PARK(ing)

At first I thought "That's a really cool idea, we could do that outside the office". Then I remembered - on the other side of the parking spaces outside there is a park.

The toll of the bell

I have a bell on my bike, but generally I find that should someone step out in front of me squealing brakes are more effective as an audible deterrant. That or a shouted warning using some short anglo saxon words.

World Premiere

Last night at The Belmont Cinema in Aberdeen the World Premiere showing of The Planet was held.

I've never been to a World Premiere before. Six of us went from our office - one of the co-producers (who did the special effects) also does our IT - and fun was had by all.

As the name suggests the story takes place on a random planet in space somewhere, when ten survivors from an attacked ship land. They then get set upon by some unknown entity, which they do battle with at the end. I won't spoil the plot further as I'm sure you'll all be rushing out to see it...

The planet scenes were shot on Balmedie Beach, to the north of Aberdeen (which is also the home of the Balmedie Beach Bash (scroll down for post) - a fearsome 3.5 mile run over the dunes). Others were apparantly shot in the producers' living rooms.

Duathlon

Bennachie duathlon

Connecting the dots

I agree.

We shall fight them - in the Assembly Rooms

Oh dear. Some people need to grow up a bit.

Smoking is banned in workplaces in Scotland. Performers on stage are at work and therefore may not smoke.

It is an offence to smoke and also to permit smoking, so it's not just them who could be fined - it's the venue, the stage crew, the audience...

I think this is a good law. I also think that the comedian in the article who says he can't perform well without a cigarette has a problem.

Note to self...

Update links and blog once in a while.

Just noticed Tilly has linked to me, which is fab. Possibly the only person to do so other than my husband, who doesn't count obviously.

If only some Aberdeen cyclists would pay attention to this...

Snow!!

It's still snowing!!!

If the roads were open we could go skiing tomorrow. But currently the only way to get to Aviemore is via Elgin which means that the Lecht road is closed. Glenshee via Braemar is looking doubtful as is Cairngorm (see above re elgin). There be little safe walking or climbing - avalanches do happen in Scotland, you know.

Too much snow spoils the winter sports.

Snow!!!

Finally winter has arrived in Scotland. It took its time - it's nearly spring.

Hopefully there will enough snow to ski this weekend, but not too much or the roads will be closed...

Carnethy 5 update

I didn't die...

But I did come last!

Carnethy 5

Tomorrow I am doing the Carnethy 5. If you never hear from me again I have collapsed and died on a hill near Edinburgh.

Lazy Post

Saw this at Tilly's place and thought I'd use it...

Though not so lazy a post as I thought since it won't cut and paste.

1. What is your occupation? Architectural Technician. As my Dad used to say the technicians are the people who make the architect's pretty drawings into buildable buildings.
2. What colour is your underwear? Today, purple.
3. What are you listening to right now? Julian Clary on BBC2's family history programme.
4. What was the last thing you ate? Lunch. Quite hungry now...
5. Do you wish on stars? No. Why would I do that?
6. If you were a crayon, what colour would you be? Grey. The bluish grey one not the brownish.
7. How is the weather right now? Cold and dry but clouding over.
8. Last person you spoke to on the telephone? Sister in law. General natter.
9. Do you like the person who sent this to you? No one sent it - I pinched it... I don't know the person I pinched it off, we've never met. I like her blog though.
10. How old are you today? 26 years 10 months 20 days
11. Favourite drink? Tea. Brown with semi skimmed.
12. Favourite sport to watch? Rugby Union. Esp the six nations which starts this weekend!
13. Have you ever dyed your hair? Yes, constantly. I've inherited my parents' premature greying.
14. Do you wear contacts or glasses? Glasses. Can't stand the idea of sticking things on my eyeballs.
15. Pets? Not any more. Childhood dog died.
16. Favourite month? February, I think.
17. Favourite food? Don't think I can pick one...
18. Last film watched? Memoirs of a Geisha, on Sunday afternoon.
19. Favourite day of the year? My Birthday? Don't know...
20. What do you to vent anger? Throw a strop at my poor husband.
21. Autumn or Spring? Autumn
22. Hugs or Kisses? Hugs
23. Cherries or blueberries? Blueberries. Those glace things put me right off cherries.
24. Do you want your friends to e-mail you back? I'm not sending this to anyone. None of my friends know my blog address.
25. Who is most likely to respond? See above
26. Least likely? See 25.
27. Who do you live with? My husband.
28. Last time you cried? When I threw a strop about the untidiness of our flat, no husband present though.
29. What is on the floor of your closet? If closet means wardrobe, then shoes. Far too many shoes. If it means cupboard, then outdoor gear.
30. What friend have you had the longest? A school friend I still write to but have very little in common with now.
31. What did you do last night? Went running - hill laps on the road, which gave me sore knees. Then viewed a house, which we have put a note of interest on.
32. Favourite smell? Tar or creosote.
33. Who inspires you? Don't know. Can't think of anyone specific. Oh wait, my husband inspires me to get fitter and climb mountains with him. If he can do it...
34. What are you afraid of? Not being good enough at something first time out.
35. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? Not keen on hamburgers. Do you know what they're made of?
36. Favourite car? An e-type or DB7, maybe. I like the classics.
37. Favourite dog breed? Border Collie. Working bred. None of your pedigree nonsense.
38. Number of keys? 3 for my flat, 2 for my Dad's house, 5 for work and a bike lock.
39. How long in current job? 3 months
40. Favourite day of the week? Saturday
41. How many states have you lived in? Translate to counties for the UK...5. Right and wrong side of the pennines and currently north of the border.
42. How many cities have you lived in? 2 cities, 3 towns and a village. But not in that order.

There now, done. And probably the longest post I ever wrote.

Christmas and New Year

(Are over. Woo Hoo!)

But I had intended to update the world with what I've been up to while on holiday.

So, Christmas. It was quiet. Just me and Sean in Aberdeen. (We visited the parents the weekend before and went to a folk gig at Rufford Old Hall.) Christmas Eve we managed a run along the beach - climbing over the groynes as the tide was coming in.

On Boxing Day we braved the sales in town and I got myself a new pair of walking boots from Tiso's. They are Scarpa ZG65s and so far so good. I don't think they'll stay beige very much longer though. They started to get mucky on a short walk up Clachnaben.

We went away over New Year - I should say Hogmanay, shouldn't I since I'm in Scotland- with the Aberdeen Mountaineering Club. We stayed for four nights at Invergarry Lodge, near the southern end of Loch Ness in the Great Glen. The lodge is usually an independant hostel, but the club booked it out. It was a good place to stay for 27 people and a dog.

Sean and I went out with two other club members to the Forcan Ridge (pic from Manchester Uni Hiking Club site) in Glen Shiel on the first day. I carried far too much stuff and wore myself out, but the day was good. It wasn't very snowy on top, but the ground, which is usually boggy, was very icy. We were more likely to fall on the path than the ridge itself. We avoided the one section of vertical climbing though, just in case. Afterwards, we retreated to the Cluanie Inn, for a drink in front of the fire.

On the 2nd Sean and I went up Meall na Teanga - one of the munroes near the lodge. Several other club members were also going in smilar directions, so we walked part way as a four. The weather was wet and miserable, but I was persuaded to persevere. Again the ground was frozen, so we got our crampons out to get up to the summit and down safely.

And so, that was my Christmas holiday.

JCBSONG by Nizlopi

So sweet, this song. Now on third consecutive listen instead of doing a drainage layout plan.

Found it via the wife says at Nicecupofteaandasitdown

By the same people as the Creep video I blogged ages ago (in November 2004).

Skiing

This blog is rapidly turning into a list of winter sports and things not to do in the rain in Scotland. So, to continue it in the same vein - this weekend we've been skiing.

Or, more precisely, falling over in the snow.

We braved the rain in the hope that it would be snowing on the tops and it was. The Lecht Summit was all white and snowy. Winter Highland has pics from yesterday taken while we were there.

It was actually my first attempt at downhill skiing - I had a go at nordic skiing last winter - but I don't think it went too badly. My shoulders are sore from falling and dragging my arms backwards, but no real bruises.

We had to get towed out of the carpark by JCB, but the roads were gritted so it wasn't too bad getting home. I wasn't driving though.

Speaking of driving, I had a near miss in my lesson last week. A bus ran a red light while I was halfway over the crossroads. I only know how close it was by the fright my instructor took as it went behind us.

Cycling through rivers...

... is not necessarily a good idea.

This is me nearly falling in the river on the way back from Slugain Lodge. I cycled perfectly through two fords before he decided to photograph me.

bad weather cycling...

We didn't go walking in the end. The weather was just too miserable. We did manage to cycle as far as Slugain Lodge though. It would be very pretty up there in good weather and there are some good spots for wild camping.

It would be nice if the Lodge was in a useable condition. Even if it wasn't a proper bothy, just a sort of shepherd's shelter of four walls would help.

We meant to get up to Beinn a'Bhuird and tick another Munro off, but we'll have to try again. Maybe in the snow...

We didn't camp in Braemar overnight, after failing to find any room in a B&B we came back to Aberdeen. I drove as far as Ballater - my first drive at dusk - where the headlights got the better of me. Random Ballater fact: The Deeside railway line terminated there after Queen Victoria bought up the land along it's intended route to Braemar so that the tourists couldn't get too close to Balmoral.

Bad weather walking?

We're supposed to be going walking this weekend, over near Braemar. We're aiming to get up into the back of the Cairngorms.

Just one small problem... The weather is howling round Aberdeen and isn't supposed to get any better. And we've intended to wild camp on Saturday night.

The plan also includes going orienteering on Sunday morning. But maybe it will have rained itself out by then...

New Job

I also have a new job!

I started on staff on Monday after being on contract for a month.