Three birthdays in quick succession - PP, RMc and SW. Happy birthday each of you. My own passed quietly with a nice gift from J and a parcel from home. The winter hat, gloves, and scarf are just what I need, and no, I haven't opened the parcels in Christmas wrapping yet. This weekend it was clear and sunny but below zero for most of the time. I've been wearing my long-johns to work and really needed them.
It was the same last weekend when we went out to Haddington see a
colleague of J's. Fine day, but freeze the balls off a brass monkey. The ye olde village was nice for a brisk walk after a cuppa, and then we did a drive out Hailes castle. We chased a deer along the road but it got away, so no venison for dinner. The poor thing was in a very narrow lane so there was no escape to either side and it had to run in front of us for a while before it found a way out. There wasn't much left of Hailes, so we continued on to another pile of rocks called Tantallon. This was very impressive, built on a headland with cliffs on three sides. It was unusually high so I was a little unsettled on the windy battlements. What was left was very impressive, so the original must have been quite something. It was brought down by Cromwell's men after a heavy bombardment, and the owner, Douglas, didn't quite appreciate the 
redecoration, so moved elsewhere.
Monday was the last night of badminton, although I have the dinner in two weeks. It has been fun, so we've signed up again. I played a few singles games and they get you moving a little more than the doubles. I managed to avoid either smacking myself in the face or hitting J with the shuttlecock, so that's got to be a good thing.
On Wednesday we popped into town to see them turn the lights on. J had a prescription
to pick up so we dropped that in and walked out to find we'd missed the moment. Never mind - as N at work says we can just keep our eyes closed then quickly open them and pretend. There were all sorts of stalls, mainly from Germany for some reason (perhaps they do Christmas better over there?), and fair-ground rides including a Ferris wheel and merry-go-round. The lights were OK I guess, but you wouldn't pay money to see them. We went to Wannaburger afterwards which I can't recommend: partly cold and completely overpriced burgers, although the thickshake was nice.
It was the same last weekend when we went out to Haddington see a
colleague of J's. Fine day, but freeze the balls off a brass monkey. The ye olde village was nice for a brisk walk after a cuppa, and then we did a drive out Hailes castle. We chased a deer along the road but it got away, so no venison for dinner. The poor thing was in a very narrow lane so there was no escape to either side and it had to run in front of us for a while before it found a way out. There wasn't much left of Hailes, so we continued on to another pile of rocks called Tantallon. This was very impressive, built on a headland with cliffs on three sides. It was unusually high so I was a little unsettled on the windy battlements. What was left was very impressive, so the original must have been quite something. It was brought down by Cromwell's men after a heavy bombardment, and the owner, Douglas, didn't quite appreciate the 
redecoration, so moved elsewhere.Monday was the last night of badminton, although I have the dinner in two weeks. It has been fun, so we've signed up again. I played a few singles games and they get you moving a little more than the doubles. I managed to avoid either smacking myself in the face or hitting J with the shuttlecock, so that's got to be a good thing.
On Wednesday we popped into town to see them turn the lights on. J had a prescription
to pick up so we dropped that in and walked out to find we'd missed the moment. Never mind - as N at work says we can just keep our eyes closed then quickly open them and pretend. There were all sorts of stalls, mainly from Germany for some reason (perhaps they do Christmas better over there?), and fair-ground rides including a Ferris wheel and merry-go-round. The lights were OK I guess, but you wouldn't pay money to see them. We went to Wannaburger afterwards which I can't recommend: partly cold and completely overpriced burgers, although the thickshake was nice.News from JP is that AtB would like to have our manuscript by June-July which puts the pressure 
on me to get the outstanding photographs done. Italy here we come. I've sent out the first feelers for my next article, but it depends on the National Army Museum allowing me copies of photos to match. I bought a volume of the British official history of the Italian Campaign on Saturday, so there is a start.
on me to get the outstanding photographs done. Italy here we come. I've sent out the first feelers for my next article, but it depends on the National Army Museum allowing me copies of photos to match. I bought a volume of the British official history of the Italian Campaign on Saturday, so there is a start. The biggest news (so saved for last) is that my wife is leaving me. She flies off on Wednesday for NZ and won't be back again....
...for 4 weeks will be rather weird for both of us. She'll come back to find the kitchen full of dishes and ready-meal wrappers, the floors covered in clothes, and me with a 4 week beard. She'll be fairly busy catching 
up with people, while I slave away on more bloody pipes. I'll miss her.
up with people, while I slave away on more bloody pipes. I'll miss her.
1 comment:
I'll miss you too but I will be back and we can celebrate hogmanay in the snow... and I will bring back marmite :->
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