From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
We'll be heading off to Strathtay/Pitlochry in the next couple of hours, but we've woken to another covering of snow this morning. It's not much, but it's enough to make up my mind about which direction to go. It would be too much of a risk to head west up Deeside and over Spittal of Glenshee, so we'll have to go down the main A90 and then decide whether to tackle the Angus/Perthsire cross country route or go all the way down to Perth and then back up the A9.
If we get there in good time and the weather's OK, I think we'll dump the car at our B & B (http://www.riverwoodstrathtay.com/) and then take the short walk to our lunch date with Dawn and Barry (http://www.theinnonthetay.co.uk/).
We've got the theatre tonight in Pitlochry - Tony Robinson - and then home tomorrow. If the Glenshee road is open tomorrow, I might even manage to do a pub survey or two in Braemar/Ballater on the way home. I managed to get another 3 done yesterday - the Cock & Bull, Balmedie, Scott Skinner's and the Legion last night. 5 down, 16 to go!
On Monday, I'm taking Jo to Albyn for her appointment with the specialist to look at her shoulder. Hope they sort something out.
Now own up, all you people, who was it that gave my last blog posting a "rubbish" rating?
Ian R. Stewart Family Blog
Saturday 2 February 2013
Wednesday 30 January 2013
The worst kept secret
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
Yes - the news is finally, officially out. We are to become Grandparents again in August. Many congrats to Kelly and Chris - great news. We only wish we could be there - or, even better, that they could be here!
The original plans had been for Kelly and Chris to come over here for Christmas/New Year this year and have a big family reunion as Lucy, Scott and the boys had also planned to come at the same time, but Kelly and Chris can't afford to come now - which is presenting Lucy and Scott with a bit of a dilemma - do they come this year and miss Kelly, or do they cancel their plans and come next year, hoping Kelly and Chris can make it then?
It's also means we will be going back to Oz early next year. We had originally thought that we were getting a year off from doing this journey, but I guess we'll just have to put up with another winter break in the sun! Mind you, it would be cheaper for us to pay Kelly and Chris' air fares over here (cattle class!) than pay for Jo and I to return Down Under (Business Class!)!
That's about all I've got to say today. Believe it or not, I've been exceptionally busy at work this week and have had little time to myself - the odd short blog, that's all. I had fully intended to go back to the gym today - for the first time this year - but got waylaid again. No time left now - got to get home as it's our golf club's AGM tonight and we're expecting a rammy, so I need to be there.
I'm hoping to get some squash tomorrow night, but I've also got all the pub surveys to do for CAMRA and I only have 2 weeks left to cover Banchory, Aboyne, Potarch, Strachan, Tarland, Torphins, Ballater, Crathie, Braemar, Balmedie and Fraserburgh - 21 pubs in all over a wide geographic area, and I've only done 2 of them so far - help!
Yes - the news is finally, officially out. We are to become Grandparents again in August. Many congrats to Kelly and Chris - great news. We only wish we could be there - or, even better, that they could be here!
The original plans had been for Kelly and Chris to come over here for Christmas/New Year this year and have a big family reunion as Lucy, Scott and the boys had also planned to come at the same time, but Kelly and Chris can't afford to come now - which is presenting Lucy and Scott with a bit of a dilemma - do they come this year and miss Kelly, or do they cancel their plans and come next year, hoping Kelly and Chris can make it then?
It's also means we will be going back to Oz early next year. We had originally thought that we were getting a year off from doing this journey, but I guess we'll just have to put up with another winter break in the sun! Mind you, it would be cheaper for us to pay Kelly and Chris' air fares over here (cattle class!) than pay for Jo and I to return Down Under (Business Class!)!
That's about all I've got to say today. Believe it or not, I've been exceptionally busy at work this week and have had little time to myself - the odd short blog, that's all. I had fully intended to go back to the gym today - for the first time this year - but got waylaid again. No time left now - got to get home as it's our golf club's AGM tonight and we're expecting a rammy, so I need to be there.
I'm hoping to get some squash tomorrow night, but I've also got all the pub surveys to do for CAMRA and I only have 2 weeks left to cover Banchory, Aboyne, Potarch, Strachan, Tarland, Torphins, Ballater, Crathie, Braemar, Balmedie and Fraserburgh - 21 pubs in all over a wide geographic area, and I've only done 2 of them so far - help!
Tuesday 29 January 2013
Music studio
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
Has our downstairs room now been turned in to a music studio? You be the judge:
Yes - 2 guitars, stands, amps plus, under wraps on right, a full size drum kit. Here's a better view of Ross' new electric guitar:
Has our downstairs room now been turned in to a music studio? You be the judge:
Yes - 2 guitars, stands, amps plus, under wraps on right, a full size drum kit. Here's a better view of Ross' new electric guitar:
Monday 28 January 2013
Thawing
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
Hello again. It's Monday and I'm at home - alone. I was at a seminar at lunchtime in the city centre and just came home afterwards. No Jo, no Ross - empty house. Never mind, I'm heading off to squash soon.
Jo's latest handiwork was lying on the carpet in the back room. Was she showing off?:
Is anyone else watching Borgen? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borgen_(Danish_TV_series) Scandinavian political intrigue - with subtitles. Sounds great doesn't it? Well, I'm enjoying it anyway. Next episodes Saturday night - when we'll be away. Sky + and Catch-up always come to the rescue.
We're also catching up with Homeland Series 1 - on DVD - having missed it first time around - that's pretty good too.
We're having lunch with Dawn and Barry on Saturday at the Inn on the Tay:
Don't think we'll be sitting out on the decking this week, however!
Jo and I are going to the theatre in nearby Pitlochry at night. Wonder if we'll be able to drive down Deeside and over the hills? If it carries on thawing we should be fine.
Some of you may have noticed last week's press about problems with the North Sea Mackerel fisheries. It's the staple product of our business - 100% of the output of one of our 3 factories and a significant share of the other two, and responsible for probably 300 or more jobs. Complicated subject but the Times tried to summarise it on Saturday:
(Click on to enlarge).
Ironic - plenty mackerel available but it seems the various European countries are hell-bent on destroying the most valuable resource left in the North Sea because they can't agree what's the fairest way to share it all out. Anyway, don't let that stop you continuing to eat it - it's good for you and it's plentiful - for now anyway.
That's all for now, folks.
Hello again. It's Monday and I'm at home - alone. I was at a seminar at lunchtime in the city centre and just came home afterwards. No Jo, no Ross - empty house. Never mind, I'm heading off to squash soon.
Jo's latest handiwork was lying on the carpet in the back room. Was she showing off?:
Is anyone else watching Borgen? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borgen_(Danish_TV_series) Scandinavian political intrigue - with subtitles. Sounds great doesn't it? Well, I'm enjoying it anyway. Next episodes Saturday night - when we'll be away. Sky + and Catch-up always come to the rescue.
We're also catching up with Homeland Series 1 - on DVD - having missed it first time around - that's pretty good too.
We're having lunch with Dawn and Barry on Saturday at the Inn on the Tay:
Don't think we'll be sitting out on the decking this week, however!
Jo and I are going to the theatre in nearby Pitlochry at night. Wonder if we'll be able to drive down Deeside and over the hills? If it carries on thawing we should be fine.
Some of you may have noticed last week's press about problems with the North Sea Mackerel fisheries. It's the staple product of our business - 100% of the output of one of our 3 factories and a significant share of the other two, and responsible for probably 300 or more jobs. Complicated subject but the Times tried to summarise it on Saturday:
(Click on to enlarge).
Ironic - plenty mackerel available but it seems the various European countries are hell-bent on destroying the most valuable resource left in the North Sea because they can't agree what's the fairest way to share it all out. Anyway, don't let that stop you continuing to eat it - it's good for you and it's plentiful - for now anyway.
That's all for now, folks.
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