Sunday May 20th

Kelly's 28th birthday today and managed to speak to her on the phone tonight - she sounds good - but it looks like the next time we'll be able to go down for the weekend is September, although she hopes to be back up before then. Craig is adapting well to his role as my beer sampler and I look forward to tasting the fruits of his research.

I played the first round of the club championship at Torphins today. I've got a new Cleveland driver on loan from Michael Clark and I'm hitting it pretty well, so I think I'll buy it. Michael says you always hit them well until you actually buy them! Hope he's wrong!

Dashed straight from the golf to Pittodrie to see AFC v Rangers. Aberdeen had to win to be sure of a place in Europe next season and they did the business, winning 2-0. Great afternoon! I met Gary beforehand and he showed me his new car - see above.

Got home and pleased to see Ross working on his brown Saab again - wonder if it's ever going to be finished though?

May

I've been chastised by Lucy for not updating my Blog for the last 3 weeks, so here goes. What's happened since then? Well, we went to the Jazzercise charity do at the Treetops on Sat 28/04 with Anne & Leslie at a table shared with the Fitzpatricks, Lings and Prices. The following morning I was off to Elgin as we had 2 teams entered in the Open Scramble - great day, great course and great fun, but we were well trounced by our local rivals.

Went to see the squash club's lawyer on Tuesday - pretty depressing stuff - no grounds for appeal, so legal battle over. Played a tie at Banchory in the evening, giving my opponent 12 strokes. I was round in gross 75, but he won the 16th and 17th to take us to extra holes. I even birdied the 19th (for a half!) and lost to another stroke on the 20th.

Had my 9 week re-assessment at Bannatyne's on Friday 4th May - everything seems to be OK - steady progress on all fronts, although resting heart rate higher than usual again. Because it's the golf season, asked Stuart if we could do some upper body instead of leg work.

On Sunday 6th, Jas and I had arranged to play our foursomes tie at 4:30, immediately after the Cancer Research Mixed Fours - major mistake - it took us almost an hour to play 3 holes, so we decided to walk in, have a beer and re-schedule for Tuesday, despite us being one up at the time. It also allowed me time to get to the Lemon Tree where Dave and I went to see the re-formed Jam (minus Paul Weller) - great gig.

Of course, when we replayed our foursomes tie on Tuesday, we lost. Out of both knock-out competitions at Banchory at the preliminary round stage for the first time ever - what a great start to the season!

Last weekend was a hectic one - it was the first of our weekend trips to Boat of Garten this year. Before that, we travelled up to Banff to play the lovely Duff House Royal course - and I played pretty well apart from the finish - just got in to the buffer zone - should have had a cut.

I started to feel a bit croaky - both Keith and Jas had been spluttering away for the last couple of weeks and it finally got through to me - bad timing. We played the brand new Spey Valley course at Aviemore on Sunday and were fortunate it stayed dry as the rest of the country seemed to be getting a downpour. However, it was very cold, particularly so on the mandatory buggies. We had a fun dinner in the evening and played Boat of Garten on the Monday and again we got round dry (twice) and this time it was a little warmer. Dan won the trophy for the first time in almost 50 attempts.

Jo and I got an invite to Hannah Clark's 21st, which is a big fancy tiara affair at the Beach Ballroom, but it clashes with the weekend that Dave and I are travelling down to London to see Lou Reed at Hammersmith Appollo then the One Day International against the West Indies at Lord's.

This last week has been spent putting some final details on the squash club's sponsored golf tournament at Banchory this coming Saturday. We're still hoping to have a good day out and let our guests fully enjoy themselves. The legal battle is lost, but we're trying to maintain a high profile and tomorrow (Mon 21st) I have arranged for 4 of us to meet our local MSP, Mike Rumbles to see what more can be done to maintain squash in Banchory.

Thursday 26/04/07

It's been an interesting day. The sad news about the squash club has hit the press and we featured in the Press & Journal and the local Deeside Piper. I was also phoned by the Sunday Express who are doing a feature on the loss of sports facilities in Scotland, and they are sending their photographer to Banchory tomorrow.

The day started with another surprise however when I went in to Ross' room and saw a letter from Gleaner (who own the filling station) accepting his notice of resignation. Apparently Ross now feels he can get more hours at his IT job in Aberdeen, taking him up to 3 or 4 days per week at a higher hourly rate than the garage. Good luck - hope it works out for him.

I also brought home some samples of the 8 new products we launched with Tesco last week, but Jo wasn't keen on some of them - particularly the marinaded products - pity!

Bad news week

No - not the little bit of rain we've finally had - worse than that. First of all, Gary made further enquiries about 1 Arbor Court which has been empty for some years, following a family dispute. It was put on the market a couple of months ago, but looks rather derelict now. We thought it might be going cheap - and it would certainly have provided enough space for Gary and Carole (not to mention proximity to Luca for us!) - but, by the time Gary had enquired further, it was sold - pity!

Then, just in the last few minutes, I've heard that the Squash Club has lost its appeal in the Court of Session - looks like the end of an era. If you're interested in the nitty gritty, it's all here: http://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/opinions/2007CSIH30.html

We have 3 months to consider a further appeal to the House of Lords - unlikely I would have thought, particularly considering the much higher expense.

Anyway, to happier things - the photo above was taken on Sunday when we went to Portlethen.

Week ending 21st April, 2007

It was a local holiday in Aberdeen on Monday but, as our Fraserburgh factories were open, I went there - for the morning, at least! The holiday and the fine weather were too much of a draw and I booked a mid-afternoon time at Kemnay. Dave Edwards and Alan McRobb from the office joined me and we had a lovely time - I played well, particularly on the back nine, where I had 3 birdies and missed 2 other good chances.

Tuesday was busy in the Aberdeen office, with various board meetings, but I got away in good time to go to Bannatyne's.

Wednesday was quieter and I played our usual Quaich match in the evening.

Thursday was as busy as ever but I managed again to get away to the gym late afternoon - only twice this week - am I slipping, or is it just the start of the golf season that's reducing my visits to Bannatyne's?

On Friday, Francis, Michael and I went to Grantown to have another look at a potential acquisition. We had a free afternoon so Francis arranged golf at the new Spey Valley golf course at Aviemore - we played off the back tees, which were over 7,000 yards!

Got back to Banchory in time to grab a quick bite then head out to the Learney Arms, Torphins for the Torphins Golf Club Quiz Night, which was good fun.

On Saturday, we had later tee times for the medal - don't like this as the whole day is gone - I seemed a bit disorientated by it and didn't play well. Finally we had a bit of rain - good for the course, but not enough yet to make much difference.

Sunday

Another glorious day and shorts again for Sunday golf. Gary, Carole and Luca came over for our belated Easter Sunday lunch, which we decided to have out in the back garden and I got the chance to give him a feed.

Post Easter

It was the second week of Jo's Easter break and after indulging ourselves in Cornwall, we both went to Bannatyne's gym for an extended lunch break (for me) on Tuesday. Jo tried out the cross trainer, cycling, rowing, some of the leg weights and, a little reluctantly, the stairmaster. We then had a brief swim, jacuzzi and a spot of lunch.

Wednesday evening was our Summer Quaich competition again and the sun continued to shine - can't remember the last time it rained - must be over a month - the golf course badly needs it.

On Thursday, I went back to the gym but Jo couldn't join me as she was meeting Carole and Luca - I thought it was going to be at Portlethen, but it ended up with Carole coming over to Banchory to escape the coastal haar and bathe in the Deeside sunshine.

Friday afternoon, I escaped work early and Jas and I went over to Kintore for a game, followed by a couple of pints at the Legion.

Saturday's weather was even better and there was no hesitation in putting the shorts on for the morning medal. The photo was taken early on on the 3rd tee.

We went to the tip in the afternoon to dump the bags of leaves and twigs that Jo had swept up earlier in the week. Then I set up her Ipod and showed her how to synchronise it and get podcasts.

On Saturday evening, it was Raymond Orr's surprise 60th birthday party at Inchmarlo - it was OK, although I think we both find these surprise events a little cringeworthy - don't ever do this to either of us!

Easter weekend

Good Friday was spent in the office and I decided that as I wasn't playing golf on Saturday morning, I could risk playing football - and I enjoyed it. Our usual Friday night crowd were convening down at the golf club, where there was a Quiz night on - and the result was pretty good as Dave Williamson, John McWhinnie and I ran out overall winners.

It was an early rise on Saturday morning to drive down to Edinburgh for the plane to Newquay to see Kelly and Craig in their new home. We had a lovely time - I've already sent out electronic postcards, so I won't repeat myself here, but we'll be back soon we hope.

Tue/Wed/Thu

Gave golf a rest on Tuesday and spent a bit of time in the gym before meeting up with Jas and Ken, who had just flown in on one of his brief sabbaticals from Abu Dhabi, at the Legion.

It was the second week of our Wednesday night Summer Quaich competition and the forecast was even better than it had been for the last 10 days or so. It had promised to be warm but it exceeded our wildest expectations. When I left Fraserburgh it was a very pleasant 14 degrees C, and this increased to 17, just a few miles inland at Strichen. By the time I got to Inverurie it was up to 21, and the official starting temperature in the golf club car park was 22 degrees, although John McWhinnie reported his car had clocked 24 degrees at one stage on the South Deeside Road. Witness first outing in shorts in Scotland this year!

Thursday was the usual management meetings day in Fraserburgh and Aberdeen but I managed to make it (just!) to the gym before the 4 pm deadline and put in an hour or so's work before heading home. I had asked Jo if she fancied coming along, but she couldn't make it today - perhaps tomorrow?

Saturday/Sunday/Monday

Saturday did turn out lovely - in fact the best season opening day I can remember at the golf club. We drove to the Green Inn for the evening's gourmet meal and accommodation - preceded by a couple of pints in the Prince of Wales, Ballater.

The meal was excellent, as was the breakfast in the morning and the weather again, so we all wandered over from Deeside to Donside and paid a visit to Corgarff Castle, one of Historic Scotland's properties. From there, we followed the Don eastwards and had planned to lunch at the Glenkindie Arms Hotel. We arrived there just before 12:30 and went inside and sat at two tables adjacent to the bar. There were a few other customers eating and drinking, so we waited for service - and waited and waited. A young girl was drying forks and knives and completely ignored us for about 15 minutes before one of us eventually stood up and asked for some drinks - forks were slammed down and huffily and very slowly we were served. I was a little disappointed that the only ale on offer was from Inveralmond - we had hoped for some from the new brewery we have all been hearing about, but I didn't want to ask any more difficult questions.

We were all a bit put off by the hostile reception and decided to give lunch here a miss and headed further east to the Kildrummy Inn for lunch, but couldn't get in there as it was fully booked, so we carried on to Bridge of Alford and stopped at the Forbes Arms. A fine pint of Ossian's and the carvery lunch soon made us forget our previous failures. On a day like today, it's such a lovely spot and Leslie and I posed outside (above).

Made it back to Banchory in time for Sunday doubles.

Monday was also lovely, and having missed Sunday golf, I couldn't resist and contacted Keith and Jas and we played 16 holes after work.

Friday 30 March 07

Another lovely day meant I couldn't resist leaving the office early and heading for the golf course again. Syd and Dick joined me and we played 16 holes and came off at the Doo'cot.

It was Jo's last day at school before the Easter holiday break and, when I went home, she was on the phone to Lucy. Figuring it was going to last for a while, I went to the kitchen and had a look at what we could have to accompany the Lemon Sole I had brought home. There was little of substance so I just had to conjure something up - olive oil, diced red pepper, a little mild chilli powder and a splash of red wine. It seemed to go down OK and the red wine that Ross had bought from his work was pretty good.

The Friday night football crowd were meeting in the Legion and I walked up there rather briskly, thinking I was late, but it turned out I was first there. Colin, Dave and John McWhinnie eventually joined me and we had some Landlord, London Pride and, eventually, Everard's Original. Dave regaled us with tales of his holiday in Brazil - part of Jayne's 50th - and we started to plan for next Friday's Quiz Night in the golf club.

It's now Saturday morning and it looks like being another cracking day - sunshine and blue skies. It's the official season opener at noon with the annual Captain's v. Vice Captain's match. Jo is going over to Portlethen to see Gary, Carole and Luca and we'll meet up again at 5 to head down to Ballater, where we're staying at the Green Inn tonight - a gourmet delight (we hope!).

Wed/Thu 28/29 Mar 07

The weather held for Wednesday's first night of our Summer Quaich competition and it was a delight to be out again at this time of year without the need for a sweater. I arrived in good time and relaxed as I waited for my partners.

I played pretty well for a while but finished a little weakly over the last 3 holes. Still, it's good to be back to midweek golf after work.

Thursday was, as usual, a busy one at work as it's the day of our management meetings at the different sites, so it was off early to Fraserburgh, then back down to Inverurie for a quick business lunch then on the Aberdeen office. I still managed to get everything done in time (just) to allow me to get to the gym before the 4 pm deadline that my off-peak membership requires. Did a full session, followed by a few lengths in the pool and then the best bit - steam room and jacuzzi!

Jo had cooked tiger prawns and rice and it was excellent - she also bought me and Ross a home made chocolate bar from her school do.

Sunday - Tuesday 25-27 Mar 07

The clocks going forward at the weekend signalled the start of the golf season and we made the most of the excellent early season weather. Eight of us played on Sunday morning at Banchory in what was officially the last week of our Winter Grand Prix competition, although it felt more like spring and the trees are beginning to blossom as can be seen here.

It was the end of season finals at the squash club in the afternoon and, despite some deep foreboding in the air that this might be the last one held at our existing location, there was a good turnout to view the matches. For the first time for a number of years, I was a mere onlooker, but at least I was able to enjoy watching the matches.

The forecast for the next couple of days was for the good weather to continue and so I booked a time for Monday evening after work and 5 of us played on a lovely evening. I even managed to put in to practice some of the things I had been taught at my lesson on Saturday - wonders will never cease! We made a quick pit stop at the Legion afterwards and I was delighted to see they had Young's Special on - one of my all-time favourites, which I had fond memories of from many lunchtime visits to the Guinea Grill at the back of Berkeley Square, when I worked for Black & White whisky in London in the mid 1970's.

Tuesday was equally good, but I decided to give golf a miss and put in some time at the gym.

Thu/Fri/Sat 22-24 Mar 07

Thought I'd already done my blog for Thursday but it doesn't appear to be there, so here goes again. Largely uneventful day - Fraserburgh management meetings in the morning, Aberdeen in the afternoon. Got to Bannatyne's just before 4 and had a good session in the gym and pool. On the way home, I popped in to Inchmarlo and hit some balls - got to practice my drills before my next lesson on Saturday.
On Friday morning, I took Ross and Harris to their work and picked them up again at 4:30. I was playing football so Ross dropped me off at the Beach and took the car home and I got a lift back to Banchory with Malcolm, who always goes for a burger after playing, so I experienced this as well for the first time! Malcolm drove me straight to Scott Skinner's, which meant I didn't get home until 10:30 or so, by which time Jo was asleep - she'd cooked the tea and had to eat it alone - maybe it wasn't such a good idea to get a lift back to Banchory.
Saturday morning 10:00 a.m. and back to Inchmarlo for my 4th lesson from Andrew Locke. Hadn't practised or played much since the last one - and it showed. Seems I had gone backwards and I now have much work to do with the season starting.
I did some more work on setting up Jo's Ipod and also printed off the photos of Luca on photographic paper, as requested by Carole.
I was hoping for a game of racquetball at 5:30 but by the time I had got up to the courts, the rest of the guys, who had been playing doubles, were in the showers - so it was straight to the pub for a couple of beers before we went round to Keith and Annette's for a little social gathering and a nice buffet. Irene Page had organised taxis to take us to and from, but the return driver showed up early and started hassling us to leave now or not at all! We reluctantly put our coats on, but by the time we went out, he had scarpered!
Thankfully, we got a lift back with Pat McGonnigle, who wasn't drinking - it was late enough anyway, especially as the clocks were going forward.