From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
We'll be heading off to Strathtay/Pitlochry in the next couple of hours, but we've woken to another covering of snow this morning. It's not much, but it's enough to make up my mind about which direction to go. It would be too much of a risk to head west up Deeside and over Spittal of Glenshee, so we'll have to go down the main A90 and then decide whether to tackle the Angus/Perthsire cross country route or go all the way down to Perth and then back up the A9.
If we get there in good time and the weather's OK, I think we'll dump the car at our B & B (http://www.riverwoodstrathtay.com/) and then take the short walk to our lunch date with Dawn and Barry (http://www.theinnonthetay.co.uk/).
We've got the theatre tonight in Pitlochry - Tony Robinson - and then home tomorrow. If the Glenshee road is open tomorrow, I might even manage to do a pub survey or two in Braemar/Ballater on the way home. I managed to get another 3 done yesterday - the Cock & Bull, Balmedie, Scott Skinner's and the Legion last night. 5 down, 16 to go!
On Monday, I'm taking Jo to Albyn for her appointment with the specialist to look at her shoulder. Hope they sort something out.
Now own up, all you people, who was it that gave my last blog posting a "rubbish" rating?
Ian R. Stewart Family Blog
Saturday, 2 February 2013
Wednesday, 30 January 2013
The worst kept secret
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
Yes - the news is finally, officially out. We are to become Grandparents again in August. Many congrats to Kelly and Chris - great news. We only wish we could be there - or, even better, that they could be here!
The original plans had been for Kelly and Chris to come over here for Christmas/New Year this year and have a big family reunion as Lucy, Scott and the boys had also planned to come at the same time, but Kelly and Chris can't afford to come now - which is presenting Lucy and Scott with a bit of a dilemma - do they come this year and miss Kelly, or do they cancel their plans and come next year, hoping Kelly and Chris can make it then?
It's also means we will be going back to Oz early next year. We had originally thought that we were getting a year off from doing this journey, but I guess we'll just have to put up with another winter break in the sun! Mind you, it would be cheaper for us to pay Kelly and Chris' air fares over here (cattle class!) than pay for Jo and I to return Down Under (Business Class!)!
That's about all I've got to say today. Believe it or not, I've been exceptionally busy at work this week and have had little time to myself - the odd short blog, that's all. I had fully intended to go back to the gym today - for the first time this year - but got waylaid again. No time left now - got to get home as it's our golf club's AGM tonight and we're expecting a rammy, so I need to be there.
I'm hoping to get some squash tomorrow night, but I've also got all the pub surveys to do for CAMRA and I only have 2 weeks left to cover Banchory, Aboyne, Potarch, Strachan, Tarland, Torphins, Ballater, Crathie, Braemar, Balmedie and Fraserburgh - 21 pubs in all over a wide geographic area, and I've only done 2 of them so far - help!
Yes - the news is finally, officially out. We are to become Grandparents again in August. Many congrats to Kelly and Chris - great news. We only wish we could be there - or, even better, that they could be here!
The original plans had been for Kelly and Chris to come over here for Christmas/New Year this year and have a big family reunion as Lucy, Scott and the boys had also planned to come at the same time, but Kelly and Chris can't afford to come now - which is presenting Lucy and Scott with a bit of a dilemma - do they come this year and miss Kelly, or do they cancel their plans and come next year, hoping Kelly and Chris can make it then?
It's also means we will be going back to Oz early next year. We had originally thought that we were getting a year off from doing this journey, but I guess we'll just have to put up with another winter break in the sun! Mind you, it would be cheaper for us to pay Kelly and Chris' air fares over here (cattle class!) than pay for Jo and I to return Down Under (Business Class!)!
That's about all I've got to say today. Believe it or not, I've been exceptionally busy at work this week and have had little time to myself - the odd short blog, that's all. I had fully intended to go back to the gym today - for the first time this year - but got waylaid again. No time left now - got to get home as it's our golf club's AGM tonight and we're expecting a rammy, so I need to be there.
I'm hoping to get some squash tomorrow night, but I've also got all the pub surveys to do for CAMRA and I only have 2 weeks left to cover Banchory, Aboyne, Potarch, Strachan, Tarland, Torphins, Ballater, Crathie, Braemar, Balmedie and Fraserburgh - 21 pubs in all over a wide geographic area, and I've only done 2 of them so far - help!
Tuesday, 29 January 2013
Music studio
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
Has our downstairs room now been turned in to a music studio? You be the judge:
Yes - 2 guitars, stands, amps plus, under wraps on right, a full size drum kit. Here's a better view of Ross' new electric guitar:
Has our downstairs room now been turned in to a music studio? You be the judge:
Yes - 2 guitars, stands, amps plus, under wraps on right, a full size drum kit. Here's a better view of Ross' new electric guitar:
Monday, 28 January 2013
Thawing
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
Hello again. It's Monday and I'm at home - alone. I was at a seminar at lunchtime in the city centre and just came home afterwards. No Jo, no Ross - empty house. Never mind, I'm heading off to squash soon.
Jo's latest handiwork was lying on the carpet in the back room. Was she showing off?:
Is anyone else watching Borgen? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borgen_(Danish_TV_series) Scandinavian political intrigue - with subtitles. Sounds great doesn't it? Well, I'm enjoying it anyway. Next episodes Saturday night - when we'll be away. Sky + and Catch-up always come to the rescue.
We're also catching up with Homeland Series 1 - on DVD - having missed it first time around - that's pretty good too.
We're having lunch with Dawn and Barry on Saturday at the Inn on the Tay:
Don't think we'll be sitting out on the decking this week, however!
Jo and I are going to the theatre in nearby Pitlochry at night. Wonder if we'll be able to drive down Deeside and over the hills? If it carries on thawing we should be fine.
Some of you may have noticed last week's press about problems with the North Sea Mackerel fisheries. It's the staple product of our business - 100% of the output of one of our 3 factories and a significant share of the other two, and responsible for probably 300 or more jobs. Complicated subject but the Times tried to summarise it on Saturday:
(Click on to enlarge).
Ironic - plenty mackerel available but it seems the various European countries are hell-bent on destroying the most valuable resource left in the North Sea because they can't agree what's the fairest way to share it all out. Anyway, don't let that stop you continuing to eat it - it's good for you and it's plentiful - for now anyway.
That's all for now, folks.
Hello again. It's Monday and I'm at home - alone. I was at a seminar at lunchtime in the city centre and just came home afterwards. No Jo, no Ross - empty house. Never mind, I'm heading off to squash soon.
Jo's latest handiwork was lying on the carpet in the back room. Was she showing off?:
Is anyone else watching Borgen? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borgen_(Danish_TV_series) Scandinavian political intrigue - with subtitles. Sounds great doesn't it? Well, I'm enjoying it anyway. Next episodes Saturday night - when we'll be away. Sky + and Catch-up always come to the rescue.
We're also catching up with Homeland Series 1 - on DVD - having missed it first time around - that's pretty good too.
We're having lunch with Dawn and Barry on Saturday at the Inn on the Tay:
Don't think we'll be sitting out on the decking this week, however!
Jo and I are going to the theatre in nearby Pitlochry at night. Wonder if we'll be able to drive down Deeside and over the hills? If it carries on thawing we should be fine.
Some of you may have noticed last week's press about problems with the North Sea Mackerel fisheries. It's the staple product of our business - 100% of the output of one of our 3 factories and a significant share of the other two, and responsible for probably 300 or more jobs. Complicated subject but the Times tried to summarise it on Saturday:
(Click on to enlarge).
Ironic - plenty mackerel available but it seems the various European countries are hell-bent on destroying the most valuable resource left in the North Sea because they can't agree what's the fairest way to share it all out. Anyway, don't let that stop you continuing to eat it - it's good for you and it's plentiful - for now anyway.
That's all for now, folks.
Saturday, 26 January 2013
Saturday blog
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
Travel to work did get much easier towards the end of the week. I got up early on Thursday morning fearing the worst for my journey to Fraserburgh, but I sailed through and was at my desk in the Broch by 7:45 am - well ahead of schedule. It was a busy day, but I made it back down to Kippie Lodge in time to get a game of doubles with Malcolm, Richard, Keith and Dan.
The forecast for Friday was bad and I was swithering about whether to work from home or not. I was tempted by the additional possibility of watching Andy Murray's semi-final from Melbourne, but, in the end, I went to the Bridge of Don office, where I was able to do some work and also watch Andy's great win. Tomorrow morning - like the rest of the nation - I'll be glued to my TV, hoping he can pull it off against Djokovic.
This morning, we watched the Tour Down Under - with the sound off mostly - on TV, looking out for some of the places round Adelaide that we'd visited a few short weeks ago. Then, Gary and Luca arrived - the first time Jo had seen them since before Christmas. They had come directly from Luca's football practice and he was resplendent in his new Aberdeen strip - a Christmas present. When I asked him to pose, he insisted on also showing one of the Octonauts gifts that Kelly and Chris had bought for him:
It's a beautiful, almost spring-like day outside, but with plenty of snow still lying on the golf course - ideal for sledging down the 3rd hole, as our children, nephews and nieces, and, indeed, other grandchildren, have done over the years - but the boy is not for turning. He'd rather stay indoors with his Granny Jo.
Travel to work did get much easier towards the end of the week. I got up early on Thursday morning fearing the worst for my journey to Fraserburgh, but I sailed through and was at my desk in the Broch by 7:45 am - well ahead of schedule. It was a busy day, but I made it back down to Kippie Lodge in time to get a game of doubles with Malcolm, Richard, Keith and Dan.
The forecast for Friday was bad and I was swithering about whether to work from home or not. I was tempted by the additional possibility of watching Andy Murray's semi-final from Melbourne, but, in the end, I went to the Bridge of Don office, where I was able to do some work and also watch Andy's great win. Tomorrow morning - like the rest of the nation - I'll be glued to my TV, hoping he can pull it off against Djokovic.
This morning, we watched the Tour Down Under - with the sound off mostly - on TV, looking out for some of the places round Adelaide that we'd visited a few short weeks ago. Then, Gary and Luca arrived - the first time Jo had seen them since before Christmas. They had come directly from Luca's football practice and he was resplendent in his new Aberdeen strip - a Christmas present. When I asked him to pose, he insisted on also showing one of the Octonauts gifts that Kelly and Chris had bought for him:
It's a beautiful, almost spring-like day outside, but with plenty of snow still lying on the golf course - ideal for sledging down the 3rd hole, as our children, nephews and nieces, and, indeed, other grandchildren, have done over the years - but the boy is not for turning. He'd rather stay indoors with his Granny Jo.
Wednesday, 23 January 2013
Another moan
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
Yes, here I go again. It's been a week of travel hell. I made it to Fraserburgh yesterday - eventually. Again the major problem was wind blowing dry, powdery snow off the fields on to the roads. I was listening to the local travel reports - including NorthSound's JamBuster line - and they were bad enough to make me stop off in Inverurie for a cup of tea and assess whether to go on or not.
I had the good grace to phone Carole before I stopped off at Rae Circle, giving her the chance to hurriedly get dressed. Gary was just getting ready to go to work and Luca was there, complete with big smiles and a giant hug - that made it all worthwhile stopping.
In Fraserburgh itself, there wasn't even the remotest sign of snow. However, I had experienced what it was like inland, so I decided to drive home down the coastal road to Aberdeen - and that was fine until I got to Garlogie where I started to hear the ominous rumble of hard packed ice under the tyres, so it was a slow crawl from there.
Summary of yesterday - time spent at work = four and a half hours. Time spent in car = 5 hours. Something not right there.
Today wasn't much better. I'd had enough of side roads and decided to stick to main roads only on my way to our Aberdeen factory at Bridge of Don. The problem with this is, nowadays, Westhill is so busy with all the oil service companies that have set up there, that it was nose to tail all the way from there to B.o.D. Elapsed time to my office - 2 hours. Grrr.
I'll be out of here soon - well before everyone else heads home hopefully.
Tomorrow it's Fraserburgh again. Any bets on how long it's going to take me?
Yes, here I go again. It's been a week of travel hell. I made it to Fraserburgh yesterday - eventually. Again the major problem was wind blowing dry, powdery snow off the fields on to the roads. I was listening to the local travel reports - including NorthSound's JamBuster line - and they were bad enough to make me stop off in Inverurie for a cup of tea and assess whether to go on or not.
I had the good grace to phone Carole before I stopped off at Rae Circle, giving her the chance to hurriedly get dressed. Gary was just getting ready to go to work and Luca was there, complete with big smiles and a giant hug - that made it all worthwhile stopping.
In Fraserburgh itself, there wasn't even the remotest sign of snow. However, I had experienced what it was like inland, so I decided to drive home down the coastal road to Aberdeen - and that was fine until I got to Garlogie where I started to hear the ominous rumble of hard packed ice under the tyres, so it was a slow crawl from there.
Summary of yesterday - time spent at work = four and a half hours. Time spent in car = 5 hours. Something not right there.
Today wasn't much better. I'd had enough of side roads and decided to stick to main roads only on my way to our Aberdeen factory at Bridge of Don. The problem with this is, nowadays, Westhill is so busy with all the oil service companies that have set up there, that it was nose to tail all the way from there to B.o.D. Elapsed time to my office - 2 hours. Grrr.
I'll be out of here soon - well before everyone else heads home hopefully.
Tomorrow it's Fraserburgh again. Any bets on how long it's going to take me?
Monday, 21 January 2013
Monday moan
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
Great start to the day/week - got stuck in snow this morning - and it's not even snowing here! I went the back road via Tyrebagger and came to one section of the road that is open with high fields on one side, and the wind was blowing the snow from the field on to the road.
A car coming up the slope towards me got stuck but I thought I still had room to get past him, but it was so tight that I ended up going in to the deeper snow just off the road. Great - now there's 2 cars stuck, side by side, with the road now totally blocked. The good thing about this is that everyone behind came out to help dig and push us out! Uncomfortable, but a result.
After a weekend of complete inactivity, it's squash again for me tonight.
I booked tickets for Jo and I to go and see Tony Robinson at Pitlochry Festival Theatre on Saturday 1st March. The blurb says:
Come and hear Tony talk about his love of archaeology, his passion for history and how he's created a career that has lasted and lasted, making him one of the best known TV stars of our time.
Here he is:
Yes - it's Blackadder's Baldrick!
I also bought tickets for 5 of us to go to Glasgow to see Wilko Johnson's final concert in his Farewell Tour. He's got pancreatic cancer and is refusing chemotherapy, so he ain't going to be around much longer. Here he is in his prime:
and here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilko_Johnson
So that's about it for today. Oh - nearly forgot to tell you that "Wart-off" works. Yes, I got my first ever wart at the age of almost 64, but it's gone now thanks to this Aussie acid.
Another thing - I suspect that I'm allergic to the memory foam pillow I bought last month, so I've now acquired a cheaper hypo-allergenic one to try out.
Great start to the day/week - got stuck in snow this morning - and it's not even snowing here! I went the back road via Tyrebagger and came to one section of the road that is open with high fields on one side, and the wind was blowing the snow from the field on to the road.
A car coming up the slope towards me got stuck but I thought I still had room to get past him, but it was so tight that I ended up going in to the deeper snow just off the road. Great - now there's 2 cars stuck, side by side, with the road now totally blocked. The good thing about this is that everyone behind came out to help dig and push us out! Uncomfortable, but a result.
After a weekend of complete inactivity, it's squash again for me tonight.
I booked tickets for Jo and I to go and see Tony Robinson at Pitlochry Festival Theatre on Saturday 1st March. The blurb says:
Come and hear Tony talk about his love of archaeology, his passion for history and how he's created a career that has lasted and lasted, making him one of the best known TV stars of our time.
Here he is:
Yes - it's Blackadder's Baldrick!
I also bought tickets for 5 of us to go to Glasgow to see Wilko Johnson's final concert in his Farewell Tour. He's got pancreatic cancer and is refusing chemotherapy, so he ain't going to be around much longer. Here he is in his prime:
and here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilko_Johnson
So that's about it for today. Oh - nearly forgot to tell you that "Wart-off" works. Yes, I got my first ever wart at the age of almost 64, but it's gone now thanks to this Aussie acid.
Another thing - I suspect that I'm allergic to the memory foam pillow I bought last month, so I've now acquired a cheaper hypo-allergenic one to try out.
Sunday, 20 January 2013
Weekend blog
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
First weekend at home for a while and I'm taking the opportunity to revel in doing just about nothing. Why, even my Saturday and Sunday papers were brought to me, courtesy of Jo (yesterday) and Ross (this morning).
I did go to the golf club on Friday night and have a few beers at the quiz night - it was nice to see everyone again. Not sure exactly when we all stop wishing each other Happy New Year though.
I also went to the Douglas last night to watch the tea-time match and have a couple of beers with Colin and Ian McRae, so you can see I'm not completely de-toxing after our Aussie holiday. Lucy was on FaceTime last night and we were talking about how, when we come home after our American holiday each year, they make a point of taking absolutely no alcohol for a while. In other words, all the beer, wine and cocktails we consume daily in Grants Pass is all our fault. Maybe she's right?
I guess Kelly and Chris will be feeling exactly the same just now - not having to imbibe daily. Yes, holidays are for sunshine, heat, books and alcohol - or so it seems.
I especially enjoy reading books on holiday - I seldom get the time to devour them at home - an occasional chapter before I go to sleep, that's all. I read Diary of a Football Nobody, plus a Michael Connelly Harry Bosch novel - and half another one - and Lorene (Chris' Mum) gave me one of her Lee Childs' Jack Reacher (now a Hollywood novel starring Tom Cruise - http://www.jackreachermovie.co.uk/) books to read as well. I'm sure I read another book too, but can't remember which one it was now - it's probably still at Kelly and Chris' place. I've brought Pete Townsend's autobiography home - it was a Christmas present from Kelly and Chris.
We've also started watching Homeland Series 1 - we missed out on it when it started, but are catching up now. We've come back to the usual mountain of Corries as well - good zoning filler when you're a little zonked out. A new series of Borgen started on BBC Four when we were away so we've missed the first couple of episodes - damn - and they're not on catch-up TV, so we're going to have to figure it out somehow. All these series start each episode with what happened in previous episodes anyway, so we should be alright.
So what's on the agenda today then? Sunday Times of course, plus Match of the Day, followed by the Chelsea - Arsenal and Spurs - Man Utd matches, with filler supplied by the golf from Abu Dhabi - played on one of my favourite courses - one I know well. Sounds good to me - best get on with it then. Bye for now.
First weekend at home for a while and I'm taking the opportunity to revel in doing just about nothing. Why, even my Saturday and Sunday papers were brought to me, courtesy of Jo (yesterday) and Ross (this morning).
I did go to the golf club on Friday night and have a few beers at the quiz night - it was nice to see everyone again. Not sure exactly when we all stop wishing each other Happy New Year though.
I also went to the Douglas last night to watch the tea-time match and have a couple of beers with Colin and Ian McRae, so you can see I'm not completely de-toxing after our Aussie holiday. Lucy was on FaceTime last night and we were talking about how, when we come home after our American holiday each year, they make a point of taking absolutely no alcohol for a while. In other words, all the beer, wine and cocktails we consume daily in Grants Pass is all our fault. Maybe she's right?
I guess Kelly and Chris will be feeling exactly the same just now - not having to imbibe daily. Yes, holidays are for sunshine, heat, books and alcohol - or so it seems.
I especially enjoy reading books on holiday - I seldom get the time to devour them at home - an occasional chapter before I go to sleep, that's all. I read Diary of a Football Nobody, plus a Michael Connelly Harry Bosch novel - and half another one - and Lorene (Chris' Mum) gave me one of her Lee Childs' Jack Reacher (now a Hollywood novel starring Tom Cruise - http://www.jackreachermovie.co.uk/) books to read as well. I'm sure I read another book too, but can't remember which one it was now - it's probably still at Kelly and Chris' place. I've brought Pete Townsend's autobiography home - it was a Christmas present from Kelly and Chris.
We've also started watching Homeland Series 1 - we missed out on it when it started, but are catching up now. We've come back to the usual mountain of Corries as well - good zoning filler when you're a little zonked out. A new series of Borgen started on BBC Four when we were away so we've missed the first couple of episodes - damn - and they're not on catch-up TV, so we're going to have to figure it out somehow. All these series start each episode with what happened in previous episodes anyway, so we should be alright.
So what's on the agenda today then? Sunday Times of course, plus Match of the Day, followed by the Chelsea - Arsenal and Spurs - Man Utd matches, with filler supplied by the golf from Abu Dhabi - played on one of my favourite courses - one I know well. Sounds good to me - best get on with it then. Bye for now.
Thursday, 17 January 2013
Back at work
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
This weeks's been interesting - I haven't felt too bad at all, considering the journey we've just done. OK, I awoke early on Tuesday and went in to the office, but Tuesday and Wednesday nights were relatively normal. I'm wondering when - or whether - it's going to hit me. I did sleep in a bit this morning and I seem to have a bit of a head cold coming on again, but otherwise all's well.
I even played squash last night - and I'm going to try again tonight - I badly need the exercise.
I've spent most of the last few days catching up with mail, admin etc - both business and personal. Tomorrow will be different, however - lots of meetings and all the Managers will be here. I'll be ready for a few beers on Friday night.
Nowt else to say really.
This weeks's been interesting - I haven't felt too bad at all, considering the journey we've just done. OK, I awoke early on Tuesday and went in to the office, but Tuesday and Wednesday nights were relatively normal. I'm wondering when - or whether - it's going to hit me. I did sleep in a bit this morning and I seem to have a bit of a head cold coming on again, but otherwise all's well.
I even played squash last night - and I'm going to try again tonight - I badly need the exercise.
I've spent most of the last few days catching up with mail, admin etc - both business and personal. Tomorrow will be different, however - lots of meetings and all the Managers will be here. I'll be ready for a few beers on Friday night.
Nowt else to say really.
Monday, 14 January 2013
Journey home
Check out the view at http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
Our Sunday in KL was even less busy than Saturday had been. We took the hotel shuttle bus up to the Twin Towers, intending to go up, but, when we got there we found out that the first tickets to go to the top wouldn't be available until 7:15 pm, which would make it too tight for us as we were getting picked up to head for the airport at 8:30 pm.
Still, we already had a Plan B in place - we would instead wait until dusk and head up for cocktails at the adjacent Marini's on 57 - not quite as tall as the Twin Towers, but no entrance fees and wonderful views.
We strolled round the very upmarket KLCC mall before heading back to our hotel to pack and relax the afternoon away. Here's Jo in the mall:
It finally came to dusk and we checked out of our hotel and walked to Marini's on 57 where Ross tried out their cocktails as Jo and I stuck to G & T, with a few tapas, including a cheeseboard:
Lots of photos were taken as well, including this one which shows how close the Twin Towers were:
Our journey to the airport was fine and in good time, nicely arriving there just as the Man Utd - Liverpool match started, with the match ending just as we were called to board our plane.
The flight from KL was very good - Malaysian Airlines are excellent - super service and great food, and the A 380 is a terrific plane, although how this monster gets off the ground I'll never know. We arrived at Heathrow's Terminal 4 just after 5 am UK time, and we positively flew through customs and immigration and were over in T5 before 6 am, with our scheduled flight to Aberdeen not due to leave until 4 hours later.
Was there any chance of changing to an earlier flight to Aberdeen? I noticed there was one at 6:55 am, but we were told that was too soon - we had to be there 90 mins before apparently. Disappointed, we trudged off and eventually checked in, went through security and waited. It was Ross who was first to notice that there was another flight at 8:40 am, but, yet again we were too late to notice this. We were disappointed the BA staff didn't point this option out to us however.
Eventually we boarded our scheduled flight, which was held up a little at Heathrow, apparently due to a bit of snow in certain parts of the country. We were therefore a little late landing in Aberdeen, but they then compounded the felony by keeping us waiting on the tarmac for half an hour as there was no available berth for our plane - grrr.
Jacquie's husband Tom was circling the airport building in my car for an hour waiting for us to come out - he wasn't very pleased!
Anyway, we're home now and all seems well. I'm doing this blog partly to keep me awake - it's 5 pm now and we're hoping to stay awake until about 9-ish this evening. Ross has already crashed however, but I bet he's up in the middle of the night.
The North East is white just now and apparently the temperature is going to drop overnight - could take a bit of adjusting to!
Our Sunday in KL was even less busy than Saturday had been. We took the hotel shuttle bus up to the Twin Towers, intending to go up, but, when we got there we found out that the first tickets to go to the top wouldn't be available until 7:15 pm, which would make it too tight for us as we were getting picked up to head for the airport at 8:30 pm.
Still, we already had a Plan B in place - we would instead wait until dusk and head up for cocktails at the adjacent Marini's on 57 - not quite as tall as the Twin Towers, but no entrance fees and wonderful views.
We strolled round the very upmarket KLCC mall before heading back to our hotel to pack and relax the afternoon away. Here's Jo in the mall:
It finally came to dusk and we checked out of our hotel and walked to Marini's on 57 where Ross tried out their cocktails as Jo and I stuck to G & T, with a few tapas, including a cheeseboard:
Lots of photos were taken as well, including this one which shows how close the Twin Towers were:
Our journey to the airport was fine and in good time, nicely arriving there just as the Man Utd - Liverpool match started, with the match ending just as we were called to board our plane.
The flight from KL was very good - Malaysian Airlines are excellent - super service and great food, and the A 380 is a terrific plane, although how this monster gets off the ground I'll never know. We arrived at Heathrow's Terminal 4 just after 5 am UK time, and we positively flew through customs and immigration and were over in T5 before 6 am, with our scheduled flight to Aberdeen not due to leave until 4 hours later.
Was there any chance of changing to an earlier flight to Aberdeen? I noticed there was one at 6:55 am, but we were told that was too soon - we had to be there 90 mins before apparently. Disappointed, we trudged off and eventually checked in, went through security and waited. It was Ross who was first to notice that there was another flight at 8:40 am, but, yet again we were too late to notice this. We were disappointed the BA staff didn't point this option out to us however.
Eventually we boarded our scheduled flight, which was held up a little at Heathrow, apparently due to a bit of snow in certain parts of the country. We were therefore a little late landing in Aberdeen, but they then compounded the felony by keeping us waiting on the tarmac for half an hour as there was no available berth for our plane - grrr.
Jacquie's husband Tom was circling the airport building in my car for an hour waiting for us to come out - he wasn't very pleased!
Anyway, we're home now and all seems well. I'm doing this blog partly to keep me awake - it's 5 pm now and we're hoping to stay awake until about 9-ish this evening. Ross has already crashed however, but I bet he's up in the middle of the night.
The North East is white just now and apparently the temperature is going to drop overnight - could take a bit of adjusting to!
Sunday, 13 January 2013
Final day in KL
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
We didn't do a lot yesterday - a walk that lasted a couple of hours but didn't go far - it's too hot and steamy - and an afternoon by the pool followed by an evening at the pub then some late night food. There was an opposition (yellow shirts) rally at the Twin Towers, so we kind of bypassed that and just photographed them from the park:
After several beers at TAPS, we decided the only place we wanted to eat late at night was back at the hotel. Ross and I had Shangri-La Slings first:
That's it for now - we're headed out - the rain seems to have stopped for now.
We didn't do a lot yesterday - a walk that lasted a couple of hours but didn't go far - it's too hot and steamy - and an afternoon by the pool followed by an evening at the pub then some late night food. There was an opposition (yellow shirts) rally at the Twin Towers, so we kind of bypassed that and just photographed them from the park:
After several beers at TAPS, we decided the only place we wanted to eat late at night was back at the hotel. Ross and I had Shangri-La Slings first:
That's it for now - we're headed out - the rain seems to have stopped for now.
Saturday, 12 January 2013
KL
If you're reading this via e-mail, try http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/ instead.
We arrived in KL in very good time - too early, in fact, for our transport in to the city, so we had to wait a while. The flight was great - just 7 hours and only a handful of others in Business Class meant we virtually each had a steward/stewardess to ourselves. The food was great again too - lots of Satay.
Of course, late afternoon not far from the equator (KL's just 3 degrees N, compared with Adelaide's 35 S, Grant's Pass 42 N and Banchory 57 N) inevitably means thunderstorms of some kind and we certainly had a downpour and some lightning, but it wasn't all that much really and it was dry by the time we went out in the evening.
Our hotel (Shangri-La) is big and beautiful, with terrific service. Here's our room:
Ross' room is identical - it's 2 nights of luxury for him after sleeping on a mattress on the floor in Adelaide, accompanied by the occasional cockroach and armies of ants!
We had a drink in Arthur's Bar at the hotel first:
We then had a very frustrating time trying to find our way to Taps Bar. Ross gave up eventually, but Jo and I got there in the end - via taxi. We walked back to the hotel where we could just see one of the Petronas Twin Towers lit up:
We also spotted some fairly large snails:
After a good sleep, breakfast was welcome - and what a spread it was. The choices were amazing, including honey direct from the comb:
There were also 2 chocolate towers - one white, one dark:
Then we posed outside the breakfast room:
Bye for now.
We arrived in KL in very good time - too early, in fact, for our transport in to the city, so we had to wait a while. The flight was great - just 7 hours and only a handful of others in Business Class meant we virtually each had a steward/stewardess to ourselves. The food was great again too - lots of Satay.
Of course, late afternoon not far from the equator (KL's just 3 degrees N, compared with Adelaide's 35 S, Grant's Pass 42 N and Banchory 57 N) inevitably means thunderstorms of some kind and we certainly had a downpour and some lightning, but it wasn't all that much really and it was dry by the time we went out in the evening.
Our hotel (Shangri-La) is big and beautiful, with terrific service. Here's our room:
Ross' room is identical - it's 2 nights of luxury for him after sleeping on a mattress on the floor in Adelaide, accompanied by the occasional cockroach and armies of ants!
We had a drink in Arthur's Bar at the hotel first:
We then had a very frustrating time trying to find our way to Taps Bar. Ross gave up eventually, but Jo and I got there in the end - via taxi. We walked back to the hotel where we could just see one of the Petronas Twin Towers lit up:
We also spotted some fairly large snails:
After a good sleep, breakfast was welcome - and what a spread it was. The choices were amazing, including honey direct from the comb:
There were also 2 chocolate towers - one white, one dark:
Then we posed outside the breakfast room:
Bye for now.
Thursday, 10 January 2013
On our way
Check http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/ instead if you're reading this via e-mail.
So this morning's breakfast blog comes from the Qantas lounge at Adelaide airport. We've checked in, gone through security and said our farewells to Kelly and Chris, who drove us to the airport.
Yesterday we got our packing and washing organised then walked down to the Parade for a coffee at Buongiorno, with the additional treat of mini-marshmallows from Nic & Rocco (http://www.nicandrocco.com.au/), conveniently located next door to the cafe:
We had lunch - chicken salad - back at Donegal St, where we were joined by Lorene and David, who were in the city for another check-up on David's eye. He's much better now and all seems to be well thankfully.
After David and Lorene left to go home, 4 of us (all bar Chris) went to the movies again to see Hitch. It's pretty well done and Anthony Hopkins' impersonation of the Master of Suspense is very good, but I hadn't realised that it's based on a book about the making of Psycho, so there's no more than passing mention of Hitchcock's other great films.
Our "last supper" with Kelly and Chris was some beautiful - and huge - salmon steaks, smothered in pesto sauce - delicious. We'll miss them - but they get to have their home - and their lives - back again after being invaded by us over the last 3 weeks - it's never easy and we appreciate the upheaval it can cause. Looking forward to seeing them again - in Scotland - at Christmas.
Next stop Kuala Lumpur. There's a cyclone to the west of Australia that we'll have to bypass, but we should be in KL about 3 pm local time today (Friday).
So this morning's breakfast blog comes from the Qantas lounge at Adelaide airport. We've checked in, gone through security and said our farewells to Kelly and Chris, who drove us to the airport.
Yesterday we got our packing and washing organised then walked down to the Parade for a coffee at Buongiorno, with the additional treat of mini-marshmallows from Nic & Rocco (http://www.nicandrocco.com.au/), conveniently located next door to the cafe:
We had lunch - chicken salad - back at Donegal St, where we were joined by Lorene and David, who were in the city for another check-up on David's eye. He's much better now and all seems to be well thankfully.
After David and Lorene left to go home, 4 of us (all bar Chris) went to the movies again to see Hitch. It's pretty well done and Anthony Hopkins' impersonation of the Master of Suspense is very good, but I hadn't realised that it's based on a book about the making of Psycho, so there's no more than passing mention of Hitchcock's other great films.
Our "last supper" with Kelly and Chris was some beautiful - and huge - salmon steaks, smothered in pesto sauce - delicious. We'll miss them - but they get to have their home - and their lives - back again after being invaded by us over the last 3 weeks - it's never easy and we appreciate the upheaval it can cause. Looking forward to seeing them again - in Scotland - at Christmas.
Next stop Kuala Lumpur. There's a cyclone to the west of Australia that we'll have to bypass, but we should be in KL about 3 pm local time today (Friday).
Wednesday, 9 January 2013
Penultimate day
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
So today (Thursday) is our last full day in Adelaide and, as usual, I'm sitting here having my breakfast, updating my blog diary.
We did do the long walk from Norwood in the East up to the Old Lion in the North of the city yesterday, to revisit where we stayed last year. Kelly stayed at home, of course, but the rest of us traversed over, through the Botanical Gardens, where we had a quick coffee stop, then past the zoo, over the River Torrens and across the parks to Jerningham Street.
It was really nice to revisit the Old Lion - good place - nice lunch and good choice of beers. Afterwards, Chris and Ross marched home whilst Jo and I strolled our way through the various parklands, stopping regularly for a quick chapter or two of our books. We popped in to the (indoors) Lily Centre at the Botanical Gardens:
and posed for a photo in front of another (outdoor) lily pond:
I really struggled with my knee on the latter part of our walk. I think this holiday has convinced me that I need to get a new knee this year - I don't think I can put it off any longer as it's causing too much pain and discomfort. I think I'll start to make enquiries and appointments when I return - and, of course, talk to Dawn about her experiences.
I think Jo will also be visiting the specialist when she gets back - her shoulder has been causing her a lot of problems over the last month or so and I'm not sure the physiotherapy she was getting before we left has helped all that much. She's been dosing herself with Arnica all the time to relieve the discomfort and pain.
So a good start to the day - Kelly got up and managed to go to the early morning gym session today. Chris is going this afternoon whilst the rest of us head to the movies again to see Hitch - then back home to pack, as we leave first thing in the morning - sad!
So today (Thursday) is our last full day in Adelaide and, as usual, I'm sitting here having my breakfast, updating my blog diary.
We did do the long walk from Norwood in the East up to the Old Lion in the North of the city yesterday, to revisit where we stayed last year. Kelly stayed at home, of course, but the rest of us traversed over, through the Botanical Gardens, where we had a quick coffee stop, then past the zoo, over the River Torrens and across the parks to Jerningham Street.
It was really nice to revisit the Old Lion - good place - nice lunch and good choice of beers. Afterwards, Chris and Ross marched home whilst Jo and I strolled our way through the various parklands, stopping regularly for a quick chapter or two of our books. We popped in to the (indoors) Lily Centre at the Botanical Gardens:
and posed for a photo in front of another (outdoor) lily pond:
I really struggled with my knee on the latter part of our walk. I think this holiday has convinced me that I need to get a new knee this year - I don't think I can put it off any longer as it's causing too much pain and discomfort. I think I'll start to make enquiries and appointments when I return - and, of course, talk to Dawn about her experiences.
I think Jo will also be visiting the specialist when she gets back - her shoulder has been causing her a lot of problems over the last month or so and I'm not sure the physiotherapy she was getting before we left has helped all that much. She's been dosing herself with Arnica all the time to relieve the discomfort and pain.
So a good start to the day - Kelly got up and managed to go to the early morning gym session today. Chris is going this afternoon whilst the rest of us head to the movies again to see Hitch - then back home to pack, as we leave first thing in the morning - sad!
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