A Biker's life - is sometimes not a happy one.

Did not realise how long since I wrote - just lots going on .

Steed of Steel, gave me a bit of a turn, thought it was due to expire on me, however, just back from a run down to see my friend Andy at "Border Bikes",  Duns,  who has given it the thumbs up and it will be sound as a pound after a little of his TLC - so it looks like I might be off to Ireland on it next month.

In the meantime,  thinking it was really poorly I had set about looking for a replacement and in my travels met a couple of car salesmen (also selling motorcycles) who were doing an excellent impression of Dick Turpin - so they know where to sick their "generous " offers.

Decorating now underway at the Mercat Grill, so all change,  even taking bookings for X-mas day already and X-mas lunches on the lead in.

Opening party on 28th September,  lots of things to see and do for those who turn up.

Missed out on Sunday's ride out with the IPA motor cycle section, they had a great run round Perthshire and had a number of sightseeing stops en route, including watching a mock rescue on the River Tay.

Was at the local Pubwatch last night, good meeting , AGM, with a wee buffet,  lots of interesting news about the politics around Scottish licensing legislation and proposed changes which our beloved caring Councillors  and MSP's are trying to implement.

Another one bites the dust.

Every picture tells a story.

So , today I joined the ranks of the "put the wrong fuel in the tank" eejits -  and worse still filled to the brim so that I could score off my 5p off a litre Tesco voucher - perhaps it was Tesco getting their  back on me for my features on"tesco diddles".     Filled up and a short distance down the road on came a warning light then the kangaroo effect until I pulled in and checked my receipt to see what i had done.    called the RAC - but as this was not a mechanical failure it had to be a pick up and drain.   Ended up at Brownlie's garage at Sighthill, where they were excellent, had me back on the road (at a price) within a couple of hours - thanks chaps (and chapess - lady mechanic).   They were saying that they average around three similar numpties a day, some days even more -  so perhaps we need some bright spark to design a new system for pumps and fillers.

North Berwick without the view.

Even found an excuse to have a day off  - Wedding anniversary,  so thought I should make the effort - just a pity that the weather did not play ball.    So,  we had thought of going up to Gleneagles Hotel for lunch, however heard on the radio that the Johnny walker golf was taking place there so change of plan and we headed for North Berwick.  Just a pity about the mist / fog - as we could not even see Berwick Law, let alone the sea or the Bass Rock - but a wander along the High Street, replenished the book supply by visiting the charity shops !!!     not impressed with the parking by some drivers there,   the City Wardens would have had a ball - cars parked about three feet from the kerb,  certainly would not have liked to see a fire engine in a hurry.

Back towards home, as as we had shopped for the Mercat grill, took their supplies in and decided that as their steaks were brilliant we would just stay for lunch - excellent.  A real treat.

Took a run up to  Carberry Towers to follow up on an invite for a look around the Hotel -  what a wonderful transformation from the building I used to visit when it was run by the Church of Scotland as a training venue -  the place has been restored to its former glory, perhaps even better.

Previous comment about Traffic Wardens brings to mind Edinburgh City Council's latest fund raising idea -  NO MORE FREE PARKING all day on a Sunday in the City,  they plan to introduce a scheme which allows two hours free parking with a sticker on the screen, thereafter you pay as normal.  What nonsense,  cannot have a decent browse or a good meal in that time,  back to clock watching and running out to feed ,meters.   Strikes me that they plan to drive all the shoppers out the City an any cost.

And our blossoming Wind farms are  proving to be a real disaster,  recent figures showing that during the recent nice weather and balmy days, there has not been enough wind to make the turbines work effectively -  so looks like a few candlelit nights, wrapped in the duvet and listening to a battery radio.   Looks like the "Greens" might well and truly have left us out in the cold.

What - no rain, but still got wet.

Busy day again, and fully recovered from yesterday's exploit with the IPA motorcycle section.    B&Q  first thing to get a replacement for a leaky tap.   Life is just one whirlwind of fun !!

Home in time for a quick swim, which was relatively quiet -  sorted a leaky rear tyre on the steed of steel then had a wee run out,  West Linton, Dolphinton, cut back via Blyth Bridge,  Lyne Station to Peebles and back up to Penicuik -  nice route, variety of roads, no traffic to talk about except a young lady who passed me on the Dolphinton Straight at about 100 mph,   to get held up a mile later then carry out an amazing blind overtake to get past all the cars in front of her.  Must had an angel looking after her.

Bike Section arranging a treasure hunt around Perthshire next Sunday,   need a few brownie points before I can sign up.

I note that Tesco fell foul of the law by putting items on sale at an inflated price for the prescribed week, then marked them as being half price -  big diddle and caught and fined - !!!  Power to the observant.

Saddle sore, IPA style, not quite how the west was won.

Been a busy few days, working at the Mercat Grill,  however, today I had a day off  !!  Not a rest as I headed out on the "steed of steel", with my like minded friends, members of the IPA No. Region Motorcycle touring section.
Left home at 9 a.m.,  met  Big Tom at Hermiston Gait and headed off to Greenock,  passed a couple of cruise liners berthed there with convoys of coaches taking the tourists into Glasgow.   Met up with more of the team at Tesco's for breakfast then onwards to the ferry at Gourock for Dunoon -   spied the paddle steamer  "The Waverly  heading down the Clyde ".

Back on Terra firma it was off northwards by Lock Eck, and eventually ended up at Inveraray for a stop beside the quayside where the well known puffer  "The Vital Spark" was tied up, having been moved there from its previous berth at Crinin basin.

From Inveraray we headed to Minard where we were joined  by another two of our team, and headed through Lochgilphead, and stopped off at Dunadd Fort,  where the ancient Kings of Scotland were crowned.    very strange to see the locals playing cricket within site of this ancient monument.

Next stop was the museum and churchyard at  Kilmartin,   another cuppa,  but service was very slow -  however it saved us from one of the extremely heavy showers which were  sweeping across the country.   Onwards to Oban - more rain -  so a fish supper was the order of the day -  just not the weather for the burgers on the BBQ.      Then  it was home wards, with a couple of stops en route - via Dalmally, Loch Awe,  Crianlarich,  Lochearnhead, Stirling -     kind of stiff and sore by the time I got home, at 9.20 p.m.  and 315 miles in the saddle.

Toppled trailer load of bales

Bit of a spill today,  RGB heading into Whitecraig when a tractor coming towards him, loaded with bales of straw, toppled and shed his load on a bend  -  this was always a nightmare of mine, the size of these bales would have done serious damage to a car had they gone the other way.

Took quite a while to clear the mess with a bit of traffic chaos,    technical insecure load.

 

Had a run into town this morning for some essentials,  but popped into Two Wheels for look at the bikes and give my mind a treat - plenty of machines with  "sold " tickets on them.

Looks like I might be joining the No. 1 Region IPA Motor Cycle Section trip to Oban on sunday - here's hoping for a nice day.

Quick trip "down South"

Feet up, watching "New Tricks",  just like the old days,  pity they are writing out most of the cast and bringing in new faces.

Had a wee day out, quick run to Runcorn via Glasgow and back -   weather was nice up here, but shocking down south with mist and heavy rain.  Lots of middle lane hoggers so it will be interesting to see what happens when the new Legislation to fine them comes into effect later this month.

New car is "quite quick", need to be careful or I will end up with another speeding ticket -   few changes on the motorway, new bridge and exits on teh M8 at Whitburn, and more speed restrictions on the M6.  The average speed cameras are a real pest.

Talking of pests,   TV tonight was making a big thing about the cycle routes around the UK, and getting more folks back on their bicycles -  however, it is time they got them off the pavements -  nearly got "whapped" by two girls (about 18 yrs) passing my house . on the pavement at high speed - and they rode all the way to the shops (3/4 mile) without using the road.  Came out the shop myself and another one scooted by.   Unexpected here,  but even worse and a major nuisance in West Maitland Street outside the Mercat Bar where they ride along the pavement rather than take the vehicular detour.  

Few more ramblings, on a nice day

Think I will need to get some membership cards for my Tesco Diddler's Club,   my beloved sister in law was nearly caught out in her local Tesco when she bought veg, marked as two for the price of one,  but at the check out the system would not credit the offer,  so after a slight dispute   the veg went back on the shelf -  how many customers did not spot the diddle.

So back to the tramworks -  looks the enthusiastic workers made a real hash of the job breaking up the faulty concrete - they have smashed the original sleepers - so the job has been delayed another three months.

And at Edinburgh Zoo,  staff think that Lady Panda is pregnant - so now we await confirmation of whether she is, and who the father is  !!!    big debate as the staff used two different samples from two male panda's, her mate here in Edinburgh and one in Berlin zoo  (where they have just had a baby panda born).

Andy Murry,  not firing on all cylinders this week,  crashed out in the Montreal tennis tournament - bad luck.

Last night went to a party at the Hibs Club in Edinburgh,  nice club, good party with lots of good music -  had a read at their history board, fascinating -  did not realise that Jackie Macnamara , Snr., joined the club as part of a deal when Pat Stanton went to Celtic,  but it was a good move for Hibs.  Also remember when Georgie Best signed for the club in 1979,  scored in his first game, which they lost,  but the next week there were 20,600 spectators at the game - brilliant attendances to see this remarkable player.
Just have to see how they get on against Hearts in the first of the local derby games tomorrow.

Mercat Grill did well, as did the Mercat Bar -    just a shame they do not have the same access to the crowds as the City Centre venues -  more people missing out on the good things in life.

World athletic championships have started in Moscow,   very poor crowds for this event - and in the midst of the latest controversy about Russia's attitude towards Gay's, and the falling out between Russia and the USA, about their giving refuge to the soldier who has  been leaking military secrets, it will be interesting to see if there is further repercussions

Edinburgh, place to be - if you can get there.

Cannot say this is a retraction -  no way - just that Tesco seem to enjoy messing their customers about.  Called at the store today and surprise, surprise,  the Lurpak butter deal was back on again,  down to £4 again.    I asked the checkout lady what was going on and she told me that prices go up and down all the time for no reason!!!    just to skim us.

Anyway, had a bit of a day off so headed into town on the bus, and found the City beginning to buzz with all the activities in the Festival.  We were a bit early so not many of the acts were out on the Royal Mile yet -  but things were looking good and of course the pleasant weather helped.
Had a wander down the Mound and took a couple of shots of the world famous "floral clock" in the gardens,  the design changes twice a year and at the moment it is to commemorate the centenary of Edinburgh zoo.

Headed up into George Street which has been partially pedestrianised and the closed off area now hosts the Speigal tent and a number of alfresco style cafe / bars.  All very nice and I

am sure George St is really lively late at night -  just a pity we cannot do likewise / or ave been able to do so in the Haymarket area for the past three years - so while one area really coins it in, the other is decimated by the tramworks.

Joke of the day was published on the front page of the Edinburgh Evening News,  seems that Edinburgh City Council commissioned a survey and 91 % of those polled thought the city was a beautifull place - seems that they may have been looking at post cards and had not seen any of the tramworks -  unless !!!  methinks they were all inmates of HM Prison for more than the past four years ?    Winston  Churchill, former Prime Minister (not Direct Line doggie) once said, "there are lies, dammed lies and, statistics"   - looks like Edinburgh Council PR Dept have been doing their homework -badly.  

Had a coffee in the Standing Order,  spotted Thistly Cross cider on sale, one of the locally brewed ciders (from Dunbar) which we sell and which is proving to be very popular.

Thought about heading home, but had to play "find the bus"  as the routes have been changed due to the various festival venues blocking the roads, so we had a bit of a walk till we found the diverted route -   nothing is simple these days.

Late sports news being that both Motherwell and St Johnston's attempts to get anywhere in Europe sadly ceased this evening -  good job that Glasgow City ladies appear to be better at the game than their male counterparts and won 7 - 0 to progress in their European competition.

The long way round.

Cannot complain about the weather so far,  been out on the "Steed of steel" the past two days,  even took a forty mile detour to work ( via peebles, Innerleither, The Grannits, Pathhead) just for fun - very good.

Even managed to pop in and see Bertie Baa at Edgehead yesterday which was a bit of surprise for him -  nice coffee from his good lady.

Annoyed  at Tesco after my last visit,  they bumped the price of their Lurpac up from £4  to £5  !!!   so much for it being "a shopper's favourite"   -   it is the same old story,  if you get a good deal on one item, they compensate by hiking the price up on something else  i.e cut the price on a Litre bottle of Vodka but were £4 dearer for a bottle of Morgan's Spice   (professional interest only).

Con men extraordinaire on TV this morning,   the energy companies,  who can spen £200 million improving their systems and still make massive profits .  Same with the Banks,  interest rates staying low for savers yet Banks all showing increases in profits - sadly for the punter , a no win , no win situation.

Edinburgh Fringe and Festival underway, so might have a wee run into town to see the fun.

Reflections from last week

Photos from the Harbour at Old Nessy Bar, World Heritage Site, Bulgaria,  which is a total contrast to Sunny Beach at the other side of the bay.   Big contrast with fishing boats tied up next to the Hydrofoil ferry, old and modern side by side.   And just a bit of a change to Sunny Whitecraig!!!

Mercat Grill has been busy,  things picking up, each day brings in more new faces - and with the refurbishment about to start shortly - our customers are taking an active interest in what is taking place.

Big takeover at the Mercat Grill / accidents and metal thefts.

Back to normality, busy at the Mercat Grill,  which, is now officially privately owned by RGB - so from now on we have no option but to make the business work.   Again, pleased to report that we have more new faces on site, and not only that, they have been back again for follow up visits.

Yesterday, heading home on the back road, arrived only seconds after a car accident occurred at Pomathorn Cross Roads. Both drivers had to be removed from their vehicles, one injured sufficiently to warrant a trip in an ambulance.  There was me in the middle of the road directing traffic, and it brought back memories of a couple of quite serious accidents at the same cross roads,  and my medical expert who helped the injured was a young lady vet who was passing on her bicycle !!!  well done her. Number of people stopped to give assistance, and when the Police arrived, the young lady officer, recognised me as being a friend of her family !!

Quite a lot of interest in the thefts of copper cable from the main line near Aberdeen,   thefts of scrap metal as we know are on the up and up.   We had a minor one at one of my sites  a couple of weeks ago.     Again, old memories of me walking the old railway line from Roslin Castle Station to Rosewell / Bonnyrigg in the late 60's,  it was a regular detail to walk the line during the nightshift, no torches trying to catch the local villains.

Cracking photo in the Edinburgh Evening News of the so called workmen employed in the tramworks lying sleeping in the sun-   nothing like rubbing it in !!   where were their bosses -  "waste of time and lack of motion".

Terrible tragedy down south with the death of wee Danial, subjected to terrible treatment, assault and neglect by his mother and her boyfriend - hopefully the story and photos will be passed to their fellow inmates of the respective jails they are now in.  Did not help the immigration situation with them both coming from Poland.