My brush with the law

A while ago I got a summons for jury duty. And, as the only other time I've had such a summons (when I was self employed) I sought to get out of my civic duty.

But this time I have a good excuse - waiting, then recovering from, knee surgery. I sent the summons back with my excuse, but without the doctor's letter, because she was too busy to do it then. So today I brought them the letter. What a palaver. I was escorted down into the hallowed halls of the judiciary. Down lifts, along endless corridors with huge wooden doors opening automatically as we approached.

The big burly security officer accompanied me, waited for me, then accompanied me back again. I'm not sure if he was just being helpful, or there was a bit of a panic when I emptied my pockets to go through the X-ray:

Phone
Money
Keys
Screwdriver...

Hang on!! A dangerous weapon!!

Actually, it was a wee three inch Philips screwdriver I found on the road. I don't bend down for anything less than £1 (not counting Archie's poos, of course) but a screwdriver is always handy and cannot be left.

We did have a bit of fun, the security chaps played along in mock panic (I think they were bored) with me offering to leave it with them while I was in the building. Though they did admit I didn't look like a suspicious character. Which is the ideal type, of course - can't be too careful.

I popped in to a trial. The prosecution was summing up in a rape trial. My eyes were glazing over after ten minutes, so I was glad I wasn't in the front row of the jury under the scrutiny of the be-wigged chap. They stopped for a break, so I gratefully took my leave.

This is Parliament Hall, which was used as the Scottish Parliament up till the Act of Union with England in 1707.

Bailey and her mum popped in for lunch. Bailey has had a haircut and looks about half the size! Poor wee thing had been sick during her morning walk. Then she was sick not once, not twice, but three times during her visit. The last one, thankfully, just at the gate. I hope she's better after a big snooze this afternoon.