morganacademyfp

No, Pud, you are wrong there - this time next week it will be 6 or 7 or to be more accurate 6 and 7 for me. Today however it is my Grandson's birthday and he is 1. --------- (that is instead of 1 candle)

I always feel a bit sad, when I go back to Dundee, that there isn't a department store in the High St any more. DM's, GL's, Smith Brothers, Draffens, Cairds (OK, the last two weren't actually in the High St) - all gone. And I had visited the big Borders book shop only twice, then it closed!

Was over in Dundee yesterday . Now Henderson the jewellers in Commerical street is closing est 1886 too ah well will anything survive ?. Left Dundee on the 1935 bus. Is Dundee city centre that quite even on a Monday night ? . There appeared to be hardly anyone inthe Pubs .

Shopping! Now there`s something that is not close to my heart! So what do you take with you when going shopping to the supermarket, ladies? Obviously, some money or a card, maybe a basket or bag, shopping list, a geiger counter ................. a geiger counter? Yes, that is the latest shopping aid, purchased today by my wife, now that the government is encouraging people to buy vegetables and meat grown in the area surrounding the nuclear power plant destroyed in last year`s tsunami. The vegetables are in the shops and the shops claim that they are free of contamination. Some even show where they are from. Not convinced! Buy a Geiger counter.

I was about to order, online, over £14-worth of Royal Mail special stamps and a presentation pack ( COMICS , to be issued 20th March) but they want a packing charge of £1 plus 46p postage. That's the First Class rate, yet delivery is up to 5 days! Considering their posties visit here every day anyway, I'm sure the HQ meanies could deliver the beastlie things free. Oh, and if I want a Dandy or Beano badge, the additional postage is £2.95. Another NO SALE. I'll buy the stamps over the counter and skip the commemorative pack. Incidentally, now is the time to stock up on postage stamps as prices increase early April. First Class and Second Class stamps, with no price shown, continue to be valid until we either join the Euro or adopt the Groat and Bawbee !!!

You are a mine of information Jester. Glad I do not have to pay British postage any more!

Overcharged at Tesco Extra yesterday. Item @ 2.25 each, or 3 for £5. Full price charged, so they owe me £1.75. Not worth returning - it would cost as much in petrol - but I took Tesco's advice and replied to their "How did we do?" question. Hopefully they'll make another mistake and send back £5 instead of the £1.75. Where there's life, there's hope!

Jester, if Tesco overcharge do they not give back three times the amount overcharged? I seem to recall some years ago that happening to me and I was greatly surprised at their generosity. It was written on their terms of business poster beside the information kiosk. Worth a look/enquiry on your next visit as it is better in your pocket than their`s.

Getting back to the demise of Burns and Harris. There were quite a number of lots in today's Curr & Dewar auction which were the remains of Burns and Harris' stock. Bought a couple of lots myself, one of which included an original Dundee Savings Bank Calendar (1971) which had a signed W.P. Vannet etching of the Unicorn. Knew Bill Vannet quite well from my days as a choir member in Dundee Parish Church (St. Mary's) where he was an elder. And have been close friends with his eldest son, Alf, for well over 45 years.

Having survived on Japanese food for about 3 months I am begining to pine for a good wholesome Scottish fodder, like mince and tatties, steak pie, and the like. On Saturday we walked through two supermarkets and I found absolutely nothing that I would like to eat. Ended up going to a convience store and buying a spaghetti and tomato sauce dish, very basic but acceptable. I have just discovered my wife took out my smuggled haggis from the freezer last night so this evening I can have something to eat. Probably pour a bit of whisky over it just for flavouring.

The man is now cooking by gas.
I thought Burns Night was in January and he talks about my memory.

Aye, Burns Night is in January, but Laird`s Night is any night he wants! Incidentally, the haggis was brilliant, washed down by a glass of Cutty Sark 12 year old.