Friday travel

First of all, a photo from our trip to Pleasure Island on Thursday evening. The boys had a great time - especially at the Lego store where there's lots of things to play with - and, of course, they got gifts to bring home too - just as well Scott and Lucy packed an extra suitcase!

We dined at the Italian Portobello restaurant.


On Friday morning, Lucy drove us to the airport - no problems - everything went smoothly. We had a couple of hours in Salt Lake City - time for a couple of beers in Finnigan's and it gave me a chance to see a bit of the Open.

We picked up Lucy's car at Medford and drove back to Delsie Drive (via Albertson's to stock up). Had a dip in the pool and waited - eventually Lucy phoned to say their plane had technical problems and had been delayed. After some to-ing and fro-ing, they eventually got put up at the Hyatt right in the centre of Orlando airport - and past security - just a 5 minute stroll to their gate in the morning.

This was a great outcome for them - far better than arriving in Las Vegas in the early hours of the morning and having to look for somewhere to stay there. This way, they'll arrive here refreshed and well on Saturday afternoon - via Phoenix - and it saved me having to go and pick them up at Medford at 2 or 3 am this morning!

Thursday

Our last full day - what to do? In the end, Jo and I stayed at the ranch whilst the rest headed off to Typhoon Lagoon, where they stayed until the usual mid afternoon klaxons (remember them all those years ago?). The bonus was that they got back here quite early - armed with Key Lime Pie - Jo's favourite!

Probably go Downtown Disney tonight for something to eat - then it's an early rise - Lucy will drive us to the airport. In return, I have to drive from Grants Pass to Medford airport at about 3 am to pick them up!

Tuesday

It was theme park time again yesterday (Tuesday) - this time Epcot. Another tropical downpour late afternoon meant donning the ponchos again and we were back at the ranch not long after 6pm.


Stars of stage and screen yesterday were Braeden, Cade and Lucy. The video clip shows Lucy and Cade on stage at the Velcro show - yes, Velcro - everything is sponsored here - even at Disney.

Imagination was popular - Jo may have retired but she was still in her element showing the kids what to do:

- and that was Tuesday. Wednesday was, for once, a slightly earlier start - we'd promised ourselves that we would be up and out by 8:30 latest every day to get the best of the weather and beat the crowds - but have failed miserably so far. Today was better, however, but we still managed to spend all day at the Animal Kingdom and not do anything else - but that was fine with us all.

Cade voted Animal Kingdom 2nd best park - just behind the Magic Kingdom. The boys enjoyed the greeting when they arrived:

Braeden was too small for the Everest ride, but we took a photo anyway:

Pizza, Bombay gin and beers in the evening - and off to bed by 10 - hopefully!

Monday

Yesterday was a quiet day as Jo wasn't feeling well - she slept most of the day, but she's fine again this morning.

Scott and I took the opportunity to nip down to Ginn Reunion, which is the location for our golf trip in November. It looks very nice indeed - Scott took this photo of me in front of the driving range:

Scott, Cade, Lucy and Braeden went to the pool in the afternoon - it was a lovely day. In the evening, we went to Red Lobster - excellent shrimp, scallops and lobster - and a really nice place.

Epcot is on the agenda for today - if the boys ever get up! Perhaps a water park later if the usual afternoon storms don't materialise.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Day 2 was spent at Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM). My ankle was still sore and I was going to have to hobble around. I tried at the start but it was obvious I would just be making my ankle worse - Jo suggested we get a wheelchair - it was the best $10 we ever spent - at least for me - pity about Jo, Lucy and Scott having to push me around! The good side for everyone, however, was that we all got to go in the disabled entrances and bypass the lines! What a fraud I felt!:



This park is primarily for adults and teenagers - not as good as the Magic Kingdom for younger kids. It does, however, have two of the very best rides going - the Tower of Terror and Aerosmith's Rock 'n Roller Coaster. We couldn't get Jo to go on either and Braeden was too small for the latter. On the Tower of Terror, all I could hear was Braeden asking his Mummy to get them to stop it! It's pretty awesome when they take you up in the lift and then just let it drop - and then again and again.

The acceleration on the Rock 'n Roller Coaster is fantastic and Cade bawled all the way through it - I thought he would have wet himself - but he held on OK! He was fine afterwards and happily posed for photos with his brother:

More rain yesterday but it didn't really affect us. We went back to our complex and freshened up in the pool:

We had planned to go out for seafood in the evening but then another storm broke and Scott went for a nap before we got pizza delivered to our rooms. Don't know if this was natural or whether Mickey was "planted"!:

Beautiful morning today (Tuesday) - but Jo's not feeling well, so I guess I'll hang around here - not sure what the Lesinas are doing - the boys are still asleep.

Magic Kingdom

Jo and I decided to go for a stroll round the site whilst we waited for the Lesinas to awake:

One of Lucy's patients had made up Disney t-shirts for the boys - and ones for Lucy and Jo too:

Boo - hoo - Scott and I felt left out!

Well, they did eventually get up, and, despite the forecasts, Cade insisted we went to Disney - so the Magic Kingdom it was. By the time we got there, parked, got transport to the ticketing centre, bought tickets, got the ferry over and entered the park, it was almost noon.

On the round the park train for a stop then got fast passes for Great Thunder Mountain Railway - that was great - even Jo enjoyed it - but then the heavens opened and all the outdoor rides were stopped as there was lightning in the vicinity. We didn't really mind the rain at first but eventually thought it might be prudent to buy rain ponchos. The rain did stop eventually and we did most of the rides - including Jo's favourite Pirates of the Caribbean, which had temporarily broken down earlier. Splash Mountain was great, as was Buzz Lightyear - and the new Monsters Inc laughter show featured me on screen and Cade's joke read out! The only ride to avoid is the old Carousel of the Future - nostalgia only!

Echoing our first family visit to Disney in 1989, we posed in front of Cinderella's Castle:

We didn't get out of Disney and over to TGI Friday's until 10 pm! Back to the apartment at 11 pm - large Bombay Sapphires to heal my aching ankle and off to bed, with the intention of making an early start this morning (Sunday) to avoid any storms.

The adults are now up (8 am Sunday) but no sign of the tired kids yet - patience is a virtue!

A neat little clip of Braeden, who spontaneously broke in to dance yesterday when he heard the Riverdance troupe performing:

Florida travel

Crack of dawn start and potentially awkward schedule - but all went well. Even our transfer from Heathrow to Gatwick was smooth and quick. We had ample time to enjoy the lounge facilities at Gatwick before heading for our slightly dleayed Virgin flight.

We were in the upstairs section of the plane and the space, food and service were all excellent. They made up most of the time lost on departure and were just 15 mins off schedule in Orlando. There was a huge storm and the roads were awash. Lucy met us (eventually) and we headed back to our accommodation in Kissimmee - except we got lost and it took forever!

Cade was in good form but travelling through the night had thrown Braeden off balance, so we nipped out to TGI Friday's and just got a takeaway and some beer and wine. Off to bed about 10:30 pm Florida time - about 3:30 am in our body clocks!

Up at 6 am this morning - all quiet - Jo got up about an hour later but still no sign of the Lesinas. Weather forecast for the week is pretty bad - storms are normal at this time of year, but not usually until late afternoon. Today the rain is forecast to start about 11 am, so not sure if Disney is such a good idea?

Another quick update

I know, I know - been slipping again! Just haven't had time recently. Golf Wednesday then Friday (Kemnay - football group - won again - 3rd year in a row!) - popped in to Inverurie, then off at the crack of dawn on Saturday to Cornwall. Horrid weather for golf but OK on Monday afternoon when Kelly, Jo and I did our little tours round Mousehole, St Michael's Mount etc then went out for dinner with Craig.

Jo was back at school yesterday tidying up - but that's her finished now - at last, the pain is over! Just preparing now for another very early departure tomorrow to Florida. Spoke to Lucy last night - they're leaving just before midnight their time tonight and will be there well before us tomorrow, so will pick up the hired vehicle - and maybe do some store shopping to stock up our villa?

A couple of quick snaps from last weekend - first Jo and Kelly in front of St Michael's Mount, then Jo and I at Mousehole harbour:

Belated update

Been so busy flying around everywhere, I haven't had time to update my blog. What have I been doing since last Thursday? Friday was just work then a quick foursomes tie with Jas in the evening - early to bed before dawn alarm to catch the early flight to London.

I met up with Dave at our hotel just after 10:00 am on Saturday and we headed off to Lord's for the cricket. We had a good time, but left just before the finish (foregone conclusion anyway). We stopped off for a beer at the Warwick Castle in Maida Vale:

Dinner in the evening was at a noisy tapas bar in Soho, and we had a leisurely breakfast before jumping on the Tube on Sunday morning to head for our respective flights - Dave to Houston and me home. I still managed to fit an my postponed tie against young Ross Gray then nipped home to pack my bags for an early start on Monday morning.

I had been invited to play golf at the new Carrick course at Loch Lomond but had not fully appreciated what a star-studded event it was. The accommodation was terrific and my room was packed with goody bags:


All the sporting stars were there and each team was drawn to play with one of them - we got Frank Hadden, Scotland's rugby coach/manager - a really nice, down to earth guy:


We had a quick beer after golf and I thought I'd better ask what the dress code for the evening dinner was? Black tie! Horror of horrors - I only had a sports jacket! Frantic phone call to Barry and he rushed down with his kilt and all the gear - saved! The only things that didn't fit were his shoes, but I had a pair of black ones anyway.

The dinner was excellent - hosts were Andy Cameron and Ian Robertson and entertainment included Eddi Reader & Fairground Attraction (remember "Perfect"?).

On Tuesday, Barry and I attended Dad's one month assessment at Erskine and it went pretty well - he looks relaxed, clean and happy, and the staff say he is absolutely no problem and joins in most of the activities. We took him outside for a very brief stroll (round the car park!) and he was laughing away as he posed for this picture:

Wednesday was just up and down to Fraserburgh then golf in the evening (won again!). Jo was out for her school end of term dinner - almost there now - just 2 days to go!

Tomorrow, it's briefly over to Gary's after work then home to pack for weekend trip to Cornwall - it's all go!

Kingsbarns

Had a great day out at Kingsbarns yesterday, courtesy of HSBC. Great course and fantastic weather - it hadn't looked promising at all as I drove through heavy rain around Forfar/Dundee, but Fife was clear. Here I am with my host Alistair Scott (ex Hun) next to me, and his other 2 guests:

Got back home in decent time to see the 2nd half of the Spain-Russia match. I had just settled down in front of the TV when Jo arrived - earlier than expected from her school show. She, too, settled down with a glass of wine and I thought - whoops - going to have to change channels! Jo insisted I just leave the football on, and she sat through the last half hour with me - Gary wouldn't have stood for it, however - he'd have gone to another room!

Got a lot to do to in the office today, particularly as I wasn't in yesterday and won't be here on Monday/Tuesday either. I've then got to squeeze in another golf tie at 6:15 tonight, before heading home to catch a few hours sleep before getting up for the redeye in the morning. Another golf tie on Sunday evening after I get back from London, then it's off at the crack of dawn again down to Loch Lomond for the big charity event. I got a phone call last night from our host offering me not just accommodation at Cameron House on the Monday evening after the golf, but also on the Sunday evening if I wanted! It transpires that this weekend is the celebrity re-opening of Cameron House and there are events on the Sunday as well as Monday's big bash. I politely declined the Sunday night accommodation but have accepted Monday's. Here's the programme for the weekend:

All clear

Got the all clear from the optician this morning - although she told me I may have to come back if any "floaters" appear in a few weeks time.

Now heading off to Kingsbarns (south of St Andrews) and will be late home - as will Jo - it's the first night of the school show.

The winning habit

I know my mates are becoming thoroughly p....d off with me winning all these golf tournaments - and no doubt you lot are fed up hearing about them as well - but, would you believe it, I won our weekly Quaich competition again last night! That's now all 4 events I've played in over the last week that I've won. I'm resting today - I need to! - but I've been invited to Kingsbarns tomorrow for a big corporate event, and Jas and I have a foursomes match to play on Friday evening.

On Saturday, I'm on the redeye to London to see the ODI v New Zealand at Lord's. Dave and I planned this some time ago and we booked flights to travel down and back together, but Dave's now started a new job down in Reading so he's just going to meet me down there now. What's more, he now has to fly out to Houston on Sunday, so I would have been stuck in London on my own all day - so I've now changed my return flight and will get home early/mid afternoon. Dave was full of apologies and has offered to pay whatever it has cost me, but I used air miles (although I did have to pay the taxes) - and anyway, it now allows me to play my Cox Cup match against young Ross Gray on Sunday evening - this was postponed from last weekend.

After that, it's back down to Glasgow on Monday - I've been invited to another corporate golf day at the new Carrick course at Loch Lomond - it's huge affair with Andy Cameron, Alex Ferguson, Gavin Hastings, dinner, accommodation and entertainment by Eddi Reader. Timing is very convenient as Barry and I have to attend Erskine House on the Tuesday morning to go over the initial assessment of how Dad's settling down there. I've then got another golf tie at Torphins on Tuesday evening. Phew - it's all go!

My left eye seems OK now, although it's still a little sore, so I'll go back to the optician's tomorrow to check up.

Well, I got to my optician yesterday afternoon and had the most thorough eye examination I've ever had. She spotted some damage but thought it should settle down OK. She put some fluid in my left eye to dilate the pupil fully to allow her to have a closer look - it took about 15 minutes, but lasts for 5 or 6 hours, so driving down to Balmoral afterwards wasn't as easy as I had hoped!



The blurred vision in my left eye was measured as 5 levels poorer than my right and I was given the chart below to take home to check regularly to see whether there was any change or not. When I first looked at it through my damaged left eye, the horizontal lines appeared as shadowed. I was told my eyes would either get worse or better in the next couple of days. If no change, then I would have to be referred back to the Eye Clinic and she arranged to see me again on Thursday.

Anyway, I managed to make it down to Balmoral and, despite playing with only one good eye, I won again - three times in a week! The worst problem was the midges - they were worse this year than ever and I took on the appearance of the Elephant Man afterwards! I protected myself as much as I could but nothing could stop the little pests:

We self cater for this event - bread, cheese, cold meats etc in the clubhouse afterwards - and it was midnight before we left, so it was another late night for me.

Today (Tuesday), my vision is much improved and I'm able to work on the computer again, so it looks like I'm on the mend.

More golf tonight at Banchory - rain forecast for later on - hope we just miss it!

Hectic weekend

It was all go this weekend - the highlight being our trip over to Fort William to see Kelly start off her 3 Peaks Challenge. First of all, it was golf for me at St Andrews Bay on Friday afternoon on our Midsummer Outing. It was very dry, dusty and windy - and I played well and won! We had a quick pint in Whey Pat then curry at the Balaka then home not too long after midnight. The sky was light all the way - it seemed there was no darkness that evening.

Jo was out at her school friend's for dinner and was also fairly late, so we were both a bit slow starting off on Saturday morning. The trip over the Lecht and the tiredness overcame Jo and she did not travel well. This was the first stop just after Tomintoul at a pretty spot overlooking the River Avon - not that Jo was appreciating it:


We eventually made it to Fort William in time to have lunch with Kelly al fresco at a sandwich bar in the pedestrianised High St. I tried out my "smile and shoot" feature and Kelly was the first female to make it work:

The start of the run/walk/climb was at the Glen Nevis Visitor Centre and there were hundreds of people there - many also doing the 3 Peaks Challenge, but some just wanting to climb Ben Nevis. Here we are at the start:

The girls had originally said they wanted to start at 6:00 pm but they were all so full of nervous energy that they eventually just had to get going before 5. Here's the 3 of them all set to start off:

What should we do now then? We decided to walk over the bridge and along the river for a bit as it was such a lovely day. We had only got a few hundred yards when, blow me, we spotted a pub! We headed up towards it across a stile:

They had 3 real ales and everyone was sitting outside the Ben Nevis Inn looking up at the mountain. The Inn is behind me here and you can see some of the parked cars - this was another popular starting place:

After a beer, we walked back to the Visitor Centre - this is Jo on the suspension bridge:

We weren't sure when Kelly would manage to get back down - as it happens they made very good time (Kelly will fill in the details in her blog). We checked in to our hotel and eventually wandered round looking for a place to eat. We considered the Crannog, a seafood restaurant on Loch Linnhe but eventually just went back to the Grog and Gruel, where we tried to get in to their upstairs restaurant. There was a waiting list so we sat in the bar and had a beer - then two, then three and still we waited. Eventually we got upstairs but didn't actually get our food until 10:30 pm, by which time Kelly was well down the road towards Challenge 2.

It rained on Sunday. I put on my anorak and walked up to the newsagent to get a Sunday paper for the journey home, as Jo decided she wanted to drive to avoid feeling sick. I pulled my hood up and tightened the elasticated drawstring then let go, only to be pinged full in my left eye by the plastic at the end of the drawstring! I was in agony all the way home and we stopped at the top of the Lecht to get some paracetomol. When we got home, I managed to sleep for a while.

Today the eye is not quite as sore, but I still have blurred vision. I set off for work at the usual time - not sure if I really should have been driving or not with only one good eye - but felt I should pop in to the hospital to get them to look at it. Casualty don't handle eye problems any more - you have to go to an opthamologist/optician to get it checked out first of all, so I drove over to Tesco at Danestone - too early - their optician section doesn't open until 9:00 am. I had a cup of tea and waited, but when 9:00 am came, I found out that the optician wasn't coming in that day! The girl was very helpful and phoned up ASDA at Dyce, but they, too, didn't have an optician in on Monday. I gave up and phoned my own optician in Banchory and I have an appointment with them at 3:05 pm this afternoon.