Wednesday 25/01/06

A brilliant sunrise, and not a cloud in the sky all day. It's quite chilly though, with the thermometer barely above 5C / 40F all day. It's windless and sunny. Mrs B shows me some of Robert Burns' poetry, whose works we celebrate today. Radio Scotland has organised a poll for the most popular poem in the country, and Robbie Burns' works come top. Tam o' Shanter is number 1, An' a' that is second, with Hallaig by Sorley MacLean a shared third. Go out for a walk with mrs B at 2pm through town to Bayhead Bridge. Here we meet up with her nephew. A slow amble ensues to Lews Castle. Next port of call, the butchers shop outside the Coop on MacAulay Road. Mrs B wants some smoked salmon for her Burns Supper tonight. Unfortunately, the butcher has not checked the expiry date on his stock - some of it went out of date yesterday. The supper consists of: smoked salmon; steak in creamy whisky sauce, vegetables, chips; trifle. Nice Australian wine, a g&t (or two) as aperetif and a Grouse afterwards.