Rough Winds Rock the Darling Buds of August(!) –

Gale Force Winds Have a Lash

Well it’s August and so I spent this morning with my pal Richard lashing down a collapsing veranda. The next door neighbours have an upper veranda and the rough winds had whipped it to pieces, so in the teeth of the storm we had to lash the privacy screen down to stop it blowing away and causing a heap of damage on the way. Not exactly balmy holiday weather at all: Barmy perhaps.  This in the week when Passengers on five trains were trapped for a time after heavy rain caused the temporary closure of the West Coast mainline between Scotland and England. Network Rail said water levels had risen a foot above the track between Penrith North Lakes and Lockerbie. ScotRail as usual is still reeling from a similar story earlier in the week.

The Very Best 007 and Much More

But to take our minds off of the chaos let’s consider a Great Scot, and just for a change not Sir Andy, but another sir, Sir Sean Connery. Our guest last week was Patricia and her mum was actually Sir Sean’s first sweetheart, but she didn’t want to move south of the border when success hit. Edinburgh-born Sir Sean Connery will be 89 this month and his first name is actually Thomas; and his first job was as a milkman with the St Cuthbert’s Co-Operative Society in the capital: Although he worked as a coffin polisher before going into acting. A friend of mine, when I was in ‘the business’ always called him Red Bird after a time they spent making a movie together. Sir Sean was third in the Mr Universe contest in and played for Bonnyrigg Rose. A proud Scot he had ‘Scotland forever’ tattooed on his person at 16 when he joined the Royal Navy. But the navy didn’t work out when he got stomach ulcers and so he worked as an artist’s model in the capital.  He was a superb 007 and once he was stopped by a policeman for speeding - surprisingly the copper’s name was Sergeant James Bond. The great man had one last exciting film this century in the The League of Extraordinary Gentleman in 2003, but retired officially in 2006.Sir Sean was considered for a cameo in 2012 Bond movie Skyfall, but the role was given Albert Finney instead. Shame I say.

A Great Scot in your Life?

It there is a birthday or an anniversary coming up in your family or circle of acquaintance then why not give us a chance to suggest some lovely gift ideas. Here at James Pirie we have great gifts for great Scots at great prices that are fit for any pocket, or budget whatever the size.  If they are avid golfers like Sir Sean then take a gander at our golf gift ideas, which can be personalised for just a few quid more.  Take the Royal Scot Crystal- Kintyre 2 crystal tot  glasses in a presentation box – with options to engrave. These little belters have a plain panel for engraving next to the golfing or fishing scene and are just right for a wee dram. As it is half price you can get the shot glasses and the gift engraved for just £54 saving £27. As Sir Sean would say cheeersh!

https://www.jamespirie.com/gifts/golfing-gifts/gift-box-of-2-kintyre-tot-glasses-with-engraving.html