Yes - believe it or not, it's Scott and Lucy's 10th Anniversary today - here they were releasing the butterflies at Patrick Creek in 2001:
Have a good one - see you later in the week.
Ian R. Stewart Family Blog
Monday, 25 July 2011
10th Anniversary!
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
Yes - believe it or not, it's Scott and Lucy's 10th Anniversary today - here they were releasing the butterflies at Patrick Creek in 2001:
Have a good one - see you later in the week.
Yes - believe it or not, it's Scott and Lucy's 10th Anniversary today - here they were releasing the butterflies at Patrick Creek in 2001:
Have a good one - see you later in the week.
Wednesday, 20 July 2011
Loch Lomond etc - part II
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
and so to the second part of our weekend - and this time we were a bit more organised - we had a plan! We took the short drive north up the west side of Loch Lomond and parked at Tarbet, then waited for the 11:30 cruise across the loch to Inversnaid. This was a recommended route for walkers, called the West Highland Way Rambler II, which involved what they said was a 7.5 mile walk south to Rowardennan, where we would get picked up again and sail back to Tarbet. Here's Jo on arrival at Inversnaid:
Just a mile along the road we stopped at a little beach - Jo had to brush her hair - and we got invaded by midges!:
Further along, after a bit of a climb, there was a nice viewpoint:
We were a little surprised to come across these 3 wild mountain goats:
Time for lunch - and we found a lovely outlook, which even had a bench:
At the end of the walk, there's a strange modern sculpture:
Nice walk - and it stayed dry. All the stats etc on my hill-walking blog (http://bvhill-walkers.blogspot.com/).
On Monday, we took the short drive over to Helensburgh, where we thought we would use our National Trust passes and visit one of their properties - The Hill House - designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh - but it didn't open until 1:30 pm, so we just had a quick stroll round their gardens:
Apart from the big houses on the hill, Helensburgh didn't look all that impressive to us, for an area that is renowned as key commuter territory for the Glasgow professionals, so we left and drove up past Rhu and Faslane - and the peace camp there - up the eastern shore of Loch Long and back to Arrochar again. We had hoped to find a nice tearoom somewhere, but there was nothing to be seen. We stopped in Arrochar and probably should have gone back to the Village Inn, but we thought we should try somewhere else for tea and coffee, and we spotted Ben Arthur's Bothy, which had an outdoor, shoreside area for drinks etc. It was pretty grotty, but we sat there and admired the views of the Cobbler opposite:
Wrong angle to see it properly, I'm afraid.
Here's another panorama shot of the area:
Then it was back to Cameron House to have lunch with Barry and Helen, after which Jo and I used the superb spa once again:
So that was it.
and so to the second part of our weekend - and this time we were a bit more organised - we had a plan! We took the short drive north up the west side of Loch Lomond and parked at Tarbet, then waited for the 11:30 cruise across the loch to Inversnaid. This was a recommended route for walkers, called the West Highland Way Rambler II, which involved what they said was a 7.5 mile walk south to Rowardennan, where we would get picked up again and sail back to Tarbet. Here's Jo on arrival at Inversnaid:
Just a mile along the road we stopped at a little beach - Jo had to brush her hair - and we got invaded by midges!:
Further along, after a bit of a climb, there was a nice viewpoint:
We were a little surprised to come across these 3 wild mountain goats:
Time for lunch - and we found a lovely outlook, which even had a bench:
At the end of the walk, there's a strange modern sculpture:
Nice walk - and it stayed dry. All the stats etc on my hill-walking blog (http://bvhill-walkers.blogspot.com/).
On Monday, we took the short drive over to Helensburgh, where we thought we would use our National Trust passes and visit one of their properties - The Hill House - designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh - but it didn't open until 1:30 pm, so we just had a quick stroll round their gardens:
Apart from the big houses on the hill, Helensburgh didn't look all that impressive to us, for an area that is renowned as key commuter territory for the Glasgow professionals, so we left and drove up past Rhu and Faslane - and the peace camp there - up the eastern shore of Loch Long and back to Arrochar again. We had hoped to find a nice tearoom somewhere, but there was nothing to be seen. We stopped in Arrochar and probably should have gone back to the Village Inn, but we thought we should try somewhere else for tea and coffee, and we spotted Ben Arthur's Bothy, which had an outdoor, shoreside area for drinks etc. It was pretty grotty, but we sat there and admired the views of the Cobbler opposite:
Wrong angle to see it properly, I'm afraid.
Here's another panorama shot of the area:
Then it was back to Cameron House to have lunch with Barry and Helen, after which Jo and I used the superb spa once again:
So that was it.
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
Loch Lomond etc
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
I'm back in my office today, but, if we hadn't been going to USA next Thursday, we could easily have stayed at the Carrick Club a bit longer than the 3 nights we enjoyed this weekend. Thankfully, Barry and Helen have now taken up residence there so our week hasn't gone to waste - hope they're enjoying the spa and the scenery as much as we did. It's certainly one of the nicest resorts we've ever stayed at.
Gary and Luca made good use of it on Saturday night too - and Carole would have loved it - if only she'd known beforehand what was on offer!
Our weekend started off with a very nice lunch break at the Drovers Inn, Memus. It's a bit off the main road, just before you get to Forfar, but it's well worth the trip - especially if the weather's nice, as it was on Friday afternoon. They have a lovely big, grassy garden where the kids can run around to their hearts' content. Jo was reading her book when I got back from the loo:
As we were well inland at this point, sat nav directed us cross country through Blairgowrie etc to Perth. It's a lot slower, but it appears we missed a major log-jam on the Dundee - Perth road, so it probably eased our journey a bit.
Our apartment was in the Mansion House at the Carrick and it had a huge living area, and it overlooked the 16th (I think) green of the Carrick course, which is already looking a lot more mature than when I played there a few years ago, not long after it opened:
On Saturday morning, we drove over to the east side of the loch, up the narrow loch-side road until it stops at Rowardennan, where we got out the car and noticed the start of one of the trails up Ben Lomond. We hadn't planned anything, so weren't organised - no drinks, no food - but decided to start walking up the hill anyway. We took some detours, and then I remembered to switch on my GPS tracker, after almost an hour of walking. Eventually we got to about 800 feet, where Jo said "no more!", so we headed back down for some lunch. It got a little damp on the way down and Jo's neatly coiffured look took a bit of a beating:
We drove back to Drymen and had lunch in the Clachan Inn - very nice. Our first visit to the spa at the Carrick was later that afternoon, just before Barry, Helen, Dawn and Jordan came to pick us up and take us up to Arrochar for dinner at the Village Inn.
Gary and Luca were in Glasgow watching Partick Thistle beat Celtic in a friendly match, and we'd pre-arranged that they would join us for dinner. The look on Luca's face when he walked in to the restaurant and saw us, was, as the Mastercard advert says, priceless. His Dad hadn't told him he was meeting us there.
After eating, Luca and I crossed the road and went down the steps to the beach, which was covered in mussel beds. Luca just wanted to throw them back in to the sea "to give them a little drink"!:
Luca and Gary stayed with us on Saturday night and drove home in the morning - and that was the end of the first part of our weekend adventure.
I'm back in my office today, but, if we hadn't been going to USA next Thursday, we could easily have stayed at the Carrick Club a bit longer than the 3 nights we enjoyed this weekend. Thankfully, Barry and Helen have now taken up residence there so our week hasn't gone to waste - hope they're enjoying the spa and the scenery as much as we did. It's certainly one of the nicest resorts we've ever stayed at.
Gary and Luca made good use of it on Saturday night too - and Carole would have loved it - if only she'd known beforehand what was on offer!
Our weekend started off with a very nice lunch break at the Drovers Inn, Memus. It's a bit off the main road, just before you get to Forfar, but it's well worth the trip - especially if the weather's nice, as it was on Friday afternoon. They have a lovely big, grassy garden where the kids can run around to their hearts' content. Jo was reading her book when I got back from the loo:
As we were well inland at this point, sat nav directed us cross country through Blairgowrie etc to Perth. It's a lot slower, but it appears we missed a major log-jam on the Dundee - Perth road, so it probably eased our journey a bit.
Our apartment was in the Mansion House at the Carrick and it had a huge living area, and it overlooked the 16th (I think) green of the Carrick course, which is already looking a lot more mature than when I played there a few years ago, not long after it opened:
On Saturday morning, we drove over to the east side of the loch, up the narrow loch-side road until it stops at Rowardennan, where we got out the car and noticed the start of one of the trails up Ben Lomond. We hadn't planned anything, so weren't organised - no drinks, no food - but decided to start walking up the hill anyway. We took some detours, and then I remembered to switch on my GPS tracker, after almost an hour of walking. Eventually we got to about 800 feet, where Jo said "no more!", so we headed back down for some lunch. It got a little damp on the way down and Jo's neatly coiffured look took a bit of a beating:
We drove back to Drymen and had lunch in the Clachan Inn - very nice. Our first visit to the spa at the Carrick was later that afternoon, just before Barry, Helen, Dawn and Jordan came to pick us up and take us up to Arrochar for dinner at the Village Inn.
Gary and Luca were in Glasgow watching Partick Thistle beat Celtic in a friendly match, and we'd pre-arranged that they would join us for dinner. The look on Luca's face when he walked in to the restaurant and saw us, was, as the Mastercard advert says, priceless. His Dad hadn't told him he was meeting us there.
After eating, Luca and I crossed the road and went down the steps to the beach, which was covered in mussel beds. Luca just wanted to throw them back in to the sea "to give them a little drink"!:
Luca and Gary stayed with us on Saturday night and drove home in the morning - and that was the end of the first part of our weekend adventure.
Wednesday, 13 July 2011
The graft results
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
OK - only 3 of you voted on my blog poll - but it was unanimous - you don't think I should go for the skin graft. I was thinking the same myself, but I'll wait for another week until I see the dental surgeon again before deciding for sure.
Our weekend at Slaley Hall was great (details on golf blog) and I'm looking forward to this weekend at the Carrick at Loch Lomond. Barry phoned last night and he's arranged for us all to go out for dinner on Saturday to http://www.villageinnarrochar.co.uk/.
This week's Graze Box is:
Oh - and well done - there's well over 10,000 viewings of my blog now!
Not much else to say just now - too busy keeping my other blogs going!
OK - only 3 of you voted on my blog poll - but it was unanimous - you don't think I should go for the skin graft. I was thinking the same myself, but I'll wait for another week until I see the dental surgeon again before deciding for sure.
Our weekend at Slaley Hall was great (details on golf blog) and I'm looking forward to this weekend at the Carrick at Loch Lomond. Barry phoned last night and he's arranged for us all to go out for dinner on Saturday to http://www.villageinnarrochar.co.uk/.
This week's Graze Box is:
Oh - and well done - there's well over 10,000 viewings of my blog now!
Not much else to say just now - too busy keeping my other blogs going!
Friday, 8 July 2011
Smile!
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
So yesterday afternoon I went along to the dental surgeon and he fitted my implant. I played golf last night, then went home, and this morning I've been chairing a few management meetings at work, but has anybody noticed or commented? - No! Here's the new smile:
As you can see, the amount of ironware you can now see depends on how much I smile. there is a gap above the tooth and below the new gum line. I go back to see him in 2 weeks and he tells me that, if I'm concerned at this, then he can arrange a skin graft from my palate to my gum to cover this up. At this stage, I'm not sure about whether I should do this or not. What do you think? Answer the poll on the blog please.
So yesterday afternoon I went along to the dental surgeon and he fitted my implant. I played golf last night, then went home, and this morning I've been chairing a few management meetings at work, but has anybody noticed or commented? - No! Here's the new smile:
As you can see, the amount of ironware you can now see depends on how much I smile. there is a gap above the tooth and below the new gum line. I go back to see him in 2 weeks and he tells me that, if I'm concerned at this, then he can arrange a skin graft from my palate to my gum to cover this up. At this stage, I'm not sure about whether I should do this or not. What do you think? Answer the poll on the blog please.
Wednesday, 6 July 2011
and the winner is ........
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
...... Kelly! What was the competition? World's shortest blogger, of course. Kelly's done exactly one blog per month since we came back from Australia - and they're not exactly tomes either!
This week's Graze Box is:
I didn't see Gary on his birthday, but Jo caught up with him in Inverurie after she returned Luca and Gary got back from his football - but I did get a piece of his very lemony birthday cake - it was scrumptious. I especially enjoyed the half of it I left over for this morning, as I didn't have any breakfast today due to the fact that it was my annual medical screening at Albyn. I'll get the full report in due course, but it seemed to go well - both the doctor and the nurses made encouraging noises.
We've almost hit magic number of 10,000 viewings of this blog - just 50 to go - keep it up!
Supposed to be golfing tonight, but, although it's OK just now, it's forecast to be raining this afternoon, so might have to carry over to tomorrow. More concerned about this weekend when it's our annual Summer Tour to Slaley Hall - hope it's dry then. I got in to trouble about this last night as I think I had forgotten to remind Jo I'm away - whoops - and sorry!
The following weekend we're at the Carrick at Loch Lomond, then we've got a weekend at home (which includes seeing Laura Marling (http://www.lauramarling.com/) at Woodend Barn), then it's off to USA the following week!
My work plans were disrupted today - I had planned to go to Fraserburgh as we had invited a couple of our bankers up to see round the place, but first thing this morning, Tesco showed up for one of their unannounced technical audits, so we had to cancel everything else.
...... Kelly! What was the competition? World's shortest blogger, of course. Kelly's done exactly one blog per month since we came back from Australia - and they're not exactly tomes either!
This week's Graze Box is:
I didn't see Gary on his birthday, but Jo caught up with him in Inverurie after she returned Luca and Gary got back from his football - but I did get a piece of his very lemony birthday cake - it was scrumptious. I especially enjoyed the half of it I left over for this morning, as I didn't have any breakfast today due to the fact that it was my annual medical screening at Albyn. I'll get the full report in due course, but it seemed to go well - both the doctor and the nurses made encouraging noises.
We've almost hit magic number of 10,000 viewings of this blog - just 50 to go - keep it up!
Supposed to be golfing tonight, but, although it's OK just now, it's forecast to be raining this afternoon, so might have to carry over to tomorrow. More concerned about this weekend when it's our annual Summer Tour to Slaley Hall - hope it's dry then. I got in to trouble about this last night as I think I had forgotten to remind Jo I'm away - whoops - and sorry!
The following weekend we're at the Carrick at Loch Lomond, then we've got a weekend at home (which includes seeing Laura Marling (http://www.lauramarling.com/) at Woodend Barn), then it's off to USA the following week!
My work plans were disrupted today - I had planned to go to Fraserburgh as we had invited a couple of our bankers up to see round the place, but first thing this morning, Tesco showed up for one of their unannounced technical audits, so we had to cancel everything else.
Tuesday, 5 July 2011
Gary 36!
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
It's a very happy 36th birthday today to our Gary. this one of him was taken in our back garden in Broxbourne about 35 years ago:
Note the smile - we didn't get many of them from him in those days!
Not too much else to add, other than to say I've been enjoying the excellent weather and taking the opportunity to get out and golf in shorts again. Yesterday it was St. Andrews and it was glorious.
They say bad luck comes in threes. Well, you heard about my chair and how it's broken? That was the first. Yesterday, I broke my reading glasses - one of the lenses has snapped away from the frame. That was the second. Then I got home last night and was told that my Archos (my mini DVR) had "fried". That was number three. No more please.
It's a very happy 36th birthday today to our Gary. this one of him was taken in our back garden in Broxbourne about 35 years ago:
Note the smile - we didn't get many of them from him in those days!
Not too much else to add, other than to say I've been enjoying the excellent weather and taking the opportunity to get out and golf in shorts again. Yesterday it was St. Andrews and it was glorious.
They say bad luck comes in threes. Well, you heard about my chair and how it's broken? That was the first. Yesterday, I broke my reading glasses - one of the lenses has snapped away from the frame. That was the second. Then I got home last night and was told that my Archos (my mini DVR) had "fried". That was number three. No more please.
Thursday, 30 June 2011
Graze Box
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
This week's Graze Box contains:
The question now is, am I snacking on these instead of munching on crisps and biscuits, or as well as?
This week's Graze Box contains:
The question now is, am I snacking on these instead of munching on crisps and biscuits, or as well as?
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
Weekend with Luca & Yoda
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
The gruesome twosome were delivered over to us as a package on Thursday as Gary and Carole headed off for a long weekend in London. Poor Yoda really is a feartie and regularly seemed to empty her bladder in different places at unpredictable times - no major disasters but you do have to watch her - she's so timid.
Luca, on the other hand, is, as Gary has said several times, much more confident and capable of manipulating any situation with anyone. Of course, he gets spoiled rotten when he comes over to ours - not of my doing, I hasten to add.
I didn't see Luca much on Friday as I was at work in the morning, golf at Ballater in the afternoon, and out at one of our thrice yearly "Headbangs" in the evening. I cancelled my golf on Saturday, however, and we took Luca and Yoda down to Milton of Crathes as we had heard that the Deeside Railway Preservation Society were running train rides along the first mile of track they are restoring.
We arrived early for the 12:30 ride, so we bought our tickets then wandered down a bit of the adjacent Deeside Way, allowing both Luca and Yoda the opportunity to let off some steam. It's an old diesel locomotive they run, pushing carriages that used to take the Royal Family out towards their summer holiday home at Balmoral. They do have a steam engine as well, but only crank that up on high days and holidays when they know that visitor numbers are likely to be greater.
Having started walking westwards towards Banchory, we spotted the train returning to the station:
Hey Luca - we need to run back to the station in case we miss our train! So, back we headed:
We made it in plenty of time:
Our traditional thick cardboard tickets showed we were entitled to a seat in "3rd Class", but, as the only passengers on the train, we sat where the h**l we liked - and that was the Royal compartment at the front of the 1st Class section:
Apparently, my seat (next to Jo's) was where the Queen Mother always used to sit. The "inspector" came round and punched holes in our tickets - very quaint. He opened the driver's compartment at the front of the train and offered to let Luca sit in there - but he refused. He preferred to stay a bit further back.
When the journey was over we were allowed to go up in to the real driver's cabin, which was at the back of the train. The main purpose being to lift Luca up so he could pull the cord and blow the train's whistle - we did it, but I'm not really sure Luca knew what was going on - he didn't seem to correlate his pulling the cord with the sound of the whistle.
Back home later on, some gardening had to be done - Luca was the snail-remover-in chief:
On Sunday afternoon, we went to Malcolm Lodge's surprise 60th birthday BBQ. Jo drove there and spent a bit of time at the start making sure Luca was settled OK:
I think we were last over there at Malcolm's 50th, not long after they bought the property, and it's come on a lot since then - they've worked hard at it - here's the longer shot of Jo and Luca in the lower part of their garden:
Gary picked up Luca on his return yesterday (Monday) but he'll be back with us again briefly this afternoon for his usual Tuesday afternoon/early evening.
I finish with a tale of woe - my favourite - and very expensive - chair, is broken. It felt a bit odd on Sunday and today it appears as if the main right hand supporting bolt has sheared:
It's been reported and we now await their inspector's visit - but I'll miss my chair for a while it seems.
The gruesome twosome were delivered over to us as a package on Thursday as Gary and Carole headed off for a long weekend in London. Poor Yoda really is a feartie and regularly seemed to empty her bladder in different places at unpredictable times - no major disasters but you do have to watch her - she's so timid.
Luca, on the other hand, is, as Gary has said several times, much more confident and capable of manipulating any situation with anyone. Of course, he gets spoiled rotten when he comes over to ours - not of my doing, I hasten to add.
I didn't see Luca much on Friday as I was at work in the morning, golf at Ballater in the afternoon, and out at one of our thrice yearly "Headbangs" in the evening. I cancelled my golf on Saturday, however, and we took Luca and Yoda down to Milton of Crathes as we had heard that the Deeside Railway Preservation Society were running train rides along the first mile of track they are restoring.
We arrived early for the 12:30 ride, so we bought our tickets then wandered down a bit of the adjacent Deeside Way, allowing both Luca and Yoda the opportunity to let off some steam. It's an old diesel locomotive they run, pushing carriages that used to take the Royal Family out towards their summer holiday home at Balmoral. They do have a steam engine as well, but only crank that up on high days and holidays when they know that visitor numbers are likely to be greater.
Having started walking westwards towards Banchory, we spotted the train returning to the station:
Hey Luca - we need to run back to the station in case we miss our train! So, back we headed:
We made it in plenty of time:
Our traditional thick cardboard tickets showed we were entitled to a seat in "3rd Class", but, as the only passengers on the train, we sat where the h**l we liked - and that was the Royal compartment at the front of the 1st Class section:
Apparently, my seat (next to Jo's) was where the Queen Mother always used to sit. The "inspector" came round and punched holes in our tickets - very quaint. He opened the driver's compartment at the front of the train and offered to let Luca sit in there - but he refused. He preferred to stay a bit further back.
When the journey was over we were allowed to go up in to the real driver's cabin, which was at the back of the train. The main purpose being to lift Luca up so he could pull the cord and blow the train's whistle - we did it, but I'm not really sure Luca knew what was going on - he didn't seem to correlate his pulling the cord with the sound of the whistle.
Back home later on, some gardening had to be done - Luca was the snail-remover-in chief:
On Sunday afternoon, we went to Malcolm Lodge's surprise 60th birthday BBQ. Jo drove there and spent a bit of time at the start making sure Luca was settled OK:
I think we were last over there at Malcolm's 50th, not long after they bought the property, and it's come on a lot since then - they've worked hard at it - here's the longer shot of Jo and Luca in the lower part of their garden:
Gary picked up Luca on his return yesterday (Monday) but he'll be back with us again briefly this afternoon for his usual Tuesday afternoon/early evening.
I finish with a tale of woe - my favourite - and very expensive - chair, is broken. It felt a bit odd on Sunday and today it appears as if the main right hand supporting bolt has sheared:
It's been reported and we now await their inspector's visit - but I'll miss my chair for a while it seems.
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
Midsummer madness
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
Yes, it may have been the Summer Solstice yesterday, but it was a wet one, and the rain carried on this morning, so they've decided to close the golf course, so no golf for me tonight - going to play squash instead. Of course, it's sod's law, it's stopped raining, but perhaps the course needs a bit of time to absorb the moisture anyway.
So, here I am, blogging again. I think we provoked Kelly in to action and her photo of the Koala bear in Adelaide city centre was interesting, but the narrative was - well, less than massive, let's say. Apparently the poor wee lamb has done something to her neck and she's getting a constant migraine now - hope you get it fixed soon, Kelly!
What else is new? Well, I've been preparing for our headbang on Friday night - there's going to be 9 of us there this time, squeezed in to Dave's front room.
I got my first ever (trial) box from Graze (http://www.graze.com/) today. Not bad, although whether I'll keep it up or not, we'll see. Must leave some for Jo to try when I get home - oh, and it's the Apprentice tonight - the UK version that is, with "SirAlan" Sugar - not the original American Trumpster, who was in Aberdeen again yesterday, touting the new course he's building and putting it forward for a future Ryder Cup and an Open.
We've got Luca for a few nights - and Yoda - as Gary and Carole go away for the weekend. We've all received our written instructions - seems like Ross has been singled out to handle Yoda. We'll take Luca with us to Malcolm Lodge's surprise 60th birthday party on Sunday.
So that's it for now.
Yes, it may have been the Summer Solstice yesterday, but it was a wet one, and the rain carried on this morning, so they've decided to close the golf course, so no golf for me tonight - going to play squash instead. Of course, it's sod's law, it's stopped raining, but perhaps the course needs a bit of time to absorb the moisture anyway.
So, here I am, blogging again. I think we provoked Kelly in to action and her photo of the Koala bear in Adelaide city centre was interesting, but the narrative was - well, less than massive, let's say. Apparently the poor wee lamb has done something to her neck and she's getting a constant migraine now - hope you get it fixed soon, Kelly!
What else is new? Well, I've been preparing for our headbang on Friday night - there's going to be 9 of us there this time, squeezed in to Dave's front room.
I got my first ever (trial) box from Graze (http://www.graze.com/) today. Not bad, although whether I'll keep it up or not, we'll see. Must leave some for Jo to try when I get home - oh, and it's the Apprentice tonight - the UK version that is, with "SirAlan" Sugar - not the original American Trumpster, who was in Aberdeen again yesterday, touting the new course he's building and putting it forward for a future Ryder Cup and an Open.
We've got Luca for a few nights - and Yoda - as Gary and Carole go away for the weekend. We've all received our written instructions - seems like Ross has been singled out to handle Yoda. We'll take Luca with us to Malcolm Lodge's surprise 60th birthday party on Sunday.
So that's it for now.
Friday, 17 June 2011
Friday thoughts
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
Been hectic sports-wise this week, what with walking on Sunday, golf at Inchmarlo on Monday and again at Banchory on Wednesday, then some squash last night, and, with any luck, golf at Glenisla this afternoon. The forecast's not too good, but the day has started off very nicely and we may get lucky.
Spare a thought for poor Syd - his wife has got an inoperable brain tumour. It suddenly came to light last week and there's nothing they can do. She's been transferred from Aberdeen to Aboyne hospital and Syd's hoping she'll get home today, but it'll be a full time carer job for him - he may even need help eventually. In Syd's words, "it won't be months". Syd's 72 and Barbara is a couple of years younger - still plenty young enough, and active. You just never know, do you?
So tomorrow is the next stage in my tooth implant. He's asked me to book a long appointment, but he told me last time he wouldn't need to do any more cutting - hopefully it's just the final impressions.
That's about it for now. I've been planning the next instalment of Renshaw's Chronicles (http://renshawschronicles.blogspot.com/) and have been scanning a few old photos for the next episode to cover our period down in Corby, Northants - bet you can't wait!
Been hectic sports-wise this week, what with walking on Sunday, golf at Inchmarlo on Monday and again at Banchory on Wednesday, then some squash last night, and, with any luck, golf at Glenisla this afternoon. The forecast's not too good, but the day has started off very nicely and we may get lucky.
Spare a thought for poor Syd - his wife has got an inoperable brain tumour. It suddenly came to light last week and there's nothing they can do. She's been transferred from Aberdeen to Aboyne hospital and Syd's hoping she'll get home today, but it'll be a full time carer job for him - he may even need help eventually. In Syd's words, "it won't be months". Syd's 72 and Barbara is a couple of years younger - still plenty young enough, and active. You just never know, do you?
So tomorrow is the next stage in my tooth implant. He's asked me to book a long appointment, but he told me last time he wouldn't need to do any more cutting - hopefully it's just the final impressions.
That's about it for now. I've been planning the next instalment of Renshaw's Chronicles (http://renshawschronicles.blogspot.com/) and have been scanning a few old photos for the next episode to cover our period down in Corby, Northants - bet you can't wait!
Tuesday, 14 June 2011
Tuesday 14th June
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
Half way through June and approaching the longest day and the weather's up and down like a yo-yo - one day lovely and another a bit dreich. I have to say, however, that I seem to have been fairly lucky so far - the weather hasn't really interfered with anything I've tried to do - yet!
We had a lovely outing at Blairgowrie on Friday, despite forecasts of potential heavy showers. I started to come down with a bit of head cold, however, and, typically, my voice gave out - this seems to happen at least once a year. I awoke on Saturday not feeling the brightest and decided to give golf a miss. It was the right call, as not only did we have Luca with us that day anyway, but Carole came over for lunch and the afternoon - plus it p****d down virtually all day.
We watched Soul Men at night - Samuel L. Jackson in a kind of soul version of the Blues Brothers - it was OK - there was enough humour and music in it to keep us interested - and awake.
On Sunday, the weather was lovely again as we completed the 11 mile stretch along the Deeside Way from Aboyne to Ballater - check out the details on my Hill-walking site - http://bvhill-walkers.blogspot.com/.
Yesterday, I managed a round of golf at Inchmarlo, courtesy of Nigel Meany who was on a brief visit over here from Dubai. He's job hunting just now and was at an interview in Norway on Friday and popped over here for a few days.
So that's what I've been up to - what about Jo? She seldom blogs nowadays and when she does, it's with the same photos that I've recently published on my blog! Jo was swimming again yesterday, but complained to me last night that she had to curtail her exercise, having "only" done 34 lengths, instead of the scheduled 40. What with swimming twice a week plus regular walking, I reckon Jo's fitter now than she ever was - and it's keeping her a free member of Weight Watchers as she's still well within her target that she set when she first agreed to chum her pal Ann along.
It's only 4 weeks now until we take our short break at the Carrick at Loch Lomond - http://www.cameronhouse.co.uk/cameron-house/lodges/the-carrick.html. It's a full week we've got booked but we can only stay Friday to Monday as I have to return to work. We hope to catch up with Barry/Dawn/Mary some time that weekend - and we also hope that somebody will be able to use the extra days from Monday until the Friday check-out - Barry and Helen might be interested, but will wait to see what the weather's like.
After we get back from Loch Lomond, it's just over a week until we head off to USA. It seems they've been having unsettled weather this year as well, but I'm sure it'll be fine by then - and their definition of "unsettled" is a little different from our island climate!
Half way through June and approaching the longest day and the weather's up and down like a yo-yo - one day lovely and another a bit dreich. I have to say, however, that I seem to have been fairly lucky so far - the weather hasn't really interfered with anything I've tried to do - yet!
We had a lovely outing at Blairgowrie on Friday, despite forecasts of potential heavy showers. I started to come down with a bit of head cold, however, and, typically, my voice gave out - this seems to happen at least once a year. I awoke on Saturday not feeling the brightest and decided to give golf a miss. It was the right call, as not only did we have Luca with us that day anyway, but Carole came over for lunch and the afternoon - plus it p****d down virtually all day.
We watched Soul Men at night - Samuel L. Jackson in a kind of soul version of the Blues Brothers - it was OK - there was enough humour and music in it to keep us interested - and awake.
On Sunday, the weather was lovely again as we completed the 11 mile stretch along the Deeside Way from Aboyne to Ballater - check out the details on my Hill-walking site - http://bvhill-walkers.blogspot.com/.
Yesterday, I managed a round of golf at Inchmarlo, courtesy of Nigel Meany who was on a brief visit over here from Dubai. He's job hunting just now and was at an interview in Norway on Friday and popped over here for a few days.
So that's what I've been up to - what about Jo? She seldom blogs nowadays and when she does, it's with the same photos that I've recently published on my blog! Jo was swimming again yesterday, but complained to me last night that she had to curtail her exercise, having "only" done 34 lengths, instead of the scheduled 40. What with swimming twice a week plus regular walking, I reckon Jo's fitter now than she ever was - and it's keeping her a free member of Weight Watchers as she's still well within her target that she set when she first agreed to chum her pal Ann along.
It's only 4 weeks now until we take our short break at the Carrick at Loch Lomond - http://www.cameronhouse.co.uk/cameron-house/lodges/the-carrick.html. It's a full week we've got booked but we can only stay Friday to Monday as I have to return to work. We hope to catch up with Barry/Dawn/Mary some time that weekend - and we also hope that somebody will be able to use the extra days from Monday until the Friday check-out - Barry and Helen might be interested, but will wait to see what the weather's like.
After we get back from Loch Lomond, it's just over a week until we head off to USA. It seems they've been having unsettled weather this year as well, but I'm sure it'll be fine by then - and their definition of "unsettled" is a little different from our island climate!
Tuesday, 7 June 2011
That was the summer, that was!
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
Yes - it was truly glorious on Thursday and Friday - everywhere by all accounts. It was still hot in the South East when I flew back from Terminal 5 late Saturday morning. We'd got a bit of a scorching at Lord's on Friday - our seats were out in the open, and whilst I'd slapped on the sun cream and kept my floppy hat on (as instructed by my doctors), my arms and legs got a little red.
It was a nice, short break - some cricket, some nice beers and a couple of great gigs - full details on my other blogs. As soon as I landed back in Aberdeen, I headed straight to my dentist's for the latest stage in my implant procedure. It was fairly straightforward this time - the surgeon removed a screw and put in what he called - I think - an abutment. Wikipedia describes it as "the part of an implant that acts as a connection between the implant and the crown". Check it out in this grisly close-up:
Not a pretty sight. I go back again on 18th June and he will create the final impressions then. I wonder if my implant will be in place by the time we go to USA late July? Don't want to scare the grandchildren too much - although Cade's braces may scare me!
I had the house to myself on Saturday night - Jo was down at the Town Hall listening to Banchory Singers with her pals. She said she thought I wasn't coming back until Sunday!
Golf on Sunday morning, afternoon with the Sunday Times and the TV, then we watched Gainsbourg - A Heroic Life - a biopic of Serge Gainsbourg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serge_Gainsbourg). It was in French with English subtitles and naturally included scenes with some of his famous amours - Juliette Greco, Brigitte Bardot and Jane Birkin to name but three. It was a little artistic and a tad too long for our liking.
Back to work yesterday, but escaped early to play my tie in the next round of the singles at Banchory. Today, I've been at Pittodrie on a course. I picked a casual shirt from my wardrobe this morning, but it was only later that I realised it wasn't mine - it was Ross's - thought it felt a bit big.
I arrived home to a slightly tired and mopey Luca, and I gave him my name badge from the course to wear on the way home - that was about the extent of our communications before Jo took him back to Inverurie. Still, he's back with us on Friday/Saturday.
I've got the long drive to Fraserburgh to face tomorrow and Thursday, but I'm away at Blairgowrie golfing on Friday, so can't complain. Got to cram it in now - it's only 2 weeks until the longest day! I've got my memory stick set up for the drives to the Broch - I've been recording Sounds of the Sixties every Saturday for a number of years and I save it for one of the drives north the following week. I'm also now recording Sounds of the 20th Century, which is broadcast on Radio 2 on Thursday nights, and this entertains me on one of the other days I have to travel. It's a programme of music and news clips, without commentary, from each of the last 50 years of the 20th century - one show for each year. I think it's 1959 I'll be listening to tomorrow.
So that's this blog up to date now - must rush - got other blogs to do!
Yes - it was truly glorious on Thursday and Friday - everywhere by all accounts. It was still hot in the South East when I flew back from Terminal 5 late Saturday morning. We'd got a bit of a scorching at Lord's on Friday - our seats were out in the open, and whilst I'd slapped on the sun cream and kept my floppy hat on (as instructed by my doctors), my arms and legs got a little red.
It was a nice, short break - some cricket, some nice beers and a couple of great gigs - full details on my other blogs. As soon as I landed back in Aberdeen, I headed straight to my dentist's for the latest stage in my implant procedure. It was fairly straightforward this time - the surgeon removed a screw and put in what he called - I think - an abutment. Wikipedia describes it as "the part of an implant that acts as a connection between the implant and the crown". Check it out in this grisly close-up:
Not a pretty sight. I go back again on 18th June and he will create the final impressions then. I wonder if my implant will be in place by the time we go to USA late July? Don't want to scare the grandchildren too much - although Cade's braces may scare me!
I had the house to myself on Saturday night - Jo was down at the Town Hall listening to Banchory Singers with her pals. She said she thought I wasn't coming back until Sunday!
Golf on Sunday morning, afternoon with the Sunday Times and the TV, then we watched Gainsbourg - A Heroic Life - a biopic of Serge Gainsbourg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serge_Gainsbourg). It was in French with English subtitles and naturally included scenes with some of his famous amours - Juliette Greco, Brigitte Bardot and Jane Birkin to name but three. It was a little artistic and a tad too long for our liking.
Back to work yesterday, but escaped early to play my tie in the next round of the singles at Banchory. Today, I've been at Pittodrie on a course. I picked a casual shirt from my wardrobe this morning, but it was only later that I realised it wasn't mine - it was Ross's - thought it felt a bit big.
I arrived home to a slightly tired and mopey Luca, and I gave him my name badge from the course to wear on the way home - that was about the extent of our communications before Jo took him back to Inverurie. Still, he's back with us on Friday/Saturday.
I've got the long drive to Fraserburgh to face tomorrow and Thursday, but I'm away at Blairgowrie golfing on Friday, so can't complain. Got to cram it in now - it's only 2 weeks until the longest day! I've got my memory stick set up for the drives to the Broch - I've been recording Sounds of the Sixties every Saturday for a number of years and I save it for one of the drives north the following week. I'm also now recording Sounds of the 20th Century, which is broadcast on Radio 2 on Thursday nights, and this entertains me on one of the other days I have to travel. It's a programme of music and news clips, without commentary, from each of the last 50 years of the 20th century - one show for each year. I think it's 1959 I'll be listening to tomorrow.
So that's this blog up to date now - must rush - got other blogs to do!
Wednesday, 1 June 2011
Flaming June!
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
Not so far, it's not - but the weather forecast for Banchory for the next couple of days is wall to wall sunshine and 23 C - and where am I going to be? - down in London! Ah well, hope it's as least as warm there and I can enjoy Friday's 2nd Test Match against Sri Lanka in the sun - although I don't expect we'll see anything as exciting as the finish to the 1st Test Match in Cardiff on Monday.
I played my first Seniors match of the season for Banchory at Deeside yesterday afternoon - and very nice it was too, despite us getting duffed. More golf tonight, then an early morning drive up to Fraserburgh in the morning before heading back to the airport for the plane down to London.
I bought a couple of cheap holiday books on Sunday - on offer in John Menzies - but I've really been enjoying reading Keith Richards' autobiography, Life. It's quite a big tome but I've been making no effort to race through it - in fact, I'm savouring reading only short excerpts at night to try and make it last a while. It's written just as if Keef was talking to you - fun reading.
Talking about holidays, would you believe we've already got something fixed up for USA 2012? We got confirmation this morning of an exchange week next July at Stoneridge Resort, Idaho - http://www.stoneridgeresort.com/. It's in Blanchard, which is northern Idaho, and it's 627 miles from Scott and Lucy's - a little less than they travelled last year (and this year) down to Newport Coast, CA. Nearest airport is Spokane, Washington. This is a map of North West USA, with "A" marking Blanchard:
Incidentally, check out my Headbangers blog (http://banchoryheadbangers.blogspot.com/) for a rare sighting of an old school-mate of mine appearing on Top of the Pops in 1976!
You may have noticed on my blog that it's now been viewed 9,200 times - keep logging on and we'll get to 10,000 soon!
Lastly, spare a thought for poor Johanne Kilgour, who had to retire from teaching many years ago when she contracted Parkinson's - one of the youngest ever to do so. She and Colin went to Bruges for a holiday, but Johanne had a nasty fall on the first full day there and they had to return home, with her looking heavily battered and bruised. Externally, she appears to be looking a bit better, but she's still got internal injuries and now she's building up fluid in her feet/ankles. Poor girl doesn't have her troubles to seek.
Not so far, it's not - but the weather forecast for Banchory for the next couple of days is wall to wall sunshine and 23 C - and where am I going to be? - down in London! Ah well, hope it's as least as warm there and I can enjoy Friday's 2nd Test Match against Sri Lanka in the sun - although I don't expect we'll see anything as exciting as the finish to the 1st Test Match in Cardiff on Monday.
I played my first Seniors match of the season for Banchory at Deeside yesterday afternoon - and very nice it was too, despite us getting duffed. More golf tonight, then an early morning drive up to Fraserburgh in the morning before heading back to the airport for the plane down to London.
I bought a couple of cheap holiday books on Sunday - on offer in John Menzies - but I've really been enjoying reading Keith Richards' autobiography, Life. It's quite a big tome but I've been making no effort to race through it - in fact, I'm savouring reading only short excerpts at night to try and make it last a while. It's written just as if Keef was talking to you - fun reading.
Talking about holidays, would you believe we've already got something fixed up for USA 2012? We got confirmation this morning of an exchange week next July at Stoneridge Resort, Idaho - http://www.stoneridgeresort.com/. It's in Blanchard, which is northern Idaho, and it's 627 miles from Scott and Lucy's - a little less than they travelled last year (and this year) down to Newport Coast, CA. Nearest airport is Spokane, Washington. This is a map of North West USA, with "A" marking Blanchard:
Incidentally, check out my Headbangers blog (http://banchoryheadbangers.blogspot.com/) for a rare sighting of an old school-mate of mine appearing on Top of the Pops in 1976!
You may have noticed on my blog that it's now been viewed 9,200 times - keep logging on and we'll get to 10,000 soon!
Lastly, spare a thought for poor Johanne Kilgour, who had to retire from teaching many years ago when she contracted Parkinson's - one of the youngest ever to do so. She and Colin went to Bruges for a holiday, but Johanne had a nasty fall on the first full day there and they had to return home, with her looking heavily battered and bruised. Externally, she appears to be looking a bit better, but she's still got internal injuries and now she's building up fluid in her feet/ankles. Poor girl doesn't have her troubles to seek.
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