Red Bus day in Funchal

Out at the toot this morning , did not even have brealkfast at the hotel as there was a bus at the local stop so we took it and headed to the City.
Found the stop for the red open top bus and took ourselves on what turned out to be a three hour trip. a lot slower than usual but was because King jaun carlos of Spain , his wife and the portugese President were in towen for the motor rally and some formal bits and bobs. Police everywhere, bomb squads, search temas and armed escorts - not sure if yesterdays carry on in Majorca had anything to do with it.

Big cruise ship arrived in the harbour and we were able to see it docking from a vantage point high up above the City.
The local market is brilliant with fresh fruits from the island, meats and fish - the selection and quality is exceptional - we even had a taste of five different passion fruits which are unique to the Island.

Big fire burning in the mountains somewhere relatively near to the hotel is depositing ash all over the place, and we hear that there are eighty firemen dealing with it. Hopefully they get it under control soon.

Made it for a massage this afternoon , very good, just not long enough , but the lady was run off her feet.

Our evening meal was as of the usual minimal standard and after a half salad we had a bit of a run in with the head waiter who passed a comment about the English / Scots, which did not go down too well - so we have headed out for something elsewhere. for an all inclusive, you can get draught coke at the bar , but have to pay for tins of diet coke - I presume they have never heard of the wider selection of B I B.

Anyway we will see what tomorrow has to offer.

Another hot one here in Madeira .

As I said earlier we had a nice brisk walk down the hill to the Statue, which we discovered was not at the sea shore but on top of about a 200 foot cliff. Distances seem to be so very distorted in the clear air. Over the edge of the cliff you can look down to a tiny ( I think) little beack , but there is a small cable car to get you up and down - but it was not open while we were there.

It seems that this length of the coastline is a marine ecological reserve so no fishing etc takes place.

Very hot today and someone said they thought is was about 35 C , however I do not know BUT at 8.50 p.m. it was still 31.5 C - so wewill have a warm room tonight with no fan or air con.

Trying another bar tonight, with a secure wi fi, but also because the Funchal Rally in on tonight , the whole city ground to a halt, and it is on the Tv in front of me. I wondered yesterday why all the tyres were lying in heaps around the city - to make safety barriers.

managed to get a hairdryer for the room, however with only one plug , the cable would not reach over to the mirror - so now you know why my hair is a mess !!!

Nice to get a response from Miss tramworks today, seems that the tie system fires all the e mails into their "junk" basket, but our clever young lady found it - and there was me thinking she had been locked up after her night at the wine tasting !!

So - tomorrow we might head back to the City, take in a few more sights and then hopefully spend the rest of our week catching a few rays.

Poor Sandra and William are really looking forward ( NOT) to the weekend in a tent with the family as part of James's 8th birthday. Seems that the weather is hellish and forecast not clever for the South of England this weekend. One of the couples here, from wales have been told that here is a flood warning for the river which runs by their home - not a lot hey can do - but sweat !! in more ways than one.

Time to finish my tea.

Snak Bar Neptuno to the recue

Nice sunny day again , took ourselves for a walk down to the Statue at the bottom of the hill, only trouble was we had to walk up again - bit of a shock to the system , the old pacemaker was working overtime.

Only consolation was that The Snak Bar Neptuno ( Sitio do Vale - Garajau - Madeira) was the first port of call en route, ideal for an emergency such as mine - so after a reviving wee cuppa I was nearly right as rain once again!!

The staff are lovely , and are so pleased to see their pride and joy on display to all.

Will do some more later.

Neptuno Cafe and my Internet connections.

Thought I had published a post this afternoon from the hotel computer but it appears to have gone astray.

We are back over at the cafe Neptuno, to see our ladies again and sort this blog out - they really are very pleasant and make us feel welcome.

This morning we took the local bur along to Funchal and then had a thrilling ride up the mountain in the cable car. It takes just about twenty minutes each we with some breathtaking views over the City which is a lot bigger than we had expected. the cable car runs right over the tops of houses so you have birds eye view of the occupants, talk about being in a gold fish bowl - It must be awful at the weend or evening to be sitting there with all the gondolas passing overhead.

the Botanic gardens are superp, set into a cliff top at the top of a valley - then you have the choice of the cable car back again or on a toboggan steered by two men - It cost 25 Euros to go down and you only go half way , so as we had our return tickets we took the ariel trip. a couple from the hotel took the taboggan and said it a bit hairy for the first few bends then it calmed down - but i would hate to meet a motor on the hairpin bends.

Wandered artound the City centre, markets, etc, before taking the bus back to the Hotel Fawlty Towers)
It was very very hot this afternoon , much more that the predicted 25 C - staff thought it was maybe around 32 C.

Anyway, now just cooling down , 9.30 p.m.

Not sure how I managed to get MIri's photo in here, but I am sure that Grant and Yvonne will appreciate seeing their baby again.

Time to finish my cuppa.

Tuesday PM and things are beginning to turn.

Sun has been shining and we have a wee quiet spot to ourselves as we want peace and quiet.

Breakfast was beans and scambled egg , etc, Later in the day i eventaully met with the GM of the hotel, however he, like Mrs. B's ex boss worked on the principal of not setting prescendts ??? which is not always the way to go. Had a restful afternoon , apart from the day barman who has a major behavioural problem - But when Francisco came on all was sorted.

Evening meal, was a bit crappy crappy, but we asked the Chef for something different so Mrs b got a superb omellette and i had a nice wee bit of beefsteak - sorted.

Quite a few folks in the building not happy, but as the boss said , yo ony get what you pay for !! Perfectly correct, but with a little effort by the staff the experience here could be much better - in fact a great deal better.

Internet in hotel is rubbish so iI have had to visit the cafe Neptuno across the road where the staff are lovely.

The picture is of the statue at the harbour somewhere below the hotel, easy to get to downhll, but coming bach - perhaps i need an overnight bag.

Fawlty Towers - again

Once again a queue waiting, but I cannot access my E mails. Had a meeting with the "Big Boss" this afternoon, the words, "setting a precedent" once again sprung to mind - obviously not working in the same mind frame as The Mercat Bar, I have a detailed account of the lap top but with no wi fi here cannot make use of it.

We have a bar man here who actually makes me look professional.

Fortunately sun is shining and our friendly waiter, Francisco is on duty so pints of G 6 t and V & T are the norm ( RGB take note).
Mrs. b. talking to a young person at the moment and her comment is a gross understatement " its a bit boring" says she !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Will try and get to the internet cafe later on.

Have to dodger on.

Dom Pedro Garajau Hotel, Madeira - (Misnomer)

Tuesday a.m. - still no trace of the Manager who seems to be in hiding , do not blame him.

Only consolation at the moment is that the sun is shining, and we are at a totally deserted end of the hotel.
The hotel is in the form of six blocks spread along a three hundred yard frontage, with the main reception and dining room (not an apt description) in the middle.

This morning the only bar, coffee shop open is at the opposite end to where we are sitting, so it is a hike for anything.

Rooms were self catering , now not even that, an empty fridge, no tumblers, one plug and that works the TV , very very basic.

Choice of food is literally take it or leave it, beans and scrambled egg, with corrnflakes, tea and juice !!

Queue forming so must dash .

The camera does lie

Mike a took us to the airport, eventaully got checked in but Globespan were slow with this multiflight queue system.

Stopped for a drink at Wetherspoons and again, the barman disappeared to sort out a problem along the gantry which left us waiting.

Flight was excellent, on time both ways, but expensive in flight drinks.

End of story, met by taxi and arrived at the hotel, which was a total mis match of the photos on their web site - I would say that Butlins at Ayr has the edge on this place - not even unpacked the cases ' and will meet with mangement in the morning - totally unamused.

Staff on site are doing their best, but where is the management ????? Will find out a-m- and might even head back to the UK.

Getting all excited.

Yet another bad night, sore feet, ankles and legs - falling to bits. BUT, despite the fact it is a wee bit overcast here it is dry at the moment with a poor outlook.
HOWEVER - come 2.30 p.m. we are off, up, up and away on the gfreat silver bird, heading four hours south to Madeira, where hopefully we will find some sun for a few days.
Nice to get a wee break, but I have plenty reading to do to prepare for the course I am running in London starting on 10th August - and it seems that there is already interest in a follow up course in October / November time, which is good news for me.

Anyway - ,lots to do before lunch time.

Saturday was eventful - and a long day

Now Sunday p.m. and trying to play catch up once more.

Saturday a.m., both off for once at the same time so it was off on the McEwans rattly bus, driven by Fergus, my ex scout leader, to the west end. Popped into Frasers to see the smelly girls, but Gillian of Guerulin was rushing off for breakfast so my lovely young lady at Clarins dabbed my eyes and then sent us off into the sunlight.

However we headed along to the Standing Order for a late breakfast and annoyed Archie @ The Pole Dancer, who had eventually arrived back at work after his holiday with Tracy and the children. Sorry to hear that Alan, his father in law had suffered a heart attack a couple of weeks ago - he even drove himself up to the hospital where he was admitted for treatment - keep recovering Alan.

Thought we might do something different so we headed for the National Gallery of Scotland at the Mound

Outside the Art Gallery there was the first signs of the free fringe, with a bloke doing circus tricks with a young couple. Very good. We took the chance to go into the Gallery (free admission) where there were some beautiful pictures on display, artists such as Peter Paul Reubens; Titan; Thomas Gainsborough; Nicholas Poussin; Paul Cezanne; William Mctaggart, and many others - very peaceful, tranquil and a nice way to chill out for an hour or so.

Outside the sun was shining, the East Princes Street Gardens were busy with tourists, nice backdrop with the Scott Monument and the Balmoral Hotel, whilst only yards away the tram lines were being laid and the new transport system was taking shape.
I had a wee thought to myself , "lets do a touristy thing - we must go on a City Tour in an open top bus" - WRONG - I discovered that the tour cost £12 each - which I thought was far too expensive - and will continue to say so. Not sure what we paid in Dublin a few weeks ago.

Up into the St Andrews Square where the various Scottish Banks have their headquarters, and the buildings, interiors, are really beautiful - well worth a look, especially the main hall of the Royal Bank of Scotland which has an incredible ceiling.

Took ourselves along to Jenners and spoke to the "smelly girls" there ( whose picture was on a few days ago), before going along to see Miss Talk a Lot @Ailsa, on duty at the Cafe Andaluza, which was very nice but as far as I was concerned, overpriced - but it was busy with all these folks eating little dishes of Tapas, everyman to his own.

So we crossed back over to the Standing Order again and managed to find a seat outside in the sun.

Shame that Edinburgh's other disgrace - the many beggars who seem to conveniently seat themselves outside pubs and beside "cashline" machines - total embarrassment, offer them work and they do not want to know !! Sad thing is that there are genuine cases, however, we have recently had cases where the "professional beggars" have been exposed by the media - coming through from Glasgow for the day and making a lot of money. I even watched a shopkeeper offer one bloke a job washing windows, but he refused and left the area.

So we started to chat to another couple, Colin and Janet, from Livingston -over for the day, and we talked, and (and talked)talked and talked, for the next five hours or so !!!! Lovely couple and we have arranged to meet them at The Mercat Bar in the near future.

In the meantime, on one of my trips to the bar, I bumped into a young Police Lady, WPC Stuart , from Whitburn, who had recently had a new baby, Morrin - congratulations. Pub was very busy with stag and hen parties, all colourful, dressed up as gorillas, pensioners, bright colours - all sorts, and we even met some of the young lads who had breakfast with us at The Mercat.

Eventually took the bus and headed for home, but the journey was very slow due to the masses of folks blocking the High Street area after the days events of the "Forthcoming Gathering" in Hollyrood Park.

Sadly our trip home was marred by the verbal rubbish being spouted by a couple of the local yobs on the bus - certainly not a good example or an advertisement for Scotland. Well worth a poke in the eye at least.

So, Sunday has been much quieter, busy morning in the pub, and have spent the last couple of hours packing a bag as we are off a.m. for a few days in the sun - so watch this space.

Spanish wines - and yet more rain

These wine tastings are something different - why be like everyone else. Sit down here, have a drink - do not waste it and spit it out, enjoy the stuff - and then add some lovely food and there you have it - a good night!!

So, last night we had a few more bodies present, including three young ladies from the Tramworks company, "tie limited", who use the Bar regularly for dining, but decided to join the gang, but unfortunately for them , they had to put up with me, Sparky Mark, Katie and Conner. The food was lovely and we had a great laugh and I think the girls are planning to make it an office night out at the next one in September.

Up bright (NOT) and early again, and guess what ? Yes - more rain, so only 32 days to go, and then we will no doubt have a hosepipe ban !! Yet in the South of Spain temperatures are sky high and people are being evacuated because of forest fires.

Popped into Booker's and had a word with the Boss, Michael, who was saying that they had had a great night out at Hamilton Races last Friday, which we were sadly unable to attend.

Heading for home on the bus and the rains came down, once again bouncing skywards from the ground and a literal river running down the gutters, so much so that when the buses were passing pedestrians were being drenched with a wave of solid water. Poor souls, they came here on holiday and look what the weather did for them - but then again there are those who come to Scotland to get away from the extreme heat of their own countries and certainly appreciate the lush greenery of Scotland. We do have an absolutely beautiful country, compact with so many things to do and see, that the weather is just an incidental extra. BUT - having said that, a few years ago we went to the Island of Mull, planning on going over to Iona to the Abbey, but a. we could not see the Island, b. the sea was so wild the ferry could not sail, and the gales were so strong that on Mull the water from the waterfalls was being blown sideways - just a bit disappointing!! but we at least can go back again, unlike those who had travelled from other parts of the world.

Great excitement - I actually have a day off tomorrow so Mrs.B. and I will be hitting the town-

Boys night out , and walking on water

Thursday 23rd, and it is still raining - only 32 days to go !!
Headed into town yesterday for the boys night out and stopped en route to catch this action on the Union Canal, bang in the middle of the City. These youngsters were being taught by members of the Edinburgh Canoe Club, and doing well. Nice to have something like this in the middle of the town, The Union Canal runs from the "Harbour" at Fountainbridge right through to Falkirk, where it joins the Forth Clyde canal at the Falkirk Wheel.
had watched the man up the spire at St Mary's Cathedral in the morning - this is why the ladders were up last week - now lots of scaffolding going up - but these blogs are fearless - no safety harness on - bit of a breach of the Health and Safety Regs !!!. However I suppose that is up to him - but the same was said about the fishermen who drowned on Monday night off the west coast, they were not wearing life jackets and could not make the shore when their boat overturned.
You will note that the lads were in fine spirits before their expedition and adventures into the City - turned out to be a bit of a pub crawl, a good laugh though. However, I opted out and left them early as I was in first thing this morning along with Jamie. BUT - he did stay out till 2 a.m. and managed to get in on time. One or two will still be recovering from the headaches, etc.
Very busy at lunch time today - we were run off out feet and fortunately JP had popped in for a chat so he was coerced into helping..
One of our friends has now tested positive for the swine flu, as has her grandson - she is suffering quite badly as she is one who the "underlying health problems" but now on the "Tamiflu" and hopefully on the mend.
Keep meaning to comment on the fact that our Chancellor has reduced the Premium Bond pay out from £50 to £25, allegedly in order to make more payouts - rot - just screwing the punter once again, and you can bet that when the interest rates go back up the prize pay outs will not!!
Lots of activity on the road, have seen the Police, Ambulance and Fire Brigade all passing with blue lights and sirens on, something in the Penicuik area - but what?
So now heading back into town on the bus for the wine tasting tonight - this time Spanish wines"

Electronic Eavesdropping - NOT , but it is raining

Wednesday evening and doing this from the Baronial home of Sir Christopher, Lady talk a Lot ; and their trusty friend Shrek - whilst waiting for the lads to get ready for a "boys night out" in town tonight.

Tuesday was bit of a nightmare, traffic wise, lovely beautiful morning here in the east with a fantastic sunrise, but bearing in mind the saying "red sky at night - shepherds delight, red sky in the morning - shepherds warning" - and how right it was - poured all the way from Carlisle to Runcorn and the all the back via Glasgow and then to home - so ten hours of that, driving through spray and light mist took its toll of the old peepers.
Years ago I was away somewhere with one of the old bobbies I used to work with , the wipers packed in on the car so we had a length of string through the windows, round the wipers and I had to work them manually from the passenger seat , and then also had to use a fairly liquid bottle full of water to spray the windscreen.

Still, despite the rain , spray, and poor visibility our friendly white van men , and many other fruitcakes still managed to keep their motors well above the National Speed Limit.

Managed to get my bacon buttie from the ladies at the canteen , Runcorn , which kept my energy up for the return home.

Made it home, but with work to do, no chance for a snooze, so i hardly noticed the torrential rain again - compliments of St Swithens, lightening, etc, which blew the chimney off a house in East Lothian and the fireplace from the wall.
There was also a fatal accident on Frogston Road, Edinburgh, where an 18 year old in his Mazda,
left the road, he was killed and the passenger critically injured. About the same place many moons ago, a car left the road due to black ice and ended up in a tree, six feet off the ground. The tree being lower than the road, the car had shot over the open space, and landed up in the air.

The funeral of the fireman who was killed in the fire at the Balmoral Bar,Drylaw took place today - massive turnout for the service which took place in the bad weather in St Giles Cathedral, High Street, Edinburgh.

I was listening to some of the news yesterday about the enquiry into the phone tapping and electronic surveillance by the News of the World folks or their informants.
Way back, in the days of black and white TV's, which I used to watch by peering through the neighbours windows - yes - and we still had gas street lights in Currie, I and some of my hooligan friends used to eavesdrop on people in the public telephone box - there was a phone box along the street which was sited against a great big high wall, so we would climb up onto the top of the wall - lie flat , and then roll over onto the top of the phone box to listen to the conversations below !! I am sure folks knew what we were doing , being a small village they knew us so we could have been chased anytime !! Just a little less subversive than our modern day eavesdroppers.

Also an interesting feature the radio and TV about these "Colleges" springing up all over the UK which depend on funding from foreign students who get a visa to come her, then take a couple of classes before disappearing into the infrastructure - where do they go, who supports them , and just what real steps can be taken to trace them ?

Thought I was having a day off - fat chance, so it was an early start again - but with four hours sleep I was right as rain. Tam Finlay called in to complain that the blog was not up to date , his dearly beloved wife is "blooming" in her expectant state - doing well, and doing Tam's head in ( why should he be exempt ? )

Anyway - quick run home to collect Mrs. B. - had a chat with Sister in law ( Sandra) in London to update her wit other bits of gossip, and now waiting to hit the town with the troops from the Mercat. We will no doubt exercise restraint and remain within the prescribed limits of units as laid down by the medical experts!!! - For the first hour - but I have to remember that we have the Spanish Wine tasting tomorrow night to look forward to also.

Shaking and moving

Dry and cool outside - that's here in the East, doubless I will run into rain on the way south - (day 35).

Restless night but that was with a head full of action packed Tv before bed- but no cramps.

Should really have mentioned the fact that yesterday was the 40th Anniversary of the Apollo Moon landings, remarkable feat in those days, considering that the military can no longer get serviceable helicopters up into the air!!.

However - leaving for Glasgow to meet Fraser , then down to Runcorn, so here's hoping for a quiet run - Glasgopw should be a bit quieter as it is thie start of their annual " Glasgow Fair" holidays. This being the case, the great Pole Dancer - Archie, and troops should have made it home from the sun !!

38 days of rain - and swine flu - H1N1

Monday evening and after a quiet day ready for an early start in the morning to Glasgow and Runcorn.

Wee bit rain and only 36 days of St Swithen's curse left.

Really disappointed yesterday with the result of the Open Golf, I had followed it for the four days and was wanting Tom Watson to win - he did so well up to the play off and then he seemed to get either very tired or just cracked. However - the prize goes to the winner so well done Stuart Cink, sneaked up from the pack and held his nerve - shame the crowds were not as big as expected, but with Turnburry so out of the way and no trains, getting there is a problem. I just hope thw tax men have a picnic, going round all the houses there who made a mint out screwing the punters, players and the BBC - but bigger fool them for paying the money.

Had a listen to the radio this morning when working and the debate, phone in was all about the swine flu epidemic - well what a carry on , folks are so agitated with all the information in the press. But it was some of the daft "what if " Questions being asked, at the end of the day if it s going to spread, it will spread. There were people on the phone who have already gone through it and are back at work, no side effects.
BUT to summarise - "Swine Flu Symptoms" - Sudden rise in temperature ; sweating ; shivvering; monumental headache ; aches and pains all over - and the £20 note test - you will feel so rough you will not head outside to pick up a £20 note in the garden. Treatment - go to bed , paracetamol tablets ; plenty fluids and have a week off.

Lovely morning - bright, fresh breeze, so I jumped on the bus to the end of the world (MacEwans - 101), took it up to Nine Mile Burn, and then had an hours stroll back to base.

When Irish Christine appeared a short time later for a blether, I took myself off to see Grant @Photogenix, who has a new toy, a nice machine for making advertising signs, something else to keep his mind occupied. Pity the two dogs are ill, another trip to the vet.

I see England managed to defeat Australia in the 2nd Test - looks like Robbie the upside down man will be getting a wee phone call from Sir Christopher !!!!

Watching the programme "Night Cops" , just lets us see how these drunken fruitcakes behave in public - should name and shame them all in public. The Edinburgh scenes showed young Sgt Oliver in action, he used to work at Dalkeith as a probationer when I was there - well done, couple of good arrests.

Saturday, Templars and all

38 days to go according to St Swithens, got up this morning and it was still coming down, although by now it is bright and Ok.

Feeling quite bright , left the house smart as two peas, white shirt and tie, but with things to do later it was necessary.

The Mercat Bar was steady all morning, with a multi national list of guests, four Spanish girls who were dancers doing a contemporary show at the Gallery of Modern Art at the Dean; they were very nice and understood what I meant when I said that I had two left feet !!!
We had a nice family of six in, the eldest soon having just graduated at the University yesterday, so he had his suit with him and they laughed at the comment about his Mother having to dress him !! two young ladies in for a pint and their breakfast before going to the rugby, one was a birthday girl and she was on the bell !!
At one stage Marty reckoned that all the upstairs tables were taken by our friends from the USA.

Sir Christopher was on early with me and had just been on the phone to the the Upside down boy, Robbie, giving him some stick about the way the Aussies were doing in the Ashes Test - and to make matters worse did the All Blacks not wellie the Wallabies today - so guess who will get another call soon.

Even passing the door we had a nice bright hen party , emulating the London girls who we photographed in Dublin - had to get the dark glasses on.

My one man army with the tramworks was on today, going great guns, but we still have a big hole outside the door which I guarantee will not be filled for ages.

Great consternation today, Mrs B. went looking for Archie the Pole Dancer at The Standing Order, and he is still on holiday - took himself off with the family, without submitting a leave application to me. However, she ended up at the Cafe Andalucia in George Street, where Miss talk a Lot @ Ailsa - was being kept very busy. Big day on Thursday, South African wine tasting in The Mercat bar at night - Sir Christopher and Lady Tara haver their birthdays.

Left at lunch time to head off to Dalkeith for the meeting of King David of Ballantradoch, Preceptor of the Knights Templars, no 161. Very good attendance with over sixty there because it was a Provincial meeting, but well run by Simon Fairly.
Next meeting is of St Bernard de Clairvaux, held at Newbattle, on 1st August which is a Preceptory of instruction. However, on 15th August we have a very special service at Temple Church at 11 a.m. and then the regular meeting of King David at Dalkeith.

Kind of tired , but Sparky Mark and self popped into Dalhousie 720 for one lager shandy to see Alex and Campbell - bar was busy which was nice with a group of the Saturday afternoon regulars.

The Open Golf at Turnburry is excellent, no runaway leader, but Tom Watson is doing brilliant, oldest player on the course and he has also had a hip replacement !! not bad - but tomorrow will be worth watching.

Anyway, up again sharp in the morning back to the Bar- and of course I have Tuesday to look forward to, yet another RUNCORN run - keeps me out of mischief.

Town quite busy tonight - Simple Minds are playing on the Castle Esplanade tonight, so it had better keep dry.

The question for today - What is the difference between inside out and outside in ?

Had logged off , but the subject of the P. P. P. was raised in conversation !!!! The Pagan Police Personnel, who have now taken the Police authorities to task. Their argument is that if the Police are bending over backwards to accommodate minority groups then they deserve the same rights to celebrate their respective festivals - midsummer, solstice, etc, - so what next - the ladies who only want to go to Debenham's "blue cross" days!!!!

You learn something different every day.

Wet , windy , dreik, etc , not much more to say to describe the morning , so it is a day in front of the computer to get on with some work.

Thursday was our training day at the Bar, doing what is required with all the staff to conform to the new Licensing Scotland Regs, coming in to force on 1st September. These will cause some bars and shops a lot of grief, everyone who sells alcohol has to do the trianing and the Licensing Officers will have the power to come into any premises at any time to see what is going on , check training records, and make sure everything is hunky dory. All these two for one offers, cheap doubles, and one off promotions will stop - even in shops.
After the "classroom" session we had a walk out round a few of the bars around the West End just to see the competition , and a change of scenery.
Our team stopped for a breather at one of the old Police Boxes in Rutland Square, it is a shame they are not in use - apart from the ones converted into coffee stalls. Howard was ever so laid back - what's new.

Mention police, our nearby newsagent ( McColls) was broken into again , that is four times in six weeks.

Most of the day it was lovely and warm , but on the way home we ran through a massive heavy storm , roads flooding , yet three hundred yards along , roads were bone dry.

Found this photo I had taken in Dublin , of the patent devices to stop train crashes, there were certainly a few "bright" Irishmen about !!!

Happy now, got the TV on beside the computer so I can watch the Open Golf from Turnberry, Tom Watson , back in the lead again at the moment. I remember going into the Turnburry Hotel years ago, four or five of us, when were staying down at the Heads of Ayr, don't think the staff were too sure of us as we were followed around the hotel - but we did stop and have a pot of tea !! Bit costly, even then, perhaps they thought we would pinch the tea pot or the spoons!! Place has just had a massive refurbishment, so you can bet your bottom dollar that those staying there this week will be paying big big bucks.
I see John Daly is wearing some rather bright clothing, a bit like the girls in Dublin last week, he wears them one day and then the replicas go on sale the next . At least he will not get run over. Nice to see that they are allowing under 16's in free provided they bring an adult.

Birthday bash tonight for the lovely Tara, our wine expert, plus Phil's doo at the Bowling Club, and with the weather changing it is maybe just as well we are not going to Hamilton races tonight.

Weather, Gossip, Drugs and reminiscing -again

It was sun tan cream and wellies today, one minute lovely and bright and then the black clouds arrived and poured tons of water upon us, roads dry and a couple of hundred yards along the way the water was bouncing up in the air. I think we were lucky here as it was intermittent, however other parts of Scotland had flash floods, etc.

Anyway - back to normal last night, cramp, sleepless, and up early with nowhere specific to go, so it an hour or so on chores in the house. then I did have a look in at the swimming baths but as there were little persons everywhere swimming in all direction I gave it a miss and took myself off to see Grant @ Photogenix at Bonnyrigg and deliver toys for his dogs ( bought by Mrs.B.). He was quite busy and when a little technical hitch arose with his computer it was time to exit stage right and head back home in time to rescue the washing from the first deluge of the day.
So what's new, discovered that the usual Penicuik, speculative gossip mongering machine had again got it all wrong - some weeks ago there was a suggestion - definite - positive news that MacDonald's were going to build a drive through restaurant in the Town Centre car park - load of codge - the extension to the car park is nearly completed - just lots more tar and many more spaces for our local boy racers to occupy at night.

There is to be a sequel to that well known cult horror movie "The Wicker Man" filmed 36 years ago in the outer Isles, the new one is underway in the Edinburgh area, with much of the filming being done in the local Pentland Hills and within the grounds of Penicuik House, only a short walk from here. I think it was only last year that we had a Scandinavian film crew working in the woods in Lowries Den which is also part of the Penicuik House estate.

Yet more controvesy in the daily papers, a prisoner called Dale Walkinshaw is reputed to be due for release within the next year. Thirty two years ago Walkinshaw, as a 17 year old murdered an eleven year old by bashing his head in with a brick in Gorebridge because the boy refused to give him a ride on his bike. The young lad lay in a coma for nearly a year before he died. I remember when that happened, there was a lot said around him being of diminished responsibility, etc, but he was found to be fit enough to stand trial. Two yars later, on his release as a nineteen year old he stabbed a thirteen year old Penicuik boy six times and was the jailed for life - now there are concerns that he will repeat offend when released as he has shown no remorse at all.

The nearby village of West Linton, which I wrote about when talking about Cleaves Cottage - locus of the biggest LSD haul, hits the headlines again, with the discovery of £300,000 worth of cannabis plants in a house in one of the houses there - you never know who is doing what in the house next door. Many years ago, the local Policeman in West Linton , was a chap called George McGill, a former green keeper who joined the Lothians and Peebles Constabulary at Bonnyrigg. Anyway, latterly and up to his retirement George was the local bobby in this very nice rural one man station . He was down the main street one day and admired the window box in one of the houses, however, when he went back to the office he did some homework and discovered that the lovely "ferns"in the window box were actually cannabis!!!

Looking at the local Community Newsletter and there are issues over litter, under age drinking, etc, and a suggestion that an educational programme is needed - To think that in 1990 I produced a blueprint for a community programme, dealing with all these aspects, and more, however, my Divisional Commander at the time felt that it was "inappropriate" - he just had no foresight !! Typical Polis of that era.

BUT - on the same theme, the contacts I had in London recently have been on the phone, so the NVQ course they are organising and have asked me to run will now be taking place, in London, 10th 11th August and Mid September, something different for me to get my teeth in to.

Staff training tomorrow - last of three days so that all are up to speed before the introduction of the new legislation on 1st September.

Images of the Brave

Very sad tonight to see the coffins and procession of the eight young dead servicemen who were returned from Afghanistan via RAF Lynham through Wooten Bassett in England. Lots of debate as to whether it is worth it - however, from reports coming back from overseas the people of Afghanistan already have a much better life under the coalition than the remorseless Taliban.
Just how it impacts on our own lives we really do not comprehend, but should the Taliban and these terrorist groups ever think they have the upper hand we will most certainly know what it is all about and there is nothing more certain than the fact that we will suffer from increased terrorist attacks.
We have one days lapse in Northern Ireland and see what happens - just think what a handful of dedicated fanatics can do.

Bit on the ITV news tonight about Chinook helicopters sitting in hangers for the past fifteeen years due to the software for computers not being available!!! Did the idiots who are in charge of this lose their jobs for total incompetence - most likely not.

A few lines - Tuesday p.m.

Thought that as I am sitting doing other work, having returned from the Mercat an interim blog might be in order.

Wide awake at 3 a.m., however, did not get up till 6 a.m., and as it was a nice morning took the motorbike back into town - BUT the heavens have opened a couple of times. In doing so four of our early morning guests were caught out as they left their "brollies" in the bar to collect them later - hopefully they were under cover in either Edinburgh Castle or the Whiskey Heritage Centre and missed the downpours.

RGB being a busy boy doing some of the training which all the staff need to do before the new Licensing Act comes into force on 1st September - so I held the fort along with a new start and Kylie out teacher from Oz.

Got an invite to the night racing at Hamilton park, this Friday evening , however, as I have said I am going to Phil Cronin's retiral doo, that's where I will be.

I was told by one of our customers that the Police and Fire Forensic investigation teams are still working their way through the debris in the Balmoral bar, Dalry, trying to ascertain the cause of the fire in which the young fireman was killed. It seems that he should have been on a rest day but covered the shift for one of his friends who was up at "T in the Park" at the weekend.

Going back a few days to the wee budgie found struggling in the sea off the coast of Devon , the rightful owners were traced and have the budgie back at home.
I heard a story on the radio about fishermen in the north sea finding a budgie in a snow storm and when it landed it froze to the deck - they thawed it out in an oven on the boat and it lived for another two years - that fisherman and his family still have budgies to this day - good one.

What a carry on trying to get quotes for car insurance - I have all these letters offering fabulous deals - BUT - when you call up all the extra things you want pile on the pounds ( £'s) - end of the day , best deal for me was with SAGA this year.

Rain is still chucking it down intermittently - so bowling might well get a miss tonight.

early start , long day

Eventually decided to get up at 3 a.m. !!! just wonderful but was surprised that it was a bit darker than I had expected, however, after a cuppa, a potter about , I set off for Abingdon at 4 a.m - nice views of the sunrise in the rear view mirror. Lots of wispy mist on the ground with animals standing in the fields, their legs and torsos hidden from sight. Road was very quiet till about 7 a.m. when the "workforce" hit the roads - so keen to get there quick that I was being passed by not only the usual range Rover, white van men, but young ladies in wee cars bouncing all over the place - I followed one young lady for about thirty miles, she was fast, but not in real control of the car!!

Arrived early at Runcorn , before the offices opened so I managed a real breakfast this time, freshly cooked , nice, with Christine and Sue bringing me up to date with their gossip.

Jill in Reception, back this morning after a weeks golfing in Durham County with her friends, had a good time, and weather not too bad.

Headed home wards, via Glasgow, with a slower than usual run, intermittent heavy rain showers, and certainly needed a bit of a snooze when I got home at 3.30 p.m.

Radio 2 on all day - great furore about the English allegedly cheating to get a draw at the Cricket, but it seems that had the boot been on the other foot the Aussie's would have done the same - excellent little replay on the radio of when the "fat" physio was sent on with no idea why he was there !! Gamesmanship.
Also a lot of Scots wanting a bit more cricket on the TV as the interest and participation in the game in Scotland is increasing in leaps and bounds. We even have Australia coming to play Scotland in Edinburgh in the next couple of weeks.

Monumental blunder by the Professor of Midwifery who has suggested that woman need a bit more pain and less medication during Childbirth - he will be snowed under with tons of E mail by the time the dust settles.

Programmes on TV tonight, both causing controversy - one about the alleged torturing of the Terrorists by the CIA in the USA - reporters making great stories out of the news - BUT - why do we not get articles of complaint in Iranian newspapers !! about the same thing happening over there - because the reporters would have been beheaded. There was also the recent case where the six Christians were beheaded as spies in Somalia - God - we have folks giving their whole life to help these people, and G8 nations pledging £billions to give aid, but the hierarchy want nothing more than to line their own pockets while their people suffer .

Still great disruption in the Dalry area of Edinburgh where Police and Fire investigators try and find out why the fire in the Balmoral Bar started - seems that the floor gave way under the fireman who died.

Local news, we have the three brothers, Zack, Elliot and Lloyd Saltman, from Penicuik, ( farm on the A 702) taking part in the British Open at Turnberry this week, two playing and the third as a caddy for his brother.

Sorry I cannot remember the name, but think it is Brian Cunningham ( will check) who was the Penicuik Hunter in 2006, was killed in a road accident ( aged 26) in Carnwarth recently . His parents stay in Penicuik, but he had married and moved through there.

John Hartson, the former Celtic captain , now seriously ill with testicular cancer which has spread through his body - a young man - would not wish this on anyone.

One of the sons of Bathgate, Dario Franchitti did well to manage yet another Indi car win in Toronto - winning by 1.6745 seconds !!!!!!!!!!! What did we do before electronic timing - if our lane judge had a stutter or a twitch you could lose a race. But this is his third this season - not sure how his sister is doing , not heard much recently about her.

BUT - up again sharp for work at The Mercat Bar again a.m. - hope the rain stops !!

A good Saturday in Edinburgh

So Saturday was a bit different, went to work early, had a fairly quiet morning apart from the noise from the Tramworks.

Home and managed to pick up a few rays in the back garden, very pleasant surrounded by our floral display, and listening to the various sports taking place on the radio - Scottish Open Golf at Loch Lomond; cricket from Cardiff - where England appear to have saved their bacon; Athletics with the qualification for the World Championships, and the time qualifications for the German Grand Prix. It was interesting to hear how the teams were being caught out by the rain and the wrong choices of tyres. Anyway , I see that Mark Webber from Australia has won the race today , the first in his career, and the first Australian for a long long time.

Into town on the big bus, and spotted this bridal party heading along the South Bridge on the tricycles, what a great idea and will have saved a fortune in limo's - they seemed to be happy and the public were "fair taken" by the sight.

Into Jenner's Store in Prince's Street, headed for the smelly counter, and met the Chanel girls, Fiona and Nadia, so Mrs B. ended up doused in clouds of "posh pong", which kept her happy.

Up to the Standing Order, to wait on Grant and Yvonne and met Irish Christine and Joe, so they ended up heading along to the Mercat with us for Dinner. The Mercat was chocka block, with

two big tables downstairs and then us upstairs with everyone else - poor Jamie and Lauren in the kitchen were hammered ( big fuss about three tables!!) . Turned out to be a good night, with Go Jo doing the honours and getting us home.

Up again sharp and into the Bar again , lot of diversions this morning due to a very serious fire at The Balmoral Bar, Dalry Road, where the pub, the flats above had gone on fire, but one of the fire fighters had been killed and another seriously injured when the floors above collapsed on them - our condolences go out to the families. We had a couple of fire fighters in the bar, up from London on a stag do, and they were very upset by the news, the scene being relatively close to the Mercat.

Had to pop along the street where the rubbish is starting to pile up due to the work to rule with possible threatened strike action by the Council bin men - what I saw is mild compared to some parts of the town.

Have to give praise to one of the tram workers this morning - he was a one man road gang - did a great job on his own - using his machine to break up the road, lifter the debris, drove the dumper truck to take it away, then was out with a shovel levelling and then brushing - all to make sure it was ready for the tarmacadam squads next week - well done. I even offered him a cuppa or juice but he was fine and worked on.

Early night and then off to Runcorn during the night - urgent job, so needs must, and hopefully a nice quiet run and a nice night.

Hairy chaps, plastic pipes, etc.

What a night last night, Sparky and I helped John Rambo, in Rambo 2, safe a few troops MIA in Vietnam, bit hectic but we made it !!!!
However, different story this morning as I tried to recover - but the sun was shining so it wa out into the garden, etc.

Eventually took myself off to the Bush and with it ebing a nice day, I had a good wander around the place.
Up to the farm to have a look at the new cattle sheds - where I met this lovely beast, a three year old Limousin Bull, who, as commented seemed to think he was quite as handsome as my pal Chicken Lips.

There are drawings which look like Limousin cattle in the caves at Montignal, France dating back 20000 years. The Cattle which originate from the Central Massif area of France were first introduced into Scotland in 1971 at Leith Docks and there are now over 2000 breeders in the UK.

Our red headed friend was possibly thinking of having a day out with is pals , the Charolais cattle which were sunbathing in a field near to the site of the new water works and reservoir at Mauricewood.

Lots of work going on laying the new pipeline into Edinburgh, the pipes lying coiled like Cumberland sausages, are about three and a half feet in diameter, and are made of "plastic" so they flex and bend a little which is good. The big trench is heading overland for Hillend, so we will no doubt have some more total disruption on the main roads at Lothianburn in due course.

I see from the news that if they do not get a substantial amount of rain in India shortly, that major cities like Mumbi will have to turn off all mains supplies and ration water.

Talking of water, there was a story in the papers of a budgie who was rescued in the sea off the coast of Devon, near Brixham, Tor Bay - Mrs. B. still thinks that it might well be our Bluey, who went missing ages ago, thinking he might have walked to Devon and then been swinmming off to Spain to meet up with us !! Now in the safe hands of the RSPCA at the Little Valley Animal Shelter in Exeter.

Looks like our beautiful City is anything but - what with the tramworks and now the bin men threatening to go on strike - so we already have tons of rubbish piling up on the streets waiting to be lifted. Seems that the bin men were getting up to £7000 in bonuses, just for doing their jobs. Not only that, all the social workers have had letters stating that with changes to their contracts they will also be losing money, up to £700 per person !!! and the Council wonder why morale is at an all time low - fine for the "top brass" playing games but never at the "coal face".

Devastating news tonight with yet more troops killed in Afghanastan by the Taliban who had set a double bomb trap for them, very similar to the way the I R A used to operate in Northern Ireland. After eight years we are still doing better there than the Russians ever did, and they were there for years before us. Wonder what would happen if we were able to get the Russians and other NATO forces in to join us just blitz Hellman Province.

Fun and games over, back to work in the morning at The Mercat, but we will be back there at night for dinner with Grant and Yvonne ' Photogenix, working Sunday, and then , yet another nice wee run to Runcorn on Monday morning

High' and lows and chicken lips

Usual horrendous night, with nightmares, cramps, the full works !! but what's new ?

nice morning, sunshine before the expected wet weekend - so into the garden, cut two lawns (did the neighbour's for them) before heading down the street.

Had been rummaging and gathered lots of old foreign currency from various trips so the lady in the money exchange had fun trying to work out everything - I think in the end that the only notes she could not take were two of the lower Chinese denominations - but it was money in the pocket and not the drawer.

Couple of days ago had a call from a friend who I had lost touch with when he went to work in Dundee, so today I dropped in to see him. RGB had christened him "chicken lips" many moons ago, when we were together on a daily basis.

Great to see him and I even met another couple of folks I knew - nice surprise and a waterlogged a.m. with lots of tea.

Into town with Mrs. B. who headed to John Lewis PLC and all shops west between there and the Mercat Bar, even catching up with Gillian Smelly Girl at Fraser's store.

The teamwork's are still a dammed nuisance, with the holes at Palmerston Place getting bigger and bigger, and deeper - so when the trams arrive - which should look like the ones in Dublin - All will be well - everything in the garden rosy - we will all be millionaires with the droves of tourists come to Edinburgh - so say the teamwork's folks !!!

At St Mary's Cathedral in Palmerston Place, there is already scaffolding in place, and then up one of the spires is the latest piece of ladder work - no way in a hundred years would I ever go up there.

Back to the car park where our friendly (NOT) N C P attendants were happily issuing parking tickets . Mrs B. reckoned that the worst thing they did was to take away the man in the box who was there all the time - done to save money - BUT - since he has gone I would think they have made even more through the extra fixed penalties being issued.

Archie , Pole dancer, is missing in action, believed to be on holiday, but maybe moving house.

Sparky Mark has arrived , stressed out after a long nine hour shift, his four days off have not helped him any !! Tough at the top.

23rd July, wine tasting of Spanish wines at the Mercat Bar, 7 p.m. another good night with good food.