sixoh8sixoh

Morning all from a sunny Scottish HQ. The last week hasn't been particularly active (and my stomach is evidence of that - will need to get back to the swimming and running quickly (get back to it quickly that is, I don't run quickly...)) but has felt busy. Looking after the little one while she's on holiday at her grandparents' has been a full time job in itself. We'd intended to go for a night's camping in the Lakes, but the forecast was poor so we pitched the tent in the back garden instead and Jamie and I slept there. We both woke up about 6.30am and didn't think we'd get back to sleep (and both needed the loo) so we headed back indoors and went back to our beds for an hour or so! We did go to Cragside on Saturday which was fun. Always been one of my favourite places. Yesterday was Jamie's regular hospital appointment, so I was back across to Glasgow again. The GF is in Switzerland at the moment so the flat is strangely quiet without her!

I've got the excitement of doing the Crystal Maze in October!

Morning all from a sunnyish Scottish HQ for the first and last time this week! Saturday was a quiet day, catching up on ironing, washing, and doing a test assemble of the tent in the living room to demonstrate its size to the GF... Yesterday was Fringe day with Jamie - we went to 4 things with her. Ceilidh Kids and then a science show, then after lunch a dramatization of Michael Morpurgo's telling of the story of King Arthur, and then another science show (with Mark Thompson, who co-presented the first series of Stargazing Live with Dara O Briain). His hands-free mic failed about 5 seconds in, so he did his best to project over the noisy youngsters... Only in the office today, then off for the rest of the week as I'm taking Jamie down to Durham tomorrow, then hopefully (weather permitting) off for a night's camping in the Lakes with Jamie (and possibly GF) on either Friday or Saturday. Have fun all!

Not quite... You've misread an 0 for a 9...

I saw on the news last night that the judge in charge of the sexual abuse inquiry had resigned. Among the costs for employing her to do it were rental costs of £110,000. I wondered where on earth costs £10,000 a month to rent. So I googled it. And the first hit that came up? http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/george-osborne-rakes-10k-month-2800557 Seems to be a legitimate expense then...

Afternoon all from Scottish HQ. It was raining earlier, then grey and dry, then drizzling and now that yellowy orb is attempting to break through the cloud. Didn't get the job I was interviewed for on Wednesday, but there are other fish in the sea. It would have been a spectacularly busy job Tuesday to Thursday, with long hours, but then slower days on Monday and Friday. I'm sure I can find something with more balanced mayhem. I'm not too disappointed as it was just a level transfer rather than a promotion. Happy Hippo - I'm looking forward to some images of the Monster... if you can sneak them past our Forum Censor with the Collies... I think a far more helpful phonetic alphabet is: A - Aisle B - Bdellium C - Cue D - Djembe E - Eye F - Phonetic (ok, that's a bit of a cheat) G - Gnat H - Honour I - Ian J - Jalapeno K - Knight L - Llama M - Mnemonic N - Nguyen O - Ouija P - Pterodactyl Q - Quiche R - Rzeznik S - Sgraffito T - Tsunami U - Uber V - Veinte W - Write X - Xylophone Y - Yttrium Z - Zounds

Afternoon all from a grey Scottish HQ. Nope, can't see Robson Green... I had dinner in that station building behind you, Neil! Talking of which, my first outing this morning before work was to the police station. Heading home last night down Leith Walk, I attempted to cross the road at a zebra crossing and was nearly mown down by a taxi driver who failed to stop - despite me being halfway across the crossing. I got his number plate, car make and model and a photo of the back of his car so have reported him. Apparently if CCTV corroborates my story he'll be given a road traffic ticket and some corrective advice let off scot free. Unfortunately there seems to be a clause written in invisible ink under all the sections of the Highway Code that says "not applicable to taxi drivers"... Anyway, made it unscathed to the pub quiz last night, where we scored 18/20 on the Wipeout round (we left blank the answer to the birthstone for August, which we didn't know) and that took us to equal third last night, and took our place in the league back to sole team in 4th spot and closed the gap to 3rd.

All this talk of terns and gulls reminds me of the biology student who was studying equilibrium in sea birds with a specific focus on terns. He proposed that giving measured doses of THC (from, of course, marijuana) and observing their flight patterns would give some insight to the problems of equilibrium in three dimensional space. This proposal being given in a more liberal era, the student got the funding. He filled out mountains of forms, set up a lab with a ready supply of terns, and proceeded on his way. After a year of diligent work, grovelling monthly before the review committee to get his stipend, and living with drugged terns, he completed his study. With trembling hands, he delivered his 247-page report, complete with charts and graphs, to the review committee. The august body peruses his study, asking penetrating questions and reducing our student to a quivering wreck. Finally, the department head rises. The light reflects off her steel rimmed glasses as she stares down at our student. "There is a lot of good work here," she says. "But we can't accept this report. You have detailed marvellously the effects of THC on terns but you forgot one essential step: you have no control group." Our student turns pale and says, "You don't mean..." "Yes. I'm afraid so. You left no tern unstoned."

Afternoon all from Scottish HQ. Been for a job interview this afternoon. Don't suppose I'll get it but if you never try... I'll not be devastated if I don't as it's a level transfer rather than a promotion. That's the case in England but apparently you can use a semi-automatic to shoot the beggars under a GL in Scotland! "Species covered by this General Licence 6. Birds which may be taken or killed (or whose eggs or nests may be destroyed) under this licence are: Great black-backed gull Larus marinus Lesser black-backed gull Larus fuscus Herring gull Larus argentatus Collared dove Streptopelia decaocto Feral pigeon Columba livia Woodpigeon Columba palumbus Carrion crow Corvus corone Hooded crow Corvus cornix Jackdaw Corvus monedula Magpie Pica pica Rook Corvus frugilegus Canada goose Branta canadensis Methods you can use 7. The methods of killing or taking which may be used under this General Licence, except where further restrictions apply, are:  Pricking of eggs  Oiling of eggs  Destruction of eggs and nests  A Larsen trap  A Larsen mate trap  A Larsen pod trap  A multi-catch cage trap  Shooting with any firearm, including semi-automatic firearms, shotguns or air guns  In the case of Feral pigeon, Columba livia, shooting with the aid of any device for illuminating a target or any device for night shooting  Targeted falconry By Hand" People in the Western Isles are still allowed to eat a limited number of Gannets (guga) each year, and it's seen as a rite of passage to go on the Guga Hunt. My (then) girlfriend and I were caught a direct hit on both of us just as we were making our way to our seats for the Monaco Grand Prix in 2000. We had to purchase new t-shirts (at extortionate prices) for the race so that we weren't wearing guano-covered and stinking clothes!

Afternoon all (just) from a grey Scottish HQ. Good to hear that Robbie should be due home soon. Thankfully Durham beat them on Sunday too... Unfortunately our game against the Red Rose county was washed out yesterday, leaving us languishing in 5th and unable to qualify for the next stages. Just what I was going to say! Herring gulls, Great Black-backed gulls and Lesser Black-backed gulls can be killed in Scotland under a general licence (including, I note, by semi-automatic weapons!). They're a blooming nuisance where I am too - they nest on the flat rooves of buildings, including mine - and I'm a top floor flat so can hear them tramping around on the roof at all hours and the screeching of the young wanting fed. They also have an amazing habit of strafing my windows as they fly and poop at the same time. The spatter patterns are quite something... I've got tickets for Ian Rankin on 24th at the Book Festival. Haven't booked any Fringe shows yet, but we've got a shortlist of stuff to take Jamie to this Sunday. Will have to get on and book soon, and try to work out what's on half price for the first weekend. The Book Festival is held in Charlotte Square, just across the road from the FM's official residence, Bute House. It always has a great atmosphere, a lot calmer than the Royal Mile where you can scarcely move for crowds and people handing you flyers for their shows during the three weeks of the Fringe. I do enjoy the buzz it brings, though getting anywhere becomes a struggle. Once the Fringe leaves at the end of August the city suddenly changes, becomes a lot quieter, and it feels like autumn is on its way. It's a very strange, empty feeling when the Fringe goes each year (actually much like a house without a dog when you're used to it, as someone said earlier). Have a good day all!

Afternoon all from a sunny Scottish HQ. 11 pages over the weekend that I probably can't catch up on! Saturday was a nice wander around Edinburgh before the hordes arrive for the Fringe later this week, then yesterday GF and I took Jamie out as usual, went to the cinema to see The Secret Life of Pets. Jamie had already seen it but was keen to go back for a second viewing and I think enjoyed my reaction to it almost as much as the movie itself - it's a great light-hearted movie (it's the one with the trailer showing the dachshund giving himself a back massage with a Kenwood Mixer...). Back to the office today, though I only have one week left to work before another (short) break. Next Tuesday I'm taking Jamie down to her grandparents' for the week, but I'm planning to head across to the Lake District with her for a night's camping, and hopefully take her on a walk up Catbells. She wasn't sure about this but the idea of a picnic swayed her. Hope all are well, and enjoying the summer (such as it is!).

Excellent. Stewart, you're hired. What are you doing for the next 7 Wednesday nights? What he said!

The answers: 1 Porridge 2 The Iron Age 3 1982 4 Egypt 5 September 6 France (it is Strasbourg - we put down Netherland thinking it was at The Hague) 7 Canada 8 Channel Tunnel 9 Conservative 10 Stamford Bridge

Morning all from a grey but dry Scottish HQ. We had a disaster at the pub quiz last night. We were sitting 3 and a half points off the lead at the start of the final "total wipeout" round. This offers double points for each question correctly answered (so two points per question), you can leave blanks, but if a wrong answer is written for any question, you score zero for the whole round. We wrote 9 answers, left one blank. We discussed in detail as a team two particular questions, but one that we nodded through as a "given", alas wasn't! Test yourselves (no googling!) 1 Slade Prison appeared in which TV series? 2 Which Age came after the Bronze Age? 3 In which year was the Falklands War? 4 In which country is the Valley of the Kings? 5 In which month is Labor Day in the USA? * 6 In which country is the European Court of Human Rights based? 7 Which country's first female Prime Minister was Kim Campbell? 8 Francois Mitterand and the Queen opened what in 1994? 9 Which party did Churchill represent as Prime Minister? 10 Which other battle (apart from Hastings) took place in 1066 and shares a name with a Premiership football ground)? * spelling correct for Simplified English... We left #7 blank (couldn't decide between 2 Commonwealth countries), we agonised over #3 and #9 (getting them right) but failed on number 6. Answers later... at http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/229-early-risers/?p=2383021

Morning all from a sunny Scottish HQ. Yesterday was a write-off for posting here. Tried to read some posts but couldn't keep up! Spent a good chunk of last night writing a response to the ex over yet another missive from her... And then the rest of the evening tweaking a spur of the moment internal job application. Was wondering about whether this would be a good thing to do next year, but the prices are pretty astronomical, so perhaps not...!

Morning all from a sunnyish Scottish HQ. Friday disappeared in a puff of fairly stressful work, only improved by a last minute email that made my day at 5.15. Went for a run on Saturday morning and then pottered for the rest of the day. Yesterday was wet so Jamie and I did some baking and watched a bit of tv. Back in the office today, but my motivation isn't. Must have got lost somewhere over the weekend... Hey, nice to see you Jam! Not seen a post from you in ages so nice to see you back. Hope everyone's well and enjoying their Monday. Enjoyed seeing Tony's holiday snaps from the fjords on facebook. Hope he's not pining for them and feeling blue...

Probably thrown their toys out of the pram and pulled the plug on something after being told off yesterday about Openreach...

Morning all from a soggy Scottish HQ. P!ssdown in progress, with accompanying thunder, but nothing to match the thunderstorm we had around 9am. Best one I've seen in a long time! Due to storage space issues on my iMac (the Garfield-assisted replacement hard drive is now nearing capacity) and on Anamaria's Windoze laptop, I decided to get a NAS (Network Attached Storage) drive (a WD MyCloud 4TB). It arrived last night and I tried to set it up. No luck... I eventually found out this morning that they had planned maintenance yesterday (nothing told me that yesterday though!) which stopped creation of new accounts. It's claiming to be set up this morning, but won't let me into the account, doesn't recognise the user name or password, links in their emails not working, "how to" pages and videos out of date... I may need to start again from scratch, but it's been a very frustrating first introduction to their product... Anyone else had experience with these or other NAS devices? Have also been fighting Fuji's photobook creation software to make a nice memento of Jamie's Disneyland Paris trip, but think we're nearly there now after about 4 nights of photobook layout work. Hoping to POE today as I came in early and quite fancy a swim. Pub quiz tonight. Not sure what facts to learn for this week...

Afternoon all from a pretty sweltering Scottish HQ (yes, it even gets warm in Scotland! Some of us have even taken off our second vest and long johns! The gloves and scarf will be coming off if the mercury goes any higher...) It's going down to the wire at Southport in Durham's County Championship game against Lancashire - Durham needed 51 to win with 3 wickets remaining. I'm keeping an eye on the score as I work. (Got sidetracked - Durham scoring slowly but steadily and now 30 to win). Hope everyone's well, apart from those struggling with the heat! I left the thermometer in the sun earlier and it reached 41C. The actual office temperature's 26ish. Busy few days over the weekend - a friend's wedding reception on Friday night, out to the Mardi Gras for Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival on Saturday, safari park with Jamie on Sunday and then feeling ill so working at home yesterday!

Morning all from a cloudy Scottish HQ. Debating whether PM and FM will meet in this building today or whether they'll meet at the official residence, Bute House. When Mr Cameron came to sign the Edinburgh Agreement, they met here. Best shine my shoes and put on a tie... Awful news from Nice, and I wonder if there's meant to be a message in that for the UK as well, given it happened on Promenade des Anglais? Or is that just coincidence, given it's Nice's busiest thoroughfare? Even if it isn't. it's still a ghastly thing to happened and my thoughts are with all affected. Polly - that's a gorgeous loco - I'm very jealous! Phil - pictures please? Hope all are well and that Ian eventually made it home from JFK!

Morning all from a sunny Scottish HQ. Just had to decant outside for a fire drill, but we were back in within about 15 minutes. Only one train departed Waverley southbound as we were standing there, a Virgin HST. Me too (Boris?! I mean... Boris?!)... I keep hoping I'll wake up in the shower Bobby Ewing style, it'll be the 23rd June and it'll all have been a horrible dream... We went to the pub quiz last night and came third, winning us a £2 lottery scratchcard (which won us precisely £2...). We'll reinvest that in the hope we get a larger prize! None of my revision of Open Champions or British Prime Ministers helped but the knowledge is now stored away for future use. What would have been helpful last night is an encyclopaedic knowledge of flags. Never mind, we got 8/10 (we were caught out by Ghana and Thailand). That takes us to 3rd in the league, but still 6 points shy of the leaders, who are friends. Hope all are well, enjoy the rest of your Thirstday!

Morning all from Scottish HQ. Not much to report just yet (unlike yesterday's excitement) but the sun is attempting to break through the clouds. SWMBO has a bad cough at the moment when awake but somehow manages to do a passable impression of a mannequin for the entirety of her night's sleep - barely even moves, while I know I'm more restless, and didn't make a single cough all night. Pub quiz tonight - our team has come fourth in the last 2 weeks' quizzes (about 16 teams each week) and we're fourth in the league as a result. I've been learning my British Prime Ministers since 1939, winners of the Open Championship since 2000 and current and past Open venues... Anyone got any other ideas for what topical stuff might come up?

Morning all from a dry Scottish HQ. I've been up since silly o'clock (a real genuine early riser today!) as the GF had to get an early train down to Manchester and woke me up as a result. Decided to forego additional sleep and head out soon after her. Went to take a photo of the Wind Surf (above) which had berthed yesterday (as far as I could tell - didn't notice it there on Sunday night or yesterday morning, but it was there at sunset last night), then did a 1km swim at the work pool. Then on my way to work, I took some photos of the classic cars in the RAC 1000 Mile Trial which begins today (stopping tonight at Slaley Hall, near Corbridge, Sheffield tomorrow, Blenheim Palace on Thursday, Goodwood on Friday and Epsom on Saturday). And into work by 9... feels like it's been a full day already! [edited to add photos and this] Completely forgot to watch the Trainspotting Live last night until after it had finished. Was thinking of catching up tonight but the reviews in this thread seem pretty negative! And Dave - that's a lovely photo and I'm sure it is how Is would want to be remembered.

Morning all. Proper post later but this is in harbour in Leith this morning.

Afternoon all from Scottish HQ. The weekend went past in a blur. Can I have another one to recover please? Thought I was due to be at a routine hospital appointment for Jamie today, but discover that it's not happening (must have been cancelled by either hospital or Jamie's mum without anyone bothering to tell me). Could have been worse, I could have trekked across the country to the hospital on the far side of Glasgow (beyond the SECC) to find it wasn't happening... In case anyone's not heard (apologies if it's been mentioned already) there's a Trainspotting Live programme on this week on BBC4 - website here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/events/ec55v2/live/c5v2fx