Saturday - a bit different

Little did I know how this day was going to turn out.

Up sharp and did a few wee jobs before I got ready to pick up Sparky Mark, then off to Musselburgh where we popped into the Sportsman' s Bar to a lovely warm welcome from Joanne, followed a short time later by mine hostess, Kristen ( who were obvioulsy happy to pose).

Kristen has had to bury yet another hamster !! I am not sure what she does with them, but claims to have spent two hours trying to give it the kiss of life , or in her case the kiss of death. She then had the cheek to go back to the pet shop and complain that it was not working properly so she got another one - wait and see what happens next. Colin reckons that if anything happen gto him she will pop him into the sulo bin just like that poor bloke in Stirling who was murdered a few weeks ago.

The Stand is now boarded up, something which should have happened a long time ago.

Off to the Masonic hall where we had a meeting of the Roman Brig Conclave of the OSM, reasonable turn out and not a bad degree.

We left sharp and nipped back into the Sportsman's where many of the regulars were present , great to see them again, Jess, Brian ( and Glen the dog), Davy the Bookie, Dour Davie ; Peas, Old Ian, Rob, the exorcists, and others. I did not realise how much I had missed them.

Rob (Lordy Lordy) is just back from Greece, where he was badly injured by a couple of "thugs" who beat him up and fractured his shoulder. He had surgery in Greece before being flown home and then had a follow up operation on Thursday in Edinburgh to pin his shoulder.

Uncle Chick still missing since he was caught with his hand in the sweetie jar, but it seems that there are more regulars now that he and his armpits have left.

Up to Dalkeith masonic hall for a special meeting of Esk 42 Lodge in Council, arranged especially for a group who were over from Jamaica - however, the main party had gone up to Dingwall where another lodge meeting had been sorted for them , which obviously was more attractive with a highland tour thrown in. But we had a good crowd, about 60 and many who had travelled, inculding the Grand Superintendent of Jamaica who did enjoy it. The bonus being that there was a lovely buffet afterwards and I was able to hogg the prawn salad tray.

The other photo is of the original carving for the Dalkeith No 10 lodge dated 1766 and was salvaged and is now on the wall in the lounge bar.

Sparky headed off to the town for a night out with friends to Jongeleurs Comedy Club and I went home via Tesco's to get supplies for the sandwiches at the bowling on Sunday - provided we are not rained off.

Was looking for my bowls so I ended up along at the Penicuik Bowling Club which was good to catch up again never having been there for months.

Tricky Ricky ' Pirate of the Roads came along to see me so we ended up with a couple of drams and for me a good bottle of wine - in essence - a good , but long day.