The week started with glorious sunshine, I could not believe how warm it is here in Scotland, 40 degree plus. Well I would like to write that but the sad truth is that the weather is exactly the same as it is in Perth at the moment, bloody awful. I woke early on Tuesday as it was a special day, yes another anniversary and tomorrow would be another one for my Father. Since my Father had Cancer I have been coming over at this time of the year so we can celebrate together, this usually involves an unusual meal or two and some very fine wine. Last year we celebrated in an old castle that has been turned into a Hotel, and this year we decided to go back as we had a ball last year. This year was no exception and I was glad to say that the wine list was excellent, a nice 2002 St Andrews Cab Sav to get things moving followed by an excellent Superstition Isle of Jura Whisky. Needless to say the next day was one spent in the summer house watching the wildlife go about their  business while the rain was relentless in its pursuit to drench everything. Thursday brought a fantastic morning, well at 5am there was not a cloud in the sky and I thought finally the good weather has arrived. I set off North for Perth iphone playing the Beatles Let It Be, the sunroof was open and the clear blue sky flashed above as I headed for the Forth Bridge. The traffic was surprisingly light as I settled into warp 1, just a gentle run as my trusty steed had not done many miles since my last visit and I wanted to give her a shakedown incase the harsh winter had caused any undue stress on the usual suspects. I reached Perth and the sunshine was perfect I did notice that there were not that many foreign tourists as the recession has really taken hold here. I made my way up to the house in the country as I had a few errands to do that my Father had asked. The house had changed slightly as my Father had some workmen repair and replace items throughout the year and it was looking splendid, not bad for something that is a few hundred years old. I wandered around the property looking at the things that I would change as eventually I will retire here, well for the summer months anyway as I don’t envy the Autumn and Winter here anymore. I still have vivid memories of freezing ice, a wind chill that goes to the bone and rain that beats down relentlessly, no I can’t see me relishing to get back to that. I soon left as I had to be at the local pub, I thought quick a blast down some very narrow lanes would get me there in no time, mind you last year my cousin had me whisking down at 110 mph or warp 3 in her Audi diesel!, this year however sanity prevailed and a sedate 70 mph was enough. I entered and scanned for my local choice of beer on tap, only to be greeted with, I’m sorry Mike, only you and a chap from the village had drunk the stuff, and he died and you only come here once a year so we had to get rid of it. Bugger I do like Tennants Velvet, its a dark beer, only 3.5% a bit like Mcaffreys, rich and creamy and works wonders for the 30 feet of intestine that has had a holiday on the plane! My old friends soon trotted in and we soon migrated to the amber nectar and started putting the world to rights. All too soon closing time was called, a shame really as we were just getting started, but a blessing as I was heading back to Edinburgh the next day. The day started with rain, how unusual, so the roof was closed and Elbow and Fiest were playing on the iphone to ease the pain of rain. I slotted in to some light traffic and decided to have a competition with the car to see if I could get better that the 34.5mpg I had achieved on the way up. I tried all the tricks I know and I couldn’t do it, so I think I may just have to give it some gentle servicing the next time I’m up in Perth as I should be able to crack 40mpg easily.