Time for a break as the old bones are feeling the strain, so looking forward to the next couple of weeks having a bit of R & R,
Weather is a bit of a bind, cold , snowy and so changeable, but there is daylight once more, every day getting longer and longer so very soon not quite as SAD a person as I used to be. Council have even started switching the street lights off early to save money.
Having said that !!!! there are two squads of workies out reinstating sections of the footpaths outside Penicuik, and also near Dalkeith, I am sure they would be better off spending the money on the roads instead.
Andy Murray losing the plot a bit, and that just after being moved up into the No 4 of the world rankings. Never mind, with all the publicity around his wedding he can get a job in his own hotel near Dunblane - might even be a vacancy for a tennis coach.
In the meantime, the "mighty Jambo's" are still looking like getting promoted at the end of the season - (this comment is for Mr Inverarrity).
The Steed of Steel is still on the sick list, not yet away for repair, but hopefully will be back on the road soon - needs to be as our wee group is planning on a trip to France in June to see Mr Mac., and perhaps even get as far over as L'Isle .ur La Sorgue.
Wine lunch at the Mercat Grill tomorrow, and a race night and doggie weekend planned for the near future.
Friday, 27 February 2015
Sunday, 22 February 2015
So much for a nice few days weather
It is currently peeing down, cold and dreich, with snow forecast. Having said that I have been in Crieff for two days and this morning we awoke to snow lyig on the ground. Just ideal for the farmers who were going to tae part in a ploughing competition in Auchterarder - even had three teams of horses competing. Did not realise how competitive it is with guys shipping tractors and plougs all over the world to compete.
I was in Crieff to attend the 200th anniverary celebrations at Strathearn R A Chapter no 34 yesterday, what a super day, very interesting and we had the Supreme Fisrt Princial, Ian Fraser along with a team to carry out the rededication ceremony.
Found a couple of eating houses (hotels) for evening meals on Friday and Saturday, and even a local kebab shop for RGB's late supper.
Steed of Steel is still in doc, unable to get it started so looks like Andy Mimms will need to come up from Border Bikes and put it all back together again.
Mercat Grill has been very busy which is good news, and as usual some lovely customers both new and regulars. Even had my friend J. J. (john Johnston) in for his birthday lunch - just a young lad, a sprightly 65 and working as hard as ever.
I was in Crieff to attend the 200th anniverary celebrations at Strathearn R A Chapter no 34 yesterday, what a super day, very interesting and we had the Supreme Fisrt Princial, Ian Fraser along with a team to carry out the rededication ceremony.
Found a couple of eating houses (hotels) for evening meals on Friday and Saturday, and even a local kebab shop for RGB's late supper.
Steed of Steel is still in doc, unable to get it started so looks like Andy Mimms will need to come up from Border Bikes and put it all back together again.
Mercat Grill has been very busy which is good news, and as usual some lovely customers both new and regulars. Even had my friend J. J. (john Johnston) in for his birthday lunch - just a young lad, a sprightly 65 and working as hard as ever.
Wednesday, 11 February 2015
Getting a bit fed up of being a bit short of 100% these days.
End result, cat naps during the afternoon, and in the meantime jobs pile up.
So England won their rugby match last weekend while Scotland came second again, just have to keep trying. Just as well I had been to a meeting of the Squaremen in the Mither Shed, so the pain of disappointment was somewhat dulled !!!
Having had multiple visits over the past five years to the Hospital and all sorts of good care from the NHS I am a bit fed up of the media and politicians using it as a vote catcher - time they sorted out the drunks, druggies and time wasters who keep tipping up at A & E departments. Obviously bed blocking is a problem and everyone seems to make remarkable recoveries to get them home and free up beds - just a pity that the planners paid no head to the warnings about an ever increasing elderly population, and of course the increase of immigrants does not help, not that of tourist patients.
Only a few months ago Fishy Salmond was making a great noise about Scotland's oil revenue and what it would do for s if we got our independence; now we are being told that if that had happened we would now be bankrupt and probably have lost all our savings - which at the moment are worthless, unless we take out pensioners bonds. Mr Cameron now says that with all the money we are saving on fuel cost we should be giving staff pay rises, however as far as the Bar is concerned any savings on fuel costs are negated by the slump in sales of alcohol to customers who are driving. For a country pub, dependant on travelling customers and without food to offer, the writing is on the wall, and the supermarkets, who have no control over their customers are laughing all the way to their offshore accounts.
Took myself off to the Mining Museum at Newtongrange on Saturday where Motorrad BMW were having an open day and display of some new BMW motorcycles, sorry guys, but display area was a bit gloomy, much prefer to visit your showroom in Dalkeith - however, having said that I enjoy my trips into TWO WHEELS at Edinburgh, who have a wider choice of makes on display (for those who are not star struck on the BMW marque).
So England won their rugby match last weekend while Scotland came second again, just have to keep trying. Just as well I had been to a meeting of the Squaremen in the Mither Shed, so the pain of disappointment was somewhat dulled !!!
Having had multiple visits over the past five years to the Hospital and all sorts of good care from the NHS I am a bit fed up of the media and politicians using it as a vote catcher - time they sorted out the drunks, druggies and time wasters who keep tipping up at A & E departments. Obviously bed blocking is a problem and everyone seems to make remarkable recoveries to get them home and free up beds - just a pity that the planners paid no head to the warnings about an ever increasing elderly population, and of course the increase of immigrants does not help, not that of tourist patients.
Only a few months ago Fishy Salmond was making a great noise about Scotland's oil revenue and what it would do for s if we got our independence; now we are being told that if that had happened we would now be bankrupt and probably have lost all our savings - which at the moment are worthless, unless we take out pensioners bonds. Mr Cameron now says that with all the money we are saving on fuel cost we should be giving staff pay rises, however as far as the Bar is concerned any savings on fuel costs are negated by the slump in sales of alcohol to customers who are driving. For a country pub, dependant on travelling customers and without food to offer, the writing is on the wall, and the supermarkets, who have no control over their customers are laughing all the way to their offshore accounts.
Took myself off to the Mining Museum at Newtongrange on Saturday where Motorrad BMW were having an open day and display of some new BMW motorcycles, sorry guys, but display area was a bit gloomy, much prefer to visit your showroom in Dalkeith - however, having said that I enjoy my trips into TWO WHEELS at Edinburgh, who have a wider choice of makes on display (for those who are not star struck on the BMW marque).
Friday, 6 February 2015
Start of the six nations again, just after half time and England winning.
Must not be biased, just need to wait till full time to see who are the best team.
Dougz appeared yesterday and we managed to get the Autocom working on the Steed of Steel, only ten months after I bought it, but then found that my BMW helmet had further bits missing, been a serious "pig in the poke" that one, probably made under licence somewhere to save money. But I plan to visit the Motorrad open day at the lady Victoria mining museum tomorrow morning so I can raise it with the management of BMW.
Well done Jordan for taking the IS to task, time the whole world did likewise, but Russia seems hell bent on stirring things up in their own neck of the woods. Must watch what I say, might end up with radio active poisoning !!!
Edinburgh Council allegedly plan to spend £10 million on the roads and pavements, about time as I nearly lost the suspension on the Smart car as it disappeared down a hole in the road. Might well be the case soon that it will be much safer to use a park and ride and hope the buses can make it through the potholes. My mate Steve has just found a motorcycle trip through Nepal and I am sure the roads there will be much better than Edinburgh.
Gary Glitter now joins Rolf Harris in jail, looks like prisoners might not want early release as the prison concerts are getting better - especially those in drag roles.
Made it to Loanhead last to 580, first class meeting , and with a bit of luck should make it to my Mither Shed in Edinburgh tomorrow.
Have had conversations with various branches of VW about the car during past couple of days, so Western VW charge £85 + vat per hour labour !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How many of their mechanics earn that money ???? Guess what is paying for big shiny garages and suited posers earning good commission on sales - no wonder I was treated like a low life by the last salesperson I met there, because I did not want to buy a new car. I wonder what the mark up on a new car from the factory really is.
England now in the lead - game getting scrappy - hope Scotland do better in France tomorrow night.
Dougz appeared yesterday and we managed to get the Autocom working on the Steed of Steel, only ten months after I bought it, but then found that my BMW helmet had further bits missing, been a serious "pig in the poke" that one, probably made under licence somewhere to save money. But I plan to visit the Motorrad open day at the lady Victoria mining museum tomorrow morning so I can raise it with the management of BMW.
Well done Jordan for taking the IS to task, time the whole world did likewise, but Russia seems hell bent on stirring things up in their own neck of the woods. Must watch what I say, might end up with radio active poisoning !!!
Edinburgh Council allegedly plan to spend £10 million on the roads and pavements, about time as I nearly lost the suspension on the Smart car as it disappeared down a hole in the road. Might well be the case soon that it will be much safer to use a park and ride and hope the buses can make it through the potholes. My mate Steve has just found a motorcycle trip through Nepal and I am sure the roads there will be much better than Edinburgh.
Gary Glitter now joins Rolf Harris in jail, looks like prisoners might not want early release as the prison concerts are getting better - especially those in drag roles.
Made it to Loanhead last to 580, first class meeting , and with a bit of luck should make it to my Mither Shed in Edinburgh tomorrow.
Have had conversations with various branches of VW about the car during past couple of days, so Western VW charge £85 + vat per hour labour !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How many of their mechanics earn that money ???? Guess what is paying for big shiny garages and suited posers earning good commission on sales - no wonder I was treated like a low life by the last salesperson I met there, because I did not want to buy a new car. I wonder what the mark up on a new car from the factory really is.
England now in the lead - game getting scrappy - hope Scotland do better in France tomorrow night.
Tuesday, 3 February 2015
Bloody chilly now , -4.5 c this morning and not far off tha now with snow in the air.
But it is a good excuse to go to bed early and watch Silent Witness, when I should have been down at Dalhousie 720, but once again the car has let me down, taken poorly and cannot be looked at till the weekend.
Of weekends, sadly Andy Murray lost in the final of the Australian Open, and Rangers lost to Celtic in what was a poor game. From the sounds of things it was only the hooligan element of the supporters who had fun.
On a really serious note, most distressing to hear that the IS animals brutally have murdered their hostages, the young Pilot being burned alive in a cage - now that is pure barbaric - the actions of maniacs. Just how does that equate to being supportive of any religious following ?
Of weekends, sadly Andy Murray lost in the final of the Australian Open, and Rangers lost to Celtic in what was a poor game. From the sounds of things it was only the hooligan element of the supporters who had fun.
On a really serious note, most distressing to hear that the IS animals brutally have murdered their hostages, the young Pilot being burned alive in a cage - now that is pure barbaric - the actions of maniacs. Just how does that equate to being supportive of any religious following ?
Thursday, 29 January 2015
No snow again, but seriously cold brass monkey weather tonight
The snow came last night , but only about two inches which was nothing really as the buses kept the road open all night and by 7 am the gritters had done their business. However, I was out at 0715 clearing the snow from the car . BUT then an hour later on the road and there they were, the eejit fraternity, jump into the car, on with the wipers, nuff room to see and off they go - headlights masked and a total liability to other road users - and not a Polis in sight to stop and warn them.
Had to take the car to the garage to try and track own an intermittent fault so I was picked up and headed to the Mercat Grill, my driver was cracking up at me going spare ABOUT THE SNOW COVERED CARS PASSING US, WORSE STILL WERE THE DRIVERS WHO WERE ALSO ON THEIR MOBILE PHONES .
Made it to work and after remembering that Andy Murray was being shown live on "Council TV" sat and watched the last two sets of the match - excellent tennis - these boys are so fit - now we have to wait with fingers crossed for the final.
Not sure what president Putin is up to, two Russian bear bombers intercepted over the English channel today, in court there is an enquiry going on about the Russian who died after drinking something which had been laced with a radioactive substance - Mr P, seems unable to give up on some of the dirty tricks he allegedly practiced when he was in their KGB. He should be trying to get his country back on the straight and narrow again, but there seems to be a inbred acceptance of corruption which is rotting the country. Many years ago ( 1965) I did a project at College on the mineral wealth of Russia, and to date very little has been exploited other than their oil and gas.
Someone else I knew, a geologist in Edinburgh, used to tell me about mineral deposits off the West coast of Scotland, which once again have still to be exploited.
Very distressing the ongoing gamesmanship being played out by the IS terrorist group using the Jordanian pilot and Japanese citizen to try and free one of their female bombers locked up in Jordan. Now a case and waiting to see if they murder them.
Had to take the car to the garage to try and track own an intermittent fault so I was picked up and headed to the Mercat Grill, my driver was cracking up at me going spare ABOUT THE SNOW COVERED CARS PASSING US, WORSE STILL WERE THE DRIVERS WHO WERE ALSO ON THEIR MOBILE PHONES .
Made it to work and after remembering that Andy Murray was being shown live on "Council TV" sat and watched the last two sets of the match - excellent tennis - these boys are so fit - now we have to wait with fingers crossed for the final.
Not sure what president Putin is up to, two Russian bear bombers intercepted over the English channel today, in court there is an enquiry going on about the Russian who died after drinking something which had been laced with a radioactive substance - Mr P, seems unable to give up on some of the dirty tricks he allegedly practiced when he was in their KGB. He should be trying to get his country back on the straight and narrow again, but there seems to be a inbred acceptance of corruption which is rotting the country. Many years ago ( 1965) I did a project at College on the mineral wealth of Russia, and to date very little has been exploited other than their oil and gas.
Someone else I knew, a geologist in Edinburgh, used to tell me about mineral deposits off the West coast of Scotland, which once again have still to be exploited.
Very distressing the ongoing gamesmanship being played out by the IS terrorist group using the Jordanian pilot and Japanese citizen to try and free one of their female bombers locked up in Jordan. Now a case and waiting to see if they murder them.
Sunday, 25 January 2015
Had an excellent afternoon / evening yesterday at 580 Loanhead/ Lasswade
It was the reinstallation of Ian Wilson as RWM of the Lodge. Very good attendance who witnessed a first class working by PM Craig Gordon (720) and PM Jim Pryde (10). Saw pieces of ritual from Craig which I have never witnessed before, superb. Excellent meal and hospitality, good company, certainly a night to remember and talk about. I have had an association with the Lodge since the early 70's so it was good to see it doing so well, and more especially to see the members who are also members of the Widow's Sons - Scotland taking office. The Widow's Sons have a tremendous record for fund raising for many charities , so the stereotype of a "hairy biker" can be misleading.
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