop, just a real treat to see,     Briggsy, long time pal of RGB, who went to the USA to work in a summer camp with special needs children, ended up staying there, getting married and now has a good business -  just popped over for his brother's 40th birthday tomorrow.

 

So,  next on the agenda was a surprise birthday party for Elizabeth, organised by her daughter Jackie some time ago.

We had  twenty eight members of the family in for dinner tonight, lovely group and mother, Liz thoroughly enjoyed herself, congratulations on being such a young looking Great Grandmother.  We look forward to having you back for a a meringue in quieter circumstances -  anyway, hope she had a wonderful birthday.

  

and finally,   one of our customers checked his lottery ticket and although he did not have any winning numbers, he DID have one of the winning Raffle numbers - s he and his mate who bought the ticket shared £20,000 -  well done    , £10,000 richer each and out on the town.