Technophobia, if only I was sixty years younger "No sweat".

Under pressure tonight, trying out Windows 8.1 on another lap top, which is as bad as the critics said it was.   Have no idea what I am doing most of the time, and there does not seem to be a word processing set up unless you pay for Windows Office.
Had a bit of a senior moment and forgot my log in password so just switched off and waited for a bit of inspiration.    Then "Willie" called from rural England, home from his Waitrose tour of Turkey, which he said was really marvellous, interesting and they had enjoyed the company of the other twenty nine on the coach.
Still under the weather so having to take it easy, falling asleep, despite the apparently exciting football on the radio. Obviously going to take a bit longer to recover.   Missed out on a trip to Castlebrae, Auchterarder for the meeting of the Scottish Region IPA. 

Andy Murray planning on getting married, hopefully the Cromlix House Hotel (which he owns) will not turn him or his family away - lovely venue, especially the private chapel in the house.

Well,  Mr Salmond has taken his pension money and gone, no doubt to join the lecture circuit until he gets a seat in Westminster.   In the meantime Ms Sturgeon has taken over the helm at Hollyrood, now trying to make her mark and push for more devolved powers.

Dark dreich cold nights are here, the threat of power cuts, but the Greens are now telling us that the wind turbines are a rip roaring success !!!  no need for nuclear  energy any more.   Cockenzie Power Station has been shut down,  Longannet Power Station cannot afford the fees being asked for to link into the National Grid, one of the major wave energy firms has gone down the tubes,  what a carry on - thermals, early to bed, etc., to save on bills.

Black Friday - what a hoot, folks fighting over old stock in Tesco's,  I was in PC World and one man had been in the day before pricing things, so when he came back his potential purchase was highlighted with a Black Friday sticker, and the price was "THE SAME" as the day before.   The Game Shop still had its Black Friday advert being broadcast today - a big con.  I think a number of folk were right o the button when they said it was just plain GREED,  by  customers and  more so by the Retailers.

Watching a brilliant set on the X Factor with Queen and Adam Lambert, superb, just shows how good he is compared to the contestants on this so called reality show.    At least I have a good book to fall back to,  found an original Tom Clancy, " Without Remorse" where a number of the characters which feature in a number of his follow up books were introduced.

The quiet lady, Susan Boyle, still touring and enjoying life, lovely new Album just been released in time for Christmas.

Still under the weather.

I seem to spend a lot of my time sleeping at the moment - still fair wabbit as a result of my various infections, but getting there slowly.
Had to miss my monthly meeting to RA 500 last night, which was a pity as I was due to be reinstalled as 3rd Principle.

This is anti terrorist awareness week and there are a number of events running around the UK,  I was due at a lecture on Monday morning in Edinburgh, again , another event I was forced to cancel. The UK public really need to accept that no one is kidding any longer - there are a lot of seriously fanatical folks out there, well indoctrinated and prepared to cause mayhem, we all need to be aware.

Police Scotland taking a bit more flak as the annual crime figures are published, and as usual have been laundered more often than our bed linen. I say the same thing every year, the figures are produced to suit the Police and have been treated likewise since I joined in 1966, and even before that when I was in Durham it was the same.  Mr. Howe having a real greet in his teacup about the amount of VAT he is having to pay;  but if I am right it is not so long ago that he registered Police Scotland as a business, so what does he expect.       With winter coming in he might just consider getting a long sleeved shirt and a jacket to pose in, or keep himself warm when he turns the heating down in the office.

There was a bit on the internet showing the Police Chief from Milwaukee giving a statement to the media - no messing about there - told it as it was,

Ran before I could walk - so to speak.

Kind of overdid things a bit too quickly after my brief stay in hospital last week.   Made it to Glasgow on Monday night for the annual dinner of the Guild of Maltmen, full house in the Merchants Hall with RGB in the chair - nice way to celebrate his birthday.   Meal was first class and ambiance superb - I just had to take it easy, even so I was kind of jiggered by the time I got back to the hotel (Premier Inn).  Anyway, we had taken the train both ways so it was a quiet run home, and time to get the feet up.
Fell fowl of the Doctor yesterday morning who wants me to take it easy for a few days until my chest infection and related chest pains ease off a bit- so that is what I aim to do.  Just a pity I am having to cancel the E Div dinner at Tranent and the Grand Superintendents dinner this weekend.

Bit of a blow for Scotland fans on Tuesday night after England gave them a wee bit of a thumping - just a good job it did not affect their euro chances.

Still on the mend

Sunday night, home, and watched the demise of Judy Murray in Strictly Come Dancing  ( sorry, but she could not dance).   Still very much under the weather awaiting the antiobiotics to work and clear up chest infection.
BUT made it to town yesterday to take up residence, like a Godfather in a nice high backed chair in the Beehive Private function sweet where there was a surprise party for RGB who is forty tomorrow.  Party had to be held early as he is chairing the annual dinner of the Guild of Maltman in Glasgow tomorrow night in the Merchant's Hall.    However we were in the Beehive from 2 p.m. till 11.30pm (not me) and his friend Briggsy and three others flew over from the USA to surprise him.  There was a great crowd, many happy to be like me and sit and watch all four International rugby matches,   hard luck for Scotland who had a great game.
I made the mistake of not taking the car despite not drinking so we unfortunately had to take a taxi back to Penicuik - £40 !!!!!!   not just daylight robbery, bang out of order,   If I had taken the car and been drinking it would have cost less to get Scoot to take us home.
Today, a quick run into town to let the Turkish barbers set fire to my ears, then out to Cameron Tool for a couple of messages,  the folks in the O,2 shop there are first class.
Out to deliver items to the Mercat Grill which was very busy over lunch time - nice so see some friends from way back there.
Just need to see what the next few days throw up.

Through the wars once again

Seems like I eventually tempted providance - or was it that I forgot my sun had and was stupid enough to not buy a replacment - more later.

Our holiday routine continued,  beach by 7am,  breakfast 8am back to beach; lunch 1 pm; return to beach;  3.40 drinkies till sunset; changed ; drinkies; dinner at 8pm and usually in bed watching movies by 9,30pm - how boring.

Hotel was lovely, place very clean, choice and presentation of food excellent,  however it was not long before I began to feel the effects of the sun and the local water.
Managed a couple of lovely evening meals in the Chinese and the Meditteranean themed restaurants, but on Saturday had to admit defeat and retire to bed unwell, mainly with sore stomach and wild headaches which I put down to a mild dose of sunstroke.

Hotel staff  sent me herbal teas, etc and as I missed more meals expressed concers to Mrs. B.; suggesting I go to the clinic, but I stupidly failed to heed their advice.     Sunday - feeling worse that "shitty" survived the day on sips of water only.
Monday am  now seriously concerned as we were due to fly home in the evening I eventually got the Egyptian equivalent of Diacalm which worked faily rapidly halting my somewhat draining trips to the loo.

Hotel Front Office staff alowed us to keep the room on allowing me peace to rest antill we were nearer leaving time.     Then ran me to the Reception area by buggy where we waited on the wee coach for transfer.  Must praise Holiday Village Coral sea resort staff for making our holiday a memorable event.

Turned out that our flight was the last to leave that evening so we had a very easy passage through baggage inspection, drop off, visa and passport control.
By this time I was prety knackered so had to try and rest before the final short journey to the plane which was bang on time.

Eventually boarded, same seats so plenty space and tried to settle, but shortly after take off an observant stewardess came and expressed concerns about my health - I ended up with three seats in a row, pillows, blankets and was laid out, however by this time my breathing was laboured, chest pains and unable to speak.

The staff kept an eye on me, checking regularly and even called ahead for a wheel chair to get me to baggage collaction as it is a long walk at Glasgow,  but were suggesting that an ambulance from the plane might be a better option.
However, knowing that RGB would be waiting I took option A the wheelchair -    to the baggage hall, where I was nearly at the point of collapse!!  yes.      BUT RGB was there and we were soon in the car heading East and Mrs B and he decided that they had no option but take me direct to the A & E at ERI which we did.
Once again my luck was in and the place was quietish for once so I was processed very quickly and moved from Triage to A & E; examined and put on oxygen, etc and told I was being admitted to the Initial Assessment Unit.

Mrs B and RGB left me and while I waiting a couple of the other "clients"  kicked off shouting and bawling dogs abuse at the staff - totally uncalled for and in the old days they would have been kicked out and locked up!!   Some forlks are so bloody disrespectful it is unbelievable - Dr's and nurses trying to help them and they appreciate zilch.   It  is little wonder that alcohol and drug abuse is costing the NHS a fortune,   Time these people had to pay for the service.   When RGB left they had witnessed two Police struggling to cope with a youth in his underpants out his face on a "designer drug", wich are readilly available around the town.

I ended up in a admission assessment Unit where I eventually stayed until discharge last night -  again the staff were seen being subjected to verbal and physical abuse, again by patients under the influence.

Underwent a battery of tests; a CT scan, put on different drips to rehydrate me as I was suffering from serios dehydration etc, and they ruled out heart attacks; serious stomach bugs like salmonelle, etc, and general diagnoses was too much sun; serious chest infection and "bog" standard Gyppy Tummy -  happy days.

So home now, cocktail of strong anitbiotics which will curtail my activies at a couple of social events next week - never mind,  I might well still be in Egypt in a clinic worrying about getting home -  instead, I can now thank the folks in the HV Coral Sea;  crew of the Thomson flight; and especially give praise to the marvellous staff at the ERI

Sunsine, a source of Vitamin something or other

Where does time go when you have very little to do?     here in the sun now in Sharm El Sheik,  hotel is the Holiday Village Coral Sea Resort,  and we really cannot complain.  The room is massive,  robes, tea and coffee facilities,  fresh water, all mod cons.  Although the place was very busy last week with the English school holidays it is quieter now -  there are four themed restaurants and a Stone Grill which we pay for ,  but it was excellent for the birthday meal with Mrs B.

Sun comes up about 0630 and sets around 4.30 p.m so we make the best of it, even it means going to bed early.

Big Spa on site, so we have had massages, shaves, pedicures, facials, etc,  just nice and relaxing .

Mrs B a bit worried about the fact she is not able to produce the meringues which must now be in short supply !!!!

Last time we were here in Egypt A I  we thought that the drinks were a bit rough, however, this hotel is pouring local brands which are palatable, even the wine.     And as suggested by grant @ Photogenix2  I am using G & T as an antidote to the mosquitos,  mind you I have only been annoyed by flies in the morning.

Onwards and upwards -  wee cocktail reception this evening.