Books, Beers and a bath

Broke with tradition yesterday, so instead of staying at  The Mercat Grill and getting on with all the little jobs needing finished I headed for the hills, so to speak.  A nice sunny afternoon which is a bit of a novelty, so I thought about doing some work in the garden - nope -  found a couple of Steve Stewart's beers, got out the chair, a book (Clive Cussler's  "The Jungle") and  sat out for a while.  When it cooled down , headed indoors, with book, some more beers and soaked myself in a bath, listening to the football on the radio - which for me is unheard of.   I usually get on at Sparky Mask, master of the horizontal chill out, but there I was emulating his actions.

Several beers later,  a good nights sleep and here I am - seated once again, this time in an enforced state of relaxation whilst my internal organs gently "burbulate" following two  litres of non too unpleasant medication designed to do the same as Mr Muscle drain cleaner - all in a good cause as I have an appointment with the "Dyno Rod" man at hospital tomorrow -    too much information you might say,  but with nothing other than drain cleaner and black tea for twenty four hours, I need to keep myself distracted.

Finished the book in quick time, good job I got  two at the book sale, so that plus a pile of magazines will keep me going till normal service is resumed.

Catch up notes.

Just wondering what else happened,  suppose it was sad to see my car head off to the great scrapyard in the sky,  not likely to pass another MOT without major expenditure, so had to bite the bullet  - sad day when the tyres, battery and fuel in tank are worth more that the car !!  Just have to wait and see what happens next, but in the meantime I have the wee smart cars to choose from.

Tuesday past attended at RA 500 for the annual visit by Provincial Grand Chapter,  good attendance, and we had visitors from Perth and Pitlochry,   great night with a sterling performance by Sparky Mark and the office bearers with a candidate.

Managed to get the steed of steel up and running, gave it a wee breath of fresh air,  but need to see if I am fit enough to take it back on the road again,    and being badgered by the IPA vice Chairman, Tom McInally (who has ridden round the world on his BMW raising funds for charity) to join the proposed new bike section - bit of cogitation to take place.

Plain to see that the bowling season is underway,  we had hail stones, thunder and lightening - perfect start to the season.

Heard from the globetrotting Johnston's of Chopham, just back from their trip to the Land of Oz, had a ball but pleased to be back and recovering slowly from the trip,  nice to know they are back in one piece.

Major tragedies on our roads during the past 24 hrs,  coach and lorry crash on the M62 with one dead,  and last night a fatal at Wadingburn , by Lasswade,  thoughts go to the relatives of the victims

IPA visit by Faroe Island police to Edinburgh

Been a busy week but I did manage to get into the Mercat Bar, Haymarket, last night where the pictured group, all members of the IPA  (International Police Association) which was made up of forty plus officers and friends from the Faroe Islands and joined by members of the Edinburgh Branch.  The group arrived yesterday and are in the City for the weekend , taking advantage of the fact that beer is a third of the price they pay at home.

They had a Scottish  themed dinner, with traditional haggis neeps and tatties, cullen skink, venison, cranachan, etc  served by our chef  ( would you fancy meeting him on a dark night).

Bar staff were kept busy and as usual the bar staff were on the ball.

 

 

The talented and the talent less

Good job I headed to the Mercat Grill this morning with the latest batch of meringues as the Grill has been busy all day -  however I was heading for the Mercat Bar for today's Spanish themed wine tasting lunch, which was excellent, masses of praise to the chefs for such a super meal - and for those who attended they all said they would be back, and for those who could not make it -  "you missed yourselves". 

 

Took the Stagecoach No 101 bus, which has replaced the McEwans bus, however, the return trip was a bit of a drag as the bus Company now allow an hour for the journey to Penicuik, so the bus has to keep stopping and waiting to keep to time and not ahead of the timetable - about 20 minutes longer than previously.

Watching Britain's got Talent,  two yung Welsh lads, who work as sandwich makers, have just wowed the judges and audience with a bit of classical singing -  fabulous.

Before I go - back to the tram works at West Maitland Street - what a disgusting mess - not only are the workies not working on the track, they are not even cleaning up as they go - appalling -  no wonder folks are shaking their heads as they pass.

Things might well improve.

Weekend nearly here,  what a day I had,  heading home form a very active and exciting meeting of the BNI  tgi, at the Marriot, this morning,  lots of rattling and banging coming from the back of the car,  so instead of turning up the radio, I turned it off - even worse, so when the red oil light came on it was a slow dash to get off the City By pass.  Next, a wee call to the RAC  and for the third time in a year the same mechanic came to my aid - no messing, hitched up and a wee tow to the garage - WHERE- I swapped cars, as the other one had just been repaired and was ready in time to get me home. Who says things come in threes, for me it is fours !!!!or even sixes.

Only consolation is that I have a wine lunch at the Mecat Bar on Saturday, wines of Spain with tapas, etc to accompany.
Sunday, apart from Granny Dillworth's 80th birthday,  we have the RA 500,  AGM and rehearsal - with Provincial visit on Tuesday night , and looking forward to a group coming down from Crief and Pitlochry.

Sun came out today, so last Saturday was not our summer,  maybe it was today - then again, it can only get better.

The Edinburgh Tram nightmare drags on, and on, and on

Despite my best efforts to avoid going into Haymarket to the Mercat Bar, because of the tram works,  I had to go there this week - what a bloody nightmare, a total disgrace, no coordination, a bone idle workforce who seem to be happy to walk the length and breadth of Shandwick Place, just to pass time - certainly very few of them seriously trying to justify their weekly pay check.

I watched for a while and in the length of the works between Haymarket and the West End there were about ten blokes who were not standing with their hands in their pockets, on the mobile phone, or just wandering about.       One of our girls said that she had watched three "workies" spend a whole shift doing absolutely nothing, who had even asked for the TV to be put on !!!! 

Another friend was telling me that his Company have three staff on a permanent placement on this job, and he cannot understand why as there is little or no work for them.   Big question also, is how many men are being ghosted into this contract.   I followed two men for the full length of the street who did nothing but stop and chat - there appears to be a total lack of supervision. 

Question - who is really controlling this job,   who gives a toot that for every wage packet the workies get, local traders are losing so much more and accumulating debt.    It is comparable to the Fireman's strike,   they suffered, and never ever made up for their losses - similarly, the traders in Haymarket and the West End will never make up for the devastation the tram works have caused.  I bet that the Councillors, M.P's and MSP's do not care to walk along chaotic nightmare - and talk to those who have suffered, and will never recover, no matter how may free rides they dish out.

We owe a great deal to those friends and members of the public who have braved the roadworks and made the  effort to support the Mercat Bar and other local businesses.

Boston Bombs and Fanatics

Been a busy and eventful time since I last wrote.    Biggest event has to have been the tragedy in Boston when bombers detonated devices at the finishing line of the Marathon killing and maiming indiscriminately.   Writing this now, with the knowledge that the Police have shot dead one of the suspects and are actively seeking his brother, verified my initial thoughts, that without a public declaration it had to be the work of a smaller group rather than the recognised terrorist group.  From what we have been told the two brothers were originally from Chechnya, Soviet Union, and have lived in the USA for a number of years,  so now we have to wait to find out what their motivation was.  However, irrespective of what their thoughts are, no one can condone what was simply a pure bloody massacre of innocents and totally inexcusable.

Not a lot more information come out about the explosion in the fertiliser factory in West, USA, which was being linked to the Boston massacre, so it looks like there is no connection,  again a devastating event which has claimed the lives of many.

So far, I have not commented on the death of Margaret Thatcher, the" Iron Lady," who I had a great respect for, irrespective of the thoughts of many -  I never saw any of the funeral ceremony at all, however, I certainly cannot condone the actions of those who were seen to be burning effigies, demonstrating in public, and as for the numbers of youngsters who jumped on the bandwagon and used the event as an excuse for public disorder - outrageous.
Many years ago I was friendly with one of the leaders of the miners Union, who was "summoned" to London and met with Margaret Thatcher, he was particularly surprised to find out how much she knew about him and had been very impressed with her demeanor.  It is just a pity that her son Mark has been . or is such a dickhead.

A Day out in the hills, Tibetan retreat and all.

Who says that the quickest way from A to B is the straightest ?    Certainly not on today's trip,   set off as usual, early doors, for Glasgow and then south to Risley.    No need to go back via  Glasgow so stopped at Carlisle, and then decided to take the "SCENIC" route North.   Couple of weeks ago I was perusing a road atlas and spotted some points of interest, not quite on the M74.    So - with time to spare and a nice day i took the A7 north from Carlisle, through Longtown and up to Langholm before heading off into the hills towards Eskdalemuir.  In Eskdalemuir is a retreat used by Tibetan monks, quite a big set up, with facilities to use as a retreat - quite impressive, big car car and a shop and visitor centre. 

Northwards, onto the moors where there is a lot of logging going on, with thousands of acres stripped back, ready for replanting.  The "main" road, is basically single track with passing places, for about forty miles.  Up to Ettrick, where there is a memorial to Thomas Hogg, Poet, the "Ettrick Shepherd", and then past the Gordon Arms, through the hills, still with snow at the roadside, and eventually reached Innerleithen, and a short run home via Peebles.

Got that out my system, unless I think it is worth a run on the motorbike in the summer when the trees are out.   One thing for certain,  if we do not get some rain soon, the dreaded phrase "hose pipe ban" may well be back in the headlines - the rivers and streams were all very low - some nice picnic areas enroute.

Vandalbusters rule OK

Bit of my past here,   was looking at the New E Div RPO,s web site and digging out photos for it so this one surfaced. Taken about 1987/88 I think in either Wallyford or Mcmerry, myself along with Yvonne Murray, Commonwealth Games Gold medallist, and two youngsters from the local Primary School who were part of the Schoolwatch anti vandalism project which I ran in the E Div schools for nine years from 1987.
So - last couple of days have been busy,  ended up doing an extra  twelve hour shift in the Mercat Grill on Sunday as we were busy,   back there again on Monday - home for a quick change and meetings in the evening.
Managed to do some of my own work this morning, and even bumped into a former member of my search team in Edinburgh University, before heading for the Mercat.
Have been recruiting new staff for the Grill,  very nice young people, who should fit in nicely with the existing team.

The nice cakes were loved by all -  Mrs B. is going to work on their replacements.

Chocolate dream cakes at the Mercat Grill

Forget the diet, look what was on offer tonight at the Mercat Grill,    the most wonderful two cakes we have had for a while, and both produced by Mrs B. whose normal treat for the customers are the meringues and home made biscuits.   The richest of chocolate cake with pure ingredients and even gold leaf on the raspberry gateau.   Pity Go Jo is not here at the moment, her team would have been in 7th Heaven. 

What a treat working at the Grill today,  had Mr Quilletti  and the lovely Julie and family in for lunch,  great to see them again - two members of the family having a birthday on the same day.
Tonight - very busy, so it may not be long before folks need to prebook.  Next Saturday already nearly fully booked.

Kept my money in my pocket today so it was not lost on the Grand national.

As I said last night I was not sure where I would end up,  so it was to Dalkeith No 10 I went,  where the Installation was taking place of the Preceptory of St Bernard De Clairveaux , Preceptory of instruction -  superb installation, and nice to meet friends who had come down from Perth and Crieff.
The pre dinner lecture was excellent on the history of the Knights Templars, we have some superb speakers who have spent years researching the subject.
Just a pity I was going back to work so I could not stay, and a shame I was not able to get to the Squaremen at the Mither Shed.

Checking out the upside down folks and wee Jack is now one year old yesterday,  just a pity we had not made it out to the Land of Oz with William and Sandra who have just being renovating   Ayers Rock during their whistle stop tour of the biggest Island in the World.

Another day looms. 

All sorts of everything - as the song says.

Friday night,  just back from the Penicuik Bowling Club, paying my fees so that I can get some fresh air this summer.  Opening day has been put back till 20th due to the poor weather and lack of growth - still a bit of snow lying around the Penicuik area.  Missed out on most of the season last year due my surgery.
Up early this morning for breakfast with the TGI group of the BNI, what a team, full of life and the most successful in Scotland -   missing a couple of members today, but probably due to the school holidays.
Had a chat with my GP today, saw the nurse who discovered that I had no blood in my right arm, so she had to did into the left for some!!!!

Mercat Grill doing well this week, again the same good news that we are seeing more and more really nice customers - it is a pleasure to work in the restaurant, and it speaks volumes for the team work taking place.
This week we have had the Philpot murder trial with the accused all being convicted for the murders of the six children,   I agree with the witch hunt taking place with regard to the folks fiddling the benefits system after it has been revealed that the family was receiving over £60,000 a year in state benefits - time there was a full clamp down to make it more attractive to work that sit at home and screw the system.

Incompetents rule OK (1) - talking of our bankers,  in particular the actions of the three CEO's of HBOS who destroyed the bank, cost thousands of people their jobs, and nearly brought the banking industry to its knees.   They had the cheek to sit in front of a tribunal and apologise for their actions,  I am sure that makes it OK - NOT !!!!  now sitting at home with Golden handshakes and fat pensions while the investors who trusted them with their money have nothing.

Incompetents rule OK (2)  the current leader of North Korea has got the world twitching once more as he flexes whatever it is he has between his ears, and it is not a brain !!    Bit beyond me but I was forgetting that he got the job to fill his father's shoes and not through ability or election.

Options open for Saturday,  work , or go to the Squaremen, or work, or go to the K.T's, meeting at Dalkeith ,    and with a few bookings tomorrow night I should really be at the Mercat Grill  - so much for retirement.

What a gem for the family album

Fascinating morning as it turned out to be -  made it to the Western General  first thing to miss the traffic for my appointment and found the place in semi darkness as they carried out a generator test as part of their emergency procedures -  however, the down side was that having drank a litre of fluid pre CT scan I was seriously cross legged with watering eyes !!! But at least the drink now tastes more like water and is easy to take.

BUT  afterwards , popped in to see family and was presented with the attached photos of my ancestors, dating back to about 1890,  with my |Grandfather and Great Grandfather, Grandmother and great Uncles, etc.     But also my Great Aunt Annie, who I can remember visiting as a small child - she was obviously quite old then, had a big brass bed and even bigger panties draped over the bottom of it -  the old fashioned flat door key which you put in the door slot and lifted.    She had a tobacconists shop in Rose Street,  Edinburgh, which is now part of Milne's Bar - and I have vague recollections of going there with my father,  but,  when we had the Sportsman,s Bar,  Musselburgh, we had a customer who had very vivid memories of being sent up to Annie's shop to buy tobacco for his father .  Still got a lot of digging to do but family had a house in Queens Street in 1902 and possibly also Frederick Street. man on the extreme right is my Grandfather, and he looks very like my Nephew - so the genes carry on.

I just hope that having written this that I do not get a letter from one of these Ugandan ' Keynyan scamming teams claiming to be a long lost cousin !!!!!!!!!    THAT IS WHAT THE DELETE BOTTON IS FOR.

 

Made it to 720  Dalhousie Bonnyrigg, last night,  full house, and a candidate, with me doing a wee bit on the floor - and as usual, despite weeks of perfect presentation and preparation, made my usual botch up -  time I gave up.

Next wine lunch at the Mercat Bar is 20th April, looks like a good selection of New World Wines, and if things run to norm, then we will have another great day with Russel and Allison -  then becomes a competition to see who can remember the most !!!!! 

Must say once again that we are getting even more regular visitors to the Mercat grill, Whitecraig,  really nice folks, which make it a pleasure to go to work each day.

 

So far,  I think that I missed out on congratulating Andy Murray on his latest victory and getting his World No 2  ranking -    coincidental that we had the owners of St Andrew's Brewery, which is a short horse canter from Dunblane in to  see us last week.