On a roll now, no not having a roll, just busy composing and catching up.

Sun still shining, yes, and half time at  BT Murrayfield.

RGB just called from the Mercat Bar and Grill, where, surprisingly  things are still ticking along  despite this being a traditionally quiet period in the licensed trade as everyone pulls in their belts after x-mas.     Maybe worth saying that the Mercat Grill was exceptionally busy over the festive period, fully booked in August 2016 for X mas day, and believe or or not a booking in already for this coming X mas day !!!   Not only did Santa arrive to treat the customers,  but as the Grill is "dog friendly" there was a special event for for our four legged friends and their  owners to which "Santa Paws" arrived.   These doggie events are proving to be very popular with the result that the Mercat has been donating sums of money to the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, Seafield, Edinburgh,  who are currently still trying to find homes for around one hundred "orphaned" or abandoned pets.

I suppose, following on that theme, I have been watching an excellent programme on the TV each evening about the work being done in the monkey sanctuary , Monkey World, in Dorset, the largest centre of its type in the World.     Really amazing to see the rapport the staff have developed with these intelligent creatures since the Centre opened about twenty years ago,    The monkeys are real personalities and the programme is a must for any animal lover, and it might be worth one of the coach companies, like Glenton's travel, or David Urquhart Travel to consider including it on one of their southern runs.
Following up on that link,  Mrs B. and Annie have already booked their tickets to go to the Chelsea Flower Show.

Scotland 21 - Ireland 15 as the game tightens up,  the new scoring system looks good, with extra points being awarded for four tries.

Need to back pedal a bit and comment on our national Bard, Robert Burns @ Rabbie, whose birthday was celebrated on the 25th January .   There was a Burn's themed wine night at the Mercat last Saturday, where the traditional burns meal of  Cock a leekie soup, haggis, neeps and tatties, cranachan, and a cheese board were complimented with a selection of excellent wines. Have to say, that the meal was superb which proves that there is more than one way to serve up and present this traditional meal.   Meal was well attended and guests were also able to take part in a Burns quiz which Tony the tyreman organised,  the winners received "bags of kudos"!!!!!

Couple more wine nights already scheduled and news to follow.

On the wine theme, we are already organised for a trip to the Rioja region of Spain in April along with other members of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland Area Licensed Trade Association.  Flights, coach, hotels and several visits to bodegas all set to go.

Oh my goodness,   Scotland 20 -  Ireland 22.