sixoh8sixoh

At the risk of mentioning railways on here (sorry Debs), this is an interesting article on the BBC site if you've not spotted it yet: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-34333684 On "haitches" - my ex was a "haitch"er. Set my teeth on edge every time I heard it... I'm christened Michael - Mum and Dad, most relatives and folk who knew me before Uni call me Michael - some close friends from 6th Form (and their sisters) call me Mikey to this day, but to most people I've met since starting at Uni I've been Mike.

Morning all! Didn't stop yesterday between getting up about 5.30 and going to be about 11.30. After I finished work, I had to stop via the shops, quickly make and eat dinner while proof-reading our consultation PDF, then go out to fit 3 curtain poles for a friend of a friend, then back home, more proof-reading, then off to the airport to pick up the GF who'd flown down to London and back yesterday for a meeting. The curtain poles were track-type ones from the big blue box shop. They are attached by small cylinders into the ceiling above the window. I brought drill and all necessary equipment with me and once I'd worked out how everything fitted together, drilled the first two holes, inserted rawlplugs and screws and fitted the two cylinders, then attached the track. Only then did I realise that the French windows I was attaching them to cover now wouldn't open. At least I realised after only one, and not before I'd sealed up all three sets of French windows and prevented us leaving the flat. My fault for not spotting it before I drilled, but theirs for buying all the stuff without thinking about it! Union of South Africa has headed down towards Galashiels already. My back's slowly recovering but I'll be glad when I get an uninterrupted night's sleep again. Happy birthday to Roundhouse, Polly - love the loco - look forward to seeing more pics of it in future. Nice to see Debs back, great to see Archie back home, good news from Jock about Matthew, Stewart - hope you're recovering steadily, Tony - best to Aditi... and commiserations, congratulations and best wishes to everyone I've not mentioned.

Afternoon all! I've been trying to keep up but lost the race over the last few days! The last 7 pages have defeated me so I may never know what transpired in the early stages of the week... I woke up on Monday morning in severe pain, with my neck bent to the right at a distinctly odd angle. I self medicated with ibuprofen, but after still being no(t much) better and experiencing really painful spasms, I had to do something about it. Getting an appointment at my surgery is about as likely as Sunderland winning the Premiership title this season, so I booked in for a half hour sports massage last night. This eased things an awful lot in my back and shoulder, and straightened my neck a touch (probably from a 10 degree lean to 5 degrees), and things seem to be generally improving today. I'm giving it heat every now and then too from a hot water bottle. This morning I was giving evidence to the Scottish Parliament's Local Government and Regeneration Committee. If anyone's sad enough to want to watch this it's available on the Parliament website! Strangely the back and shoulder eased off a lot after this had finished - probably pent-up stress about being a committee witness. It's an excruciating process, but unusually, the Convenor came and shook hands with all the witnesses before and after grilling us. I used to enjoy the Beano (though wasn't allowed it very often - Dad thought it inappropriate for me as it was below my reading age, and he didn't really approve of comic books!), and I did own a few Beano annuals and Bash Street Kids annuals. Almost there with getting our bit of legislation drafted too, it should be going out for consultation next Monday (touch wood). Tonight looks like being taken up with DIY for a friend of a friend. They've moved into a rented flat with some furnishings provided, but no curtain poles, so my drill, screwdriver and spirit level are required. It's a good job the back's improving as on Monday I could barely get my left arm above my head. Mustn't overdo things though. Hope everyone's well and enjoying the start of autumn!

Already did!

Morning all from an overcast Scottish HQ where it truly is POETS day. We don't get the August bank holiday, but instead get a half day today and next Monday off. Roll on the 3 1/2 day weekend! Plans for my afternoon off are to drive to the West, pick Jamie up from school, take her to her gymnastics class, then out for dinner with her. She's a bit of a messy eater but well-behaved (most of the time!). Last night involved a quick trip out after work for new GF to reserve some wardrobes she'd spotted on Gumtree. She got in quick, and got two large solid wood wardrobes for £90 the pair. I suspect that buying them brand new would be well into the £500 bracket for the pair. She's a dab hand at sorting a deal, and has found some app that allows her to get quotes from people with vans to collect and deliver. DPD attempted to deliver my French loco yesterday (I presume that's what it was) so I've rescheduled delivery for Monday when I'll be back in the flat all day (with a bit of luck). Pleased to hear good news from all those who've been through their medical trials and tribulations over the last couple of days! Have a safe and (for those in work!) short Friday!

A4 chime whistle and whoosh of steam audible at work just now. Clouds of steam, but sadly the building is in the way for seeing Union of South Africa.

Morning all from a sunny Scottish HQ. (it hasn't seemed that sunny a summer, but it seems to be improving now the summer's over...) Happy anniversary Andy & MrsAndy! Last night was, for the most part uneventful, which is what I needed! The legs are almost recovered after the half marathon at the weekend. I'm actually starting to get the urge to go out for a run again now. Well, not right now... I was thinking more of if you bought a cheap brand new one now, then sold it on next year when the kitchen needs re-doing - and it would be a little cash boost towards your new kitchen at that point. I'm also awaiting a parcel coming from overseas, though I'm not sitting at home in anticipation... If and when it turns up I'll head to the sorting office and collect it. I succumbed to a really pretty SNCF railcar that I saw the prototype of near Carcassonne a fortnight ago and ordered an HO Jouef model of it from a shop in Normandy last Thursday. I had no plans whatsoever to build any French railway layout, but might be tempted at some point to build a small plank...

Don't worry Pete, mine isn't! I'm Northumbrian and we had the first ever hydro-electric powered house!

Would a nearly new washing machine not sell on Gumtree? GF has in the past fortnight sold on a fridge, bookcases and roller blinds, all at her asking price.

Never owned a microwave or a dishwasher. I seem to manage ok!

Jamie - do you know where you're heading for the memorial? Not the easiest to find, if memory serves. I think I did find it a couple of years as I went on a detour on my way home (it's just off my normal route from the office to the flat). Are you doing the steam tour? Union of South Africa has just headed off to the Borders 15 minutes ago. I understand there are capacity issues on the DMUs they've rostered on the line for the regular services. Best of luck to Archie at the vet's and hope to hear from Jock too.

Morning all! Back to a sunny Scottish HQ after an eventful 3 days (and not enough time to keep pace with ERs). Thanks Ian - you'll have seen on FB that I managed 2 hours 31 for the Great North Run. Bit slower than I'd have liked, but it was fairly warm, I wasn't in peak condition, and I'm sure there's been tectonic activity on the course in the last 3 years. The route was exactly the same but much hillier than I remember from last time! Traffic getting away from the race area was awful, and not helped by the Metro system breaking down (and then, apparently, people walking along the Metro tracks). Anyway, made it home eventually! On Monday we went out to the Black Horse at Beamish (gastropub type restaurant about a mile from the museum) to celebrate Mum's birthday and as we were leaving about 9.30, after a good meal, another car was pulling into the car park. We turned onto the country road leading away from the pub, and after about 500 yards, came across an injured roe deer in the middle of the road. Looks like the car we saw had hit it and left it injured. I ended up keeping it calm and stroking it and covering it with a blanket for the next hour and a half until the RSPCA arrived. It had a small cut to one of its antler buds, but a bit more of a graze on its side, but it didn't have the use of one of its legs. May be that it had a broken pelvis or hip. I didn't realise that there was as much blood from it as there was, but my jeans were bloodstained, and of course, I didn't have a spare pair of trousers with me, so ended up travelling back up to Edinburgh looking like I'd committed a murder! I was booked in for a sports massage (a treat from my GF... she thinks torture is a treat?) and didn't have time to go home and change first! Anyway, I'm now blood-free, changed, back at work, and possibly aching more from the sports massage than I was from the Great North Run! Hope everyone's having a good Wednesday!

Morning all! I'm awake at silly o'clock due to nerves/excitement! I should be asleep for another two hours but I've been wide awake for at least half an hour already and trying to get back to sleep. I'll be setting off for Newcastle at about 9am from Mum and Dad's for the Great North Run. Training this year has been decidedly lacking so I'm not expecting to post a good time, but I intend to finish it! If any of you are watching I'm wearing 39965 - though given there's 57000 people registered to run, spotting me may be slightly harder than finding that needle in a haystack! I'm not running for charity this year, but my cousin is. Mum's cousin's husband (my cousin's grandad) died last year and she's running to raise some money for the hospice that looked after him towards the end of his life, so I'll make a donation in that direction. Last time I did the Great North Run it took me an hour to reach the start line from near the back of the field. Last year Mo Farah ran the race in 1:00:01. So he should be finishing as I start! Or near enough. I'm expecting to cross the finish line at about 2pm depending on how long it takes to start and how my legs hold up. I've not caught up on everything from the last couple of days but the photos of the Welshpool railway were gorgeous a few pages back. Yesterday was spent chasing round County Durham trying to find a mixer. Sainsbugs had one in stock in Edinburgh reduced to clear down from £399.99 to £229.99, and I was trying to find it down here. Three stores visited without luck. Decided to ask customer services in the third who checked the stock system, which showed 2 at the first store we'd visited. A drive back to that one followed... On the plus side I have a Kenwood Kmix KMX81 for less than £200 as it was ex-display and never used (and the assistant couldn't do simple maths!). She offered to take 10% off the £229.99 and took £30 off. I didn't complain! I gather these are the dogs' dangly bits of mixers so think I got a good deal. Hope everyone is as well as can be expected and isn't being visited by the insomnia fairy like me! Have a good Sunday everyone!

Dave, I thought the steam hauled specials from Waverley to Tweedbank were only on Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays!

Lovely sitting at my desk here, hearing the haunting sound of an A4 chime whistle just now as Union of South Africa departs Waverley for the Borders!

Morning all from a semi-sunny Scottish HQ! I didn't get chance to post yesterday, as I was up to my eyeballs in consultation papers and explanatory documents for my draft Order. I did make time, though, to pop down to Waverley to have a quick look at Union of South Africa before First Minister and the Queen arrived (I couldn't stay as I had to get back to work - good job as the royal party was delayed by 40 minutes thanks to bad weather at Balmoral). Back in the office today for the last time until Wednesday. I got my draft Explanatory document sent off to solicitors yesterday so I'm awaiting comments... (I had to correct a typo there, I'd written "daft" instead of "draft". Still...) Have a good day all!

Afternoon all! Done my 7 hours 24 of work already (and a bit more) but am still at the desk at a grey Scottish HQ (there was sunshine over lunchtime but it's gone again now). Busy time trying to get this bit of legislation consultation-ready. Everything hinges on a meeting tomorrow. If there's a "no" comes out of that, everything I've been doing for the last few weeks will have been for nothing... Condolences to Sherry and best wishes to Jock.

Morning all... (well, it was when I started attempting to post...) Best wishes to Jock for No.1 Grandson. I can understand it must be really frustrating not to be allowed in to see him. Busy here, and trying to work out what was done in my absence last week and where I need to pick up the baton (a semi-helpful handover note was left by my boss). Back to the grind, but on the bright side it's a 4 day week as I'm off on Friday. Next week is only half a week too as I'm off Monday and Tuesday (Great North Run recovery and Mum's birthday) and then we have a half day holiday on the Friday. At least Scottish HQ is sun-drenched today!

Morning all from poolside in Glasgow! Jamie seems to be doing more walking than swimming in her lesson today so who knows what that's about... Didn't have time to post during the week away and then immediately after getting back yesterday I had to ditch the case in the car and head to a friend's 30th celebrations. I've not caught up on posts but I'll try to catch up when time allows. I did spot Mal's pre-op post so I hope all is well with him. Hope everyone else is as well as can be expected! Barcelona and the SW of France were good fun. Really enjoyed visiting Carcassonne and the climb to the 1800m ruined fortress at Montsegur. We also stopped at a cave which during the summer months regularly floods then subsides again every few hours. I'll have to go back to Barcelona off-season and visit the insides of Casa Batlla, Casa Mira and the paid bit of the Park Guell. I enjoyed looking round the Sagrada Familia. The nativity facade is bonkers (overdecorated) and the passion facade is almost communist-stark. The stained glass though is amazing. GF was less impressed with Sagrada Familia - too modern for her. I'm still in two minds about whether Gaudí was a genius or certifiable... We drove back to Barcelona from Carcassonne through the Pyrenees. Andorra was disappointing - the best thing about it was the cheap petrol for the hire car! I did get the chance to dip my feet in a hot spring in Ax-les-Thermes on the climb up to the Andorra border from France. And I got tempted by a French single car diesel passenger unit we passed. I see Jouef make them... Must try to tell myself that I don't need a Continental layout in addition to all the UK stock I have already!

Morning all from sunny Barcelona! Up at 4 to get to the airport for a 6.30 flight. Uncivilised hour but we'll have most of the day here. I'm actually typing this as we're flying but will post after we land. Hoping I've got everything I need as packing was a bit of a last minute effort last night after having Jamie all day. We did the 5k parkrun in the morning. It was Jamie's first 5k and she did well despite getting sore legs! There was a fair bit of walking but we got round together in just over 40 minutes. In the afternoon we went to see Inside Out at the cinema. I'd not been grabbed by the trailer but it was very enjoyable. As I type we're just crossing the Pyrenees. The view is amazing! There's cloud in some of the valleys and some of the roads look amazing to drive from up here. It's like the Lake District but not quite as pretty! ;-) Hope all's well with everyone. Have a good Sunday!

Evening all! Frantic day at work, nipped out to the Post Office at lunchtime to get Euros, haircut after work, quick crepe in the Fringe street food places at Potterrow, then off to the wonderful and innovative production of Magic Flute at the Festival Theatre. Highly recommended if it ever travels near you. It's done with 1920s-style German animation projected onto a "flat" close to the front of the stage (with revolving doors in it) and the singers interact with the animation. Tomorrow morning will see Jamie do her first ever 5K - I'm hoping she'll take it easy as she's only ever done 2k before! Mal - hope you enjoyed the rhubarb show! If you weren't aware, it's Harburn's Bachmann discount event today / tomorrow. I won't be able to pop in sadly but if you do, post pics of anything interesting in the pre-release samples!! Night all!

Morning all from a nearly-sunny Scottish HQ. Four pages to catch up, but not much chance of me doing that! Didn't get to post yesterday as I was up to my eyeballs in work. Last working day before holidays, and they can't come too soon. I'm under terrible pressure on the work I'm doing with not much senior manager interaction and the person I'd hoped would be writing sections of things for me next week while I'm away is now signed off for two weeks, and as far as I'm aware there's no-one else able to take over doing that. Hope everyone's well and enjoys their Friday! On the plus side, tonight I'm going to see The Magic Flute at the Festival Theatre.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Aberystwyth-Mon-Amour-Malcolm-Pryce/dp/1408800675/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1440582868&sr=1-1&keywords=Aberystwyth Aberystwyth, mon amour... Comedy detective novel series, I think. I did consider applying to Aberystwyth for university. Then I decided to go somewhere less cold and windy. St Andrews.

Morning all from a drizzly Scottish HQ. I'm trying to summon up the brain power to write a consultation document and failing miserably. I'm also worried about being on holiday next week as no-one in my team has any in-depth knowledge of what I'm working on - they know bits and pieces but not enough given we're at a fairly crucial stage... Unfortunate timing, but that's down to having impossible deadlines enforced from above. In the time it's taken to type that I'm upgrading the weather nowcast from intermediate tyres to full wets. Meeting with the Minister later, and no plans set in stone for the evening. Hope all are as well as possible - Jock, hope the pain's more bearable soon.

Unfortunate non sequitur there. I was thinking of baked pigeon...