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.