Weds 26 November 08 - Visit to The Caledonian Lodge 392

Bob Mitchell's greetin' meeting as Master. 3rd Degree. He had a great turn out. Bob has once again been a prolific visitor inside and out of the Province. Up to last night he had made 189 visits since taking the chair last December. Not as many as the last time he took the Chair but as he says "there's still just over a week to go." I just put it down to a lack of dedication;-)

1267 had a Deputation and I joined them to enter the Lodge. 4 other deputations included The Lodge of Light 1656, The Rifle Lodge 405 and, believe it or not, representations from The District Grand Lodges of Ghana and also Trinidad & Tobago.

I picked up Colin and Charlie to travel in from Livingston. Bob had asked Colin, Kenny and I to do some floor work during the Degree. Charlie was helping out as Candidate for the evening. Colin was doing the Tools, Kenny the Traditional History and I was doing the Bible reading and singing the solo. A nervous looking Colin took his seat in the car beside me. We discovered he'd never done this set of tools before and with so many of his Lodge to be there on the Dep didn't want to let his Lodge down. Word perfect, needn't have worried. Didn't stop him having a good moan about it on the car on the way in. Colin...moan...never!

Despite the large amount of Deputations, the usual Lodge Business and the fact it was a 3rd Degree the evening's proceedings past swiftly. However, there was a slight delay at the end. Unknown to Kenny, Colin and I there was an ulterior motive behind Bob asking us to help on the floor of the Lodge. We were presented to the West of the Lodge and thereafter had Honorary Membership of 392 bestowed upon us. A proud moment for the three of us, only surpassed by the smug "got you" expression on Bob's face throughout. Bob's words to us were heart felt and I thank him and the Brethren of 392 for the honour. There was another Masonic first at that point...Colin was left speechless!!!

We retired to an Official Harmony with the usual Toasts and the famous Caley Mince & Tatties served up by Peter the Mince. Star of the harmony again was Bro Arthur Symington PM 392, 93 years young, who sang Gone Fishin'. Contrary to popular belief Arthur was not present at the building of the Temple at Jerusalem!

Colin was the last to leave...again.