[watsonofearnock]

Well, we are now getting very close to the date for our meeting. There is still room at the hotel for any late-comers although if we have a sudden surge of them they might not all be sitting at the same table as the rest of us. They will however be nearby at the worst.
Everything else is in hand - arrival time is down to yourself but preferably not before 10.30am which is when I intend to arrive. Lunch is booked for 12.30 and as you all know there is plenty to see and do at New Lanark. For anyone cutting it fine for lunch our table is on the balcony - viz you go up the stairs to the dining room and at the top of the stairs turn RIGHT - there is only one table there and we are at it.
To allow all of us to establish identity I have prepared a number of badges with names and "handles" but for those who booked later on they will get a blank badge to complete. After the first wee while I would imagine that we will all get to know each other and the use of the badges will be redundant.
Also, some of you would have been wondering over the last week if fuel was going to be a problem. This certainly doesn't seem to be the case and I had no bother filling up my Stag when I took it for a run yesterday.
If you have need to contact me by phone my mobile number is 07962 422228 - (that's four, four times two, are eight). However mobile reception is extremely poor at New Lanark as it is set deep down in the Clyde Valley - sadly Robert Owen the mill owner never considered that when he was building the place a couple of hundred years ago - so on the day if you need to speak to me urgently then use the hotel phone number 01555 667200.
Finally, I want to thank in advance all those who are coming along and all the others who have wished us well - and taken part in the ritual rain dances on our behalf.
I certainly am looking forward to Sunday - hope you are too.
Cheers John