5 things I don't understand...

1. The Boxing Day sales madness - I really don't get this one. You've just spent a silly amount of money in the run-up to Christmas, buying all those presents for the family and friends. As soon as the stores re-open, offering obscene discounts on things you don't really need, you HAVE to go out and spend even more!! Madness.



2. TV soaps - I really cannot see how the fictional mundane crises of a place that doesn't exist, where troubles appear to be never ending and people seem to be on the verge of a breakdown, can be riveting viewing. Surely life is bad enough without the vicarious pleasure of watching fictional characters suffer? I don't get it.



3. Friday nights - I never have understood the thinking that says its been a good night out if you get absolutely hammered, and wake up next morning with a stinking, splitting headache and no memory of what you've done. What is the point of that?? If you can't remember it, how do you know it was a good night?



4. Cars and the seduction of driving - As a SNDB (smug non driving b'stard), I never understood that mad, almost mindless dash to learn how to drive when turning 17. I still don't. We have been seduced into thinking that if you don't drive or own a car, you are in some way to be looked down on. Cars are expensive to maintain, run and protect. Why does everyone do it?



5. Sport: football referees and the players - Very often, within football matches, the decisions of the referee will go against one team or another. More often than not, the referee will be crowded by protesting players, screaming abuse about his abilities, honesty or parentage. Why? He isn't going to change his mind, and to my mind it shows a lack of respect and a lack of self-control in the players. You will hear managers saying "heat of the moment" or "pressure of the situation" or similar. What a load of tosh that is.

Happy Christmas

I would just like to wish all my readers the compliments of the season and that you all have a peaceful and prosperous New Year!

See you all in 2008!!

That time of year again...

Well, tomorrow I buzz off to spend Christmas with the folks, at their new place. It'll seem strange to not be in the cold cottage, sat before the open fire and enjoying the solitude. But it'll be nice to spend time with them.

Yesterday was a bit of a sobering emotional time, as mother, sister and myself went to say farewell to an old family friend who passed over last week. A wonderful gentle man, with a mischievous sense of humour but full of wisdom and sound words, who lived his life by his faith. I hadn't seen him for a while but his passing is a sad loss to the world. I shall miss him. On the journey back, Keri and I spent most of the trip reminiscing over his life as we had shared it with him... His advice, his laugh, his stories. Farewell, JV.

To everyone, have a wonderful Christmas, and a wonderful New Year.

Christmas??? So soon?

How slack and lackadaisical am I? I was at a meeting on Monday night, and Christmas cards started appearing in front of me. Well that's about right, its expected in December, yet the thought of writing some myself had never entered my head, and I can't work out why...

I could say I was wrapped up in events are regarding the house (if you are on speaking terms with Alicia please ask her discreetly), or I was busy with astronomical stuff, or other things but it wouldn't be true. My memory must have more holes in it than a sieve. Shameful, isn't it?

Delayed Scottish Holiday Travelogue....

Grovelling apologies, noble readers, for this delay but here we go!

Sunday 11th November
There's something not the same at the site this year and I'm not quite sure what it is. Perhaps it will all become clearer as the week goes on. Mistakes over the booking, no access to essential grocery supplies (apparently the shop in the village had stopped supplying the site) and other minor niggles meant that it wasn't exactly a cheery arrival.

So this morning we ambled into the village - Carr-bridge - for breakfast at "The Old Bakery" (and damn good it was too), we stopped by the shop to get those essentials we needed. When asked about the lapsing of the shop's arrangement with the site, we got told a different story, which said it had been the site that had stopped the deliveries.

It makes you wonder.

Monday 12th
A very late morning (ahem) led to a late trip to Aviemore for the extras the village shop couldn't provide. Spent a valuable 15 minutes in the excellent Tourist Information in the town, planning my days walking with the knowledgeable staff. Afterwards we had a brief reconnaissance of the other holiday site in the town, run by the company, at Dalfaber, which is where Alicia will spend her day while I go walking. Tomorrow? A trip over the top, to Inverness. I like the journey along the A9, looking down on the Moray and Inverness. Such a lovely sight.

Tuesday 13th
What a smashing day!! After a pleasant walk along the River Ness, we popped into the Floral Hall and gardens, to have a look-see. It has a surprisingly good tropical house and adjoining it, a drier cactus house, which, although not large is really worth the time investigating.The trip back to Carr-Bridge was quite interesting in that it doubled up as the school run from the local high school, Milburn Academy, taking in the little villages off the A9. Its fascinating to see a little snapshot into the everyday life of people, instead of being just a tourist. What was refreshing to see was the way in which the school children behaved, so much better than many city school buses! We couldn't believe it. Perhaps it's because being asked to leave the bus is not an option that is willingly faced out there. Nice to see though.

Wednesday 14th
Had a quiet day catching up with some gentle walking around the woods close by the village. A couple of hours worth, so that's about 4-5 miles at my pace. It sets up the feet nicely for the longer one tomorrow, which I estimate at about 9 - 10 miles, which will be a challenge, although the going should be ok.

This picture is of the River Dulnain, which ultimately feeds into the Spey at Dulnain Bridge. I took a similar picture facing the other way and the water didn't look blue! Isn't it strange how some pictures just come out perfectly, purely by luck? Bit like this one really!

Thursday 15th
Umm. I'd forgotten what 10 miles felt like. Now I remember. Just like I'll remember this scene, the Spey with the Cairngorms behind. Ouch, I ached in place I had not heard from in at least a year, having got out of practise cos my former walking partner found another interest to occupy her time! After a long hot bath, and a short nap, I was back to normal, well almost. Alicia had made the most of her day's pampering at the other site, at Dalfaber. Well its alright for some...!

I was walking back from Aviemore to Carr-Bridge via Boat o'Garten, along the Cycle route 7 and just before I got to Boat, I met a woman who was going the opposite way, to Aviemore, in street boots. As it was part of the National Cycle Route network, it was do-able, certainly, but not what I would have recommended! Strange.

Friday 16th - final day
A quiet restful day as we made a short visit to the Speyside Heather Centre, just for a brief loiter. We were greeted by this oldish tomcat - Podge by name we later found out - who immediately decided to attach himself to us. You know how some cats take an instant like to a person - almost saying "ooh I like YOU, you're my friend, rub my tummy" - and so on? That was just like this one, he finally decided to let us move on when he found somewhere else to do. Another reason for visiting this place was the smashing clootie dumplings they make, a perfect finishing dessert to a meal.