Final Chapter for Page

We said goodbye to Page this month. Old injuries took their toll and we finally made the sad decision to put him to sleep last week. Page was no ordinary cat - almot from the very beginning he's been, well, different. My nephew Gavin got Page as a kitten and called the little ball of fluff Paige. It was only on his first visit to the vet (the first of quite a few over the years) that Gavin discovered that Paige was not in fact a wee girl but a tom - Paige became Page, in honour of Led Zeppelin's Jimmy of that ilk. When Gavin moved to a new flat in Telford Page went too, only to be stood on by a flatmate. His back and back legs were injured - resulting in an unmistakable wobbly gait - but Page lived to tell the tale; this was but the first of a few 'incidents' in Page's eventful life. When Gavin couldn't take Page when he moved to Cramond, Page was rehoused with us here in Drylaw. It was Page's first opportunity to get out of the house - and he seized it with all paws! Unfortunately hs ventures into the big wide worls brought him into contact with other wildlife and Page had a hard lesson to learn - that you don't fratenise with foxes! His initial meeting resulted in a hefty vet's bill and the loss of his most striking feature - a long, elegant tail. Undaunted (or clueless?) Page returned to Drylaw - tailless and even more wobbly - only to be attacked by foxes again the following year! A lengthy stay at the vets - and another eye-watering bill - later, Page was back in Drylaw. An older and wiser cat? No, not really! Page got through his nine lives - house fire, fox attacks, you name it - with gay abandon. He wasn't your average pet = he cared not a jot! Over recent months Page's old injuries caught up with him and he became inceasingly immobile - the spirit was still willing but the old legs just wouldn't work - and last week we made the horrible decision to take Page to the vets (which was pretty much his second home, anyway). It was no surprise when the vet decided to put him to sleep, and his end was very peaceful if very sad. With his rotten breath, the tuggy coat that made you sneeze when you picked him up, with the wee 'bullets' he left as presents sround the home to welcome you downstairs in the morning, you'd be forgiven for asking: what exactly did Page bring to the table? Well, he was a real wee character, a 'one-off' - the 'care in the community' cat who shared our lives for twelve years. Smelly, wobbly, comical ... we'll never forget Page and the house isn't quite the same without him!

September

You know summer's over when the Christmas stuff makes an appearance on the supermarket shelves! August wasn't even over when the selection boxes, tins of biscuits and Christmas cards hit the shops alonside the Halloween merchandise. Anyway a miserably wet summer has sloshed seamlessly into a drizzly autumn. September was more of the same, weatherwise - rain, high winds and just the occassional glimpse of bright sunshine and what might have been ... The poor old garden took a bit of a hammering with plants and shrubs blasted all over the place. We salvaged most of them, but the lack of sunlight gives the garden a dismal air, brightened only by the (very) occassional ray of sunshine. The garden promised so much this year but there's nothing you can do about the weather. The vegetable 'harvest' (pictured) - carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, strawberries, spring onions - is unlikely to sustain us through the winter months! While the gardening wasn't great, I did take the opportunity to be at one with the local wildlife and decided to train a spider to do tricks. I selected Sammy (above) from a promising list of potential candidates, and the first session went very well. I was hopeful that by the end of the first day I would have Sammy doing somersaults, so you can imagine my disappointment when I returned after lunch to find that Sammy had 'left the building'. The ungrateful little sod had just disappeared! I have put further training initiatives on hold until I have built a new training centre out of cigarette packets and nilk cartons. That's very much a work in progress but should be completed next month - Caroline has helpfully suggested that perhaps I should look for a job, but how can I when I've got all this building work to do? The long-awaited arrival of baby Evie was the big event for the family this month, and she's pictured above with her proud faither and slightly over-excited grand-faither. She's settling in well, but her mum and dad have come to look back with nostalgia on the days and nights of pure, beautiful unbroken sleep! Life's full of ups and downs, and on the down-side was the demise of Knutt's car, Nigel. It's fair to say that Knutt has fallen out of love with Nigel over recent months - with with exhausts and spare tyres falling off, too many punctures to mention and the odd case of non-starting it's easy to see why. However at the end of the month one kindly motorist took pity on Knutt by slamming into the back of Nigel. The upshot is that Nigel is no more - the bad news for Edinburgh and Lothians motorists is that Knutt is on the lookout for a replacement car ... We took in the Festival fireworks finale at Ann's house in Murrayfield and while we all had a very enjoyable evening the winds and drizzle meant that we disn't see too many fireworks! A damp squib - save for Evie's appearance, that just about sums up September.

She's Arrived!

Evie Julie Pickering finally arrived at 3.55 pm on Monday 12 September -she's about three hours old in this picture.

It's been suggested that she was waiting for a Hibs victory before she made her debut appearance. Fortunately she has a wise head for one so young ... it could have been an awfully long wait!

August Blues

I was hoping for great things in August, weather wise. The garden was looking good (see lilies, above)and just needed thirty-one days of unbroken sunshine to complete the job. Alas, twas not to be. Should have known better, of course, August being Edinburgh Festival month - instead of cloudless skies we had day after day of rain, rain. rain and when it wasn't raining it was blowing a gale! And quite often, both together. Not a great month for growing then; following a disappointing harvest I will not be self sufficient in vegetables this autumn/winter. One carrot, five tatties and a handful of tomatoes just won't do it. You learn from experience though and I will change my methods next Spring - I am thinking of shiftng to livestock and will try to buy some sheep or pigs on Ebay. There were a few nice days in August, though - drove down to Eyemouth (pictured above) one Saturday and had the best fish supper I have ever had (and God knows I've had a few!) And the exhibition of endangered species at the Botanics wasn't completely washed out either - great crowds on the Sunday. Ended the month by chairing the North Edinburgh Fights Back campaign public meeting in North Edinburgh Arts Centre - the event seems to have raised the hackles of Forth Lib-Dem SNP councillor Elaine Morris. Residents having the temerity to hold a meeting to organise and protest about cuts - whatever next? It's anarchy, I tell you, anarchy - where will it all end? They'll be looking for democracy next - maybe even the vote! Outside my own tiny wee world, Gadaffi's reign seems to drawing to an untidy close in Libya, with the unseemly rush of Western governments salivating over all that lovely oil and multi-million pound business deals. Oddly enough the Colonel went from being public enemy Number One to Britain's best buddy for a while under Blair, now he's a tyrant again. Strange world, diplomacy - I think I prefer my own wee world where things are far, far simpler. Still no grand-child yet - she's clearly waiting for the better weather. Could be a long wait ...!

July Morning

Okay, Uriah Heep's 'July Morning' wasn't a catchy hot single but I was struggling!

Highlight of the month was Darren Clarke's victory in the Open - particularly as I has a small investment at the rewarding odds of 150-1! While young upstarts like Luke Donald and Rory McIlroy found themselves flailing around hopelessly in awful conditions, the serene Clarke was a picture of good-humoured calm throughout the four day ordeal and left the others in his considerable wake.Just proves that us portly, more mature chaps can still cut the mustard!

Don't think for a second that the month was spent sitting on a sofa munching Golden Wonder, drinking coffee and watching TV though - on no, there was lots to do!
With few opportunities to top up the tan (weather very unpredictable - see above), I was a very very busy man indeed. As well as tending to the garden and keeping on top of washing and ironing, I found the time to carefully clean my nice blue cooncil paper refuse bags - they were looking a bit tatty and I didn't want the neighbours complaining. Looking very smart and shiny now though - sometimes there just aren't enough hours in the day!

June is Busting Out All Over

You'll notice I have started trying to use song titles as blog post titles recently, and it's so far so good. July, August and September are looking trickier though so I may abandon this project.

June was holiday month - Tuscany, Elba and Corsica made a pleasant change from dreary old Drylaw!

Returned from holiday to host North Edinburgh Social History Group's 'Never Give Up', a book and video recording the area's long and proud history of community activism. I was very proud to be asked to compere the evening and, much to my relief, it proved to be a great success. 'Never Give Up' was a tremendous achievement and a real labour of love for all of those involved over the life of two year project. The launch was accompanied by a photographic exhibition which brought back some great memories of past campaigns and of some activists who are no longer with us. Great stuff!

'May each day ...

... Of Your Life be a Good Day' sang Andy Williams. Nice song, that. And I'll wager that Ooor Supreme Leader Alex Salmond has had few better days than that momentous May Day when the SNP were swept back into power in the Holyrood elections. Most people predicted an SNP win - Labour never really got the hang of opposition and their campaign was lacklustre to say the least, and the SNP government has done very little wrong over the last four years, introducing a number of popular (or populist, depending on your point of view) policies and steering clear of controversy in the main (with the exception perhaps of the Al Magrahi release). The Liberals are at rock bottom following the Westminster coalition deal, the Scottish Socialists/Solidarity remain the two bald men fighting over a comb and the Tories - well, they're the Tories! So the scene was set for SNP to continue in government.

But while the SNP victory was predictable, the sheer scale of the success was stunning - an overall majority must have surely exceeded the SNP's wildest dreams. A raft of familiar faces departed the Holyrood stage - quite a few never to return, I hope - replaced with enthusiastic new Members all eager to show their talents. Among them will be many who just didn't expect to be there, and there could be some fun an games as the new intake finds it's feet. The electorate will be expecting more of this new administration, however - particularly one with an outright majority - and we could be in for interesting times.

Back in the wee world of Dave, I spent this month creating a giant Creme Egg sculpture. I worked tirelessly on this unique installation and I have applied to Creative Scotland for funding to take my exhibition on the road. No response yet but I remain hopeful.

With so much time spent on the sculpture there was little leisure time but I did manage to get some gardening done and fitted in a wee drive to Glen Etive (pictures above).

April Showers

I've been lucky enough to have been in constant employment since I left school in December 1974 - and over all those 37 years I only had two employers - The Scotsman Publications and then, from 1999, North Edinburgh News.

So unemployment is a new experience for me and I intend to take some time out to see what options are available and work out what, exactly, I plan to do for the rest of my working life.

Short term, a wee acting role came up in a short film called Rabbit Punch, and that took up a couple of weeks. I also had some unfinished work from the NEN - sorting out and trying to catalogue old photographs for the Social History Group's project. That took a lot longer than it should have, as old photographs have a habit of bringing back memories happy and sad. Frustrated at my lack of progress, Caroline decided to lend a hand and ruthlessly accelerated the process (no room for sentiment here!) Job done, eventually ...

Attention turns to all those neglected gardening jobs - no shortage of tasks there. And just to keep my hand in, I wrote up the annual Tierney Award presentation for our community council, and my article was used in a number of publications both in print and on-line - the old magic's still there! Over the hill? Past it? Never!

I also got some really nice shots of a herd of horses as dawn broke over Cardrona one misty morning - it's always worth keeping a camera handy.

Beware the Ides of March ...

Well, it was a long time coming but the last issue of the NEN - in it's current format at least - was produced this month. No last minute reprieve - not that that was ever likely - for the NEN, and we closed the doors of our wee office for the last time at the end of the month. For the time being at least, the final chapter of a thirty year history.

The last issue came out early in the month, so the final days were spent clearing the office and covering jobs for our new Wordpress blog (including the successful launch of the 'It's Yummy Mummy' cookbook, pictured above) - all with an air of slight unreality. It was all to real, though ...

Not too many highlights this month for obvious reasons, but Gail and Chris held their engagement party in Silverknowes Golf Club - a shaft of sunlight in an otherwise gloomy month.

February

February was quite a month - very up and down. Brian's 30th birthday, my old man's 80th (pictured above)and one found out that one is to become a grandfather! I'm far too young for that nonsense so we'll deal with that story later ...much later!

Confirmation also received that council officials are recommending no further funding for North Edinburgh News (or any other community newspaper for that matter); quelle surpris!

One of potentially my last NEN jobs was covering Harry and Nan MacDonald's 163rd wedding anniversary (pictured above - Harry is the one with slightly less hair). Quite an achievement, that - shame John Knox, who was their best man, couldn't make it!

Late start, but here goes 2011!

It's now mid-June, so there's a bit of catching up to do!

Escaped from the worst of Edinburgh's icy blasts to the Costa Blanca for a short break. Very nice it was too - not a parka in sight!

T@sser of the Year Awards - Update

I almost forgot - the prestigious team awards!

No, definitely no mention of coalitions - whether local or national - on this blog!

Runners-Up

STAND UP COMICS (with a few honourable exceptions)

There are far too many stand up comedians (I use the term 'comedian' loosely) - and most of them just are not funny.

AND THE WINNERS ARE:

BBC TV SCOTLAND SPORTS TEAM

From hapless David Currie to wooden Rhona McLeod, and accident prone Dougie Vipond to execrable Andy Murray stalker Kheredine thingy - this is a truly awful bunch. Is this honestly the best we have got? It almost makes you miss golden-haired Dougie Donnelly (of Sterling near Tillicoultry ad fame). Thank heaven for Richard Gordon - a broadcasting colossus in this field of pygmies.
Come back Archie McPherson, all is forgiven (well, almost). WHOAFFF!!

T@ssers of the Year 2010

From the mildly irritating to those you would never tire of hitting over the head, these are people who made 2010 just that little bit more of a pain. But beware - some of them will be back, bolder and brasher than ever, this year too!

TOP TEN T@SSERS:

10. ADRIAN CHILES

Never understood the appeal of this gawky, awkward buffoon and his highly publicised - and highly lucrative - switch to ITV to front their flagship breakfast show was always a disaster waiting to happen. Good.

9. SHAMI CHAKRABARTI

Never slow to offer a soundbite or an opinion on any subject under the sun, young Shami is becoming over exposed - her earnest bleatings are beginning to grate. Enough now.

8. GREG WALLACE

TV presenter and erstwhile greengrocer Greg has become ubiquitous on BBC. That's a pity as his turnip head and irritating voice has ruined some half decent shows. Someone at the Beeb clearly rates the man but for me it's time to put the loudmouth out to pasture.

7. LEMBIT OPIK

One of the few (maybe the only?) Lib Dem to lose his seat at the General Election. Now why on earth should that be? Perhaps it's because this arch self-publicist is completely unbearable? Ignore this man at all costs - the world will be a better place if we do.

6. JOANNA LUMLEY

Yes, this English rose saved the Ghurkas single-handed but enough's enough - she's an actress for goodness sake! In danger of becoming the new Esther Rantzen - and do we really need a new Esther Rantzen? One was surely more than enough ...

5. KATIE PRICE/ALEC REID/PETER ANDRE

Comes as a package. Return to sender.

4. LENNY HENRY

Never understood the appeal of this 'clown' either, but another 'comedian' the BBC seems determined to continue to foist upon a weary nation. As funny as piles, this jolly japester's time is surely up.

3. BRUCE FORSYTH

As above.

2. BILLY 'The Big Yin' CONNOLLY

Funny as he undoubtedly can be, oor Billy's becoming a bit of a bore. Is there anyone Billy doesn't know, anywhere he hasn't been? And what about that strange accent - what's it all about, Big Yin?

1. STUART BAGGS - 'The Brand'

Perhaps the most odious little shit to grace our screens this year, 'The Brand's' weekly performance on The Apprentice made you want to put your foot through the screen. Compulsive viewing - so many truly awful people, so little time - we probably haven't seen the last of this ambitious little chap. Unfortunately.

The Best of 2010

 
 
 
 

Happy New Year!

New Year, new box of crisps - happy New Year everybody!