The Trophy Room, Ibrox

Just a few photographs of some of the many trophies on display - the guides present were brilliant, very knowledgeable. Certainly worth a visit.

The Blue Room - Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow Rangers

The Blue Room at Ibrox, built in the stadium for the directors, and still retained in the original frontage which is "Listed".

The murals on the walls were painted by Sir David Murray's wife and depict the Directors, Managers and Team Captains.

The wood pannelling around the walls is from the ship the Queen Mary which, when in for a refurbishment at John Brown's shipyard, Govan, John Brown, who was a member, sent up a team of joiners to do the work.

The fireplace is Italian Marble, and on the wooden surrounds on the door frames and fire place are carved small wooden bluebells, based on the song, "Blue bells are blue".

We were there as guests for the day and really had a super time.
The young lady was one of the staff, who were really on the ball.

Mr Ally McCoist MBE and guess who.

Heading out of the Stadium, down the stairs from the Blue Room when I bumped into young Mr McCoist, Assitant Manager , and late of the BBC's Question of Sport fame - an extremely nice person , charismatic and a good footballer to boot !! Not sure who got whose autograph in the passing , but I hope he treasures mine as much as I will treasure his. It is amazing the difference ten seconds can make to a persons life - there were fans queuing up outside just to get a glimpse of Ally, the team and the celebrities - and those few seconds of contact can strengthen their ties to the club for a lifetime.

Rangers v Hamilton Academical's (Accies)

A great day out to Ibrox, but I am writing it up a bit back to front - never mind.

We headed to Glasgow on the train, met up with a friend Jim Hughes from Moffat and the then headed for Ibrox on Glasgow's metro system , which is just a wee bit smaller than the London Underground !!! Fortunately we were to be at the Stadium well before the game so we did not get caught in the pre match crowds. As we arrived we saw the Opposition Team, Hamilton Accies arriving on their team bus and so we followed them through the front door. Had our session in the Blue Room , which I will write about later, then watched the game from the comfort of the Directors Box. Weather was excellent , nice and pleasant afternboon for a good game of "footie". The stadium is very compact, neat , and immaculate. The playing surface was in good condition, ideal conditions.

It was quite a good game, and with Rangers eventually winning 4 - 1 a good ending , although the goal they lost was a bit silly, given away by a bad pass back. Toss up for the Man of the Match , however Steven Whittaker got it over Kris Boyd , both managing to score twice. My man Naho Novo came on as a substitute in the second half. Funniest part of the match was when the Accies No 3 Luis Rubiales took a blatant dive in front o the Rangers goal, from that point onwards the fans were heckling him at his every turn - kept everyone amused.

Just about up to date.

Friday, and it seemed like winter was here when we got up, wild and windy and certainly no sun - I reckon that the BBC / ITV should be prosecuted for mental cruelty when they show the sun shining in other parts of the UK, and we , in this tiny Penicuik ecosystem as suffering.

Sleepless night again , not helped by the incessant banging of the water boards manhole cover outside. So it was onto the blower, following up on my neighbours calls and lo and behold, I get a return call to say it will be fixed next week - watch this space.

Took myself off to Bonnyrigg to see Mr Photogenix, who was mega busy , and then mega stressed when I arrived - but I was gentle with him !!!! Which is more than can be said for the dreaded "Cruella" who later on had a good old session with my aching bits - all to do me good apparantly - so the saying no pain - no gain , is allegedly well appropriate. But having said that , it was good - except from she really dug deep !!

Duly despatced to Tesco's for a few essential supplies !! - namely Vodka and Gin , (and a few items of solid food) however, Sommerfield's were £2.50p per bottle cheaper than Tesco. It really is a bit of a racket, you need to have eyes in the back of your head and be prepared to shop around for a bargain and also to get best value for your money these days.

It actually cleared up this afternoon , a bit bluster though, and out butterfly tree was covered in a variety of butterflies so I managed to get a couple of photos - one is certainly a Red Admiral, anyway will add them later.

Still in search of the elusive holidy to Egypt, or Panama , or India, or South Africa, or , or , or , whenevever a certain person stops changing their mind.

Call again to do yet another run to Runcorn next week on Monday, but having forgotton about the "Bank Holiday Weekend" it looks as though Tuesday will be the earliest I can do it , but I will also have my wee add on to Birmingham again - only 707 miles !!!!

So back to the immediate - rushing as usual as someone wants a lift to join her lady friends and carry on the inane chatter of Monday night.

Not heard from the Upside Down Scotty who is still in London , licking his wounds after the defeat of his team last weekend - no doubt he will surface in due course.

But tomorrow - RGB and I are off to see Glasgow Rangers Football Club, play the mighty Hamilton Accies at Ibrox, wee bit hospitality thrown in so it should be a good day, and of course we will rush back to see the next part of the X- Factor!!!

Wed / Thursday this week

Tuesday night was my last post , Wednesday was working at The Mercat as usual, and place was busy enough. And by the time I came home and started on the computer again digging once again for the next part of my London course, the night was gone.

Thursday , into the Bar - once more, again enough to do to keep us occupied, plus I had Sir Christopher in doing jobs to keep the Officers of Building Control happy. I seriously think that this Council will not be content until they have closed down most of the bars in Edinburgh. The new legislation due out has their distinctive interpretation - a) do not ask client if they would like another drink ; b. Offer a glass of water as an alternative; c) no prizes for quiz nights, just expect the punters to want to come in and participate !! Dream on.

Had a visit from Gillian at "tie", which was nice, so we were brought up to date with some of the latest developments in the Tram Project - better to be kept in the loop than left out in the cold speculating.
Perfect example tonight in Sommerfields Store, Penicuik, there was nothing in the dairy section of the cold freezers, so immediately people were saying , "what do you expect, they are closing at the weekend" - total rubbish - freezer cabinet had broken down so rather than lose the product it had been cleaned out - that's how rumours start.

So Home, in and out yesterday afternoon and away up the A90 to Perth to attend a meeting of the Fair City Order of the Secret Monitors, held in Lodge Scone and Perth no 3. I had actually just been reading about it the night before, about how Sir Robert Moray , one of the founder members of the Royal Society tried to get King James the VI to join that lodge about 1600 with a view to getting him made Grand Master Mason and raise the status of Freemasonry in Scotland. However, at the same time, another group of masons in the Edinburgh area were pushing for Sir William Sinclair of Rosslyn, who eventually became the First Grand Master mason.
Anyway had a nice Installation meeting of the Fair City, congratulations to my friends from Crief, Andy Brown and Kenny Jack who have office there. I even managed to get presented with my own Provincial sash, Jewel and Certificate, having missed the East Of Scotland meeting last Saturday.
Dashed driek and wild night to drive back home.

Just another day in the car.

Awake as usual at 3.30 a.m. despite the fact I was not due away till 6 a.m. !!! But , so there I was heading for Hillend on the A702 and there was a magnificent sunrise, big red orb rising over Berwick Law in the distance, very nice and as they say " red sky in the morning - shepherds warning". I had it in my mirror all the way west so it must have been a problem for those heading east which accounts at times for the regular bumps on the Eastbound M8.

Very quick stop at Cowcaddens and then off south - M74 and M6 were really quiet so I made good time but still had to get Jill to phone ahead to get my bacon buttie put aside.

Heading North and the Police had an operation going, between Junctions 22 and 24 with a spotter camera on a bridge and a posse of patrol cars pulling motors in - however, there was an abnormal load going through the area at the same time so the road was a bit chaotic with the outside lane down to 20 mph at times for nearly ten miles. It is no wonder the road is badly rutted with these loads.

Once past this the road was relatively clear again, except for short periods of heavy rain and very poor visibility. Lot of new roadworks en route with the new average speed cameras in situ, and as usual the normal one or two chumps who go flying through.

In and out of Glasgow again, at the toot as I was feeling very tired and not too well - so by the time I got home it was straight to bed.

Listening to the radio where there was a feature on roads works in Manchester by the Gas Board which are doing to the traders there the same as the tram works have done to us in Edinburgh. Then a lot of folks called in with similar tales from around the UK - just what do these works cost the economy.

Then there was a real furore about the new legislation brought in by the EEC bureaucrats regarding the introduction of low energy light bulbs as of 1st September. Lots of objections and lots of people stock piling old style bulbs. For us the problem is that they do not work with dimmer switches, so we have six big dimmer units costing £140 each which will soon be obsolete so how many years of using the new bulbs will it take to save the cost of the dimmers ????

It is claimed that they have a seven year warranty !! so perhaps it we might keep a log of the bulbs and when they blow early claim the manufacturers !! A number of people called it to say that there is a faint flicker from them which is not good for people who suffer from epilepsy.

On different theme, Mr Supreme Rat has to be the low life husband of Kerry Katona who set up the camera in the house which caught her snorting cocaine in the bathroom then sold the pictures to the even lower life dross purporting to be paparazzi. It is time they were sorted out for the constant intrusion into peoples private lives.

Looks like the release of the Lockerbie Bomber by the Scottish Parliament is going to have repercussions with our transatlantic cousins - if they start to boycott Scottish goods just think how many youngsters will be deprived of Tunnochs Caramel wafers, Barr's Iron Bru; deep fried Mars Bars; Haggis Pies, etc ; and adults who will never experience the delights of a good Malt whisky, or a rainy day in Edinburgh.

Still feeling a bit iffy so it looks as though I have a wee bit of what RGB has !! but it will be back to the Mercat Bar a usual in the morning.

Bit of a coincidence.

Busy trying to catch up once more, especially as Mrs. B. and Irish Christine and friends have taken themselves off to the town to see the Ladyboys of Bangkok who appearing as usual as part of the Edinburgh Festival.

Early night last night , but up early and into town to get on with the show - Bar was busy this morning , and once again I had several repeat visitors. The new ones were kind of tired having just arrived off early morning flights. Chatted to this lovely couple from Penarth , Vale of Glamorgan , Natasha and Craig Llewellyn , who got married on the 22nd , so that being my anniversary I treated them to a wee glass of something bubbly and they posed for me.

On my way out later I met up with the Cluedo Gang , who were heading off for their daily show at Augustine's , 41 George IV Bridge, they were very smart and lovely.

Managed to get the new tyre for the bike, and fitted it so I am ready for the road again , however, not till Wednesday now as I had an urgent request to head south to Runcorn via Glasgow in the morning - the things I do !!!

39 years but who is counting!!!!

Had an excellent day on Saturday, started off early with the bouquet
of flowers ( no - not a wreath), a nice card and a bottle of bubbly - so Mrs. B. was happy. Into town with RGB and we took breakfast and a glass of the bubbly at The Mercat before heading into the town for a wander. Even at that stage of the day the Bar was busy with a lot of the repeat customers.

So along to Fraser's for a quick chat to "Smelly" Gillian, then along to the Standing Order where Archie and Tracy were working, so it was another cuppa and a blether - Mrs. B. headed off to Imarni's where she was booked in for some spa treatments, while I eventually walked along later with Tracy.

Took myself over to see Ali at "The Salon" and had a haircut before swapping places with Mrs. B. and had a hours massage with Kate.

Mrs. B. returned to see Smelly Gillian who gave her a nice makeover and dispatched her back to the Mercat. We then headed to the Grosvenor Hilton where we had booked a room for the night - big treat when we discovered it was a great big suite - so there we were, with a bottle of bubbly, strawberries and cream, and Sir Christopher, Miss talk a lot and Jo Jo to help drink it.

Andy KP had booked us a table at "Tony's Table" in North Castle Street. Just a bit disappointed as I was hoping to get a steak, but they were not on the menu. Our waitress was a lovely young lady, very good and attentive, however I did have a very slight problem with one of the male staff - so irrespective of the fact that what we did have was fine, we will not be back.
Headed back, stopping into Harry's Bar, and then to the Mercat.

The weather was clear ands mild so we were able to sit out the front with the patio doors open and watch the world go by, and also the nice young ladies who called in to sell cigarettes.

Eventually headed round to the Hilton, and collapsed into the giant bed - shattered.

lovely relaxing breakfast this morning, and after checking out ended up helping in Mercat which was jam packed - we had one group of twenty five who have been in most of the time since Friday night. They were quite content downstairs watching the end of the Fifth test from the Oval, which was eventually well won by England. Looks like Scot and his friends will have an extra day to waste in London.

Hearts had a bit of bad luck when they gave away a penalty to Rangers within a couple of minutes from the end of the match.

Missed the end of the Spanish Grand Prix which was won by Barricelo, must have been a bit more exciting than usual. The circuit looked interesting being run through the Valencia docks.

Eventually made it hoe, and discovered that I had been let down by the tyre fitter at Noble's, turns out he took a sickie yesterday so my tyre has not yet been changed - so that is an extra £9 odds for parking tomorrow.

sat and amused ourselves watching the re run of the x Factor from last night - some of these folks are so awful, you wonder just what goes through their minds and how they can possibly believe they will ever get anywhere!!!

Running behind schedule

Friday night and very tired after a long day and restless night.

Worked all day Thursday in the Bar, then up to SAC for a quick catch up session with Arlene and Co. Home and feet up to watch young Mr Usia Bolt win the Gold medal and win the Gold Medal - fantastic. Just a pity that Hearts got duffed in their match - 4 - 0 , a bit much so to speak.

This morning - wide awake at 3.30 a.m. no way I was going to sleep, so it was a long haul through to 5.30 , then up and away on the steed of steel to the Bar. Lots of repeat visitors today, Canadians, USA; Italians, French, Irish etc;, good fun and many will be back again on Saturday.

Tramworks are progressing with filling up the massive hole in Palmerston Place, but only because they are about to swing the traffic over the road then dig even bigger holes up into Dewar Place. And the men wonder why I am offering them our Christmas Dinner menu !!! not sure if it is for 2009 or 2010.

Really hacked off today with a couple of adverse comments on the net about The Mercat Bar, totally unreal considering the numbers of compliments we get on a daily basis and the number of people who are back in, week after week. Me, I was down the street in Penicuik this afternoon and the young lady serving me saw the Mercat logo on the shirt and was immediately raving about how good our fish were. We had three Russian girls in the bar who were desperate for fish dinners which they loved - but they were not vodka drinkers !! said their Mothers were though.

Big day on Saturday, 39 yrs married, so was it a wreath or a bouquet I bought today ? got a nice day planned for us both in the town - but will miss the Provincial Meeting of the Secret Monitors when I should have been getting installed - but family matters come first. Report on the proceedings later.

Eventually had to get a new tyre for the steed, turns out my current tyre is out of production, but my man at Noble's has got me one so that will be fixed tomorrow..

Did some letter writing tonight, looks like our friends at Edinburgh City Council are still totally disorganised - no communication between departments, so it is time I got them all sorted out.

Random thoughts

Wednesday night, been busy these past two days, with early starts in the Bar, plenty busy on Tuesday with a crowd of Arsenal supporters in for lunch and pre match drinks before heading through to Parkhead, Glasgow. their team did very well managing a two goal lead against the Celtic team who were sort of outclassed.

Edinburgh is busy with Festival visitors and we are having to work hard with our foreign language skills - bit of a laugh, trying to communicate.

The Tram works seem to be making some sort of progress as the massive hole at Palmerston Place is now getting smaller each day - but one of the Managers was about to give me some inside information about a new problem which has arisen , however he was interrupted by his phone and had to leave. Ali in the hairdressers across the road, "Salon The" is suffering a bit now with drills outside her door.

Very bad accident happened on the A702 at the bad bends just south of the Hillend Junction just minutes before I got their this afternoon , I managed to get turned as I was on the motorbike, but it was still closed three hours later causing total chaos in the whole area, especially as the water board have roadworks and temporary lights in the three junctions only two hundred yards away on the A703 - not a nice place to be trying to get through.

Have been enjoying the World Athletic Championships from Berlin, the Jamaican Usia Bolt is marvellous, just a brilliant talent, and a personality to boot. Bit of a puzzle over the South "lady" who is now being investigated due to a big question mark over her Gender.

Never congratulated Andy Murray for his recent promotion to World No 2. after the win in the Montreal Open tennis at the weekend, well done young man - you can do better.

Looks like I do not have to worry about last weeks parking ticket, the Attendant obviously had a problem either with his reading or typing as the ticket was invalid - thank goodness , saved me a bit of letter writing.

Need to be on my toes tomorrow as we have the BBC TV coming into the Bar in the morning to do an interview with one of our Free Fringe acts. Havwe been on the phone to the BBC once again trying to get a message to John Ackroyd who we have not heard from for ages.

Brilliant performance by Jennifer Meadows who got her bronze medal in Berlin, racing against the Q. South African - who was miles ahead of the rest of the field at the finish.

Lovely to hear from Debbie and Ray who we met on holiday in Madeira recently, I thought they had lost my E mail.

Amy and friends

Little Miss Amy, seen here with her wee brother Aarron and also all dressed up this morning for her first day at McMerry Primary School, following her mother and Auntie Jo - so God help the teachers.

Graham's mummy says you look lovely.

In the bar, young Katie was also out with her mother and sister this morning seeing her young neice off to school , a scene repeated all over the country.

Just for the record, also seen here on their recent holiday , Auntie Jo and Graham might well be eyeing up some new dishes for The Mercat Bar

Freemasonary and Masonic symbolism

This is the engraving on the wall above the entrance to the Masonic Lodge , No 1. in Hill Street, Edinburgh. Plenty of symbolism here for members of the Brotherhood.

Now - I said I was One - do you understand?

Just had a reminder that Austin is One year old on Tuesday - not sure where the party is being held - be prepared to dress to get dirty !!

The Restoration of Penicuik House

Busy day today, with heavy rain this morning I worked away in the house, then later headed for Livingston along with young Scott and Mrs. B.

while she met with friends we had a walk through the Almondvale Centre and McArthur Glen shopping centres.

Home and as the sun was still shining I took young Scotty for a walk up to see the restoration work taking place on the site of the original Penicuik House which was nearly totally destroyed by fire in 1899. Work on the six year project, funded by the Lottery fund is now well underway and the public have relatively free access to the site and estate, although the Clerk family, now living in the converted Stable block try to keep their own area private.

The original Clerk family were very powerful members of Scottish Society and powerful landowners, mine owners, etc.

Having wandered round the old house we were about to head home when we met our old/ young friend , Johnny @ The Gigilo, who used to work with us at the Mercat - now working the doors at The Three Sisters and Biddy Milligans. Nice to see him looking so well.

An expensive "nip" of whiskey.

A few more words about the weekend, our team seen here on the steps of the William Ewart Gladstone monument in Melville Crescent; a very sad picture of our opposition seen here after a trip to the big shops for new rainwear;

We had stopped to talk to the lady outside the Georgian House, in Charlotte Square, a period house, beautifully restored and maintained by the National Trust, and next door to Bute House, home of the First Minister of the Scottish Parliament.

One of our team , Colin had friends arrive from Liverpool who joined in the after event celebrations in both The Bercat and The Voodoo bar.

Then just to finish off the weekend I dropped into the Caledonian Hotel this morning for a coffee in quiet surroundings. The whisky gantry is massive with around two hundred and forty bottles, prices ranging from £5.80p to £255.00p per 35cl measure !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not that I was buying.

Woody's stag doo.

During our treasure hunt on Saturday we met "Woody" in the cowboy suit, along with his father, brother and friends , up from Newmarket on his Stag doo. I had to get Lynne from our team to pose with them as evidence, and borrowed his necker chief.

I met them again this afternoon in The Mercat Bar where they had arrived for breakfast, and coincidentally so did Ginny's gang from Friday.

All had enjoyed their weekend in Edinburgh!! and we enjoyed their company - haste ye back

Treasure Hunt Pics

As you will see from these photographs our treasure hunt sort of led us round the town and through several of the local "watering holes" - Harry's Bar, with its musicians ; Le Di Vin , a superb French establishment;

The Oxford bar, regular "howf" of Ian rankine, author of the "Rebus" detective novels;
and Dirty Dicks in Rose Street, which is absolutely facinating and contains an amazing collection of brik a brak.