From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
Not much to report today other than to ask you to go to my blog page and cast your votes in my polls - not that it's likely to make much difference to the final outcome, but I'd be interested in what others think.
It was a beautiful evening at Aboyne last night and it was nice to play a friendly fourball with Dan, Dick and Malcolm. Hope we get a decent weekend - have a good one.
Ian R. Stewart Family Blog
Friday, 11 June 2010
Thursday, 10 June 2010
Walking on the beaches looking at the .......
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
Not for a while yet it seems. Jo and I are having difficulty agreeing a date to do our round world tour next year. Initially, I had proposed Christmas/New Year holidays as that was about the only time I could take so much time off work with a clear conscience as our canning factory shuts then and business is generally a bit quieter. That was quickly nixed, so I came up with Plan B, which was to go round about the time of Jo's 60th in March next year, but Jo thinks this is too early and too soon after Lucy and Kelly come over in October.
Dilemma - when best to go, bearing in mind we're taking in both the northern and southern hemispheres? If we go to Oz in their summer, then that's winter in Oregon - and vice versa. So the natural thing to do is to try to split the difference and travel over autumn down under and spring in USA - or the other way round.
I initially thought March might be best, but Jo has now counter-suggested September. OK - pros and cons:
1) March is sooner - but Jo thinks a bit too soon - however, if we went in September it would virtually be a full year after we last saw Lucy and Kelly.
2) The boys have a full week off school in spring, but don't have a corresponding week off in autumn, so they would be at school if we went in September.
Mmmm - this is beginning to sound a bit like a justification for my own argument. Perhaps I need to try to be more impartial - but how do I achieve that? Should I completely re-think the strategy of one big trip and go back to doing two separate trips - one to Oz and one to USA? One to ponder for a while, I suspect. Perhaps I need to enlist the support of the world wide jury on this one and put up another poll on my blog? What do you think? Maybe I need to put up a poll to vote on whether I should put up a poll?
Back to daily life - played golf in our weekly Summer Quaich last night - and I was the best of the 12 of us out last night. Tonight, Malcolm Grigor has invited me for a rare chance to play at his home course of Aboyne - looking forward to that.
Then, there's the World Cup starting tomorrow, with England due to play USA on Saturday night - not sure if I want to watch that or not.
I've managed to digitise a few of my old vinyl albums now - Graham Parker (Squeezing Out Sparks), Elvis Costello (Trust), Small Faces (1st one), Ry Cooder (Bop till you drop) and Best of Bobby Bland. It's fun listening to them again - and most seem to be recording OK so far - only the Ry Cooder one was plagued with jumps and sticks.
Not for a while yet it seems. Jo and I are having difficulty agreeing a date to do our round world tour next year. Initially, I had proposed Christmas/New Year holidays as that was about the only time I could take so much time off work with a clear conscience as our canning factory shuts then and business is generally a bit quieter. That was quickly nixed, so I came up with Plan B, which was to go round about the time of Jo's 60th in March next year, but Jo thinks this is too early and too soon after Lucy and Kelly come over in October.
Dilemma - when best to go, bearing in mind we're taking in both the northern and southern hemispheres? If we go to Oz in their summer, then that's winter in Oregon - and vice versa. So the natural thing to do is to try to split the difference and travel over autumn down under and spring in USA - or the other way round.
I initially thought March might be best, but Jo has now counter-suggested September. OK - pros and cons:
1) March is sooner - but Jo thinks a bit too soon - however, if we went in September it would virtually be a full year after we last saw Lucy and Kelly.
2) The boys have a full week off school in spring, but don't have a corresponding week off in autumn, so they would be at school if we went in September.
Mmmm - this is beginning to sound a bit like a justification for my own argument. Perhaps I need to try to be more impartial - but how do I achieve that? Should I completely re-think the strategy of one big trip and go back to doing two separate trips - one to Oz and one to USA? One to ponder for a while, I suspect. Perhaps I need to enlist the support of the world wide jury on this one and put up another poll on my blog? What do you think? Maybe I need to put up a poll to vote on whether I should put up a poll?
Back to daily life - played golf in our weekly Summer Quaich last night - and I was the best of the 12 of us out last night. Tonight, Malcolm Grigor has invited me for a rare chance to play at his home course of Aboyne - looking forward to that.
Then, there's the World Cup starting tomorrow, with England due to play USA on Saturday night - not sure if I want to watch that or not.
I've managed to digitise a few of my old vinyl albums now - Graham Parker (Squeezing Out Sparks), Elvis Costello (Trust), Small Faces (1st one), Ry Cooder (Bop till you drop) and Best of Bobby Bland. It's fun listening to them again - and most seem to be recording OK so far - only the Ry Cooder one was plagued with jumps and sticks.
Wednesday, 9 June 2010
If you're going to ... .........
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
We'll certainly be going to the West Coast again next year, but it looks like we've got Oz to fit in as well. I'm not sure I fancy two big journeys in the same year, so it may be we have to combine our trips and do a round the world tour instead. How will I find the time off work? Don't know - but I'm thinking about it.
I've been in touch with a couple of operators and got some preliminary ideas for a possible schedule:
1. Aberdeen-London- Singapore (or Hong Kong)
2. Singapore-Oz
3. Oz-Hawaii (or Fiji)
4. Hawaii-LA
5. LA-Medford
Then back again! What do you think? Could this be a plan? We'd need to think about what to do in Oz - would like to see Melbourne and Sydney as well as Adelaide. It's been suggested we could do the drive along the coast from Adelaide to Melbourne, then fly to Sydney - or we could it in reverse and fly in to Sydney and work our way round from there. We would also need to consider how much stopover time to spend in Singapore (or Hong Kong) and Hawaii (or Fiji).
Now when? Early part of the year again? Get the tail end of summer in Oz and then on to Southern California, followed by the Oregon spring rain again? It's Jo's 60th birthday on 20th March and the week that follows happens to be the Oregon school holidays - same as this year.
I've written all of this down to help myself think my way through it all - it's far from a done deal yet, but at least putting my early thoughts down in writing has helped me to think a bit more about the logistics. Any other inputs welcome of course.
That's enough about 2011 plans - there's still lots to do in 2010 yet, including the first of 3 trips to London this year in a few weeks' time. That's going to be a busy weekend - I had originally planned just my usual short annual overnight trip down to Lord's to see the England - Australia ODI, but Dave Williamson was lucky enough to get 2 tickets for Wimbledon on the Thursday, 2 days before Lord's, so he asked me. We've subsequently managed to fit in a couple of gigs as well - we got tickets to go and see Crosby Stills & Nash at the Royal Albert Hall on the Saturday night, and discovered at the weekend that Laura Marling is heading up the bill at the second annual Serpentine Sessions (http://www.serpentinesessions.com/home/) on the Thursday evening, so we're going to that as well now. If the weather holds fair, it could be a trip down to Henley with the toffs on the Friday to see the Regatta, so it's going to be all go!
I'll barely have recovered from that weekend before I head off to Slaley Hall the following weekend for our annual Summer Tour golf trip.
Then, there's our weekend at the Fringe - it's on from 6th to 30th August, but I'm back in London for the England - Pakistan Test match on 21st August, so it'll either have to be the first, second or last weekends that we go to Edinburgh.
And, of course, the 3rd trip to London comes in November when we go to see Jools Holland at the Royal Albert Hall.
More immediately, I've got my annual medical next Monday - I'll need to ask them to look at my knees and possibly get a referral. I'd long ago accepted the pain and distortion in my right knee, which was badly damaged at football training back in 1970 - just before I met Jo - but now my left knee has been playing up for the last few weeks - I need to have at least one leg that I can rely on - particularly if I'm going to manage to complete (a bit of) the West Highland Way in September.
We'll certainly be going to the West Coast again next year, but it looks like we've got Oz to fit in as well. I'm not sure I fancy two big journeys in the same year, so it may be we have to combine our trips and do a round the world tour instead. How will I find the time off work? Don't know - but I'm thinking about it.
I've been in touch with a couple of operators and got some preliminary ideas for a possible schedule:
1. Aberdeen-London- Singapore (or Hong Kong)
2. Singapore-Oz
3. Oz-Hawaii (or Fiji)
4. Hawaii-LA
5. LA-Medford
Then back again! What do you think? Could this be a plan? We'd need to think about what to do in Oz - would like to see Melbourne and Sydney as well as Adelaide. It's been suggested we could do the drive along the coast from Adelaide to Melbourne, then fly to Sydney - or we could it in reverse and fly in to Sydney and work our way round from there. We would also need to consider how much stopover time to spend in Singapore (or Hong Kong) and Hawaii (or Fiji).
Now when? Early part of the year again? Get the tail end of summer in Oz and then on to Southern California, followed by the Oregon spring rain again? It's Jo's 60th birthday on 20th March and the week that follows happens to be the Oregon school holidays - same as this year.
I've written all of this down to help myself think my way through it all - it's far from a done deal yet, but at least putting my early thoughts down in writing has helped me to think a bit more about the logistics. Any other inputs welcome of course.
That's enough about 2011 plans - there's still lots to do in 2010 yet, including the first of 3 trips to London this year in a few weeks' time. That's going to be a busy weekend - I had originally planned just my usual short annual overnight trip down to Lord's to see the England - Australia ODI, but Dave Williamson was lucky enough to get 2 tickets for Wimbledon on the Thursday, 2 days before Lord's, so he asked me. We've subsequently managed to fit in a couple of gigs as well - we got tickets to go and see Crosby Stills & Nash at the Royal Albert Hall on the Saturday night, and discovered at the weekend that Laura Marling is heading up the bill at the second annual Serpentine Sessions (http://www.serpentinesessions.com/home/) on the Thursday evening, so we're going to that as well now. If the weather holds fair, it could be a trip down to Henley with the toffs on the Friday to see the Regatta, so it's going to be all go!
I'll barely have recovered from that weekend before I head off to Slaley Hall the following weekend for our annual Summer Tour golf trip.
Then, there's our weekend at the Fringe - it's on from 6th to 30th August, but I'm back in London for the England - Pakistan Test match on 21st August, so it'll either have to be the first, second or last weekends that we go to Edinburgh.
And, of course, the 3rd trip to London comes in November when we go to see Jools Holland at the Royal Albert Hall.
More immediately, I've got my annual medical next Monday - I'll need to ask them to look at my knees and possibly get a referral. I'd long ago accepted the pain and distortion in my right knee, which was badly damaged at football training back in 1970 - just before I met Jo - but now my left knee has been playing up for the last few weeks - I need to have at least one leg that I can rely on - particularly if I'm going to manage to complete (a bit of) the West Highland Way in September.
Sunday, 6 June 2010
It's been a hard day's .....
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
I got in to the office early enough on Friday and had a busy morning, but got through a lot, which allowed me to leave at lunchtime with a clear conscience. It was the usual weather whenever there's high pressure in the North East - the coast retaining some cloud/haar cover, but glorious weather inland. Jo and I walked along to catch the 2:35 bus back in to the city. We waited outside the Burnett - I crossed the road to get some cash while Jo took in the rays:
There was no more than a dozen or so passengers the whole way in to Aberdeen, and only two of them - Jo being one - were actual cash customers - the rest of us were Seniors using our free bus passes, with one Student as well!
We had a good time and were home at a respectable hour - more photos on http://iansaleadventures.blogspot.com/.
Saturday was another fabulous day in Deeside, and after golf in the morning, I went back to the festival to do a couple of hours' work behind the bar - and Jo came too, to get her first experience of serving punters with ale. She was a little apprehensive, but it wasn't too busy and she soon got in to her stride. Here she is in full schoolteacher mode lecturing some poor innocent customer:
In the absence of anything decent on TV last night, we went back to series 3 of the Wire on DVD - not quite as good yet as the first two series, but still interesting.
Today wasn't as nice - overcast, but calm and mild and I managed another round of golf this morning whilst Jo did her usual Sunday church/coffee thing with the girls.
Jo's been doing some work in the back garden:
Incidentally, I finished the 3rd book in the Millenium trilogy - excellent reading - all of them - highly recommended.
So, it's back to work in the morning - and the dental hygienist to face!
I got in to the office early enough on Friday and had a busy morning, but got through a lot, which allowed me to leave at lunchtime with a clear conscience. It was the usual weather whenever there's high pressure in the North East - the coast retaining some cloud/haar cover, but glorious weather inland. Jo and I walked along to catch the 2:35 bus back in to the city. We waited outside the Burnett - I crossed the road to get some cash while Jo took in the rays:
There was no more than a dozen or so passengers the whole way in to Aberdeen, and only two of them - Jo being one - were actual cash customers - the rest of us were Seniors using our free bus passes, with one Student as well!
We had a good time and were home at a respectable hour - more photos on http://iansaleadventures.blogspot.com/.
Saturday was another fabulous day in Deeside, and after golf in the morning, I went back to the festival to do a couple of hours' work behind the bar - and Jo came too, to get her first experience of serving punters with ale. She was a little apprehensive, but it wasn't too busy and she soon got in to her stride. Here she is in full schoolteacher mode lecturing some poor innocent customer:
In the absence of anything decent on TV last night, we went back to series 3 of the Wire on DVD - not quite as good yet as the first two series, but still interesting.
Today wasn't as nice - overcast, but calm and mild and I managed another round of golf this morning whilst Jo did her usual Sunday church/coffee thing with the girls.
Jo's been doing some work in the back garden:
Incidentally, I finished the 3rd book in the Millenium trilogy - excellent reading - all of them - highly recommended.
So, it's back to work in the morning - and the dental hygienist to face!
Friday, 4 June 2010
What a day for a ........
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
Well, it is another beautiful sunny, summer's day in Banchory anyway - but it was overcast and cool when I left B.o.D. at lunchtime. I'm home now and having a quick cup of tea then Jo and I are heading back in to Aberdeen on the bus to go to the early shift at the beer festival and hopefully miss the massed Friday night mobs.
I worked there last night for 4 hours - got my staff t-shirt and badge!
More later.
Well, it is another beautiful sunny, summer's day in Banchory anyway - but it was overcast and cool when I left B.o.D. at lunchtime. I'm home now and having a quick cup of tea then Jo and I are heading back in to Aberdeen on the bus to go to the early shift at the beer festival and hopefully miss the massed Friday night mobs.
I worked there last night for 4 hours - got my staff t-shirt and badge!
More later.
Wednesday, 2 June 2010
Summer's here and the time is right for ........
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
It certainly feels like summer today - and yesterday was much better than forecast. I played for our Seniors at Deeside and it was lovely. Looking good for tonight's golf as well - let's hope it keeps up.
I spoke to Brain Hanson last night - he's up in Portsoy on a week's golf with his pals - he's actually playing Fraserburgh today and I was going to go along and see him, but I had to change my plans and come to Aberdeen today.
And it's a very happy anniversary to Barry and Helen today - I can't believe it's 16 years!
I borrowed Colin's digital turntable converter and have now started to convert my old vinyl to mp3 files - a project I always said I would do in retirement. It's funny hearing all the old scratchy records again 30-40 years later.
Anyone want any music? I haven't bought much recently - just a few - Phosphorescent, Black Francis, Decemberists (Crane Wife), Elvis Costello (Secrets, Profane & Sugarcane) and, of course, T.H.I.S.T.L.E.! Let me know if you want me to send you anything.
That's enough for today - it's too hot in the office - time to go, I think.
It certainly feels like summer today - and yesterday was much better than forecast. I played for our Seniors at Deeside and it was lovely. Looking good for tonight's golf as well - let's hope it keeps up.
I spoke to Brain Hanson last night - he's up in Portsoy on a week's golf with his pals - he's actually playing Fraserburgh today and I was going to go along and see him, but I had to change my plans and come to Aberdeen today.
And it's a very happy anniversary to Barry and Helen today - I can't believe it's 16 years!
I borrowed Colin's digital turntable converter and have now started to convert my old vinyl to mp3 files - a project I always said I would do in retirement. It's funny hearing all the old scratchy records again 30-40 years later.
Anyone want any music? I haven't bought much recently - just a few - Phosphorescent, Black Francis, Decemberists (Crane Wife), Elvis Costello (Secrets, Profane & Sugarcane) and, of course, T.H.I.S.T.L.E.! Let me know if you want me to send you anything.
That's enough for today - it's too hot in the office - time to go, I think.
Monday, 31 May 2010
Furniture update
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
No golf yesterday morning - the sun didn't come out until it was too late. Sod's law, today has been beautiful, but, despite being a bank holiday, I was in Fraserburgh working. Tomorrow, I've agreed to play for our Seniors at Deeside and, what do you know - it's going to be raining again!
However, after much debating about what to do with getting me a replacement chair/desk, we've finally made a decision - this is what we've chosen:
We noticed on their web site that they had a laptop table attachment - exactly what we've been looking for, but couldn't find anywhere until now. It was sheer chance - Jo spotted it looking over my shoulder - and it was her idea originally too. Result - now we've got to get a proper TV table before our old one falls under the weight of the huge plasma TV. I thought we'd kind of agreed on a John Lewis model, but Jo's still not happy - she's got other ideas - but I don't know what they are - and nor does she yet!
That's all tonight from the only blogger in town.
No golf yesterday morning - the sun didn't come out until it was too late. Sod's law, today has been beautiful, but, despite being a bank holiday, I was in Fraserburgh working. Tomorrow, I've agreed to play for our Seniors at Deeside and, what do you know - it's going to be raining again!
However, after much debating about what to do with getting me a replacement chair/desk, we've finally made a decision - this is what we've chosen:
We noticed on their web site that they had a laptop table attachment - exactly what we've been looking for, but couldn't find anywhere until now. It was sheer chance - Jo spotted it looking over my shoulder - and it was her idea originally too. Result - now we've got to get a proper TV table before our old one falls under the weight of the huge plasma TV. I thought we'd kind of agreed on a John Lewis model, but Jo's still not happy - she's got other ideas - but I don't know what they are - and nor does she yet!
That's all tonight from the only blogger in town.
Sunday, 30 May 2010
Luca video
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
OK - apologies - it appears that there was a bit of a technical problem with the Luca video I tried to upload yesterday.
Yesterday, after golf, Jo and I re-discovered the Tor-na-Coille Hotel. The new owners have improved the internal decor - and they've got ale as well! Next thing to try will be the food some time.
We went down to the Potarch for a bar supper with Colin and Johanne last night. Ross drove us out there and brought us back later. We were in the restaurant at the back rather than the bar - nice and bright and airy. We had coffee in the lounge afterwards:
OK - apologies - it appears that there was a bit of a technical problem with the Luca video I tried to upload yesterday.
Yesterday, after golf, Jo and I re-discovered the Tor-na-Coille Hotel. The new owners have improved the internal decor - and they've got ale as well! Next thing to try will be the food some time.
We went down to the Potarch for a bar supper with Colin and Johanne last night. Ross drove us out there and brought us back later. We were in the restaurant at the back rather than the bar - nice and bright and airy. We had coffee in the lounge afterwards:
Saturday, 29 May 2010
Luca plays computer
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
Luca stayed overnight last night - he now has a definite preference for playing games on CBeebies on the computer rather than just watching Peppa Pig etc on TV:
(The video needs to be viewed directly from the blog rather than the e-mail). After a while, he decided he wasn't close enough to the screen, so up he popped:
He's back with his parents now - Carole took him to the dinosaurs at Satrosphere, so, for once, he was more than happy to leave his Grannie Jo behind - "bye"! Tonight we're going for a bar supper at the Potarch with the Kilgours and the Masons. I've heard a rumour that the Tor-na-Coille has cask ale now - might take a little nosey up there to check it out!
Luca stayed overnight last night - he now has a definite preference for playing games on CBeebies on the computer rather than just watching Peppa Pig etc on TV:
(The video needs to be viewed directly from the blog rather than the e-mail). After a while, he decided he wasn't close enough to the screen, so up he popped:
He's back with his parents now - Carole took him to the dinosaurs at Satrosphere, so, for once, he was more than happy to leave his Grannie Jo behind - "bye"! Tonight we're going for a bar supper at the Potarch with the Kilgours and the Masons. I've heard a rumour that the Tor-na-Coille has cask ale now - might take a little nosey up there to check it out!
Friday, 28 May 2010
Meanderings of a neandarthal
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
Well, it's Friday - it's been a busy week and it seems everyone in our business is dropping down like flies with the latest bug going around. Doesn't this always make you feel ill? It certainly does with me - let's hope it's just psychosomatic.
Lucy Skyped us on her birthday yesterday - that was nice. Braeden was at home too running around in his Spiderman outfit, complete with face painted mask - I thought it looked pretty sinister - a bit Tarantino-ish, perhaps? There he was jumping off tables and worktops with Holly snapping away at him. Every time he landed, my knees went weak(er).
My other blogs have again been updated more regularly than this one, but that's just a reflection of what's happening just now.
We've got Luca again tonight. I was at a lunchtime meeting in Inverurie on Tuesday and that was also the day that Ross was taking Dawn's laptop back down to her, so Jo and I swapped cars - Ross used my Sat Nav to find Dawn's house and I used Jo's car (and car seat) to pick up Luca from nursery. I was a lot earlier than planned - my meeting finished before 1pm and Carole had me down for a 3pm pick-up at the nursery.
I filled in a bit of time by popping in to Craigdon Mountain Sports - nice shop. I ended up buying a collapsible water bottle (I'd lost the bottle I used to use in the gym), a pair of walking socks and a base layer - a pretty expensive one at that - pure Merino wool, all the way from NZ. It's black and has long sleeves and I actually used it at golf on Wednesday evening as it was a trifle cool. It's supposed to keep you warm and/or cool depending on conditions, and wick away any perspiration. It wasn't much of a test on Wednesday but it felt comfortable and seemed to work OK.
Anyway, back to Luca - it's a delight to pick him up from Nursery - as soon as he spots you, he shouts "Grandad!" and comes running over and jumps up and gives you a big hug - very sweet. Quite a contrast from the sometimes indifferent response you get when you walk in to the house - especially if he happens to be with his Grannie Jo. Am I invisible? Has Luca gone deaf? I know now how Jo does it - in the front of her car, she's got a little vanity tray for gadgets etc. Guess what I found in it? Correct - chocolate buttons - all melting in the sun of course. Sorry, Luca - have to wait until we get home and we can put them in the fridge.
Wednesday night is golf night - for the 23 weeks of "summer" anyway. We watched Junior Apprentice when I got home - a bit different from the last few years, but still very entertaining and exceptionally well made. The original "You're Fired", the Trumpster himself, was in town yesterday - Michael Clark was invited to the big presentation he made out at the Menie estate, along with all the great and the good - and all the media.
I noticed Lauren's comment on Facebook about getting her nose pierced - yuk! There, that's it confirmed - I am officially a Grumpy Old Man. I was surprised at Lesley's support for it - there I was thinking she was old and sensible too, but I guess it just demonstrates how out of touch I am.
So that's been my week so far - how's yours been?
Well, it's Friday - it's been a busy week and it seems everyone in our business is dropping down like flies with the latest bug going around. Doesn't this always make you feel ill? It certainly does with me - let's hope it's just psychosomatic.
Lucy Skyped us on her birthday yesterday - that was nice. Braeden was at home too running around in his Spiderman outfit, complete with face painted mask - I thought it looked pretty sinister - a bit Tarantino-ish, perhaps? There he was jumping off tables and worktops with Holly snapping away at him. Every time he landed, my knees went weak(er).
My other blogs have again been updated more regularly than this one, but that's just a reflection of what's happening just now.
We've got Luca again tonight. I was at a lunchtime meeting in Inverurie on Tuesday and that was also the day that Ross was taking Dawn's laptop back down to her, so Jo and I swapped cars - Ross used my Sat Nav to find Dawn's house and I used Jo's car (and car seat) to pick up Luca from nursery. I was a lot earlier than planned - my meeting finished before 1pm and Carole had me down for a 3pm pick-up at the nursery.
I filled in a bit of time by popping in to Craigdon Mountain Sports - nice shop. I ended up buying a collapsible water bottle (I'd lost the bottle I used to use in the gym), a pair of walking socks and a base layer - a pretty expensive one at that - pure Merino wool, all the way from NZ. It's black and has long sleeves and I actually used it at golf on Wednesday evening as it was a trifle cool. It's supposed to keep you warm and/or cool depending on conditions, and wick away any perspiration. It wasn't much of a test on Wednesday but it felt comfortable and seemed to work OK.
Anyway, back to Luca - it's a delight to pick him up from Nursery - as soon as he spots you, he shouts "Grandad!" and comes running over and jumps up and gives you a big hug - very sweet. Quite a contrast from the sometimes indifferent response you get when you walk in to the house - especially if he happens to be with his Grannie Jo. Am I invisible? Has Luca gone deaf? I know now how Jo does it - in the front of her car, she's got a little vanity tray for gadgets etc. Guess what I found in it? Correct - chocolate buttons - all melting in the sun of course. Sorry, Luca - have to wait until we get home and we can put them in the fridge.
Wednesday night is golf night - for the 23 weeks of "summer" anyway. We watched Junior Apprentice when I got home - a bit different from the last few years, but still very entertaining and exceptionally well made. The original "You're Fired", the Trumpster himself, was in town yesterday - Michael Clark was invited to the big presentation he made out at the Menie estate, along with all the great and the good - and all the media.
I noticed Lauren's comment on Facebook about getting her nose pierced - yuk! There, that's it confirmed - I am officially a Grumpy Old Man. I was surprised at Lesley's support for it - there I was thinking she was old and sensible too, but I guess it just demonstrates how out of touch I am.
So that's been my week so far - how's yours been?
Monday, 24 May 2010
Monday
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
Nice weekend - even though we did get a bit of rain up on Loch Muick yesterday. My walking poles definitely helped keep the strain off my knees - they were only really sore when I stopped!
I'm glad I made the effort to play golf on Saturday, but playing in a buggy when everybody else is walking is no fun - although it was lovely to just be there on such a glorious day.
So, it appears that Ross is finally finished with Dawn's computer - he said it was a real mess and took days to sort out - although much of the fixing is running in the background whilst Ross "raids" in the evenings. He's taking my car down tomorrow to drop the laptop back at Dawn's. I'm taking Jo's car to work and then on to Inverurie where I have a lunchtime meeting and then I pick up Luca and bring him back to ours.
That's all my news for now - although there's lots more on my other 5 blogs!
Nice weekend - even though we did get a bit of rain up on Loch Muick yesterday. My walking poles definitely helped keep the strain off my knees - they were only really sore when I stopped!
I'm glad I made the effort to play golf on Saturday, but playing in a buggy when everybody else is walking is no fun - although it was lovely to just be there on such a glorious day.
So, it appears that Ross is finally finished with Dawn's computer - he said it was a real mess and took days to sort out - although much of the fixing is running in the background whilst Ross "raids" in the evenings. He's taking my car down tomorrow to drop the laptop back at Dawn's. I'm taking Jo's car to work and then on to Inverurie where I have a lunchtime meeting and then I pick up Luca and bring him back to ours.
That's all my news for now - although there's lots more on my other 5 blogs!
Saturday, 22 May 2010
Glorious Saturday
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/ The hottest day of the year (so far) and it was great to get out on the golf course this morning - even if it had to be in a buggy. When I got home, Gary and Carole had left for the wedding they are attending, and our front door was locked - I soon found out why - Isis can open doors! Jo and Luca were out "gardening" in the back:
Friday, 21 May 2010
Good week - and bad
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
Well, the weather's been great and the forecast is good too. My golf blog shows the lovely afternoon we had at Fraserburgh on Tuesday, and I headed south on Wednesday and played at Glenbervie with this man - remember him?
I stayed overnight with Brian and Mary and the original intention had been to head straight to the airport on Thursday morning and catch a flight to Campbeltown for the much delayed corporate golf day at Macrihanish, carried forward from last year - remember when two planes broke down and we had to cancel?
That was Plan A, but, unfortunately, it wasn't to be. I've been carrying a knee injury (to my left knee - my "good" one) ever since we were at Boat of Garten. You never get a level stance there and your limbs are always fighting against the slopes when you try to swing. It's been niggling away, but after nine holes on Wednesday, it was getting worse and I could hardly walk at the end. I had to phone my host and enquire whether I could get a buggy at Macrihanish as I certainly couldn't walk 18 holes. No chance he said - it's a site of Special Scientific/Nature Interest apparently. Oh well.
So, I ended up having breakfast with Mary and then stopping off at Dawn's on the way home, so it wasn't all a complete waste of time, although I had to cancel my planned supper with Barry, Helen and Dawn.
Mary made me laugh - and demonstrated a very Central Belt, blinkered point of view when we were talking about my aborted trip to Macrihanish. "Where's that?" - "How do you get there?" "Do you have to fly?" - "Why can't you catch a train or a bus, or drive?". Apart from the obvious geographical difficulties, Mary - don't you realise that there are no train services to any rural areas in Scotland - unless you happen to be between the big cities, forget it - and it's been that way since Dr. Beeching's cuts in 1963. "Who's he?".
Dawn is a bit more mobile now - she can drive now and she'll probably be back at work in a week or so. She's hoping for either a phased return or to be allowed to do home working. She gave me her laptop for Ross to sort out - he's going to have to take it back some time - he'll have to take my car - he's never been there, but the sat nav should do it for him - although it will have to be the weekend.
So, I cancelled my planned outing at Newmachar as well this afternoon and now I'm sitting here staring at the sun and boiling hot in my office - wish I was out there. I was about to cancel my medal at Banchory in the morning as well, but when I phoned the pro, I had a last minute thought and asked him, on the off chance, if the buggy was available tomorrow morning? He only has two and they're usually pre-booked by those that need to use them all the time, but, by chance, one was available, so I've nabbed it and will get a game tomorrow after all - and hopefully my knee will have recovered enough so that I can go on our next WHW training exercise walking the fairly flat track round Loch Muick on Sunday morning.
Tonight is our first ever summer headbang at Dave's and we're planning a BBQ instead of the usual curry take-away. Tomorrow afternoon we've got Luca and he and his parents are staying with us tomorrow night.
That's about all, apart from a quick view of the letter Ross received yesterday (as referred to in Jo's blog):
Well, the weather's been great and the forecast is good too. My golf blog shows the lovely afternoon we had at Fraserburgh on Tuesday, and I headed south on Wednesday and played at Glenbervie with this man - remember him?
I stayed overnight with Brian and Mary and the original intention had been to head straight to the airport on Thursday morning and catch a flight to Campbeltown for the much delayed corporate golf day at Macrihanish, carried forward from last year - remember when two planes broke down and we had to cancel?
That was Plan A, but, unfortunately, it wasn't to be. I've been carrying a knee injury (to my left knee - my "good" one) ever since we were at Boat of Garten. You never get a level stance there and your limbs are always fighting against the slopes when you try to swing. It's been niggling away, but after nine holes on Wednesday, it was getting worse and I could hardly walk at the end. I had to phone my host and enquire whether I could get a buggy at Macrihanish as I certainly couldn't walk 18 holes. No chance he said - it's a site of Special Scientific/Nature Interest apparently. Oh well.
So, I ended up having breakfast with Mary and then stopping off at Dawn's on the way home, so it wasn't all a complete waste of time, although I had to cancel my planned supper with Barry, Helen and Dawn.
Mary made me laugh - and demonstrated a very Central Belt, blinkered point of view when we were talking about my aborted trip to Macrihanish. "Where's that?" - "How do you get there?" "Do you have to fly?" - "Why can't you catch a train or a bus, or drive?". Apart from the obvious geographical difficulties, Mary - don't you realise that there are no train services to any rural areas in Scotland - unless you happen to be between the big cities, forget it - and it's been that way since Dr. Beeching's cuts in 1963. "Who's he?".
Dawn is a bit more mobile now - she can drive now and she'll probably be back at work in a week or so. She's hoping for either a phased return or to be allowed to do home working. She gave me her laptop for Ross to sort out - he's going to have to take it back some time - he'll have to take my car - he's never been there, but the sat nav should do it for him - although it will have to be the weekend.
So, I cancelled my planned outing at Newmachar as well this afternoon and now I'm sitting here staring at the sun and boiling hot in my office - wish I was out there. I was about to cancel my medal at Banchory in the morning as well, but when I phoned the pro, I had a last minute thought and asked him, on the off chance, if the buggy was available tomorrow morning? He only has two and they're usually pre-booked by those that need to use them all the time, but, by chance, one was available, so I've nabbed it and will get a game tomorrow after all - and hopefully my knee will have recovered enough so that I can go on our next WHW training exercise walking the fairly flat track round Loch Muick on Sunday morning.
Tonight is our first ever summer headbang at Dave's and we're planning a BBQ instead of the usual curry take-away. Tomorrow afternoon we've got Luca and he and his parents are staying with us tomorrow night.
That's about all, apart from a quick view of the letter Ross received yesterday (as referred to in Jo's blog):
Tuesday, 18 May 2010
Summer?
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
What a beautiful day! Not a cloud in the sky - and I've arranged to play golf this afternoon in Fraserburgh - so far, so good. Forecast for the rest of the week is not bad either - good to see temperatures rising again.
It's Glenbervie for me tomorrow - playing with Brian Hanson - then Macrihanish (hopefully) on Thursday - subject to ash clouds etc - and Newmachar on Friday - wow!
We've also got our first ever summer headbang on Friday night at Dave's - we normally only do this over the winter months, but we've made an exception this time as Malcolm Lodge is back from Houston briefly.
Sunday morning is the next hill-walking training - Loch Muick this time - it would be nice if the weather held fair for this as well and we didn't have snow and sleet to contend with like the last 2 occasions.
That's about all my news. We've had most of the replies about the accommodation at the wedding - just Barry and Dawn to come now. Just over 23 weeks to go now, by my reckoning!
Sorry, Lucy - would love to come and try out your new pool, but my holidays are committed for this year now. Perhaps when/if I retire we'll be able to travel more often - I'll have the time then, but perhaps not the money to be able to travel in the style to which I (and her majesty) have become accustomed to!
What a beautiful day! Not a cloud in the sky - and I've arranged to play golf this afternoon in Fraserburgh - so far, so good. Forecast for the rest of the week is not bad either - good to see temperatures rising again.
It's Glenbervie for me tomorrow - playing with Brian Hanson - then Macrihanish (hopefully) on Thursday - subject to ash clouds etc - and Newmachar on Friday - wow!
We've also got our first ever summer headbang on Friday night at Dave's - we normally only do this over the winter months, but we've made an exception this time as Malcolm Lodge is back from Houston briefly.
Sunday morning is the next hill-walking training - Loch Muick this time - it would be nice if the weather held fair for this as well and we didn't have snow and sleet to contend with like the last 2 occasions.
That's about all my news. We've had most of the replies about the accommodation at the wedding - just Barry and Dawn to come now. Just over 23 weeks to go now, by my reckoning!
Sorry, Lucy - would love to come and try out your new pool, but my holidays are committed for this year now. Perhaps when/if I retire we'll be able to travel more often - I'll have the time then, but perhaps not the money to be able to travel in the style to which I (and her majesty) have become accustomed to!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)