New Grandparents, but do not get too excited

Just talking about our bird box in the garden, after two years of no activity, we have plenty of activity and from the sound of things baby chicks in house.   Wonderful to see the parent birds flying back and forward with food.   My feeding hoppers are taking some hammering, needing topped up sometimes twice a day with plenty of visitors.

AND tonight the "Steed of Steel" was returned to the garage running like a wee sweetie, so pleased to get it back,  now in a quandary as to whether I take the Steed to France next month, or  take the "Time Machine" once the gearbox has been rebuilt.

The One Big Switch  advert on the radio and TV,  only needing 20,000 people to sign up, no obligation, then great discounts for your "leckie",  what a load of cobblers,  just another set of businessmen out to make a fast buck, Just a shame that the major suppliers could not give us the goods at a reasonable price instead of cartelling and allowing these guys the chance to get in there.

FIFA , well done, an expose of yet another bunch of corrupt officials in a world body, living it up, 5* lives, and corruption and bribery commonplace.    As I said on FB,  can you blame some of them when  they see the prima donnas of the football world raking in obscene amounts of money, and TV companies paying enough to run a small country on what they are paying for the TV rights.

Big blurb in the Edinburgh Evening News about the trams, from the sound of things I think the Council must have bought the paper as all the news is praising the system and considering going back to the original plans to run the trams to Ocean terminal.

Came across an accident on the approach to Sheriffhall Roundabout (A720)  this morning, tail end shunt, but instead of moving the cars to the side of the road, the drivers were "doing the business" in the centre lane and causing chaos. These days Police not interested at all in these minor prangs.

Talking of the "Polis" , yesterday morning I followed a young lady along the street, leather jacket, hair all over, black boots, black trousers, and a couple of carrier bags , busy texting as she walked - then I realised that she was a female police officer heading for the Police Station to start work,  Big change from the days when you were proud to walk to work in uniform, Pressed tunic and trousers, polished shoes or boots , cap and a nice white shirt.   AND Police Scotland are making a big thing on their current advert about how much the public respect the uniform - and also ( laugh up sleeve)  how flexible the organisation is to the needs of its officers.

Bowling tomorrow at Dalkeith bowling club, annual RA event, so I need to get some air in my bowls if I plan on taking part!!!!

The Highways Folks are certainly on the ball _ NOT

Total chaos this evening  as road works on the A702 by Hillend Ski Centre brought the homebound traffic to a halt with queues right into the City of Edinburgh, tail backs onto the City By Pass and tempers boiling over.    At the same time a serious accident in Bonnrigg closed off the main road, then another two on the A701 - perfect commuting conditions - I hope the highways folks get their pammies tomorrow.

Pleased to say that the "Time Machine", which had ground to a halt is now away for repair,  however, sounds a bit more serious as it could be the clutch which has sheared.

Dougz,  my room mate for the French trip was through at the Mercat Grill this morning, where he met up with our author colleague, Peter Ritchie, for a blether.  If you know a book group who would like a talk / reading from Peter, he is happy enough to do so,

Where will it all end ? Bit of a drama maybe - or maybe not?

Just exaggerating a bit,  however out cutlery thieves from a couple of weeks ago were back in the Mercat Grill last night and tried to pinch some of our Snuffles Doggy Beer.  One of the staff found the bottles stashed outside, so they were saved from the embarrassment of finding out the beer was non alcoholic, tastes foul and is for dogs.     Their mates,  now that we know who they are can take the micky out them,  couple of locals - just a shame they have brought themselves down to scum bag level - especially the guy who has his own business.

Been kept on my toes, between odd jobs at the Grill, motor cycles still off the road, which is maybe a blessing as there is gardening and decorating to do before I head off to France next month - (provided I have a set of wheels).

 

Son and heir cracking up with me as I opened one of his bottles of wine,  nice Caballo Loco Number 10, anyway, I enjoyed it.   Nearly as good as his Glenrothes Special Reserve malt I tippled the previous night.

 

Must pass a comment about the cycling fraternity -  this morning I passed one riding along the pavement despite the fact that Midlothian Council have widened the cycle lane at the side of the main road.   Then last night a jogger was knocked down by a cyclist (hit and run) in Livingston, jogger critically ill in hospital. On the news page of AOL, video of a cyclist on a pavement knocking down a young child who ran out her garden gate to be with her mother.



Need to be fit for a full day at the shops.

Must have been the excitement / anticipation, but I was up at 5.45 a.m. this morning,  things to do, place to go, people to see, etc.   Even managed a wee bit more artistic home improvement  ( emulsion) before getting changed to his the road at 10 am.    First stop Makro,  bacon roll was crap; next stop the Gyle, to help boost M & S' s profits - new pants !! and trousers; and off through the rejuvenated Pilton to Ocean Terminal.   The O'2 shop was quiet so I managed to get one of the lads to show me some more things I could do with my phone, apart from turn it on and off !!!  Quite a few oil supply ships in the harbour.
Next stop, a real treat !!!!!  not sure what the place was called, but there were just boxes and boxes and even more boxes full of everything under the sun, from clothing, tools, food, just a gigantic jumble sale !!  with everything priced down to next to nothing - folks queuing to get in with only forty allowed in at any time.  Managed to get new thermals for the bike, £3 each, same make as we bought from Lidl last year and much cheaper.  Place was going like a fun fair.

Will not bore you with my Matalan purchases, by this stage I was needing fed, so we headed to the Mercat Grill - treat in store as I had lovely French onion soup followed by duck breast - excellent.

Home to Penicuik and stopped off at the Turkish barbers to get my ears set on fire , no truth in the rumour that the lad had trained carving the lamb in the kebab shop across the road !!  but a nice haircut and a good laugh with the staff.

I see that Edinburgh City is getting a new Chief Executive as Sue Bruce is taking her golden handshake and clearing off, probably happy to carry on with her second job (part time) - new guy has some track record, both on the sports field and in local government - several previous posts and now the hatchet man for Edinburgh, before he will no doubt take to his heels and hand the baton over to someone else.  Hope he does not get the prescribed  honour which appears to go with the post.

Once again , case of how time flies - so Tuesday here already

Bit of a change at the weekend with a day off, took ourselves off to Peebles on Saturday afternoon, wandered, even popped into the new Wetherspoon's pub, nice how they have changed and done up the premises.   Later we headed up to the Barony Hotel at Eddlestone where a good night , and lovely meal was had by all.   Place was very busy with a big group in celebrating a birthday.   So despite being a bit out of the way it is very popular, and also has good Spa facilities.

My initial efforts with the paintbrush on the shower room door must have proved successful as I was then allowed to paper the kitchen and even apply emulsion - watch out Picasso, competition looms.

Busy at the Mercat Grill,   even had a visit from Peter Ritchie, a former colleague from my days at Dalkeith Police Station, who dropped in for a coffee and a blether.  Peter has already written three police thriller novels and has nearly completed his fourth, an excellent trilogy, well worth a read and can be sourced via Amazon.

Trying to emulate Picasso today, painted the shower room door.

Not sure how many offers I might get for the door,  should have photographed the kitchen wall after Mrs. B stripped off the wallpaper and liner - looked really marketable.

I listened to radio Forth 1 all day as Boogie and Arlene had set themselves a challenge to raise £10k each before they went home - quite interesting as it actually took a lot longer than everyone expected, about ten and a half hours, and that even after a young Dundee football player pledged £1900 to match repeat tweets, and someone else put £3400 into the pot.    Just tying to put the purchase of the Picasso into perspective - bit difficult to accept that someone was prepared to spend such an obscene amount of money on something which I certainly would not give wall space, yet we have so many needy individuals, groups, and causes where the money would be more appreciated.
With the second earthquake in Nepal, death toll rising, there is now a shortage of clean water, same as in Africa,  and despite the aid being promised UK and other countries, they have only raised about a third of the money needed.
Interestingly, there was a donation of £500 from the Belgium consulate who did this as Andy Murray had pulled out of the Italian Open due to fatigue, therefore allowing his young Belgium opponent to progress, nice sporting gesture.

Two motorcycles currently in sick bay, looks like France in June might be in the balance now !!

Edinburgh last night, two police officers injured during a high speed pursuit of criminals who had committed housebreakings in the City.   Edinburgh has been plagued by these thieving sods, no respect for anyone.
But for some this crime wave is a money spinner - heard today from a friend who had been visited by an intruder alarm salesman trying to get him to protect his home,  eventual top of line cost for the alarm was going to be about £3600 - WHAT A BLOODY JOKE, RIP OFF !!  Friend eventually paid £370 for an adequate system from a reliable local supplier.   Just reminded me of some of the companies I had to deal with years ago when a Crime Prevention Officer - folks were being conned  then just as they are now.

Looking forward to the wine Dinner at the Mercat Grill on 13th June,  son and heir might treat me for my birthday this year seeing how I was away last year on the bike to Italy.

Interesting weekend coming up - I think.

Lot of running about because of this guddle.

Sunday I had to take a run back up to Auchterarder to retrieve my bag and belongings from Castlebrae, and then along with Mrs. B. went along to Gleneagles where we had bacon butties and a cuppa !!  Hotel was very busy and it turned out that Honda motors had organised a big doo the previous evening with the Red Hot Chillie Pipers playing, backed up by our Iain Buchanan and his band.

No news about the IPA Motorcycle Group's AGM on Saturday night, but it did appear to go well.

Back to normal today, my little greenhouse has suffered from the huffing and puffing of the big bad wind, not the best purchase I have made recently.

Only consolation so far is that I was able to get  a wee letter done to the RAC regarding Saturday's debacle.  Just need to wait and see what happens.

Saturday and it ended with a bit of a bang - so to speak.

Breakfast at Castlebrae and ghen off we set, led by Dougz Wright, through Crieff;, and first stop at St Fillans where  I experienced my first tourist driver of the morning who stopped dead in the centre of the road to take a look at the view !!    Quick loo stop and fed the ducks,

Even prevented a breach of the peace as the ducks were fighting over the crumbs !!
Next stop was Bridge of Orchy which was heaving with tourists, total chaos on the bridge which is only wide enough for one vehicle so reversing skills were the order / or test of the day.

 It was one of these days when the sun came on to shine so the many thermal layers we were wearing be came a bit unbearable, resulting in the occasional need for a bit of adjustment !!!

Did not look like a Scot as he had peely wally legs and not quite the build for a kilt.

 

Next stop was the renouned biker's café and filling station, the Green Welly,which was totally chock a block with cars, coaches and about one hundred plus  motor cycles with Moto Guzzi Glasgow running a display and promotion.    Only down side was the sad news that a motorcyclist had been killed a short time previously on the A82 just a short distance north of the Fort William turn off which meant that all vehicles had to head via Oban, a long and slow detour.

Fortunately we were turning off at Dalmally and heading along the south side of Loch Awe to Inverary, so we missed the traffic,  but did stop to have a look at Kilchurn Castle

Next stop was Inverary where the car park was full of motorcycles, views super and Dougz even got a chance to look at his new boat !!

 

It was time to turn homewards, so over the Rest and Be Thankful,   by loch fine and down to Arrocher  we turned eastwards / north back up the A82 towards Crianlarach along

the north side of loch Lomond.

 

BUT all good things come to an end !!!!   slowing down at road works and changing gear when there was a load bang and the "Time Machine" ground to a halt, with my compatriots heading off into the distance.    So,  timescale  (bearing in mind I was in the middle of nowhere and my phone had no signal)   4.10 pm broke down;  4.30  borrowed a phone from three young lads and called RAC Breakdown in Manchester - gave a precise location, and was advised that "contractors" would be there in ninety minutes -   OK, sun was shining , road was busy, lots of folks stopped beside me at the temporary traffic lights

Have to say that a number of folks stopped to speak to me, offered sweets, sandwiches, etc. and the use of phones.  6.p.m. called RAC who told me that the "Contractor" had been unable to find me !!! so a new job number was  issued !!!    Me, still had no phone signal.    8.p.m. an unmarked red BMW police traffic car passed, looked an me and as I was obviously doing nothing to get booked for kept going,  had I realised who they were I would have stopped them,  too late.   8.45 p.m. stopped a young lad in a van who let me call RAC again which caused a bit of a fuss when they realised I was still there -  but as they had also had a call from my wife there was a third call for assistance. At this point, the local "bobby", from Killin arrived having been requested to go look for me having a call from the control centre at Bilston who my wife had called ( turned out the operator used to work with me - cheers Davy Mclean).    Police man spoke to RAC and had me en route to the Crianlarach Hotel  when we met the recovery van from LixToll Garage, Killin,  who had just received a call to go find me.     So 9.45 pm bike loaded into the van and we set off for Penicuik,  however, it was a long way and there was massive diversions on the M8 so it was 0015 hrs this morning when I got home - weary.   RAC better get a tin helmet on.

What a few days, Friday was good, weather cheered everyone up.

previously met up with the IPA UK Motorcycle section on Wednesday night for a meal and on Thursday for a ride out led by Iain Buchanan through the Borders, as previously commented.

Collected them on Friday morning and took a run out into East lothain.  First stop was at Prestongrange  to have a look at the great beam engine which was used to pump water out of the coal mine.

from here, through Prestonpans, Port Seaton, Cockenzie; stopped at the bents where the sand flies were out in their billions !!   Through Aberlady, Gullane ; Muirfield and eventually to the sea Bird Centre at North Berwick for coffee and cake

  you can just see the  Bass Rock through the gap in the back row.

 

From here it was gentle run west again nd we stopped at the Mercat Grill for lunch.

Off we went round the A720 , passed our secret tram depot at the Maybury, then down to South Queensferry for a quick (it was cold) stop and Kodak moment.

 

Onwards and upwards over the Bridge and made for Knockhill racing Circuit where the group were impressed with the track and the facilities - good views but very cold and breezy.    Onwards through Rumbling Bridge and over Glen Devon where we made for Gleneagles hotel and a (with permission) kodak moment.

 

Ultimate destination was Castlebrae treatment Centre, Auchterarder, for the two night stay and AGM of the motorcycle section.

 





Eventful time with out IPA compatriots

Got my dates a bit wrong and arrived at the Travel Lodge, Cameron Toll, a day late to meet the guys who had come form down south.  However, as I had been unwell I would never have managed it.  Never mind, they were all picked up in the Mercat Grill mini bus and enjoyed a great meal out at Whitecraig before getting a run home.

Today we (the group of fourteen bikes) headed off via Penicuik; Biggar; Broughton; Moffat; Grey Mares Tail; and stopped at the bikers café at Tibbieshiels for a roll and buttie !!!.   Onwards turning off at the Gordon Arms, to Innerleithen; Selkirk; Galashiels; Gorebridge; Temple and eventually arrived at Rosslyn Chapel.

This turned out to be a serious disappointment,  several of the group had been there previously and had planned on having coffee, etc, and a browse in the gift shop whilst the remainder did the tour of the Chapel - bit of a bummer when we found out that everyone was to pay £9 just to get into the gift shop,  no access to the café or toilets - SO- three paid up to go see the Chapel and the remainder mounted up and headed back into the town.

So tomorrow, wee run down the coast via Muirfield to North Berwick then back to the Mercat for coffee before heading north via South Queensferry; Knock Hill; Glen Devon; Gleneagles and then to Castlebrae, Auchterarder.

Good run organised for Saturday and then the motorcycle section AGM on Saturday Night. 

Not the best couple of days this week - so far that is.

Yesterday I spent a very interesting, but at times uncomfortable , three hours in the Edinburgh University Research MRI Unit at the Western General  Hospital.  Following my last wee incident I agreed to help with an ongoing research project - but having helped out it was certainly not pleasant at times, trying out a new procedure to improve the images produced by the scanner.  On the plus side, the staff were brilliant, explained everything that was going on and how it would help patients in the future.

Today, headed for work on what was a bloody awful morning, eventually, feeling worse than awful I headed home to bed on the bus - bad mistake.  Young lady got on at Dalkeith, yakking on her mobile phone and enlightened her fellow passengers as to her health issues, financial problems, recent parties, etc - fascinating stuff, so much so that I ended up getting off at an early stop to get away from her and wait on another bus, but guess what, she got off behind me and wandered off into the rain ( and distance) still yakking.    Might be time to get the phone companies to put an automatic cut off on these phones or have the bus companies ban their use.  Yesterday it was a bloke behind me who blethered for twenty minutes, but at least he did speak a local dialect.

Obviously these moans are so trivial and pale into insignificance when compared with the problems in Nepal, where the death toll is still rising, and where the Government has now cancelled / banned all expeditions to Mount Everest as the climbing routes have been so badly damaged by avalanches. Knock on effect will be a loss of tourist revenue.   Elsewhere, yet another refugee disaster at sea as more are drowned in the Mediterranean.
Looks as though a small group of vetted asylum seekers are going to be offered homes in Edinburgh very shortly.

Andy Murray has won his first clay court championship and the first in thirty nine years by a UK player, well done.

Nice to see the new Royal baby, lovely choice of name,  Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, and the bookies paid out £1million to punters who guessed the names.

Road users must now beware !!  our Derrick has passed his driving test - well done.

Last night it was the best silver whot got nicked - not quite.

Sign of the times when the punters come in for a pint and then pinch cutlery and condiment sets for their homes.    We had old cutlery in the cupboard, all they had to do was ask !!!  if they were so desperate -  might be a surprise if I go knock their doors as they live very close to the pub.

Election fever at a high, politicians telling more and more porkies, make more promises they are unlikely to be able to fulfil after the 7th.  Busy digging a big hole for the UK but will just blame the voting public for electing them.

I have always been proud to display the Saltire Cross and Lion Rampart on the motorcycle, however, I am not so sure now as I suspect that whatever the outcome of this election there is going to be bigger divisions in the UK than ever before.

RGB managed the Kilt Walk marathon today, well done.  He like the many who took part  must have been perished in the wet and rain on this typical Scottish version of a May Bank Holiday weekend.

Lots of favourable comments from our doggy owners who have discovered that the Mercat Grill sells "Doggy Beer",  it is fine for the dogs to drink as they are not driving !!!

Steam coming out my ears, dirty filthy fly tippers.

Really gets on my wick, so to speak,  when these cowboy builders, bogus workman, etc . get paid to clear up rubbish, charge the price of the job plus a tipping charge that is what they should do.  However today there was the following large pile of asbestos sheeting and building materials (in bags which had originated from a builders merchant in Broxburn) was dumped on a public walkway in Lowries Den, Penicuik, an area which was cleaned up last weekend by a group of local volunteers.

Might seem trivial to some,  however, these guys can make thousands of pounds by fly tipping.  There was a recent incident when several thousand bales of rubbish were found in a derelict farm building in West Lothian, would have cost a fortune to tip legally, so they just pocketed the cash.

 

Last night STV had a documentary about the City of London Police Fraud Squad, which is the most specialist unit of its type in the World/  The report was about two blokes who made £10 million selling worthless plots of land to "investors".    end of story , they each were sent to the Pokey for four years - well worth it considering the amazing time they had before they were jailed.  They even had the nerve to set up a second scam company and raked in £1.5 million whilst out on bail.  They should have been sent down for life, along with their wives, partners and family who all helped launder the money and joined in some mega jollies.  Only people who benefited were Prada, Harvey Nicholas, Rolex, and many high class retailers.