from the BBC website, picture of the junction of George Street and Frederick Street
2008 notes and jottings below, and older ones here
28.12.08
Anyone who knew me while I was at Uni will remember my friend Sherry - this is her latest enterprise, so please go and stay there or buy things if you are in Lincolnshire.
20.12.08
A Christmas card from a chum has prompted me to put a note of the Mincers' gig list on the front page. It won't take up much room, ha ha. Had a lovely meal with the office last night in TigerLily, I don't do these things often but it was good to have a blether that didn't involve an HA number. We ended up in a pub after that, called The Old Queen (possibly not, I was concentrating on walking along a cobbled street on my tippy toes due to wearing shoes with a heel. A one inch heel, I grant you, but at the same time I was having two conversations and also wondering what the link is between cobbles and cobbler. That was the shoe link, and ooh, then there's plum cobbler too and The Cobbler although that's some mountain (we don't have hills in Scotland) which looks like a cobbler if you screw both eyes up tight and it's a misty Wednesday in October. There is so much stuff to think about in this life that it's frankly scary). There was a very smoky smell in the pub which I only noticed after I had gone round and verbally interfaced with a few ex-colleagues (btw, I was actually fairly sober, I just don't do these things often - ). Having assured anyone who would listen that it was just someone putting new coal on the fire, I then said a protracted farewell during which I noticed there was no actual fire in the pub upon which to heap fresh coals, or even opprobrium.
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from the BBC website, picture of the junction of George Street and Frederick Street |
Outside the street was blocked off and full of fire engines, fire fighters, flashing lights, bursts of radio static and smoke, turns out there was a real fire, one of three last night in the city. Various reports this morning claim it was in Rick's Bar or a hairdresser. I met the AML team outside, who had been asked to leave Rick's (or the Ritz, it was a loud street party by this point) and I don't think they'd had their tea yet. The fire hydrant was gushing fifteen feet in the air at the junction of George Street and Frederick Street. Water was pouring down the street and my one inch high shoes filled with water but I reckoned if that was the worst that happened to me then fine, and it least it might wash some of the chewing gum off the cobbles. This morning I found out that there had been another fire in Khushi's restaurant (very popular curry house) where our project team had gone, so I hope they're ok. And that they got their tea.
Unbelievably I found a taxi almost straight away which meant I did not have to interact with the nutters outside the Assembly Rooms. Train was full of benign people who were intent on carrying the party on. I just turned Radiohead up to full volume and shut my eyes.
later - Well, it seems poor old cobblers have a bit of a rough rep as artisans of the shoe world. Probable derivation is from cob, a mixture of clay and straw, which I'm assuming was made into a brick, but not a very well shaped one, and since the art of making shoes several centuries ago had yet to be developed to the dizzy heights attained by Messrs Choo and Blahnik, rather more a piece of stretchy leather with some tackety nails hammered in on an ad hoc basis, the associations seems to have been made. You would think that the phrase "cobbled together" would have given me the hint.
But - bet you are ahead of me here - this could all be a load of old cobblers. Hahahahahahahahaaaaa koff koff splutter.
14.12.08 Thanks to Fiona and Ally for a lovely lunch, here we all are.
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06.12.08
Had the DBFC Xmas bash last night, plus After 8 Mince played in between Yard of Ale sets. I was really worried about my voice holding out, since I have finally managed to catch one of those colds that never goes away. However, it's amazing what bright lights, adrenalin and VocalZone® lozenges can do. Ian played his first live spot with us and very well he did too. Val pulled off a blinder by sorting us all out sound wise and playing both sets with YoA. Once again the Yardies showed their own brand of chutzpah by going to the bar next door for a drink, as the hotel prices were too steep... The whole gig was recorded and may see the light of day in a century near you. Meanwhile Paul was at the rugby but we got slightly gubbed.
Did my Xmas run to the post office yesterday and had nothing to rant about! The queue moved quickly, the lady behind the counter was pleasant and efficient, it cost me less than I had anticipated, and I met two different chums with whom I had a quick blether.... What are things coming to? Mind you, I did get absolutely drookit on the way home. Oh and the new cartridge for the printer doesn't work, so that's a faff to replace it.
23.11.08
Vane Farm again yesterday. Had a go at stitching these three pictures together.
16.11.08 That was an interesting weekend! We saw Mary Rose at the Lyceum. Very well directed and frankly scary. Then we went off to Glasgow to see Extreme, and to stay over at the Radisson SAS hotel. Have to say that breakfast was up there with the Plockton Inn (best oatcakes) and the Clarion in Stockholm (multi-racial food, and the hotel itself is stuffed full of modern art/design) especially for the eggs Benedict, and the excellent service.
Extreme were terrific, very tight set. The second support act sounded a bit like the Darkness... you can see where this going..... yes, it was Justin Hawkins' new band Hotleg. But the band logo projected behind them looked like Hatley, so maybe you want to work on that, guys.
We emerged from the hotel this morning to pick up the car, which was parked by the secret side entrance to the hotel. Just as we put our cases in the boot, a coach drew alongside us. (Parks of Hamilton, for anyone who went on a Stirling High School Classics Club trip.) Idly hoping that it might be a C lister, since there was a talent contest taking place in the hotel by now, and unable to move since the bus was temporarily blocking us, we stood looking on like a right pair of numpties. . Quite a few photographers rushed up and a few TV cameras, because out of the coach emerged none other than the Hand of God® Diego Maradona and his Argentinian football team. I have already trawled the net for any footage of us standing at the back, with me mouthing "Oooooh!" and Paul saying "Who is it?" Sadly there is none yet, if you do see any, then please let us know.
Back home along the M8 - the sheep at the pyramids are still red. Didn't see the stag though. [20.12.08 apparently it moves and was in an Argyllshire football park last week.]
8.11.08 Just home from another tremendous week in Slaley. We had a great time pretending to be rich folks, zapping up to the hotel in the buggy - driven - yes, driven - by me and then playing bingo at night. Plus, we won the quiz for the 4th time. Just waiting to hear if Dad and Elspeth have made it on to the Splendour of the Seas for their cruise along the eastern Med.
Another day, another crisis. I came home from a very busy day at work, to read up about the crisis in DR Congo. If you have been moved by the plight of 50,000 people (that's five times the size of Dalgety Bay) being burned out of their refugee camp, then the only thing we can do from so far away is show them we care, by giving some dosh. Suggestion here is Oxfam.
25.10.08 This website is a little bit annoying in parts but it certainly saves you driving round all the petrol stations to find out which one is cheapest. www.petrolprices.com Before you start, yes we are cutting down on unnecessary journeys. I would remind you that I take the train to work whilst Paul walks, even on days like yesterday when the rain slew down most of the day.
Hmmm, bit edgy this morning - I have a stinking cold Just in time for the weekend, and I have so much to do!!
19.10.08 Despite the fact that the URL is www.fifetripshare.com and the site is called TripShareFife.com (does no-one else get worked up about this stuff?) this is a jolly good idea for local people and indeed those further afield. You can arrange a car sharing trip, on a regular or occasional basis.
12.10.08 Can't believe I did not know about this, Britain's answer to The Onion. Just as offensive and just as funny.
07.10.08 This afternoon and evening spent on the foreshore here in the Bay, watching the QE2 leave the Forth for the last time. Launched and named on Friday 20 September 1967. I was at Bannockburn Primary by then, and the headmaster (aka Dad) had the whole school in the assembly hall to see the launch. We had been reading about it in class, the ship's name was a huge secret and up until the launch, it was known as the Q4, since it was to follow the precedent of being named after a British Queen, but no-one knew which one. It seems so obvious now! I'm also stumped because I know that there was a Queen Elizabeth, and a Queen Mary, but what on earth was the Q3? The only other contender I can see is the Britannia, but to my knowledge we've never had a Queen Britannia, so that's clearly nonsense. Answers to me, please, via usual routes. Or send me pictures of a ship named Boudicca.
Ooh and this just in - we have been giving, belatedly , some thought to the theme tune for the new Bond film. Here are the musings of Chairman Paul : -
He isny in the fire brigade
He isny in the polis
Wee Jamesy Bond's a super spy
And he's needin' a quantum o' solace.
© P B Holmes. Chord structure on request.
06.10.08 Yeah, well, September was a bit busy, we had our 16th wedding anniversary up in Rothiemurchus Forest - maybe not quite the Bacchanalian festival that suggests since we stayed in the Coylumbridge Hilton, then a party in Dundee, then the Folk Club starting up again, then, oh yes, global meltdown. Yesterday, however, Paul & I went up to meet some of the cousins, family and friends of James Black, in a house north of Dunkeld. It was a beautiful afternoon and we were celebrating his impending 50th birthday. It must be scary being that old. I did not manage to photograph everyone but a selection is appended.
30.08.08 Date for your diary - the QE2 will pay her last visit to the Forth on 7th October 2008. The info I have says that she will berth by the bridges at 10 a.m. and tootle off (unberth? haul anchor?) at 6 p.m. I'm taking the day off to take pictures. Apparently there will be "entertainment" on the shores. This had better mean sausage rolls. Spookily, you will remember that the QM2 berthed/showed up on Les Florence's 50th birthday (do keep up at the back). Well, 7th October is Jimmy Black's 50th birthday. I can't help wondering what nautical delights are in store for mine. (QE2 will also visit Greenock, I think. Actually, she was there last year and there was ever such a media fuss. She also came up the Forth at that time but there was so much in the papers about her return to the place of her birth, that no-one mentioned the fact she would be calling in here. The result of this was that I saw her from the bridge but did not realise it until she starting hooting when she sailed away. I thought that I had missed my chance so I'm very glad that she is having as many farewell tours as Sinatra. )
I'm rambling now since I'm putting off doing Paul's tax return. One of my favourite QE2 stories concerns the Maid of the Forth, a pleasure boat which regularly sails under the bridges to Inchcolm. A wedding party hired the cruiser a few years ago when the QE2 was anchored nearby. The MotF captain arranged with the QE2 captain that the QE2 would answer the MotF when she sounded her whistle. It's not readily explained by me but that always makes me cry. If it had been my wedding I would have been in bits for the rest of the day. And slightly surprised that both ships had made it all the way up the Forth to Stirling.
26.08.08 On Saturday After 8 Mince played the opening set for the Race for Life in Dalgety Bay. Teams walk a 24 hour relay round a course ion the sport fields, and local bands play to give them encouragement. Thanks to the people who helped with the sound mastering and to Mark Roberts for getting rid of the bugs.
19.08.08 Woops, another bit of radio silence there, I was bit awfully ill for a while but I'm back now.
09.08.08 Back from just about the best holiday ever. Some pictures of our time away.
13.07.08 Some more cruise liners in the Forth yesterday - I thought that one of them was the one we are going on shortly, but I guess I got just a little bit excited there. "Our" ship was calling in to Edinburgh on 12th July but it must have gone to Leith, which is where we weren't. [The ship did not call into Leith, she was nursing her wounds in Harwich, as we found out when we arrived in Essex. Happily she was able to sail forth to all points North on the appointed day.]
Thanks to those who have said lately that they have been reading this page, it makes me feel warm and pink and fluffy.
Double click to embiggen. Holland America M.S. Eurodam meets
Hapag Lloyd M.S. Columbus. Taken from St David's Harbour,
Dalgety Bay, Fife, 12 July 2008 |
Val sets up. Mike checks out the nurses. |
and got absolutely soaked. At least, those of us who had to stand at the front did, after all the instruments mustn't get wet, eh chaps? My sheet music is still spread all over the living room carpet, to dry out. However, it's all for a good cause and we were very honoured to be asked along. Note to self, keep the rain out of the whistles.
Back home via Tesco to pick up a new Cath Kidston bag made from recycled plastic bottles and a snip at £3.50. I would like the flowery one as well as the spotty one so if you see one, grab it and I'll pay you. (13.07.08 Fat chance, I've seen how much they're going for on Ebay... so I just had another look and found one!! ) Then we re-watched the Turn Left episode of Dr Who to prepare us for the big finale of the season. Won't say too much in case you have not watched it yet but a) it was terrific and b) I was right. There is hunners about it all on Wiki.
28.06.08 For all those of you who think this is an exercise in the mundane, let me just give you yesterday's itinerary.
Up at 3:30 a.m. to catch flight to London City. 45 minutes to get through security at Edinburgh; some people in front me have not flown for a long time and are taken by surprise by the increase in the level of security. Fair enough. I "beep" at the scanner and am frisked in an effective but non-intrusive manner. Once through, I summon up the cojones to risk rejection at the club lounge. Bingo, I'm in. Free tea and newspaper for KJH.
Once landed I remember that I have forgotten a password for the disk I have - swift call to the most switched-on person at work soon sorts that, as she texts it to me. Into London cab, driven by a very helpful lady, and it's off to the East End via a London I do not recognise from nearly thirty years ago. I pass the Dome, the Gherkin, the Bank of England and oh so many street names made familiar by the years I have spent in this industry. We eventually find the office I seek, and I am made most welcome, given a tour and a presentation. At one point the camera suddenly goes into cherry-picker mode and I look down on myself. Kirsty Miller, the Zeigfeld, bit player and extra of everyone else's story, being taken seriously, then wined and dined in the City. Well, of course, I am joint co-star of Château Holmes, but it did take me aback.
Leaving there, and walking past St Paul's Cathedral, the irony continues - possibly the last time I went up town was the night before the wedding of Lady Di and PC. Down into the tube for easily the most yukky part of the journey, as sweaty as I feared but there are no nutters. Then on to wrestle with the ticket machines at Paddington - if a regular train commuter can't figure it out, what chance for one timers? Bearing a ticket which might or might not be any good, I jump onto the Heathrow Express, and the conductor does not throw me off. I arrive at the notorious Terminal 5*, then stand for 35 minutes in the queue for security. Heck, it was Friday at peak time, and there is nothing I can do about it, so, unusually, I take a fairly Zen view. Unlike the two Glaswegians behind me in shorts... I chat to a nice Canadian lady in front of me, and we agree that THERE WAS NOTHING WE COULD DO ABOUT IT, in - not in loud voices, but clear, carefully enunciated tones. Chums behind drop the aggro, and we smile.
Terminal 5 is a very large shopping mall which just happens to have aeroplanes. Happily I had very little time to be fleeced. I caught my flight to Glasgow (BA - what is with the amount of sugar in your raspberry cranachan? Bleurgh.) From Glasgow airport I went to the Crowne Plaza hotel to meet Paul, since we had tickets for the Radiohead gig on Glasgow Green that same night. The concert was amazing, five stars in the paper next day. They played most of In Rainbows, There There , Karma Police, Paranoid Android, 2+2=5, and it poured all night. It rained, it plootered, stair rods, cats and dogs, great swathes and curtains of water moved across the land. But you know, you can only be so wet. I met some people from the office who I think were a little surprised to see me there. No doubt the footage of me dancing in a fairly abandoned fashion during Bodysnatchers is doing the rounds. We walked all the way back to the hotel (except for the last bit when Glasgow's oldest taxi was going past and it would have been rude not to get in). Bedraggled as we were, we looked a fine sight compared to the Dolly Parton fans in the hotel lobby who had been to see the diva next door in the SECC and were all clutching their pink spangled Stetsons. It seemed that they had enjoyed their evening as much as we did.
Went to bed and slept like a log.
20.06.08 If you think you're too small to make a difference, then you have never shared a room with a mosquito. (attributed to Anita Roddick)
15.06.08 A brief update cos we're blooming shattered. Spent yesterday at the Dalgety Bay Gala, with a stand for DB Astro. We spoke to quite a few people, and even stayed there through the rain shower. A brief glimpse of the sun revealed, through the solar scopes, that there is a huge flare just now. As Brian Henderson pointed out, just as well it's not aimed at us, or all our mobile phones would stop working. Mo l8r chaps. Props again to the gala committee for a fantastic show. If you want to taste our burgers, go here.
05.06.08 Chuntering about the electric interweb to no particular avail. In the last few days we've had a total revamp of the hoose, thanks to the most excellent Mr. Grossart and his painterly skills. Plus, I have been able to resurrect my train/bus rants, thanks to the abysmal performance of the public transport systems last night, and this morning.
Folk Club tomorrow night in Aberdour, plus poor Paul is reduced to a wee quiver, thanks to some cold bug.
Dalgety Bay Gala Day happens on 14 June; the Astro Club will have a stall there, so do drop by. The Gala will be held in the grounds of the Sports Centre, just down Harbour Drive. If you get as far as the Bowling Club, then you've missed it. Phone us if you're not sure. Props to the Gala team.
27.04.08 Interesting day - after first visiting the Florences we went to see the WW1 gun batteries beside the Braefoot terminal, on the north shores of the Forth. Then we came home via St David's Bay, to have a gander at the cruise liner Celebrity Constellation which was moored beside the Forth Bridge. The Superfast ferry passed her en route for to Zeebruge, and as you can see here, another denizen of the Forth dropped by for a look.
19.04.08 Well, we tried really hard to get a picture of all six Mincers, by reducing the number of musical instruments to one each and sitting in a location flooded with natural light. It's just not as easy as it sounds.... That aside, we had a terrific time in BA, yet again - so props to the hotel staff, who did a fantastic job, by staying in their jobs, and in some cases coming back to jobs they had left. The professionals were terrific in the time they spent with everyone. We had master classes, one of which developed into a choir, thanks to Pat, and Colin McKenzie gave us a fair punt by looking after the mixing desk whilst the Mincers were on. Colin Hay and I had a wonderful birthday. We are now proud recipients of an Ode from Pedro - there can be no higher honour. Except, perchance, a card from Sheila and Geoff.
22.03.08 The evening after the night before - last night A8M played the interval slot during Alastair McDonald's gig for the DBFC at the Woodside in Aberdour. It was a terrific evening, and Alastair was even courteous enough to sit through our short session. Coal Edge and Blair Atholl next!
Off to watch the Colour of Magic now. In HD, natch.
15.03.08 I have just won two Ryanair tickets to Frankfurt Hahn in a newspaper competition - excluding taxes of course, so the actual benefit to Team Holmes could be 2p., but it's the thought that counts. I was not expecting the paper to print my full name and address though - em, I'll just take out a half page ad for when we're away and leave the front door open, eh guys?
March - Father on his laptop
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17.02.08 Continuing on the nature theme, we went to the hides at Cullaloe - saw mute swans, mallards and coots, and heard lots that we couldn't identify. Also in the distance we watched a fox ambling across the fields, then three roe deer grazing. And in the evening I went to a benefit gig in Aberdour with the Mincers and Partners. It was jolly good to see Wilma there.
Audrey, Wilma and Kirsty
16 02 08 |
10.02.08 Went to Vane Farm yesterday, the RSPB reserve at Kinross. Amongst the various birds we saw this group of oystercatchers: -
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Usually I see them on the cricket pitch, feeding when the tide is in, along with curlews, pigeons and rabbits. Of course I never have my camera with me then ... In the shop I found my latest impulse purchase, I am nuts about the water colour artist Emma Ball, so when I saw a mug with her painting of a badger on it, it was all I could do not to buy up the entire stock. This sounds incredibly sad, but if you know me and especially my current policy of "no more new stuff" then you will, I hope, understand.
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As I type I am listening to the Raising Sand album, which is by Robert Plant & Alison Krauss. It's rather good. In fact, I wake up singing the chorus of Killing the Blues.
27.01.08 Happy Birthday Elspeth!! And for readers of this blog, we still have the Spam.
Just home from a tremendous weekend, we had a birthday party for Paul's mum, and attended a Burns Supper, 150 feet above the rampant, trampling surf. Embra. Who would have thought it? Cheers to Calum for the lift home.
02.01.08 Can I just say - one of the highlights of my year was the release of the new Radiohead album, In Rainbows, and the absolute most bestest track of the year for me was Bodysnatchers. You can see it here - You will either love it or hate it, but it has chummed me to work and back from the minute it was released. Top dog solid. Oh, and we also like the Foos Long Road to Ruin
