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Bidean nam Bian, Glencoe. It's been on my to do list for years, no, decades, and finally got round to it today. A great day on the hills with very mixed weather - half the time sunshine and great viz, the other half snow and whiteout.
James' first ever skiing holiday. My first ever skiing holiday. With Stuart and Penny. I think we're hooked!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
Birthday tomorrow. Party today.
Visit to Historic Scotland's Stanley Mills near Perth.
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.
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!
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!
Back to school.
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!
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