Kept on the hop

Since my early morning travels I have been on the hop all day - between visits to the "skip", Costco , Bookers, The Mercat and John Lewis Store.
Must say that George at Costco in the opticians section was very helpful as was Norman in the furnishing section of John Lewis Store, nice to be nice as they say - but then I would not know , would I ?

The Mercat was quite busy with Jamie doing well in the kitchen along with Shaun who leaves us on Saturday for pastures new.
Kerrin called to say that Uncle Chick was ill, having hurt his back yesterday simply by twisting the wrong way. I was there at the time and despite a liberal dose of Vodka, taken internally, it was obviously not enough to cure it. So Kerrin had to clean up after a busy night last night and do a bit of fancy footwork to get up and running on time.
She had a visit from Mikey who apologised for the delay in settling his account, thanked me for my patience !! and has announced that he has an impending move - we wish you well in your new post.

Grant @ Photogenix is so clever, he is going to some fancy transferring fo photos for me, so that I can give "Peas" a copy of the puppy photo as a screen saver - he says it is simple, I think it is very complicated.

Took a couple of photos from the roof car park of John Lewis store, eight floors up, looking over the Firth of Forth, but they were really not that good. Ann nearly died off when I said I was feeling ill and that she would have to drive the van back down to the street - the exit is like a giant helter skelter, and you have the steering part turned for the whole decent !! However I was only joking.

Tricky Ricky @ Pirate of the Road, had a nightmare trip to Glasgow leaving at 5 a.m. in his taxi with a totally knackered differential, he could only drive at 30 m.p.h., motor was grinding like nothing on earth so lots of lorry drivers failed to find his presence amusing !! BUT it is now fixed and he can cruise along at nearly 40 mph.
Time to get the feet up I think, and most certainly an early bed.

The latest technocrat

have been up since 4.40 a.m., and now waiting to take Graham to the airport for his flight to the USA. He is away to a wedding in Jacksonville.

The new photo was taken at the RA installation on Saturday . Man on the right is Ian Charles Gordon of Essollmont who is No.1 of the RA ( Scottish) worldwide - my boss, and in the Centre id "The King" - No 1 of the Irish Constitution worldwide, olong with Charles's wife.

The "King" was recently at a function in Ireland he upstaged the Irish Premier - Mary ???? who commented on his title.

Anyway, our latest "blogger" is "South African" Rob from the pub, one of the regulars and who was on the photo a couple of weeks ago with Ian and Danny. He managed to get on line during his regular "web" visits at the library and now knows what the others are talking about.

Gregory Karabin , popped up this morning, all the way from Westchester, USA, - with news of the family, etc.

The "Chaps" were in good form yesterday including "Mr Talk about anything to open spaces" (two visits just to keep me on my toes) and several stayed on for a "wee session" last night which helped keep young Tommy occupied during his shift.

I scooted home, was fed, watered and made it to Currie to join a Provincial Deputation to the R.A. , Thre were only a few members, nice Degree, spoiled by loud music coming from another part of the building where a band were practicing, something which has never happened before.

I listened to the radio on the way home to hear Ragers just managing a draw with Partick Thistle, poor show from the "Gers" who were lucky that Boyd got the equaliser, and well done the "Jags" who have managed a replay.

I hear that Hannah has made it back to work after the bad accident she had to her hand - good.

Now about to head off.

Bright frosty morning

Now, Wednesday and I am struggling to remember what happened on Tuesday. The early rise sort of knocked me off a bit. Came down to the pub at 7.45 to clean the beer lines which took ages as one of the systems was playing up, anyway got the job done and some tidying up. Had someone to talk to all day which helps time pass, including my regular who talks to himself about everyone present - which can get a bit exciting at times. He has been asked to leave previously on health and safety grounds, (my health and his safety).
A few comments made about the inevitable price rise after the recent Budget - but 5 p is better than 10 p as it could have been - now I will need lots of fiddly change. No Brian as he was on stand by, but Big George, Jess, Keith and Jimmy all kept me company till Kerrin arrived. She had a busy night with the football crowd while in the meantime I was home changed and away in 40 minutes, off with Sparky mark to 720 Bonnyrigg. Once again there was a good crowd for Alex, plenty bums on seats, and his Degree team were excellent. I even managed to get the place turned round for my meeting next week which will save a lot of hassle on Sunday as we will be busy due to a Race day and karaoke.

Had a wee blether to Jock Watson who will celebrate his 50th wedding anniversary on Friday - well done to Ann for putting up with him.
Sparky leaves on Sunday for a two week trip to Peru, not sure what chaos he will cause on the Inca trail.


E mail from Rob and Caitlin this morning who are well, job hunting and away for the weekend to some sunny beach, unlike some who have to remain at home and work. Which reminds me !!! I must

Different frame of mind

Not sure which way these two pictures will come out. One of the Scott Monument was taken from our bus, looking across the top of waverly Station and showing the open topped tour buses. the other is of a demonstration which took place on Saturday in the Tron Square against the Scientology Cult who have an office in South Bridge, Edinburgh, it seemed to be peaceful and all the demonstrators were colourful and dressed up.

What a terrible night

Hardly slept a wink and was getting totally would up with the hassles of quitting the pub and the behaviour of several folks, hence the early rise - although I have already spent the last hour doing letters, etc.

Anyway I have written to the "Publican" magazine regarding PHS and their antics and am tempted to carry out my threat of removing their driers and boxes and putting them out on the street.

PRS (Performing Rights Society) who also want their bit of the pie, have been notified of our plans to change, but once again their in house departments do not talk to one and other - so the letters just keep on coming, for me to bat back.

TV Lee let us down big time by failing to fulfill his contract - we bought kit on his say so and it has sat uninstalled for seven weeks because he is too busy.

Still cannot get my head round the attitude of Mikey and Lennie ( my deptors), but as stated watch this space. I see that the HBOS shares have fallen due to the Wall Street carry on, perhaps Mikey will use this as this weeks excuse.

Enough - I will move on to a new blog with a couple of photos.

Cheekie chappies

Tom start with the photo, it is one of the Chinese "illegals" who come into the pub trying to sell DVD's , porn, etc. and you do not always get what you think. Some time ago one the blokes bought "porn" and it turned out to be a poor copy of Snow White. Anyway I chase the blighters and when possible take their photo. In this picture neither Stuart or Gary were intersted.

Lovely day today so for a change I took the mount of steel ( m/cycle) as I had to head into the town first so the bike was great for getting through the traffic, and these dammed roadworks without workers are just getting beyond a joke.
Kept going in the pub with my morning and lunch regulars, including a relaltively new face who just will not stop talking, and who gets louder ever few minutes. Today after eight double rums i had had enough, everyone was under the spotlight and he would not "shoosh" - so for Health and safety reasons, my health and his personal safety, I had him take a hike.
Pub next door, they were fighting with baseball bats on Saturday and someone was tumblered in the face\. The Burgh fared even worse with fights on both Sat and Sunday. Our man next door seems to have a good stock - NOT- placing his weekly order for two kegs of beer with the brewery !!!!!! No wonder they are pinching our toilet rolls.

My ongoing feud with PHS continues - for a national Company suppling washroom equipment and services they have very poor customers relations and some iffy tactics. They were sending out final demands with "Certificates" which we did not need and trying to charge £52 a go - so they must have billed all their clients with same pro forma letter - good try if they can get away with it. In any case they letter they sent me had the wrong information on it, so the saga will continue.

Brian managed to get the TV out the box, obviously with the assistance of Janet and the dog ( Glen) and it is now up and running.
Davy the Bookie was back again and telling us that the hole he fell into was filled in the next day before he could get a photo of it and take action. He has a cracker of a scar, looks like a villain in a James Bond film.
Big George did not get to work today as COD failed to appear and had all the tools in the motor - I thought George would have shaped a nice wooden trowel and got on with it, but he needs his labourer to help.
Kerrin called off sick so i had to stay on until Elaine appeared - but she like others all have mobile phones which they leave at home, are switched off, or they keep changing the numbers as they lose them - which is like Chick who has lost yet another cashline card, simply by forgetting to take it out the machine after a withdrawel - too much vodka.

I had a good day today, could go on for ages, but will halt as I want to see the TV shortly. Watch this space ( you to Robbie as I see you peeking into the system from down under)

Technical hitches

So much for under age drinking!!! This one we will tolerate, named Kia, which is the name of a warrior I believe.

Have had to resort to the upstairs PC tonight as the lap top is being used elsewhere , but I had problems getting logged on through the modem and then onto this site.

I was ever so rough this morning and even with a long lie could fine well have done with staying at home - but duty called and it was off to Musselburgh to aide the lovely Michelle who was working her last shift for us.

Place was steady with a wee crowd turning oput to watch Rangers v Dundee in the final of the CIS cup - all nail biting right up to the final penalty kick of the shoot out , with Rangers winning.

Brian was in good fettle, but rather upset as could not get his new massive TV out the box!!!" so obviously there were many suggestions as to what he should do, from cutting a hole in the side and watching it in the box, let Glen the dog have a go !! or just leave it to the kids to sort it - in reality the thing is so big it needs two people to move it about and with Janet on night shift he has to wait.
Sami and co were in their usual high spirits and managed to get Chick all wound up so there was the usual shouting match as he lost the plot with them and stormed off to the bookies.
Davie the bookie looks like he has been doing headers with a brick, great big scar on his napper as a result of a trip and fall when heading home on Friday night - not that the beer he had consumed had anything to do with his loss of balance.

Last night seems to have been quite exciting in our adjacent pub with baseball bats being used at ten paces - end result yet another call to the Police. Things are so bad next door that one of the girls was sent through to steal toilet rolls from us!! and today it was the usual request for change, etc. - rejected, as previously stated we are not a bank - but with Mike and Lennie now avoiding me, I am getting rather upset. Looks like Mike's branch manager will be getting a visit soon.
Police were also called to The Burgh, where there was also trouble.

OK - that will need to be enough for tonight.