1 Baltic Place

Some addresses are very true, especially at this time of year!

The Aberdeen Exception

Roundabouts.

A fairly simple road junction to deal with.

The Highway Code advises that on approaching the roundabout you make sure you are in the right lane.

If there are two lanes entering the roundabout you should be in the left hand lane if you wish to leave via the first or second exit. If you wish to leave via the second or third (or fourth etc) exit you should enter from the right hand lane.  You should indicate a left turn once you have passed the exit prior to the one you wish to leave by.

All of the above means that when you go to exit the roundabout your path should be clear.

Simple.

Except if you live in Aberdeen.

I am convinced that there must be a location specific appendix to the code, The Aberdeen Exception, which applies only to this part of the world.  I believe that this was probably introduced as part of the Mastrick Treaty (copyright Scotland The What, nineteen canteen).

Motorists in Aberdeen seem to believe that the entry lane to a roundabout, and your positioning as you make your way round to your intended exit, is of no consequence whatsoever.

In Aberdeen it appears to be the norm that if you wish to take the third exit from the roundabout, the one that involves driving 3/4 of the way round it, that you enter via the left hand lane and just gaily cruise round the outside of the roundabout cutting across other traffic and generally causing much stamping on brakes, wailing, gnashing of teeth, waving of fists etc.

I have been subjected to this in other cities but only rarely, I tend to put it down to people visiting from the North East.  In and around Aberdeen it is a daily occurrence.  The roads department have even painted handy arrows on the road pointing out which way you should be going.  

Does it make a difference?  

Nae really.

What prompted this rather grumpy post?  Did you get cut up by one of these dozy feckers last night, TK?

Yes I bloody well did.  

I am tempted to buy an old clunker, something large and heavy, and cruise round the busiest roundabouts in the city.  Then, when some eejit cuts right across my exit, I'll just ram straight into them.  You'd be gay not to really...

Has anyone else been subjected to this unfortunate trait, or am I just imagining it?

Scary Kilty Guy

Whilst I'm back here in the blogowotsit I will take the chance to ask you good people of the 'Deen a question that has been bothering me.

Who is the Scary Kilty Guy?

You know, the guy that you always see about town wearing a strange sort of leather and kilt combination.

Big guy with one of those combo haircuts : shaved at the front with a long black ponytail.

He strides about the place as though he is either on his way to somewhere or on his way back...

Who is he?

What does he do?

What is with the strange garb?

Can anyone enlighten me?  Post any info you have in the comments please.

p.s. I mean the big scary kilty guy, not the weedy but also very scary kilty guy described here.

Ne'er cast a cloot...

I know that we have blue skies and sunshine here in the Granite City today, and it all looks very pleasant through a window, but...

You sir!

Yes, you with the flower patterned bermuda shorts and the green flip flops!

You are a mentalist!!

No Golf Practice

No Golf Practice, originally uploaded by Vambo78.

Its no the golfers the cooncil need tae be wurryin aboot...

... its thae pesky scuba divers!

Bring It On

Blogging from Madrid today.

Got here last night after a fairly tortuous journey, place is jumping with Dons fans.

Been around the Bernebau this morning and bumped into the Aberdeen squad who all seem in good spirits.

Only downer so far is one of our party getting his wallet robbed by some minker when boarding a crowded Metro train. Some other guy had his wallet lifted out of his sporran too. Bastards.

All the Aberdeen fans are to gather in one area tonight before the game, should be a fantastic atmosphere.

Let´s just hope we get a decent result...

Best Carry Out Ever?

Scene : Pittodrie Stadium, concourse under Richard Donald stand, jammed with about 700 odd Dons fans camping out overnight to get tickets in the morning.

Folk were being allowed out to have a fag, go for chips, get refreshments etc.

Cue loads of folk coming back loaded down with alcoholic beverages.

Best one of the night was a young lad who returned with the best carry out I have ever seen - two cases of lager and a pillow!

Have you seen better than this? Why don't you thrill us with your takeaway alcohol themed tails...

Offshore Europe Traffic Chaos

It took me an hour longer than normal to drive to work this morning.

Yep, Offshore Europe is back. You can't get a hotel room in Aberdeen for love nor money and traffic chaos reigns once more.

Having sat for ages in a traffic jam that was moving as slowly as a snail with a limp it cheered me up no end to see that Grumpyans friendly boys in blue were doing their bit to ease the situation - by having a bunch of bobbies on the beach esplanade with hand held speed cameras busting all the harassed commuters trying desperately not to be late to work... Bastards.

Aberdeen is pretty mental when Offshore Europe is on but there is no denying that it brings in a lot of money, even the girls who ply their trade outside my lovely office traditionally make a bundle - perhaps they could invest in some more clothing, they are going to catch their death standing about by the roadside, at night, with no simmet on...

Anyway, with things being quiet here, I will probably visit OE this afternoon. There's nothing quite like wandering aimlessly round a huge, crowded, exhibition hall looking at bits of equipment that you have no idea about and gathering huge amounts of free tat that will be binned once safely home...

ho hum...

Life's A Beach

Today was officially Scotland's summer.

Spent the morning playing the 6 hole golf course with the wee fella and his pal.

Followed this up with a walk to the Sands Of Forvie where the two of them tore up and down the sand dunes before stripping half naked and running in and out of the waves.

The beach at Forvie is beautiful, totally unspoilt and almost deserted - a real joy to spend time on.

Late evening was spent enjoying the last of the sunshine walking along the sea front at Aberdeen munching on an ice cream cone.

Fantastic. Life just seems so much better on days like these. If we could just guarantee this weather there would be no need to travel further afield.

In true Scottish fashion however it looks like I will be turning up for work tomorrow with burnt arms and a nose like a belisha beacon!!!

Local Colour

Found a great blog that features all the "Weel Kent Fowk" of Aberdeen.

A cast of characters familiar to anyone who has spent any time in the city, including The Kilt, The Gilcomston Tramp, The Braveheart Guy, Squeak (gone but never to be forgotten), and The Markies Street Preachers.

Another worthy of note is Big Aggie. The mp3 of Aggie's voicemail messages is comedy gold, if not for the easily offended amongst you.

One of the other human landmarks is the one and only Peter Dow, political activist, Scottish National Standard Bearer, and not at all a complete fruit loop. Peter has been a bit quiet of late but often used to be seen around town with his placards, or towing a giant billboard, railing about this, that, or the next thing. Peter is looking for love and uses a page on his website to try and attract the right woman - given his list of instructions and demands I find it really hard to understand why likely candidates have not been beating his door down...

Link : Aberdeen Tramps And Ither Weel Kent Fowk

Link : Peter Dow is single and looking for a woman