A Day out in Peeblesshire

Something different today, still raining, so we headed off in the car through Peebles and stopped of at Keilzie Gardens where we popped into the Osprey Centre.  The duty Volunteer, a lovely gent spent ages with us telling us about the recent three chicks who have now left the nest along with the parent birds - packed their cases and headed for Africa.   What a marvellous project this has turned into and well worth a visit next year when the birds hopefully return.

Headed off again, and having not been on the road for many years we headed south through the moors to St Mary's Loch - which unfortunately was rather misty.

From there we passed the old AA Box and headed up the side of the Meggat Reservoir,  built in 1968, and which on a daily basis supplies enough water to Edinburgh to make 300 million cups of tea and 100 million baths !!!    Headed over the shoulder and down a very steep hill to join the Talla Reservoir  Road, and eventually to Tweedsmuir and the A701  (Edinburgh -Moffat) Road.

Into Broughton where we stopped for coffee, and with the rain clearing had a wee look at the beautiful garden there - a private garden, laid out each year by the family, and again, well worth a stop when passing.

Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2012 - part 2

The little pony mascot was retiring after the performances, twenty six year old so off to pastures green for a well earned rest.

When we left the tattoo the royal Mile was unbelievable, just totally awash with folks, thousands heading out and thousands queueing to get in for the final performance - the High Street shops and bars, etc must have made a fortune during the festival, unlike the West End, Haymarket and York Place which has been decimated by the tram works - it will be interesting to hear from the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce how many businesses have folded due to the tram works.

Bit of walk, lovely evening to get the bus home,  a very long day and really ready for bed.

Last night of the Edinburgh Military tattoo 2012

On the move - lots going on so finding time to write is hard.   Saturday we had a long day in the town , wonderful Scottish themed wine lunch at The Mercat bar,  but had to behave as we were heading off to the last night of the tattoo on the Castle Esplanade.

Despite the light rain the crowds were in good fettle with just about a total sell out, and as the performance progressed the rains eased off and the sky cleared.  A magnificent setting for an excellent performance.   A few pictures here and another four to follow.

Edinburgh Fringe, nearly over for this year (2012)

During this days wanderings around the town, a few pictures of the acts on the streets.

After five days of technical difficulties

At long last things have clicked back to norm -  no idea why I could not write any news for the past few days, computer would not let me in .

Took myself off to Risley via Glasgow on Monday to do one of my jobs, perhaps I should have stayed at home as i was suffering a bit by the time I got home -  guy in a Nissen TVR did my head in as he was on his mobile and dropping from 80 to 60 mph in the middle lane -  once again - with the hand's free systems available for under £40 who do these folks not use them - perhaps the answer is to crush a few cars when the drivers are caught.

Tuesday and Wednesday ended up doing a bit of the office wallah tasks at the Dolphin Inn, bit frustrating not being as able as I was.

Thursday - tasks at home before heading for the airport to collect the Johnston's of Cobham -  B.A. flight was an hour late and then traffic into Edinburgh was a nightmare.  Mercat  Bar was jam packed, big party on downstairs and full house upstairs,  lots of Hearts supporters, who later suffered a defeat at the hands of Liverpool,  but only thanks to an own goal.

Today,  bus into town, wandered up the High Street, St Giles Cathedral  where there had been a fire in the wee stalls outside in Parliament Square ( Signet Library - see photos), the Whisky Heritage Centre,  into the old reservoir which is now a weaving and tartan centre;  into Hunter Gardens,  down the Playfair Steps and eventually back to base at the Standing Order where Tracy and the Pole dancer were on duty - dad (old Archie) present and in good form.

Home - snooze on the bus - knackered - but tomorrow is another day.

Might even find to have a rant for a change

Especially when I read about all this Foreign Aid we are pumping into India  each year, and they, as a nation could buy and sell us, not counting their disclosed wealth - probably with the monies which float back and forwards through the untaxed black banking market.  Even the Indian Government have said that they do not want our Aid, and the way things are going they will be turning us into a satellite state.   Next daft move is for them to send their own space probe off to Mars - why ?   What a waste of money when they could use Skype for free and give NASA a call to see how the Inquisitor is getting on !!  and download photos off the web.

We have Mr Hazel locked up down south for the alleged murder of his step daughter, took the Police four searches before they found the body wrapped up and hidden in the attick, but then again, not knowing how obstructive the family and friends were, it could have been hard.  BUT based on umpteen similar incidents around the Country over many years, the family are first suspects and the home searches are crucial.   We now hear that the family were known to the Social Services also.   BUT what does gall me is the fact that the accused already has legal aid and has one of the top QC's representing him - how do these folks get this kind of aid ?    We already have Luke Mitchell up here who has run up a legal aid bill of over £660000.00p so far and is not  finished yet -  MUGS - look in the mirror.
This morning I heard of a former soldier,invalided out the Army, living is subsidised rented accommodation, because he cannot get a Council house in Edinburgh, has applied for several houses and two were given to Eatern European immigrants !!  and in London a similar family are housed in a £1.5million home, on top housing benefit of £26000. p.a. - they trashed the house causing £65 k worth of damage -   MUGS -  look in the mirror.

Slightly different theme, we are told that our school authorities are no longer to sell off playing fields as we are to encourage more "competitive" sports.  Meantime my neighbours are practicing night and day on their trampoline,  not sure if I should take the opportunity to practice my trap shooting as they bob up and down over the fence !! - just a thought - and the archery club in the park are helping speed up our future sprint stars.

Just having my ears abused by a young lady on XtraFactor - who, sadly is lacking in the ability to communicate in our mother tongue and murdering what was once a beautiful song - time we had basic English as a prerequisite for entry to the  UK.
Enough for the meantime - need to calm down before I head south in the morning

There are workers and there are workers - but

had trip into town today, and ended up in Shandwick Place again , one of the sites of our illustrious tram works -  curiously I heard a couple of tourists talking who thought it was a great idea having a tram running in from the airport - they obviously have never had to live with this upheaval.   However, I did see one of our workers  (lazy B.), on time and a half or double time, hard at work texting on the phone -  BUT along the road spotted the humble bumble bee (buzy B) hard at work gathering pollen -  and from what I have heard recently there is a severe shortage of honey and knock on effect of beeswax also,  but at least the wee soul was working. 

Marketing Strategies, devised by Dummies

Our beloved City Father's, who certainly do not have appear to have the faintest idea what is going on, sitting in their Chambers with heads tucked comfortably up their external rear orifices, are very upset that the City of Glasgow is hosting an open bus parade for the Gold medal holders from the Olympics.  Now - just take a wee look at these photo's and ask yourself how an open top bus would get along through Haymarket into Princes Street with the roads in their current state.  This is West Maitland Street (spot the Mercat Bar) and through to Shandwick Place, and they wonder why businesses are struggling and going bust - even the tram worker's impromptu Fringe demonstration of using pick and shovels really did not attract much of an audience.  

Juggling at the Fringe

Popped into Edinburgh today for a wee wander up the High Street - which was totally mobbed with lots of the Fringe acts and hundreds of tourists -  outside the Tron Church an Israeli artist had set up for his act which involved both wire walking and juggling .  He was really good, involved the large audience and even managed to get a young German visitor to climb up onto his balancing props - she managed very well and impressed everyone with her "bravery".
You will see in the background on the top photo the Gold Post box, repainted to commemorate the Gold medal won by Sir Chris Hoy at the recent Olympics.

A day out in the Scottish Countryside !!

We have a troupe of dancers from the USA who are performing in the Edinburgh Fringe, staying in the apartments above the Mercat Bar and dining in the Bar.

Between shows they took the opportunity to journey into the wilds of East and West Lothian seeking to find the secret elixir of life!!  the reason for our very existence in this beautiful country.  So, aided by the navigator of the year (RGB), minus his map and compass, but aided by his "nosing" beak - it was not long before the boys found the Glenkinchie Distillery, near Pencaitland - which is actually a superb visit in one of Scotlands most Southerly distilleries.

Duly watered the bold boys headed west to Livingston to the Alechemy Brewery where copious quantities of the real ales were consumed by all - I think they all looked a bit younger when they got home. 

The medal run started again, all over the place.

What a day, much sunshine here so my Olympic viewing was turned into Olympic listening on Radio 5 Live -  what can we say, remarkable,  with Golds in the Dressage and Boxing for team GB,  bronze medals also, and indeed a disappointment for our swimmer in the 10K swim,  beaten for a medal by one metre.(takes me all my time to do 200m)    But on the athletic track the team from Jamaica put the World in their place with a wonderful one - two, three in the 200m. Well done Mr Bolt , and the young Kenyan who set a new world record in the 800 m. , just brilliant.

 

Coming up later the young Welsh girl who is going for Gold in tekwendo, and is beating the World's best on the way.
Must be costing the Post office a fortune in gold paint , painting all these letterboxes around the country,  in Dunblane it already needs a second coat as folks have been picking flakes off as souveniers, but on the other hand disgusting to hear that the one dedicated to Jennifer Ennis was vandalised by graffitti yesterday.

Up, Up and Away - into the bright blue yonder

 Bit of a change for us tonight, the playing fields were full of young footballers, sun shining, when the Alba balloon man and the Edinburgh University team arrived with their wonderful hot air balloons.   pleasant surprise for me when I spotted David, my friend and his wife who had waited weeks for the weather to clear for this flight.     Air traffic control at Edinburgh Airport cleared them and away they went heading for a landing somewhere over near Heriot, Borders Region,   a lovely night for a quiet flight.

Guts and determination all the way

What a day it has been at the Olympics,  no wonder the Queen has a smile on her face,  she will be delighted that Sir Chris Hoy managed to get his 6th Gold medal as he bows out as our best Olympian ever.    I was really caught on the hop so no more photos tonight,  but the Brownlee brothers (Alistair and Jonathon) were totally different class in the Triathlon, we really should have had the Gold and Silver,  but with a fifteen second penalty for Jonathon to face, he still managed to get the Bronze as well.  Interesting to hear that even after his swim and cycle ride, Alistair did the 10,000m in only 80 seconds less than Chris Akabussi ran his 10,000m.

 Victoria Pendelton- got her Silver under somewhat controversial circumstances -  but if I comment too much I might be classed the same as those who have been questioning the ability of Team GB.

Now we also have a Gold in the Equestrian dressage event,must say that not only the riders are amazing, the horses are also.

back to the Velodrome - and young Laura Trott was awesome, another cycling star for the future.

Hard , to keep up with all the successes,  High Jump; sailboarding, as well.

Slightly different, and another nearly full house,this time in Glasgow - remarkable scenes at Ibrox where the game between Rangers and East Fife was delayed for twenty minutes due to the size of the crowds - score 4 - 0 for Rangers.

Have to be running out of superlatives tonight

Not sure whether to nip out and blow up the tyres on the bike or go over into the field and saddle up  the horse - what a day again, Jason Kenny got his Gold and his revenge on his bike -   no photos of the team showjumping folks, Brash; Charles: Maher and Skelton, who got our first showjumping Gold in 60 years ; and then Beth Tweddle, who with one backward step after a fabulous dismount from the uneven bars in the gym, had to settle for the Bronze.  I am afraid I would need a lift to get onto the bars and even then would need to be seriously wind assisted to birl round the pole like a windmill.

The cycling today was amazing and it is hard to imagine that we still have a possible three more medals to collect -   bit of badness creeping in with some teams starting to question "how come Team GB are doing so well" - they have been told that it is all about training and peaking at the right time - and maybe of course the "home crowd" are enough to generate that extra bit of "oomph" - so maybe if we bottle and sell it -  better not say that in case someone reading this thinks that you can do so - and asks for it to be analysed.
I hope that the nutcase who threw the bottle onto the track last night in the final of the men's 100m, gets well sorted - letting the side down -  nearly as bad as the athletes who have been sent home for not trying their best -  and even those who have been tested positive for drugs. 

The old pacemaker is struggling to keep up - however -

Settling in along with 80,000 others in the stadium for another day of athletics,  been good so far ,  but must compliment the Bolt for proving his Gold class last night by popping young Mr. Blake into silver in the 100 m.   It was certainly a superb race.    He can breathe easy knowing that Sir Richard  Branston will have a few more Virgin adverts for him to do.  Not sure if Prince Harry would have managed to keep up with him.!!

 And  Christine Ohurougu put the doubting Thomas's in their place by storming through to take silver in the 400m while attempting to defend her Beijing Gold.

Did notice last night that one of the hammer throwers had been training with the lads in the local park,  his hammer was stuck up in the defensive fence and the officials amused the crowds while trying to get it down - and not a safety helmet in sight.

Murray's the Main Man - nice to see him smiling again

Had my rub down and walk to get over Andy Murray's fabulous Gold medal win against Roger Federar - didn't he do well  - what a great game with Andy really hyped up and played impeccably.

Bit annoyed with the negativity of some of the commentators - and dare I say it - but "up yours" to the Swiss fans who earlier suggested that the gold was safely in a Swiss bank.

Now warming up for the doubles match along with Laura Robson.

In the meantime Ben Ainslie scraped through with the narrowest of margins to win his fourth Gold medal to make him the top most British sailor of all time - well done.  His colleagues picked up another Silver, and back in the gymnastic stadium our lads were pipped for the Gold on the pommel horse but got both the Silver and Bronze - brilliant.
And - the day is still young.

Meanwhile - training for the alternative Olympics 2012 takes place.

Took myself off for a wee walk this morning to get stretched off before the Tennis , Marathon and cycling - and as they say, when out and about "always look up - you never know what you are missing"  well, lo and behold, in the park beside the skateboard area the trees are cluttered with pairs of shoes, trainers, boots, etc - so it looks like they have an alternative here to the javelin and shot putt.Likewise, this photo of the Maryhill team training for the men's trampoline event caught my eye - not sure yet which one of them is representing Team GB this year !!!!

I have to say that the women's marathon through the streets of London is a masterpiece of PR  making this a real widow into the beauties of the Capitol City.

Need to get the baffies on, straighten the strings on the old raquet, just in case they need a stand in for Andy Murray this afternoon,  mind you I think the score might be something "love" in favour of the opposition if I do take that call.

Meteorologically speaking - for once it is raining both in London and Penicuik - just a bit heavier here.

Its reigning Golds these days- try telling that to the Aussies

Before computers and game boys, the bairns used to get sent out to play in the field or park,  well today our bairns went out to play some really serious games in a big fancy park, only, there were 80,000 folks watching and the reward for winning was a Gold medal,  so despite the pressure of not only the past months, and today of course, we have three new shining stars  in field and track events.

Jessica Ellis, reigning supreme in the Decathalon;  Greg Rutherford, totally exuberant, spring heel boyo in the long jump; and Mo Farrar proving that he is indeed the best in the World in the 10,000 metres.

Rather unfortunate ending for Team GB in the football,   however, cannot forget that our cyclists racked up another three Golds in the velodrome - just a pity I could not be in several places at once to record their victories - what next, must be more somewhere in the pipeline.