So - my day progresses - by this time nothing better to do than be more and more annoyed by the Tram - "persons", but there was a lot of noise from the mechanical digger - which I watched for a bit and it even toils to get through the surface.
Met this pleasant "citizen of the City of Edinburgh" who was telling me that he has been observing the Tram Project since it started and he was anything but complimentary, he says that the initial budget estimate of £52.6 million is nearly gone and that the new revised estimate will be £1.2 billion !!!!!!! which no one will admit to. He has hundreds of photos, been to dozens of meetings and like me is totally incensed by this wanton waste of public money.
So, having gone for a walk, I stood and while talking to two others watched the crane driver at Haymarket who became totally freaked at the thought we were talking about him doing nothing for so long. he got out his cab, picked up a shovel ( and no longer do they use big ones, they are all tottie ones), jumped down into the enormous excavation , prodded the gravel a couple of times and got back into his digger to sit idle once again.
My companions at the time were the lady from the Water Board who had no idea what he was supposed to be doing - just said that he might be waiting on part to be delivered - so where was the so called Service Delivery Manager.
My other friend was non other than paddy of the paddy and Pauline duo from the Sportsman's Bar - just great to see him and looking so well. He had been paid off before x-mas and then , today he has got a new job - WHERE ? - with the Tram people - Carillion - so I gave him some tips on how to cope with the boredom, keep himself warm when standing idle, and the name of a good accountant.
So I then hear that from the Musselburgh end, things at the Sportsmans are ticking along , Brian has lost his voice so that pleases folks, BUT , our friend Big George has now lost the plot, been barred from every pub and is now due a court appearance for an assault on a barmaid !!!
Shame when at one time he was a decent bloke, but that is what drink and gambling do to you.
Back to the Mercat where our young German lad, Andre Gerstmann from Berlin was in for his lunch and to say farewell as he was away home. He has been in every day for the last week during his stay here as he enjoyed the company, banter, food and drink.
BUT serving a table the lady recognised me and , of all people it was Eunice Simpson with her husband Tom and daughter Louise, formerly of Floorcraft, Penicuik. We had known them for years but had lost touch when they gave up the business about fifteen years ago, and believe it or not Mrs. B. had been talking about them just a few days ago - brilliant. Louise is a regular so we can now expect to and Eunice to come back, perhaps for the Burns supper on the 23rd.
Mercat was fairly busy with Jamie @ Shrek and Lady Claire working their magic in the kitchen, Sir Chris,( The Laird), young RGB and Iona form Oz on the floor ( and me of course).
We eventually got away home where I had an online chat with Carolanne in Dublin - seems, that like here, things are a bit quieter and they also are having to tighten their belts. BUT , the problem is worldwide - and so far I have heard nothing to indicate that the greedy so and so's who were so incompetent and caused this have been dealt with by their masters. and HBOS - biggest loser of all.
Been doing a little research into the Freedom of Information Act and Data Protection Act as it looks like I might needing to shake a stick at some of the incompetents in the HR Dept of the City of Edinburgh Council.
Met this pleasant "citizen of the City of Edinburgh" who was telling me that he has been observing the Tram Project since it started and he was anything but complimentary, he says that the initial budget estimate of £52.6 million is nearly gone and that the new revised estimate will be £1.2 billion !!!!!!! which no one will admit to. He has hundreds of photos, been to dozens of meetings and like me is totally incensed by this wanton waste of public money.
So, having gone for a walk, I stood and while talking to two others watched the crane driver at Haymarket who became totally freaked at the thought we were talking about him doing nothing for so long. he got out his cab, picked up a shovel ( and no longer do they use big ones, they are all tottie ones), jumped down into the enormous excavation , prodded the gravel a couple of times and got back into his digger to sit idle once again.
My companions at the time were the lady from the Water Board who had no idea what he was supposed to be doing - just said that he might be waiting on part to be delivered - so where was the so called Service Delivery Manager.
My other friend was non other than paddy of the paddy and Pauline duo from the Sportsman's Bar - just great to see him and looking so well. He had been paid off before x-mas and then , today he has got a new job - WHERE ? - with the Tram people - Carillion - so I gave him some tips on how to cope with the boredom, keep himself warm when standing idle, and the name of a good accountant.
So I then hear that from the Musselburgh end, things at the Sportsmans are ticking along , Brian has lost his voice so that pleases folks, BUT , our friend Big George has now lost the plot, been barred from every pub and is now due a court appearance for an assault on a barmaid !!!
Shame when at one time he was a decent bloke, but that is what drink and gambling do to you.
Back to the Mercat where our young German lad, Andre Gerstmann from Berlin was in for his lunch and to say farewell as he was away home. He has been in every day for the last week during his stay here as he enjoyed the company, banter, food and drink.
BUT serving a table the lady recognised me and , of all people it was Eunice Simpson with her husband Tom and daughter Louise, formerly of Floorcraft, Penicuik. We had known them for years but had lost touch when they gave up the business about fifteen years ago, and believe it or not Mrs. B. had been talking about them just a few days ago - brilliant. Louise is a regular so we can now expect to and Eunice to come back, perhaps for the Burns supper on the 23rd.
Mercat was fairly busy with Jamie @ Shrek and Lady Claire working their magic in the kitchen, Sir Chris,( The Laird), young RGB and Iona form Oz on the floor ( and me of course).
We eventually got away home where I had an online chat with Carolanne in Dublin - seems, that like here, things are a bit quieter and they also are having to tighten their belts. BUT , the problem is worldwide - and so far I have heard nothing to indicate that the greedy so and so's who were so incompetent and caused this have been dealt with by their masters. and HBOS - biggest loser of all.
Been doing a little research into the Freedom of Information Act and Data Protection Act as it looks like I might needing to shake a stick at some of the incompetents in the HR Dept of the City of Edinburgh Council.
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