John's birthday

Tuesday, 29th July.

Where do I begin? Coming to the end of July and I’ve really been neglecting my blog. Hope I can remember what I’ve been doing. Main thig of course it was John’s birthday, so he has been even more in my thoughts.

Helen Williams and her wee boy, Simon, arrived to show me the family tree. she has been researching. She had already sent me information about Thomas Scott Dickson ( my Granny’s brother) who was Labour MP for Lanark from 1931 to ?. From what I read about him, I think the Labour party is in dire need of his like today. He was a true socialist!
What a fiasco last week and where is it all going to end? They’ll need to do something drastic to get things back on an even keel, but I don’t think getting rid of Gordon’s the answer. Anyway, I spent a very pleasant afternoon with Helen and Simon. She’d going to bring me a full copy of her research when she finalises it . She is a researcher at the National Library, so she has access to lots of things. What she’s been working on recently is “500 YEARS OF PRINTING IN SCOTLAND.” Must try to go to one of the exhibitions.

My niece Karin came on the Thursday to see the family lawyer about her dad’s affairs as he is now on a nursing home. It’s so sad as Katharina looked after him so well, then she died. Both the boys home from holidays. Catherine wasn’t surprised about Simba but in a way glad she wasn’t here when it happened.

Chris came down. Her family are here from Dubai, so she has been very busy, but they were out for the day, so we caught up with all the news. She drove down, as her arm is ok now, though she says it gets tired at night..

Afternoon tea in the church hall one afternoon, so met up with everyone. Jean and I went to the Dragon Way for a meal on Saturday and really enjoyed it, Very quiet when we went in, but got really busy later on. Loads of people out for a walk in the gloaming. Going to the carvery at the Goth in a fortnight.

Kay and the boys here on Sunday. So excited about going away in their tent again. To Alnwick this time so they’ll be going to Alnwick castle. Last week they were at Scone Palace and loved it. Helen and Al away to Blairgowrie for weekend.

Gardener here today, thank goodness as it was pretty long. It’s looking lovely now though, but I’ll have to think about moving some plants around in the Autumn. Karen, my neighbour and her wee girl Yvonne over for a blether and a cuppa later.Had a good blether with Arthur when hecame out to put out the recycling boxes. Stuart is away with the Youth Club