??? IS THIS SNP INDOCTRINATION

 Interesting to read today about the latest project by the SNP,  their own College where you can sign up for a variety of courses which will teach you all about the history and policies of the SNP.   Just wonderful, we criticise and jail the Muslim radicals for indoctrinating folks into their beliefs and here it is happening on our doorstep.  We have Ms Forbes, our Finance Minister who wants to have conclaves of Gaelic speakers set up around the country  but who cannot explain where the £8 Billion which came north from the UK treasury have gone,  perhaps into the SNP war chest, certainly not to the people and businesses presently on the verge of collapse.    Not much in the media recently about the SNP backed "Hate Bill", which if approved will totally restrict free speech in Scotland and make any comments, even in private company, liable for prosecution.  Kind of reminds me of George Orwell's book, 1984  when he foresaw all these policies.  Just take a look at Googlebox,   CCTV systems, satellite surveillance, phone tapping etc.  

Kind of makes me wonder what what would have happened if this Covid virus had not leaked from the Wuhan  Virology laboratory.  Prior to this Ms Sturgeon had been hosting Chinese diplomats to Scotland, perhaps, seeking loans from the Chinese government who already have about a third of the World in debt to them.       Are our SNP proposed themes on indoctrination and social control not looking very similar to to those of China ?

Currently the Scottish Police Federation are taking Police Scotland to court as they are attempting to restrict the freedom of speech of police Officers who may voice their personal opinions on social media. However, the Police are supposed to be totally independent of the Government so I am sure Nicola and her henchmen are not trying to influence or control the Police. 

You never heard this from me,  but lots more businesses are going to go down the swanny , and this lock down will still be in force all summer and well into the Autumn.

50th Wedding anniversary, different this year

 I appreciate that times are difficult and have been for the past year. August 2020 we had planned on a cruise  to celebrate our 50th (Golden) wedding anniversary, however, with Covid restrictions this was out the question so we decided on a trip to Colymbridge for a long weekend stay.   We headed north, along with RGB and Lily the labrador as company.  We were booked into the Brittania Hotel, which had previously been a Hilton, now a bit worn  but even so a bed for the night, staff were friendly and place was warm,  and busy.  Despite the Covid restrictions we were well enough looked after, and went into Aviemore on an evening for a meal. 

On our Anniversary it transpired that RGB had booked us on a trip on the Strathspey Steam Train, complete with meal and bubbly, but as an even bigger surprise, our friends Ann and Brenda arrived at the hotel an hour before our trip and were also booked for the train.

The train was quiet so we were allowed to take Lily with us, and it headed for Broomhill  via Boat of Garten (stopped there).   Just a pity the weather was a bit wet, however we really did enjoy the trip.

At one point we passed a stock yard where the railway enthusiasts had an assortment of carriages, track, etc, for use in the future.  I recently learned that when the Edinburgh South Suburban Railway closed for passengers in 1962, and areas of sidings were lifted that 10,000 yards of track were donated to this railway group.

FAKE NEWS EEJITS - QUAD BIKE THEFTS.

 In this day and age when allegations of fake news regularly hits the headlines, it is hard to believe that there are thousands who are still totally convinced that the world wide Covid pandemic is all a giant con, but for what reason ?   One of the UK's leading doubting thomas's  is Piers Corbyn, crackpot brother of Jeremy Corbyn, former Labour Party leader.  How on earth can these folks believe that the countless hours of TV, and miles of news print dedicated to Covid are false. There is a city of  two million people in South America where the virus is out of control and authorities just cannot cope. We have India where they are embarking on an effort to vaccinate one hundred million people, WHY, when and if there is no reason to do so?

Having said all the above, it does not help matters when the TV news showed scenes of a totally normal life in Guernsey, who operated a strict lock down and strong control on travel.  I just felt it did not do us any favours.

In the USA the FBI and law enforcement agencies are now slowly (very slowly) making arrests in connection with the invasion of the Capitol Building,  however, an awful job when the media are identifying people who were involved and knocking doors trying to trace and interview them before the police do.

In case you have not noticed, travel is forbidden except for essential reasons, and somewhere along the line and in the small print, I have yet to see THEFT and CRIME as valid reasons.  In the past weeks there have been a number of thefts of quad bikes and motor cycles in the East and Midlothian areas, mainly from farms and repair shops. The most recent being two quad bikes fitted with snow tracks from a farm near Heriot. In all these cases the culprits must have had other vehicles to hand.  Perhaps we need to do what the French did, and have an 8pm curfew.

Not that I am particularly keen on copying the French at the moment , whose officials are being kind of petty and childish since the Brexit break took place.   An alternative description would be to say they are "playing silly buggers", so hopefully things will turn to bite their bum !!!

1775 WhiskyPassport.com

Just a quickie to say that Graham, Neil, and Gregor will be hosting the above whisky tasting tonight at 8.30 pm 

Mercedes F1 - and BLM , Lee Child and a jolly in the sun.

 I finished yesterday with a comment about Lewis Hamilton,   however today I read another item about the Mercedes racing team and how they have changed the colour of their car from silver to black in recognition of the BLM . Seems to me that the Germans have forgotten the Olympics where Jesse Owen won several Gold Medals and was treated like muck by the the then racist government of Adolf Hitler. As far as I am concerned ALM,  (all lives matter) and at the moment BLM is still very much associated with violence, demonstrations and out and out lawlessness in the USA.      BUT, having said that,  following last weeks rioting and demonstrations at the Capitol Building in Washington DC, there appear to be an awful lot of white faces appearing on TV as having been involved. Lots now wondering why they are being arrested and charged with terrorist type offences, and have the cheek to act indignant and wonder why.   Mr Chump,  now in the process of being impeached, is apparently trying to diffuse the situation,  but when his followers represent nearly half the population, there are going to be more than a handful of fanatics who will be hell bent on further violence.

I have just finished reading the latest book by Lee Child in the "Jack Reacher" series, The Sentinel.  This one is written by both Lee Child and his younger brother Andrew Child, who has written a number of other thrillers under the name of Andrew Grant.    Good enough story line, but just did not catch my attention as much as previous books in the series. 

More snow today, confined to the house as much as possible, TV programmes are generally rubbish,  but the latest suggestion from the TV producers is that they plan of showing us lots of small snippets from sunnier locations around the World in order to cheer us up !!!  obviously using local crews overseas to do the work and comply with Covid rules.  Personally,  if I cannot browse through holiday brochures  and plan for a trip to the sun without a degree of anxiety, the last thing I want is to listen to some commentator out on a jolly.    Bad enough seeing photos of so called celebrities in the newspapers who have buggered off to sunnier climes  to avoid lockdown restrictions. 

George Hood, RIP : Lily the labrador, and !

Appears to be nothing but bad news these days,  no one can ever get used to hearing about death, in view of the numbers being recorded daily due to Covid (over 5100 today).  However, alongside this we still have to deal with the death of friends who have passed for various  other causes.    Tonight I was informed that George Hood,  Chairman of the Musselburgh and Tranent Pub Watch, had died..  George has been the driving force of the Pubwatch, not only in the East lothian area, but had attended numerous meetings throughout the UK to advise on how new schemes could be started and on best working practice. He was an extremely "colourful character" who will be sadly missed.  RIP George. 

Still doggy sitting for Lily, who has been wasted tonight,  mince and tatties followed by ice cream !!!   She is resting at the moment so a bit of a toss up to see who will take her for a walk later, considering that it is now snowing.

More examples of the rip off practices by companies digging into the trough of funds being made available during this Covid pandemic.  Current uproar ivilves , so called catering firms, tarked with supplying food to prepare meals for youngsters who qualify for school dinners.  A total disgrace when you see many of the photographs of the food stuffs supplied.  It is a shame that it has taken a young footballer,  Marcus Rashford MBE, to highlight the problem.   

Pity the likes of the Prima Donna, Lewis Hamilton, could not do something similar !!   a hypocrite if ever there was.

So far we have not seen particularly many of these mega rich sporting stars digging into their off shore accounts to help out. 

ON YER BIKE, BORIS - you just cannot win.

 No blogs for a year, and despite my promises to find other items,  forgive me.    Bit of a hoo ha today because Beloved Boris was spotted out on his bike some seven miles from home!!   Might not be right for Boris but in my travels today I saw four of our lycra clad enthusiasts who, being well out in the countryside would have travelled at least ten miles on their exercise bash.    Not getting into it,  but if folks are driving ten or more miles to go for a walk, which should not be longer than one hour, it just disnae make sense.   Waiting to see what words of "wisdom"   Empress Nicola Crankie will have for wee Scots tomorrow.     She is yet another who lived by the saying  "Do as I say, not do as I do" !!!

I am more concerned about those who do not wear masks,  but at my age I am not risking a punch in the face for passing comments.  Last week a guy tried to get into Costco without a mask, caused such an uproar refusing that Police were called to deal with him,  and he lost his membership. 

We are doggy sitting once again,  Lilly the labrador, so looks like a late walk in the cold is in the offing,  had hoped that the snow had gone and temperatures were rising,  but no such luck, back to the Minus C readings on the thermometer.

  

HARD LUCK, BONNYRIGG ROSE, AND MAYBE MORE.

No snow today,  all gone here,  mild but wet and windy so not really any better for getting out and walking.

Not very often I comment about football teams and especially those who lose,  however, I did sit and watch a determined Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic, lose narrowly to Dundee on Saturday night.   What a disappointment to Bonnyrigg who were winning with only ninety seconds to go,  however Dundee slotted in an equaliser just before full time and went on to win in extra time.   Being a friend of their Manager Robbie Horn I know that he was as gutted as his team, however, he was preparing for the expected clash on Tuesday with Kelty Hearts,  BUT  I believe all leagues, other than Scottish Premier have been stopped as of today.

Going to be interesting to see how Celtic get on tonight against Hibernian FC,  having to self isolate fourteen of their first team following one of the players testing Covid positive after their return from their trip to Dubai last week. 

On Chanel 4 News tonight, a comment about Boris being seen on a bicycle allegedly seven miles from home,  perhaps it is time some of our Lycra clad brethren were checked out, some  many more miles from home.     A couple found 120 miles from home, out to photograph seals !!!  Three carloads of friends heading for wales from the south of England to go hill walking.    

The lockdown appears at times to be a real joke, sadly the majority are doing their best to make it work,  but a reckless minority just do not give a toss.  Today, a driver whose passenger tested positive and whose isolated, turned up for work as normal and his supervisors allowed him to remain!!  

There appears to have been a bit of an uproar in the USA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   Bit of an understatement to say the least.  Seems that Mr Trump Caused a riot at the Capitol Building where five people died (one a Police office murdered by a demonstrator), and now I hear that a second Police Officer has since died.  Tonight it would appear that the Senate are attempting to Impeach Trump for a second time.  Man is a maniac and should be removed from post immediately.      A few days to go before Biden takes over, and then Trump's problems will really begin.  Seems that his two top golf courses are about to lose the patronage of PGA and the USPGA.

Oh,  and finally,  Tesco were charging £5.50 for their Lurpac,  a discount of £1.50 for Tesco Club Card Holders.    Seems strange how the price yo yo,s so much when Costco can keep it around the same price of  £5.49 / £5.70 for weeks on end. 

SWEDISH BARREL KNIFE AND MY OLD SCOUT KNIFE

During the current lockdown I was having a rummage about the house and found these two knives tucked away in a box. 

Having started to clean them up I checked out the markings on the Swedish Barrel knife and found that it had been made by John Engstrom and dated 1874, although he did manufacture into the early 1900's.  It would appear that these little knives are quite collectable, not that I have any intention of selling it at the moment .

This knife, which I had attached to my Scout belt and had always thought as being from the Scout shop, turns out to be an ex army issue but dated 1949.  These knives were produced in their thousands, in Britain,  but appear to have been sold to different countries throughout the World. I have another, with different markings,  but have also seen one which was issued to the Italian Navy,   currently worth around £70. 

 

INTERNATIONAL POLICE ASSOCIATION, THIN BLUE LINE AND FRIENDSHIP TOKENS

The Thin Blue Line  badge is being worn by a great number of serving Police Officers as it is in honour of  Police Officers who have died in the line of duty,   the badge shown has been produced by the International Police Association, and may also be worn.   Quite sad that earlier in the year, one of Glasgow City's "elected  councillors" wrote to the Chief Constable demanding that Police Officers remove these badges from their uniform as they did not conform with the Police Scotland Uniform Regulations  !!!!,  what a load of rubbish.    Just so happened to be a couple of days before the hostage incident where the bloke killed the other in the hotel for immigrants,   hope the Councillor wrote and supported the Officers who attended.

There are Friendship Tokens, which you can give to close friends as gifts, started off in the military I think as Regimental tokens,   very nice and an unusual gift.   I am sure there are now collectors of such tokens.   This token and the badge were obviously produced for the 70th Anniversary of the IPA which has a massive membership Worldwide. 

 

Sunshine, bloody chilly, and in lockdown

 It has been a stunning day here, bright sunshine, although the temperature never rose above 0 C,  in the garden it was about -8C,     Despite this, and in view of the current lockdown rules, I did wrap up warm and take a walk round the park and playing fields opposite the house. (Bit nicer than yesterday)

Despite the inconveniences of the Lockdown, being sensible, do we really have an option is we want to remain safe and protect our own lives and those of our friends and family.   Living where I am makes life easier, both now and especially last year during the warm weather when city dwellers really suffered.  So, despite everything, I  may grumble a bit,  however I can have a bigger gripe about the many shortcomings of other aspects of life by our beloved leader  (Empress Nicola)and her henchmen / women within he current Scottish Government.

My biggest concern, following phone calls with several elderly friends today, is the effect the lockdown is having on people living on their own.  Telephone conversations are one thing,  but personal contact really is essential.  One other,  his wife is in lock down in a Care Home, in an area with no Covid, however he will not be allowed to see her at all until such time as the restrictions are lifted,  just cruelty in mind,  there must be away round this somehow.    

THE MERCAT PEN - AS DONATED TO NHS

 Thought I would pop this photo in, just in case someone now in possession wonders what the story is. 

Possibly about two and a half years ago, prior to being admitted for a big operation I wondered what to do for the nursing staff, other than buying cakes and sweeties.     So a couple of phone calls and I had ordered a couple of hundred of the mini torch pens which were distributed and really well accepted.  Since then, between myself,  the LAird o Cockpen RA Chapter and the mither Shed of the Corporation of Squaremen I have bought another 1200 pens which have been distributed to hospitals throughout the Lothians and Falkirk.     I managed to dish out the last few on a surprise visit to the A&E,  ERI , when some of the staff were seen to be using pens from earlier visits.     Time to order a new batch.  

FREEZING FOG, SUNSHINE and FORTY SEVEN FRACTURES !!!

 Under normal circumstances,  with the eco system which usually haunts Penicuik, I would suspect that we would be under several inches of snow by now.  However, for some strange reason this year,  to date we have had things pretty chilly down as low as Minus 6 C but very little snow ( although the DJ on Radio Forth 2 has just given a warning of snow for tonight).    Pavements have been horrendous with black ice, and Midlothian Council, along with most other Scottish Councils have inundated with calls to fill up Grit Bins.    Sadly we still have the opportunist thieves who are cruising the area and stealing salt from filled bins and probably charging folks to salt their paths!!!

Top photo was taken at 2 pm today in Penicuik when it was Minus 1 C,   a short time earlier the second photograph was taken of Edinburgh Castle, from Keir Street, when it was a balmy 3C in the sunshine.

Even in the sunshine great care was needed as the pavements were still very dangerous with black ice.  We spoke to a lady this morning whose sister had been taken to A&E at the ERI with a broken leg following a fall,  she was number FORTY SEVEN in the queue to have treatment.     The answer, same as with Covid is to stay at home unless you really must go out, GIVE THE NHS A BREAK PLEASE

1775 WHISKEY PASSPORT TASTING GROUP

 Thought I should mention the above whiskey tasting group which has been running,  out of the Mercat Bar and Grill, Whitecraig, East Lothian , for several months now.   The Group, run by Graham Blaikie, Neil Forbes and their technical guy, Gregorz Wozuy has been screening live whiskey tasting up to three times a month at 8.30 pm on the relevant Friday night.    Website " https://1775whiskeypassport.com"  gives access and once into the site the live talks are both informative and amusing.  I have no idea how Neil manages to detect the many aromas hidden in the selected whiskies.   For those who wish, you can purchase the whiskies to be tasted, in advance, so you can join in and see if your taste buds match up to Neil's.   For the really keen there is now the opportunity to take out a membership which has various member benefits, including interactive Zoom meetings. 

When the opportunity arises I will start and add some whiskey photos.

COVID MAKES A DIFFERENCE, WHAT A BLOODY YEAR

Well,  exactly a year to the day since my last Blog,  no real explanation, by either myself or the various medical professionals I have seen during this period.    Would be nice to have a reason, perhaps it is ME, or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, or maybe even Long Covid,  the symptoms are all similar.   First two might account as to why I was unwell in June 2019,  but if it is the third than I must have contacted Covid earlier than was publically known.     However, suffice to say that for me, just as for other thousands of others, would be correct to say that 2020 has been a bummer of a year.  BUT, looking on the bright side, I am still alive and not an unfortunate statistic of this dreadful COVID pandemic.  

What is strange is that after a year, NO ONE is accepting responsibility for the event,   the Chinese Government is still standing by its cock and bull story that the disease was caused by bats droppings getting into the food chain,  however, another line of thought being that chemist in a bio tech laboratory in Wuhan allowed a research sample to leak !!   Allegedly, the WHO  World Health Organisation, is going to China to visit this laboratory on a fact finding mission,  BUT just what kind of cover up is taking place in the meantime remains to be seen.

There are many hero's in this story, primarily the incredible members of our National Health Service,  those very folks I was praising in the previous post of exactly a year ago.    They, like front line troops have suffered terrible losses through their dedication, and also due to the tremendous stupidity of thousands throughout the world who chose to ignore the advice of the medical experts.   As they say "you reap what you sow".