Trying hard

Bit of a pantomine, have been trying to set up a new scanner which is playing silly buggers and doing my head in. All I want to do is press a button and copy what I have on the scanner - but is that too simple these days.

Anyway, made it to Dalkeith last night, good evening but long, and as i left phone went with Graham wanting a lift home. That was fine apart from the thick fog .

Eventually got home and he went mental when he saw hiw clean his room was and also the fact that his bed had been moved. He apparantly likes it against the wall , that way he does not have to think about what side he is going to get in !! and there is only one side to fall out of!!

Had a bad night with leg cramps and was knackered this morning, but still made it into town for 10 a.m., then home to collect Ann and off to Costco where I bought some more electrical "toys" for me to play with. My "Dyson" died yesterday so I have had to call out an engineer - I really did think those things had a lifetime guarantee.

Robbie was working well today, he had to clean up the pub as Chick is not well, and he and Caitlin have enough to do to get the flat ready for vacating on Friday. Not sure yet how we will cope when they leave - no question at all that they will be much missed.
My biggest concern is that they will fall in to bad company when the get back to Oz and meet up with some of the decendents of those we shipped out many years ago - i.e. his Dad

I see we had another young footpall player (aged 29) die on Tuesday night, I saw the Police and ambulances on the all weather pitch at Penicuik when I came home, and on Wednesday, Donald the Coca Cola rep came into the pub and was talking about it - as the lad was his nephew. He was generally very fit but had been complaining of flu type symptoms.

I have been despatched to the attick to work up here as Ann has two friends in for dinner - at least she is feeling brighter tonight than she has been all day.

Big Karen was on the phone, improving, but slowly so we wish her well.

Sandra was on the phone, as was the UNISON man and her new boss - so that's good news.

Sleepless night

Lovely morning , but dammed cold, and has been all night as I learned at 3 a.m. after receiving a text from Graham who was stuck in Newark airport which was being hit by a snow storm.

On the other hand, Edwardo, had just sent a mail saying he was sitting in 35c sunshine in South America drinking beer at 80p a pint and having steak dinners with wine at £3 a head.

Our fellow diners yesterday at Livingston appreciated the meal at "The Almond Bank" and although the starling was enjoying the salad the blue tip was just browsing the menu.

Made it the the Forresters R.A. last night along with the usual "gang of 10", several being roped in to fill vacant offices, including myself. Tonight should be more relaxed as the Esk 42 team will be on form before they head to France next week.

Return of the "Sparky"

Mr. Chilled out returned today, having had everyone worried that he was missing in action in Cuba - or worse still had fallen off his bicycle. Anyway, he is back safe and sound and looked bronzed and doubtless raring to cause more chaos and mayhem amongst the gas board customers. Seems that he had a wonderful time, drinking beer, trying to salsa and saved a fortune by bringing his postcards home with him.

Once again the weather was superb so it was a wee quick run to Livingston and then into PC World to get a new scanner for my computer as the old one was fitted with one of those "self destruct chips" which pack in about five days after the warranty expires. I could not even take it back to Costco as they do not have any flat beds on stock any more, you need to get these multi function units.

Back home and out to tidy a bit more of the garden while the sun shone.

Now off to Tranent to yet another RA meeting, with a choice of two more tomorrow night.

Little Princess is now homeless as the electricians are wiring her (mothers bed up to the mains) or rewiring the house so the family were decanted during the process.

Upside down boys were a bit late

The upside down boys arrived a bit late at the pub this morning as Robbie had slept in, or had gone back to sleep again. But a fine duo they were, anyway with it being misty in Musselburgh they did not have the benefit of this fine sundial which was high up on a building in Peebles .

It was facinating just wandering along the street haveing a really good look at the buildings, etc. Two signs / plaques I spotted, one for John Buchan the author, who used to frequent his sister's house in the High Street, and the other was for the site of the building Mungo Park, the explorer originally used as a pharmacy in the late 1800's, now a specialist cheese shop. There are lots of other little gems around the town, but to be saved for another day.

Contrasting weather

Quite a contrast in the weather today, between Penicuik, Musselburgh and Peebles.

When I got up it was still -2c and everything was frozen. The sun came up and I left for The Sportsmans and ran from bright sunlight into thick mist so on the new road at Dalkeith I took this picture of the pylon which was quite eerie.

At Musselburgh, Chick was in good fettle and I was joined a short time later by Robbie and Ian @ Cookie.

Headed home, out of the mist and back into the sun, so I decided to take Ann for a run to Peebles , leaving Penicuik at +2c and finding Peebles at +11c. Folks were revelling in the sunshine - ice creams and one lady (not quite visible in the picure) sitting in the garden.

We met several friends who we had not seen for ages and caught up with news, i.e. Peter Rennie and David Henderson. It was a coincidence as Peter is now working for an ex client of mine and only a few days ago was given some old paperwork to read and came across my name.

Eventually headed home where I heard from Robbie that one of our oldest customers had got his dander up and wanted to take a young bloke outside to sort him out - apparantly hilarious.

Hear that Hannah has had a very bad cut to her hand and has severed tendons which required surgery - hope she is recovering OK.

Still no word from UNISON, so that will need to be chased up again.

Rob's Day out, the aftermath, and

Sunday, and now putting together a picture of a boys day out !! just from gossip.

The troops headed to Edinburgh for 1 p.m. where they met, and remained in the Elm Bar for a few hours, much to the horror of the locals who had never experienced the like of Cod in their midst. as stated yesterday, Chich did not like looking at the traffic outside so he left and headed home to Musselburgh .

The boys then headed up to the Omni Centre to Lloys, but I think were short of Cod who eventually phoned for Michelle to get him a taxi back to Muss. In the Omni Centre they were constantly watched by the security chappies and moved up to the Walkabout Bar where they were eventually ejected.

The group statred to break up with Peas, Jess and Ian heading home, whilst others went on to the Standing Order, again they were ejected and the group split once again with Brian and Sammy heding back leaving Rob , Cookie, Kenny and Kevin ( I think) to move on.

Back in muss. the Sportmnans was deserted as the boys had gone to the Burgh, and Brian on his return to the chip shop. He then took over as the drunken chip eater, by falling to the gound on the pavement and eating chips where he lay till his wife came for him in the car and with help bundled him in , - but as he could not get out he was left to sleep overnight in the car.

In the meantime, Cod took a "turrivie", fell out with Michelle and set off for Haddington on his own - eventually making it home but he does not know how.

Kevin arrived back, concerned that he had lost Robbie and Cookie - and Robbie was disappointed that the boys could not stand the pace. Kenny also returned on his own.

In the meantime, I was having quiet time, however a couple of incidents, namly hanbags at ten paces was about to kick off with, in the first instance, me in the middle thinking I was going to get a slapping - however i subsequently calmed that one down and flung one eejit out the side door only to see him an hour later return to again be confronted by his adversary, but that did not come to anything.
Chich took his coat off nearly clearing a corner of the bar !! but i was able to get him clothed and as he was feeling unwell - possibly due to the half gallon of vodka he had consumed he was sent home to sleep it off.

But later, as the place was filling up, Kenny apparantly decided to speak out of turn to the wrong man who took offence and as Kenny seemingly was not prepared to have a square go he received a serious "slapping" with me again having to pour oil on troubled waters.

So much for my bus pass bringing peace and tranquility into my life.

One of the punters said it was the best night he had had for ages, really enjoyed himself, but he had taken off his hearing aid so he could not hear the singers !!

Fortunately the night calmed down, and we were able to get closed on time and home to out beds without further incident.

A.M. Sunday, bright and mild but that changed as the cold mist rolled in .

Again Mrs. B. and I set off to look at new furniture - just for a run out, but after two shops - nothing to take our fancy we bought some extra foodstuffs at anew Sainsburies and headed home so that I could watch the rugby (England v Italy) and relax. Which is just what I have done since then.

Robbie and Caitlin ( the upside down people) are out for a meal tonight with G. Allan Snr as part of their farewell build up.