A Day trip to Runcorn, and memories.

Up at 4.15 am, out at the toot beating the larks and off to Glasgow for a pick up from Fraser. Weather was a bit wild and wet, however the M74 was quiet, bit of a change from yesterday when it was closed due to ice, just like the M8 at Erskine where the young Policewomen died after losing control on the ungritted road. We offer her family our condolences.

Due to the quiet roads I was down at Runcorn in good time, where Jill at Reception already had my badge ready - she like the others had had a good x-mas break. The colourful lamb sculpure outside the Restaurant was inherited from Liverpool City where they were all over the city last year, this one has a painting of the nearby Widness Bridge on it.

Christine and Sue in the canteen were pleased with their photo's, and Christine is back on line again , her husband having captured and executed the "wee poor and timerous beastie" which had been running riot in their attic and keeping her distracted.

Northwards, heading straight home, via Moffat and the snowbound Devil's Beeftub, then took a detour through West Linton and onto the Harlawmuir Road, which brought back memories of a massive drugs seizure in the late '60's.

The site was at Cleaves Cottage, where following information from chemical manufacturers, a watch was maintained for weeks on Cleaves Cottage, and when it was eventually raided three student types were arrested along with gallons and gallons of liquid Ecstasy all set to go to the next stage of production. There was loose brickwork in the gable end of the building and in the loft a miniature set of rails with wee bogies and gallons of the liquid in big glass demijohns. When everything was accounted for it was one of the biggest ever at that time in the UK.

Again, talking of memories, Archie the Pole dancer has been in touch saying that he and his father in law, Alan, met Mr. Motivator in Jamaica and ended up visiting his house.

For Archie, we have a compliment for the Standing Order, where one of his young lady bar persons, did a wonderful job on Wednesday, extremely pleasant and helpful - a credit to the management - and even better "Blossom Hill" at under £6 - very good.

Home and ever so jiggered, so I managed a couple of hours kip, so now watching Tommy Sheriden and La Toya jackson about to be expelled from the Big Brother House. Just bseen Terry licking a rancid armpit - just a wee bit gross !!

Delighted with Andy Murry and his win in the land of Oz - I tried to get the match on the car radio but with no luck - keep up the pressure - I look forward to seeing the bookies getting a thumping.

Back to normal in the morning - early start in the Bar, then a meeting in he town, with the 1st of the Burn's Suppers tomorrow night.