9/11

A significant day in world history today - and it was interesting to dig this photo out of the archives from our trip to New York in 2001. It was taken in World Trade Plaza, with the Twin Towers dominating the skyline. Ross, Jo and Kelly have their backs to the camera and are walking away. Just 8 short weeks later, the Twin Towers were no more. I can still remember Ross calling me in Fraserburgh from his work on 11th September, 2001, urging me to switch the TV on - none of us could believe what we were seeing.


Talking of Ross - he's got another new car - this time an old Merc and it's a monster 500 SEC!:

It's going to be hard work - the car has hardly been used over the last year and needs a good clean-out - the back parcel shelf is growing mould:

What happened yesterday? Well, Carole made it safely back in her new car - she's so proud of it - and Luca was gone by the time I got back from my debut with the Banchory Seniors team in their match at Kirriemuir (which we won comfortably). So last night was just nail biting time - aka watching Scotland play their World Cup qualifier in Iceland.

Today it's management meetings day in Fraserburgh and this evening, we're going to try and play squash at Findrick - after giving it a good brush out. Wish us luck!

Tuesday babysitting

I got home sharp to see Luca - and Gary arrived not long after we'd all had our tea - Luca didn't seem to fancy Jo's mince and tatties for some reason. He fancied the bath afterwards even less - he wouldn't go in, so Jo tried to entice him by stripping off and going in herself. He eventually, very reluctantly, went in. Jo then pushed matters a bit further by shampooing his hair. Jo then shrieked when I took out my camera - I had to assure her the lens would only be pointed at Luca!:


I then took a short drive, with Richard Simcox and Hugh and Jackie Riches, to see a squash court just beyond Torhpins that we had previously been unaware even existed. Jamie Burnett had put me in touch with Andrew Salvesen, who has a grand estate called Findrick. He built the court for himself 30 years ago in a cottage block used by his estate workers, but he and his sons no longer use it. It was a very pleasant surprise - it seemed to be in good nick and had the added bonus of showers and a changing room, which Crathes lacks.

The court will need a brush up, but that seems to be all. We're going to try and play doubles there tomorrow (Thursday).

When I got back, Gary had gone home, but I then tried to Skype Kelly - and, lo and behold, we actually made contact - after a few minor technical glitches at the Cornish end. Craig's bedtime viewing of Dragon's Den on the BBCi player was rudely interrupted for about 40 minutes, but at least we have established that Kelly can do it - now over to you, Gary!

Also tried to Skype Lucy a couple of times, but she was out.

Consolation

Well, it never quite came to pass - Federer was too hot for our Andy - but at least it was short and I didn't have to try and stay awake until 2 or 3 in the morning.

Tried to Skype Kelly and Craig again last night - failed again - are they never online? I left a couple of brief messages on Skype - perhaps they'll pick them up before they arrive here in the early hours of Friday morning - and yes, we'll leave the door open - and Jo insists that Craig's Mum and Dad must come over to ours.

Oh - as I was writing this, Kelly Skyped me! After several false starts we eventually got to see each other - but I had a problem hearing Kelly so we ended up just talking on the mobile phones!

It was early in the morning, but it sure looked like Kelly was going to have a bad hair day:

Will try to Skype tonight from home after Kelly's run - just to test everything's working OK.

Jo will be on her way over to Inverurie by now to pick up Luca and take Carole to the airport.

Scotland rejoices

Well - did you see it? Andy Murray completed the job last night and convincingly beat Rafa Nadal to make it through to his first Grand Slam final - it was great. Now, can he go on and complete the job tonight in the final against Roger Federer, and become the first (male) Brit to win a Grand Slam event since Fred Perry in the 1930's?

I will be watching intently - but probably alone. Ross came up for coffee last night at some of the critical points and every time he sat down, Andy made a mistake! Ross' own paranoia made him stay away until I was able to tell him that he'd finally won!

As part of the continuing Arbor Court clearout, Jo came across some more old booth photos of Kelly and her chums:

and even scarier ones of me:

Squash tonight, I think and hopefully golf on Wednesday afternoon - I'm playing for Banchory Seniors at Kirriemuir. Jo's taking Carole to the airport tomorrow and Luca's staying with us for one or two nights whilst Carole goes down to London to buy a car.

Learney Cup

Good news and bad news - for Jo at least! First the good news - I didn't bring the trophy back. Now the bad news - I did win the final this afternoon, so the trophy will be coming home - after engraving and the official prizegiving next month.

Ross 25!

And a very happy birthday today to Ross - sometimes we wondered whether he would make it to this ripe old age - but he has, thank God! He and his pals were round at Dan's house last night playing poker - and he never made it home until this afternoon, so he's a little fragile and tired, but he did manage to join us for the lovely stew Jo had cooked - although the Apple Crumble will have to wait until later!

Ross has decided that he wants a "proper" coffee machine for his birthday, but these monsters cost several hundred pounds - so it'll only be a contribution we're making!

St Andrews etc

I had a couple of meetings in the office on Friday before setting off to meet Jo at Stracathro again for the drive down to St Andrews Bay. We had a quick bite in the golf clubhouse and then Keith and I, with Malcolm and his son Matthew, went off to play golf, leaving Jo and Annette to check us in and meet us after golf.

It was dry but pretty windy and it required an extra layer at times to keep the wind at bay:

A quick shower after golf then all 4 of us hopped on the shuttle bus to take us in to the Auld Toon. We had a couple of beers in Whey Pat then walked down to the Balaka for our curries - they were excellent - the place never disappoints.

Didn't have a very good night's sleep and we were both pretty tired on Saturday morning, but after breakfast, we popped in to St Andrews for a short walk on the shore. It was exceptionally windy - so much so that a few Americans who were supposed to be playing golf, cancelled. I'm not quite sure what they expected coming to Scotland in September and playing golf on the coast - I thought that was part of the attraction of the trip for them - different conditions from back home? - It doesn't get much better at this time of year - dry is good, and wind is expected. Anyway, here we are getting blown away on the rocks:

We got back to Banchory in good time for Carole arriving with Luca - they were going to a wedding and Luca was staying with us overnight. He was all dressed in denim with that cheeky look on his face - and his hair's getting even longer:

I went to play golf and Jo took Luca a walk all the way along to Somerfield's to do some grocery shopping - she met several people who made the understandable mistake of saying "oh what a pretty girl!" - Jo put some of them right but got fed up explaining to everyone and just let it pass.

I had a mini disaster on the golf course - the handle of my Powacaddy sheared half way round - I still had power but couldn't steer so had to manhandle it round the course. This morning (Sunday), I'm taking it in to the pro to see what can be done with it. I'll have to hire for this afternoon - it's Finals Day at Torphins and I'm defending the Learney Cup. Of course, Jo secretly hopes I lose so we will be one trophy less in the house - well, actually, not so secretly!