16th February 2012, 49 photos
James' first ever skiing holiday. My first ever skiing holiday. With Stuart and Penny. I think we're hooked!
29th January 2012, 4 photos
A couple more ticks and a bit of a slog in crappy winter weather. Have to keep reminding myself this is fun. But it is. What does a long walk in mean again? Oh yes, a long walk out!
21st January 2012, 6 photos
James' wee homework project - find out about and bring in a photo of a Scottish landmark. Athelstaneford, just up the road - birthplace of the Saltire, allegedly.
7th January 2012, 7 photos
Helping out at James' pal Angus' birthday party. Pizza and beer (my kind of kids' party!), then along the road to see the mighty Hearts demolish Auchinleck Talbot, er one-nil, courtesy of a comical moment in the Talbot defence. Great time had by all. Except Darren Barr.
2nd January 2012, 7 photos
Decided the mountain forecast was too terrible for our Christmas Munros so Beinne Bhuidhe will have to wait. Instead, went for a wee leg stretch on Tinto Hill. Tricky to stand upright in the wind at the top so pleased we weren't another 1000 feet higher.
18th December 2011, 11 photos
Dropped in, with Kim, on the frozen parachute centre at Strathallan near Crieff, "bagging" a few snowy Munros on route. Somewhat cold at 5000 feet but I'm optimistic the frostbitten toes will make a good recovery in the fullness of time.
17th December 2011, 9 photos
Boys' trip "up town". Great fun at the Winter Wonderland attractions, albeit mobbed, with huge queues of chip-munching teens and pretty pricey as always. With one exception - no queue at all, cheap for adults, kids go free, a bit of exercise and the best view of the city of the lot of them - the Scott Monument - that's the one for me!
6th November 2011, 21 photos
The classic winter day trip to the island of Bute for lunch. One wee complication though - we got overhead and the runway was completely obscured by fog meaning we couldn't land (because we couldn't see it). We circled for a bit, scratching our heads, then Kim had the inspired idea to fly round Arran for a bit of sight-seeing and time-killing before trying again. When we got back to Bute for another go, one end of the runway was clear of fog and visible, just. Landed. Lunched. Warmed feet. Ya Butey!
31st October 2011, 29 photos
Birthday tomorrow. Party today.
22nd October 2011, 3 photos
Visit to Historic Scotland's Stanley Mills near Perth.
21st September 2011, 5 photos
Photoshoot I did last week (see Thursday's Herald newspaper) of Robin and Angus with all the memorabilia they collected, ahead of the EuroChampsChallenge Finale Dinner and auction. If you haven't already, check out EuroChampsChallenge.com for the whole incredible story.
18th September 2011, 9 photos
Gigha runway waterlogged so yet another planned flying weekend bites the dust. Plan B, as usual, to head to the hills, so off for a romp over some Lakeland fells. Being more used to the Gaelic hill names of the Munros, it's really weird climbing all these utterly pronouncable, yet inexplicable, English hill names. Grisedale Brow - Striding Edge - Helvellyn - Lower Man - White Side - Raise - Sticks Pass - Stybarrow Dodd - Green Side - Sheffield Pike - Heron Pike. Taking it all in our Stride!
4th September 2011, 6 photos
Messing around with the ultra wide-angle lens stuck onto my first ever digital camera (circa 2001, I think) to see if it can still cut the mustard. Camera and lens performed fine - fully charged battery died after about 30 minutes. Hmm. Time to land!
17th August 2011, 1 photos
Back to school.
13th August 2011, 88 photos
Dads' and Kids' camping trip 2011. Back to Beadnell for rugby, rounders, candy floss, ice-cream, football, paddling, swimming, juggling, walking, running, jumping, throwing, rolling, bbqing, beaches, birthday-party, crazy-golf, soft-play, pool, long-jumping, digging, rock-pooling, fishing, marshmallowing, fire-making, beer, whisky, some more beer and A Witch Called Beadie Nell!
9th August 2011, 33 photos
A two day weather window (well, howling gale, but dry at least) on my week off with James so off to one of my favourite Hebrides - Gigha - for a mini-adventure of cycling, wild camping, playing on beaches and ocean kayaking. My first time on Gigha arriving by surface transport. James' first time on Gigha full stop. It's a magical place and this wee trip just emphasised that.