Barrels

Spent the day down in the Gateshead office, doing quite tiresome stuff apart from popping out for an enjoyable lunch with colleagues, one of whom is being forced to retire on 30th September, the day before the mandatory retirement age is scrapped. (Theoretically he could apply for his own job in a month or two's time, when all age discrimination will be illegal...)

The train back was fuller than usual of people who don't know that there's a "mute" key on their keyboard - oh, spare me from that cheesy Microsoft cadence. Scuttling my way out of the back exit from the station (the exit of choice during the year's closure of Waverley steps) when I was surprised to see some proper wooden barrels piled up by a wall. Just beyond the arch and to the left of the skip in this - thought for a moment that the bar Pivo had decided to go all traditional. But then I realised that there were lots of people rushing around with ladders, paint brushes, washing lines, etc. I predict some filming or other going on at the top end of Calton Road tomorrow.

The cooper at the Alton brewery was Mr Rothan (sp?) - he made beautiful barrels of course but also did some nice pieces of simple domestic furniture. I shall no doubt blip one sometime.