It must have been a good Wedding

Not sure if I have recovered yet from my extended weekend, at my age the old system takes that bit longer to get over life's little excesses.
Never the less it was back to work on Monday at the Dolphin Inn, same again today and we were kept fairly busy - nice to see some new faces, some returning faces , and today a blast from the Sportsman's Bar when Paul and Julie arrived - brilliant.

Word must be getting out that things have improved dramatically as we have some interesting enquiries for future group bookings.

Need to get organised for something at Valentine's Day, but in the meantime we have some quite important Rugby taking place so the Mercat Bar could be the place to be for the games, mind you, with the big screen and sofa area at the Dolphin Inn - could also be the place to be.

Off to the R. A S. P. Pubwatch tonight ( Tranent and Musselburgh) - big group now so anyone getting barred in those areas has to travel a bit to get served.

The Iconic Forth Bridges - again

Today we took a bit of a detour on leaving the Norton House, and made for the village of Auchtertool, Fife, to visit a couple of former neighbours. On the way back we stopped again at South Queensferry and had scrumptious scones, cream and jam, and coffee - even brought home meringues- from the Forth Bridges Bar and Bistro. First time I have been there and I was fascinated by the collection of drawings, paintings, cuttings, about the construction of both bridges - which I find just awesome.

Brothers of 720 and 500

It was not planned this way, but there we were - seven wise men - maybe !! ; the Magnificent seven !! - certainly not Snow White's seven dwarfs, but we all arrived at the Norton House Hotel with the common links of being members of Dalhousie 720 and Laird O Cockpen 500.

More images from Kia and Lyndsey's wedding

This set of pictures are a bit different - just caught my eye at the time - so a wee chance to share.

Kai and Lyndsey's wedding, Norton House Hotel.

Brilliant afternoon and evening at The Norton House Hotel, by Ratho, where Kai and Lyndsey were married in a civil service in the purpose built function suite. There was a fine turn out of family and friends to witness the ceremony and then partake in a fine meal afterwards. Family and friends had travelled from as far afield as Australia, Dubai, with a good contingent from Bristol.

We were very fortunate that the weather was clear(although cold) but the light was perfect for the photographers present - Lindsay did well, managing not to turn blue !!!

A superb day had by all, congratulations to the happy couple, may they have many happy years together.

Always on the trot

Saturday a.m. and it is -2.5C outside so the car needed a good de-icing. Had a good trip home from Manchester by train , met a man who knew Young Billy who runs the Dolphin, and who had been to The Mercat , so we had a good blether, and as he also had a bottle of "le vin rouge", it was very sociable.

My meeting at the Co-op Buildings , Manchester, was with fellow members of EPIC - Ex Police in Industry and Commerce, and was very good. About sixty members present, which is not too bad considering how far north of the Watford Gap, the venue was, next one in May will be in London and the usual attendance there will be at least double, if not treble yesterday's attendance.
Some excellent speakers, on a variety of subjects, two new members from Wales, The Blue Mountain Group, very interesting.
However, not enough time to chat today, off to the wedding of Kai and Lindsay shortly.

Like a dammed yo yo

Nearly bed time here in Manchester where I have returned - yes - drove down yesterday then home- had a sleep and came back again on the train today. Journey down was fine, could have had a cheaper ticket if I had known the train was going to be quiet, however, I at least had a comfortable seat, food, drink and wine. HOWEVER - when we got to Preston, there was no second carriage waiting so everyone crammed into what was left and they downgraded the 1st Class so everyone piled in to whatever space was free. I can apparently apply for a refund - but how many do or will.
Arrived at the Hotel, at the same time as some of the rest in our group - no trace of my booking !! however, one of the other said that I could take a room allocated to someone who had called off - no problem, receptionist gave me a key and off I went - nice room, I am happy - BUT -she never took my name, details, etc., so if something happens to me they have no idea at all who is actually in this room . But , do I care - no - I am happy to have free WI FI, and red wine.
Quite interesting getting to sit and chat to my colleagues for once - we have one chap here who is off to do a bit more than Sparky Mark did, he is taking a big group to Everest Base Camp, BUT he and some of the group are planning on trying to get to the top. Downside of this being that he trains every day, BUT has his staff training with him also - I wish him the best of luck, as do his staff , who will be pleased when he stops training.
Bit more news tomorrow when I am better dressed.

In keeping, another wee bit o' Burns.

Long day on the road, not helped by high winds and busy roads heading South.

Arrived home and had my haggis, neeps and tatties as per tradition on this day. I did not have to read the Address to the Haggis, as it was featured in full on Chris Evan's Radio 2 Breakfast show, which seems to have gone down really well. So, instead of the Address to the Haggis, I am giving you, "Lines Written on a banknote", which Burns wrote on a Bank of Scotland note on 1st March 1780, having fallen out with "Bonnie Jean's parents" and while he was considering leaving Scotland for the West Indies.

Lines Written on a Banknote"

Wae worth thy power, thou cursed leaf!
Fell source o' a'my woe and grief!
For lack o' thee I've lost my lass!
For lack o'thee I scrimp my glass,
I see the children of affliction,
Unaided, thro' thy curs'd restriction,
I've seen the oppressor's cruel smile,
Amid his hapless victim's spoil
And, for thy potence, vainly wish'd
To crush the villain in the dust,
For lack o' thee, I leave this much lov'd shore,
Never, perhaps, to greet auld Scotland more.

Happy Birthday Rabbie Burns

Burns Day today , and me up at at the crack of dawn, possible even before the wee mouse - and no sign of a red red rose for my sweetheart - ( that might be Valentine's day).

Great night at RA Laird O Cockpen last night , good crowd, excellent Degree working by all, and visitors from Castlepark; Gorebridge; Esk 42; , etc.

Looks mild and Ok this morning , which is good after yesterday mornings snow fall - so now about to set off for Glasgow and Risley . White van men fear not - I am in the Smart Car today!!! - I feel the blood pressure mounting already.

Through the eyes of the lens

Monday night, now fully recovered from Saturday's wine lunch, had a day at work and been out in the sun , yes, sunshine, cold but nice and bright.
I took the camera out as I was unhappy after Saturday, a few of my pictures were not fully in focus and I still have no idea why.
However , a few pics of Penicuik here, the old tower at St. Mungo's Church yard; Penicuik Town Hall, and the latest occupant of the original William Low Supermarket.

Going back to Saturday, popped in to have my ears set on fire by the Turkish boys, seated next to me was Gavin Hastings, former Scotland Rugby Captain, in for a shave. I was really embarrassed for him when another customer who recognised him started making a fuss and was telling the Turkish boys who he was etc. classic stage whispers, and really out of order.

An Excellent result for Edinburgh Rugby with their win on Sunday taking them through to the next round of the Heiniken Cup - playing at home in Murrayfield.

Lots of praise for the Big Pole Dancer and his staff at the Standing Order, George Street, from my friend who had been there on Saturday morning, totally unsolicited, he was giving me a rave review of the place and staff after his visit, not realising our association with the management there - well done.

Back to work at The Dolphin tomorrow, and staff are getting ready for their Burn's Dinner on Saturday - should be good

Should make it to RA 500 tomorrow night, but no late session for me, off to Glasgow and Risley on Wednesday, then SODS Law, having to go back to Manchester by train on Thursday.

A fine wine tasting

A great afternoon / evening had by all - I think. The wine tasting at the Mercat Bar was excellent, a choice selection of wines accompanied by great food.
There were over forty enthusiastic souls present, some who even managed to get most of the quiz questions correct - but I am not sure who won or what they won.

For me it was quite special as I met a friend who I have never ever met, and we have known each other for fourteen years. I did work for him for several years and we talked almost weekly on the phone. He was formerly a senior Detective in the Greater Manchester Police who was the lead Officer in the Myra Hindlay (Moors Murder) case.

There is another similar event in the pipeline, so watch this space for further details.

Crests from the Trades Hall

Jumping from PC to lap top at the moment and I found these two crests, (amongst many) which were taken at the last 49 Club Dinner in the Trades Hall, Glasgow. The crests of all the old Guilds are around the cupola in the centre of the ceiling. Terrible Thomas took the photos for me but they were lost somewhere inside a memory card and only reappeared after I thought I had deleted the card - all a mystery to me. The Maltmen are the brewers. and obviously the Masons are self explanatory.

Change in the weather again, now getting windy again and more snow forecast for later. BUT hopefully it will be dry in The Mercat Bar where the wine lunch will be taking place.

The fickle weather - worse than me.

Rather more subdued this evening - and as suspected the weather changed from sunny and bright literally within an hour through stages from dull, wet , hail stones and eventually snow on higher ground, turning Lowries Den into a skating rink. I was at meeting this afternoon and members were reporting snow right through the Central belt - so we will have to wait and see what the morning has to bring.

The photos, of RGB, Sir Christopher, Kai and Kenny were taken last weekend outside Grand Lodge, London where the boys were on Kai's stag weekend with him due to "tie the knot" shortly.

Tonight I have been enthralled by the sights and photography on the current episode of Earthflight, with the birds and sights of South America. Follow this with the final preselection round of Masterchef, what talent will they discover tonight?

Back to normal tomorrow - work again.

A mild (subdued) ramble -

Thursday morning , bright sunshine and a lovely morning with temperature around the 6 c mar. totally confusing to mother nature as we can now have a 12 C swing from -6 c to plus 6C in twenty four hours.
Despite the dire warnings of the "great freeze" and deep snows, so far we have been very fortune indeed , however lets not count our chickens, etc. I have three snow clearing shovels tucked away ready for use - but would rather not , the Council has tons and tons of salt stored, and at the airport the new snow ploughs sit pristine in the sheds.

Not feeling too clever yesterday after a bit of a traumatic session in the dentist's chair, drilling and poking, doing his best to alleviate bad toothache, now I need time to recover and wait to see if the cursed molar has to be extracted.

The tragedy of the stricken cruise ship still dominates the headlines with several bodies to be accounted for, i cannot believe that one one lady left the ship and made it all the way home to Germany without notifying anyone - but the shock, etc must have been terrible.
What I do not understand is how the captain "accidentally fell into a lifeboat" and ended up on shore, leaving his stricken vessel and passengers behind - I suspect he will regret his act of bravado, negligence for many years to come.
I am now waiting for one of our local villains to appear in court and use the excuse, "I only fell through the skylight", I really had no intention of breaking in !!!!
Need to go , places to go, things to do and people to see.
Bit annoying (tremendous understatement) to see the latest loophole exposed by the immigrant rabble clamouring to enter out country , sign up as a "Big Issue" distributor, you are now employed and if homeless qualify for all the handouts going - lady from Romania in Bristol is now getting £26K plus - as the man in the song said " What Kind of Fool am I ?" .

And our No 1 preacher of hatred, wanted for crimes abroad, has appealed against deportation to this bampot European Court and we are being told we cannot deport him as he would not get a fair hearing in his own country- so now we have to keep him, and no doubt he will recommence his torrent of vile propaganda.

Rifle Lodge 405 - Burns extravaganza

The Burns season is upon us once again as we celebrate the birthday of "The Bard" a man who upon his death had crowds of ten thousand lining the street of Dumfries as his cortege passed on the way to the cemetery, and that in a time when the population of Scotland had not yet reached the one million mark. Little did he know how much influence he had had on people and how much his fame would spread after his death, aged thirty seven years.

Last night I attended a dinner at the Rifle Lodge, No 405, where the brethren were entertained by a team of Burns experts from the Cambuslang lodge, who were excellent.

I was in good company, hosted by Derek "the Spark " not to be confused by Sparky Mark - who ensured that the traditional haggis neeps and tatties were washed down with a dram or two of Glenfiddich. A good night had by all.