Chilling out - momentarially

11 a.m. on Saturday morning and for once I am still in the house, although, having said that I have been typing and printing stuff for the Mercar Bar and Grill - and will be there later in the day for "Mellissa's birthday party".
Been a busy week at the Inn as they say, once again lovely clients  through the doors and yesterday I had a visit from one of my former workmates,  Alwyn, with her sister and friends  back in the Bar  after an absence of four years , and as she said in the words of Arni  "I'll be back" which was good.

Managed to make contact with the Johnston's of Chobham, who had nice X-mas with the munchkins.

Edinburgh Rugby playing today, time they got a win under their belt - a bit of a morale boost needed.

Nice to see Andy Murray and Bradley Wiggins getting  Knighthoods in the New years honours list, a hell of a lot more effort and dedication by them than the prima donna footballing fraternity.

Have heard from the Karabins and Briggs families in P.A., USA who are up to their proverbials in snow, whilst the "Upside down" folks are sweating off their "****ocks" in the summer sun.

Another day , another dollar - maybe.

X-mas wishes , better late that than never

What a disappointment in not being able to post a blog on X-mas day as usual,  however, work comes first, paid or voluntary !!   and with two twelve hour shifts under our belts the pensioners are now trying to recover after Xmas day.
I think back to a few years ago when we actually had a reasonbly comfortable life,  time to ourselves, holidays (!!!), but now, between helping out, training courses, hospital treatments,  free time and chilling are things of the past.

Christmas tragedies with a triple fatal road accident on the A68 at Pathhead on Christmas eve when three buddist monks, all seated in the rear of a car died while the driver and front seat passenger survived, (we saw the convoy of ambulances taking the deceased to the City)  and x-mas day a family died on the M6 motorway near J14.       I also heard from a friend in the USA whose sister died on X-as eve - so sad.

Life being so contrary/ fickle we had a wonderfull day in the (new) Mercat Bar and Grill,  Whitecraig , on X-mas day with a full house of lovely guests who were were very complimentary about their meal and treatment.  We even had the lovely Alana and family there,  what a surprise to see her after such a long time after she left us at the Mercat to move on to pastures new. Even Lawrence and Sue came down from the town for their lunch- great that they joined us.

News from the "upside down people"  Robbie, Caitlin and Jack,:Scottie; Phil and Debs, who are suffering from the heat in Oz, whilst the "Titanium man"  - Graham Briggs (and Terrie), the Karabins and Co in Westchester, PA, are all under snow.


However - despite the sexy tights I hung at the bottom of my bed (not mine) still being empty, I did get lovely presents  (no socks or underpants) -  Claire and Carolyn, knowing I have a love for gadgets bought me a flexi bendy multi function screwdriver - a mega gadget, and the treat of the year were the tickets for the "Orient express - UK "  superb.

Going to try and have a day off tomorrow,

Just a couple of paragraphs

Only three more sleeps till Santa Clause  pops down the chimney  on X mas day - hopefully he will have either wheels or floats on the sled to cope with the lack of snow and the excess of water.

I did attempt this entry last night but was interrupted in mid sentence, lost the train so hit the delete button -  a handy thing to have,  just a pity it does not work on humans!!    However, tonight, hot off the press, Loius and Flavia won the Strictly Come Dancing Final,  well deserved and brilliant for the lad who had lots of criticism throughout the series -   beats the X-Factor hands down.

Good changes underway at the "new" Mercat bar and Grill, Whitecraig, which is undergoing a facelift, generating lots of good comments from the clientele - comfortable and well worth a visit.  Now a home from home for several customers, enticed by the meringues !! and fine food -  all also on the x-mas day menu.

Wee car still in sick bay, bad time of the year for mechanics.

Thoughts are with the family and friends of Alan McGregor, PM of Lodge St Leonards Loahead, and PZ of RA  Honour Concorde and Fidelity who died suddenly last week - smashing bloke.

Chilling out - no way.

A totally appalling incident currently unfolding at Sandy Hook school in Connetticut, USA, where a gunman has killed at least twenty four children - shocking, and our thoughts go out to the families and survivors.

Obviously I am still in the land of the living, but the words retirement, chilling out, relaxation, do not fit into our current lifestyle which is mega hectic.

Was at a wedding last week with Grant@Photogenix down at Archerfield Golf Club, by Gullane - what a lovely place, and a fantastic wedding and reception for Emma and William.

Helping all week at the renamed Mercat Bar and Grill, Whitecraig,  now working on the principal that if you need a job doing quickly, do it yourself !!!   May take a wee bit longer,  but you also get the satisfaction of doing it, and if it is wrong - no one to blame but oneself.

Down to Tranent to Forresters RA on Wednesday night to see "Young Bert" getting his honorary membership, well deserved as he is a great supporter of all the Chapters in the Province -   but apologies to Kenny Jack as I am in no fit state (too tired)  to make it to his reinstallation at Pitlochry tonight.     And ,  no red wine or anything stronger that coffee for seven weeks, no reason why - it,s a bit of a mystery.

Rumour has it that Santa is due to appear in a couple of weeks!! the way things are we might miss it.

From ducks to brass monkeys

Wellie weather last week, this week thermal underwear is the order of the day - "dashed perishing old chap" and that is an understatement - anti freeze needed for the radiators, central heating up full blast, and if the worst come to the worst, snuggle up in bed.  So I suppose the "freebie" of the week was the ice scrapers from the bank, while the cool bag from Costco can stay in the wrapper a bit longer. Bargain was the Kilo of Lurpak for £2.99p against Tesco's £5.65 ( or £4.00 for two 500gms ).

Lothian and Borders Police Pipe Band were disbanded after a long and distinguished career, looks as though the Police want bobbies on the beat and not for show !!   Now joining the ranks of the expensive can do with outs -  gone are the days of the "tartan mafia" getting drunk at the expense of the tourists as was the norm many years ago.  Mounted section (horses) were merged with Strathclyde some time ago which has seemingly improved the service.

720 Dalhouse Installation this evening, and St Bernard de Clairveaux Preceptory meeting this afternoon,  which I missed due to my final session of training at the Edinburgh Airport Hilton - life might just return to a degree of normality again as my three months of being up to my ears in training manuals comes to an end for a while.

From the TV,  Strictly Come Dancing was excellent and even the X-Factor was much improved having gotten rid of the rubbish, Jahmene was exceptional.

Looks like the paint brushes and wallpaper paste will be out in a few days at the rebranded Mercat Bar and Grill, Whitecraig,  (formerly the Dolphin Inn), continues to undergo it metamorphosis. Looks like the introduction of a 25 hour day and 8 day week may be necessary very soon.