The Edinburgh International approaches!

Many thanks to Bob for giving the event much-needed publicity at www.skipcottagecurling.blogspot.com .  Where would those of us who love this great sport be without Bob's help, I wonder?  "Lang may his lum reek".

Thanks too to Sandy Morton, who is ever vigilant!  He it was who alerted regular forum readers to the webcasting that we will be doing this weekend.  Rather than attempt too much, we will webcast certain games and you can find a schedule at http://www.skipcottagecurling.blogspot.com/.

This year, we are charging a nominal £3.00 for the weekend's viewing.  The costs of webcasting are more than you might think and we need to be realistic in today's economic environment.  This will give us very exact feedback in terms of viewers as opposed to visitors and will inform our decision-making process for next year.

Last year, we had weather-related problems and I really hope that the weather stays kind for us this year.  We have taken a number of steps to address cleanliness on the ice as well, so you will find that the lobby area and entrance hall has been carpeted and that we have sticky mats down at entrance points onto the ice.  Hopefully, this will address some of the pick-up issues that we suffered from last season.

The stones were turned a week ago, so competitors should benefit; the stones are curing about four to five feet at draw weight and - important this - they look as if they finish well.  I have had a couple of games so far, so we will see - I am setting myself up for a fall here, but never mind; God loves an optimist!

Spectators will be made most welcome at the rink, by the way; the more the merrier!

If you are competing, prepare yourself for the odd tap on the shoulder for commentary duties.  I will do some; I know that Robin Aitken may as well.  We will be taking pictures of the action and posting them Bob's way with a daily update on the competition's progress.