Day off for a change

Today,  a day off I was told -  so up early, ironing the table covers,  headed to town, picked up cases of wine and then back to the Mercat Grill to get on with the bookwork -  but remember , I was not there !!

Bit under the weather so homeward bound, car full of cardboard for recycling (good lad)  but not to Midlothian depot at Bellmans as they do not appreciate too many drop offs.  Lords knows what will happen in January when the next set of Scottish recycling legislation kicks in.  might be as daft or impracticable as Mr Salmond wanting to tag all dogs and goldfish

Home,  so needing a bit of fresh air,  out to see the Steed of Steel,  new set of shoes fitted, bit of a charge, refuelled, and then out for a canter around the local byways - well worth it -  then home  for a long relaxing warm soapy bath, glass of wine and listened to a super programme on Radio 2 with Elton John playing his favourite music. Must say end result was that i was feeling 2005 better when I surfaced - and followed by a superb 12 oz braised steak (on the bone)  with French mustard,  what more could I ask.

All over bar the paper for the recycling.

Last call was three sleeps - not for us, never stopped as the Grill was so busy -  busy on Xmas Eve,  full house Christmas day, and a near full house today.    Team work - family had to pull together with our stars in the kitchen,  end result lots of very happy customers who have been kind enough to shower us with compliments.  We even have folks wanting to book for next year already !!!  

Thought Santa might miss us as we were away early,  but no - got home to find pressies galore, so guess who will smell nice, look smart (even in his underwear) and has another book to add to the pile waiting to be read.  At least the ladies from Mayfield library reading club will not fall out with me for using a Kindle ( at least not till I read all the books).

So the sales have started again,  must be the biggest rip off -  punt up the prices when folks have to buy, and then offload cheap after the event.  I keep going on about the Richard F Mackay  furniture sales,   same advert   week in , week out, year in  year out -  the shop must be shut half the year while the staff prepare for the next sale !!   Certainly one for Trading Standards..

Weather has been not too bad here,  compared to those who have lost power,  been under water, etc - so better not grumble.

What a life

Sunday night  -  only three more sleeps to x-mas ,  unless, like wee Dillon you do not sleep on X-mas eve.
What can I say - this is not quite what retirement is meant to be !!!     OR perhaps I am not keeping up with the current clime -   at one stage retirement age was 65,   now the 60's are just silver surfers and life is kicking off again - so perhaps I need to readjust my thinking -  and considering that i am looking for another motorbike (without stabilisers  berhaps the positive mental attitude has not failed yet.

Busy, more than ever down at the Mercat Grill -  all very positive, no more contemplating navels !!!  all hands on deck as business grows -  based on recommendations from word of mouth.

Santa approaches  - business is brisk - just need a few Red Bulls to keep going.

Getting nearer to Christmas

Now only five sleeps to Christmas,  or as a young lad, Dillon, told me tonight, only four more as he had no intention of sleeping on Christmas Eve !!!   but he was happy enough to accept a carrot to take home for Santa's reindeer.
Been a busy week at the Mercat Grill, kept on our toes and looks as though we will be busy right through to the New Year.

maded it to see Douggie Sneddon reinstalled at 151 Defensive Band n Tuesday night,  following in the footsteps of his grandfather, and father  - super night, excellent Installation, meal and there was even an entertainer / cabaret act -  thank goodness for "Scoot" who got us home in one piece.
Should have been at the Social at the Masonic Club tonight, however,  not enough hours I am afraid.

What can I say 12 sleeps to Christmas.

Glory be - last week I was thinking there were only 40 secs in a minute,   thought the same tonight until I saw what I had already written -  must now only be 30 minutes in an hour -   jsut not enough hours in the day for what I have to achieve.

Mercat Bar, Haymarket has been busy,  but there is no doubt that  the tramworks have done their damage - so the powers that be can sit with their heads in the sand or up their bac****es if they want - hope Santa's reindeer's leaves a big package on their doorsteps.

For someone on a work experience placement, I am certainly getting well worked down at the Mercat Grill,  Whitecraig,  where we have absolutely marvellous customers -  even had a couple drive up from Darlington today to meet friends for lunch.   Birthday group in last night who had booked the Haymarket Mercat  but arrived at Whitecraig where they had a superb meal and a great meal -  Davie was on form with his mini bus groups.  One of the lads said that it might well be a pub,  but the food was high class restaurant quality -  "T" bone steaks very popular,  nearly as much as our famous meringues.

Just watched the final of the X Factor,  well done Sam Bailly,  the well deserved winner,   but I am sure young Nicholas is already well on the way to stardom. Both have brilliant personalities  so their futures look bright.

Made it to Livingston for a meeting with some of the IPA no. 1 region motor cycle lads to discuss our proposed trip to Germany, Italy and France next year.   The Italians have already got a four day event organised,  the Germans a three day event so now we hope the French section will come up trumps somewhere between Annecy and Metz.

Great night at Forresters RA on Tuesday night but had to skip the Christmas dinner,  regards to Guy at Esk 42 whose night I missed on Wednesday.
Busy week with an exra ordinary Installation at No 151 Defensive Band where Douggie Sneddon makes a wee bit of history by following his father and grandfather into the Chair - so he is basing the meal on the one his grandfather organised when he was installed -  should be a great night.   Installation at OES on Wednesday also.

We have been running raffle to raise funds for Clik Sargent,   leukaemia charity, which was drawn today with the three winners getting, £250;  £150 and £50  respectively   Graham is putting a wee video of the draw on the mercat facebook page.  We ended up with a profit of £1400 plus to go into the Clik Sargent fund -  well done and thanks for all those who supported the event.

Sunday 6th - are there only forty mins in an hour now.

Sunday night,  "Songs of Praise" ,  Country File;  Strickly Come Dancing; X-Factor Results; and I'm a Celebrity, etc"    what more can a man want ?   Deux boutilles vin rouge sil vous plais -  and that makes paying the TV license easier.

Been a busy week at at the Mercat Grill, so much so I have missed several of my masonic meetings,  however, in this case work and family have to come first.

Must say that ev ery week we have more and more returning guests along with new guests - and today, yet another blast from the past when a slightly older Susan, one of my typists from Dalekith, appeared with her family - marvellous.

Last couple of nights I have been the driver as Davie has been doing his masonic duties - so a few of our visitors :

these are the mothers from Loretto primary school

and these are the bookworms from mayfield Library reading club, who nearly lynched me when I mentioned my "kindle" however, I have a couple who are going to have a read at H. E Bates ,  "Darling Buds of May",  and I will try and get Elizabeth Werner, authoress, and one of our regular customers go and meet with them

This wee group, went through the menu, bit fussy over the ice cream,  but with a cone and a lollipop in the ice cream, the house came out on tops.

The lovely Nicola and her sister coped well with the wind ups .

Busy week ahead,  even have bingo on Tuesday afternoon - sounds like fun.

 

Anyone for a tram ride ?

Nearly a week since I last posted !!!   just not quite enough hours in the day so far.

Last week we had the triple fatality in Dunbar,  this week we have the Police helicopter crash in Glasgow with the loss of nine lives,  three Police officers and six innocents sitting enjoying a night in the bar in Glasgow -  many others injured.   Ambulance staff were on site almost immediately, members of the public were fantastic with their help -  lots of praise to the community -  now just need to know why a helicopter drops like a stone from the sky.

Tonight - history being made,  a tram will travel at walking pace the length of the the new system in Edinburgh from Gogar to St Andrew's Square, might give the observers time to see how many businesses have gone bust en route -  cannot see the Councillors out tonight unless they are getting attendance allowances.  

I keep thinking of the old FBI Director in the USA who hounded the communists who he claimed were destroying the economy from within -  personally I think they need a real witch hunt in Edinburgh to sort out the councillors and Officials, who are systematically bringing this City to its knee.
Even the Roads department try and do their bit,  there are so many potholes in the roads that it is virtually impossible to to reach the City centre without being shaken to bits !!!

Long weekend, working between the two Mercat Bars,   interesting, especially doing an open in Edinburgh, first after three years -  old grey matter struggled a bit, nice to see some of the old familiar faces.

Staff doo on Sunday night, we were covering, and in the midst I had two young ladies in from the USA, being looked after by the No 1 region  IPA ( International Police Association) -  however they were just a bit to quiet to join the ladies.

 

Good job that two of our male stars were present to keep order !!

 

Back to The Mercat Grill,   we get new customers every day, from all parts of the Country, even had the Manager of the Glen Moray Distillery in for lunch, and tonight yet another pair of twins for their first visit.