Aberdeen monsoon

It's been raining in almost biblical proportions for the last 24 hours - our golf today was washed out and it's not looking good for our weekend at Boat of Garten.

I've just had 2 consecutive days at the dentist - with more to come. I changed my mind yesterday and told her that I'd decided after all to get the tooth that I broke in USA crowned - first time I've ever done this. It's pretty pricey - hope it works OK.

I sorted out the accidental double booking that I made in Oz for Kelly and Craig - but the trade-off was that I had take another exchange quickly - so I did - Marriott's Newport Coast Villas next March - so that's when we'll be going to USA next year. Cade and Braeden are off school that week, so we hope they can all join us then.

Last night we got invited by Richard Simcox to the Jazz Night at the Milton - and very nice it was too. You won't be surprised that Jo had the Creme Brulee (as I did) - and she thought it was absolutely spiffing!

Keith and Annette Gray took us there and back. Here, she and Keith are all ears:

Yes - it was Richard in full flow that they were listening to:

Rubble

I heard that awful crunching sound as I left to go to work today and I nipped next door to investigate. This is all that is now left of our squash courts:

I knew it was happening, but it's still pretty sad to see it. Still, try to remember the good times and the friends made there over the last 26 years.

It's also the last night of our midweek golf tonight - it's all downhill from here!

September

Carole King had a hit in 1962 with "It might as well rain until September" and, according to some people, it has. I can't say I share that view - I suppose we missed a lot of the wet weather when we were in USA in July - but it's not been too bad over the last month, I naively thought - that was until I heard the weather girl this morning say that Eskdalemuir has had its wettest August ever - mind you, that is the West of Scotland for you.

Anyway, now that it is actually September, let's hope for better things.

I did finish my book last night - very enjoyable - you can read a synopsis of it here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catch_22 - but it's a pretty heavy analysis and not exactly an advert for reading the book - but don't be put off if you fancy reading it.

Last night we were trawling Interval International's web site for possible holiday exchanges for next year. Jo fancied a seaside resort this time and we found one I've been trying to get for years - Marriott's Newport Coast Villas, just south of LA - http://www.marriott-vacations.com/vacation/resorts/marriott-newport-coast-villas/overview.html. Looks very nice and exchanges are currently available for the week 19th - 26th March, 2010 (when the boys are on Easter break) and then from April 24th through until May 23rd, with another week available from September 10th to 17th. The only potential problem is that the Interval site says "The resort is undergoing construction/renovation, which is a continuation of the resort's development." I don't think we should be too worried about that - Marriott are usually pretty careful about how they manage this, but Jo was a trifle concerned.

There was also the possibility of one in the Napa Valley - http://www.intervalworld.com/web/cs?a=291. This is available from April 30th all the way through the summer - pick your week.

No more thoughts for today - other than the fact that Jo's going to have her hands full getting the house back in a fit state for Kelly and Craig next week. Mmmm - on second thoughts, their standards are pretty low nowadays - "pikey" living, as Craig calls it.

Bank holiday blues

Back to the Broch today when it seems the whole of the rest of the country is on holiday. The house is in chaos as well as the bedrooms are getting painted - where to go, what to do?

No golf last Saturday - although Friday at St Andrews Bay was good - so I took up the offer of a ticket at Pittodrie for the Motherwell match. Now I remember why I cancelled our season tickets this year.

Going to finish my book tonight - Catch 22 - a classic - always meant to read it and now I've finally done it - almost. It seems to me like M.A.S.H. pilfered a lot of the style and the references from Catch 22 for the movie and TV series.

Sad to see the nights drawing in - this is the last week of our midweek golf - off to Boat of Garten Sunday/Monday as well - but not before I have to endure another 2 sessions at the dentist.

Mince & tatties for tea tonight - nice! Followed by leftover meringue from yesterday - yummy!

Anyway, I was consoling myself by checking on possible holiday locations for next year. Seems there's a few exchanges available just now, so might book soon. Need to find out when the boys are off school in 2010.