A walk in the park, and the wet

On my wanders yesterday, during which time I was totally drenched during one of the sudden downpours I ended up having a look at the refurbished Angle Park in Penicuik. Nice bit of work done by the Midlothian Council gardeners, just a pity it was so wet as Iwas unable to photograph the tiled centerpiece - another job for another time.

The park had been showing signs of wear and tear and it is good to see the changes. The L'Isle sur la Sorgue sign is to remind us of our links with our twin town in the south of France.

Wedding Bells at the Dolphin Inn

Busy few days, and today I was at the Dolphin Inn have a trial run at laaying out the new table settings as we have a wedding party there in the afternoon, tomorrow. Colin and Nicola, friends, and RGB is the best man once again.

New customers have been calling in, and several locals have returned for meals after a period away, so hopefully this trend will continue as word spreads about the quality of the food etc., only a few comments about the changes to the menu. Only time will tell.

Perhaps I should have stayed in bed today -

Restless night and awake very early before heading to town. I had been asked to stop off at The Mercat Bar to drop of some packages, stopped in the loading bay as usual and went inside to drop things off. When I came out the lady traffic warden, who I had seen before going in had just stuck a parking ticket on the car - however as the ticket was already on the car I was told to write in and dispute it. Biggest problem was the white van man (a seriously gobby chap) who was shouting and bawling about me being stopped there, and it looks as though he had been getting on at the traffic warden for letting me stop there and she had acted after only a few minutes. So it looks like the answer is for me to get a big white van as the wardens obviously cannot believe that shopkeepers, restaurateurs, and publicans, etc use cars to collect goods from cash and carry, etc and make deliveries to their premises - a bit of stereotyping , etc.

I came back later having parked up elsewhere, no traffic wardens, and watched a lorry driver trying to get into the same loading bay but his mate had to chase a couple of cars first.

At least we do not have that problem out at The Dolphin Inn, where there is plenty parking - and the food is good too.

Bar was busy as the stragglers from the King of Leon concert last night, having vacated their hotel rooms needed to get fed and wait for trains, etc. The group photographed in the previous blog were in for lunch, all from the Clydebank area, a lot quieter than yesterday, but still in very good humour.

Home to Penicuik and the rain again - at least the plants were not needing watered yet - only to find that I had a puncture so it was out with the jack and wheel brace.

Andy Murray did well today, a fairly straight forward win , not sure who he plays next, but it could be getting tougher for him.

Lots of interest in the story about the fire at Whitburn Miners Club, now being investigated by the fire service, etc.

Trams have hit the headlines again, big time, with the Edinburgh Evening News publishing the results of a local poll/ survey which shows that the majority of the public were in favour of the project being scrapped. Most revealing were the snippets about the people on the project who were being paid between £1000 and £1200 a DAY. Council leader Jenny Dawe apparently described the problems as being a "small glitch" - which is probably an appropriate comment from someone who heads up an organisation who spend their lives with their heads stuck halfway into an orifice where the sun rarely shines. BUT who cares, it is not their money, they have no accountability.

Interestingly, the new extension of the M77 motorway in Glasgow has just been completed months ahead of schedule and way below budget - the contractors must have thought that the quicker the job was done the less material and equipment would be pinched from the job !!!

The Oldest "Bouncer" in the town, ??? brought out

I must be one of the oldest accredited SIA Badge holders to have been on the door at the Bar this week - brought out of retirement to help during the two big concerts at Murryfield. Wednesday night it was the Bon Jovi gig with a great turn out, for us they seemed to be an older crowd, plenty in for food and all good humoured. Just a pity it was raining and cold - which was as we used to say years ago, the extra policeman.

However, Sunday was a bit different, the big show by The Kings of Leon, younger group, sun shining and they had all day to tipple (drink), and from what I heard and saw on the street there were lots who never even reached the stadium let alone allowed in. Many who got in early for the supporting acts ended up collapsing and being taken outside to recover, and not allowed back in. I spoke to one girl who was devastated, saved up, got her ticked, took extra time off work - reached the stadium having drunk too much and passed out - she missed the concert.

Streets were heaving in the area, taxi drivers "making hay while the sun shone" charging extra - so what's new. Bars and restaurants full - so there are benefits to the local economy despite the fact that there were no trams . On Wednesday night many of the local food outlets were "visited" by tax inspectors who were checking tills, taking books, etc. One local restaurant offered the Inspector the keys to the premises as he was so disgusted with their attitude and actions.

Change of subject, two new babies to report this week, Irish Philip and Edu both became daddies to wee bouncing boys - well done to all who are well.

Bit of speculation this morning in Whitburn, West Lothian, where the local Miner's Welfare Club is presently on fire and being tackled by a team of firefighters. Brought back memories of "The Casino" at Nivensknowe, Loanhead, which burnt down under suspicious circumstances many years ago.

Off to town shortly so I might not get the opportunity to watch Andy Murray try and get himself through to the next round at Wimbledon.

Evening News Community Awards 2011, Clippers,

This year's Evening news awards took place on Thursday afternoon at the new Scotsman Offices at Hollyrood and once again our friend Mohammed from the local Clipper's Indian Restaurant in Penicuik, managed to scoop the awards. This year he was nominated for the Best carry Out Restaurant, and also a Community Award for all the fundraising he, his staff and customers do.

I did not realise that both his sons help run what is obviously a family business here in Penicuik.

Congratulations and well done.

I am clearing out a few mixed and diverse pics

Wandering up to Bruntsfield on Thursday, with the sun shining (strangely) - I thought the sight of Arthur's seat was very nice, but having looked at the photo I realised that there were a number of people playing "pitch and putt" on Bruntsfield Links. This little two club course was gifted to the people of Edinburgh many years ago - clubs are obtained from the adjacent Golf Tavern at a nominal rental. Nice way to pass an hour or so on a sunny day.

The Barclay's bicycles, I took in London a couple of weeks ago - but just think of the chaos these bikes would do to our futuristic 1 km tram line along Princes Street. I believe that some of the new trams have already been sold off to other Cities - we just need to know what our Beloved City fathers plan to do next -bearing in mind that £700 million has been quoted to bring the line from the airport to St Andrew's Square - BUT what about all the works that were done allegedly in preparation down Leith Walk , etc.

And a real oldie, found this snap of my Godmother, Mrs Alexander, taken about 1959, who used to live at the end of Musselburgh race course. She was a well known breeder of Dalmatian dogs and a regular judge at Crufts Dog Show when she was fit and able.

A big No No for a Guinness drinker - or

how to give a Guinness sales director an apoplectic fit !!!

We were served this combination of drinks in a pub in Edinburgh without an apology, however the barmaid, when quizzed did say that she had no Guinness half pint tumblers on the premises.

Bit Remiss of Me, but Bert will make up for it !!!

I have even had a couple of phone calls to make surre I was Ok and had not relapsed - just been otherwise engaged for the past few days - which I may or may not fill the blanks in

BUT last night we ended up as guests of Bert and Jane Waite at the Coronation Inn, Gorebridge, where they were celebrating their 50th (Golden) wedding anniversary with a few friends.

Bert, for the regular readers was made Supreme Grand Shepherd by the late John Wright, at a spoof degree one evening at Esk 42 RA, so he will live with title now forever.

There is only so much to do when it rains !!

So here we are, Tuesday night, should be bowling but I fear that were it not for the excellent drainage it would be under water.

I heard today that we are to start selling water to the English, perhaps if we punt up the price, they would be better off buying our whiskey.

Had a fairly active weekend zooming about between the Dolphin Inn and The Mercat Bar in the wee "Smart car" to cut down the petrol costs and my "carbon footprint".

But yesterday, although it looks like the office party, I was at a wine appreciation course through in Livingston for the day - for me a bit different to look, smell and then taste , when normally I would price my wine at Under £5, (a screw top of course), and only have a look at what it was half way through the bottle. It was a very interesting course on food and wine appreciation - instructive, and a nice change for me.

One of my pet hates is fly tipping and I was really annoyed to see this massive pile of tyres dumped in Lowries Den a couple of days ago. When you consider that drivers are charged £5 by the garage for the disposal of used tyres, looks like some local garage has paid someone tom get rid of this lot and they just dumped them and ran with the pennies.

I see an item in the paper about Midlothian Council wanting to encourage more recycling to cut down on the rubbish going to the landfill, but I think they will have to put a lot more effort into it.

Shellshocked tourists on the train -

on our return from Stirling on Thursday we met these four ladies on holiday from Japan. They had just been up to the top of the Wallace Monument and were heading back to Edinburgh.

I promised faithfully that I would print their photos - hopefully they are enjoying the rest of their stay in Scotland before heading off to Ireland - what a small place the World is these days.

49 Club Wine and Whisky Club, Stirling, part 2

Second time lucky, computer seemed to be infected by gremlins on Thursday night when I made my first attempt at this entry.

The 49 Club met at the Terraces Hotel, Stirling for their final luncheon of the season. This was a return visit as the previous one had been very good, and members were certainly not disappointed on this occasion either. The sun was actually shining when we arrived so it was very pleasant to have nibbles and a light Rose on the terrace before settling down in the restaurant. The ladies from the Mercat thoroughly enjoyed the experience and certainly brightened up the proceedings. We look forward to the new season.

49 Club dinner at Stirling - june 2011

Mercat Bar ladies in their splendour

The girls headed off today escorted by yours truly - pacemaker fully charged !! as we headed for the 49 Club luncheon in Stirling. Just like the old days, I had them lined up, holding hands and waiting for the Green Man to get over the road to the station - then all went wrong as they boarded the train, wine box in hand and paper cups at the ready. Nice run up by train but the guard would not lead the singing or the karaoke !!

Never mind, a good day was had by ALL.,

The Real P.C. who is not really PC had a PC free day

Now there is a conundrum if ever there was !! I might even try and remember what it means later.

Had major plans for yesterday, however with a bit of sunshine and only a few very light showers I remained within the confines of No 69 for the day - even managed to get a few more of my fiddly little outstanding jobs done.

BUT today it is off and away shortly into town and then up to Stirling by train for the last of this seasons 49 Whiskey and Wine Club lunches - better behave.

In case you are wondering, this is not me about to fall asleep on the train, spotted this chappie last week and it reminded me of an interview with a railway guard who was talking about passengers who stuck on their headphones and pretended to be asleep tying to avoid getting their tickets checked - he sat like this for an hour and with a broad posterior took up two seats.

Bit of a Long Haul on Monday

Set off on my travels at 0430 hrs and made it home, after 537 miles at 4.30 p.m., and just a wee bit tired.

Must say that the roads seem to be a bit quieter and cars / vehilces travelling slower, whether it is just my imagination or the effects of the escalating fuel prices I do not know. White van men were missing but I was passed a few times by young ladies bouncing along in little cars at high speed and two chatting merrily away on their mobile phones

I was a bit late in getting away from Glasgow, but lady luck was with me as I caught up with convoy of abnormal loads just as they were joining the three lane section of the M74 south of Lesmahagow, otherwise I would have been held up and getting tetchy. There were about five large lorries with escorts, but I was also surprised at the numbers of wagons loaded with felled trees heading south, must have passed about ten on a forty mile stretch. On my way home about five hours later I saw them again , still heading south and with a long queue behind them.

On the moors I passed a lorry on fire with the fire service attending and dousing the flames which had totally destroyed the tractor unit, (no chance of a photo), and over the course of the day I saw a lot more broken down cars than usual, three in a mile on one part of the road, just seemed a lot to me, most drivers sitting on the banking and others being helped by the Police, AA and RAC.

Having a quieter day today to catch up.