Now you see it ,then you don't - Magic Circle fashion

Bit of a long night but up and into the basement training room - good day and everyone worked hard.
Managed to get finished on time and left my group with tasks to complete by next Monday when we meet again.
headed off to Manchester on the Metrolink (tram) which was really good, but it was stopped at Victoria and I had to walk about a mile to Piccadilly Station. Sadly the cause of the disruption was because a car had crashed into a lamp post adjacent to the tram lines, and was blocking the tracks - it could not be moved and I suspect from the intense Police activity that it was either a fatality or likely to be a fatal.

Into the station and onto my train which left on time - it was so slow getting away from Lancashire, God knows what the holds ups were , but eventually the driver got up a fair old speed and we eventually reached Edinburgh about ten minutes behind schedule. The reserved First Class seats were certainly necessary on the way South when the train was really busy, but I might have been able to chance it coming back - but then again !!
I jumped off at Haymarket and went to the Mercat Bar where I found that the Edinburgh Magic Circle were dining in the downstairs dining room - they had eaten and were swapping tricks with each other - having to teach a new trick to a friend in twenty minutes and then the friend had to show it to the group. BUT there were two mesmerised members of staff and four diners who were totally baffled at the end of the night. Great fun had by all.

Home, eventually in the pouring rain, and then up and away to the Dolphin Inn first thing - busy lunch, home, feet up and a wee rest before I head off to Glasgow, Risley and Wetherby in the morning. Judging from the heavy rain and strong winds at the moment and more forecast for during the night might be a long difficult day ahead.

Mrs Mackay - RIP

I was particularly sad on Sunday night when I heard of the death of Mrs Mackay, mother of David and Graeme, and widow of the late Bob Mackay of Pentland Copper Craft fame. Mrs Mackay was a young ninety year old having recently celebrated her birthday, however she quietly passed away in her sleep last week to join Bob. Having been away on holiday I had missed the announcement in the paper and being down here in Bury have been unable to attend the funeral.

I think I have known this fine lady for about forty five years and remember when she did not have grey hair !! I am sure that it was the antics of myself, Graeme and David, especially in the early days when they lived in Cuiken Terrace that turned her hair. She latterly lived in Edinburgh but always had the family dropping in to see her - she will be sadly missed.

How to wind me up - without even trying

Firstly , give me a Wi Fi system that works intermittently - in this case I cannot get any photos to download, whereas last night it worked perfectly. AND, I am in a nice hotel , in a nice room, and there is a noise, yes, an intermittent noise which I cannot track down - when it is quiet it is fine, but when on it just resonates, and resonates. It might be associated with the ongoing works which have started on the railway track at the back of the hotel. These works stared at short time ago and have forced the hotel to only use one side of the building except when very busy - not the most ideal of situations.

I did think that the day was going fine, buried in a basement training room all day with five very nice housing officers, keen as mustard - no doubt regretting that they had ended up with me, and certainly very confused at the end of the day - never mind, by the end of day three they will hopefully be a great deal wiser.

BUT - we did manage a nice lunch by escaping from the building and then took ourselves out for a walk around part of Bury - me - I was actually impressed with what I saw of the Town - just a pity you are not getting the photos tonight.

Tomorrow, back to the basement, then up the line by train in the evening.

At least the drivers stayed on the rails

Long day today, and now encamped in sunny Bury !!! for a couple of days with work to do here.

Set off at 2.30 p.m on the bus into Edinburgh, where I got off at St Andrew's Square - the Demonstrators are still camping in the gardens and now have a music stand up so it looks like a concert is in the offing - hope the neighbours apply for a rates rebate.

Princess Street Gardens have also been taken over again by the "show folk", so if you want a birds eye view of the City on the Ferris wheel, or a shot on the helter skelter, that's the place to go. No problems for pedestrians as the tram works have rendered the street impassable to motor vehicles - if and when they appear (out of storage at Gogar) they might be antiques.

Next stop Edinburgh Waverly Station for the train to Manchester - three and a half hours - but time flew by, although we had about seven stops en route.

Into Manchester Piccadilly Station and made my way to the metro link station in Piccadilly Gardens to get a tram to Bury - however a young local lad, John, kept me right as I was in for a long wait and took me to the next tram station where we had the choice of trams, even so we had to change at Victoria - but once on our way the trip up to Bury was remarkably quick and smooth - despite the fact they were older rolling stock - thanks to John for keeping me right, nice lad and very interested ( and knowledgeable) in Freemasonry.

I would presume that there are some unhappy bunnies in Glasgow today as those "diddies" at Ibrox dropped another three points - poor show.

Another sad side effect of the tram works

Having been abroad on the 11th November I missed the Remembrance Day services and events around the City - however I was appalled to see the "temporary " memorial sited at Haymarket in place of the dismantled Hearts War Memorial and Clock. The original memorial was dismantled about two years ago as part of the "ongoing tram project" (Edinburgh's current folly) and is in storage due to be reassembled nearby in due course.

The saddest thing was seeing the wreaths lying on the ground where they had been blown by the wind - I hope that someone in the Tram set up has enough savvy and consideration to have them picked up and reattached to this "sad" edifice - but I will not hold my breath.

On a day when the front page of the Edinburgh Evening News ran a story about a Chinese student being awarded massive compensation after being struck by a Lothian Region bus whilst out cycling - I spotted two cyclists passing the Memorial having ridden through red traffic lights - I earlier saw another cycling on the wrong side of the road through ongoing traffic opposite the Balmoral Hotel - I seriously think it is time that there was a blitz on these road users who fail to were reflective clothing; have lights on both front and back; or even have bells, etc . as a warning of their approach. Despite my occasional rantings about traffic wardens I am sure that they would love the challenge of sorting out the cyclists. Which reminds me, I still have to see a Traffic Warden on a scooter without displaying "L" plates - are they incapable of passing a driving test ?? or do they not stay in their jobs long enough - or are they involved in accidents with buses.
The last photo shows the chaos being caused at Haymarket by the tram works - which as you can imagine are having a seriously adverse effect on businesses in the area.

Down at the Dolphin, dogs and all

Working this morning at The Dolphin Inn where we had our two regular Friday doggie visitors - along with their owner - one has his radar hood fitted to make sure he does not miss his summons for "din din".

Despite the wind and rain I was able to get a couple of shots of flowers still blooming in the pub garden which just show how mild the weather has been - but we cannot expect this to last - not with the freezing storms and gales up north.

Heading out tonight to RA Chapter, Honour, Concorde and Fidelity at Loanhead - off tomorrow so x-mas shopping has been threatened already, before I head off to Bury on Sunday to "do some work" (for a change someone said !!!!)

Belated birthday greetings to young Harry Brown, same day as RGB - we first met Harry two years ago on our Nile cruise.

Good food and wines at The Mercat Bar

Good day at The Dolphin Inn with some new faces in the dining room (conservatory)

- impressed enough to want to try out the Mercat Bar at a later date to compare the quality of food.. Headed home and then took the bus to town - George Street was very busy as crowds gathered to see the switch on of the Christmas lights.
Headed for The Mercat Bar, via Jacobs the Photo Shop in Shandwick Place, for my browse and odd purchase, staff are excellent so I always end up staying for ages blethering.

Into the Mercat Bar where a small group had gathered to try out the new wines on the updated wine list and also try out the changes to the menu - so nine wines later, and tastings of fish cakes, haggis cigars, and a wonderful Stornoway black pudding with apple - lip smacking, everyone was best friends and all looking forward to the next tasting which will be in January- couple of the group had spotted the tasting on the current copy of the "List".

Great night had by all.

I had a lovely "E" Mail from Maria at the Hilton Waterfalls, saying that the staff were missing the happy Scots who sang to them - place was much quieter !!! Thanks to all,

Shine on, golden sun - please -

Back to normal, another restless night - not helped when the bedside lamp came on during the night and for a few moments I honestly thought I was still in the Hilton Waterfalls, and the morning sun was streaming through the window. Big, big disappointment when I realised the truth and was not able to get back to sleep.

I would much rather have been looking at these views instead of sitting in this grey dawn
listening to the reports of early morning accidents on the A720 City By Pass and A7 on Radio Forth 2.

Back to work today at the Dolphin Inn, and tonight might head for the Mercat Bar where there is a wine tasting - not that I would ever dream of trying the wines - having been "dry" since Monday ( small beer before I left Egypt).

Despite this lack of sunshine I did watch another episode of the BBC's "FROZEN PLANET" last night, absolutely fascinating how nature copes with the extremes of the weather - so I suppose I should be realistic and just turn up the central heating. These film makers are marvellous - great series.

Was Santa Clause -looking for a cuppa

Good session at Bonnyrigg last night, good turnout of both visitors and members for what was a well delivered working of the Affiliation and EM Degree - the candidate was very pleased as was our Visitor from Supreme ( 2nd Principal)
Been a bit different today, weather dry but wind getting up, with stronger winds forecast for tonight. Had a message from Roz from Oz today so she and her beloved are now en route from their sun to our grey skies - poor souls.

Not sure what game Tesco are playing - Tea bags at half price , certainly a bargain by the looks of things as the third 24o box by Yorkshire Tea was also £5.28. Next time I am Bookers I will see what they charge.

Into Edinburgh today where I spied Santa Clause out and about without his reindeer - no snow and just a bit early for X-mas.

Big splurge on the front of the Edinburgh Evening News about the TRAMS again, lots of documents released under the freedom of information act and they are nearly all blanked out with the censors pen - there is more secrecy about this tram project than there was with the D Day landings !!!! obviously yet more bungling by "Mr Jobsworth and his mates" so hide the evidence.

I find it most peculiar that Sir Seb Coe and his pals on the Olympic Committee would even consider approaching Edinburgh Council to have a massive set of the Olympic Rings erected on the side of Edinburgh Castle - stick them on the Tower of London or Buckingham Palace ( especially as they want to turn it into a hotel). News are running a media campaign to pressure the Council planners = but hopefully they will see sense themselves ( OR MAYBE NOT !!!)

Things did brighten up eventually.

Despite the dull start to the day, sneaky old sun eventually appeared and as I had work to do on the farm I headed off onto the side of the Pentland Hills. Thought our friends in Egypt might appreciate a few photos of some pure bred animals - still out in the fields due to to the mild weather. The cows are still calving and there were quite a few out and about.

Off out this evening to a meeting at Laird O'Cockpen RA 500, candidate in attendance so it should be nice.

Back to work tomorrow at the Dolphin Inn

NOTE ; - we had three earth tremors between Thursday and Friday while away in Egypt - I did have a look to see if there had been anything registered , however as the area is on one of the main "plates" which runs up the Red Sea, it looks like these are very regular and minimal.

Where has the sun gone - shock to the system

6.10 a.m. yesterday morning and the sun was rising over the Hilton Waterfalls, a beautiful sight warm and by 8 a.m. I was on the sunbeds taking in a few rays before we packed up to leave Sharm El Sheikh.

Our taxi, organised by Classic Collections, arrived well on time so we said our farewells to the lovely Maria from Customer Relations, and the Johnston's of Egham- out to the airport where we were literally "wheeked" through the check in by our Rep. and were soon seated in the departure lounge. Sharm El Sheikh airport is just as bad as any other airport in the World with the usual high prices for food and drinks, and their Duty Free Store is not as cheap as you would expect.

I was sitting there and could feel a sense of gloom coming over me as I realised we were heading home.

We were boarded early by the Thomson staff, very nice, but the usual cramped conditions where everyone needs to be thoughtful or tolerant. In our case we unfortunately ended up with a young women in front of us who had obviously had more than her share of "E" numbers, add this to the fact that she was of Eastern European Origen, lacking in obvious social skills she did not give a "monkey's" about anyone else - she was a real pain, but nothing we could do about it.

Into Glasgow on time and the temperature a mild 11C - which was not too bad - over to the "Flying Scot" car park at Paisley and then home and we arrived at Penicuik it started to rain and the temperature dropped to 6 C.

This morning, looked out the window and there was NO SUN, has anyone got a return ticket to Egypt ?

All Packed and ready to go

Sun still shining here in Sharm El Sheikh, and despite that some of the staff are finding the breeze a bit chilly for them !! I think we should send them back to Scotland for a few days to see what our weather is like.

Missed out yesteday as I had no Wi Fi, but nothing to do with the earth tremor which rumbled through the complex at 0710 local time - just a big shake and then it was gone, the staff said there had been one the day before, but so far I have not checked the web for confirmation.

The going home bit is always frustrating, waiting about for transport, then the carry on at the airport, the cramped flight home to Glasgow, and then a quick run home on the M8.

However, we have thoroughly enjoyed ourselves here at the Hilton Waterfalls Resort, staff could not have been nicer and as previously stated did everything to make our stay memorable.

Will add more photographs once I get time at home.

Saturday in the sun - more news from the Hilton Waterfalls

Sun shine again, only 30C and with a breeze which although making it bearable stopped the use of the diving platforms due to the rough sea for the morning.

Had my usual wander around the complex, managing to get all the dining room staff to stop for a few minutes to pose, but it was a bit harder to get the animals to pose. The white bird is local to Egypt and lives off worms and insects which attack the crops so it is the farmer's friend. There are a pair of buzzards on the site who regularly land near the pool to have a feast on lizards they have caught, but quite difficult to photograph due to their busy and unpredictable schedule!!

Mr Johnston of Egham spotted the ants under his sunbed who were showing a classic piece of teamwork in moving a dead fly to their home for a BBQ !!! - not our choice for tonight as we are heading back to Verdi's Italian Bistro again.