Car problems

From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/

Yes, it's me again - final posting for this week.

Bad start to the day - there was no heating when I got up this morning. I tried to re-boot the boiler 4 times but it seems to have given up the ghost now. The earliest appointment for the gas engineer to come out is Wednesday, so I do hope the forecast increase in temperatures this weekend does happen. It's still pretty cold and damp here just now.

My car was scheduled to be back today after a month in the bodyshop but I got a phone call from the insurer yesterday, telling me that the Specialist Cars had had some problems fixing the wheel/suspension/axle and had had to do it 3 times over as they uncovered more damage than they had initially been able to see. I took this as an early warning that my car would not be ready today, and so I filled up the loan car with diesel this morning.

Well, blow me - I got a call from the bodyshop this morning saying my car was ready after all! I'd like my own car back, but I didn't like the idea of Accident Exchange gaining a full tank of fuel at our expense, so I've now arranged to swap over on Monday morning and I'll use the loan car to go up and down to Paisley this weekend for the Christening. Of course, this meant telling Accident Exchange, and I then had to sign another form explaining why I wouldn't be returning the car today.

Last night we went to Woodend Barn to see Roddy Woomble. I thought he was good, but Jo decided that he wasn't really of much merit, but praised the female fiddle player/pianist/backup singer. The setting in the hall was very nice - all candlelit, linen-covered tables. Here's Johanne and Jo posing for the camera, with Colin talking to his next door neighbour on the left:

Well, it's Friday afternoon and there's not much else for me to do this week, but I'm the only Director on site - Michael's in USA attending Cathy's Mum's funeral and Francis is in hospital having another eye operation, so is it right for me to leave early? Do I hear the gym beckoning? Tough call.

Is it May?

From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/

It's not been great so far, has it? - at least not in this neck of the woods - but there's talk of it getting warmer this weekend - not before time too.

It's Thursday and that means the 110 mile round trip to Fraserburgh and back for our weekly and monthly management meetings - after Wednesday night golf. I always feel a bit tired on Thursdays, but tonight, we're going out again - to Woodend Barn to see Roddy Woomble (http://www.roddywoomble.com/). Not that I know much of his stuff - and Jo knows even less - but Colin and Johanne bought tickets and asked us if we'd like to go along, and I said yes. Supporting the local arts centre is always a good idea - we should do it more often.

So, since my last blog, we had a nice Surf 'n Turf meal at the golf club last Friday with Dick & Theresa Taylor and Gary & Mel Grant - fun evening. I golfed early on Saturday morning and then on Sunday 11 of us headed over the Lecht to Grantown and Boat of Garten - our 53rd outing there! It was pretty windy on Sunday and we caught one bad squall on Monday, but otherwise, we got off lightly, judging by accounts of the weather elsewhere.

It's been a short working week then, but this is my second day in Fraserburgh so it's not been complete plain sailing. Coming up here on Tuesdays affords me the opportunity to stop off back at Inverurie on the way home and see Luca (and Gary & Carole usually).

No more golf planned for me until next Wednesday - Jo and I are heading down to Glasgow on Saturday afternoon, in time for Guy and Julie's twins' First Communion on Sunday. Hopefully, Brian and I will get the chance to see the Champions League Final on Saturday night somewhere. I'll miss the Scottish Cup final on Saturday afternoon, but so what?

I've got my appointment at the Sports Orthotics centre in Hamilton at 4 pm on Saturday first of all, so it means a slight detour on the way down. Perhaps we'll also get the chance to pop in and see Dawn briefly - and maybe Barry on the way back - if they're all around?

We're coming up to the busy time of the year - lots of golf and other trips before we head off to USA on 10th July. I was supposed to be doing hill-walking "training/acclimatising" this coming Sunday, but, for the second month in a row, I'll be missing out. In fact, I'll probably only manage one of the monthly walks before we all head back to the Lake District again in September - will I be fit enough to keep up with the rest of them by then?

Then there's the Aberdeen Beer Festival in 2 weeks' time - I should be working there, but it clashes with Lauren's wedding so I'm not going to manage to put in many hours of volunteer work this year.

I've got a golf outing to Blairgowrie on Friday 15th June, another to Tarland on Tuesday 19th June, Kemnay on Friday 22nd June (and a Headbang to follow this!), Balmoral on Monday 25th June, with hill-walking scheduled for Sunday 24th and then it's my annual cricket trip to Lord's on 29th June. As if that wasn't enough, I'm down in Dumfries for our Summer Tour the weekend before we go to USA! Whew!

I'll be ready for our holidays by then - but it's always a bit crazy at this time of year, as the days get longer - my diary in June is always packed full.

I've been blogging like crazy this past week - 2 episodes of Renshaw's Chronicles, 2 regular blogs, plus updates for the golf and ale blogs - haven't I been a good boy!

Finally, a quick hi to Kelly, whose birthday is on Sunday - Chris is taking her on a long train journey to Uluru (Ayer's Rock in old parlance). Enjoy!

On our way to 20K!

From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/

Yes - as I write this my blog stats are showing exactly 19,500 readings to date - not long until we reach 20K - who are these people? I write this diary principally to keep the family up to date with daily events in my life, but obviously others are picking it up as well. That's OK - I can live with that.

Was at the Doctor's again yesterday concerning my lingering cough and the fact that my chest hasn't been clear for 7 or 8 weeks now. Any time I go outside, my eyes stream endlessly and my nose runs like a tap - very annoying when you're trying to putt, I can tell you! The Doc (Kris McLaughlin - new to me) quickly ruled out anything serious after hearing my chest and feeling my neck. We ruled out hay fever effects - been too cold and damp recently - but he said the linings of my nose were red raw and he suggested trying a nasal spray daily for 6 weeks or so to see if that dampens down the effects.

Whilst I was picking up this prescription from the Chemist, I also picked up my usual monthly supply of medications, so I ended up going home with this huge box of various medicines. I felt like a junkie - and to think this is all paid for by our taxes - can we really afford to do this? I've got my first supply of enteric coated aspirin ("gastro resistant") so I'm now off the Omeprazole on a daily basis - I only have to use it if I have to be on heavier medication, like after an op, or if my gastric problems get too much for me.

Talking about too much, is all this talk of medical issues putting you off? I hope you're not having breakfast when you read this - whoever and wherever you are.

Tonight, Jo and I are joining the Taylors and a few of the other golfing couples for dinner at the golf club - they've got a special Surf 'n Turf thing on. Ross will be working again, of course - he's certainly putting the hours in with his 2 jobs now - hope it isn't too much. 3 hours sleep last night is bound to make one grumpy boy today.

As soon as this blog is posted, I'm returning to try to complete another episode of Renshaw's Chronicles - it's been a while since the last one - wish me luck - and watch that space.

Home alone

From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/

Yes - I'm all alone this evening. Jo's at Inverurie and Ross is working his first shift at the Douglas - straight after he finished work at Tease - a 13 hour working day for him today!

I thought about getting the bus in to the CAMRA meeting in Aberdeen, but laziness took over in the end, and I've settled for an episode of Mad Men followed by the Liverpool - Chelsea match instead - and this quick blog posting.

The weather seems to be getting a bit warmer again - hopefully just in time for my first visit this year to Boat of Garten on Sunday. Then, the following weekend we're down in Renfrewshire again for the twins' First Communion, followed 2 weeks later by Lauren's wedding - all go.

I've made an appointment to see the Doctor on Thursday - can't seem to shake off this cough - and my chest is full and my eyes and nose run constantly when I'm out in the fresh air. Could it be allergies - or something else?

Happy birthday to young Braeden today - can't believe he's 8 already. And well done to Scott and Lucy with their first half marathons. Glad to see Lucy has realised that a marathon is a step too far - the same as I decided over 20 years ago when I was running.

First week back

From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/

It's a week since I travelled back from Turkey and it seems to have been pretty busy, but not a lot to report.

My car won't be ready until May 17th - over £3K worth of work being done on it. Just as well that woman hit me on the nearside rear and much of the impact was taken out by the car spinning round. If she'd hit me side on, on the driver's side, I might not be here to tell the tale - she was fleeing.

At least the weather has improved - temporarily anyway - from what it apparently was like when I was away. Golf last night was very pleasant, although I think tomorrow at Montrose might be a bit cooler.

Unexpected guest last night - Luca. Didn't know he was staying with us until I got home, so only saw him briefly this morning before heading off to Fraserburgh.

Can't think of owt else to say - bye.

Back home

From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/

I got back from our golf week in Turkey (details on golf blog) on Thursday evening - but too late to make my 7:30 pm appointment at the Sports Orthotics clinic in Hamilton - will have to try another time.

We had a great week - and apparently didn't miss anything back here, judging by reports of the weather. Luca stayed with us last night - I picked him up from school yesterday and his Dad will come over and pick him up this morning.

Looks like our golf course is open again today - albeit the morning has started with a hard frost. No buggies or sunshine today - back to real golf!

Here's a short video walk-through of my huge hotel room in Turkey:

All set

From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/

Wet weather in Antalya just now - but forecast to improve from Friday. FCO travel advisory to Turkey still unchanged, so it looks like all systems go for our early morning flight from Glasgow tomorrow. Hope they don't have the mist/fog we had in the NE early this morning.

Got my implant cap re-cemented yesterday - although I had to wait over an hour for a dentist to see me.

I'm in the office today, seemingly spending my time thinking about all the things I forgot to do, or items I've forgotten to pack. It was ever thus.

Incidentally, the BMW 520d saloon I've got just now is a lovely car - it's going to be hard going back down to my own little 320d Tourer when they eventually fix it.

That's all for now, folks.

Wedding invitation

From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/

We got the official invitations yesterday to Malcolm and Lauren's wedding in June, so I've now been on their wedding website (http://www.malcolmandlauren.gettingmarried.co.uk/) and RSVP'd on behalf of Jo, Ross and I. We had already, of course, received our pre-invites so we knew when the date was. We'll be staying at the Chestnuts Hotel, where I stayed about 15 years ago on a golf outing. It was a glorious weekend then - let's hope for the same again.

Apparently no after-affects from my little crash yesterday - a little bump and some blood on the top of my head - that's all, I think. Today, I've managed to get an emergency appointment at the Dentist this afternoon to hopefully get the cap re-cemented on to my implant before I head off to Glasgow tomorrow, en route to Turkey for our golf week. We've arranged for a table for 9 of us - including Brian H - in the Fox and Hounds, Houston for dinner tomorrow night - and to watch the Chelsea - Barcelona match.

Stephen Thomson, the builder, was back at our house yesterday and has levelled off the decking, which formerly had a large sloping run-off. None of us knew he was coming yesterday and Jo wanted to show him the drips on the new harling, which she hoped he could help us avoid somehow:

Yes - I know - it's upside down. Jo took it on her i-Pad and sent it to me at work this morning. I have the same problem with the i-Phone - if you take a photo in Landscape, I can never remember which way is up!

That's about all for today - although I have now added number three to My Pet Hates blog.

A weekend to remember and a Monday to forget

From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/

It was all going along so nicely - we had a good time in Nairn this weekend - and then, this morning - bang! - literally.

I got to Oldmeldrum and was heading round the (relatively) new bypass, almost through the middle roundabout, when a black Passat comes shooting in from the left, not even slowing down, let alone stopping, as she approached the roundabout. The impact was on my rear left (nearside) wheel and it spun my car round about 90 degrees.

I was a little shocked and, later on, I noticed I had a slight cut and bump on the top of my head, but, otherwise fine. The driver of the Passat was in shock - she apologised but her English wasn't too good, but her son wrote down her name and address for me.

I tried to drive on, but the impact had knocked the wheel off centre and the car was wobbling all over the road, so I pulled in and made all the phone calls and waited for the recovery vehicle. Three hours later, I was in my office at Bridge of Don, after having had to persuade the recovery truck to take me there - they were going to leave me to fend for myself!

I now have a nice replacement BMW:

Back to Nairn now - nice weekend - check out Jo's blog for some photos and stories, but here's a few more:

Jo with Scottish Tapas in the Old Mill Inn, Brodie

The Garden of the Golf View Hotel, looking out to sea - note the old sauna cabin in the corner.

 It was 25 years ago that we stayed at the Golf View Hotel - but neither of us can remember whether we went there as a couple, or the kids came along? Help.

From just outside our hotel (the Braeval), whose bar is named the Bandstand.

Brodie Castle

Findhorn Bay

On top of the Ice House at Findhorn.

Medical issues

From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/

Last night I was back to Albyn Hospital to see the doctor who did the endoscopy. He was quite happy - no ulcers, no cancer, but he showed me the photographs he took of the lumps at the foot of my stomach, caused by my daily aspirin - they're the ones that are causing the discomfort and bad taste. He described the stomach as a kind of food blender - once it had done all its work and mushed everything up, it would all drop down to the bowel below:

He initially suggested I should carry on taking Omeprazole, which lines the stomach and prevents the aspirin from doing further damage. However, when I enquired whether there was any alternative to taking yet another drug for the rest of my life, he said yes - I could change from dispersible aspirin to enteric coated aspirin, which doesn't dissolve properly until it's past the stomach and in the bowel. I said I would like to try this and he agreed. However, if I ever have to take any other pain-killers/Ibuprofen etc - as I will when I get my right knee replaced - then I will have to go back on Omeprazole - probably starting a couple of weeks beforehand.

This morning it was my annual visit to the Cardio Clinic in Banchory. The nurse always has problems finding a vein to draw blood from, but this morning it was even more difficult. She gave up on my left arm and eventually found blood on the right. Perhaps the chest infection/man flu I've been suffering from made things worse? My blood pressure was really low - 100/60 - she wondered whether I felt faint? It was no surprise that my weight was worse than last year - up 3 kgs at 87 kgs. I blamed Australia!

I decided I would try a few holes of golf this afternoon - it was nice to get out in the fresh air again, but I couldn't manage a full round. I've also cancelled tomorrow morning's medal.

At tea time tonight, more medical - or specifically, dental - problems. My implant came out when I was clearing the gap between my teeth after our steaks. It looks like it just glues on to the rod:

Enough about my failing body - I'm off to the pub.

Another blog starts up!

From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/

Greetings from sunny but windy Fraserburgh. We got back from Dan Cattigan's funeral yesterday in good time, despite a fairly Senior Moment. If you recall, I had met Jo at Stracathro on Tuesday afternoon, where she had left her car overnight. Of course, on the way back, it was the top of Cairn o' Mount before Jo suddenly exclaimed "my car!". Whoops - back we go.

We stayed with Mary and Brian and had dinner at theirs. We saw Julie at the church in the morning - and also Margaret, who also came back to the reception at the Water Wheel. Jo made a point of going over to talk to her and congratulate her on recently becoming a Grannie - Lyndsay had a baby. It would be nice to think that this could lead to a thawing in relationships, but we'll just have to wait and see.

As the blog headline says, I've started another one. I was "inspired" on the drive down and I thought why not? Check out http://curmudgeonlyramblings.blogspot.co.uk/

That's really all for now.

Not a well boy

From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/

The snow early last week lay on the golf course for a couple of days, which meant we couldn't get our usual Wednesday night match - nor the attempted replay on Thursday. At the 3rd time of asking, we finally managed to play on Friday - in fairly good conditions too - but, by then, I wasn't feeling too good. I've been coughing away, keeping myself - and, no doubt, Jo - awake through the night.

I was absolutely shattered after golf and went straight home to bed, and spent the rest of the weekend at home with my feet up. I think I'm on the mend now - I was back in the Aberdeen office yesterday, and today I'm in Fraserburgh. This afternoon, I'm meeting Jo at Stracathro and we're driving down to spend the night at Mary and Brian's before heading off to "Uncle" Dan's funeral in the morning.

We've also got a quick trip to Nairn this weekend. It's somewhere Jo, in particular, has always wanted to go back to. We had a fantastic weekend there back in 1987, when the sun shone gloriously - it was the middle of summer then, but this weekend isn't going to be as good as that one was - but there is always the Bandstand Beer Festival at our hotel! - 68 ales, plus 6 premium lagers and 6 ciders - if there's any left (it's the last day of the festival on Saturday) - check out http://www.braevalhotel.co.uk/bandstandbeerfestival.asp

I'm also starting to get organised for my first golf trip of the year - Turkey again next Thursday - perhaps! Jo's concerned about the troubles in neighbouring Syria, so I decided to check the latest advice from the FCO website, and their official position is Orange - the first level of warning - "Avoid all but essential travel to parts of the country":

We are flying to Antalya, at the other end of the country on the Mediterranean coast, so hopefully it'll be OK.

Finally, for my Australasian readers, particularly those residing in Adelaide who should know better, this is where the "real" Grampians (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grampian_Mountains) are:

They're not anywhere near Melbourne, Victoria, where I understand some phoney alternatives are!

Update

From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/

What a change since I last blogged. Last week, it was record heat - today we had snow. Oh well, that's how it is in the British Isles, I guess.

What have I done since? Golf mostly - the season officially started on Saturday and I played then, again on Sunday, and yesterday for the Seniors in their match at Brechin. Oh - and I paid my first visit to Bannatyne's for many months on Friday. I hate to tell you what weight I was - I thought it was an all-time record, but Jo blithely said "no - you were heavier just after we got married"! She went on to explain that, as she had been deprived chips at home, she cooked them almost every day for us (in our wedding present deep fat frier) in the first few years of marriage.

We're still negotiating with Everest on our kitchen. Here's how they reckon it might look:

 and here's the dimensions and details:

Jo got some sad news last night from sister Mary - their old "Uncle" Dan has died. He had been in failing health for a while. He was one of life's good guys - always a merry quip.

Speaking to Lucy at the weekend, I was complaining about how much pain I was in after walking, and I wondered whether there was anything that could be done with footwear to help. She recommended http://www.sportorthotics.co.uk/ in Hamilton, so I've made an appointment for next Thursday 12th April. I'd like to look and listen anyway.

We've been having some correspondence with our newly discovered relatives on the East coast of USA. I sent them some photos and some of Dad's typically derogatory written comments about his grandfather, Swanson Renshaw Dale - not sure how that went down with them!

Belated happy birthday to Scott!

From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/

It's almost still Scott's 39th birthday, USA time, so didn't miss it by much! Welcome to your 40th year, Scott! Memories of last summer down in Southern California:

See you in Seattle in about 15 weeks!