They've found a haven here from Harare

ONLY natural that they should get in touch with Ronnie Browne soon as they landed in Scotland from horrendous Harare. After all he. or rather, the Corries have been their inspiration. A reason to run for it.

Brigitte Rodrigues, 30, was born there and Davie Scobie, 42, had lived there since his parents emigrated from Dundee when he was eight. They call themselves Brogue, a duo specialising in Celtic material.

Both are singers, he is the multi-instrumentalist, and they've settled in Bo'ness, hoping to pick up gigs in and around central Scotland.

"We packed traditional Celtic songs on to our debut album, a lot of them associated with the Corries, but on our follow-up CD the highlights are essentially Corrie originals," says Brigitte. "We made a bee line for Ronnie, our mentor here, so to speak."

And Ronnie: "Brogue undoubtedly have talent, enough to prove they'll be a credit to the folk scene here. They shouldn't have a problem finding work."

PM's anti-PC
Back to Blackford? A down-to-earth Patrick Moore tells us: "I detest political correctness. Subsequently this includes resentment for most politicians. I'd like to give my thoughts on the present government but I probably can't use that sort of language in a family newspaper. UKIP, whilst having a long way to go, is our only hope."

Wonder when old Patrick will be back in Edinburgh. He'd still get a splendid view of the sky at night from the Observatory on Blackford Hill.

Pan-demonium
Now hear this from the Health Secretary Alan Johnson. When we are hospitalised we should never hesitate to tell doctors and nurses to wash their hands.

Oh sure Mr Johnson, but having done so, it might take nurse a wee bit longer to bring that bedpan. Have to add, though, that in my experience the nurses at the Western and the Infirmary generally are good humoured souls, providing they've had no hassles finding a parking space.

Afterwords . .
. . . Maeve Binchy telling us: "As my father was fond of pointing out, 'how are you?' is a greeting, not a question. But some people enjoy bad health. They love a good illness. I call them foul weather friends."