Nice couple of days in New Lanark, not the end of the World and fascinating.

Home and feet up once more, however, having just spent a nice restful couple of days at the New Lanark Mills Hotel, I could quite happily still be sitting there.   Hotel was very nice, comfortable, and staff very friendly,  so we have already booked for another short stay in a few weeks time.    It is years since I was last through there and since then there has been an amazing amount of work done to redevelop the old mills.  £millions spent on the redevelopment which is first class, now a World Heritage Site.  I remember the old shells of the Mills and now they are converted into a hotel, spa, visitor's centre, etc, and certainly well worth the visit.  
The mills sit on the banks of the River Clyde, below the water falls which were the original source of power for the complex.  The first hydro electric station in Scotland was then built there to harness the energy from the falls and it still operates today.

We spent some time in the Visitor Centre where there are still working spinning machines , now working with wool rather than cotton,   but having run out if time we will have a look at the rest of the site next time.

Sunday night TV reduced to a shambles, a joke, bring back Strictly, Andy Pandy, anything.

Lucky for me I was out when the X Factor started tonight, because what I have seen so far is a joke.  Can you honestly see these acts still up and running in six weeks let alone six years time.

On a happier note we were at a wedding reception last night, Paul and Ashley (daughter of my neighbours Mike and Jane) got married with their reception at the Barony Castle Hotel,  They had a wonderful day, and a lovely evening with friends and family.

 Nice wee surprise for me when we met our former neighbours, Bob and Irene Munro, who we had not seen for a considerable time. 

Busy weekend at the Mercat Grill,  full house for three days, booking now important for folks not wishing to be disappointed.  Nice new furniture arriving in he morning for the dining room,  bit by bit as they say. 

New fangled devices might well be the death of me!!

Managed to take some photos of motorbikes a couple of days ago but had to use my new phone,  have just discovered it has no micro slot so I have no option but put them onto Facebook, bit of a pain until I discover how to get them to edit, etc. Did try e mailing them but again could do nothing with them ,,   Ignorance might be bliss but it is also seriously frustrating.

Not only are the wildlife a bit confused by the seasonal changes,  today I saw a snow plough lorry loaded with salt heading west through Penicuik, what part of the weather forecast did I miss?   WHat with Xmas gifts on sale, Santa Claus in one shop I saw, there are certainly attempts being made to get into our wallets early this year.

Following the recent findings about my health issues, and a seriously marked improvement, I now have a membership for the local swimming pool, etc.,  so today was real treat to get back into the water again, just need to work on the fitness a bit before I attempt the gym!!!!!

RA Installation at Loanhead tonight, will be there all being well.  season now in full swing with plenty meetings to choose from.

Gin Tasting and meal at the Mercat on Saturday 8th October, which I will miss,   Not sure about the Gin Tasting but the restaurant is already fully booked, no seats for bums as they say.  Nice new furniture arrived today, looking smart.

Wedding of my neighbour,s daughter Ashley Anderson tomorrow at the Barony Castle Hotel, hope all goes well, poor father (Mike) will need a whip round I think as she failed to take the hint about a ladder and suitcase some time ago.,  but she is a really nice young lady so we wish her and her beloved Paul well.

Bit of a bash on Sunday, recovery takes a bit longer these days.

Must say that the Gentleman's Dinner on Sunday was a great success.  Seventy two guests at the Old Original Hotel, Roslin, for lunch with pre dinner drinks hosted by Maxim.  Dress for the day was certainly casual with some taking it more seriously than others.

  Lunch was organised by the Edinburgh and South East Area Licensed Trade Association,  with a guest speaker, and a magician who was a member of the renouned Magic Circle.  His act was excellent, with him being fortunate enough to have a willing stooge on hand.

A good afternoon, and evening, had by all.

The Great British dream, maybe tomorrow, or the next day.

Started this header with something else in mind, however, as I am sadly !! watching the X factor, it seemed more appropriate.  What a load of rubbish, so called artists who have dreamed of a being a Star as long as they could sing !!  the majority cannot sing to save themselves, not that I am any better,  but at least I have no plans on making a fool of myself in front of a panel of judges or a TV camera.
While heading for my meeting of the KT's in Dalkeith today I dropped into the slightly overpriced BMW dealers at Motorrad, where, surprisingly they had a couple of bikes which kind of tugged at the proverbial heart strings.

I am sure that the Steed of Steel is grumbling away in the garage at the thought of us being separated, especially after a good run this morning.

So, anyway, made it to the meeting this afternoon which was first class, despite many apologies due to this being a holiday weekend. 

More sunshine, amazing, chance to relax in the garden which is marvelous for September.

However, Sunday is a new day, quick run to the Mercat Grill, and then off to the Original Hotel for our ESESALTA  dinner.  Should be a hoot (so to speak). 

Venting my spleen, might as well get it out the system.

0530 hrs, been up for over an hour as I could not sleep and having just stuck in one blog after nearly a month , how about a second.

Hate to say it, but the long light summer nights are fading and we are back to darkness in the morning and same again in the evening.  But what ever happened to the old posters begging folks to "See and be Seen".   As I either drive or ride to work in the mornings or head out in the evenings, there they are , "the lets save electricity and batteries brigade"  in their cars on their bikes and pedal cycles.  Put on your "bloody lights", get them fixed if they do not work, wear a high viz vest, and do not blame the other driver, rider who could not see you !!!    
I saw a sign at the entrance to a building site, it said " No Hard Hat, No safety boots, No High viz vest.  NO JOB" , if it applies for that site why not on the road where there are many more fatalities and serious accidents.
I made the silly mistake of venturing into Edinburgh in the car on Wednesday night, what a nightmare, an understatement, the City is getting worse by the week with bad roads, congestion and ever increasing numbers of restrictions due to building works and road works. AND the so called City Fathers are praising the success of the new 20 MPH speed limits !!   Ho Ho, what a hoot when it is quicker to jog or use a pedal cycle.  Again, brilliant to see the colour blind cyclists who ignore red traffic lights, or just scoot up onto the pavements and cross with the green man before joining the carriageway again.
Mobile phones -  may well be the best thing since sliced bread, but when pedestrians are not looking as they cross the road, motorists and cyclist are using them as they drive and cycle, I think not.  Last night the "One Show" presenter went on the road on a motor bike and filmed a number of drivers using their phones at the wheel.    Me,  for £6 I bought a plug in earpiece with a microphone and can receive calls safely when driving, I do not read texts, or make calls while driving.  Long gone are the days when you came in from work and checked to see if you had any mail in the letter box.

In my previous blog I commented on the European Bill of Human Rights and the problems it has caused.  I am just reflecting on how the Social Work Scotland Act and the attitude of this "nanny state" we now live in has impacted our lives.   yes, it may well be the case that many young people have a better life and more protection, however, what about the victims of these "ferrell sh**bags" who are running riot in stolen vehicles, committing crimes against property and individuals with no remorse and no penalty?   Parental responsibility appears to have gone right out the window these days.   We had a nurse killed in Edinburgh by a stolen car as she walked home from work, and this week a stolen Mercedes out of control crashed into a parked caravan.  In both cases the drivers were juveniles, and either they or their friends have taunted the Police on Face Book - so much for social responsibility -  time to bring back the birch perhaps.    0600 hrs and blood pressure increasing, time to chill out ( as Sparky Mark would recommend).

Will head out shortly to work for a couple of hours, and later depending on how things are, might make it to the K.T's,  monthly meeting of King David of Ballentraddoch.

Contrary to all belief , I am still in one piece and up and running again.

I was asked last week, "what happened to the blog ?",  kind of difficult to write something of interest while virtually housebound and recovering from illness!
But the latest update is that despite yet another wee trip to the A & E , ERI in an big shiny ambulance, thanks to the caring Dr and staff at the local health centre, there has been a vast improvement in my health.
Once again I must compliment the staff at the A & E,  Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh,  It is really annoying to see drunks staggering about causing problems, folks with really trivial problems ( a wart !!!) taking up valuable time and resources, and others booking in, then just walking out again.   There has to be a better system than this.    Changed days from the old ERI many years ago where drunks causing problems were "huckled" by the City Police and chucked in the massive communal cell in the High Street Police Station. A great big arched and cobbled cell which was hosed out each morning with a big fire hose to get rid of the vomit and stink from the previous night's occupants.  
Perhaps the pendulum has swung too far in favour of "political correctness" and this European Bill of Human Rights which is nothing more than a charter for unscrupulous lawyers to print money and screw the system.
Slightly on the same lines, this latest radio advert looking for people who have suffered from food poisoning, etc while on holiday abroad so that the company can claim (no doubt at a high percentage to them) compensation.   I switch it off when it comes on the  car radio as I see no reason why we need someone with an American accent to tell us who we can sue !!!)    Mind you, the PPI adverts with the "weegie" claimants is just as bad.

Calming down briefly,  while we have had a brief mild spell I have been out and about on the Steed of Steel,  even managed a short run along with RGB on the Time Machine, first ride out together for a few years believe it or not.    Now needing a few more runs under the belt to build up confidence again and get ready for a trip to Durham next month to meet up with former cadets who I worked with in 1963 - 1966.

Getting psyched up for the Edinburgh and South East Scotland Licensed Trade Association (ESESALTA) Gentleman's Dinner, in the Original Hotel, Roslin, on Sunday.