A dram or two, but not for the athletes.

Saturday at the Mercat Bar , a truly international day with visitors from all over the world/

Good practice for me, trying out my non existent foreign languages !! Bit of a laugh when I told a bloke who I thought was English that his English was excellent and then discovered that he was a genuine German with a true London accent !! Oops !!.

However I then had a lovely couple from Waterloo, Ontario, Carrah and D'Arcy Johnston, who had read about The Mercat Bar and had come to see how good it was for themselves. Carrah wanted to try whiskey for the first time, so not wishing to offend, the lady was duly introduced to the "crateur" . She had a try at Bunnahabin; Jura; Highland Park; and Dalmore and ended up with Drambuie and Glayva liquers. A good wee session was had by the lady - only thing she still has to try is the crannachan which we serve as a breakfast cereal!!!

Homewards and we had a night in front of the TV watching the European athletics where the British athletes had a wonderful day, Mo Fahar; Jennifer Annis, Chris Thompson; David Green, young Bingham and Mark Rooney - well done to them all and apologies to those I have missed out.

We also have Andy Murray who has managed to get through to another set of semi finals.

Makes a change to see all these young folks training and training , showing tremendous dedication without the massive rewards our footballers receive what can only be described as pathetic performances. Grossly overrated, overpaid and with highly inflated ego's,and many who will never ever be good enough to be role models.

Finally, we had some sad news from Sparky Mark who called to let us know that his elderly grandfather had passed away quietly last week. Mark and his Grandfather were very close and despite his years, the "old yin" loved to go with mark when fishing and they enjoyed each others company. Sadly " grandad's health was failing and he had to be taken into care which he could not cope with and tried to get away whenever possible. He passed away peacefully and is now free to walk by whatever sea shore he chooses. RIP.

Movie makers hit the City

Friday night, watching the European Athletic Championships which as the week has progressed have been very good - just takes a while to get into them , but once there, great sport and some brilliantly dedicated athletes. For once our athletes are performing well and it is great to see a good number who are maturing and showing form for the Olympics.

Thursday a.m., not let down by the white van men as the first passed me at about 90 mph heading west on the downward side of Harthill, and as usual having sped by, cut across my bow and shot down the slip road and off to Newmains - just how stupid are these folks, and in this case driving a people carrier with workies aboard. Just a pity it had not been going the other way as the Polis were hiding at Harthill services in theri big grey BMW waiting for eastbound speeding cars ( at 5.20 a.m. - bit naughty).
Never mind - I had a nice peaceful run south with relatively little traffic and made it to Risley in good time - topped up my thermos cup (no hot chocolate !! - cost cutting), had a chat to Alan and Angela and headed off again. With no reason to go via Glasgow and RGB's pal from Lockerbie up in Edinburgh I just turned off at Moffat and had a super run though the beautiful border scenery of Moffat (very busy there) and Broughton (where the garden is blooming and looking magnificent).

This morning and today the Mercat Bar was busy with visitors from all over the World, Finland, Denmark, Germany, France, Ireland, Oz, USA and even London - nice cross section and keeps me entertained. We also had some of the film crew in who are filming the new movie, "One Day" starring Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess based on the novel by David Nicholls - all being well the lads will be back for a few beers during their stay in "Auld Reekie". Oddly I was asked the other day why we still had as many chimney pots when we were not using coal fires !!! Do folk think that someone is going get up on the roofs and remove them just because we have no fires !! Dopey.

Talking of Dopey and Oz - all in the same sentence, we had a call from Rob and Caitlin during the week who are slowing beginning to get organised for their wedding next April - hopefully there will be a contingent from Edinburgh to help celebrate theri big day.

Dawn chorus - all quiet today.

Looks like Summer (what summer) is past and the winter now approaches, 4.30 a.m. and it is still dark outside as I get set for a run to Risley this morning.
Life seems to be getting more lively at The Merfcat Bar, busy again yesterday as the run of busy days continues. If this is the way the trend should have been it is frightening to think how much business was lost during the tramworks operations and how much might be lost again once they start / IF they start again. The Council and tram folks all say that life will be "rosy" once the job is completed, but you never ever recoup your losses, ask the firemen who went on strike for a pig pay rise many years ago , never recovered.

Anyway - no time for early morning gossip - must head off to meet the "white van men" and see just how busy the M74 and M6 get today.

Rod Stewart - showman extraordinaire (Photos)

The week is disappearing fast and I have not been keeping abreast with all the goings on. BUT on Monday Mrs B and Irish Christine met for a quick bite at The Mercat Bar at lunchtime, then onto the train through to Glasgow - a wander trough the shops, and dinner at D'Arcys in the Prince's Square.

They eventually headed off to the Rod Stewart Concert which was in the Scottish Exhibition Centre, super crowd, all looking forward to a night with our Local Legend, who at 65 years of age is absolutely fantastic. Give him credit he did say that he could no longer reach the high notes, but who cares. He is the perfect showman , supported by an exception backing group, and soon had all the audience eating out the palm of his hand. During the course of the concert, which lasted for two hours he did a very nice tribute to his father and also gave a mention to his young son whose drawing has been printed onto T shirts which are being sold for a charity.

Brilliant show, excellent evening out.

Two deletions for the address book - look elsewhere.

Sunday evening and what a day, memorable is an understatement !!!!

Original plans were to meet up with Sir Charles and Miss Talk a Lot and do a bit of celebrating for Sir's birthday, however plans went slightly off track due to communication problems - so we headed into the Mercat ( RGB, GO Jo , Mrs B and self), short detour via my favourite store ( Matalan's ) and Bookers. Back at the Mercat it was sample time !! a couple of new Bubbly's to try out along with Justine our young French wine expert. Very pleasant way to watch the German Grand prix on the TV.
We were eventually joined by Mr Allan Snr and Brenda and we all headed for George Street. In the meantime, Sir Charles and co were in the Cambridge Bar, drinking and dining.
We made the unfortunate mistake in selecting Brown's of George Street to have lunch - two of the steaks were of such poor quality that they were returned to the kitchen and alternative dishes selected. My own chicken was so dry it had to be washed down with water, and for me, a Yorkshire pudding aficionado, no go - left as stodge - another diner to avoid.
Sir Chris and Co had passed us en route to Oloroso's for drinks with us to follow on. Oh Oh - sounded like a good idea at the time.

So, thirty minutes later we arrived outside Oloroso's to discover that RGB had been refused entry as he had T shirt on, several of the others had been refused entry as they did not serve large groups, and Miss Talk a Lot and Sir Chris were in debate with the manager over their treatment and his attitude, which eventually resulted in Miss T A L being asked to leave !!! Well done that man, he just lost eighteen customers, (much needed) who ended up in the Kennilworth, Rose Street where we were well looked after by the bar staff and remained there for a very pleasant two hours. We even met up with several Canadian visitors who ended up back at The Mercat for dinner.

So - what should have been a good team effort / day out and memorable birthday treat had its fair share of ups and downs.

Great Grog and Fine Dining at The Mercat Bar.

Saturday was a busy day at The Mercat Bar with things building up for the evening of fine wine and dining held as a joint venture between the Mercat and the Great Grog wine company.
Nearly a full house, as , unfortunately five of the guests failed to turn up - and sadly we had a group of regulars upstairs who were wishing to join in but with not knowing who was where they dined upstairs.

The meal was superb, and fully appreciated by everyone present, with Claire our Head Chef producing the menu and Great Grog supplying the wines.
For those who did not attend, here is what they missed.

*********************************
Prosecco Frizante wine as a welcome drink
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Smoked Duck Salad
Wine - Pinotage, Lutzville, Cape Diamond.
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Passion Fruit and Mango Sorbet
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Beef Medallions with wild mushrooms and red wine jus.
Wine - Merlot, Domaine Bech
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Lemon tartlet with strawberries and black olives
or
Fine cheese platter, Brie, Dunsyre blue & Isle of Arran cheddar.
Wine - Gewurztraminer, Turckheim Cave Tradition.
***********************************************

Yet another great night at The Mercat Bar, and the fact that we had one guest celebrating his "40th - again" was nice. Our own Sir Charles, was 21 again on Friday so he has made a weekend of it - more to that story later!!!!!!

Mercat Bar chat.

Saturday at the Mercat Bar, and no - despite the apparent advert for Kettle Chips, it is a sealed empty bag - possibly Kettle's attempt at encouraging folk not to eat junk food - invisible diet crisps perhaps being targeted for those on the Weight Watchers regime. BUT the full bags are the best especially the Steak ones.

During our breakfast session we had sixteen ladies on board all the way from sunny Sunderland on a hen weekend, tonight they will dress up with their tiaras and sashes - imaginative, but without my bidding there would have been no team photo.

For lunch in popped a family trio from near Galveston, Texas, USA - James Munk with his daughters Becky and Linda enjoying Bonnie Scotland and seeking out the Monkeys Shoulder whisky.

Friday, the birthday boy, Sir Christopher had a bit of an adventure when a lady thief entered the Bar and on her way to the toilet stole a handbag and then left the premises. Sir Chris went on walkabout and spotted her in a nearby cafe, called the Police and then followed her. In the course of forty minutes she entered every cafe in the Haymarket Tce area, obviously looking for other unsuspecting victims AND MORE PLUNDER.

When the Police eventually arrived she was arrested and later charged with the theft.

SO LADIES - NO MATTER HOW RESPECTABLE A PREMISES MAY BE, OR RESPECTABLE A CUSTOMER MAY APPEAR - TAKE CARE OF YOUR POSSESSIONS.

Nothing too exciting but satisfactory

Pot black , no, not the game but the state of me after my DIY antics, I seem to get dirtier and dirtier and take longer to clean up,including myself, after my handiwork. Thursday I headed off to Edinburgh Glass and Glazing and bought some security film to use on repairing the broken skylight at The Mercat Bar, broken when one of the flat dwellers threw his guitar out the window of the flat above.
Best job (dirtiest) was trying to seal the roof where we thought there was a leak using a rubberised sealing compound - got it everywhere, hands, arms, knees - just have to see if it works now. Was in a bit of a quandary as the tin said that I should not use the compound unless there was going to be no rain for forty eight hours !!! now, that is just asking too much, or so I thought, because we have had a nice wee dry spell.

My one stroke of good luck by staying at home was that had I headed South I would have been an eternity as the M74 was congested with roadworks and M 6 was partially blocked by a crashed lorry near Lancaster.

Home and back to these broken chairs - just plain shoddy, and I am having to use a bit of inactive, not having access to jigs and the special tools the workshops have.

Watched the Panorama documentary last night with Jeremy Vines about the alleged malpractices of some of the employees of the veterinary group, MediVet who have a chain of surgeries in the south of England. Quite interesting with an expose on some of the double billing going on , prices for veterinary treatment are exorbitant based on the USA private medicine style. I am sure that the despite the Company's protestations they will receive some attention from animal activists.

Today, off to see my plobotomist again - lovely lady, a happy practicing vampire, maybe !! who was pleased that I had had not worn my white shirt again ( the one with red spots on it - not blood) so we will get the results next week.

Next stop - Grant @ Mr Photogenix who was up to his eyes with lots of films to print off after his few days sojourn in Ibiza, not even stressed today - just me.

Home to the garden, where, with the sun still shining the garden beckoned and my grass shrunk and a few weeds bit the dust - so it was a satisfactory day for me in the end.

Feet up - up early a.m. and in to The Mercat Bar to open up, etc. Evening, downstairs is booked for the Great Grog wine dinner, which should be good.

No sign of dawn yet.

The wee sm hours and I am not up and about to head South to Risley, job was cancelled yesterday afternoon , so it will now be next week. Irrespective, here I am wide awake with nowhere to go and unable to start some DIY for fear of wakening the house up or the neighbours - not that I would at this time of day . BUT - I did spend all day yesterday doing odd jobs about The Mercat Bar and some more chair repairs in the garage at home during the evening.

I am trying to fix seats which are so badly made it is unbelievable, held together with glue and stables, they may well look nice but are nothing but shoddy cheap foreign imports. Coincidentally I watched an advert on the TV late on from one of our major furniture groups, who are advertising suites for sale, double discount, reduced from £975 to £775 then to £445 and of course you then cet four years interst free loans. The suites probably cost less than £100 to make and by the time the four years are up it will be heading for the recycling skip.

Not being a golfer, other than an armchair viewer and watched the recent Open at St Andrews, I am wakening up with a series of vivid imagaes of golf shots, holes, etc - keeping me awake and entertaineded, however I would rather be asleep!! So I need a dream reader to analyse these last few night dreams.

I have not mentioned my friends at Edinburgh City Council for a few bulletins, obviously the trams seem to be going nowhere fast - lots of hot air being generated, in fact I am sure we could run a series of hot air balloons or Zeppelins in their place. The workies at Haymarket Station where they are building a large ramp on the site of the former Caley Ale House seem to be turning up for attendance money , and out at Gogar they must be rattling on to get the sheds up and finished to store the trams when they arrive and stop them getting rusty in the rain.
My other group of "Chums" may soon be getting anniversary cards from me as we are just a few days short of five years in debate with the - they appear to have greater staying power than ostriches !!

Now that I have had my honey and water, a wee rant , perhaps I may get a bit more sleep before I don the the "Bob the Builder" outfit again ( the words of Justine our young French expert - yesterday afternoon).

What goes up must come down.

Dare I say it, but we actually had sunshine here today, while, according to the news reports parts of Englandshire were suffering from deluges - poor dears were being advised to take care on the roads. Might even reach those parts of hoses that water has not reached for some time.

Headed out for a meeting and ended up parked up for a while at the end of the runway at Edinburgh Airport where I was able to capture a few images of the majestic "silver birds" as they came in to land - fascinating.

BUT BUT - on the same theme but different subject matter - PENGUIN BISCUITS - they are getting smaller and smaller and smaller, but the price remains the same !!
I presume the excuse that it ius better for the diet will not wash?

A Jolly rant to let off steam.

Tuesday a.m. - had a day of rest yesterday and even took to burrowing below the duvet for a few hours, must have needed it. But in the meantime, the world as we know and love goes on regardless.

BBC news this morning tells us that the school holidays have just started in England, was there an announcement a couple of weeks ago that they were starting elsewhere in the British Isles!! Main reason for the item being the increase in the numbers of people / young people who are putting themselves at risk by "Tombstoning", jumping into areas of water and injuring themselves on hidden rocks, etc.- so be well warned, and considering that a 72 yeasr old was badly hurt last week, all need to take heed.

RyanAir have sadly just announced a 24% drop in profits - I wonder why, what is wrong with charging the gullible travelling public £5 to check in online, then £20 a Kg for baggage over the 15KG limit, £20 per bag, and everything you eat and drink on board - not that that had anything to do with the drop in numbers - albeit the ash clouds from the Icelandic volcano did ground them for longer than anyone else.

So, we are probably going to end up with more and more power cuts in the future as our power supplies dwindle and we become more dependent on imported supplies. So much for the wimps, wets, greens and do gooders, we now have our countryside dotted with hundreds of wind generators which are probably more benefit to the local bird population as roosting poles. As our coal, oil and nuclear power stations go offline we will be plunged back into darkness - back under the duvet again, unless we can get some tablets to help us sleep through the winder months in a hibernating state - but for us North of the border the weather is so bad that we do not know what is winter and what is summer.

As our motor manufacturers strive to develop efficient electric cars, what will be the point, no electricity to charge the batteries. With dwindling oil supplies, no way we will be able to run our cars, problem of congestion on the roads and pollution solved overnight - the Indian and Chinese shoe manufacturers will have a ball.

We are now told that the weather has been so bad, droughts down south so the wheat crop has failed which means that the price of flour / and bread will jump once more - no more jammie pieces I am afraid. But - what about the poor potato, the tatties will have suffered the same fate, so the price of chips will have to go up yet again ( Annual event - sign says " We are now having to use new potatoes, hence the increase in price").
Only people able to afford these luxuries will be the professional golfers and footballers on their obscene wages.

Now, The Great British Empire, where once we led the way in developing the World, here we are sending our troops out to help in areas like Afghanistan, Iraq, etc. We give aid and assistance in kind and cash and in turn the locals do their best to rob and murder our people along with their own. Our lads return in body bags to be scorned by our "new populace" who most certainly would never sign up for National Service here, but happily sit behind closed doors plotting to cause mayhem on our streets. While they plot behind closed doors our Government does the same in Downing Street and Parliament to the same effect, next for the chop will be our Army Regiments with the famous Black Watch now in the spotlight.

The French have banned the wearing of the burkha in France, yet our MP, Ms Catherine Spelman in a vote catching speech has vowed to oppose the banning of it here in the UK. We have now several reported incidents of Muslim bus drivers and taxi drivers refusing to carry blind passengers if they insist on taking their guide dogs with them - just what is happening to this once proud nation.

The government claim that the jobless numbers are dropping, but that is because we have more and more in part time employment, job sharing, etc,. Totally oblivious to these facts the Unite Union is still hell bent on shutting down British Airways and is now also targeting BAA , close the airports and we solve the problem of pollution by aircraft - BUT , BUT , do these folks not realise that there are now One Million Moldavians bury packing their suitcases and heading this direction looking for work - "Brothers ,Sisters and Comrades of UNITE, put down your banners, get your fingers out your B---, pick up your pens and papers and get on with life while you can.
I previously thought that Moldova was where Dick Van Dyke flew into with Chitty Chitty Bang Bang a few years ago.

While on this "rant" I may as well comment on the increasing numbers of "cold calls" being received by telephone, last night it sounded like a call centre in South Africa trying to sell financial services ! Night before, at tea time, it was fitted kitchens and extensions again, and from the amount of continuing interest in the National Crime Survey Group, they are relentlessly pursuing the public. It is good to see that so many people are now checking out these companies, but bear a thought for the elderly and those who do not have the internet or the "suspicion" to do the checking, phone the Police or seek help.
My tea time callers have recently been getting an "earful" when in reality we should be listening carefully, taking notes and reporting them to the so called "Watchdog agencies".


Educational Opportunities for Disadvantaged - sorry, for those in HM Prisons in the UK - yes, take the opportunity whilst relaxing in one of our comfy cells, between episodes of Corrie and Eastenders to stretch the grey matter a little. Benefits , a cash incentive, qualifications, and the opportunity for an early release and then to be able to go commit more crime. But do not worry about the Victime, there are moves afoot to offer greater Victim Support, the new Minister has just decided to reinvent the wheel after two months in post !!
Our prisoners have the chance to get one to one tuition whilst our teachers struggle to cope with growing numbers in the classrooms.

Now that I have "vented my spleen" I had better get sorted and do some work !!!

Breakfast at The Mercat -High Tea at the Balmoral

Sunday night and now that the Open Golf has finished I might be able to get on with other things. Well done to the winner, Louis Oosthuizen, who led from the start and proved to be a run away winner with no one getting anywhere near him. For those who had faith in him and put a bet on before the Competition, they will be laughing all the way to the bank, and he is made for life. Lee Westwood also did well to get back into the big money

Busy weekend in The Mercat Bar, and despite being off on Saturday I ended up helping and had a bit of banter with the groups who who were in for breakfast.

From the Mecat it was onto Princes Street where Edinburgh Castle was looking splendid.


Took ourselves into the Standing Order where le vin rouge was the order of the day and had a good blether to a couple of the older clients, reminiscing about "Honest John" the "Flying Conductor" - who for many years, as a hobby, bought himself seats on the inaugural flights of aircraft around the world, and in his later years was sent tickets by the airlines as gifts.

We headed off to the Balmoral Hotel where we were booked in for High Tea, which was part of our X-mas gift. Tea, pink Bollinger Champagne, neat sandwiches, scones with cream and jam, and strawberry tarts - eaten to the strains of music played by the resident harpist. All very civilised and the place was busy too.

Pitch, put and fingers crossed at St Andrews

Mother nature, in the shape of a "stiff breeze" is causing havoc at St Andrews today - no mercy for the finely tuned athletes of the golf world.
Thursday was a wonderful day, apart from the rain , with some real high scoring due to the almost still conditions at times, but today is different and many will be heading back to their hotels to pack their suitcases, head home and look for the next competition.
John Daly was looking splendid in his psychedelic trews, matching those of his wife who was there to head to the markers hut on the 18th with him , might be fun if she was to design trews for all the players to wear on the final round - certainly brighten up the place.
Fun and games for the spectators this morning with one of the main routes into St Andrews blocked by a road traffic accident at peak time.

We had a nice family in the Bar today from Illinois, USA and the two gentlemen are heading up for the final two days play, having received tickets as part of their x-mas present. The three ladies were being let loose on the City for the two days !!

The Mercat Bar has certainly been busy these past two days giving me little or no time to myself !! and when I made it home , it was a wee rest and then on with some more wee jobs. BUT - Saturday, I will hopefully see some of the golf at some stage, but it is to be a trip to the big City, pop ion to see the big Pole Dancer at The Standing Order, and later on we plan to have "Afternoon tea" at the Balmoral Hotel, - no, we have not won the lottery - just using up one of our x-mas gifts - so there might even be a report on that event.
Whilst we sit wrapped up in our blankets, listening to the wind whistling through the rafters, young Grant@photogenix and his good lady are toasting themselves in sweltering 101 degrees in Ibiza - I am sure they would be better off here with us, and having said that - Michael from Bookers was looking well tanned after a week of touring Scotland last week and seemed to have found the sun everywhere he went.

The night before "The Open, 2010"

It is now time for the British Open to take place again, St Andrews, which might be the purported home of golf, but bear in mind that golf was played on the old links course at Musselburgh ( part of the current race course) before St Andrews


True to form, considering the weather we have been having here, looks as though this Open Championship is going to be a good test for the players, especially the fair weather ones who are used to manicured greens and roughs.
Seve Ballesteros will not be there as he is recovering from his brain tumor and it was nice to hear that the past champions have agreed to give their prize of £50000 to his cancer charity. You can see that I managed to spot a few of the favourites getting in some practice, doing a bit of posing, etc ready for the big day. John Daly, eat your heart out.
We had a couple from the South coast in the Mercat Bar yesterday (Tuesday) who were up for the tournament and had managed to get a B & B in St Andrews on Monday night over the Internet (lucky). Even FlyBMI are getting into the act with flights into Dundee airport every day timed to suit the golf.

On the other hand, HM Queen Elizabeth managed to get a really nice day for her Garden party at Holyrood Palace, yesterday, so the hundreds of guests would have had a lovely day on the lawns with their strawberry tarts and sandwiches. One of Mrs B.s colleagues was there as a guest but we have not yet heard how she got on.

Back to the rants and raves, I am just getting ever so fed up of all these cold calls on the telephone,fitted kitchens; double glazing, alarm systems ( our National Crime Survey squad have obviously NOT stopped calling). It is supposed to be possible to stop all these callers, especially the ones at meal times - and even worse the automated calls announcing that I have won some form of competition.

Viva Espana - Ole Ole - well done

Great result for Spain last night. Having started off fairly neutral, however as Mrs B drew them in the pub sweep it gave us a bit of an incentive to watch the games and they did play well. I was even happier with the result having read the quote in the Sunday Express by Arjen Robben of Holland who said " No one in our team is too special to get their hands dirty, I,d prefer to win a very ugly game than lose a beautiful one" - so "up you Holland - you reap what you sow".

Now we have a big problem - have hardly slept all night worrying about how Mrs B will spend the £16 she has won , deposit on a car - holiday - the list is endless, just what will she do with it ? Probably look for an 80% discount sticker in the sales and get a real bargain.

I see that the Police - as expected, as going to be castigated following the death of Raoul Moat who eventually shot himself, doubtless there will be a queue of compensation lawyers lining up to represent his brother ( who had not seen him for years) and seeking professional witnesses to say that the Police caused him to pull the trigger involuntarily - just has he had already done on several occasions a week ago when he accidentally shot three people , killing one - WHAT a sad world we live in when apparent psycho's become local hero's.

On a brighter note - it is not raining this morning, "T" in the Park finished and no one drowned in the downpour although there has been a double stabbing last night which kind of mars the event which was attended by 85000 music !!! fans.
The Scottish Open was won by Edoardo Molinari who played exceptionally well to hold off Darren Clarke, they can now have a re run next week at the Open Golf in St Andrews.

Back to sport and CCTV, I see that the South African player, Botha is being investigated following replays on CCTV when he was seen to headbut Jimmy Cowan during the Tri- Nations game on Saturday - I wonder how many football players would suffer if they underwent such scrutiny after the event.

Anyway - had my ramble on - finished, time to prepare for a session with the Dr and find out what will now happen now that I shave stopped taking the tablets which make me unwell - perhaps I should try healthy eating, exercise, honey and red wine again .

Popped down to Risley, and had thoughts.

How time flies when you are enjoying yourself !! Thursday - spent the whole day in The Mercat where we had many visitors to the City dropping in for food and drinkies, nice to see some of them coming back again even though they were only in the City for a few days.

Off early this morning to Risley ( not Runcorn as is normal) , nice run down the motorways, fairly quiet with the weather reasonable. BUT with the hosepipe ban implemented this morning in the North West , it obviously had to rain - which it did - heading both ways. The newsreader had some weird story about reservoirs and lying water, etc as an excuse - but it has been the driest year since records began.

Down to Risley where I met up with Cath and Alan who I have not seen for about four years, like us all they are a bit older and Alan still supports Everton !! bit sad - however I will need to wait for a couple of weeks before I see the lovely Angela once again.
Someone remind me NEVER to do this run on a Friday afternoon - the M6 was really badly congested heading North through about four sets of roadworks between the Blackpool turn off and Lancaster - looks like everyone was heading to the Lake District, maybe planning to wash their cars in the lakes !!! . Between the additional cars, the tortoise folks, motor homes, and the people taking all their bicycles for a run( on the roofs and boots) I was nearly an hour slower than usual for the trip north to Glasgow. Fortunately I spotted an unmarked Police BMW near Abington Services, but they were going to help a stranded motorcyclist, and it was raining so no problems.

Full house at Glasgow - Fraser and Bob on site, and young Jill had just left , so a cuppa was a welcome treat. on the M6 home wards saw a fine piece of road rage between J 2 and Hermiston Gait - I thought I was bad, but this chappie was bonkers. Weaving in and out, waving fists, and trying to cut off a BMW.

A fair day , but a long one - so a fine piece of Gilmour's steak was needed to revive the system.

No result yet, but Raoul Moat, the Northumbria gunman is in a stand off with the Police - we are so tolerant here - considering the news today about the policeman in Oaklands, USA who accidentally shot his prisoner by drawing his gun instead of his taser !!! Many moons ago we had a man at Dalkeith blow his head off with a shotgun because when he phoned our Boss demanding that he go see him, he sent one of the guys to the door, result - not happy - BANG.

BIG QUESTION - will the nutter "pastor" in Eastenders get away with murdering his wife to try and conceal the other murders he has committed , or will he try and blame her ? Bad enough that he said it is all in the good book - just a matter of individual interpretation.

Perhaps we should ask the German Octopus which has been getting all the World Cup football results correct ?

So there are clear skies.

Folks laughed at me talking about the hosepipe ban, but as of Friday the North West of England has the ban implemented as the reservoirs are so low. Here, despite the regular rain and grey skies, I am sure we are heading that way also - but in the future. BUT - worse news, the Bruinladdich Distillery on Islay is down to a fifth of its normal production due to their reservoir being so low - just think, no water to make whiskey and no water to put in it !!

So much for taking the tablets which make me ill - call from the Dr to see how I was doing so it is stop all new medications, and resort back to plan A and hopefully feel a great deal better.

Good entertaining football last night but it should have been a draw at full time and should have gone into extra time if the offside goal had been spotted.

Who says crime does not pay - once again we have examples of this wonderful system letting crooks away with crime - the Ukranians who netted Millions with the scam at Inland Revenue claiming back tax and getting their cheques sent to them - bloody scandal when we have to account for everything- at the same time the corser store shopkeepers who pay for everthying in cash , keep no books and declare nothing - the black economy thrives.

Back to my old gripe about the European Bill of Human Rights, used by lawyers to fund criminals - what about the workers - and the honest folks?

Back in the Mercat Bar today, and off to Risley on Friday for a run and meeting about future work - watch this space.

The sun MUST be shining somewhere !!

Sunday morning (Independance Day in the USA), and I am just waiting to see when the hose pipe ban will come into effect !!! NOT - so much for the news flash last week as we drove home in the drizzel and mist - today it is peeing down, blowing a gale so the old toupee is needing an extra squidge of super glue to keep it in place.

Big change from yesterday which was pretty good, Mrs B and friend Carol spent the day at Aberlady attending the "humanist" wedding ceremony and reception of the new Mr and Mrs Gareth and Cheryl Jones. The ceremony took place on the "public green" in Aberlady, looking out over the bay and nature reserve, under a modern type tee pee canopy, then the guests either walked through the village to the golf club or took the No 33 double decker "love bus" along to the reception. The golf club was a superb venue for the Reception and when I arrived late on doing my Taxi duties, the guests ( and bride) were still outside dancing on the lawn to the band - a good day had by all and congratulations to the newly weds.

I spent my bit of the day helping out at the Mercat Bar, with a bit of a sojourn along to Fraser's to see the "Fragrant Girls, Gillian and Megan", then watched the tennis - bit one sided win by Miss Williams who is certainly an exceptional athlete. Footie was good with the Spain game causing great excitement with the missed penalty kicks - but Mrs B still has Spain to win in the sweep.

While I was aiding Sir Christopher at the Mercat, young RGB was out at the Old Original Hotel, Roslin, along with three of his staff assisting with the wedding banquet taking place there - the wedding of Mr Harris Jnr - so as many of the hotel staff were guests there was a need for help for the days events. RGB met up with one of my former scouts, Shane Mckenna, who was a guest at the reception, nice to know that the lads are still doing well. Anyway - the Mercat team did their bit to help make the day a successes and memorable for the happy couple.

Young Dee Dee has left us for pastures new, so we wish her well in her new job as a pastry chef in a local deli - looks like I might end up helping in the kitchen - God forbid.

Big Surprise - NOT - following the recent revelations in the USA we are now being told that there might be some "Russian Spies" on the loose in the UK, trying to blend in with the populace !! so get out there and check out the neighbours, Radio Forth , the Boogie and Dingo lads had a feature last week about what to look for !! use your imagination and give MI 5 a call.

Blood , sweat and tears

Received a bit of a reprimand today as I had not added anything of interest since Monday night, but as I did not feel there was much to report, and being out of sorts I have had a sort of quiet week. But if they must know - Tuesday being a day off I sampled my latest Calcium tablets supplied by the Doctor, thought I was getting along fine with little or no side effects . Headed to town to see our legal advisers and headed home. Then late afternoon thought that I had been battered from all angles, felt terrible, so had to miss the bowling and eventually headed to bed early - as I have said before , this stuff is supposed to make you better, not kill you off.
In between watched a good game of footie between Spain and Portugal, which Spain eventually won, making Mrs b very happy as she has Spain in a sweep to win the world Cup.

Bad night, but as needs must it was up up and away to open up the Mercat bar , and get my coveted parking space in Roseburn. Place ticked along nicely, but with one member of staff down I remained there late, so by the time I got home and watched the end of the Andy Murray tennis match, I was really not wanting to do anything but get the aching feet up. Andy played well, gave Mr Tonga a bit of leeway early on but finished in style - I would presume that there will be good audiences on Friday, when it will hopefully not clash with the next world cup game.

Up early again this morning and was at the swimming baths by 0715, managed a bit of steam, and a short swim before I went for my appointment with the Plebotomist !!!! ( the nurse who takes your blood) at the local surgery. The young lady was very pleasant and right into the blood letting game - even told me how she used to practice on her parents, boyfriend and girl friends when she was in training !! She just conveniently had a syringe and swaps in her handbag when she went visiting. It was easy for me as I apparently have lovely veins and some nice fruity blood. She was not too chuffed to see that I was wearing a white Polo shirt which had some small traces of red paint on it - she thought I should cover it up in case some of the other patients thought I had been spurting all over the place. Due to the assortment of tablets which I take I cannot be a Blood donor, something which I did regulalry, following in my father's footsteps - who got his wee badges for regular donations.

Took RGB into the Mercat and helped with lunches again, steady, then left and headed home via College, and to see Grant@photogenix, who is swanning off to Ireland in the morning for a weekend of drunken misbehaviour with his pals allegedly for a birthday party.

Sparky Mark has come out of hiding again having carried out a ramming operation on a poor hapless motorist in Edinburgh during our absence, although his version of the story makes you thing that the poor 3rd party was at fault !! We have suggested that Sparky should apply for a vacancy with the Secret Service, not the Russian lot as they try to keep a low profile and not destroy the Nations treasures as Sparky does with obscene regularity

Have received word from the land of Oz, that the Upside down boy and his wonderful partner Caitlin plan to get hitched on 9th April 2011 and make the puppies part of a stable nuclear family - wrong choice of words for a country which is Non nuclear.
I once had a friend Terence Eugene Grant who was a stoker on the original HMS Ark Royal, and he was allowed into Oz with him shovelling furiously, however, the new Ark Royal was not allowed I believe because of its modern propulsion.

Need to do for the evening.