A few birds and a wee dog, self explanatory

Edinburgh, Bike theft capitol, what a reputation

Title speaks for itself, Edinburgh is now getting so much adverse publicity about the escalating numbers of motor cycle thefts taking place.  Reached the point that  many motor cycle tourists are being advised to avoid Edinburgh as some bikes are being stolen within hours of them arriving in town. Not content with taking the bikes, joyriding and then abandoning them, they are being ridden recklessly, by lunatics who have a total disrespect for not only the law but for the safety of others and quite happy to see someones pride and joy destroyed and a holiday wasted.  Hate to say it,  but sadly the Police are finding their hands tied at every turn and there is little or nothing which can be done with juvenile offenders,  time to take the parents to task, or bring back the birch.

Even in the rural areas similar events are occurring daily and today a farmer out at Mount Lothian by Penicuik had his "tatty quad bike" stolen.  Working tools for these men, not toys, downside here is that two collie dogs will have to walk to work!!

Saw an item on Facebook where the immigrant thieves in Paris  were targeting moving coaches in the city, pulling open side lockers and dragging cases out, under the noses of the passengers above.  The EU countries who agreed to accept the immigrants are certainly paying a high price and I am sure we will soon be ruing the day we did so.    This country is becoming so Politically Correct it is no wonder that the crime rate is escalating out of control. 

Despite the rain, and not being a fair weather biker I had a wee run down to Duns today to see Andy at Border Bikes.  As I had to go via the Grill I went down the A1 which was very busy northbound with holiday traffic, many of the "tortoise people" (caravans) on the move.  Good for our economy,  but kind of frustrating when you get in a long tail back.

More boats and a couple of Russian cars, or cars in Russia.

Couple of days ago I mentioned a patrol boat and scuba divers in St Petersburgh Harbour,  this was the bigger boat attached to the unit and you can see the small boat used by the divers tied up to the stern.

 Different part of the trip, i think near Oslo this fast boat circled the MV Balmoral several times, nice day out for the tourists.

 Rather flash Mercedes parked outside one of the posher looking hotels in St Petersburgh, we did not pop in for a quick vodka,  in fact no Russian vodka consumed at all.

 On the other hand, a classic Russian car parked outside the restaurant we stopped at on our coach trip along the Gulf of Finland.   Certainly well photographed by all,  just a shame i cannot remember the make, but I am sure someone out there will recognise it.

Politics for me are a real turn off. Parasites all of them

Those who know me will be aware that I find politics a real turn off.  As far as I am concerned I vote for a candidate and expect that person to represent me as honestly as possible in  whatever House they are sitting, be it a local council, Scottish Parliament or the UK House of Commons and for the benefit of the constituents.   Recently I see and hear of politicians who appear to be on person crusades, out to benefit themselves and perfectly happy to forget about the democratic rule of law when it suits them. There are more hooks, crooks and comic singers sitting on Edinburgh and London than appear at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Mr President, Donald Trump, who I was beginning to have a wee bit time for really "blew it" with his comments in the presence of Putin about the alleged vote rigging / hacking ,  talk about back tracking, back flips and contortions!!   He and many of his contemporaries just thrive on power and the benefits it brings, and will bend the truth and the law as far as they can to retain their status.
I keep getting messages from a friend in Ireland trying to get me going about Brexit,   all I know is that there is a monumental white elephant sited in Brussels, staffed by thousands and led by hundreds of MEPS, all who are extremely well paid and some made for life financially.  What do they do, they duplicate what home parliaments do, they interfere in domestic affairs and generate rules and regulations every few minutes.    Obviously someone had a dream of heading am super state, but do we want that.  I do not.

Keil Canal and St Petersburgh Bridges

While passing through the Keil Canal we passed under this rail bridge which was really impressive, there was a running commentary from the Bridge (on the boat) with various facts about the sights we were passing. The bit I can remember about this rail bridge  was the fact that to get the correct height above the canal and and the need for a gradual gradient, this start of the gradient was four miles away. 

 St Petersburgh is a city built around several islands, with canals, bridges , and even more water and bridges wherever you turn.  This was jusr a snap shot from the coach as we passed through the city,

Low flying Chinook helicopters and high flying jets !!!

Nice afternoon today so I had a wee break from gardening chores and headed off for a run on the Steed of Steel.  Leadburn, A701 to Broughton (home of Broughton Ales) then took a left and wound my way along the side of the River Tweed past the Dawyck Botanic Gardens near Stobo, and as I passed Stobo Castle (Health Spa) I was overtaken , or near enough by a very, very low flying military Chinook helicopter. I have never seen one so close up or so low,  it was just above the tree tops and following the river.  This area seems to be very popular with low flying military types, I have also seen fighter  jets and a Hercules  "awfie near the ground",    From Stobo onto the Glasgow Road through Lyne Station, then took a back road over to Romanno Bridge, zig zagged over to West Linton and then headed for Penicuik over the Harlaw Muir Road where I came across the model aircraft club members,
I stopped and watched the lads q(not a youngster in sight) for about twenty minutes,  there were five members who had seven model planes with them. Over the years through regular use there is now a mini runway and taxi ways for the planes.  Just before I left there wee three planes in the air all doing  acrobatics, two propeller models and a small red Arrow jet,  the jet looked so realistic as it hurtled back and forth about eight feet above the runway.  Made my day.

Only adverse comment about this route were the numbers of bad potholes on the road, some really bad ones which would have wrecked any wheel ending up in them.  Borders Region seem to have made a better job of patching the road than Midlothian Council.

All three Forth Bridges, from the water.

Taken me a while to get round to a few photos from nearer home, of course the fantastic Forth Rail Bridge with the Forth Road Bridge and the newest Queensferry Crossing in the foreground.  Most certainly an impressive sight as you sail out into the North Sea from Rosyth.

No doubt an attraction to thousands who now have either Rosyth or North Queensferry as a port of call on the various cruises which visit Scotland.