Jury wait and Charlie

Last day in August and a bank holiday Monday, I normally work every public holiday, but not today as am standby for jury duty. I was on a jury back in 2019 I think, was Ok, but had a food poisoning at the time, sure I must have blogged about it. Anyway, was a nice day to be off and also good as I got a bit pissed yesterday so could recover. Was at work the last two days and it was manic as hell, I come home really stressed most times, it takes a while to chill.

Been a pretty standard month to be honest, nothing of major importance happened, weather either great or crap, made my steps target even though I've had a lazy last week. Will hopefully get more active when new month starts tomorrow. I intend being booze free for the first part of month, before going to Portugal and Germany in the second half. Did have about 11 days off the booze this month, but slipped back into lazy habits recently.

Heard at work that my desk is at threat so that doesn't improve my mood. Sometimes I feel like jacking it all in, but I like to help pet owners, so we'll see. Talking of pets I looked after the 3 dogs of Wendy up the road for a day, a different experience as they don't like much exercise and don't eat much- unlike the dachshund Molly that is often with me. Get Molly for 2 weeks in November, she's a wee looker so she is.

Wish I had more to report, but cannot really think of much, Charlie the budgie is a major concern, thought he was on the way out a couple of days back, we'll see if he lasts another month. He's not really been himself for a while, but is eating a lot, so that's good. 

Was in Edinburgh a few days ago, always mobbed during festival and about £7 or more a pint, still it's always good to drink in the atmosphere.Got a superb bottle of whisky in Royal Mile Whiskies too, it didn't last long though.

More next time dear reader. Photos show Charlie the ill budgie, me in Edinburgh and Davie Walker on his 85th birthay in the pub.

Holyrood superstar

Well, that's July almost over and it's the countdown to Christmas, well not quite, but amazing how quickly this month went. Actually I'm lucky to do this update as my bloody compuer needed this password and that to get into google account, got on my royal chesticles it did.

Month started off badly, woke up with what I thought was a head cold, but was ill for about 2 or 3 weeks, got drugs to clear my lungs (just like 6 months earlier in January) and am back to normal now. Was not off work, but my voice was weak and I struggled a bit. 

Got the back of shed repaired by Lee who lives in Kinghorn, was needing it as back of shed was a bit rotten near ground, also got a hole in the the roof repaired, so hopefully it will last a couple more years. Was out cutting the grass today actually, think it was the first time this month too. It's the dead ivy leaves that fall everytime it's windy that is a real pain, so raked these up before cutting, but I know that in a day or two, more leaves will be out there. 

What with the shed, the car MOT /repair and new house insurance it was an expensive month. Had to dip into savings again, but at least I have savings, better than some people. Will try to moderate my spending a bit and have had a few days off the beer recently in order to lose some weight and save some money. Might not have the month off the bevvy, but a couple of weeks will do me no harm. 

Got the dog Molly in the flat again, her owners are away at a wedding for a few days, think they come back in 3 days or so. Was out with her earlier and all was going well until the heavens opened and we got soaked. Think the plan is to get Molly for a couple of weeks in November too, so more bad weather can be expected! 

Was up the farm to wish my Aunt a happy 94th, though will have to go up again next week. Was in Edinburgh once I think, my favourite pubs were visited of course, but also visited Holyrood Palace and did the tour, very interesting. The ticket lets you in for free next time within a year, so will probably refresh my history and go again this year. 

Been watching the Traitors, at moment on the Australian 2nd series, near the end, after that will do New Zealand and Canadian versions, it's quite addictive. Kenny the budgie has been squawking all day as usual, Charlie has been a bit shaky, was worried about him for a while, but he still flies around and is eating as normal. 

Here a few photos taken this month..my Aunt up the farm, Molly on the beach, and me a bit knackered after a long walk to edge of Auchtertool, on to Kirkcaldy and back along coast, you don't see the can of beer in my hand, this was in my secret wee bit along the coastal path. Made steps target farly easily, the treadmill helps, not that I've been on it for a few days, my neighbour says her flat downstair shakes when I'm on it ;-) 

Twenty years of havering

Last day of June, been over 20 years since I started this blog now. At first I tried to make humorous comments, mostly unsuccessfully, but it quickly became a (sometimes censored) monthly record of what I got up to, this is for my benefit as time passes so quick I forget when this or that happened. 

On the 3rd of this month we flew to Tenerife, the first time there since 2022, and this time I didn't break any bones or lose any teeth at all! Weather was great every day and the time zoomed by. Did a lot of walking along coast, also climbed the hill nearby again, so the step target was easily achieved. Stayed at the Aguamar apartments again, just like 4 years ago, though this time in apartment 009 which had direct access to pool area, was perfect place to stay, no complaints. The worst thing were the flight times with Jet 2, arriving at hotel near to midnight and not flying back until about 9pm, meaning 2 am arrival in Edinburgh. Think if there is a next time another airline will have to be used. Not the last sunny holiday of this year as going to Portugal in September, but more about that another time. 

Been watching the football and Scotland as usual let us down, though the fans seem to have had a great time! At least the scowl-faced manager has finally resigned! Far too negative, hardly had a shot on opposition over the 3 games. Was ill with man-flu yesterday so missed Germany and Holland being eliminated on penalties. We'll see who wins in the coming weeks, hopefully not England or France. 

I spent a lot of money this month, often not totally soberly as evidenced by my acquisition of a treadmill which now has pride of place in bedroom next to my bed. In fairness it was something I was thinking about and have used it 3-4 times recently, probably best in winter. Well, I need to remain slimline and gorgeous after all! Not content with just the treadmill, bought a tyre inflator machine, hasn't arrived yet though and also donated to a local rabbit rescue. 

Another thing I will be spending on is the shed in garden, having a local handyman replace a couple of wooden panels and repair the roof. He should do this on Friday weather permitting. Talking of weather we had a few really nice days, not the heatwave England and the rest of Europe had, but nice all the same, would be nice to think we won't have a July washout this year, fingers crossed. 

Was at doctor for second blood test earlier in the month, am to get another one in August, crivens, what is going on? Oh well, I won't fash myself about it. 

Squeezed in a trip to Edinburgh on a rare weekend off this month too, intended to do a lot of important things, but one pint led to another and the usual pubs were visited. Next time maybe Stockbridge for a change. 

Walked Molly the dog as well this month as well, an a nice day out we went to the Black Rock, very nice when tide out. One photo with Los Cristianos below me, the other at/near the Black Rock. 

Car, Perth , Edinburgh and Whitby

 Last day of May already, the forecast was shite for today, but I have the blinds closed so I can see monitor to write this. Was at work today, but a 7am-1pm shift is much better than a later shift, obviously I had to moderate my banana rum intake last night (got a bottle in Morrisons the other day) in order to be fresh as a daisy this morning. That said I seem to have a head cold that has made me feel miserable most of the day. Think I'll have a wee rum now to see if it helps! 

Had wee Molly the dog for long weekend at start of month, she was fine as always, though full-time dog owner is not on the agenda right now. Had to get a new number plate for the car as the front one has been bent out the way by some wee scroat probably, anyway got it replaced and all now good. Had the car serviced by an RAC mobile mechanic this month too, though I'm not too convinced it was as thorough as hoped. Got a new battery (was under guarantee) at Kwik-fit and 2 back tyres. Car is still running well, but it does bring a lot of expense when you don't expect it. 

I went down to Whitby in middle of month, just for 3 nights, it was good. Walked to Robin Hoods Bay on the first full day there and many pubs were visited, though only a fraction of the total number, unbelievable the number there. Involved 3 trains to get there and 3 trains back, takes a bit of time, 5 hours or so, would be quicker to London! 

Was in Perth a few nights ago for a Kenneth Williams show at the Theatre there, no, he isn't back from the dead, but it was a guy who can impersonate and tell a few stories about him. Am rarely in Perth so took the opportunity to visit a couple of pubs there. 

Other than that not much to report, cut the grass a couple of times and started attacking the ivy, this is a struggle that will continue this summer. Off to sunny Tenerife soon, more about that on next update, also this blog is almost 20 I notice, getting auld. 

Oh, I went through to Edinburgh and visited the old work building in Sighthill, the place is now just a shell, no one there, very sad, I remembered how many people worked there during my 1998-2011 era. I then walked down the Union Canal into the city centre, is a fair distance. 

Hobbling Chester fan

This blog has become a series of posts detailing my illnesses and misfortunes it seems, so I don't want to disappoint you dear reader. The sun is beating down outside as I write this, but it surely cannot last, actually, it won't, just checked the forecast.

Month started with a hospital appointment for the broken bone in hand, was a waste of time as the break was a month before, basically it will heal mostly on it's own, but do still have a small lump of bone, which, apparently should diminish over time. The hand is more or less ok now, other than a bit of stiffness, still, if I was a boxer it might be a problem!

Went to Leven by train, walked to the Railway Inn in Lower Largo and back, it is a nice coastal stretch in good weather and the rail link to Leven is great, but I'm sure I've said that before. Went again to Leven for steak pie at the Windsor a few days ago, alas the great food there is soon to stop for whatever reason.

Near the middle of the month my next issue arose- a horrible gout attack on the big toe joint on the right foot! I was basically disabled for 2 days, but amazingly got a doctor appointment and hobbled into the surgery. Got 3 different drugs which made it possible to walk with discomfort within 2 days. That was just as well as I had to get bus to Manchester on that day, at least that was the plan, but as I waited for train to Edinburgh on morning of the 15th, I got a message saying Flixbus was cancelled! So I had to rebook on a bus to Leeds, then got train to Chester from there, total stress! The normal train from Edinburgh to Chester wasn't available due to rail works. 

The week in Chester was again very good, this time with Clemens instead of Oliver. Third time in a row in the same cottage next to the city walls. The time went very quickly and much ale was drunk, though maybe not up to my usual standard because of previously mentioned medications. Was in Manchester, also in Wrexham during the time in Chester, Wrexham isn't up to much so should have got train along North Wales coast to more scenic areas. The pubs in Chester superb as always, surely won't be my last visit, we'll see. 

Made my steps target despite the gout attack, I was lucky really as had the attack been even a day or two later I probably couldn't have travelled at all. I am due for a blood test at doctor in a week or so, we'll see what that brings. 

I really should be out the garden cutting the ivy on a day like this, but had a couple of beers and I cannot be bothered. Both budgies seem happy enough, they don't like winter, but sunny days remind them of their Australian homeland I'm sure.

Here a few photos, a fat bore outside the Fat Boar in Wrexham, a view of the cottage from the Chester city walls, and the famous Chester clock, apparently the second most photographed clock in the UK. 

Sober old shatterhand

I injured my hand end of last/start of this month, no big fall or anything, relatively minor bang, thought it was just sprained or so, but the days and weeks pass and it is now confirmed to be a metacarpal break in bone leading to right hand ring finger. Right hand! So that has been a pain in the arse, and made wiping it almost impossible,  the pain is bearable now, though a bit uncomfortable. Was at hospital for an x-ray on Friday and will be referred to Orthopedics at the Vic Hospital in Kirkcaldy, it will likely need an operation as it's hardly a fresh break. We'll see how things go.

In other news, month started in Edinburgh for the Nigel Havers stand-up show, was good, stayed in the Premier Inn near the Royal Mile afterward, booked in advance so was a reasonably good deal, though the check-in was a farce with the self service machines not working and a foreign guy with little customer service skills manually checking us in, but got there in the end. 

A few days later Molly the dachshund arrived in the flat for about a 9 day stay, she was no problem at all, and thanks to her the steps target was fairly easily reached this month. Went the usual routes with her, mostly toward the Binn and back the field, was good exercise for us both.

Daniella from Potsdam was staying in Kinghorn for over a week so saw her a few times in pub, not that she was staying in the flat, she drove herself around Scotland as she's a big fan, shame about the blown tyre in the middle of nowhere though! 

For the first time this year I cut the grass, well I cut half as my hand was playing up, will finish the job when we get a couple of dry days. Sheena downstairs had her ivy cut back, was quoted a high sum for doing so, I turned down the quote as it's the council should be doing it for free. Might eventually go to lawyer about it soonish, have to change my Will anyway.

Work has been ok, I put a request to only get early shifts and it was accepted, though doesn't apply to Bank Holidays however, and there 2 of them in May, so will see. Am happy enough with my designated desk at work, think I have a reputation for being difficult :-) 

Been off the booze since 5 March, been drinking Guinness 0.0 when in the pub, it's actually not that bad, costs the same as real beer too. Will probably get boozing again on Easter Monday as a month would have passed by then. The week after that I'll be heading down to Chester, and knowing Clemens, my liver will be under severe attack. 

Until the next one dear reader! Here a few photos taken this month..

Stalingrad muddy monstrosity

This has taken me by surprise a bit as I thought I had more time, but the second month of 2026 is now almost over!

I made my step target a couple of days back as I knew it would be a challenge, in other words going out in crap weather to be a autistic step obsessive. 

Whisky played a part, on the 12th Feb I was at the Crown's whisky evening, then on the 19th was at Johnnie Walker experience in Edinburgh which was fine also.

The story mostly is stress, I am now in full knowledge of facts regarding my father's estate, wrote this before, but there will be big changes now.  I have a smaller family. Maybe I will post here the true picture, just not right now. I will be off the booze for a month before next weekend as it's a tradition. Looking forward to Chester already! Here are a couple of photos that I wish didn't exist, the end of the carpark in Stalingrad , sorry Kirkcaldy, and the horrible muddy mess that someone who doesn't want walkers passing through near Kinghorn Golf Course. Nothing deters me however! 

At work I have a flexible working request in, we'll see as I am relaxed about leaving the place if rejected.

Tomorrow I have off from work, Nigel Havers awaits in Edinburgh!!