Just when I thought things were going OK - NOT

World looks different through rose coloured spectacles, and me seeing things with a different perspective - yes folks, I have a new pair of glasses !!!! No longer looking through specs which feel as though I have just been eating a fish supper and handled the lenses - or peering into the distance on a foggy day. What a difference - composite reactolites, varifocals and anti glare - top of the range , plus the fact that I can bend them, drop them and kneel on them - but for how long ?

Have just watched the results of Strictly Come Dancing - total farce with the public keeping Ann Whitticome in play for another week - makes a mockery of reality shows - and having said that just waiting for another nights farce in the x - factor.

But we have to say that we were disappointed with Tess Daly, presented RGB with his award last week, smiles, posed, postulated etc in front of the crowds, but could not even say hello to him in the lift 40 minutes later when she went up to her room - sorry Ms - you have just joined the ego mob.

Back to the X - Factor results - once again the FARCE factor has kicked in, Wagner has again been kept in the show - this must be the crowd that have vowed to drag the show down, having a go at Simon Cowell and just making a mockery of the phone in system which is now wide open to abuse.
AND talking of a mockery - what about plastic faced Louis - why could he just not have grown old gracefully like everyone else ??? Ridiculous - ego factor again !!!

Have not heard from Sparky, who headed off to see John Lynch at his installation in Lauder yesterday, maybe still asleep in his car.

Into the Mercat this morning, computer problems - doing my head in - BUT - eventually got there - really , really busy with lots of visitors - sweat dripping of my brow and had to make sure it was not into the tea !! - Italians, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese; Danish, USA, in today, and some big groups all on stag / hen weekends in the city.
Advised the tourists to go see the different galleries, etc, and some had already been up to the Royal Scottish Museum in Chambers Street to see the Lighthouse Exhibition which I also want to see while it is here.
Coincidentally, the Antiques Road Show came from Hopetoun House tonight, and there were two different items about the construction of the Forth Rail Bridge in the 1890's a wonderful feat of engineeering , and a bit about how the Germans tried to bomb it, missed and then used some of the pre construction photos as propoganda during the war.
Bit of a hammering for the Hearts (Heart of Midlothian) who were beaten 3 - 0 at home by Kilmarnock, just about as bad as the mighty Rangers being held to a 1 - 1 draw at Ibrox by the dreaded Caledonian Thistle yesterday.

A few years ago I actually had a degree of admiration for Tommy Sheridan who I thought had a bit of charisma, presented well, etc, but WOW - he has let himself down big time, why did he just not admit his little slip !! he is not the worst in the world, but he let his ego run wild, had a go at the papers, has in all probability told lies, but worse, has dragged his wife down to his level - if she was already not there ( I do not know). As this case drags on looks like he will lose everything and possibly end up in the pokey.

Heading home tonight came across a very large wagon broken down on a really bad bend at Hillend on the A 702 - unbelievable - drivers sitting in their cabs, no attempt to consider the welfare of passing cars who were having to pass on double white lines - potential for disaster.

Next wine night planned for the Mercat on 17th November - will most certainly be a good night, RGB is picking his wines - for his birthday!!! that night.

Hopefully in for a good nights sleep, but up, up and away early doors to open up again a.m. to get the show on the road/

All het up - certainly.

Pet Hate (another) when at 6 a.m. on a back road you come across a set of demented traffic lights on a timer and are forced to sit and wait while the mechanical brain ticks over. Then onto the M8, heading for Glasgow and of course first three vehicles to pass me were white van men - God know how some of theses guys keep their driving licences.
Met Mr BBBBBBBBEEEEDUNK in Glasgow before heading off southwards on the M74 / M6 - just where do all these lorries come from - there was a time when the government were trying to get goods off the roads and onto the rail system - fat chance , there is more and more on the road. First problem was a massive / ginormous tractor being transported on the back of an even bigger transporter - followed by long queues.
Next - queue - having listened on the radio for three hours about an accident at J23 / M56 where two lanes were blocked and there were hold ups, I eventually had no option but to join the queue at J25 - some eleven miles north of the accident .
Someone asked why I never took a passenger with me - the answer being that a passenger would go deaf with my expletives - dash / darn it/ blow me down, etc. and having the window open to let the hot air out - (running the heater to stop the engine overheating) my fellow motorists were sharing in my delight at being held up.
Cut a long story short, it took me one hour to travel the five miles to my turn off at J21A, poor souls who had to travel past the accident, at least two hours plus, bet there were a few who did not make Manchester Airport in time. So I was the lucky one, off and rolling and made it to the office at Risley in time for a well needed cuppa. Then homewards, and guess what, Queue 3- near Lancaster - roads were busier than usual, so that was another twenty minutes just trying to get into the roadwords - some folks just cannot read the road.
Never mind, it was a nice day and I was taking the short route back via Moffat and Broughton and the road in front of me was totally deserted so no delays on this section. Made it home having taken nearly two hours longer than usual for this trip. The second photo is of the Mail Coach Monument which is about 1/4 mile past the top of the Devil's Beeftub at \cross Burn, Moffat. It was erected in 1931 to commemmorate the deaths of two coachmen who died of exposeure near the spot in a bad snowstorm on 1st February 1831, and who are buried in the Moffat Graveyard

Two days in the Mercat Bar, early openings and having fun with the many tourists who are still visiting the City, have had folks from UAS, Canada, South America, Italy, Spain, France, Denmark, Finland, Japan, (England) lots of Irish coming in off the morning "red eye" from Dublin - dead interesting finding out where they are from and what they are going to do.
Bar has been busy, especially Friday (pay day) when we were hammered all day.

Due to working, have missed John Lynch's installation into the Chair or the RA at Lauder, pity, as I was looking forward to it - but hopefully he has enjoyed the Installation and I look forward to getting down there in the future.

M8 - Lockerbie - X-Facor and all

Tuesday morning and having a duvet day!!! - (just as well, after three totally baltic and freezing mornings, with nice days, we are in the midst of a dreich wet day) to myself before the rest of the week kicks off, between the Mercat bar and heading for Risley I will be busy enough. Finished off on Saturday while watching the X Factor and have to say that I am seriously considering giving it a miss after the follow up show on Sunday. Cheryl Cole was shocking, might well be that she is nice to look at but she cannot sing, mimed to a musical background, or so it appeared to me. How can she possibly sit there in judgement of young artists who can actually sing. Louis Walsh sits there with his new "plastic face" and actually defends that lunatic "Wagner", who is ten times worse that even "Jedward" were - to me the programme has no credibility. It is even worse that Strictly Come Dancing " where poor Ann Whitticome is still in the show, I would hope that next week she is voted off, just for her own sake. last night Charlotte Church, who can sing, admitted that she had made ten plus calls to the show to support her ex - the orange coloured rugby bloke - whose name escapes me -(Gavin Henson) he should be playing rugby and forgetting about boosting his ego with all these TV appearances.

Found these photos on the camera, the "fire Rescue" not sure what was going on there but the firemen had taken the bloke on the ladders out the first floor flat at Morningside Station and were also lowering something else down to the ground on a rope - I need to get the McEwans Bus people to wash the bus windows more often so I can get better pictures.

The two of the motorway were taken from the 8th Floor of the Glasgow City Hilton hotel last week when we were at the SLTA News Awards, just thought that the shots of the M8 as it approaches the Kingston Bridge were interesting, different pics when the road is busy.

Managed to squeeze in a couple of hospital appointments yesterday - must say thanks to all the staff and Doctors / consultants I saw, they were really good - and very helpful - do not think I will see my name in the Evening news for a wee while yet.

I accidentally deleted one of the pics, that is why they are out of sequence.

For lovers of "U Tube", I would suggest that you have a look at a couple of small videos - under "Lockerbie Town Hall" which were taken by a specialist building examiner,(and his camera man) on ropes, and which show that the top of the tower is literally ready to fall off in the next gale and land slap bang in the middle of the main road. My toes were actually curling as I watched it. The media has got wind of it as it was leaked to the press and there is now a bit of a stushie going on. Do not think that they can claim the damage was caused by the Lockerbie bomb disaster and seek funding from that pot. If they need to close off the main road it will cause chaos.

Need to emerge from this hidey hole in due course, work to do and then I have the Laird O'Cockpen RA 500 installation tonight at Bonnyrigg.

SLTA Awards, and a busy week

Saturday night and the week has just flown in, literally no idea what has gone on -

Monday and Tuesday hard at work in The Mercat, but needed a night in so missed out on 720 Dalhousie Bonnyrigg.

Wednesday had a day servicing the cars, new tyres for when the snow arrives - and we have already had three mornings of hard frost. Found the "steed of steel" back in its stable - the gargage having had its service, MOT and a bit of work done on it - so thanks to Andy at Border Bikes, it is back on the road and \I had a wee run out in the sun.

Wednesday evening - headed off to Coington and Currie RA, where, after the meeting I men another Currie man and we did a bit of schooldays reminiscing.

Thursday, off on the train to Glasgow where we attended the Annual SLTA News awards dinner at the Hilton Hotel. Big turn out, with around six hundred guests and sponsors present - lovely meal, adequate drink flowing, and then the awards were presented by Tess Daly of "Strictly Come Dancing " fame - she was beautiful and did a superb job. There were over twenty different categories up for presentaions and our RGB was fortunate to win the licensee of the year award, sponsored by Wallace Express - well done, the culmination of a lot of hard work. Justa pity that The mercat was runner up in the Pub Catering Section, which was won by McSorley's of Glasgow.

Hard night, even had bacon rolls at 1 a.m., and just a bit of suffering in the morning !!! . Mrs B and I remained in Glasgow for a few hours, did a bit of wandering through the shops, totally mega impressed with the refurbishment at Fraser's Store - and had a long chat to the ladies in the Clarins Spa, which is superb.

Home to Edinburgh on the bus instead of the train, dropped off at the Mercat for tea and then home for a snooze - BUT - it was back to the Bar to help out during what was a very busy evening. Great fun, some smashing clients on the premises - just had a great night.

Today, back at the bar , early, and steady - so after a long shift happy enough to get home, via Hendricks to see how Chris and Ailsa were doing.

So feet up - watching a rather unimpressive X-Factor, and now confined to the house for a couple of days.

Photos of Tesco 10K Cancer relief Run for Cancer Hopetoun House

Sunday , lovely day for a brisk run in the sun !! So off to Hopetoun House, South Queensferry, to see who was taking part in the Tesco sponsored, 10K run in aid of Cancer Research.
Super venue, nice single lap around the estate, bit hilly and enough to make many of the 1600 runners break sweat.

Good crowd gathered round the stage to take part in a serious warm up, then it was ready for the off.

We even met two of the girls who appeared in the recent picture in the Edinburgh Evening News when the Merfcat won the local awards.

Time for the off, and away went the serious runners and so on down the list till they were all away, bar one !!!

Last man out, RGB of the Mercat Team who had been in the loo when the gun went off - he had to do some chasing to catch up - and shouting "wait for me " did not work - so the results will be in the next blog

Birthday wishes and catch up for the past days.

Birthday wishes today for Wendy and Jock, great excitement in the Bar as firstly Wednesday came in for her breakfast and had her Bucks Fizz - quite taken with the candle in her vegie breakfast, then Jock arrived for lunch and had two candles in his steak, which was washed down with his tipple of "Black Grouse" - happy birthday to the twosome.

My two ladies from Somerset who were in yesterday eventually decided to try the Crannachan along with Drambuie for breakfast, both converted immediately and were coming back later to sample both the Drambuie and Glayva.

New staff to introduce, Kiera and Nicola, learning the ropes and happy to chat to the customers.

Back to the past week, very busy, kept on the go, started off with a couple of days in the Mercat which were busy. Committee meeting of the OSM, Soutra Isle - quite a night, but that is certainly another story !!!, Then, off down the road to Risley and Birmingham, long run again, heading out via Glasgow. On the way south, a minor accident in the roadworks where a lady seemed to have run into the back of a lorry and disappeared up ythe banking.

The M6 is still a dammed nightmare from J 13 south into Birmingham, nose to tail, crawling, stationary, no fun at all for both driver and vehicle - blood pressure and temperature gauge rising - two and a half hours to do what took me one hour twenty coming back !!

Saw the hotel, but had to drive miles round the ring route to get back to it.

Out for a walk, but between the constant hassle of numerous beggars, and being in the predominantly "gay" district of the town, it was an early night in the hotel with a glass to hand.

Up and away in the morning, heading north into the chaos that surrounded J 21 a on the M6 and J 12 on the M62 - where a lorry had crashed, closing the M62 - and the air ambulance having to land on the motorway - fortunately I was not delayed too long.

Detoured via Lockerbie looking for a friend in the Black Bull Pub, but with problematical road works causing more chaos I could not find the Pub !!! so headed north again, but took the old road, running parallel to the motorway - very quiet, no hassle, interesting and pretty stress free.

Friday morning it was back to the Cult again, BNI weekly meeting at 0630hrs in lieu of RGB who had hardly been in bed -

Government cuts taking effect soon, big transport cuts planned for the future, trains, bus passes, etc - so just think - it might cost £5 for a trip along Princess Street in the new tram to nowhere - great value for £230 million ( down the drain) and we cannot even get the Island of Lewis sorted with £10 m despite the fact the locals have raised £200K themselves.

Long day, early start again, good day, and dropped in to see Chris and Ailsa at Hendricks on the way home - getting tired now - but up and out a.m. Sunday to see RGB doing his 10K run at Hopetoun House in aid of Cancer Relief, and then the party at the Mercat afterwards. Feature this week in the "Dram" magazine about the Mercat, another in the Evening News - which was picked up by the Napier University who did a video interview on Friday, and now we have the SLTA awards dinner next Thursday to look forward to.

Life goes on , etc etc etc

It has been a long weekend, not quite missing in action but it feels that way. After a very long shift on Friday (routine for RGB) it was up again early to open on Saturday - bit hectic for a while with our stag groups in for breakfast, but I did get away sharp and headed home to the big chair and a bottle of wine. Being at work I missed the Provincial meeting of OSM, the Stanley Geddes Conclave, but unfortunately work comes first.

Mrs B. jumping up and down when I received a phone call late on at night from Aberdeen which meant I had to do a wee bit work.

Sunday, not working, but quess what, arrived in the Mercat Bar to have our breakfast but it was very much the case that the cavalry had arrived - place was very busy so it was all possible hands to the helm - and when it calmed down, a nice brunch - but we had folks sitting at 11.45 waiting for the change over so they could get their dinner.

Mrs B headed for the shops while I went off to Fettes, Police HQ, for the annual meeting and AGM of the Retired Police Officers Association, only thirty one members present who had a short talk from one of the ACC's from Lothian and Borders Police - probably one of the most interesting comments was the fact that there are moves afoot to merge all the Scottish Forces into a single National Police Force - sensible , yes, and compare it to the total guddle and policing nightmare of Cities in the USA where there are so many different levels of law enforcement that it makes life so difficult.
The group donated £750 to a young lady Police Officer who is trying to raise £25,000 by running a marathon, proceeds going to a Police Charity.

Back to today - a day off from the pub, managed to get myself set up for a run to Glasgow, Risley and Birmingham on Wednesday and Thursday - nice wee run for me, but will need a stop over in Birmingha to get the job done.

Popped in to see Dan the Man this morning, still bearing up - looking as youthful as ever.

Had a message from from my Auld Boss, Andrew Stewart, following my article about the Barclay Church. " Pilkington who was the Architect of Barclays Church was also Architect of several buildings in Penicuik. Namely - South Church; Park End and old YM/YWCA at Kirkhill. The latter was a school. Any other historic question for Midlothian - jist ask yir auld Sirjint".

So, from the media - we have spent £320m on the Edinburgh trams, which will never ever get to Ocean Terminal any more - if we are lucky we might get out of Princes's Street, but having destroyed countless businesses in Leith with no end result, they will start up again and shut down a few more as they try to connect the "Blackpool line" out of the City . There are now going to be a surplus of trams - all ordered and paid for, so looks like the City Council will have some special offers on E Bay soon.
In view of the incidents in the City with our "green people" falling off their bicycles as they attempt to cycle along the tram tracks -(or are they "Buckfast totties", might be an opportune time for someone to invent a bicycle with mega fat tyres so our citizens can ride the premier street in safety.

Talk about jumping the gun - press had a total heyday with the death of the young Scottish Aid worker who died in Afghanistan during the rescue attempt, Murder, Assicination they cried - but now it looks like a rescue attempt which went wrong with our young lady being accidentally killed by a U S grenade - we need to control the media just a it more - time for openness and honesty to take a side line while folks sort out the reality of life.

Busy Days, no time to ramble

Friday night and as they say " The best laid plans of mice and men" - get sort of screwed - well and truly. Thursday, my day off it was up and away to see the folks at KB, made a few calls to Aberdeen and Inverness and will have that as a probable job soon. Headed off on foot to go see Sir Chris and Miss Talk a lot at Hendricks, nice day and as I crossed the Bruntsfield Links ( Edinburgh's pitch and put course - donated to the City - where players pick up their clubs at the well known Golf Inn"). Nice view of the Barclay Church, with its high spire against the skyline.

Chris and Ailsa were busy getting their new bar up and running, nice little bar, so I did not stay to long but took a slow walk out the City through Bruntsfield, Morningside and up onto Comiston Road before eventually getting a No 15 A home - first time ever, what an experience, right out into the country - very nice.

With so much to do I just was not able to make the RA at Gorebridge Dundas last night.

Up early again and off with RGB who was heading for the Cult meeting ( BMI), while I opened up.

Doors burst open at 0845 with four groups all wanting fed so my day was off with a bang and so it went - busy all day , and some really nice visitors, Lady from Millwaukee who was going to the Harley Davidson Garage in West mains Road, couple from Reno, Nevada, folks from Italy, Portugal, Mexico, and a big stag group from all over England. Place was bouncing - all seats taken and it was eventually 8.30 p.m. before we left. Headed east to drop RGB off just in time to see young Amy who was celebrating her 6th birthday - we were lucky as most of the wild children had left !!!

BUT - eventually got home at 9 p.m. in time to see the end of the Scotland - Czech football match - bit insipid, and to lose 1 - 0 , shame for the fans.

Bad accident outside the Haymarket Bar tonight, bus came round the corner and someone either walked or ran into the path of it, windscreen of the bus was smashed with the victims head - ambulance and police in attendance, news was on Radio Forth but we do not know how serious it was, although the road was not closed so it was not fatal.

Trying hard to get sponsors for RGB who is doing his 10 K for Cancer Research next Sunday, 17th, few sponsors today and a lot of raffle tickets sold - he is having a bit of a bash in the Bar after the run for those who sponsor him a £10 spot or more !!!! - so give us a call.

No time for another ramble tonight - bed time - having missed another installation (Esk 42 RA) Dalkeith, so apologies companions, but work has to come first.

Hororary members - yes, but must ramble on -

Made it to 720 Dalhousie Bonnyrigg last night despite being a bit (ever so tired), and found that the Lodge was jam packed - good turn out of members, visitors and two deputations, one from Penicuik, St Kentigern and the other from Thistle, West Calder, who were supporting members about to receive honorary memberships. An excellent night had by all.

On a more topical subject the new Co-olition Government are announcing their latest cost saving proposals, most of which I have to agree with wholeheartedly, it is time we clamped down on the idle benefit scroungers who would rather sit on their fat backsides at home rather than go out and get a job. They often claim there is no work, but we see on a daily basis the Polish and foreign immigrants applying and accepting work, in the city, and I have to say that the majority of the Polish who I have met in employment have been very hard workers.

Waiting for the bus the other day I saw two "heavies" in the street using a mobile phone camera and realised they were photographing one of the many "Romanian" beggars who have pitches , not only in the city but out in Midlothian as well. ( having seen them getting off the bus in Penicuik) not sure why unless they were checking out who was where.
In Morningside, I, along with others saw one of the local beggars sitting there chatting away on his mobile phone !!!!.
Today I saw two of the Romanian women walking down the street together, chatting and with bags full of groceries etc - yet in the Bridges there were two of our local young people sitting begging.

Based on the what is going on with Government and benefits etc it raises the question as to why we are admitting people into the Uk who cannot support themselves, and when they get here why or how do they get into our system which not only gives them money but allows them to send it back overseas - in the meantime our own needy cannot get / or do not qualify for similar benefits. Big issue and lots of publicity about the young singer ( living in Scotland - not a Scot)on the x- Factor whose family are here on a visitors visa which has expired and are about to be deported. So what, we had a superb qualified nurse here from Oz, doing a brilliant job, but she was sent home - so why should an 18 yr old singer be allowed to stay here, these talent competitions take place all over the world. As far as the X-Factor goes, Ms Cole has lost a lot of credibility by her actions, if the News of the World is the source of all knowledge !! that we have a real slapper in the frame and the poor Cher girl who cracked up - but why not tell her the same as they have done in the past - "go home, mature, grow up and come back next year" .

In the meantime , our so called has been , beloved SuBo, Susan Boyle, is breaking all records - shame on all those who treated her with disrespect.


Bit of a ramble so far, but this Country is heading up "s**t" creek without a paddle" and our current Government are trying their best, despite the current dragging us over the falls. We need to start digging in, doing our bit and sorting out the thieving , idle so and so's who are hell bent on dragging us down.

Sadly, there is an old adage which says "it takes a bomb to concentrate the mind" - which is what happened in the First and Second World Wars - now, whether we like it or not we are sitting on the edge an abbys, we have IRA splinter groups trying to upset the Irish situation, but far worse we have the Al Queda who most definitely are planning some form of operation in the UK, be it sooner or later, the Olympics, or whenever - it will happen unless we are on the ball - and to be on the ball we have to be united, NOW, before the event, NOT AFTER.

Bridget Forsyth, thje Kings and Churchill Theatres.

Theatrical theme to this wee tale, been busy in The Mercat Bar, not helped by the fact that I have very early starts. Anyway, never mind, kept on my toes and not wearying.

On my way home yesterday I saw the two new pillars erected outside the Churchhill Theatre, Morningside with several local names on them - I am now curious as to what their purpose is.


Busy evening last night after I made it home, even managed to get the grass cut in pleasant sunshine before getting stuck into some homework on the computer.

On my toes again today and had another busy lunchtime. Brigit Forsyth, star of the Likely Lads, and currently in Edinburgh this week starring in Carrie's War at the Edinburgh King's Theatre along with Hannah Waterman, was in for lunch along with a friend, she must have thought I was a bit mad, anyway she really did enjoy the sweet Claire made for her.

Lovely bouquet on the bar was destined for Go Jo, but having staggered round the street like someone from from the Chelsea Flower Show, RGB found her office all locked up and no one at home.

Nice wee e mail from the folks in the Land of Oz, Rob and Caitlin who are getting all excited about their forthcoming wedding (April).

If I do not fall asleep it is a trip to Bonnyrigg for a regular meeting of Lodge 720 Dalhousie Bonnyrigg.

The River Thames near Runneymede

Few pics left in the camera from the trip south. The Royal Holloway University is not very far from where we were staying, built at the Bequest of a Dr Holloway who made his fortune in the 1860/80's by selling an ointment and pills he had

invented. The original building was built as a college for 250 ladies with a sanatorium for the same number nearby.

On the way to Windsor we passed along the side of the River Thames between Runnymede and Englefield - should bring back a few memories for Aunty Kiera Murphy.

There was a steam fair on the green at Englefield where we spotted the old stone drinking trough.

HM Queen Elizabeth - not at home in Windsor today

So now you know, we went to London ( ended up in Windsor) to see the Queen and hopefully have a cuppa

and maybe even check out to see if the streets were paved with gold!!!

BUT sadly we did not see the Queen, but there was a Queen = railway train in the old station which is now a shopping and restaurant complex. The crest is obviously the Royal Crest and was on the side of the train.

Windsor itself was looking nice in the Autumn sunlight, very busy with visitors, a wedding taking place in the Guildhall next door to the "crooked house" (print shown), and the horse drawn carriage doing good business.

The Castle is massive and you only see a very small section from the town centre but the Curfew Tower is impressive and was designed originally with a bell to get the townsfolk back to bed, then a new clock was installed in the early 1600's

The entrance to the station complex, along with the station was designed and built by the famous Brunel, builder of bridges and other stations around the UK.

We went in search of the local library in search of some information, did a bit of searching but failed to find what we were looking for, although we did find an old charity house, which was Joseph Charriot's House

There was a bit of chaos in the town centre with crowds of young ladies all waiting to see one of the X Factor competitors who was doing his thing in the local
"Shakaway".

We popped down to the Three Crosses Pub, looking for our friend Eddie Murphy, had a beer or two, but Eddie was off at the local rugby club with his pals.

Home on the bus, to get our feet up, a light libation or three and a bit of light entertainment in front of the TV ( a prize might be awarded to the person who guesses what we were watching - and in the correct order !!!!!!!!!)