Bike wise, some motorists certainly are not, big time.

Despite all the publicity advising motorists to "Think Bikers"  my friend and his wife were victims of an eejit who pulled out of a garage forecourt just as they were approaching, the bike hit the side of the car and both were catapulted over the roof of the car  and down to earth with a hellish bump !!  Understatement,  Lenny has a fractured pelvis and is in hospital in Glasgow while his wife fortunately received only bumps and bruises.  So for a couple in their 70's they have been remarkably lucky, now for the long haul to recover  for Lennie, who is currently a long way from home but is getting a lot of support from the hiking fraternity including the Blue Knights and the Scottish Motorcycle Touring Group (IPA).

For me,  the Steed of Steel is back home, but being a bit under the weather had to give it a pass this last. Few days , however, all being well will be out in the morning.

Next,  a bit of a boycott taking place in Penicuik as Lidl, who own their car park, which is used by many of the patients from the adjacent Penicuik Health Centre, have introduced a parking ticket system, which if not used will mean that you automatically get a parking "invoice " from the English form who operate the system.  This means that if you are in the Doctors and run over the time you get a ticket, and even if you do not run over time you have to go into Lidl and make a purchase in order to cancel your parking ticket!!!  And Lidl, operating with fewer staff , can mean you have to stand in their queues.    It appears that may have been introduced after one of their senior staff came to visit and could not get a parking space !!   It also highlights the lack of off street parking in Penicuik which has been turned into a Park and Ride by folks from the outlying areas who utilise the excellent bus service into Edinburgh.

Had a visit from one of my Masonic  friends who came down on the train from Pitlochry on Monday to meet for lunch and a blether,  very nice to see him, so next time I have to head up there, perhaps on the Steed of Steel.

Great excitement, as Lilly the Labrador  is coming to stay for the weekend !

Trial by media!!  Time they got their act together - just watching the news and listening to the reporters speculating about major crimes, commenting on the fact that the police are not giving out information about crimes,   Why should they when it could be detrimental to a future trial?    And also a disgrace that two thugs from Glasgow who ran over two police officers and were charged with attempted murder,  however , one hours debate and the jury returned the Scottish "Not Proven" verdict - smooth talking lawyer or intimidation !!!!