Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Edinburgh Fringe

Wednesday, 27th August

Well, that’s the Edinburgh Festival nearly finished and the Fringe been and gone. Jean and I enjoyed the show at Valvona and Crolla and our meal there afterwards. Didn’t know what to wear to go to the show but Helen gave us a lift, so just took umbrella, instead of raincoat. She wasn’t sure if she could turn into Elm Row, with all the roadworks going on, so cut off at Hillside Crescent and through Montgomery street, taking us practically to the door! Really enjoyed the show. Philip Contini was in good form tellig the story behind the songs and the orchestra was superb, especially the clarinetist. Were trying to remember how many years we had been coming, but couldn’t.. I used to go to it with Sandra and Sheila when I was working and I remember the first time, we were given an oyster ice cream when we came out. It would probably be Di Ciacca’s Ice cream! Had something to eat there and Jean’s daughter and husband were going round art galleries, so they picked us up to take us home. Thank goodness, as pouring again!

Dick’s birthday on Friday. Liked book I gave him about the troops left behind at Dunkirk. Thought he’d like it as our uncle was one of them. He's taking Joyce to Copenhagen for five days next month.

Kay and the boys here on Saturday, bringing cat food, soap powder, etc so that’s me stocked up for a wee while. What a delight the bairns are, chattering away about school, pals etc. Kay told me all about her new job as PA to Sir Timothy Clifford. It sounds as if it was made for her. Bobby called in, giving me lots of laughs about being a taxi driver

Sunday at church for communion. Margo Aiie and Jonathan arrived.Jonathan gave me some answers for Times Literary Quiz - Agatha Christie, H.G Wells, Roald Dahl so that’s a start! No doubt I’ll be getting a call fro Rae’s sister in Glasgow soon to compare answers.

Ailie and Margo helped me change bed as Margaret, my cleaner can’t come any more. She’s looking after her new grandchild as her daughter in law has gone back to work. I’ll miss her.

Helen and I making plans to go to Blairgowrie. Hope the weather holds out. Quite warm today. One or two butterflies floating about, but no peacocks. Doctor phoned about blood test . Says I may have polymyalgia, so he’s sent up a prescription for steroids.! Bit worried about taking them, but just to try them for a week then phone him. Rita here with Grandson’s wedding phtos. Lovely

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Peacock butterfly

Saturday, 16th August
Foot a lot better today, so had a leisurely read of the paper and tried crossword, but I’m no use at it without John, just as I’m no use at lots of other things without him. Did some washing and ironing and tidied up a bit. The sun was still shining, so walked along to Nettie’s to return jam jars, as she’s always giving me lots of marmalade and I know she’ll be making some for the church fair. Ended up she insisted I stay and have tea with her - tasty cheese and tomato omelette and some of her delicious home baking! Watched Inspector Lynley Mystery. And so to bed.
Friday,15th August
Margo, John and bairns were coming down so when Dick took me to Port Seton for my blood test at 9 a.m, I thought I’d shop early and see if Sharon could fit me in earlier. It all worked out fine, but I was absolutely starving when I came home, as I had to fast before my blood test. Just finished tea and toast when they arrived and of course Margo was saying I should have waited and she would have done the shopping. Great to see them and they were telling me all about their holiday. John cut the hedge at the back, as Jim didn’t have time to do it and then we had lunch,special request for for pizza and strawberry tarts, so Margo and I went to Ford’s.
We laughed at Keir afterwards, as he swept the floor when we’d finished, and even swept the hall and living room! Made a good job of it too! He takes after his dad, of course, as he’d already washed up and put everything away before Margo and I got the chance,not that we were in much of a rush to do it anyway! Arthur phoned as he’d been looking for me to take me shopping.I forgot to phone him to tell him I was going early.He had a good blether with Margo as they have one or two gigs coming up.
Put my feet up after they’d gone, as ankle still sore, then watched telly all night , Corrie and the Tudors. Must say I find Corrie a bit rubbishy at the moment. Gayle doing her simpering act, the Steve and Michelle saga going on and on and the new characters Aunty Pam and Teresa being pains in the neck.
Thursday, 14th August
Saw peacock butterfly at last and the rain stopped long enough to allow Jim the gardener to cut the grass, so things are looking up!. The herbaceous border at the front is a bit lush, but still it’s very colourful.Went along to Dick’s to borrow some milk, as mine had gone sour and met Catherine’s mum in her wheelchair with her carer, Dolly, so asked them to come to mine for a cuppa. Dolly seems really kind as she takes Nan out a lot as well as helping with her personal care. Went a walk in afternoon to try out new sandals, but kept waking up during the night as one of my ankles was very painful. Think I’ll have to adjust the sandals a bit.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Not So Glorious Twelfth

Tuesday, 12th August

The Glorious Twelfth. Not very glorious for the birds though. I’ve always thought it’s such a cruel sport, just like all the other “sports’ devised by the rich for their own amusement.

Was at shops in morning, then took Jean’s book back"No Place like Home" by Mary Higgins Clark. Started reading one of Kay’s "Bel Canto"by Ann Patchett. Promised myself I’ll go back to “The Bronze Horseman” at the weekend. On way back passed Sandra’s.She was coming out looking for Vincent, so asked me in for a wee blether. She was making cucumber soup. I used to make it years ago. Also lettuce. If I can find the recipes I may try to make them again. Just the thing to do on rainy days like this. Sandra gave me some tomatoes from the greenhouse and the Geo Bars I’d asked her to get me from the Small World.I’ve already eaten two!

PC from Margo. They’re coming home today. She phoned later.They all had a great tIme, so I’ll hear about it later. Jonathan passed his exam. He doesn’t do Standard Grades till next year, but his Maths teacher presented some of his class a year early, so he was delighted with his result.

Arthur phoned,then Kay.Stuart came along to put out re-cycling boxes. He and Lisa went to Bulgaria for a week. He said they really enjoyed it and it’s a beautiful place, but they felt really sorry for the people, as they were very poor. Watched a lot of rubbish on TV, but managed to knit half of a baby hat at the same time.

Monday, August 11, 2008

Rhythm of the rain

Monday 11th August

Started off sunny this morning but I thought the roof of the conservatory was going to fall in with the incessant drumming of the rain. I’d hung some washing out too, but brought it in between showers. Here’s me trying to be good too and not use the tumble dryer but a quick tumble was all they needed, then I put them on the arms of the chairs in the conservatory so they’ll soon dry off. Rita came along in afternoon as she can’t manage on Wednesday. She’s going to Craig and Linda’s wedding party on Saturday. It’s in fancy dress, but she’s not dressing up!

On Saturday, heavy rain.Arthur came along to have breakfast with me as Hhe didn’t manage on Friday.Jean and I decided to go to the Goth in the evening for a meal and I must say we were impressed. It’s a long time since we’ve been there and I remembered it was ok then, but this time the meal was as good as we’ve had anywhere and very well presented. Next time we go out it will be to the concert at Valvona and Crolla’s, which we go to every year at the Festival. Helen offered to take us, but then said she wouldn’t get right to the door anyway because of the upheaval with the trams.Anyway, we’ll be all right taking the bus to London Road.It’s not far to walk down.

Yesterday, Kay came with the boys and we went to Merryhatton. They love that. Robert was desperate. to buy me something, as his holiday money was burning a hole in his pocket. He finally decided on a big bar of chocolate. I think he was hoping he would get a piece for himself. Haven’t heard from Margo since Friday. I thought they would have been home by now. I bought a baby card for Helen’s niece Susan’s first baby - Seamus Dunnett and some pretty napkins and of course we had lunch. then off to Kay’s and got a load of books.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

The Flood

Thursday, 7th August

Can’t believe the rain’s actually stopped! Rory just sent me a copy of Britten’s Noye’s Fludde and I was beginning to think it was prophetic! I’d visions of the Pans being swept into the Forth and out to the North Sea.! I believe the bypass is closed at some point and there’s flooding opppsite the Royal Musselburgh and at Sam Burns. I hope the people in the new houses are OK. There was always flooding there, but the pits used to pump it away (don’t know how but they did)

I haven’t been feeling too great lately, so had some blood tests done, but I’ve to have some more. Don’t suppose it’s anything much, but better check anyway. Really should have been doing my blog, but didn’t seem to have the energy for anything. Hoping to go for a meal with Jean at the weekend. Chris was here on Tuesday and her family are away back to Dubai. Her arm is healing up fine and she’s driving again, so she took me to doctor’s and for some shopping. Louise will be back from New Zealand now. I had a postcard the other day with three muscular Maoris sticking their tongues at me!

Really enjoyed watching Rita's grandson's wedding from Las Vegas. What a laugh we had, as we thought it wasn't coming on so Rita put her coat on and Alex and Janice were waiting in the car when it started so they hurried back in. Craig and his dad were wearing kilts and Linda was lovely.

One thing I have been doing, is thinning out my wardrobe and filing bills etc. Tried to throw out books, but as usual, put them back. Still reading “The Bronze Horseman”, but I leave it for a while and then go back. The other books I’ve been reading are “One Good Turn” by Kate Atkinson, which I really enjoyed as it was set in Edinburgh. There was a programme on BBC 4 about Laurie Lee, so I looked out “Cider with Rosie” to read again and “As I went out some Midsummer Morning”, which I haven’t read before.

Well, the Olympics start tomorrow, but I’m afraid I’m not that interested, especially when I read about the people who’ve been forcibly removed from their homes to build the stadium, plus the treatment of Tibet. I admire the young fellow from Edinburgh, who helped to put up the protest banner!