Saturday sunshine

Another bright start to the day, but chilly - like you would expect at this time of year. The leaves are almost gone now. Here's the last 3 days:

The morning news from Paris is also chilling - is nowhere safe?

I went down to Taylor's this morning to collect the mirror we are buying but I was too early - I have to go back on Monday.

I forgot to post these two signs from the Gents' loo in Krakatoa Bar:

You can tell what a classy place it is!

So I'm off to the local CAMRA AGM this afternoon. Jo is catching the same bus in - she's going shopping in town.

Friday 13th - winter's coming

No mishaps yet. Today is what they used to call Black Friday, but that phrase has now been pinched by the retail sector for the annual shopping bonanza that falls on the day after Thanksgiving in USA - i.e. 2 weeks from now. We'll be in Edinburgh then - hope it's not too frantic there.

The first ever named UK storm (Abigail) has seemingly passed the North East of Scotland with barely a passing glance. We had a little bit of rain last night but nothing like what was feared.

Having dipped out of yesterday's cycle, I thought the bright sunshine today might have enticed me out on the bike again, but a short walk along to the shops with Jo soon put paid to that idea - the temperature has dropped and they're forecasting snow on the hills - it certainly feels that way now.

Jo had her hair done this morning but she didn't want to miss out on her usual Friday afternoon swim, so that's where she is now. I've just stayed in, catching up with some stuff - trying to book my car in to John Clark BMW, paying our Marriott maintenance fees, booking some golf for the spring, and trying to arrange for my new pair of driving glasses.

I had my eye test locally yesterday - no problems with the glaucoma pressure tests etc - and got a new prescription. She told me my eyes had actually improved a little over the last year, although I still have a slight astigmatism:

Not sure what it all means, but I'll take it to Costco on Tuesday anyway.

I also tried to pop in to Taylor's this morning to order the mirror we saw, but, would you believe it, they were closed for staff training! I've e-mailed Dick now to order it.

After my eye test yesterday, Jo and I took the bus in to Aberdeen to go to M & S. It was a very short shop and there was nothing on at the movies at that time, so, what to do? We popped along to Archibald Simpson's for a couple of beers, and, as it was Curry Club night we thought we might as well eat there as well. We walked back to the Union Square bus station and had enough time to spare to pop in for a quick half at CAMRA's Pub of the Year, the newly re-named Krakatoa (formerly the Moorings) - a cultural experience for Jo.

Weight

Jo's been trying to lose a bit of the weight she - and me - gained in USA, and this morning, she was pleased because she passed a significant threshold. Good work girl!

Measuring your weight can at times be a difficult - and occasionally depressing - thing. Depending on which day, and which time of day, and what you've done before it, the results can be confusing. I'm not consciously dieting but I am aware I have lost a bit of weight - a bit more than a stone - since I stopped working, simply because I'm not as sedentary and am taking a lot more exercise - especially cycling.

Already this week, my weight has apparently varied by as much as 6 pounds. I recorded a high of 13 stones, 1 pound (183 pounds or 83 kgs) on Monday morning but after yesterday afternoon's cycle, the scales showed just 12 stones, 9 lbs (177/80). The truth is somewhere in between - all you can do is watch the trend.

I could do with a some new trousers now. Funnily enough we're heading in to Aberdeen to do some clothes shopping for Jo - after I've had my eye test. Don't think we'll be going to the cinema this time, however - there's nothing decent on at a suitable time.

I'm having a morning of rest - I was too tired after yesterday afternoon's cycle and I didn't have the strength to join the other guys on their usual Thursday morning ride - they're heading for the Tarland Way and the Tarland Trails again, whilst I'm sitting here watching The Nation's Favourite Beatles Number Ones which was transmitted last night on ITV. The results are not what I would have chosen - but then aren't all polls like that?

Talking about music from the '60's, there's a new one in London next April - https://www.facebook.com/AllOrNothingAMusicalAboutTheLifeOfTheSmallFaces/. I've always been a fan - I have virtually every record of theirs. Might have to arrange another trip down south some time between our Australian and American holidays next year - not to mention squeezing some golf in as well. We only have the months of March, April & May between our visits to Kelly and Lucy and I've already doubled up on one of my regular trips - the hill-walking weekend, which is happening towards the end of May, unfortunately coinciding with the week of our local CAMRA Beer Festival where I'd already said I would be working next year. I missed this year's festival as we were in France and, as a Committee Member, I felt guilty and that's why I committed early to be there next year. Ah well, can't have everything I guess.

It's our local CAMRA branch's AGM this Saturday. Unless opposed, I'm happy to carry on as Membership Secretary - it helps keep me busy. I like retirement - not having to commute to Fraserburgh or Aberdeen - but I also like to have something to do, so long as I can do it my own time.

Midweek mumbles again

(If viewing on e-mail, it looks better on the web at http://ianrstewart.blogspot.co.uk/)

It's Wednesday already and what have I done? Not a lot, that's what - and, guess what? - my car's back in the garage again. We left early for Inverurie yesterday - this was the first time we'd given the car a run since it was back in the garage last week and we wanted to give ourselves time in case it let us down again - and it did.

Just a mile or so outside Banchory, the intermittent fault with the traction control started again, so we took the car back to C & D and drove off to Inverurie in Jo's car instead. At the time of writing, I'm still waiting to hear from the garage, but I fear we're going to have to take it in to John Clark BMW in Aberdeen.

Anyway, we had lunch in Anderson's in Inverurie yesterday - dangerous really - Jo was attracted to this chair - check the price:

Just £1,300!

We also saw a mirror we liked in Taylor's last week:

Since my last post, I was out cycling on Friday and Monday - and I'm planning to go out again this afternoon - and the builders have finally started on the old filling station site:

Went to see the Jags in Dundee on Saturday as well, and had a game of golf on Sunday. Tomorrow it's my annual eye test - and I spotted a pair of glasses that I like in Costco yesterday and I'll go back and get them some time soon - for driving only.