Haven't had much to say for ourselves of late. Would say too busy but then would have to trouble the Parish Priest with an addition to my long list! Not much is happening in the BillnRosie household except preparation for Christmas. We've just put up the tree rather belatedly. It looks so good and I have to say that I'm more of a Merry Christmas person than the Bah Humbug brigade. I listen to the radio as I write and just starting is Tom Lehrer singing his version of the Christmas song. If you haven't heard it or any other of his takes on the popular song you really must!!! But back to Christmas. Jonathan my No 1 son remarked about giving, on his blog, and referred to his charity of choice. Ours as well. I walked along Princes Street, Edinburgh last weekend. It's just re-opened following the addition of tram lines (sadly no trams just yet). At Christmas with the Castle and Gardens as a backdrop it's unbeatable. There are old fashioned fairground rides next to the Scott Monument. With the lights etc Disney couldn't beat it. Down the Royal Mile you could really picture Pickwick et al. But I digress. In one of the shop doorways was the Sally Army band playing Christmas songs and Carols. We donated as we always do 'cos "they're worth it" (to steal an Ad punch line). What really saddened me was that so few of the other shoppers/passers by followed suit or, even worse, seemed to notice them. By contrast, just along the street was some bozo covered in makeup playing at statues. He was mobbed. We really have lost something when we can't appreciate genuine charity/Christmas traditions but instead prefer tat and the garbage that passes for T.V. I'm not talking religion, that's your choice, but surely we can the see the wonder and sheer pleasure in little childrens faces when on the fairground rides or looking at the lights or meeting Santa. We really must get a grip! It doesn't even have to be the traditional version. A couple of years back we had Christmas & New Year with No 1 daughter in New Zealand. More different that Edinburgh you couldn't get but it was fabulous. Why? Apart from New Zealand being fabulous and the extended family/friends, it's simple, they generally haven't forgotten what Christmas is about and to smile and be nice to each other. It was quite simply fabulous.
I suppose the long and short of the above is that we, BillnRosie are blessed with wonderful family and friends and happen to live in one of the most beautiful places on earth.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year everyone!!!!

Hello,G'Day,Hows about You,
To my various ethnic readers, it's that time again. Contrary to the last effort, this time I'm going to try to be positive and cheerful (no promises mind you). I have been hugely entertained today by the press "gasp horror" treatment of Prince Edwards' latest outburst. I can only assume that it's a slow news/no news at all day. Look at the mans blood line for goodness sake. There's definitely history here and with a tutor like his father why are we surrised. Further why do we care. Maybe it's all part of the Nicholas Witchell reason for being (employed) campaign. What a very appropriate person to be reporting on the malfunctions of the Minor Royals. The reason for this hysteria? Young people are drawn to the DofE Awards Scheme because of danger and excitement. Maybe we should set up a Public Enquiry (into how HRH managed to make an intelligent and relevant statement).
Lest the Republicans amongst us start getting smug just reflect on the following - Government appoint a scientist to advise on drugs knowing from his previous form that he's a 'softy'. Said adviser advises, is ignored and Govt comes up with an entirely opposing view/recommendation. Adviser has a bit of a 'strop' in front of TV Cameras and opposes Govt. view. Adviser is promptly ordered to sack himself. Any bets on next stage in this saga of blinding incompetence? Adviser says 'certainly oh great and wise master?' or'get knotted' and refuses.
You really couldn't make it up could you? And I haven't mentioned that fine and wonderful banking organisation Abbey/Santander once.
Please, don't ask, unless you got a spare lifetime. I've made it. Not one grump. Yet!!!!!!
Thanks peeps. SEE You All soon.

RantzRUs (or US)

I, like millions of 0thers, are absolutely flabbergasted at the alleged response of certain MPs to the enquiry into their theft of public money. I still cannot get my head around the fact that there were no controls on their spending which they could break in the first instance, but when, several millennia too late, controls are finally imposed (or are they? watch this space) they have the brass neck to object.
The only response is for the gullible voters of this sceptred isle to refuse to vote for them whether or not they pay up but, if they do I can hear the Civil Rights Brigade rubbing their hands with glee and buying larger wallets. For civil rights lawyer read Politician with sharper suit and more inventive line in expenses claims.
The Politicians excuse that they were following the rules and protocol is odd when one considers that, according to their bleatings, there were no rules, which is why they fell into bad ways in the first place.
In my considerable experience of dealing with various levels of ne'erdowells the first excuse is 'I didn't realise/know' followed shortly by 'I'll pay it back' followed by 'You're bending the rules' and 'It's a stitch up'. At least try to be original folks and remember, even false humility is better than bare faced cheek or stubborn pomposity.
I really do despair for us all and don't think for one minute that, when your judgement day comes for whatever miniscule misdemeanour you have committed, you will get away with their pathetic excuses or find that your codes of conduct will be so blessedly lax.
I'd better end here before that pulsing in my temple gets worse and I need the services of lour magnificent Elf Service. Just don't get me started on that one...........

Told you so !!

Just realised the time was wrong until, genius that I am, I fixed it. Modesty was always one of my strong points !!

Giant Steps for.....

This is tortuously slow but I will get there one way or another. I've now added myself as a 'Follower' of my two favourite people so presumably I can now add comments (when, of course, there is something to comment on). Do I detect smugness on someones' part? Don't worry it won't last, there's bound to be come-uppance involved somewhere along the line.

Well, that went okay. Thanks for the comments. Nothing much more to add at this stage.

We are hoping to travel south in about three weeks time on the property search marathon. It will be very hard to leave here, both Scotland and in particular our house and Edinburgh. Where else will we get what weve got here. Weather could be better of course but it's improved greatly since the end of Summer.

Jonathan, if we are coming down we'll hopefully call in for an hour or so but as it's mainly a property search, time might be tight.

Sinead, we were waiting for a call last night, your turn I believe. We'll be home next weekend in the evenings as ever. Hopefully, no news is good news.

Watch this space !!

First Attempt

I haven't the vaguest idea what I'm supposed to be doing here so bear with me dear reader. I started off deciding it would be good to reply to my sons blog and somehow ended up getting my own blog (I think). I've found most things blog purely by accident and after what seems hours found out how to enter real words. The wonders of modern technology eh !! I more by accident than intention managed to add a photo of us to the page. I'm going to publish this and sit back with a smug grin on my face (hoefully). and return to all this later. Bye for now !