Good day ' Great evening

Happy chicken today , bit tired but had an extra hour this morning .
Thursday was good, headed off on schedule and as soon as I hit the M8 , there they were , the white van men , all high as kites, adrenaline running and passing everything in sight . There is no need for the sports world to support the Grand prix circuits , you just need to line up on the motorway bridges and watch these maniacs at work - only difference is that they do not have helmets on or radio mikes, they just use mobiles glued to their ears.

There was also an abundance of the dreaded black Range Rovers / Jeeps / and BMW X thingies all trying to run over the poor wee Ford which was doing its best.

However, Fraser was in good form in Glasgow, and as I headed south the skies lightened and opened up to a beautiful morning. Heading for Carlisle I was treated to a majestic vista of Scarfell, capped in snow, possibly the clearest I have seen it in several years doing these runs down the M74 / M6. No real problems, but these long stretches of road works with the average speed cameras is a bit of a pain, although it does not seem to deter the white van men and the range rovers. On the stretch south of Carlisle there was note saying that 5099 motorists had been fined so far while the roadworks were in place !! make the local finance Department happy.

Into Runcorn, the lovely Jill there to greet me and get everyone sorted as usual. Dick Turpin's sisters were both back in the canteen and shop, but denied having been released from prison again !! Sue, unfortunately is off in to hospital next week, so I wish her a speedy recovery - we will miss you.

No incidents on the way home, apart from the toilet at the Shell Garage, Metal Bridge, Carlisle, being closed again , so it was a crossed leg job, foot to the floor and headed for Glasgow at top speed!! bringing tears to the eye.

made it home in one piece, and power napped before taking Mr McEwans luxury coach into town to get to The Mercat Bar for the wine tasting dinner.

What a treat, Avocado Dips, Olives, Oil and crusty bread to nibble ; spicy king prawns; chicken and orange salad; onion and tomato soup with a pesto topping; trout; plum tart; and a cheese board - all to compliment seven lovely Californian wines.

Those who attended were raving about the food and service, just a pity that several called off at the last minute - their loss was my gain , as they say, as we got extras.

For some reason - best known to himself, the photographer ( not me last night) did not manage to get any snaps worth using today, pity.

Otherwise, William and Sandra back from the sun , while Grant and EEYvonne head off into the horizon - me . I may just make for The Mercat to see what is happening.