Sunday 30 January 2011

Thankful for Small Mercies

It's been a bit of an up and down weekend for the Auld Reekie Ranter. Friday night was meant to be a quite meal out at the splendid Illegal Jack's in Edinburgh's Lothian Road. The food was great - I can highly recommend their Haggis Burrito - and very affordable. The plan was to have a quick drink afterwards then head home. That was until I received a text from my brother-in-law from Aberdeen, a fella I haven't seen for a few years. He was in Princes Street, having come down from the Granite City en route to Aberdeen's cup semi-final in Glasgow the following day. Did I fancy a pint he asked? Well, he twisted my arm...

On Saturday I had to forego my customary trip to watch the mighty Heart of Midlothian FC at Tynecastle as a result of having a hospital appointment  - something I've been waiting for since early November. I could have postponed the visit to the ENT but given the present state of the NHS I thought it best to head to the hospital for my 2.00pm appointment. It wasn't a pleasant experience - having a camera stuck up one's nose is most uncomfortable. Worse still, further tests are now required although when this will be is anyone's guess.

However, my Saturday evening was brightened by having my darling grand-daughter Hannah stay with me overnight. She may be just three and a half years old but she already has considerable experience of melting hearts and this she did with customary expertise this weekend. I may have been bleary-eyed when I got up to make her breakfast at 7.15 on Sunday morning but her show of love and affection made it worthwhile. I hope she never loses her ability to bring such happiness into my life, particularly when times are difficult in more ways than one.

And so another working week beckons. It's the end of the worst month of the year tomorrow. The days are beginning to get slightly longer - it didn't get dark in Auld Reekie until just before 5.00pm today. On Friday I stop work for a week's holiday. I may not be a well man but I'm not one to complain. Things could be worse....

5 comments:

Adullamite said...

That kid sounds like she has you on a string mate! I confess to knowing that feeling....

A Daft Scots Lass said...

Haggis Burito? I think I'd rather French Kiss a Highland Coo

Stuck At Hame said...

How much extra money is it costing the NHS for appointment times outwith 'normal hours'?

Or have they now actually realised how hard it is for people to get time off work!

I've got one through for St Johns, now remember where I live... they have game me a 6.00pm apoointment time for goodness sake - I'll be travelling by bus!

Mike Smith said...

Adullamite - Hannah has me dangling all right!

Gillian - Ye cannae beat a Haggis Burrito!

Vicky - I feel your pain!

Joanna Jenkins said...

Miss Hannah is a sweetheart. So glad you got to spend some extra time with her.

As for a the camera up your nose, um, sorry about that. It doesn't sound the least bit pleasant-- Hope everything is alright.

Hang in there. Vacation is just around the corner!

Cheers, jj

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