With the problems at home, better off here

Yet another sunny day, but as the end of the holiday draws nearer I hear that the weather at home is getting worse again, even the suggestion that there might be snow !!! - However with the tankers drivers once again attempting to hold the Country to ransom, they are likely to lose all public sympathy, perhaps we might end up with a fleet of takers driven by the Polish lads who appear to have a better working ethic than the local blokes. Perhaps they are so selfish that they have not noticed that the majority of the population is now worse off than we were five years ago - they are obviously aware that petrol sales are down and fewer people are using their cars, etc.
Big turn around here, lots more families, so they will soon have to heat the big pool to allow for the greater numbers wanting to swim, etc.

The wind changed today and the temperature crept up again, nice, nice , nice.

See what tomorrow brings.

Both being paid to work, but what of the consequenses

Thought a map of the area might be of interest, lots of wrecks (over and above ourselves) for the divers to visit.
I think we have come at a good time, today there was a big exit of guests, but we hear that even more are arriving as the day progresses, and with the Easter Holidays now kicking in, there will be lots more children to disturb the peace.

During our early morning walk we spotted a guard at one of the other hotels, having a bit of a nap !! so much for security here - if there was to be another attack on the area there is little these guys would be able to do about it.

Back at home where the sun is still shining, everyone is making the best of it, including those who should be working !! in West Maitand Street at the catastrophic tram works - so while man slumbers, business go under.

Bit of a long day - but who is complaining

Woke up to find the good lady getting showered and dresssed, (a quell heur et il ?) French for what time is it - she said 0815 - so I said 0615 !!! back to bed, dozy wife.

But we did get uo a short time later and had an hours walk along the promenade here, lovely, just set me up for my breakfast nicely.

Lovely here during the day, and I do appreciate that is is also very nice at home, however if I was there I would be working or "doing things" rather than relaxing and having my meals made for me.

Boules again, we won - hooray - a good swim in the chilly pool - massage later followed by a razor shave, 1st class - so after a good dinner no complaints.

We had a chat to a couple who have been hee nine times and just love the place, finding it so comfortable and the staff really look after them. One young couple , here fot their second visit said their parents stayed just a few hotels along but found the food really bad.

Had to compliment the Chefs tonight, deep fried fish was out of this world, and the overall selection in the buffet not worth complaining about.

Been a good day, nice to talk to RGB who is down at the Dolphin filling in for his missing parents.

Good movies on the TV so it is nice to sit and chill - just like Sparky mark.

Tuesday , another day of fun in the sun

Another quiet day here in the sun, dongle is a bit slow so pictures are not loading the way they should. gardens are lovely, however, the camel was only sleeping, it was not the fist course on tomorrow nights Bedouin banquet.

We had the optional Italian meal this evening, but the only downside was the wine, which was one Egypts Modern wines, an Obelisk Vin Rose 2011 - which unfortunately was seriously rough and certainly overpriced at 140 Egyptian, so we will not be having that again.

I hear that the tramworks have moved into West Maitland Street and have already turned that end of the street into a ghost town - so much for Jenny Daws slight glitches, we will soon see how many companies head for the verge.

Monday evening and the sun shone all day - again

Suns down again after another lovely hot day here ar the Coral Sea Resort, not to be confuded with the sister complex a few hundred yards along the road, the Coral Sea Village Resort, both used by First Choice.

Must say it has been very good, a healthy breakfast - yes -no fry up, out by the pool by 8.30 a.m., game of boules, causing grief, etc, a good swimming session in the big pool, nice lunch, massage, afternoon tea, and then an hours walk - nealy time for dinner.

Last night we were getting a bit hot under the collar, sitting watching a couple of the barmen who were really top notch, in both bars we were in the lads were really kept going with a more or less constant stream, and somtimes a queue of guests. NOW, I appreciate that this is an all inclusive and that the drink is built into the price, however, I have been in places where the waiters were so slow, did not care who was waiting,a nd in one hotel nealy caused a riot because of their attitude. Totally opposite here, but did the guests really appreciate the service - do not think so, we sat and watched, hand on heart, there must have been at least one hundred drinks served, and did anyone put their hand in their pocket - ( miserable so and so's not on your nellie). I suspect that it must have been an Englishman who said that the Scot's were miserable, to take the heat off themselves.

Enough - time for dinner.

Coral Sea and camels

Sunday, Day three I think out here at the Coral Sea resort, and armend with a dongle I can now operate as usual.

No wind / breeze today so poolside was lovely, about 27C - and I even braved the unheated pool - just a bit warmer than the Arctic Ocean I think - but peaceful - no floating bodies, etc.

Joined in the French boules once again, and we had a proper game, three aside, playing by the rules, much more satisfying.

We have about two hundred yards of a shallow bay, so they have built a long pier out to the reef where you can snorkel, etc.



Animation team did well and were captured doing their pool side dance.

Had session one in the Spa, very good massage to straighten up the old bones, Cruella, all is forgiven.

Caught the old "ships of the desert" heading along the beach front, looking for new owners.

Chilling out in the sun.

Another day of coping with the sunshine and relaxing by the pool, although, having said that we had a nice long walk before breakfast right along the promenade as far as we could, massive building projects taking place and hotels springing up in the desert.

Two swimming pools here, one nice and heated, the other, nearly deserted, is massive, but heart stopping if you jump in, need first aiders to get me out.

Coral Sea Resort is 99% British occupancy, used by Thomas Cook, First Choice, etc., the pool areas, gardens, and beach are very good. The bay is extremely shallow and you can wade out knee deep for a good hundred yards or so.
Facilities are actually quite good, a lovely gym, nice spa, hairdresses, beauty salon, etc - animation staff excellent who come and talk to you trying to get everyone involved in the activities - we even have the lovely Samantha from Bishopriggs - she has a bit of a problem as quite a few of the English guests cannot understand her accent when she runs the quiz in the afternoon.

Have not even started taking photos yet, got to get into the mood.

BUT, my "Kindle book" is a godsend, best present I got at Xmas from RGB and Go Jo - churning m,y way through the books I looded up before we left.

So up with the sun in the morning - tomorrow is another day.

Sunny Sharm el Sheikh

Now in sunny Sharm el shakey, managed to get a good deal with First Choice and are at thew Coral sea resort - certainly not in the same class as the The Hilton Waterfalls, but obviously there is a big difference in the price - sadly, while I had free Wi Fi in the Hiltin, the Coral sea are trying to charge £90 for eleven days, so we are now getting free Wi Fi, along with real drinks at the Bus stop bar opposite the hotel.
Bit breeezy, to say the least this morning, but good afternoon, lovely promenade walk of about six miles, and a long shallow bay so you can wade for miles.
w

Better get back to bed - again

I am sure there is a song which has the line in it "It's 4 in the morning, a new day adorning", not that I feel that chirpy due to the after effects of my dental treatment - back to the chair once again - or , as they say, I must have been very bad as a lad.

The lad in the car, was very fortunate, his bullet proof glass saved the day, sent out to Iraq to do a wee job with his mates, he finds himself being shot at - fist bus home if you please !!!!!

Probably needed good driving skills to get out of that one- unlike the learner drivers in the west coast Island of Tiree who have a 100% pass rate for their driving test. With hardly any traffic, no roundabouts or traffic lights its a bit of a whizz - but when they get to the mainland they are advised to do some refresher training. The Island is so flat that even finding somewhere to do a hill start is a problem.

Spotted young Sarah online from sunny Newcastle, NSW, but looks as though she was too busy blethering to spot the SMS which I sent. Caitlin and bump seem to be doing OK also, regards to Rob and the dogs.

I had better go back to bed and try and get some shuteye before the new day breaks.

Some days pass painlessly - not this one

Rather subdued at the moment having been to the dentist who pulled out one of my two offending teeth - other one has to remain in place giving me gype for another two weeks. I was amused at having to curl my toes as he gave me the three jags, kind of took my mind of the needlework !!!

Had a bit time to recover before taking the bus into town to get my new glasses from Specsavers, served again by the lovely Lyndsay - so I am not having to do the on / off, on/off thing now to see what I am doing.

Shandwick Place is in an even bigger mess as they move on with the next phase of the tram works, but fortunately you only need to walk a few yards to get back to the relative tranquility of St John's Church and get some interesting views of Edinburgh.

Of course the beggars are still out in force, the Eastern Europeans in particular - this woman in the photo is one of a large group who have been in the City for a few years now - dammed pests and an eyesore, time we had the equivalent of a "pooper scooper" to deal with them.

Finally, I thought I was suffering, but spare a thought for poor Brian, father of Amy and Aaron, who, playing football last night shattered his finger - I saw the x-ray and it was not pretty - so he spent the night starting at the ERI and ended up in St John's where the surgeons have mended the brutalised digit.

Mother's day treats, but tinged with sadness

Shocker of a night once again with toothache, spent sitting in a chair from 2 am till 6 am when I went back to bed, and despite the fact the sun was shining there was a solid hard white frost outside.

By the time I resurfaced, the frost had gone and it was a lovely day outside, but as it was Mother's day, and we had a full house of bookings at The Dolphin Inn we were heading off to work.
A good day at the Dolphin Inn, some lovely people in for lunch, treats for Mothers - the oldest we had in was a young 89, and she celebrated her 80'th birthday in the Dolphin, so hopefully, her health permitting, she might be here for her 90th. Must say that all the staff did very well and their efforts were much appreciated by the customers.

Not sure if the Celtic fans were quite so happy today, losing to the underdogs, Kilmarnock in the first of the home football cup finals - I had heard the Kilmarnock goal keeper on the radio in the morning and he was really up for the game.

Shocking incident on the football pitch when young Fabrice Muamba collapsed with what appears to be a heart attack, all we know is that he is in Intensive Care and hopefully on the road to recovery - he will be so pleased to know just how many people are wishing him well. It is surprising how many mega fit young men collapse, the late Bruce Lee springs to mind.

Grand slam and wooden spoon deciders

Had a terrible night with toothache (and not happy about the thought of the chompers being pulled), however I awoke to brilliant sunshine streaming through the window, a lovely day overall, although it is now a crystal clear evening and very cold, - although I suppose that is relative, having watched the Blue Peter girl last night travel five hundred miles across Antarctica on skies, foot, a bicycle and using a kite, in temperatures of-45. Good programme and well done, all for the current fund raising events by Sports Relief.

Rugby, Six nations all decided today - Wales, tremendous , putting their heart and soul into the game before coming out on top and winning the Grand Slam; England did very well, a powerful force who whapped the Irish (with their scrum totally dominant); Scotland at one stage were strolling around the pitch and deservedly got the wooden spoon - the SRU might add another section in their shop at Murrayfield stocking kitchen utensils - so back to the drawing board, while Wales are off down under to hopefully show the upside down folks the way to play.

Into the chaos that is Edinburgh, to add to the motoring woes, the traffic light controls went on the blink causing mayhem around the Haymarket, West End and George Street areas for twenty four hours - but do not worry, Councillor Lesley Hinds described the event as a "minor glitch", which curiously is the same phrase she used about the delays in the tramworks. So if you are planning on driving in the City, bring a packed lunch and a sleeping bag.
Very good write up for the Mercat Bar tonight in the Edinburgh Evening News, hopefully we can soon match these comments in the Dolphin Inn, which is fully booked for Mother's Day - so guess where we will be working.

Bit of a tragedy today (apart from the Rugby) when the steed of steel suffered what might be a heart attack, or its pacemaker has packed in - no life at all which is strange considering I have been out on it in the past few days, just need to wait and see.

A few snippits of a wet and windy day

It has been a long day, up with the larks, or perhaps even before them- then off to the weekly meeting of the BNI - TGI group at the Marriot- and interestingly, passed the tram depot at Gogar en route and the nice new shiny trams were sitting out, looking good, and doubtless starting to rust !! I must try and get a photo while they are in a pristine state.
TGI were on form, an excellent meeting with about thirty five people present- real buzz about the group.
Had to bale out early as I was opening up the Dolphin Inn and had Bookers to go to before opening up - did the business and made for home, and with time before dinner I took myself off for a swim . Now this should have been a relaxing, destressing session, but - imagine the scenario, I am struggling up and down the length of the pool, doing my best to concentrate and also relax, with several others all doing their lengths - when - of course someone slips in and decides to swim back and forwards across the pool interfering with everyone else in the water - bloody pest, and of course they are exhausted after a few minutes and off to recover in the Jacuzzi - thank goodness.
Home - dinner, and along to Penicuik Bowling Club to get my fees paid for this year - no excuse this year for not playing so I am now looking forward to the opening day on 14th April.
Bit annoyed with Grant @photogenic, he made it to see Mrs Brown's Boys and did not let me know - a totally brilliant show, would have loved it.

Wooden Spoon is up for grabs tomorrow, and, fingers crossed, Scotland do not earn it by losing against Italy - come on lads do the business. And , just in case you are wondering who, I am not one of the bidders for Rangers FC - however, I hope that whoever does take it on board, does so with the intention of getting the Club back on its feet again.
Saturday - another day, maybe a bit more rain to keep our grass green and reservoirs full.

Dawn chorus to Masterchef triumph

Though I might start with the topical subject of Rogue Traders, this being part of tonight's Watchdog programme. No morals, no scruples, just the scum of the earth , and prying on the vulnerable and elderly. Our recent incident along the road is still under investigation, yet daily there are more and more reported incidents - it is the duty of everyone to protect our vulnerable.
BUT - to the big business players, the same behaviour is just a game, dealing in £millions, and it looks like the ongoing saga with Rangers is all part of that game.
I see that Hearts look unlikely to pay the teams wages this week (again) and from the sound of things it might be the tip of the iceberg - if the new legislation comes in limiting the amount of debt clubs can have, many will be in deep trouble.
Back to today, now despite the fact the birds are still not eating from my feeders, it does not stop them creating an awful din in the morning, so today it was a chirpy dawn chorus that had me up and out - despite the fact I should have had a long lie as it was my day off. BUT, day off or not, I was down at The Dolphin Inn where we had a group of fifteen ladies and gents in for lunch - what a wonderful group, a cheerful sprightly 94 year old, and the youngest around the 65 mark - thoroughly enjoyed having them, and I think they enjoyed their meal.
Headed for town and had tea at the Mercat Bar where a few of the 49 Club diners dropped in after their lunch for a wee drinkie.
Currently watching the final session of Masterchef, totally absorbing to see these amateur chefs transforming raw food into amazing works of culinary delight - kind of puts my toasted cheese to shame - good luck to the three finalists, but it looks like Shalina has the edge - and so she did - well done, made it due to her consistency throughout the competition.

Hope it was not my fault, following my Tesco daily diddles, but I see their CEO is stepping down following their worst trading figures for a while, but they are not alone in the diddles, the Watchdog programme caught out Asda in is so called Roll Back offers - more cases of corporate jiggery pokery.
I has something niggling away at the back of my mind - NCP Morrison Street Car Park, which is still resembling Beirut, but their prices have rocketed - £4.80 for two hours and £12.80 for the day - it is small wonder that the shops in the area are struggling when you add that to the tramworks mayhem, and I just discovered that they charge an extra 20p if you pay by phone !!

My dozy act just pales into insignificance with--

Nice shift at the Dolphin Inn, some lovely customers in for lunch, and even a couple of the locals who have not been there for eighteen months and who were duly impressed and will be back -they promised.

We even managed to get the Internet in the pub working the way we have been wanting it for ages - simple thing like a faulty cable has been causing all the trouble.

Then headed home, and was looking in my pocket for something - YES, everyone has done it, found the keys for the pub which were needed this evening, so I had to trail back down the road with them - oops, silly me.

However, despite it being a bit of a mad rush, I dropped Sparky off at the Lodge on the way down, and then a quick scoot to Whitecraig (or that was the plan), but with darkness falling and "L" drivers on the road, it was a bit slower than anticipated. It is quite frightening following someone who has poor night vision - but I was back in time to make the opening of Esk 42 where they had a candidate for the RA degree.
Bertie Baa was telling me that some English Chapters have put an amendment to their Ritual book - in one section which reads "Air; Water; Earth and Sky" - it will now read "Air; earth and Sky" - in view of the hosepipe ban perhaps !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think it right and proper to comment on the tragic coach accident in Switzerland which has cost the lives of twenty eight people, mainly young children, with another twenty plus seriously ill in hospital - what a shocking event. I am sure that all our thoughts go out to their families and friends. We think war is bad, but throughout the World we have carnage on a greater scale, all just part of our daily lives.

Not a bad day - really

Another day at the Inn - with several very nice customers in for lunch, then it was home to the hills, and a swim!! Having been waiting on a Doctor to give me the all clear for long enough, I have had enough, so I decided to return to my old habits and see how I get on - hopefully not living to the adage "do or die".

More in the paper today about the tramworks in Shandwick Place, with some shopkeepers shouting for help to avoid "going under", even their rates are no longer payable, and the district valuers office claims that they are already getting big discounts. One shop says they have dropped from twenty five walk in's a day to zero !!!! Passing trade is non-existent , and we have that to look forward to in West Maitland Street.
BUT - we never mind, the Council have cut the Chief Executive's wage by £1250 a year, down to £157,250 - in order to narrow the gap between the highest and lowest earners in the Council. Looks like she might have to change to Tesco's own brands to compensate for this shortfall.

Great excitement in the Royal Botanic Gardens, their staff have found a new strain of the prongwort plant, now nicknamed "Viking prongwort", and discovered in Wester Ross.

Now comes the real humdinger of the day, an Edinburgh lad, Stuart Gunn, who is now totally blind following a serious accident ten years ago, is now planning on trying to break the solo land speed record for a blind person, on a motorcycle !!! and trying to reach 170mph. All he needs is the loan of an airfield, four frinds to ride alongside him, and a lot of nerve. All the money he raises will go to the RNIB Scotland - I have to wish him well, I would not even consider riding at that speed, never.

Back to the Dolphin Inn tomorrow and might even head for RA Esk 42 in the evening along with Sparky Mark, but missing out on the 49 Club lunch at the Roxburgh Hotel on Thursday.

sad and disheartening, but how do we stop it ?

As we were still mourning the loss of six young British soldiers killed by a Taliban bomb, we then have this inexplicable incident where a rogue U.S. Army sergeant has left his base, armed to the hilt and killed fifteen local Afghans, women and children - probably setting the War effort back a number of years. It may well be the case that he did have a mental breakdown, these facts will come out in the investigation, but in the meantime, inexcusable.
We have seen the same sort of incident on US Mainland, but equally so, the same in Denmark last year, and many years ago in Dunblane, - all with no reason.
This is the society we now live in - times, they are a changing.

There are times when following the news in the media is not just depressing, it is totally negative and breeds negativity.

Back to our own news, the downside of having a mild winter now kicks in with news that a hose pipe ban will be introduced in a large part of England in a few weeks time due to falling water supplies - BUT - why not get it introduced now before matters worsen - supplies in the South East are down 75 % , while up here in Scotland we have areas which are up 120% - kind of wet !!!
I am not sure if it still happens, but certainly within the past few years Scottish Brewers were running tankers full of water down to Newcastle and bringing beer back up, made with the water, as the local water was too full of lime.

A chance to catch up, with feet up

This is a follow on wander from my previous blog about the Ross Fountain, as I strolled through Princes Street Gardens, the first item of interest is the Norwegian Stone, places there by the Norwegian army in return for the hospitality shown to them by the people of Edinburgh. Higher up at the side of the gardens is the war memorial to the 1914 war.

From the Gardens there are slightly perspectives on the sights along the High Street and Castle skyline.

Back onto Princes Street and the side of the pavement is lined with benches, donated by various people, this one with the plaque was one of two presented by Mr Mitwitch, the other being in memory of his wife who enjoyed visiting the City.

We ended up in the Standing Order yesterday and while blethering to the great pole dancer were joined by his charming wife (Tracy) and beloved daughter (Camryn) - lovely to see them all.

I had to go back to town this morning, via the Mercat Bar for breakfast and then dropped in to Specsavers to replace the TWO pairs of glasses which I have lost in the past year, and having broken a third pair (old ones) I am fed up wearing single lens specs balanced on the end of my nose. The optician looked very young !!! (and that was without glasses) but as I said to him, the same applies when you look at how young Policemen are, makes you realise how old you are getting. The young ladies were very nice, and coping admirably despite the fact their computer had crashed and they had to resort back to a paper system - so I soon hope to see the world more clearly !!

I was forgetting about the photo of the car, this young man found himself driving the wrong way down a single lane one way system towards oncoming buses, good job he was a dab hand at reversing - at least the bus driver thought it was funny especially when he saw me snapping the event.

Never mind, the weekend is nearly over, back to The Dolphin Inn in the morning, and wherever life's unexpected twists and turns take me - a tout a leur.

The Ross Fountain, Edinburgh

Lovely day in Edinburgh so there I was with time to spare and as St Cuthbert's church was closed I ended up in Princes Street Gardens. The Ross Fountain is a beautiful piece of work, and as you can see from the plaque was shown at 1862 exhibition in London before being bought by Daniel Ross, a local gunsmith, dismantled and brought to Edinburgh where it was finally assembled on site in 1872.

The four figures, depicting, science, Art Poetry, and industry, with the top figure holding a cornucopia - a cup of plenty.

A magnificent piece of work, but unfortunately many years since I saw flowing with water.

Military deaths, hostages and theft.

I just thought you might like to see the view from the back door of the Dolphin, looked lovely on Wednesday, sun shining on the freshly ploughed fields looking northwards to the spire of Inveresk Church away in the distance.

The recent death of our six soldiers at the hands of a Taliban bomber was a tragedy indeed, I join those who thank them for their dedication to duty and send my condolences to their families and colleagues.

I am a bit dismayed at the response by the Italian government after the failed attempt to rescue the British and Italian hostages in Nigeria. Apart from the need for speed in setting up the operation there was also a need for secrecy, both qualities which the Italian Government do not have - might have got on better if we had liaised with the mafia !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just rather unfortunate that the hostages were killed by their captors before being freed - we will have to wait on fuller details to ascertain just how long before the troops arrived were they brutally murdered. At least our Government and troops made the effort.

Nearer home, another theft of note with masonic regalia, an antique (gold) master's chain stolen from within the Lodge at Victoria Terrace , Edinburgh, where it was proudly displayed in a frame on the wall. The thief took three and a half minutes to enter the premises, steal it and leave. What is worse is the fact that some unscrupulous gold dealer will know what it is, buy it for "sweeties" and then have it melted down. The loss of a beautiful piece of history. Time for the return of the birch, stamping foreheads and even removing the odd hand or two - perhaps they do have the right idea in Islam law.

More mind games from Tesco

No - I have not been cured, nor have I given up on trying to fathom out why Tesco do what they do to sell their products. It might be me that needs some psychiatric help, however, I am sure there are marketing psychologists who have worked out how and where to place products to maximise sales.

My two examples this week are 1. The tea bags, same size and weight of tea - difference in price allegedly £1.29p - stocked in two totally different part of the shop. The higher priced being in the most obvious area and could have been construed to look like a special offer but was not masked as one.
2. The cheese is a different story, both sets of packs stacked side by side, double (350) pack total weight £5.55p, yet beside it is the 350 single pack at £3.98p - however buy a second one free so two 350 packs cost £1.57 p LESS than the double pack next to it !!! I would be interested to know what the profit is on the single 350 pack before any jiggery pokery.
Me - I bought two single packs so that i can make my cheesy toasties, or perhaps go French and have a "Croc monsieur".

Another day behind the wheel - job done.

It's been a long day on the road, through to Glasgow, then Risley and back via Glasgow. As usual I was not disappointed by the "beloved white van men", as the first vehicle to overtake me was in his big "Sprinter". Pity the radar van was not waiting on him. BUT the M74 and the M6 were quiet so it was a good run, and a couple of other seemed to think so also as they were nabbed by the unmarked patrol cars in Cumbria.

When I returned to Glasgow I saw the Police camera van sitting at Cowcaddens, and flippantly asked the operator if he was trying to catch speeding trains !!! However, he explained that the van was used to monitor the many railway level crossings throughout the West and Central belt of Scotland, where there are many fatalities each year ( nationally it averages one per week) caused in most cases by people ignoring the red warning lights and risking life and limb by trying to beat the barrier. This particular van has been adapted for the job, however there are two new state of the art purpose built vehicles due for delivery. In addition to these duties it is also used a back up and monitoring unit while officers are attending at scenes of crimes, accidents and searches - extremely interesting - thanks guys.

I passed the Morris Minor on the motorway, it was looking good and sounding good - but not likely to get nabbed for speeding!!

My father had a couple of Morris Minor Countrymen cars, which were lovely wee cars to drive, and reminiscing, we had a Morris 1000 panda car when I first joined the Police at Loanhead and it was normal on the nightshift for us to meet up with the Bonnyrigg team and have a wee race through Roslin Glen. In Penicuik, during the very bad winter there this car used to chug its way up and down through drifts and roads which other cars could not manage. Folk even arrived at the Police Station late at night and asked for a lift home - they thought we had special training in winter driving!!!

You only need to ask - at a price

I used to think that Edinburgh taxi drivers were all related to Dick Turpin ; and occasionally Robin Hood, bearing in mind that they do have the charity day out for needy kids, however, yesterday one of Livingston's finest managed to take the First prize for being a greedy whatsit.

A friend of mine was over in her car and managed to get lost, despite having had directions over the phone, was just struggling - but she spotted a local taxi driver and asked him for directions, he was no better with his directions, but for £10 led her to where she was going, a couple of miles away. A friend in need is a friend indeed - apart from a taxi driver in Livingston.

Now - here's a bit of a laugh, despite four years of chaos with the tramworks, the latest news is that the current works in Shandwick Place are now three weeks ahead of schedule and they hope they will be finished sometime in 2013 !!!! by which time the only premises left open in that area is likely to be the dole office. BUT with the City Councillors about to have realistic review of the city's traffic systems there will probably be no way of getting into the area.

Next 49 Club Dinner is at the Edinburgh Roxburgh Hotel, on 15th March - menu and wine list look good.

Things are not looking too clever at Murray Park for the current members of Glasgow Ranger's as the liquidators struggle to resolve the financial problems there - I wonder how many other teams around the World, and their players with inflated egos and salaries, are watching with interest - no doubt unlikely to learn any lessons.

There is trust and then - there is trust -

My regulars will know that I often mention the wonderful MacEwan's bus which transports us in style from Penicuik to Edinburgh, so for those without a delicate disposition - here it is. Drivers are good, they know their regulars, and on Saturday it was Fergus, one of my former scout leaders who was driving - this wee bus is e ven better than a snow plough at getting through when the roads are bad.


No idea what was happening in the grave yard, but there were three blokes, all with their tins of strong beer, two dogs, but one bloke seemed to be searching one of the others, no idea what for, but with dozens of passing pedestrians on the footpath above, it was hopefully nothing too sinister.

As I headed for Haymarket, the latest piece of contemporary art work was adorning the roadway and attempting to complement the historic skyline - NOT NOT.

Still no news about our break in, however I did hear a story today about the theft of extensive equipment from a factory down South where the thieves had obviously done their homework. the theft took place on a Sunday morning when the site was deserted, and to gain entry the thieves had to cut their way through a massive steel roller door which took time and a a lot of noise, especially with there being houses close by. In the course of investigation, looking for eye witnesses it was learned that all the adjacent householders had received a letter a few days beforehand warning of work and the likelihood of excessive noise from the site - the letters having been delivered by the THIEVES. The moral of the story being that the truth is stranger than fiction - take no one at face value and trust no one !!! Just what kind of world do we now live in?

Another hands on experiential afternoon !!!

You learn something new every day, or so they say, and yesterday was no exception. Another wine lunch at The Mercat, a great meal, and some lovely wines described by Ian McNeill, of the Wine Experience. I must say that everyone actually listened to his narrative, full of nice bits of information and good tips.

RGB had a secondary quiz running with all sorts of diverse questions so no one felt left out - and everyone was a "winner".

We even had a birthday girl in our midst, so she was duly serenaded to a candle clad platter of banoffee pudding.

Plenty to look forward to, with an afternoon treasure hunt on 31st March, followed by a really good live band playing during the evening. then on 28th April, the next wine luncheon - must get my booking in.