Make up your mind

From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/

Plans for today were thrown a bit when the snow arrived just as I was heading off to Fraserburgh. Listening to the forecasts put me off going and I reached the other end of Banchory and turned around and came home. It just so happens the 3rd Ashes Test was on TV - 33 degrees in Perth - so I watched that for a while, did a little work, finished my book, and that was my day.

Cancelled squash as well, but we're still planning to go to the Douglas this evening for the Cairngorm Brewery tasting - if they made it over here that is. Actually, the snow turned out to be not half as bad as forecast - pity - I feel better when it really snows and you know you've made the right decision staying at home. It's a bit more awkward when you've stayed off work and you know you could have got there and back without too much trouble.

Kelly Skyped this morning - won't be long now till we're over there with her.

Before Luca left on Wednesday morning, he was making family fish with the stones in our back room - Baby whale, Mummy whale, Daddy whale and great, big enormous Granda whale! - can you see them on the floor?:

All systems go for Oz!

From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/

At last! Got my passport today, so the applications for our visas for Australia can now be made. I'd forgotten, however, what a rotten photo I'd sent off with my passport application:

A bit grim, isn't it? Never mind, it only lasts 10 years - I'll be coming up for my 72nd birthday by the time I have to renew it.

Squash was fun last night and we've arranged to play again on Thursday - the same night that we're going to the Cairngorm Brewery tasting at the Douglas.

What else is on this week? Well, our Xmas party night is this Saturday at the Potarch, but, before that, I've been invited again to go to Pittodrie on Saturday - I've dodged it so far this season, but I'll go along this time - unless, of course, the match is postponed again - quite possible given the dire weather predictions for later in the week.

It's Tuesday evening and we're sitting here waiting for Luca. Jo normally picks him up from nursery and brings him over here for tea, but it's their Xmas nativity today and Gary and Carole have gone along, with Gary bringing Luca over here afterwards to stay the night whilst his parents go out for their Tuesday exercises (football for Gary).

Monday frustrations

From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/

Still no passport - do I report it as stolen? I've contacted the IPS again and await their advice.

I'm also still trying to get my Archos DVR returned for repair - that's over a month now I've been waiting and I've had 4 telephone calls, over a dozen e-mails and 4 web enquiries and still nobody will take responsibility for it. Grrrr.

Planning to play squash again this evening - at Kippie this time. Dan couldn't get his car up the hill at Findrack on Saturday and we had to walk the last half mile over the ice and snow - it's a bit more remote and higher elevation too, and, being a private estate, the roads are never cleared, so we're going for the safe option of the Petroleum club in Aberdeen this time.

Carole cheered me up when she sent the following link today: http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/watch/guest/72RhPdWWZ52cXEnuAifd_g

So whilst those under 40 were watching some TV competition last night - X Factor I think it's called - and those that are so inclined were probably watching something like Strictly Dancing - what did we do? - why, watch the 50th anniversary celebrations of Corrie, of course! We've also been trying to get in to The Sopranos - two episodes in and we're not absolutely hooked, to say the least. Colin gave us the series on DVD as we'd enjoyed The Wire so much - and he said we would enjoy the characters in The Sopranos as well, but it seems a little bit too tongue in cheek for me - and not that funny yet. Will persevere a bit, however.

That's it for now - hoping to be able to drive cross country to Fraserburgh tomorrow for the first time for over 2 weeks before the next bout of snow and ice arrives later in the week.

Mild panic in the ranks

From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/

It's been a week of waiting, wondering and worrying - my passport has been the cause of concern. I spent a couple of hours on the phone on Friday afternoon trying to find out what's happened to it. I was told it was dispatched by Royal Mail Special Delivery on Friday 3rd December - but there's still no sign of it here. Typical conspiracy theorist that he is, Ross told me it had been stolen as part of an identity theft - probably by one of the seasonal part-time staff that Royal Mail take on. I suppose he could be right, but I sincerely hope not.

Anyway, I phoned the travel agent and they said they could get my visa for Oz as long as they had my passport a couple of days before travel, so that gives us a bit more time.

My knees have been feeling stronger week by week, and it seems to me that the increase in the dosage of beta blockers has helped my cardio condition a fair bit as well - my heart rate doesn't seem to race as much when I stress it now. I've had 3 visits to the gym this week and I finally made my comeback at squash yesterday - and I coped OK, with no ill-effects - yet. With no golf in prospect for some time it seems, it's good to be able to play squash anyway.

So that's been my week - Xmas looming - need to think quickly what to get Jo!