Tuesday tales

The clock's ticking towards the holiday period - lots to be done before then, including:

• Record more shows for River Dee Radio, to be played when I'm away in Oz
• File my online tax return
• Prepare the music videos and programme for our next Headbang on Friday 16th
• Prepare the annual stats for our Cyclists' lunch on Thursday 15th
• Organise numbers for the annual Xmas Eve footy match
• Complete all the pub surveys and update CAMRA's online records

I've already distributed all the North Sea Ales round Deeside and done the surveys for all bar the Banchory pubs, but the online updates are quite time-consuming.

I've finally sorted out our travel insurance as well. We'd had such a good deal with our Black Card which offered free worldwide travel insurance for both of us, with no exclusions and no medicals required, but we recently got notified that the bank were ceasing this benefit. Instead, they could offer a new type of account which included this, but did not cover pre-existing medical conditions, which would have to be assessed separately - so we've done this and, naturally, had to pay an additional premium. This becomes an increasing problem as we get older, however - eventually we'll be uninsurable and therefore unable to travel extensively.

Talking about travel, let's think ahead folks. In March, 2019, I'll be 70 - if I'm spared - and Kelly will be 40 a couple of months later. Time for another family get-together somewhere methinks. Suggestions on a postcard - if you remember what they were.

I was out cycling 4 times last week - twice for CAMRA deliveries and one night ride too. On Friday, I drove down to Aboyne and cycled from there up to Tarland to deliver North Sea Ales, and then looped back through the trails north of Loch Kinord and back on to the Deeside Way back to Aboyne again. As I was on my own this time, it gave me time to stop at Tomnaverie Stone Circle for the first time:

Not very clear in this photo but the two upright stones either side of the wide flat one perfectly frame distant dark Lochnagar.

We had dinner at the Masons, with the Kilgours, on Saturday night. Very nice, but we ate way too much and Sunday was a slow day.

We'll be heading off to Inverurie soon and tomorrow (Wednesday) morning, we're off to Gleneagles to stay with the Grays and Grigors for one night, hopefully including a round of golf - my first since Tenerife. Fingers crossed.

The letter came through yesterday for my physiotherapy for my knee. Unfortunately, Banchory's not available until January, when we're away, so I've arranged it for Inverurie next Tuesday, prior to picking Luca up from school.