Le Tout P'ti FC

This is lovely. Much more drinkable than the ABV would suggest.

Did the PM just make up furlough extension on the hoof?

Faisal Islam seems to be announcing policy on behalf of the government. Series of tweets in last ten minutes with actual details. A total car crash of a day from the UK goverment.

Heard towards end of semi final today. Linesman shouting "don't foul, don't foul" as the Hearts player was shielding the ball in the corner to run down time. Shut up. If they foul, wave your wee flag, if they don't foul, carry on. You are an observer, so observe.

Ditto. Handbreak off.

Went to Cross Borders Brewery today and came away with a 1l growler of Wee Braw and a 1l growler of APA. These won't see Sunday thanks to ET at Hampden.

BBC bumping Boris to the news channel if he eats into the ballroom dancing.

I'm also discombobulated by this camera angle. For some reason, it was also used to cover a QP game v Berwick (?) on Alba (?) a season or three (?) back. Apologies for the lack of actual facts here. Actually, I think a QP v Motherwell game was also broadcast from this weirdo angle on BT Sports. I always sit in the South Stand for QP games (obviously) and for Scotland games I usually end up sitting there too. To see a game from the opposite angle is just, weird.

I'm ranking his top three films as Untouchables, Red October and Last Crusade. The Untouchables is unsurpassed, easily in my Top Ten list of films.

I'm enjoying Craig Levein today. He seems to be giving straight answers and he's being given space to answer questions. Good listen.

We won the Midlothian Primary Schools League in 1990 and I still go on about it. We beat Sacred Heart in the final at Whitehill Welfare, coming from 3-1 down late in the game to win 4-3. I scored two goals and had a third chopped off for dangerous play (overhead kick*). In many respects it was the greatest day of my life. Christ only knows what I'd be like if I'd won the World Cup! (Our team would have beaten England easily. One of our players went on to win the league in England**.) Our team were tremendous that year. Besides a 6-0 defeat to Loretto in the cup, match fixing suspected cause, we beat all comers, particularly those pig-dogs from our bitterest enemies at Langlaw. One of their players, who went on to play for Manchester United, cried that day because my friend Alistair metted out a severe lesson around how to be a midfield tough guy. * Was not dangerous. Put a bit of a sour taste on it. ** Berwick Rangers, Seaside League Winners 2007.

The Scottish beer section of the new Aldi in Leith is absolutely empty. Total shelf clearance. Gutted.

This is the guidance for travel for Tier 3 residents.

New album.

I love watching people in the crowd go mental because somebody has stolen four yards at a throw in, especially when taken within his own half. I'm all for it. Stealing anything up to about 20m (within your own half) is fair game as far as I'm concerned, preferably using a one handed javelin style throw, just to generate that maximum seethe. It's a completely pointless thing to get upset about, and it really irritates a lot of the crowd. Often the highlight of a match for me.

Defences on top at St Duthus.

Had my last of the year post-work wander into the Pentlands last night. Thankfully I wasn't charged at by any marauding bulls. It has definitely been the highlight of WFH, being able to get out the door and walk directly into the hills. Not looking forward to the darker nights very much.

Super Furry Genitals

The Boathouse at Aros was excellent. Wonderful views from the living room overlooking the sea. https://luxuryselfcateringmull.co.uk/properties/the-boathouse/

At the site of Macbiehill (or Coalyburn) railway station, disused since 1960. Built in the middle of nowhere (north of West Linton) initially to serve a lime mine, initially closed in 1933, but then used to serve an explosives store from 1939 until its closure. The railway was built to serve Dolphinton (population then 260!) and West Linton, connecting them to the main Edinburgh to Peebles lines at Leadburn Junction. Makes for a nice walk from the village.

Missing Gaelic translations to generate maximum seethe amongst the type of people who get annoyed by such things.

Listened to BBC Out of Doors podcast today, Mark Stephen has walked this route for the 40th anniversary of the WHW. I've never done it, and it's one of those things I always think "one day...". Quick Google, and I've found a "specialist" offering a week-long package in May 2021 for £1,105 to stay in a rag-tag collection of hostels, cow barns and bus shelters. Admittedly this is including bag transfer which I'm sure I'd probably pay handsomely for in my worst throes otherwise. If I don't want to camp (I don't), any decent tips for booking to bring the cost of this into something approaching decency? I should say, I'm paying a single supplement in the price above as I'm assuming I'll not be able to persuade any of my friends to join me in a 96-mile march into midge hell. Alternatively this becomes £725 pp for All You Good Good People who can bear to share bedrooms with your intimate others or friends. So a 52% premium to have your own personal space to weep into your sodden pack and regret your life choices every night, which seems a bargain to me. Would very much like to walk this next year, would like to save my reckless spending decisions for other pressing matters such as the car I will likely need to buy next year. Tips welcome! Ps. Mark Stephen spoke about the stretch towards the northern end of Loch Lomond in the same disregard I hold for Princes St on Hogmanay. Can it be so bad?!

Next time, search for "Radio Scotland MW player" on your phone and you can play it through your phone without searching for your wireless, it doesn't even have that Sarajevo'84 quality that a MW broadcast would have. If you're out & about it's quite data hungry though. I dare say you could do the same on a smart speaker, and I will confirm this to you in about 10 years when/if I eventually get round to buying one. My bugbear is that BBC Sounds (£5 to RadMac) doesn't have a split frequency option for such eventualities. Far too many times Brian Burnett starts at 6pm before I can avoid him.

2x 2-pint growlers from Stewart's Brewery. Hopfenweisse Wheat Beer in one wee bottle, and Cascadian East American Pale Ale in the other. Listening to Slowdive and generally acting like I'm still in the 90s.

Congratulations@jacksgranda. If my wee boy takes as long as me to become a Dad, and the cycle repeats, I'll need to live to 105 to meet my Great Grandson. I'm damn well not doing the babysitting for it.