Might be the last post - for 2010

Sitting here, now with an understanding of how the condemned men must feel !! - bit melodramatic, however, with my impending visit to the hospital tomorrow and a few days in recovery - not really something I want to deal with at this time of the year.

But it could be worse, I might be sitting at Heathrow waiting to head off to the sun, or somewhere nice for the festive break - or just enjoying folks company here in the Mercat on X-mas day.

Some sad news today, having met Dawn Hamid, wife of Michael, I learned that an old friend, my former Scout District Commissioner, Frank Lindsay had died at his home in Wales a couple of weeks ago, this news, along with the death of my neighbour, Stuart Robertson two days ago makes for a less than happy week for families and friends.

I see that our security services have hopefully made a number of successful arrests in their constant and ongoing fight against terrorism in this country. It is a dammed disgrace that these people, in some cases British Citizens are so hell bent on bringing this country to its knees and turning it into the third world states they seem to wish to be part of. From the media, it appears that people are quite rightly getting fed up with a Government which is ruled from Brussels and held to ransom by greedy lawyers who are using the European Bill of Human Rights to the benefit of their clients, many who are criminals - and to the general detriment of honest law abiding people. It is time we stopped messing about, put proper controls on entry to the UK, and any person who does not wish to adhere to the laws of this land should be shipped out to their homeland - perhaps I should not say these things being a moderate - but if I and many like me are thinking like this, just consider how the radicals are thinking.

So much for the spirit of X-mas !!! I would most dearly love for "Peace on Earth", but from the looks of things there is a minority whose hope is for anything but that.

Till the next blog.

Gentleman's Dinner - S,E.S.L.T.A.

Running well behind my usual schedule with these pictures, taken last Tuesday afternoon at the Annual X-mas Gentleman's Dinner organised by the South East of Scotland Licensed Trade Association in The Mercat Bar.

There was certainly a good crowd there, with every seat taken - the meal was excellent and as were the refreshments.

Sadly the comedian did not make his mark and gave up half way through his "gig".

WE had Mary Morriarty in the company as a guest, she has now retired from her pub, The Port O' Leith, and even managed a cameo role in a movie filmed in Leith a couple of years ago.

In view of the recent birth of his new daughter, Marlie, Archie the Pole Dancer brought a group of his friends to the lunch and all certainly had a superb crack at "wetting the babies heid" - so much so that the comment - We were so drunk that we made drunk men look sober" was probably an understatement ( but nothing to be proud of - of course !!! or repeated too often).

Lovely to see Ray @ "Grandad", Colin and Kenny with the group,

Charles Corbett - birthday greetings

Just a little greeting to Charlie Corbett whose birthday was yesterday, and whose sister, Elizabeth's would have been tomorrow , were she still with us.

Sadly Charlie is too ill to appreciate the greetings but suffice to say that the thoughts of the family are with him continually.

Old friends and acquaintences

Friday, so much for having a day off, I was busy in the bank when RGB called seeking help, as one of his staff had called off due to a family emergency. So off I headed to town, and arrived at the NCP ice rink, which is obviously in competition to the Winter Wonderland rink in the Princes Street Gardens.

Tried to pay my money but machine was playing silly sods and I had to leave and ended up parking elsewhere for free. Spoke the the wheel clamper !!! in the car park who was sticking a fixed penalty ticket on an untaxed car - lucky white heather.

Round to the Mercat Bar where Go Jo's ma and Gran were taking preparing themselves for an afternoon's shopping. Seated nearby was my mate Dan the Man and his nephew, young Graham - and having just spoken to Danny the night before it was a surprise to see him. Next in, David Mackay - fresh from his trip south from Inverness, long time no see, and there he was, the master of Pentland Coppercraft, producer of RGB's recent trophy. Dan, the memory man even remembered having had a session of pool in David's house a long, long time ago when he lived in Edinburgh.

The rest of the group arrived, led by my best man, Grahame Mackay of GM Pest Control for their X-mas dinner - really nice to see the lads again (kodak moment), and to cap it all I had taken in a photo album of his daughter's wedding - where we all looked a bit younger, thinner and apart from David had more hair.

Day progressed, very busy with tables being turned round regularly for new diners in for X-mas dinners and parties.

A total surprise when four diners arrived and the gentleman, grabbed my hand and introduced himself - I had not seen him for at least thirty years - turned out to be Douglas Woods whose father was my first Sgt when I joined the police here at Loanhead in 1966. Douglas had found this blog some time ago and has followed it, reading the occasional tales of my days as a young PC in Loanhead. He had his wife, daughter and son in law with him and were celebrating is wife's birthday today ( 25 again) - they enjoyed the steaks.

His dad, Willie Woods was a big bloke, an ex Scot's Guard who joined Edinburgh City Police from the army and then transferred over to the old Lothian and Peebles Constabulary. As a young PC I had to do a probationer training in the form of memorising a Q /A sheet and he make me stand to attention at the desk while he asked me the Questions on each test sheet - and god help me when I got things wrong !! He was of the old school Police - if a local upset us they were barred from all the pubs, clubs, etc in Loanhead, Roslin and Bilston, and had to keep coming in to the Police Station "cap in hand" eating humble pie until the Sgt decided the ban would be lifted.

The other brother, William, who now lives in Haddington, got into "terrible !!!" trouble with his mother when I caught him riding his bike without lights !! Changed days to now when having lights on a bike is a rare occurrence. For William's information the name I was thinking about, another ex PC, now living in Haddington is Neil Forbes.

Talking of cyclists - me - there I was this morning, pavements like skating rinks, roads not better, temperature about -5C, me in the car, hiking boots, jackets, leggings, hat, gloves etc -appropriate to the weather in Penicuik - and there, in Morningside Road at 6.45 a.m. I passed a cyclist - no lights on and wearing shorts - fruitcake.

Mind you - squeaking noises from the TV, radio, etc give the impression that those residents in the UK living South of the Watford Gap are getting a taste of the weather we had here last week. Next thing we will have something done about the fuel shortages and the companies who are hiking up electric, gas and fuel prices to make a fast buck out of folks misery. I do not think the eco warrior types will happy up their trees in this weather - time to retreat, draw the dole and wait for better weather.

New topic of conversation - or is it ?? Snow

Thursday night, and yes, the dreaded snow has returned - did not get the chance to arrive unexpectedly - arrived with a full fanfare, new transport Minister and lots of snow ploughs lying in wait at strategic points around the country.

So back to Tuesday, had a heart razing session at the Hospital, blood pressure was so high the Dr. thought I was ill !! however I did calm down and have the go ahead for next week.

Made it back to The Mercat Bar where the troops gathered for a very long "session" , great lunch, fine wines and excellent company ( SLTA and friends) - enough said - but there were plenty of bottles going into the recycling bin !!!

Wednesday- headed south on the M6, making for Risley and then Birmingham. weather was fine, traffic generally well behaved and with a good tail wind made great time making both offices while there were staff still working. I had planned on staying over as usual, but with the bad forecast thought it might be prudent to head for home - bad move as I ended up in a massive traffic jam between J9 / J 10 on the M6 - appeared to be a very bad accident as one of the cars was flattened.
Long story short - made it, via Glasgow, in the wee sma hours shattered, 660 miles and a tiring day. ( I even spotted one of our McEwans buses at 12 mn heading south for Dumfries on the M6 - what a great service)

Wakened to fine that the snow had arrived and for a while there was a bit of a white out - but it stopped and the sun came out, and a while later the buses started back on the run past the house.
I was heading for the town and was most impressed with the JCB snowplough that came down the road and stopped in the bus stop - what a lovely piece of machinery.

Onto the bus and from the top deck was incensed by the driver of the red car in the photo who was so lazy they could not be bothered clearing off the snow.

I later had to go collect my car which was already in the town and parked in the NCP car park in Morrison Street - what a "bl**dy disgrace", charging £9.70 p a day, no attempt made to clear the snow for the past week, the place is now solid ice - a veritable death trap, so treacherous under foot - shocking. AND the security flood lights are still not working - after a year.

The big puddle is so deep I think it will take divers to recover any motorist who is unfortunate to end up in it.

Currently watching the Royal Variety Performance on the TV, it has been excellent, however a certain Miss Cheryl Cole has unfortunately had to follow Russell (The Voice) Watson, and our very own Susan (Subo) Boyle - who has had a Number One in the USA for the last five weeks.

Curly Carly's hen night

A few pictures here from Curly Carly's hen night on Saturday - girls had a great night - collected at the house by a Hummer limo, bottles of Bubbly all round, cruised the City accompanied by mega music and eventually arrived at the Edinburgh Grosvenor Hilton to cause some mayhem there - Next was the Edinburgh Guards Club, but despite have previously agreed to host the ladies, they were turned away and then made for the Mercat Bar where young RGB made them more than welcome.

Bar was busy but the ladies mixed in with with the crowd, had their buffet and then had a real party to themselves with the Karaoke - as one man said about the singers " they had more keys than a jailer" !!!!!

A really good night was had by all - while in the meantime Alan and the lads were in Newcastle - but so far we have had no reports of custodial activities by the Northumbria Police !!!

Santa is on the horizon - only 11 sleeps to go

Monday night and time just flies by - my five Santa's turned up at the Bar yesterday for lunch having taken part along with several hundred others in the annual Santa Run in Princes Street Gardens - not a long run, but fun . Two were from Oz, one kiwi, one Italian and one Scot ( who was marrying the lad from Oz.

However, I am not totally with it and having taken to bed early for the past two nights I actually missed the results of the x-factor both nights ( sad person I am ) although last night I did hear in the background both Mat and Rebecca singing their possible winning song - Matt's version - did not like, but than I have not been his best fan, Rebecca's was better, however I would buy neither. I suspect that Rebecca will do well despite being runner up.
Did manage to see the Strictly Come Dancing show and quite happy with the three finalists for next weekend's show.

Just had (at 8 p.m.) another cold call from someone sounding like Eddles and Evans , doing the usual prize draw thingy , which part of the house do you want to do up - and he got my details from the B T database - chased him, but I should have wasted his time instead.

Tomorrow I have a lunch with the SESLTA, (South East of Scotland Licensed Trade assoc) at the Mercat - Gentleman's dinner which might be fun , I am guessing that me might have a surprise appearance by Kiera Murphy, and if things go true to form there could be a karaoke to finish the day !!! Archie the Pole dancer will be there with friends for his session of "wetting the babies head". Hospital after that will be a relief.

Wednesday off to sunny Brummy via Glasgow for the night and hopefully make it back on Thursday before the snow arrives.
Friday - GM Pest Control and friends arrive for lunch with us at the Mercat Bar (full house) will be good to see the brothers Mackay together under one roof as I have not seen David for ages ( he will hopefully make it south from the frozen wastelands of the north).

Lost my free parking space at Roseburn today, went to get the car and found the site being fenced in and the "owners" ??? clearing the snow - all set to start charging £7 a day for the privilege. Not as expensive as our relatives of Dick Turpin who run the NCP car park at Morrison Street where the charges are up once again. No attempt so far to clear the snow in the park and the floodlights have now been out of action for over a year - so much for a "Safe and Secure car Park".

Chilling in the thaw.

Saturday, peace and quiet to watch the TV as Mrs B has headed off on a "Hen night" with Curly Carly and her friends into town.
Managed to see Strictly Come Dancing, at least it is no longer a farce with the demise of Ann Whittingham - and the X- Factor is turning out to be a good professional show as we near the finals.

Had an entertaining !! session in the ERI on Thursday, breath test and a shot on the magic bike - which have proved once again that my problems were not in my head as had been suggested by an overworked GP.
Good business meeting afterwards with more work to fit in before I go on my forthcoming enforced sojourn.

Home and with the big thaw on I joined the queue at the Council yard and managed to get rid of my recycling etc,

Really disappointed again to see the disgraceful scenes as the students and their militant friends ran riot in London - I watched one group of masked "eejits"unsuccessfully attempting to string together a sentence for the benefit of a TV camera !!! Failed miserably - if they have the strength of their conviction there is no need to hide behind masks - just stand up and say your piece.
The unprovoked attack on HRH Prince Charles and Camilla was appalling - had that occurred in other parts of the world there would have been gunfire - as it is it just emphasis how vulnerable our Royalty are as they attempt to lead a semi normal life - but it looks as though those days are now past.

Friday, did an early to give the lads a long lie then headed off for a chill out session at Amatyllis - a good massage in peace and quiet, just what the Dr ordered. Later ended up in the Standing Order where the Pole Dancer was back on duty, many congratulations again following the birth of hi new daughter, now named Marlie.

Chilling out now, cleared loads more snow from the back lane so at least we can all get down there again- time to rest.

Birthday girl and friends

Tuesday, still dashed chilly (to say the least) and we were heading in to help in The Mercat Bar. Steady lunch and then took myself off to the shops for a wee while before returning for a small gathering to celebrate Go Jo's birthday.

RGB had taken her off for a drink before being summoned back to Bar on a pretext, so a nice wee surprise awaited her in the basement bar. Despite the weather a few hardy souls braved the conditions so a nice evening was had by all, drinks and lovely buffet on hand.

There were friends from work, family in the shape of Mum, friends from the Bar, and even two all the way from Australia !! Curly Carly and her fiancee Alan from Sydney who had only just returned home a few days ago and who are getting married here on 8th January. Go Jo and RGB met up with them while in Oz earlier this year, and will be attending the wedding.

Fancy footwear was not the order of the day, but a couple of pairs of practical wellies were spotted in the crowd.

No change in the weather this morning, once again into town to help out, but had to leave early to head for the dentist - then the fun began, one hour and fifty minutes by bus. I was standing at the North Bridge and there were five No 31's in a row , and then one No 47 which was jam packed, the driver was even refusing to lift passengers - biggest problem is that the townies jump on, then get off within the City limits while those who live on the outskirts are left stranded. With the roads being so bad lots more folks are obviously using the bus - might start a trend but I doubt it.

Getting a bit concerned about the welfare of the cars now, with all these very low temperatures the engines / radiators must be feeling the strain, and it could be a bumper time for garages along with plumbers when the thaw eventually arrives - I am getting a bit paranoid, having seen the movie " The Day after Tomorrow" - things could get a lot worse.

Watching the news tonight and seeing all these anarchic type demonstrating in London, they should head for Edinburgh, be issued with shovels and make themselves useful clearing the snow on the motorways !!! In the meantime the world is witnessing yet another incidence of the British shooting themeselves in the foot.

Snow, Chaos, but what the hell !!!

What's new this morning, snow maybe !!! thought the comment on the news was interesting , the reporter said " unprecedented snow caused traffic chaos" - I would have thought it was " snow caused unprecedented traffic chaos" !!! Bit of todoo.

Anyway I was happy to see Stacy win the "I'm a Celebrity etc", she was brilliant, and at the same time Shaun Ryder did very well also, his legs were in a terrible mess for the last few days but he soldiered on . Bit of a difference from the "Cringe of the year" , Scotland's disgrace (Gillian McKieth) who is currently dreaming up new excuses for her performance.

Mary Byrne, out of the X-Factor on Sunday night, did very well and will not be going back on the check outs at Tesco's, hopefully she will get to do an advert for Company.

Ann Whitticome - thank goodness that common sense prevailed so w at least have a good dancer in the final show of Strictly Come Dancing this weekend.

Perfect example of keeping a secret, my friends David and Grahame McKay, owners of Pentland Copper Craft, produced the recent trophy's for the Radio Forth / Blackhorse Awards, and could have told me that RGB and The Mercat Bar were winners as they had made the trophy's several days before the ceremony - kept mumm - a sign of good business integrity, unlike our financial wizards in the banks who I am sure do a fair bit of "up the sleeve communicating".

INTEGRITY - NIL, ZERO - I talk of Wikileaks - enough said.

Forty Nine Wine and Spirit Club of Scotland

Serious contrast on Friday, leaving home with great trepidation, in the freezing fog and deep snow in Edinburgh - making our way to Haymarket Station where trains were running as and when, and very restricted due to the snow on the tracks. However when we did eventually get through to Glasgow we were sort of bemused to see "next to nothing" and a mild forecast.

I was dressed to thrill as usual with leggings, boots, hat, cagoule, and the dreaded walking pole., and the first ladies we met at the Trades Hall removing their wellies, and getting the shoes on - perhaps they wanted to use the wellies for the "Bubbly" to come.

The event of the day was the December Lunch meeting of the Forty Nine Wine and Spirit Club of Scotland, held in the lovely Trades Hall of Glasgow. There were about one hundred and six members and friends present, numbers down a little due to call off's because of the weather in other parts of Scotland.

We were treated to an aperitif of Ayala Majeur Brut NV Bubbly, before heading into the main banqueting hall for lunch.

The Starter

Spiced haggis Parcel with leek and chive sauce.

Wine - Chateau de la Ragotiere 2007, Muscadet.

Main Course

Confit of Duck Leg, Cannelloni of Celeriac, (Puy Lentils & Cinnamon Jus).

Red Wine ; Volnay 2002, Remoissenet, Cote de Beaune.

Cheese -

Caboc, Dunlop Cheddar & Dunayre Blue with spicy fruit chutney and oatcakes.

Dessert - Passion Fruit Tart, Caramelised Mascarpone.


Freshly brewed coffee with tablet

Finished off with a large Dram of the clubs own 18 yr old Ardbeg single malt whisky.


The afternoon was very well received, and controlled in a great manner by the President, Darren Wilson.

The customary raffle for charity took place with members raising just short of £1000 - a great effort.

By the time we left to head home, conditions in Edinburgh were deteriorating so we were really pleased to find that the trains were still running and as it was jam packed we managed to get seats in the first Class carriage - no one was caring. My only disappointment of the day was the loss of my new spectacles - two weeks old, top of the range, all singing and dancing - I should have stuck with the cheap specs from chemist.

Bit of an adventure on the way home, took the dreaded No 15 to Penicuik, which may well have headed out into the wilderness, but as I fell asleep (exhausted - long day) I woke up when we pulled into the terminus in Penicuik. It was then a slow walk home in the snow and I was more than delighted to make it over the doorstep.

Emergency food parcels - red wine and cheese

What snow- where , back, front, everywhere and pretty deep too - sixteen inches in our back street - so there a few cars going nowhere for a few more days.

Took the chance while there were no showers to get the cars cleared and give the engines a run to make sure the battery does not go flat and that the radiator does not freeze up.

Looks like the panic buying has started, no bread (just have to eat toast)- fuel supplies at garages slowly drying up- but fewer cars on the road to fill up.

49 Club dinner still on tomorrow in Glasgow, but with the West of Scotland about to get dumped upon in the morning - is it still sensible.

Good news though, Tracy had a little girl today at 12.28 a.m. so Archie had better get rid of the clothes he was holding for a wee boy - well done, and both are well.

Bad news for England, no World Cup football this time round, mind you after the shocking spectacle last night at Birmingham City, do football supporters really wonder why English fans get a bad name.

I'M a Celebrity, etc, the participants are begging to stay in the jungle, perhaps someone has told them about the snow at home !!! Time for Kayla to leave, unless she is going to get a nice plate of juicy bugs to eat before she leaves.

Sparky Mark has just arrived with red cross food parcels - thank goodness we will not perish tonight, red wine and mouldy cheese !!!

Is this Global Warming - or an atmospheric glitch

The snows continue to fall, the temperatures are falling ( with Altnahara at -22 last night) bit chilly and now that the freeze is on the way the snow will not be shifting for some time.

Today we heard that the Police intend to enforce the law by reporting those who are stupid enough to drive with their (silly b**ger badge) car topped with mounds of snow - so be warned £60 and 3 points, Reckless driving.

We were heading down Comiston Road which is a nightmare, and there he was , prize clown trying to do a three point turn in the main road, could not see out his windows and was lucky not to get whacked amidships.

Forth Road Bridge closed for the first time in its history by snow, Edinburgh and Gatwick airports - is it like this in the USA or Canada ?

My Monday nioght dinner engagement in Glasgow was not cancelled as weather conditions were not as bad as here in the East, and it looks like the "49 Club" x-mas lunch in the Trades hall will go ahead also - might need a shovel in the pocket.

Trains running with great difficulty, and No - the trams are not running in Edinburgh , and with weather like this there is fat chance they would ever be able to run - it is now tucked up in its wrapping paper.

Back to the mundane, the Yorkshire Ripper, Peter Sutcliffe, having already been given £250,000 of taxpayers money to fight his case is now appealing to the European Court of Human Rights - where will it ever end , just how much money are these criminals going to be allowed from the Public purse to challenge legal decisions made by our own lawmakers. Get us out of Europe !!!!

Not helped of course by the latest revelations that our own M.P.'s are still trying to fiddle their expenses, the abuse of power continues.

I have not said much about the Wikileaks farce, personally I think that they should be shut down - at some point someone is going to be killed or harmed as a result of their revelations, but who am I ?