France Sunday p.m.

Today, up at a reasonable hour, fresh bread and croissants for breakfasr, then we went to the market, the town was jam packed as L,isle Sur la Sorgue is now one of the principal antique centres of Europe , you can buy literally anything. But the Sunday market is incredible, the scents, flavours, colours, etc, are amazing as you wander around fresh fruits, meats, herbs, flowers everything fresh and in abundance; truely the Provence de France.
Ann and I had coffee then wine and cheese on our travels. Then back to the house to meet up with the family, aperitiffes, superb jambon, then a BBQ, wines, ice cream, fruit direct from the trees, truly marvellous;

Tried to sleep by the pool but Lucy was desperate to get me and her father Jean pierre into the water which was ever so chilly , bloody cold in fact, but a good day was had by all.
Out visiting so now perhaps a quieter wander round the town, then Monday off to the hotel in Avignon to await the rest of the hooligans arriving from Edinburgh.

L,Isle sur la Sorgue

Sunday a m. Now coming to after a long day yesterday. The keyboard on this machine is all different so a bit awkward to write quickly.

Mark took us to the airport, but with a wee panic en route as a car had broken down on the by pass and we thought road was blocked.

Jet 2.Com left on time, bit of a crush, seats were hard? breakfast rubbish, but compensated by the short flying time and direct into the tiny airport at Avignon. Plane parked right outside the front door and we soon met Antoine and Francoise, great to see them, and 25 minutes later we were in the house . Quick change, then out for lunch, back for a snooze in the sun and a swim in the pool . A flying visit from Michele Melani, out for an apperatife with Jean Pierre Mahieu, back to the house, dumped the car ad met Michele and carole for dinner . A spectaculr setting at Le Bassion, but by the time we had finished, we were shattered and needed our beds. So today is another day.

William and Sandra are off to Spain for their top up sessions of sun and wine , hope they enjoy themselves.

Ian Nimmo - the legend

Friday - allowed a long lie till 7.30 a.m. - but the sun was shining - hooray, as they say a good drying day.

Pottered and tidied up before heading down to SAC for a job there, then on to Loanhead to see Alan Gay at PSS, Pentland Security Systems, Loanhead - a sort of disturbed Hibs supporter - anyway they are both saving for their daughters wedding later this year.

Down to Bonnyrigg to see Grant at Photogenix for a quick blether then up the road.

Managed to get the cases packed for the morning , early rise with Sparky Mark coming to pick us up.

Later went to Lasswade Rugby Club for Ian Nimmo's retiral doo, leaving Dalkeith after 35 years - when he joined he started with me at Loanhead, along with John Kelly and between them nearly had me grey haired . He was a real character, a joker / comedian but with real personality, well liked by everyone and after all these years a true professional. There was a really good attendance with many of my former colleagues and some even older than me there.

Need to wait and see what access I have to a PC over the next dew days.

So you want to look good naked ?

Just watching this programme on the TV with Mrs. B. - bit of a hoot , all these naked and semi naked folks - however I must admit that he does a world of good for the ones who are lucky enough to get on the show.

Into the pub this morning and found out much later on from Sir Christopher that I was not supposed to be there !!!! However , being a good parent - I ended up staying till 2 p.m. when we headed for home - ever so puggled. Ailsa @ " Miss talk a lot" called in for surprise visit and pot calling the kettle black, her mother who would not stop talking was on her phone to her, which was annoying her - but we look forward to having her with us in France next week.
Met some folks from Penicuik in the Bar who were regulars but did not realise they knew Graham from the days when he was the Hunter's Lad,

Ongoing texting session with Archie and Tracy who still have to name baby "It", so no doubt all the "committee members" have fallen out - maybe Auntie ann will have to help.

Spoke of megaphone exhausts the other day - and have just experienced the most outrageous and noisy twat raking about near the house - they should be taken out and crushed.

Met another ex colleague this morning passing the pub , Jeff Anderson , now a civilian licensing enforcement officer in Edinburgh.
Hopefully tomorrow night I will meet up with Ian Nimmo, who I have known all thirty five years of his service, but is now retiring - a superb golfer and someone with a brilliant personality and great sense of humour, former traffic officer and latterly family protection unit.

Watched our neighbourhood parking enforcement offficer this morning - zero - zilch - no leeway whatsoever, he actually booked a bloke who was picking up a parcel in the shop across the road on red lines - BUT BUT the lane was actually coned off and not in use due to all the roadworks going on - so it was fine for vans and trucks to park for ages but not this poor chap. Just a revenue generating programme.

Young Ashley at Imarni is leaving on Friday to start her training with Elemis, in London where she is heading off to work on the cruise ships. I do not think we will make it in to say cheerio but wish her well.

Sparky Mark @ Dr Disaster has just arrived, complete with ritual book getting sorted for new session of RA 500. He is just back from Lochearnhead, working for the weekend and denies all knowledge of the floods in India. Just been to his Ma's for another free dinner - but he will have to make do with some out of date crisps from me. Turns out Mrs. B has been fattening up Jamie with the same.

Stop Press - baby "It" will be called Austin - .

Mrs. B . is currently hpyer - and needs some form of medication / or a bash on the head.

So you want to look good naked ?

back again - resting now

Finished my odd jobs for the night and have just had a chat with Sandra and William in London - Sandra is now having as much red wine as me these days, keeping herself pickled while the extension work is being done. Anyway , William will get a wee break as they off to Spain again while we are in France.

William was over at Donna's doing some building work at the weekend , while Donna was away camping with the kids, living rough with the tinkers I think !! She missed her bath , computer and blog. Anyway they are all back and Paul in awy to Antwerp to his work again.
Have just seen the tail end of the Extreme makeover programme on TV, the change in the lady subject was totally incredible - I would have never ever have recognised her.

I see from the weather forecasts that Shetland had the most sunshine in the UK last month - we had a couple in who are off on one of the haggis backpacking tours which will take them to Orkney, Sky, Outer Hebrides, etc - worth thinking about it myself.

Twas a wee siesta

Goodness me, just coming too after a wee snooze, looks like old age and all these early morning is catching up with me.

So, yet another sleepless night, up early and into The Mercat Bar for the day - this was day of action against mobile phone users by the Scottish Police, but from where I was standing there were quite a few motorists prepared to either ignore or blatantly flout the ban and run the risk of a fine ,endorsements, etc, all for the saving of about £10 for an earpiece.
And still on the subject , watching folks passing on foot, using their phones, getting on and off the buses - along with "our images of still life" at the tram works who spend hours talking to their friends - phones can be a bit of a menace and it is no wonder many companies stop their staff using them during work.

BUT prams - the Lothian Transport people have put a ban on pushchairs on buses, only one on a bus at a time - especially the big ones . I saw a girl having to let six buses pass before a driver would let her on. She had one of these big fancy push chairs, unlike the wee collapsible things we used in the good old days when there as no problem - baby was carried on and the chair went into the baggage rack.

With regard to our thirty eight month saga with Lothian Region Council- it will continue for a bit longer as papers are passed from one to another , (like pass the parcel or they are too hot to handle - or no one is capable of making a decision, which is probably nearer the truth) who are in turn on holidays, etc. So for us , patience is not just a virtue , it has to be supplemented by either drink or medication !!!

Had a customer in for breakfast , pleasant sort who had just driven up from Durham area, quite chatty , obviously passing time before a meeting - he left and came back a short time later all agitated as he had lost some very important papers. He certainly did not have them when he came in - so hopefully he had just left them in the car. Easy to see how papers, computers, get lost these days.

Pub was fairly quiet, however with nearly fifty thousand people crammed into the Royal Mile to see our Gold medal Olympians on the open top bus travelling from the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade down to Hollyrood Place, it was to be expected - good on the athletes - they did well and deserve the accolades, more so than our footballing prima donnas.

Did you hear the true story about the man down south who as he was going to bed saw lights on in his shed where intruders were stealing his property. He dialled 999 but police said as it was the shed and not the house he should lock his doors and Police would come round sometime as there were few officers on duty, he hung up, waited 60 seconds and called back the Police when he said , " just forget about that last call, I have just shot the intruders" - and hung up.
Five minutes later an armed response team and three other cars arrived - Police caught the thieves - one OFFICER said "I thought you had shot them " - HE SAID "I thought you said there was no one on duty" ( from the IPA ( International Police Association magazine)).

PS curious to know who my regular US reader is from North Carolina.

Still no name for baby "It", obviously the Denny's and Hynd's are struggling a bit , perhaps "Winston" might be suitable - it's a pity wee Sarah was not here she would have had it sorted by now - however she is still studying in Oz. , Which reminds me that Ashly, our intrepid world traveller of a neighbour , is away again , but this time to work in Aberdeen for a Company she met and did work for in Australia - good job this time , going off shore and doing seismic stuff - not bad.

In the papers , the lorry driver who slept on the job while thieves "quiet as mice" unloaded his load of cheese worth £15000 from the back of his lorry.
and , more seriously, the coastguards were trying to rescue someone trapped at the bottom of cliffs somewhere on the south of England when a car was driven right off the top of the cliff above them , falling into the sea where the occupant died, having committed suicide.
Work to get on with -

Just one of those days - again

Up with the larks and on the road in time to hear a pretty good wind up on the Real radio this morning , some are a bit rubbishy , but todays about "Bobby" getting some cycling pants to keep fit after hearing all the success of the cyclists in the Olympics. the fall guy, from a cycle rental shop was really nice and took it in good spirit - with some sharp inuendo from Robin Galloway.

On with Shereen this morning who was telling me she had ended up at a party last night with some of the cast of River City, who are performing in the town.
She was later joined by her twin sister Dannielle, and i actually saw a couple of our male customers doing the classic double take as first one , the the other appeared - makes you think you have been drinking - even if you have not started.

Not much to look at in the photo, BUT , it is obviously a damaged part of the road, and like many miles of the black stuff around Edinburgh , seriously lacking the attention of the City Of Edinburgh Highways Department. Not only do they not spend the money which the government steals off us in road tax , but the Council do not reinvest the money they steal from us in parking charges and fines !!

However, this little pitfall is outside The Mercat Bar at West Maitland Street , where as stated the roads a a dammed disgrace, but with the tram works in progress it will be an excuse to do nothing and let carillion do it when they finish - but at their present rate of progress I think the martians might well be here first.

BUT - eventually to get on with the story - a big red bus ( Lothian) stopped here this morning , not quite in line with the kerb due to an illegally parked car and an older / mature lady stepped down but her foot caught the lip of this crevice in the road and she fell over . She appears to have had a bad bash to her left arm which she could not move and was later taken away by the Scottish Ambulance Service people who were there at the toot and as professional as ever - they are really good and at times do not get the credit they deserve. The bus driver was mortified at what had happened , but it was not his fault - and there was no question of "Did she jump or was she pushed". A wee bit excitement for me.

Was sent off on a mission for the kitchen , Chefs Jamie and Claire ( who were having a good old nip at each other this morning - but having been under pressure for the whole of the Festival they are a bit tired and need a break. Met ashley again from Imarni's, so i am in the bad books for not getting Ann and Marni in the photo - now on the to do list.

One of our clients , Lawrence, posted as missing , was spotted on the passing , but he is well, just has other things to do at the moment.

Still no word from Tracy and Archies as to what "Baby it" is being called - doubtless there will need to be a family "committee meeting" , bringing in all the grandparents to get their say . I missed Alan and ( Ab Fab) Carol at the weekend - Carol is dead handy to have around, especially at Archie's place where there are tons of midgies due to all the trees at the back- you sit her in the corner of the garden with a gin in one hand and she puffs away on her fag keeping midges at bay ( only kidding) - We had a great time with them at the wedding at the Almond Beach resort in Barbados.

So home via COSTCO, and met with another of my former colleagues, Ian Reid, from North Berwick, who I have not seen for ages.

BUT must cut short as we are about to head out again.

Busy day - sore feet

Just watching "Old Tricks" which just shows how many cover ups there are by the Government in relation to some research projects which took and are possibly still taking place these days.

Anyway, yet another bad night, up sharp and off to the pub - big surprise - no bloody staff but myself and Lee - who is the new manager, and with this being a public holiday we were really busy. still no help at lunch time so Graham had no option but get stuck in also - anyway we survived as did the customers!!!!!
There were plenty of visitors still in the city and enjoying themselves, and being sunny again this was good.

Had a quick caht to Ashley from Imarni's who was pleased with the photo I had taken of her and kate on friday.

Doing my nut in with these cars which drive about with open windows and loud music blaring, also "megaphone" exhausts, which should be banned totally - no need for all this noise, and with me getting deafer it still annoys me.

Short day, nothing exciting at home although we now have all our Olympian athletes back in the UK so now the long haul starts for the 2012 games.
Given the chance we would welcome Chris Hoy and his friends to come and see us at The Mercat bar.

Later gave Francoise a call in L'Isle sur la Sorgue about our forthcoming trip this weekend, she is very excited . just as we are - so hopefuly between some sunshine and red wine we might have a few good days ahead.

Sparky Mark back from Carlisle, now off yet again to hug trees up at Lochearnhead !!!

Tomorrow being another day.

Sunday sunshine and new baby boy

Just what do I need to do for a sleep ? Up in the middle of the night again , then up early but to a bright sunny morn which made a serious change to recent downpours.

Sorted ourselves out, and we were on the road early, making for Bookers Cash and Carry to get some goods which we could not get at Costco on Saturday.

Into The Mercat Bar, had breakfast and then headed off over the Forth Road Bridge to Dalgetty bay to see Archie, Tracy, daughter Camryn and new baby son ( not yet named). All were still dodging about in their PJ's as we were over an hour early - me having made a mistake with my times when I called him. anyway - Mrs. B. was soon in possession of a nice new born baby boy, four days old, and not yet named. The wee one was beautiful, fed well and kept dozing off after his feeds. Big sister Camryn, now aged five is coping well with his arrival - so we were able to get a couple of good photos.

Eventually headed home via the new bit of the M90 just south of the Forth Road Bridge, bit of a long way for a shortcut.

So home, bit of gardening and now feet up = as, as usual I am back in to do my bit to help out in the pub.

John's 60th.

Headed off after a quick shower off along the m8 to Glasgow, down the M74 and there was a bloody diversion so we had to trail an extra ten miles before we eventually made it to Cambuslang.
Met up with Robbie and Christina, their respective partners and my Brother in law Tom with his wife Isobel , and we had to go into hiding till Christine returned from a pub where she had been carrying out a diversionary tactic with John. He was really surprised to see us all - so the night went off with loads of banter and reminiscing, as we had not seen much of each other for a while.

Christine told us of an incident in Glasgow the previous night :- she had been out with friends, gone for a carry out pizza and was sitting in a bus shelter eating the pizza waiting when a Chinese couple stopped, the woman with the usual bunch of roses which she started waving in Christina's face - in the meantime the man grabbed her purse and stuck it in his jacket, however young Miss C. saw this, started screaming , punched him in the face when he then flung down the purse and she kicked the female. Both took off chased by Ms. "seriously annoyed, who eventually found Police and reported it.
LESSON - be aware of the Chinese flower sellers / thieves.

So at the end of the evening we had to leave to get home for work this morning, fast run along the M8 and in bed by 1 a.m.

A meeting of masons

Headed off at 9 15 yesterday a.m. and went went into Photogenix at Bonnyrigg to see Grant for a wee while before picking up a friend for the meeting. Grant still has his bad back and has been trying acupuncture to ease the pain - novel approach, but for pain anything that works is a bonus.
Collected friend Alex and we headed down to Musselbugh, via Whitecraigs and it was interesting to see the progress being made on the new A68 Dalkeith By Pass, it is getting on well.
Into the premises of Lodge Fisherrow 112, opposite the Old Links Golf course (oldest in Scotland) and the Musselburgh Race Course , where the Provincial Grand Conclave of East Scotland ( Order of the Secret Monitors ) was meeting. The OSM 's date back to 1887 - There was a good number in attendance, from Jersey; Yorkshire; Lancashire; Durham ; Inverness; literally all over the UK being represented. Lawrence Reed was in the chair as usual.
The meeting / Installation was interesting followed by a meal where I was sat with three "youngsters" from Perth and Dundee ( ages 80 ; 81 and 84 !!! ) who kept me on my toes. One being a more than active "silver surfer".
This was a good time to socialise with some interesting chaps from all over the place - some I will be meeting up with soon at Dufftown, and elsewhere.
By the time everyone left and I managed to drag my friend away , take him home it was 5 p.m. when I reached Penicuik to get sorted for the rest of the days adventures.

Saturday sunshine - yes, and blue sky

18 Gold medals so far and with the day still young we could end up with a few more.

Yet another sleepless night - could have been up at 2.30 a.m. , but - stuck it out and dozed on.

however I did not get everyone from yesterday into last night's story. we met a couple from Essex, Linda and ken, who have been in the Bar several times during their stay in Edinburgh - they were lucky enough to get a dry night at the Military Tattoo, (which will be televised on Monday night). Ken has always wanted to go to the tattoo so she bought him the tickets and flights for his x-mas last year, wrapped them up in a great big box, etc. So they headed off home last night.

Bit of an event when all three Graham's appeared together in the bar. Graham B., along with friends, father and son Graham A. - as young G.A. was nightshift this was unexpected.

A Quote - from the former Pathologist who worked in Edinburgh. Professor Bussitil. " God gave you only so many heart beats - make the best of them"

So back to the tram works - what an idle bunch of workmen , at the current rate of progress this will take another ten years !! As we passed the group at Palmerston Place yesterday it was yet another scene of mobile phone calls and them spectating and watching passers by.

From what i have heard recently - there will be fun and games when they close of the whole of Princes Street to do it - apparantly the original "tramway plate" is still buried along the centre of the street and it was "of substantial construction", tied together with steel struts and could take a great deal of digging out.

I had a look at several of the old photos of edinburgh yesterday which showed the original tram system, beautiful.

OK , up now and getting ready for the road once again - no rest for the wicked.

38 years of wedded bliss!!!

Today, all those years ago I was a happy, innocent soul, in love and with no idea what life had in store.

However - now 38 yrs on and the sun was shining when I got up, just a wee bit older.

Into town, parked the car, and round to the Mercat Bar for a cuppa and a wee chat to Ian one of our regulars, before we went round to Imarni's to be pampered. Ian is a pianist who plays at the Peebles Hydro Hotel weekly.

I had a wonderful hydrotherapy massage, on the verge of falling asleep but kept wakening myself up with my snoring !! My therapist, Kate, is excellent and specialises in this particular treatment - she and Ashley the Receptionist did their little pose.

Over to the Mercat bar, where Jamie and co produced the most marvellous steaks for us, Graham just pooded his pants !!! He is taking the micky out of me at present.

Took a walk along to Frasers again where I met Megan at the Clarin's Department - a lovely young lady, now another for Mrs. B. to talk to in the shop.

Stopped into the Hilton Caledonian Hotel for a coffee, but was a bit annoyed as a few reps, etc. were sitting doing their business in the lounge where we were sitting.

Back to The Mercat to meet up with Graham, Jo., Jamie and Claire - there was a beautiful bouquet for Ann from Jo. The place was packed with customers who were there for the comedy shows, who we will only have for another couple of days before the Fringe finishes.

Eventually Graham gave us a lift home to let me get my feet up.

We are doing wonderfully well in the Olympics, another gold for the canoeing, silver in the hop, step and jump, but Jamaica were outstanding in the 4 + 100 m. what a fantastic record. After this amazing games, I have no idea at all how our so called professional footballers can conceivably believe that they deserve the kind of wages they claim they are entitled to. Compared to the majority of these athletes these blokes are unfit, undisciplined, and basically amateur. The matches they play in have none of the excitement we have had for the past two weeks, and realistically they do not deserve the ticket money asked for.

Anyway - another fun day in store, of to a masonic doo a.m. and then through to Cambuslang p.m.

Rain, more rain and Shakey

Friday was a long day, up at 4.30 a.m. as I could not sleep, eventually through the bouncing rain and into the Mercat Bar to get the place up and running. Shereen joined me and we did OK building up till Katie came in . Katie, having read the blog said she was not on it , so that will be fixed - worked away all day and just stayed in the town as I was going top a doo at the Police Club in York Place later on.

By 4.45 p.m., a wee bit wabbit, headed east and stopped off at Frasers where I used a few Clarin's testers to freshen up - then a nice walk in the bright sunshine - yes, the sun really shone and it was lovely - along Princes Street and into Rose Street. Along Rose Street I bumped into the cycling Paramedic, Leaon ( I think) - last week he was outside The Mercat Bar dealing with an epileptic fit, today he was at a road accident in George Street. I met some who had also seen him at work and they were full of praise - so our (upside down) paramedic is a real asset to the Scottish Ambulance Service.

Eventually made it to the Police Club, where after finding my way through the entry system met Ian Stevens @ Shaky for his retiral doo, Ian worked with me in the Crime Prevention Department before I retired but more recently has been a training officer in the Force Command Control Centre at Loanhead. He had a group of his "ladies" from the command centre , plus a few friends to help celebrate the event, Charlie Bootland, Jimmy Brooks and Duncan Crane being three of those I knew.

The rain came on with total avengance, bouncing inches high off the ground so I was lucky enough to get a lift home.

Old habits Die hard

Happy 60th to my brother in law, John Johnson, today - I am sure he does not look a year / decade older !!

Terrible tragedy in Madrid with the plane crash last night - our thought go to the families and friends of the poor souls who have lost their lives.

Back to the old ways again - wide awake at 4.30 a.m. so no point in lying staring at the ceiling - not when there is beach volly ball on the Olympics !!! So China did well in the event also - we keep asking where they get the athletes from , but with such a vast population , there is no reason why . Diving now on and like all the events these folks are brilliant.

Managed to sit and do some of my own work last night , but still have a couple of days worth of paper to get sorted , but that will need to wait for a bit longer, phoned a few folks while the Scotland - Ireland game was on which was not that clever with a 0 - 0 draw, and apart from a good save by the Scottish goalie on an Irish penalty kick not much to write about.

Off to The Mercat Bar shortly to get the place up and running , but staying in town this afternoon to attend the retiral doo in the Police Club, York Place, of Ian Stevens. Ian @ "Shaky" used to work with me many years ago - but is now calling "time", had enough.
Wedding Anniversay on Friday so I had better remember that card, other friends, Jean and Barry, in Haswell, Co Durham, have their "Ruby"anniversay on Sunday - well done.

I can see blue rather than grey - and gold

Once again the rain was falling as I got up, hammering off the roof of the conservatory, however for us we had no flooding, etc, whilst other parts of the county were not so lucky. But as one person said recently, look at the street names, riverside, burnside, lakeside, what else do you expect when you live there .

A few years ago I did a job for an American millionaire who had properties all over the world. When he bought an estate in Texas he has old maps and ariel photos of the river, and then instructed his agents to get the river back onto its old original course, after that , no problems with flooding, etc. Water goes where it was planned to go !!

Today , on an open again - joined by Nick the Newzealander who , although quiet is doing good, and we were busy.

Later Graham arrived with our new manager, Lee who will hopefully be able to take on a lot of the admin work -
We had several return visitors, including the photographed group who live just south of Brussels, but whose details I have lost this afternoon whlist at Costco. They were really nice and have ben in a couple of times for steaks, etc. I am a bit annoyed at losing my contact details.

We are slowly acquiring a fairly large group of regulars, some very nice folks who are in

almost daily - today it was Lawrence, Helen and Pete, and we were also delighted to catch up with Gwynneth who we have not seen for a while, so now we know she is well and beginning to take life just a wee bit easier.

Left the bar and headed home with Jamie and then we went back via Costco for essential supplies, needed this evening.

As for the Olympics we have to really compliment Team UK and from the staff at the The Mercat Bar we wish Chris Hoy all the best and should he wish to come and see us he will get himself a great big steak as a reward for his fantastic achievements.

Mr. Bolt has lived up to his name and his two world records will be hard to beat.

The hedgehog managed to try and cross my path on Sunday night in the dark - but I spotted it and while it was hiding got this picture.

Rain , Rain (a wee bit sun) and yet more rain

Blooming hell, woke up this morning and it was throwing it down heavans hard, and had been all night, this continued till about 11 a.m. in town when it actually stopped and the sun came out. Thought I would get home and sit in the sun - no way , down came the water again , and again , and for the last two hours it has been bouncing . Now our visitors know what "Scottish Sun" is !!

Headed for town a.m to open the Mercat Bar, where even there , there was water coming through the kitchen roof from a ventilation duct. it was fairly quiet but probably due to the rain.

Anyway, did my thing talking to passers by and watched while two motor cycle officers (Lothian and Borders Police) pulled in a car and dealt with the driver outside the bar. Turned out the driver must have been wanted for something as van was called and the driver taken away in handcuffs.

The tramworks are now with us, with avengance, massive roadworks at both Haymarket and Palmerston Place, traffic chaos at peak times, and with a £600 million budget the workmen appear to be milking the system well and truly - for some it is mana from heaven. I was watching a group for ages today and between them they must have spent a couple of hours on mobile phones when they should have been working.

Our two Spanish barmaids are leaving us this weekend to head off to London for a couple weeks before going back to their studies in Spain, so as Nuria was on with me today on guard duty I have included her photo.

I was unable to make the funeral of George Carruthers, ex P.C. from Dalkeith, / Midlothian who retired six years ago, but has suffered from cancer for some time.

Davy (Bones) Broomfield gave me a call this evening, having been at the funeral, just to let me know how things had gone and catch up with news .

Olympic wise, Team UK are doing excellent, seems that the chaps from Oz are not too happy, first they said we were lucky to be able to swim as we have no pools here and do not even use soap, and tonight - seems they claim we can only win medals in the events where you afre sitting - cycling, rowing, sailing and horse riding - bad show from the bounders. Doubless they have eaten so many kangaroos they cannot run.

rain still pouring - and forecast is no better for tomorrow - but - !!!!!!!!!

Continuation of Twinning story.

Missing photos from previous item, are of Depute Mayor and the group are Murial ; Lynne;Alice and Wallace who have been involved for many years.

The group have several other engagements this week before heading home to L'Isle.

I just had a look on Google Earth and was surprised about the amount of information there was on L'Isle.

After the function I headed home via the Penicuik Bowling Club, which sort of slowed me down a bit !!! and did not help with the sleeping either as I was up early again today and ever so delicate this morning which made it a long shift in The Mercat.

STOP PRESS

Archie and Tracy Dennie are now the proud parents of a new born baby boy, born 8.41 p.m. tonight . Both well. Well done - Sarah will need to come back from Oz to see the baby.

Busy Sunday - L'Isle Sur la Sorgue Twinning

Sunday , I was in the pub , supposedly for four hours but ended up there for seven - place was pretty busy with lots of tourists.
Ealrly p;.m. just as I was leaving I had a surprise visit from Wee Michelle and Sandy who had come up from Myusselburgh to take in the comedy shows downstairs, good to see them - and today I have had a nice message from Joanne and Tam, obviously missing me!!!!! Just a pity that Big Simon has not seen fit to follow suit.

Made it home where the sun was shining and sat out for an hour or so in the garden till it clouded over but then I had to get ready for the Twinning Reception in Penicuik Town Hall.

There was a really good turn out with a large group over from France and many of my old friends from the local Twinning Association.

The "doo" was to sign copies of a new agreement to continue the link with L'Isle sur la Sorgue which was formed exactly thirty years ago (Sunday) 17th.

The documents were signed by the President of the Twinning Committee here, Mrs. Imrie, the Provost of Midlothian Council Adam Montgomery and the Deputy Mayor of L'Isle.

All of the the Penicuik folks present had been to L'Isle at some time or another and several will be going out again in October for the second part of the signing which should be good.

Sparky has arrived so I will stop meantime and add more later.

Day with the Templars

This had been planned for a while, special church service a.m. and regular meeting of King David p.m.

Had a shocking night, leg cramps were horrendous, woke me up a couple of times so I just got up early again.

Collected Sparky mark at 10.20 a.m. who was still hung over after a night on the black Sambuca, so we headed over to temple Village where me met another twenty or so members at the churchyard. Inside the gate there is a plaque for visitors with some of the history and going back to when King David gave the lands of Ballentradoch to the Templars. With the graveyard there are lots of facinating old gravestones , some with apparant masonic symbols thereon.

The group assembled and were led into the old church where we had a very nice service led by the Rev Ray Williamson. We then moved outside and a wreath was laid at the war memorial - beside which we took a group photo, We had a visitor from Alberta , Canada, with us, Tom Forrest.

After the service Mark and I headed over to Bonnyrigg to see (annoy) Grant at Photogenix who copied off a CD to be used for the KT's website.

Mark popped through to the lounge at 720 for a "hair of the dog" - and I collected him and we headed down to Dalkeith for the regular meeting of King David of Ballentradoch - where two of our friends were joining. Graham managed to make it out from the bar to see them going through.

We eventually headed off and I dropped Mark and Dougie at 720 before I headed home again, where I met Frank the mechanic who was returning the Ford after getting it back on the road again after the water pump packed in.

Mrs. B. off to the cinema with Irish Christine and a friend to see the Movie "Mama Mia" again.

Presently watcing re runs of the Olympics - athletics at the moment with Kelly Sotherton running, but no medal . Team UK have done well today with medals in the rowing, cycling, and sailing. We wish Paula Ratcliffe well in the marathon when she runs later tonight.

Mens 100 m about to start - Usain Bolt - has just broken the world record, 9.69 secs and that was him easing off !!!!!!!! fantastic

Up and off again a.m. as I have five days early openings to do at The Mercat.

A different day - slightly

Once again - sleepless night but lay till 7.30 before getting up, then checked out things on the lap top, while watching the Olympics. Our cyclists did well with Chris Hoy and the team getting their first golds of hopefully many- and the rowers are doing OK.

Needing some photos for the Twinning doo on Sunday so we managed to find the negatives but no photos, however as the spool was there, we called Grant and arranged to take it down to Bonnyrigg.

Down we popped and he printed them off, and also did a big A3 blow up of the Callander Bridge which he has kept for the shop.

Found the picture od me and a young calf, taken in 1951 in the Kelvin Hall, Glasgow, at the Scottish Agricultural Show, when they used to alternate annually between the Waverly Market , Edinburgh, and the Kelvin Hall. I was four at the time and had wandered off to talk to the beast when the Reporter from the Glasgow Herald spotted me - at one point inside the pen, and much to everyones amusement.


Headed for Argos but as Mrs B, was in need of a cuppa and a roll I thought - big treat today - so we stopped off at Dougie's Snack Van on the A7 at Gilmerton beside Bernard Hunter's yard. Just a bit of a change from Gleneagles Hotel - however Dougie was delighted to see us as I have not been down for a few weeks, and his tea and rolls are good.

Off to Argos where it was a real doddle to get my stuff, then popped into PC World to ask the techie there a couple of questions.

Traffic was terrible with a burst water main en route, which kept is back for ages.

Dropped Mrs. B. off at John Lewis , St James Centre, and I headed off to help out at The Mercat Bar , where having parked up dropped into Imarni's to get organised for 22nd - wedding anniversay.

Bar was busy, but I helped out with Jim Hannah (DASH) who was finishing off a job, before going and helping in the bar.



Our four friends from Tuesday were in , Mike,( from AlterEagles) KD and co - who although staying at the Hilton have been in every day for breakfast then either their lunch or dinner - off home on Saturday a.m. They have enjoyed Edinburgh so much they plan to come back again next year.



Had a good blether to some of the customers, and then downstairs filled up for the comedy show at 3.15., change of line up as one of the boys was missing - so there was a lad from the USA there who was good.





Home to the hils and was still pottering when Graham called to ask us to meet him at the Craigiebield Hotel for dinner - so off we went again. However , the meal was a bit bland and overpriced.



So home, to blog before my day out with the KT's tomorrow.

Perhaps a new era or what?

Now on the new lap top which is Vista rather than windows XP and rather confusing as some of the systems are not compatible, I have spent agrs trying to get the Canon EOS on line with no luck, while the Ixus is running OK.

Today, Thursday, back to normality with a 4 a.m. wake up, eventually got up at 5 a.m. and started to learn how to work this new machine.

When Mrs. B . got up she thought I was already away to work, just a bit early !!!!!! however I soon got the message and went on my way - but with no one in the office at Bush i had a wander and then came home. BUT - we were soon on our way to Bathgate to see Sheena, (friend) for a blether - they did some "spekin" while I , assisted with the new kitten, experimented with the lap top.

Bathgate is famous for something other than the production of the Hillman Imp car - the car plant having been flattened and built on, but we never got the chancve to read the signage.

Off then to McArthur Glen Designer Outlet at Livingston for a wander through the shops, and then into J.D.Wetherspoons for lunch, however a 33 minute wait later the waitress admitted that she had lost our table number so I had cool chips and a hard burger!!!! Just how many times do I have to complain about this place.

Onto the A70 and then the A720 (Edinburgh City By pass) where the far too regular mobile crane was causing havoc, with everything down to 25 mph - then down to Dobbies Garden Centre , which is just an amazing place now, with an incredible selection and the food hall is amazing - great choice of vinegars, including raspberry and figs.

Up to Bonnyrigg to see Grant @ Photogenix who is working harder than ever, plus he has some new tropical fish.

Anyway - home and then the rains came down - with avengance - pouring buckets - so we had the follow on from the floods in Lanarkshire this afternoon, with water coming through the roof at one stage. Local drains were lifting, Bog Road was flooded and the park was under water, no doubt there were major problems elsewhwere.

So now I am having to listen to Mrs. B. and RGB Jnr who are nipping at each other - and doing my head in!!!!

Wee experiment in progress

about to try the next blog from the new lap top.

Blaikie's tour of sunny Scotland - yes.

Not sure what happened last night but I slept like a log - perhaps it was the red wine, etc, but there I was at 7 .30 .a.m. still dozy !!!

Up and off to see the nurse who drew lots of blood - enough to keep a few vampire bats going for a while, then home and a quick run into town to drop Graham off at The Mercat.
May be able to add photos later.
I had no idea where I was going but having promised Mrs. B. a day out , we set off - also clutching a few pound which Graham had donated to help pay for lunch.
Off we went heading north , but I soon turned off and went down into South Queensferry where we stopped , in bright sunhine at the pier opposite the Hawes Inn ( mentioned by Robert Louis Stevenson in his book "Kidnapped") and took some pictures of the two bridges, The Forth Railway Bridge and the Forth Road Bridge, lots of sailing boats and the ferry which goes out round Inchcolme Island. Into the centre of the village and stopped to look at the harbour, and also the Jubilee Clock which was erected in 1877, and beneath it on the wall a plaque to thank the Earl of Rosebery who gave the residents a "bleaching green" and fresh water supply in 1817.
It was then off and over the forth road bridge , now minus any tolls, through Dunfermline and then out into the country past the motor racing Circuit at Knockhill, which is getting all set up for the racing this coming weekend - through Glen Devon and eventually arrived at Gleneagles Hotel where we were going to have some lunch. There was a lot of activity with tents and marquees but I was not sure if they were still taking down the tented village from the last major event, or putting more up - there was a "Johnny Walker" sign. Had a look up the Kings Course and watched a few teeing off from the 1st.

Into the hotel, had a wee browse through their shpping arcade and then into the restaurant. the place has been changed around since I was last there, but it is very nice, there are cold meat, fish and cheese counters with chefs, etc, who cut your choice up and hand it over to other chefs for cooking. Out of curiosity I had a ribeye steak, which came with three tomatoes and a mushroom , the chips were £4 extra, and not being biased - I honestly think that Claire does a better ribeye in The Mercat Bar, plus trimming, for half the price I was charged. Mrs. b. had a small glass of Rose wine which cost £9.99p - Having said that , the place is a five star hotel and if we could not have afforded it we would not have been there.
From Gleneagles we headed further north heading for Crieff, and en route passed through a small villagge, name of which escapes me at the moment, where there were several stuffed dummies, dressed up along the main street. The one at Sweeney's Garage was good as was the one outside the pub.
Not sure what to make of Crieff today , being Wednesday many of the shops were closed half day, but there was the Stuarts Crystal and a few other places to go. We had tea, with scones, jam and cream then had the cheek to buy some mixed bags of sweeties.
Off we went and past "The Grouse Experience" which was previously Glenturret Distillery, one of the smallest in Scotland, but it has been bought over - along through St. Fillans, along the side of Loch Earn to Lochearnhead before turning south and stopping at Callander in the heart of the Trossachs . William Wordsworth the poet visited the area in 1803, and in 1810 Sir Walter Scott wrote his poem " The lady ofthe Lake" about the area , with a part description !" Each purple peak, each flinty spire was bathed in floods of living fire" describing the rugged mountains and cliffs for which the area is famous , with Loch Katrine, and The lake of Menteith, sitting on either side of Aberfoyle.
Callander and the surrounding area was the stomping grounds of Rob Roy McGregor a famous outlaw, and by the looks of things he has plenty of relatives still carrying on the tradition !! - shop was charging £2.15 p for an small ice cream cone , and the local council had pay and display machines on every possible parking area. Looks like the tourists are funding everything.
Our car park was next to an archeological site known as the "Tom Na Kssaig - Hill of St Kessog" , St Kessog was a follower of St Columbus who preached in the area in the sixth century.
Eventually off again, (still in bright sunshine) eastwards, past Blairdrummond Safari Park, where there were crowds at the gate waiting on buses for Stirling, then past the Deanston Distillery, now part of Scottish Leader Whisky, before getting onto the M90 motorway and heading south back to Edinburgh.
I stopped off at PC World and eventually bought a new DELL lap top to replace the old one as my promised replacement has never arrived.
So home, a round trip of about 180 miles, and now to bed - photos later.