主播大秀

We had another enjoyable night in the Port Appin Pier House last Friday night. There were about 20 of us I think, with some new faces joining us.

We took over the pool room - which I think pleased Geoff behind the bar. We left the kitty and the round behind the bar with Geoff as well. Talk about forward planning.

We decided to try and compete with the Coll Hotel Bar lot and have a pool competition, but the competition wasn't actually winning the game, but instead trying to stop the white ball from either leaving the table or going down one of the pockets.

There was a lot of laughter, and two ferry runs to get us all home.

Ellen and Beth decided to have a curry night on Saturday night for some of us after the sponsored walk.

I picked up 13 curries while I was down in Stirling. I'd been really good and phoned the store to see if they would have had a delivery in to ensure we got a good selection of different curries. The guy in the deli told me anytime after 3pm and so in I went.

The ladies at the counter were expecting me and we had fun deciding what curries to choose. And about 20 minutes later (after the talking/explaining/laughing) I headed to the checkout with my two brown bags full of curry dishes.

Up to Port Appin, bags left in the car, head to pub, then run for the ferry.... Gill took one bag, Davie took the other.

Gill goes to step onto the ferry when it happens. The bottom falls out of her bag full of curries.....

Alan, our wonderful ferryman, jumps off the boat, down the pier steps into the water and manages to pick up the curries as they float past...

Och well, they were still sealed and only wet on the outside (hey - we'd been at the pub remember).

Davie gets to the other side and just as he's walking up the car park, the backside of his bag goes. Thankfully they all land on the ground and intact.

Fast forward to Saturday Night - Ellen and Beth dished up the curries and we scoffed them....

Duncan and Gilleasbuig headed over to undertake their Fire Engine Training on Saturday.

Unfortunately, Gilleasbuig was told he had an invalid driving licence (don't ask) and therefore couldn't take part in the training.

Duncan could though and off he went in his appliance (I believe that's the technical term).

The rest of the Fire Crew go for training over the next few weekends.

Duncan went on Sunday for the final day's training/test and thankfully we now have one member of the fire crew on the island who can drive the appliance.

Now all we have to do is wait for one to arrive on the island!

Beth and Ellen arranged a sponsored walk from the Hall to Point and back again in aid of Breakthrough Breast Cancer. The Island's children, who love walking, joined in as well.

We had an absolutely gorgeous day for the walk, beautiful blue skies, fantastic views and good company. The breeze that picked up later in the day was grand for walking back up from Stronacroibh up Achuaran Brae to just above Baligarve.

35 of us walked in total, I've no idea how much money we've raised so far, but I do know that Fay managed to "mug" all the tourists that passed us to the sum of 70-odd pounds.

So my Mum was getting to leave to head to her work on Monday morning. Away she went, got keys in ignition when she decided to wipe the condensation off the windows. Out the car, and working her way round the windows when she heard it.

That "thunk".

The car has this intelligence system built in where by if you shut the door and leave it for a while it automatically locks itself, so that no-one can drive it away!

Not too concerned, Mum went back to the house to get the spare when she realised the house keys were in her hand bag.

I got the shout and went and opened the back door with my key, and was told, "Just Go, I'll take Elvis" (Elvis is our [original] Mini Cooper) if I get stuck. So away I go.

Into the house Mum goes, to get the spare key for her car, to realise that she'd put the spare key in her handbag for some unknown reason.

So Mum heads to the key cabinet to get the keys to Elvis and realises that she'd had Elvis out for a run and the keys were in her handbag!

So a call to the garage results in being told that they can get a new key to her in "a couple of days".

The car hasn't moved since Monday... But on the plus side, Mum's a bit more cheerful about the incident........

Dear Santa

Please can you consider any of these as my Christmas Pressie this year. As you know I've been good so far, and I'll stay good if there is any chance at all of one of these presents....

So did Mum get a replacement key for the car sitting on her drive. That would be a no. The wee lad in the parts department cancelled the order as she hadn't given the immobiliser number.

As Mum said, she'd never been asked for the number, and where would she find it. On the side of the radio she was told. "What Radio - the one locked inside the car" was her question.

Now Mum doesn't lose her temper very often but when she does, most of the family try and stay away.

Friday saw a wee trip into to see the Manager proved (in the end) fruitless. Oh don't worry Mrs Muirhead, if the replacement key isn't here on Saturday morning at 9.30, we'll send a truck out to pick up the car and open it here.

So Saturday morning saw a big truck sitting outside the house. Not that it was much use, as they driver explained... As the handbrake was on, to try and move it would be pretty difficult and could damage the car. Any movement would also set off the immobiliser and probably the car alarm as well. Cut the story short - the big truck left and the car is still on the drive.

Dad phoned the garage to speak to the manager to be told to break the window. Ah - you have a window in stock asked Dad. No - but at least you'll have access to your wife's stuff and have you car back on the road. "Yes" said Dad. "A car that we can't secure which could then negate our insurance" "A car that when we break the window will set off the car alarm and immobilise the car. A car that we can't drive."

Apparently the key is now back on order again and we should have it on Tuesday. Don't think any of the family are holding their breath...

Well everything seems to be falling into place for Andy's Charity swim around the island of Lismore.

Sharon has been working hard on the Press Releases which should go out this week. I've managed to get Andy a Personal Trainer, Nutrionalist and someone to make a specialised suit for him.

Lindsay from the Anthony Nolan Trust has been a great help in ensuring we're on the right track.

I've also set up a webpage on a website that allows you to donate straight to the charity through specific events. Please do have a look at Andy's page. Better still, please do make a donation - doesn't matter how big.

You'll find the page at
www.justgiving.com/andys-swim


Please do also let other folk know about the swim.

Cheers folks