Vogrie

The weather was superb when I got up this morning and I had grand plans of having a kickabout on Holyrood park with Grace and Joseph followed by a picnic. However this was put to the sword by the famous Edinburgh "Ha" - and I expect that isn't the way it's spelt. J, G & I came out of a surprisingly brief and enjoyable trip to Sainsbury's at Cameron Toll (I have a worrying tendency to enjoy such trips - especially when it's quiet and it's a store I've not been in before - I've booked myself in to see a shrink).

We entered the "superstore" at 9am and it must have been 15 degrees - with clear blue skies - but came out and it was cold and grey and 10 degrees cooler. No doubt those smug folk down south will have been enjoying tropical weather - but then again they are blessed with the M25.

Aborting the trip was never in question - but it was altered somewhat - with Starbucks on the Royal Mile (again) being the lucky recipient of my custom and Joseph's half-eaten food on surrounding floor, walls and customers who were unfortunate enough to sit within firing range.

Vogrie was the destination for the afternoon - a fine country house with kiddies play park near Gorebridge. I was unaware that anything remotely nice was near Gorebridge so was pleasantly surprised when Phil & Fi suggested it - and even more relieved to find that it was well kept and offered great entertainment for kids - all at the princely sum of £1 per car. Gregor & Phil joined us in our minibus for the trip.

We played football with a couple of young lads - brothers - Ramsay and Archie - whose parents were both bemused and relieved that we took them off their hands for an hour or so while we had a penalty taking competition. I think they were glad of the break. I won the penalty competition (yes, I am aware that the children were 7,6, 5 and 4 - but a win's a win and you've got to take them wherever you can). However, I think I may have overdone the goal celebrations somewhat when, after the final penalty went in, I wheeled off, shirt over my head, in airplane scoring mode, culminating in 3 metre slide on grass with fists clenched shouting "GOAL" at the top of my voice, while kissing my shirt.....