Belated birthday treat

From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/

We hadn't had a chance to take Ross out for a meal on his birthday, as we had Luca on Tuesday, so we decided to go out last night - and we invited Gary and Carole along. Here we are, walking up to the Tor-na-Coille hotel - Ross in his new shirt - bought by Gary and Carole - and Luca still in his sling:

The most photographed boy in Scotland can still be coy like his mother when he's asked to smile for the camera:

Slightly better this time - half face at least:

and finally, his Dad succeeded where I had failed:

So, did Ross get this birthday shoes on Wednesday? - nope - "too expensive" says he - but we're paying, Ross! Did he pick any tops etc? Also nope. Have the old cars moved out of our driveway yet? - I think you can guess the answer. Frustrating.

I didn't feel too good yesterday and I'm not sure about today either. Discovered what I think is an abscess in my gum, immediately above where I lost some plaque on one of my eye teeth a few months ago - coincidence or not? Perhaps the poison is getting me down a bit. Need to be fully fit for the West Highland Way next week. I've got an appointment at the dental hygienist's on Monday anyway, so, assuming I survive the weekend, that'll be a chance for them to look at it.

Well, it's 9/11 tomorrow - always get a bit of a shudder when I think about it. It doesn't help when all the loonies come out of their trees, as seems to be happening again now with this nutty pastor from Florida. Better to fight the battles on the sports fields, I think. Which reminds me - the Ryder Cup starts 3 weeks today - when I'm in hospital having my knees done.

Quiz night at the golf club tomorrow - should be fun - and let's hope it stays dry for the weekend too - it doesn't look too nice now, but the forecast's not too bad.

From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/

It's been pointed out to me that it's been 2 weeks since I posted on this blog - although there are many postings on my other blogs - so I thought I'd start with a photo, just in case you'd all forgotten what I looked like:

This was taken last week as I travelled back from Stracathro from a business meeting. It was a beautiful day as I drove up Cairn o' Mount on the way back to Banchory. Usually, if we stop at the top, we get out at the little car park, where it seems you can see half of Scotland on a clear day, but this time, I thought I would actually go up to the cairn itself - I'd never actually been there before.

I remember when the stones were just a tiny little pile of rubble, but everyone that stops adds a stone and the cairn is now about 15-20 feet high and the same in diameter. Yes, I did add a stone of my own as well. It's also a little bit of a shrine, with flowers and cards on part of it.

Apart from that, what's been happening? Well, sadly, the golf season - and, seemingly, the summer - is coming to a rapid end. No more midweek evening golf now - it's too dark after work to get 18 holes in. The weather feels a bit autumnal as well. 18 of us were at Boat of Garten this weekend - for our 50th outing there in the 25th year of the trophy - and it was really windy, although at least dry, sunny and warm enough to have the shorts on.

Of course, it was Ross' birthday yesterday - 27! We had Luca over for tea as usual and he really enjoyed the chocolate birthday cake and candles - Jo took the photos and will post them on her blog. Jo and Ross are going in to town this afternoon to buy Ross some shoes (last Christmas' present!) and a top or 2.

I'm supposed to be playing in a Seniors match at Kirriemuir this afternoon, but it looked a bit doubtful overnight with the wind and rain. However, it's a bit drier this morning and I've been assured their course is open, so, fingers crossed for a dry afternoon.

One of my pals who was golfing with us at Boat of Garten this weekend - Dick Taylor - Taylors of Banchory - was rushed off to hospital yesterday morning. He was in the shop and felt poorly and had to lay down on the floor, so they called the doctor, who called an ambulance to take him to hospital. They've kept him in for some more tests and some bed rest - it could have been a small stroke, or possibly a viral infection. Dick's always one of the fittest and most bubbly characters - he'll be 65 in a couple of weeks. Scary.

We've got the Quiz night at the golf club on Saturday, which, unfortunately clashes with a gig that the band that is booked for the wedding is doing at the Burnett Arms. Pity.

I think that's me up to date. I corresponded with Kelly on Facebook yesterday and I see Lucy's updated her blog with photos of the boys going back to school, so that was nice to see.