Terrific Tuesday

Bright blue skies this morning - very pleasant - and the roads are fine, although there is the possibility of more snow tomorrow apparently. I didn't go to Fraserburgh yesterday - I postponed the guy that was coming up from Edinburgh - so it's now tomorrow morning that he's coming. The plus side was that I managed another trip to the gym yesterday instead.

Last night, we watched another 2 episodes of The Wire - that's 7 in all now. There had been a bit of a gap since we saw episode 5, and we were both struggling a bit with the story line and the characters at first, but had got back on track by the end of episode 7. We must make sure we watch an episode every other day, I think.

Tonight, it's back to the movies, so I'll just stay in town for tea - I'll meet up with Colin and Gary (Grant) and his brother somewhere for a bite and a beer.

I've also finally committed to doing the West Highland Way (well a bit of, anyway) this year - some accommodation now booked and deposits paid - no going back now! This is the plan:

• Thursday evening 16th September
• Drive over to Fort William
• Friday 17th September
• Train down to Bridge of Orchy
• Walk 12 miles to Kings House Hotel, Glencoe
• Saturday 18th September
• Walk 9 miles to Kinlochleven
• Sunday 19th September
• Walk 14 miles to Fort William
• Monday 20th September
• Walk up Ben Nevis (possibly)
• Home

I know it doesn't look very onerous, but remember, it's not just a stroll in the park - there's some big hills to climb too - and none of us have ever done any hill walking before - and we're not getting any younger either! Colin Kilgour, Dave Williamson, John McWhinnie and Ian Sharp will be my walking companions. We're not sure how we'll feel on Monday morning and whether we'll be up to climbing Ben Nevis or not. Certainly, we'll have to put in some training first of all. I've never been up Cloch-na-Ben so that could be our first challenge. The Hill of Fare and Lochnagar are also possible local walks for us to try.

I'm also tempted by the possibility of going to the Roland Garros stadium for the French Open in May/June. That's the second of the tennis "Majors" this year and hopefully Andy Murray will be making a challenge again. There are direct flights to Paris from Aberdeen, and Dave Williamson is now spending most of his work time in Paris, rather than Reading, so that's why the idea first arose.

To do these things, it obviously means sacrificing some golf this year - I'll need to think carefully about my schedule.

Word of the Day - Gelid (Jel-id) - adjective - extremely cold; icy. Very appropriate.