June 2006

A glorious day, really hot, slightly breezy (as I found out when cycling the 12 miles from Brae to Graven and back: up to 32 mph one way, scraping 12 the other)but beautiful. the Bookcroft is OPEN, and today we had a customer! Well, to be exact, it was Chris, son of the neighbours who…

Into the second week of broadcasting into the wee sma’ hours and I’m taking the siesta option, which I see is now being punted as the best way to a more productive life. Last week, Susan and the children tiptoed about in the morning, leaving me to surface, somewhat groggily, after they had gone to…

This week and next I’m on the late-night Radio Scotland shift, from 10.30pm until 12.30 am. It’s a strange business, as without even thinking about it I’ve found myself adjusting voice and tone to the new time… it’s a much more measured, laid-back kind of broadcasting, more intimate, less…breezy. It is knackering, though, when you’re…

You know, there are good people in this government. There are good people, probably, working within the Home Office. There are good people in the Labour Party. I mean, I’m married to one. But the kneejerk stupidity and brutal cynicism involved in the ‘dawn raid’ in Shetland which saw Sakchai Makao arrested and taken to…

Thursday night, late shopping in Aberdeen…which means the Bon Accord Centre food court is open for tea. And lo, it is time for the highlight of my week in Aberdeen, the mince pilgrimage. Not just mince: tatties (mashed, of course)carrot (mashed, of course) and skirlie, that weird north-eastern delicacy which seems to be fried pinhead…

Neil Young – The Old Laughing Lady 1976, Glasgow Central Station, and yes, that is Neil Young in the deerstalker. Unbelievable.