A day off and out on the town.

Sleepless night again, perhaps the excitement of having a day off (skiving) however, we jumped on a bus at 8.15 am and headed into town .  Jumped off at the Waverly bridge and I saw the scaffolding on the dome of the Balmoral Hotel,  the boys from Pendreichs had been busy, and I remembered that Grant (my friend @photogenix) had been there for a meeting a few weeks ago.  Reminded me of when I was based there for three weeks before one of the G5 summit meetings which took place in Edinburgh about twenty years ago.

With no breakfast inside us we decided to dine somewhere different so we popped into Hadrian's Brasserie at the Balmoral, must say we were a bit disappointed,however I will not dwell on that as it sort of put a damper on the day - the heavy rain did the rest.

Onwards and I paddled along a very quiet Princes Street, what an appalling sight - especially with as many tourists due in the City.

Made my way to Shandwick Place, where if the rain continues they will run gondolas and not trams !!!   and my friends in Jacob's  Photo shop were saying that business had not been effected as badly as they had expected - probably due to a strong customer base of enthusiasts. 

With the help of a borrowed "brolly" the size of a marquee I headed off into the downpour, much drier and happier and made for the Standing Order in George Street where "mine host" Archie was able to stop and have a bit of a blether , looking good big boy !!

Homeward on the bus, which is a bit of a mystery tour as it has been rerouted due to the tramworks in St.Andrew's Square, and found that the rain had stopped - whoopee - back into the garden again - looking forward to getting the Rose Bowl.

Private Plane (again) right on my doorstep)

New treat for me with a model plane enthusiast using my local field so I can nip over the road and practice snapping something different for a change.  Earlier on the plane had been flying over the rooftops and when looking up was very realistic, so much so that my neighbour did think it was real and wondered where the pilot was. 

Private plane but not for hire !!!

Scottish Legislation - in the offing

The Scottish Parliament is really doing well these days - thanks to the efforts  of "Fishy" Salmond and Ms Sturgeon (plus friends)  Under the cover of saving lives, saving money for the cash strapped NHS, they are about to introduce the Bill to tax units of alcohol next year - now a proposal to lower the blood alcohol levels for drives ( they would be just as well to drop it to zero)  - our "Nanny State" is running riot and out of control.   At this rate they will have to invent some more taxes to pay for the ever increasing aged population.

Not sure if this is one of their new Health and Safety posters for the Scottish Parliament, judging by the spelling it might well be.

Happiness is shown in differing ways.

Was in Penicuik this afternoon and spotted this wee dog again, seen initially in the park on Saturday, with his master and today with the Boss.

More for the album

Some Happy folks and Smiling faces

 On my wanderings in the Park I found, saw or met with a number of friends, etc,  "photos for the album"

All the fun of the fair - in Penicuik park

Alongside the Hunter and Lass events Penicuik park is taken over by Taylor's Shows and Fairground for the week, obviously seen as an added attraction to the other events, but doubtless a source of income for the owners - and at the prices they charge a tidy earner !!!   BUT on Saturday the fairground was jam packed and bouncing - everyone having a great time.

Penicuik Hunter and lass Ride out - 2012

Penicuik's Hunter and Lass week ended today with a ride out.   I was in the garden at 0730 hrs and could hear the "wakey wakey" shouts from along the street and then the sound of horses,  so camera in hand I captured the official party heading up into Cornbank to get the Lass,  then back they came, escorted by Lothian and Borders police officers on their very practicable quad bikes.  The group passed my vantage point and made for the Town Hall where they joined up with the main group before heading off to Penicuik House and then up into the Pentland Hills for the big ride out.

Total chaos ensued when all these horses and riders arrived back in Penicuik at 1 p.m. and rode around the street before finishing in the public park, which was chock a block with folks - probably the best turn out for years, helped greatly by the fabulous weather.  

Congratulations to this years Hunter and Lass and well done Andy Murray for his efforts last year and his bravery in facing the ride out after his recent surgery - stiff upper lip prevails in Penicuik