The great Scrapyard in the Sky - amongst other things

Sadly, it is yet another R I P that I have to write, this time the beloved fourteen year old Ford Escort which has served us well since we bought it new. A cracking little car, 1.6 LX and in its time a real flying machine. However, time and distance had taken its toll so in view of the amount of work going to be needed to get it through an MOT next week, and an expiring tax disc, it was with deep regret that it was sent to the "great scrapyard in the sky" yesterday. good job I have a bus pass !! But, the slumbering steed of steel might well be brought out of hibernation sooner than expected.

Monday was a quiet day, spent in in the locality, however, on Tuesday, a long day, over to Livingston where I was collected and taken down to Auchencruive Estate, by Ayr, to do some work. A beautiful estate, part of the ancient seat of the Cathcarts. Bought by a merchant from London, Richard Oswald, in 1764.

Richard Oswald was involved in the negotiation of the American Declaration of Independence, but less thought of because of his involvement in the African Slave Trade.

William Wallace often visited the estate, normally to hide in the Leglan Wood from the English soldiers and also Robert Burns - who found inspiration for his song "Scots Wha Hae" from his visits there. Burns was a friend of Oswald, however the wife was not so enthused by Mr Burns.

The current farm within the Estate is fronted by Gibbs Yard, which is now a nice little steading development with the clock tower, details of which are on the adjacent plaque.

The River Ayr runs through the estate and the local authority have managed to get consent of the majority of the landowners bordering the length of the river to form footpaths and form a walkway from the source to the sea at Ayr. However, a couple of landowners, have so far declined to participate in the project, one being Lord Strathclyde, Tory Member of the House of Lords, who got himself embroiled in the well publicised scandal with Lisa Cunningham in January.

One of the walkways near to the estate is named "Waggonway Trail", which follows the route of the old waggonway, built in the 19th century, serving the coal pits on its route where coal was transported, originally by horsedrawn wagons, and then by trains to Ayr Harbour.

However, I digress, work completed we headed back home via Livingston, the Strathclyde Police Traffic Officers were doing a roaring trade with speeders on the M77 Kilmarnock Road.

Quiet couple of days since then, still recuperating, but making use of my time to make further contact with the I P A ( International Police Association) , so I may even make their next Edinburgh Meeting on 5th April.

Thinking back to last weekend , I watched the final of Dancing On Ice, which Sam quite rightly won, but I thought it a bit odd !!! that they opened the phone lines to vote for the final two couples before either couple had skated - so it was obvious that the majority of the voters were voting on personalities rather than skill and ability. Looks like just another "conn" to get money from the gullible public - there should also be the facility to block repeat votes from individual phones. The other "scams" as I see it are the so called phone in competitions, costing £1 a call, etc. where you are given a choice of answers to the questions - normally so simple and ludicrous , i.e. "How many legs does a horse have? " , A. 2, B. 3 or C. 4 !!! please select.

I even tracked down a former colleague (JB) who is now based in Singapore, just a pity we are not jetting off for Rob and Caitlin's wedding in Brisbane next week, could have popped in for a cuppa.