Five Corners at Claonairigh

Skiing days are back

2012-01-29T22:35:00.001Z

After a very off and on snow season so far I finally managed to get up on the mighty hill that is Glencoe on Friday with Lizzie and Garret. The day was clear and not too cold and my ski partners were off for the top slopes virtually before I had reached the top of the first tow. The ski legs were slow to kick in after a time away but the place is so beautiful the experience is enough for any soul. The ski buddies swooped after a while and dragged me to a higher place. Softer deeper snow was the reward with consequently better sport. Bliss.

Lazy Sunday?

2012-01-22T19:17:00.001Z

Not in this house! Having set the alarm on my trusty phone I woke at 8:30, half an hour late as I had switched off the sound. Playing catch up all the way I managed to get out of the door at 9:30 having consumed pre run breakfast. Only Rosie was up to see departure and to hear worries about clothing issues. All the preparation was for a run out with an ultra marathon running friend who is suffering low mojo the same as I am. We met at Kilmory, Lochgilphead for a sunny, rainy, hailey hill run and a damn good chat!! In fact such a good chat that we totally missed a turn on the way back and did a good two-three miles further than intended but in the language of teenagedom.... Whoop whoop eleven miles!! Been a while since I have done that distance. So a happy Fee! Was only twenty minutes late to collect Freya from her sleeps over..... Oops.

http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/65435930

Rainy Saturday

2012-01-21T21:25:00.001Z

Well..... Not wishing to put off any potential tourists but today was a pretty rubbish day! Winds, hail and rain filled most of the day. The three minutes that I was at the bottle recycling bins was especially joyous.... And very wet. So what to do. Of all the things available I decided to make scallop ravioli. The scallops come from Fyne Fish and were very fyne indeed. It took most of the afternoon, I did enjoy the whole process... Very aka Masterchef. Toby had his first driving lesson today, the instructor is the father of a boy a year older than Toby. In a world a few years ago I met him and his boy at play group and knew one day I would be contacting him professionally. Circles within circles.

Three guests and a run....and a walk

2012-01-20T20:00:00.001Z

Three guests today which is awfully good for the finances in the lean old month that is January. The very dear Howard and Myrna, horse riders extraordinaire and a chap doing something electronic to several Post Offices in the area. From Hamilton his English head office had bizarrely chosen Claonairigh for him to stay in despite it being at least an hours drive yesterday morning and again this morning...still the pound notes are better in my hot sticky little paw than in someone else's. A very typical January day, a wee bit of chill and mist and and on and off drizzle. Perfect for a run... I am having to try to get myself into gear as The Mighty Deerstalker beckons at the end of March. I have to be competent if not competitive at running up two blooming great hills, the second one a scree surface, run 1/2 a mile up a raging river ( very fast running wide stream but still...) and for light relief crawl through a few water filled tunnels. Last year the final few yards of the 10k (ish...nearer 10 miles) was covered by a cargo net which in my innocence I thought would be quite light. Had I had any breath left the Marshall who cheerfully urged me to " just crawl!" might have had a case for disqualification due to "marshal abuse". Back to this year...we shall just say that I am a work in progress. A pesky hamstring at the back of my weaker left leg is being troublesome but despite this I managed a cross country 8:08 miler today with Liz and Denise. The last mile was quite fast and I am loving my new trainers which have hooky things underneath especially for the downs. Home, a bath and huge amounts of food cos I deserved it and then the gradual dawning that I had a puppy that needed walking...different set of clothes and shorter route. Quite nice to get out walking (or falling into steams for both of us) through the rough bits of the woods instead of sticking to the tracks. Pizza Friday for four Corners this week as Freya is on an weekend sleepover. At present I am waiting for Rosie to appear for a movie after her revision ( so much nicer when the carrot is more acceptable than the stick.....) whilst Toby at long last appears to be mucking out his room prior to being bought his first driving lesson tomorrow.

8.09 mi Run on 20 Jan 2012 12:12

Find more Runs in Tullochgorm

Ps the photo is winter lichen.

Weather

2011-12-10T08:19:00.001Z

The snow has arrived at Claonairigh after the worst storm for many years. No extensive damage here thankfully apart from to the new puppy's nerves. Since she arrived two weeks ago we have had torrential rain, blizzards, hurricane type winds and the odd stunningly beautiful spell as in the photos. The annual Inveraray jogscotland Jingle Bells run is this Sunday so away up the track Liz and I went to check out the ice situation. Four and a half or so miles later no ice but very wet feet so no change there for a run in the Argyll winter, at least they were not coated in mud too. My running mojo is still not back... Do I rest or keep plodding on? Five miles seems to be the limit for heavy tired legs.
Shades of years to come last night with the girls both on sleepovers and Toby taking an early night, we even got to choose what we watched on TV, my Mastermind choice did not go down well with Garret. He would rather the kids choice I think. Holly frolicked, bit, played and chewed (bone) her way through the evening at last collapsing exhausted.

Holly

2011-11-27T18:14:00.001Z

We have a tradition in the Corner family re dogs names which leads to many a debate ( argument). Tess, our first born hound was named to remind us of the haunted heroine of Thomas Hardy's novel. How highbrow we're we?? Well, me anyway. Garret could well have chosen Rimmer from
Red Dwarf.....Sam came next and of course was named for Samwise Gamgee, faithful hobbit companion. I read the whole kit and caboodle to Garret when we had no entertainment beyond LW radio 4. By the time dog number three joined us I was wading through the sublime Narnia stories and so Lucy joined us for alas too short a time. Ginny was next, half sister of Lucy and named amid Harry Potter Madness. With Lucy's untimely departure we had a vacancy for.... Holly the latest collie to join us. The naming was a problem as seemingly all the books we like have cracking male monikers but rubbish girls ones but Captain Holly Short ( Artemis Fowl) from the Fairy LEP came to our rescue. So, welcome Holly!! Ginny and I took refuge from puppy times for a wee four mile run along Loch Fyne.....

Piggy times

2011-11-25T17:16:00.001Z

The pig family now numbers nine.. Two boars, two females one of whom is the mother of five fine piglets. I say now numbers but in fact the tense is incorrect. Pig escapades and adventures have hastened the inevitable. A leisurely guest breakfast time was drawing to a close in a chatty way when a large black pig was spotted down the hill. The others had already been corralled back into the field by Garret but poor black pig had caused her last disruption. However the end was swift and what we intended for our meat. Garret found the porcine equivalent of a escape tunnel and blocked it. We wind forwards through a pleasant morning of housey stuff ending with a couple of boiled eggs and toast for lunch. This was just settling nicely and I was contemplating a cuppa when a friend rang. Relaxing, organised day came to an abrupt end with the news that pigs had been sited trundling along the A83....I rang the cavalry to come and assist and set off down the track yellow bucket in hand and heart in mouth. One hundred yards from the end of the track a small black boar was sauntering homewards but sadly alone. Encouraged to stay with a handful of pig nuts ( yum) he was left whilst I shot out onto the road and gave an international signal to the van driver stopped nearest meaning " Where the hell are my pigs??), luckily this was the pig spotting pal and he indicated to errant pigs chomping by the roadside 500m or so along the road direction Inveraray. Calm headed chap that he is unlike mad flapping woman with bucket he drove past the group to stop an invasion of our Royal Burgh. A light bulb flashes above my head and bucket held high I shout "Pig!! Pig!!" ..... Good huh! The pigs raise unworried grazing heads and spotted the feeding receptacle. A rout ensues with the boar and female chasing bucket and holdee along the road and up the track. Grinning stationary motorists had a treat as galloping pigs gained on me and indeed overtook on the hill. Two little fat piglets vainly tried to keep up with their legs pumping away with all their might. Back in the field we all took a breather and welcomed the cavalry from Argyll Adventure who arrived hotfoot just as I clicked the gate shut. The afternoon was spent cramming any heavy junk I could find into the escape hatch. By her lingering presence Mother Pig was definitely the ring leader. Lots of pork dinners coming our way methinks!!
Good cold run with Lizzie today. Hail, wind, rain we had it all... Reward lovely cosy lunch in The George.

Sunday Cycle

2011-11-21T11:05:00.001Z

Being blighted in an inability to sleep in later than about 7am especially after a late night is not all bad... Up, breakfasted, bike racked on the car and off to Lochgilphead by 9:30. The unrelenting rain shown on the forecast was thankfully a lie and a lovely ride through the forest trails was our reward for hard working legs. No competitive speeding off but a companionable brisk ride. Then home for bacon sarnies... Perfect!!
http://www.mapmyrun.com/view_workout?w=538132179913540107

Glow in the Dark run

2011-11-13T10:39:00.001Z

Planning a run is pretty stressful as any race organiser will confirm. Planning three concurrent distances in the dark threatened to put my blood pressure into orbit. Garret and Liz ran the course in high spirits on Friday morning on yet another check of the course ( actually trying to get the four mile route into Garret's memory chip) with me dragging behind moving branches and brooding on a stiff muscle at the top of my left leg. Running with two bouncy people in the peak of fitness always works wonders for your confidence. Back to the run.... The leaves were crisp and dry and the weather lovely. Watch this space.....
Barn sweeping (aided by a piglet of two) toilet cleaning and generally flapping filled in the time creeping by until the children were delivered home. Then bang the clock hands began to whizz round in a frenzy whilst the application of glowing products to hair and bodies alike took place. Earrings were clipped to unaccustomed ears (Garret's) and flashing lights wound around bodies. The meeting place was deserted when we arrived at 15 minutes to go but then a fabulous number of variously glowing people arrived to raise a fantastic £425 by running three or four miles or walking two. Sadly the leaves were no longer crisp but rather sad and slimy due to an inconvenient shower which lasted the whole time of the event and then stopped. But we're made of stern stuff in Argyll and as was stated in a bracing way several times "Och it could be worse". Pig and pudds followed in the newly swept barn. My idea of a good night. Guilt free food!

Tin Farm 5

2011-11-07T09:39:00.001Z

Clear blue skies over Inveraray yesterday were luckily duplicated at Ormsary yesterday despite about 15 miles of fog between the two. This is a 5 mile cross country run with some stiff hills and some beach... and a finish line cruelly placed up a slight incline. Toby proved that training does make a difference and completed in 34 minutes, 1st male junior and 3rd overall. Rosie also did herself proud beating two others easily to get 1st jr female. My form is returning and the comparative spirit dragged me up the hills behind one friend and pushed me down the other side just in front of another. Garret ran a comfortable time and it was great to see the children rewarded for their endeavours. Tired legs all round is the reward this morning ( just one in Toby's case) but doing the rooms and climbing the stairs will soon sort that for me.

Another race beckons

2011-11-04T10:59:00.001Z

Pre race preparation does not usually include skiing- there are reasons for this.
1) you might fall over
2) if you haven't skied for a while it may make your legs ache.

Bear the above in mind. A hospital appointment yesterday (still doing hunkey dorey, an unusual
medical classification but one I am fond of) meant an excuse to hit the cold slopes of Xscape. And boy were they cold! The snow was new and a bit sticky... so good for me but not speedy boy Garret. I did fall but only the once and yes my knees do ache a bit today but hopefully by Sunday (race day) they will be ready to tackle the BIG hill. Shopping included buying a monkey suit for Garret... And no,not a DJ. There are soooo many opportunities here for offspring embarrassment that it leaves one quite breathless. No breakfasts this morning so an early swim with Liz practising turns and rolling. Ahh I live the high life.

Running, piglets and Morris dancers

2011-11-01T20:20:00.001Z

A gorgeous Argyll day today with fluffy clouds and actual blue skies. The ground is a wee bit soggy underfoot but who cares when the air is all fresh and dry. The piglets were out and about nosing away at anything remotely edible such as my knees. They have discovered the world of grass beyond the electric fence and gate which they can get under and through, it won't be long before they are driving me bonkers but at the moment it is just downright cute. The evening was just as fine running round the Glow in the Dark 3 mile route as a tester with Lizzie and Patrick. Despite the many man traps i.e. puddles, rouge kerbs and fallen branches waiting to ambush the unwary we survived the experience.Patrick was left in Inveraray to go and purchase his bribe for running ( pizza) and we hardy girls did another one and a half miles on the Castle roads. Am being distracted by Rosie looking up Morris Dancing on google videos, this prompted by her Morris dancing hating uncle... Having no previous experience she is quite speechless especially at the Extreme Morris Dancing. This is not for the faint hearted. You have been warned.

All Hallows Eve....

2011-10-31T21:49:00.000Z

It would be a very determined Guiser who made it up to our house so hopefully I am quite safe in having only cooking chocolate in the house....The girls and I toned our biceps yesterday with a bit of carving and now the smell of slowly charring pumpkin is wafting through the house.
Boot camp tonight was interrupted by a fire alarm and never resumed. Now feel cheated of an exercise session but not as bad as the friend who succumbed to cheesecake knowing she would work it off......"Never put a pudding in the exercise bank"- it should be a motto but isn't. My new plan is to save all the money we pay into various exercise participations for the whole family i.e.. races, clubs etc and blow the lot on liposuction...just for me obviously. The others would sacrifice themselves and the great God of fitness for the cause I am sure.

What a weekend!

2011-10-31T10:51:00.000Z

Monday morning again and the weekend has sped by on roller skates. A Monster Mash at Naomi's on Friday night where a huge quantity of sausages were consumed (Nine by one person), games were played and laughter flowed. Up bright and early for guests and Toby's birthday. The guests appeared on cue for a full cooked and home made rolls but Toby was a little later.....Into posh frock and heels at 5pm for the trip to Glasgow for the Scottish Athletic and jogscotland Awards evening. This was at the oh so posh Marriott hotel in Glasgow hence the 5pm start. Initial nerves at attending a function where we knew no one was initially soothed by free bubbles and then some charming dinner guests including the manager of jogscotand himself Alistair Currie. The invitation had specified that I had been asked as a guest of honour to recognise my role with inveraray jogscotand this year. Being a trusting and self effacing kind of girl I believed this not questioning why i should be seated at a very good table etc. Good food and great comparing by Rhona McLeod followed with awards galore to the fast, the good and the downright committed of Scottish sport at every level. Jogscotland awards came after a fantastic talk by The Guest of Honour Roger Black. Jog Leader Award, Community group, Work place and Achiever of the Year Award rolled out and were duly collected, inspected and appreciated. then came The Inspirational Award with some very nice things said about some woman from Inveraray who got an award for doing what she loves...chatting and running. Received from Roger Black and definitely the Highlight of the Year. Rest of the weekend was okay too...run out on Sunday missing the rain with Liz, Matt, Garret and Naomi.

<a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/56155728">Sunday run</a> <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/?location=Argyll and Bute, United Kingdom">Find more Runs in Argyll and Bute, United Kingdom</a>

Piglets!!

2011-10-27T22:24:00.001Z

Not the best picture but will get another one soon. In case sentimentality sets in... Two are already sold for a hog roast and one promised to a wedding feast.

Blogging by iPad

2011-10-27T21:57:00.001Z

Exciting times as blogging becomes still more portable. The iPad arrived just in time to accompany us on holiday, Toby's jealously guarded machine never leaves his side, nor apparently has a silent mode. For accessing e mails and the all important Facebook it was invaluable. Portugal:- (we were in The Algave and on the glorious western coast) where the fish is fantastic, the waves are big, the weather fabulous and Toby can get the drinks in at the bar. One day he may even pay for them too. The contrast with Scotland works both ways,the dry heat and very different landscape is wonderful to visit but despite the rain home is good too. Guests keep on filtering through Claonairigh, a deerstalker here, a touring couple there and hopefully soon the odd horse rider too. What more news? Ah yes we have piglets and I shall try to get photos tomorrow, alas I cannot yet access other apple products/ documents/ photos through my " cloud" - how apple savy am I- because we share an apple account with Toby. The piglets are a remarkable and bright set of porcine youngsters and have set up house in the barn (stronger than straw, sticks AND bricks) unaided adopting a large plastic feed sack as the ideal inner sanctum. Enter the barn and peek in the sack to see several piggy bottoms pointing outwards. Obviously if you cannot see approaching monsters they are simply not there... Even if they scratch your bottom. Well my Oompa loompa ( a 6'2" tall son) is now home from the school halloween disco and washing off orange paint in the bathroom and so my day draws to an end. The legs are weary from
many a run this week, on Tuesday 8 even did two but that is another story entirely.

Mid Argyll Triathlon and beyond.

2011-09-30T20:01:00.001Z

Training.....again

2011-09-18T10:26:00.000Z

A lovely last long cycle yesterday in the sun, rain, wind and spray kicked up by lorries and then at the end I fell off.....more about that in a moment. Unbelievably for the first time ever I cycled down into Inveraray past son and heir parking cars for the Best in the West festival in the driving rain and out onto the Damally road which is, well, as far as I went and after the first short sharp brutal hill and gift to ride on. Lovely smooth surface now after the pothole masacre of tyres last winter and rolling hills to test the legs only so far. The rain spatters on my sunglasses added to the challenge but cannot be blamed for my ultimate downfall...Having enjoyed the ride so to speak, and grateful for having survived the A83 I trundled into the layby and up the lane and did exactly what I have been frightened of since new planks were laid across the bridge a couple of years ago. The front tyre slotted perfectly into the gap, feet wouldnt release fast enough from the clips and over I went. No permanent harm does especially as there were no witesses to see my huddled form on the grass trying to discover if anything had actually falled off...fallen off me, not the bike that is....Seven whole days to go until the big day so no need to feel sick just yet......Lovely article in the Advertiser this week so maybe I will pull in a wee bit more sponsor money.
Guests this week have had the privilege often granted to visitors to the West Coast of many different seasons in the one day wit some spectacular storms thrown in along the way....however today is gorgeous...a cool, tranquill September day just the way we like it.

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/FionaCorner

 <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/50888526">rainy ride</a> <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/?location=Argyll and Bute, United Kingdom">Find more Runs in Argyll and Bute, United Kingdom</a>

Achnamara 10k

2011-09-12T12:50:00.000Z

A really friendly local race this one but brutal!! 7k more or less straight up and then down with a few little ups for the remaining 3k...the reward at the end is very good cakes and sarnies though provided by the good folk of Achnamara...all in aid of the Community hall fund. The weather was as kind as it could be with hurricane Katia hovering in the wings. A short shower spattered us on the walk to the start line and then held off until the end. The wind was gusty and to be felt as the course swung around to the last 3k or so. A great run with good friends and I finally feel am back in the swing of life with a time of 54:52 which all things considered I am quite happy with....and I came home to all the rooms done and tidy..thank you Freya and Toby!

 <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/50038132">Achnamara</a> <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/?location=Slockavullin, AR">Find more Runs in Slockavullin, AR</a>

More tri-ing to train

2011-09-03T21:12:00.001Z

&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/48840982"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;iMapMyRUN: 2 Sep 2011 14:23&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br/&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/?location=Lochgilphead, AR"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Find more Runs in Lochgilphead, AR&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;

The above shows the 12 mile cycle route for the triathlon and then the start of the run. Lizzie and I trundled off down to Lochgilphead on Friday to swim....although I say it myself I felt good in the pool this time just gliding along and turning well most times. Despite such a long way away from the pool my times were about the same which says a lot about my training on normal years!! Onto the bikes for the 12 mile cycle and I felt good, I love the road bike on a lovely smooth surface unfortunately this one was pitted and rough as anything so the old tail bone suffered. The energy slowly trickled away with the miles and left that old diggin' deep theme tune thudding away a couple of miles from home...Hallelujah...the car park. Dump the bike and run...well, hobble on legs that are stiff as boards and unresponsive to the pleadings from above to get on with it and run...ah well, it will be all right on the night...or day.

Run.....

2011-09-01T11:24:00.000Z

<a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/48608250">Glashan</a> <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/?location=Argyll and Bute, United Kingdom">Find more Runs in Argyll and Bute, United Kingdom</a> 

A little trip round Loch Glashan last night...the longest I have run in a wee while and boy did I feel it halfway round...tired legs and feet yes but a lowering of spirits too as this distance was well in my normal schedule a while ago...never mind I did it and finished smiling and with all toe mails still so three cheers!! Liz pulled me along and helped me stay sane....Lovely guests again this week, two German Doctors who were very quiet and polite and appreciative...it all helps!

Asparagus Fest!!

2011-08-27T11:51:00.000Z

At last there is starting to be a tiny sliver of gardening opportunity as the gap between jobs to do in the house and lack of energy begins to widen. So...filled with zeal and enthusiasm I remembered a chiding from last year at leaving teh asparagus fronds for too long in the poly tunnel...I have duly cut back and fed them to ecstatic pigs (Poppy not so sure) only to learn that this year I was too early.... The scenery is overlooking Crinan on a staggeringly lovely night when we ran the 7 miles from there to Tayvallich...This is taken after a 397ft climb from sea level in 0.9 mile. I found the whole run tough but manageable so Come on energy give the legs a boost!!

 <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/47582474">Crinan to Tayvallich awesome!!</a> <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/?location=Argyll and Bute, United Kingdom">Find more Runs in Argyll and Bute, United Kingdom</a>

Speedy update!!

2011-08-19T10:30:00.000Z

The blog is back up and running which means the schools must be back. Toby is now a 6th year with highers behind him and the BIG decision on how to earn enough money to keep him in well imagined luxury for the rest of his life...tough call!! Rosie has a big week ahead full of talks from teachers about the seriousness of this year and Freya....well, Freya is still enjoying the freedom of second year...for now!! An eventful time is now hopefully behind us all and I am back in full bloom again, I can appreciate from first hand experience what a jolly useful family and group of friends I have!! A nice treat this week was the wedding of our old German friend Thorsten (one of our very first guests 17 years ago...) and our new German friend Petra. We were incredibly honoured when they chose to get married in Inveraray and we were their witnesses...it was very intimate, just us and Rosie but very special and informal. A beautiful backdrop for the photos both on the Front green and in The George.
On the B and B front a lovely French family stayed last week and have changed my image of a humble little insect that might be encountered around and about occasionally in Scotland when I was asked what a "Mudge" was...had me puzzled I can tell you for a little while! A Lewis Carroll moment.
Tri Training is carrying on at a more gentle pace than usual but is nevertheless being done...so far!!
The following is my first road cycle in a long time and went surprisingly well!

 <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/46186018">First road cycle for some time!! Feels good!</a> <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/?location=Argyll and Bute, United Kingdom">Find more Runs in Argyll and Bute, United Kingdom</a>

Tri training

2011-07-01T14:02:00.000Z

And so the triathlon traing starts again!! Rosie and I went out cycling the night before last to try her out on the big bad road. Wobbly legs for both of us as I have not been out on a bike for many a week/month either. Last night was then end of session run with the running group which was fabulous with almost everyone attending and then a great meal afterwards. The below workout was the beginning of brick training..urgh, so called because it would be slightly better to run with a brick tied on each leg....or because it feels as though your thighs have seized up and become as intractable as a couple of bricks after a hard cycle when you try quite illogically to force those muscles into running. The dogs had a great time as we ran out all at slightly different rates after the cycle and so they just turned constantly and ran with whoever was still heading out whenever we passed each other. Ahhh.. and now the tennis, thankfully watching not playing.

 <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/39518034">Brick session....</a> <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/?location=Argyll and Bute, United Kingdom">Find more Runs in Argyll and Bute, United Kingdom</a>

2011-06-24T19:19:00.000Z

Despite a rather disjointed time in the poly tunnel this year(Lets not mention the mayhem a stormy couple of days wreaked on the outside patch...only the potatoes survive...) we have managed get our best ever harvest of strawberries...they enjoy the new system introduced last year of being suspended above the main beds in drainage pipes allowing the growing fruit to dangle free of the soil and damp. In a different kind of hothouse last night (the amazingly stuffy school hall) we watched Toby receive his deputy head boy badge and Freya certificates in Geography and History. Rosie, frolicking in the land of the Nordic people missed out on collecting her Chemistry prize but we applauded her dutifully anyway. She returns tomorrow, the incidence of texts revealing the level of home sickness...i.e. lots to start off with, then a lull and then an increase today when she remembered about us again. I have mucked out her's and Freya's room (Freya sleeping over in the wilds of Tayviallich tonight) so there is every chance that they both keel over in shock and horror tomorrow at being able to see the floor. Running continues at my new steadier pace with the beginners group keeping me going again this week, we had a great run out on Tuesday too....but soooooo wet!

A very proud moment indeed

2011-06-18T06:12:00.000Z

What an amazingly bunch of people I met yesterday...volunteers from all over Argyll and Bute were recognised yesterday by the council from youngsters to the more mature in all realms of support and giving.The lunch was pretty good too!! I was lucky enough to be nominated by my lovely jogscotland girls for the Sports Volunteer of the Year and was so very proud and not a little emotional to receive it despite the disgusting picture cribbed from Facebook and then some how squashed by the computer to portray a very pained looking squat fee at the end of the Dun na Quaiche run. Mind you I felt like I lost inches on that particular challenge!....Here's the pics!

Back down to earth in the evening with Toby off to help at the high school formal and Freya to karate. Rosie was all done with her packing for Norway and plugged into Harry Potter 7 by mid evening. She was up and about at 5.45 ready for a 6.30 pick up. I also was awake as the cockerel that I obviously failed to lock up last night was proclaiming his delight in the new day by 5.30. Will do better next time!

A small hiatus...

2011-06-15T12:57:00.000Z

..caused by a visit to hospital but I am back now and ready to resume blogging duties. These are some pictures from the Bute Tri...Garret in the sprint, Rosie in her second Novice and Freya in her first. Rosie did really well especially in the swim and Freya pulled off a blinding performance coming 5th overall in 42.30 only 15s behind the first senior woman. My own sporting challenges have been on hold but I am planning to compete my tri of events by completing the Mid Argyll triathlon on its tenth anniversary in September....legs willing!

Trial by running

2011-05-15T20:42:00.000Z

Well....determined today to try to do the distance required by the next sponsored run so struggled out with faithful companions Ginny, Molly and Liz. Poor Lucy is off the running lists for present with a horrid bladder infection requiring surgery and strong antibiotics on Thursday . Heavy, close drizzly weather did not help and the legs felt underpowered and tired. Out for a three plus mile run and then back to find it was longer on the way out than on the way back...cannot quite figure that one so a painful run on past the house and on for a seemingly unending .4 of a mile! Got to get these things right! Ginny and Molly happy to be out and about. My legs are not too bad right now but we shall see come morning. I cannot think that they will ache too much as I could not get them to go fast enough to constitute any residual stiffness. Still, I covered the required distance and that is what matters...I think! On the plus side lovely lemon sole for tea which I have never cooked before. Into the oven (hot) with lemon juice for 6 minutes and served with roasted veggies...Lovely! Three guests in tonight, a French couple (she is treating him to a few days away) and Nora from the stables's Dad who has now been here for 6 days and is quite part of the family!

 <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/34394294">Pre campbeltown tester</a> <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/?location=Argyll and Bute, United Kingdom">Find more Runs in Argyll and Bute, United Kingdom</a>

New jogging group!

2011-05-13T21:18:00.000Z

The start of a new beginners group in Inveraray so a fresh walk-jog programme developed/copied from the jogscotland site and three new joggers turned up eager to learn and jog! Very happy to take them out and they did good! Hopefully they will do their homework and will all be happy runners in a few week.

 <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/34154922">A run mapped on 05/12/2011</a> <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/?location=Inveraray, United Kingdom">Find more Runs in Inveraray, United Kingdom</a>

A little tootle out with friends

2011-05-11T13:39:00.000Z

Just two guests last night so a quick clear up and then off to coffee in Inveraray with Janice and Mary. Mary has been VSO-ing in Delhi for the last 2 and a bit years so we sat over two coffees for two hours until the staff became rather stiff and sniffy!! Great to see her and to apologise for coercing her into Sundays run....Inveraray group tonight with a few aching legs between us but we managed a comfortable 4.4 miles with a few sprinty things thrown into the middle.... The downpours that plagued the day held off until the last 10 minutes when we got just a little bit wet but that is what running in Scotland is all about!

 <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/33951738">iMapMyRun: 10 May 2011 19:58</a> <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/?location=Inveraray, AR">Find more Runs in Inveraray, AR</a>

Inveraray Jail Break 2011

2011-05-10T09:47:00.000Z

After a week of anxious trouble shooting and panicking the day of the race did not dawn fair and clear as it jolly well should have done but rainy and warm after a torrential downpour and thunderstorm on Saturday. A trip up the hill on Saturday in the aforementioned storm revealed a couple of very loose stony patches and considerable mud at the start of the hill. Huge piles of logs dominate the once lush field at the lead into the hill with sticks ready to flip up and catch the unwary runner (which is why it only seemed to happen to me). Having not been able to run or assess the hill much due to the felling operations left Freya in a quandary...to have a go the day before and have stiff legs or wonder if would as hard as last year...well...go she did both up and down and yes it was as hard as last year. Back to race day...up earlier than anticipated due to husband's doubt on his own ability to drive into Inveraray to put the last minute signs in place (there is a story there which I am willing to share!!). Rosie volunteered to go keep her father company in case he got lost at all. Back home to get breakfast and to collect the other Corners for registration and to lock the two dogs, now in a high state of excitement at all the running trainers being put on in the lobby. Registration inside this year due to the now drizzle so hasty sellotaping of direction signs to be done. Registration started prompt with our first runner arriving five minutes early but went smoothly from there on in with Freya,Toby and Jacquie doing sterling work. Marshals starting to arrive bless them and donning bibs...a sea of yellow in the registration room led me to fear that we may have more officials/marshals than runners but no the final tally is a respectable 36. Briefing of marshals and away they go to be transported into position. On to the photos and runners briefing...Bill is ready with his clock, the jailer is ready with his starter horn, John is ready with his camera and David and Toby prime their iPods....11am. The horn sounds, the camera click and everyone is off...and then I remember.Ah, got to run up the hill now! As race organiser obviously the most responsible place to be is at the back to sweep up and encourage others......
Across the front Green we go in a steady stream and onto the Castle Estate. A few runners have a wee chat as they flow effortlessly past me. Rebecca runs a few paces with me then enters into her and David's own private competition to beat each other.Liz is comfortably running along and pulling away from me. I catch glimpses of her until the 3k and then no more. Into the field and the heat is getting to me so I have to remove the buff from my head and go for it.The marshals are fabulous doing exactly as asked and cheering me on! First Rhia and then David, I am counting them off. I can still see runners in front taking a walk on the steep bits. I know my run is slower than a walk but fear if I begin to walk I shall never start again. Matt ahead of me walks all the way up the hill and I never catch him. I am not sure if I am last but suspect I am. Up to the 3k mark and down come the first finishers. I hear the higher marshals shout as I pass Simone in her marshal position (she is such an expert now I am going to make her chief marshal next year with a special hat!!). No need for warnings as they both jump the scree and continue down the hill. Still trolling up and past Sharon and first Aider Bill at the steepest corner..Bill checks I am okay and I feebly ask for a leg transplant. Runners coming down thick and fast now. Toby chasing David but David is not to be caught. All the local faces passing me now and giving great encouragement including " Garret is not far ahead of you!" Hmmmm. The ground underfoot is now soft and easier going and up I go to the top. Yay! there is Rosie taking pictures and Marcus. Round the tower and down....to discover I am not quite last after all. No, the 69 year old Ian and Mary used to running in flat Delhi and conned into entering by Liz are still making the ascent. Down I go still desperately trying to catch Matt. At about 1km to go I see my boy running back to meet me and to encourage me over the last wee bit. I don't know who thought it was a good idea to put the finish line over the bridge but it was cruel....But hey..the cheer as I went over the line..it was THE BEST THING!!!

Race Day Gitters (again!)

2011-05-06T19:41:00.000Z

Gentle start to the day with breakfasts for two nice folk who managed to enjoy Inveraray despite car problems and then an outrageous blow when their airline moved their flight...by a whole day!! Normal day stuff with a mishmash of rooms and ironing sprinkled with a small sweet slice of gardening. With the rain yesterday the small seedlings are poking through both in and out of the poly tunnel and the beans are surviving despite a late frost thisweek. I managed a leisurely run tonight along the three mile route to test the leg and well...it stayed attached so that is a good sign and means one less worry for Sunday's race. I have trouble shot (?) all the nightmare events that visited me in my dreams last night from starting in the wrong place, starting late and no one listening to my briefing....Tonight...methinks a glass of wine to ward off the night time gremlins. Bill, the fabulous time keeper rang tonight and soothed my troubled mind bless him.

 <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/33565346">Testing the leg!!</a> <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/?location=Minard Castle, AR">Find more Runs in Minard Castle, AR</a>

Bank Holiday Monday

2011-05-05T20:39:00.001Z

After the exercise laden weekend Toby decided that what we really should do on Bank Holiday Monday to wind down was to go for a nice steep competitive cycle up the back of the house to the hidden village. The day was hot....hence the sun bathing pigs, and therefore perfect for flinging oneself at a large hill on a bike. Very sensibly Rosie had a sore ankle and Garret decided to devote himself to the new barn so just three musketeers and their dogs got to pit themselves against the hill and up to the hidden village...and despite expectaions very pleasant it was too! One sore leg later and some ice I decided to take it easy for the rest of the week in fear of not being able to compete in my own race on Sunday...the Inveraray Jail Break. The organisation has been scaring me witless for the last few days but i have decided to chill now...honest...really I have!!

Easter Rabbit run etc

2011-05-02T11:02:00.000Z

The weekend seems to have vanished away in a flurry of activity getting ready for guests and The Easter rabbit run on Sunday.All Claonirighans worked very hard to achieve a great race on Sunday with all our good friends from jogscotland all over Mid Argyll. Toby and Freya set a fine standard winning the 4 and 3 miles respectively and everyone else seemed happy with the sunny, riverside and loch side route. Lovely guests over the weekend perked things up nicely so a good time all in all. Results and more photos here. Rosie missed the big race despite helping to cook for the aftermath as she was doing her long march for the Duke of Edinburgh Award....unfortunately a fall meant that she cricked her ankle and had to suffer the indignity of being carried to the track on three rucksacks bound together...no lasting damage apart from a slightly swollen ankle this morning!

Royal wedding day

2011-04-30T12:48:00.000Z

Well, we managed to avoid all royal wedding influence for the day until 3.30pm...we cycled along the shores of Loch Fyne to Furnace for a very, very late lunch and caught a glimpse of "the dress" on the news in the Furnace Inn...I am quite a royalist but did not want to spend a very nice day inside watching it so a'cycling we did go. This was all fine and dandy until we rang Garret and Toby who were going the faster road route to give warning that we were 10-15 minutes away from lunch, ended the call and Freya's chain promptly snagged...some very dirty hands and several long minutes later we got her going and with only one more similar episode made it all the way to Furnace. The reason for the loch side route was to get the way markers set etc. for our "I'm late I'm Late White Rabbit Easter Rabbit run" tomorrow. Freya is going to go and place the relevant signs tomorrow whilst I am doing breakfast etc....(I hope)...best laid plans of mice and rabbits and all that!

 <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/32947576">Cycle from home to furnace and back</a> <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/?location=Argyll and Bute, United Kingdom">Find more Runs in Argyll and Bute, United Kingdom</a>

Easter

2011-04-26T14:19:00.000Z

Well, the cake was made (by Toby) and the eggs painted so all that remained was to throw them down the hill and render the dogs smelly for the next 24hours or so...in the time honoured tradition the eggs were lobbed..Garret won the furthest thrown and after a real battle between Granddad and I my egg on out in the last egg standing (lolling?) category. Guests arrived mid competition but did not seem to mind the excitement! a quick run out was taken by my good self to lark the run next week for the jogscotland group...a three or four mile choice of route with walkers welcome too. this is an old favourite and the girls accompanied me until the first slight drop of drizzle hit and then they hot footed (hot pedalled?) it for home on their bikes.Well, it will have spent some of the chocolate calories.....

 <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/32524018">Pacing out the I'm late  Easter rabbit run</a> <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/?location=Argyll and Bute, United Kingdom">Find more Runs in Argyll and Bute, United Kingdom</a>

Easter bits and bobs.....

2011-04-22T12:30:00.000Z

A few lovely runs this week albeit shortish. Tuesdays jogscotland group managed to get out and about for a lovely 3.75 miles round the castle grounds and then on Wednesday we went on the "Beaver" run round Loch Collie Bharr near Crinan. no beavers but a really nice group run with a devilishly steep scramble at the end. True to form I am marginally better at the ups than the downs and chose to take up the rearguard position (well, I could end up with a nice soft landing if needed). the faithless hounds took off with the faster and therefore so much more fun Naomi a crime for which I have not yet forgiven them. Easter preparations are under way as I type with Toby creating the Simnel cake in time to some awful noises coming from his ipad (yes..I have turned into my mother, it was only a matter of time and hormones) and my hot cross bun dough in the bread maker (a lazy baker). The eggs are still to be painted so fun times ahead!!

 <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/32135020">Js tuesday</a> <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/?location=Inveraray, AR">Find more Runs in Inveraray, AR</a>

Crinan Puffer

2011-04-17T14:42:00.000Z

Crinan Puffer today and after a sleepless-ish week the apprehension was rising and the vivid bad dreams abounded! However the day was PERFECT for running and the support amazing, every one who passed me (and there were many) had a kind motivating word to help me along. The marshals and spectators almost (almost) carried us along but the best moment was after we became convinced that we must have passed the 4 mile marker and where on earth was the 5 mile one ...and then we saw the 6 mile one! This does not often happen to me as I am usually anticipating each marker well in advance. Garret paced and coached magnificently and the only issue was a lack of energy which I can cope with. I was pleased with a 1:18 and managed to raise a fabulous £270 for The Mid Argyll Chemotherapy unit...I can feel tea at The George coming on as a wee treat for all.

Five miler today...warm, slow and steady!

2011-04-09T21:28:00.000Z

Picked up the training again today in fine style after dropping off the girls at Oban airport to go flying with Howard and Myrna...what an experience at age 12 and 14! Both beat their mother as they actually took the controls during the flights. I drove to Oban and parked at Corran Halls and ran to Ganovan sands which was smaller than I thought but further away! A little clifff side run and then back which took care of an hour or so. The weather was so warm that the crowds were out and it feels like summer. Home to a BBQ with friends at argyll adventure finished off a perfect day nicely..and home in time for bed at 10.30 all tired out!

Training and Raining

2011-04-06T20:33:00.000Z

The heavens have opened in Argyll but training must go on... I had a try last night at some speed work round here but the wind and rain deposited me back home after three and a half miles of buffeting and drowning. Tonight's mid Argyll jogscotland run was similar but so much better with company... My energy levels were higher and the dogs do not like to run at the back of the group so we went round in record time!! Family happy at home as Rosie delivered Corner take on Carbonnara unaided.

Fund raising and training

2011-04-05T13:05:00.000Z

I am now embarking on the training for my charity runs due to take place over the next few months or so. I am running for breast Cancer Care and the local chemotherapy unit in Lochgilphead. Both causes very close to my heart at present. The runs are :-

Hopefully I shall post to show the progression of my training...or lack of it! So far this week I managed the slow and steady 5 miles and then last night boot camp replaced a speed session. Quite undecided at present whether it is better to just slog out another long run or do some speed work in the rain..maybe I will have a cup of tea whilst I mull it over.....

Now the shameless begging!
To donate

Paper Chase and beyond

2011-04-02T14:49:00.001Z

Such a busy week with such a lot going on and so little time to write it. On Sunday Garret and the children took part in a paper chase at the stables with various partnerships being made and secret strategies planned...in reality speed was the key to success as a sweaty Clyde and Barra testified when returning with the eventual winners Toby and Myrna.....The day was such a success with no barrier to competing beyond the ability to ride...and hold on tight!! The last week of term passses always in a flurry but this week was extra fast flowing with Toby being made deputy head Boy, competing in a basketball competition that raised the teenage tackles so far they nearly exploded and my big brother, his partner Jane and my new(ish) little nephew Billy arriving on Wednesday night for a little holiday. too many runs to put down but here is today's..a lovely scenic run round Ardcastle...loch and forest all the way. Happy dogs and Happy Fee!!

&amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/30787214"&amp;amp;gt;ardcastle with Liz&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;br/&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/?location=Argyll and Bute, United Kingdom"&amp;amp;gt;Find more Runs in Argyll and Bute, United Kingdom&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;gt;

Last ski??

2011-03-22T08:48:00.000Z

A full week end of skiing for some as Garret, Freya and Rosie headed for a blue sky day on Saturday but long queues whereas Sunday was more challenging visibility wise but much less stomping up and down the tow queues. Toby, Freya and Garret flew around showing off n the top slopes and the wall whilst Rosie and I pottered. I learnt how to stand at the front of the T-bar queue and shout for other singles to avoid riding alone. i had some interesting drags up the hill, one boarder who was very pleased to take advantage of having a skier to balance him up...not sure that it was an equal relationship, one very tall guy who wedged the bar firmly under his bottom leaving me to drag along with no support other than my hand firmly gripping the pole, a monosyllabic guy and best of all a Russian man who lives in Scotland now but did reside in Doncaster for sometime and is an expert on the whole Yorkshire accent situation (especially Barnsley). the snow was just right for me gripping the skies and slowing a nervous girl down nicely. Nice wide runs meant you could take your time. Garret, Toby and Freya skied to the car park...spot them if you can in the long shot! Managed a run out on Friday and Saturday both with Kate up for the weekend from Leeds..there are more hills at Ardcastle than I recall..very quiet though with only one group of Ramblers for Ginny to be scared of and bark at as they viciously walked along the path in a threatening way.

 <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/29868386">Run with Kate </a> <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/?location=Argyll and Bute, United Kingdom">Find more Runs in Argyll and Bute, United Kingdom</a> 

 <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/29925530">Ardcastle</a> <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/?location=Clachbreck, AR">Find more Runs in Clachbreck, AR</a>

A wee night time trot out

2011-03-11T20:33:00.000Z

After snow showers this am promising good conditions for the skiing and bright skies at time the weather was chill and crisp and so Liz and I wrapped up well for her post skiing run which the (now) obvious resuly that we were heavy around the waste with excess jackets by the time we reached the turn round point. A good fresh run to end the week....

 <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/29474166">Night run</a> <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/?location=Argyll and Bute, United Kingdom">Find more Runs in Argyll and Bute, United Kingdom</a>

Still ambling along

2011-03-07T22:17:00.000Z

A good if tiring run on Sunday pulled a,long by three men from the jogscotland group, not actually pulled along you understand but encouraged along kindly as they pretended to be tired to match my pace. Still, 1:33 so not too displeased with that. The last section goes on and on with undulating hills that challenge and tire the legs. the dogs faithlessly accompanied whoever was at the front and then went with Matt (training for a marathon) to do an extra bit along the way without even a backwards look. Lucy then sat by his car willing him to take her home with him. Home again to find the deerstalkers packed and ready to go having left a wee present on the step...one deer head complete with eyes ready for Garret to remove them for the High School science teacher.....I get the nicest gifts.

 <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/29197994">Glashan</a> <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/?location=Clachbreck, AR">Find more Runs in Clachbreck, AR</a>

A jogette round Lochgilphead

2011-03-03T22:18:00.000Z

As far as the dogs are concerned 8.30pm is a very silly time to have a club (Toby) that means a run filled hour for the driver (me) as it means a fruitless couple of hours buffing my knee with their heads in an increasingly desperate effort to remind the hand that feeds that it in fact has not...No food before running is the rule but boy they were ready for it by the time we got back at 10. They are getting to know the highways and byways (along the canal for 1/2 a mile or so) of the local town and even tolerated a drag along the car park past the car to make the distance up to 4 miles...hmmmm in the words of the teens of Clunarie..."sad". just realised TWO posts in a day...wow I am keen!

 <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/29071234">Thursday night in Lochgilphead.....</a> <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/?location=Lochgilphead, AR">Find more Runs in Lochgilphead, AR</a>

2011-03-03T11:43:00.000Z

A soft spring seems to have arrived in Argyll at last with some warm days and clear cold nights which is very pleasant. I have even managed to start shifting the massive amounts of weeds from the garden into the piggies moths which is a pleasing way to re-cycle. They now come running Povlov style when they hear the squeaky wheel barrow approaching. This brave little primrose is just starting to peek out in my chilly garden, all over Argyll they are evident in warm spots but this is my first very won one and was only visible once the choking taller grass was pulled away. The weekend passed by in a blur of Athletics final in Oban for Freya and a visit to collect the car from the garage. This cost me more than just the repairs as a trip to the cinema was promised so after giving the cinema all my money and mortgaging the house to buy some popcorn (Bizarrely cheaper to buy two medium drinks and one medium popcorn than two small drinks and a small popcorn which just meant that Freya and I cannot look a piece of popcorn in the face for a very long time...possibly never) we spent a very unchallenging and amusing couple of hours watching "Tangled" with lots of very young children. We sank down in our seats to try to blend in....The horse Maximus made the film and indeed is everything a sidekick should be.Everyone should know a Maximus!

First skiing of the year

2011-02-15T14:10:00.000Z

A rather late start on Sunday meant afternoon passes only at the Coe which was as usual existing in its own little micro climate of snow. The roads became wintry only a mile or so away from the resort and sliding appeared to be obligatory for the cars attempting to park at the top end of the car park. The visibility faded as the chair lift climbed and was pretty poor as we skied off the chair life, so Scottish skiing normal...great snow if only you could see it! This was just one more challenge to the three musketeers Garret, Toby and Freya, the rest of us did our best but retired to the cafe after a couple of hours to await news of the others. All was not lost as we managed to watch the ski daters (no really!!) self consciously sip their valentines champagne around a red heart strewn table...great entertainment! The old leg were a bit sluggish yesterday and crawled along a relatively easy 4.5 mile route but I don't think I had skied enough to blame it on that!

<a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/28258324">Only 4:5!!! Legs say further!!</a> <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/?location=Argyll and Bute, United Kingdom">Find more Runs in Argyll and Bute, United Kingdom</a>

Jogscotland leaders refresher course

2011-02-06T08:44:00.001Z

Time to catch up with some old friends and make some new ones. Toby was doing the js leaders course so it was very nice to have company on the drive to Oban and to be doing something together. My course got off to a rocky start as the fitness instructor booked to do a drills session for the am was off sick but being resourceful folk we went out for a run along the front and out towards Ganovan sands which was lovely and great to chat and network with the other group members. They came from Islay, Campbellsport and Dalmally with all very different groups so the experience amongst us was very varied. The afternoon had a really good session with a nutritional specialising in sport and then a Q/A style discussion between us and the course organiser. Toby had a good day too.
PS Have just noticed that the amount of miles I have mapped in total on the below site is 1,449!! I am impressed.....and I don't always record every run..."Honk" what was that??Ahh the sound of someone somewhere blowing their own trumpet...shame on them.

&amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/27856166"&amp;amp;gt;iMapMyRun: 5 Feb 2011 11:49&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;br/&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/?location=Oban, AR"&amp;amp;gt;Find more Runs in Oban, AR&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;gt;

Over the hills and Far away

2011-02-04T15:55:00.000Z

..well, not too far but far enough on a lousy day. Liz and I headed out on a needs must as this was her only day off and so the weather is not allowed to stop us. This is a run straight up from Minard which lies right on the shores of Loch Fyne. the forestry soon gives way to farming land and moors of the type I recognise from long walks in the Yorkshire Dales as a child. the weather on the way off was slightly more than drizzly rain but bearable. With jackets and hats soaking (Liz's more than mine as she dropped hers in a puddle when we stopped to leash the dogs through a field of cumbersome cows) we climbed and climbed to a lonely little holiday house in the middle of bleak beauty. Not the day to potter at the turn point we turned into the teeth of the wind to descend...and by that time it had developed big teeth! Joyful dogs had to be released as a nose drag through the puddles beckoned.....a shower and tomato soup at Liz's was about perfect! Back in the normal land of humans the ironing needed to be done to the accompaniment of The Archers and a rather odd R4 afternoon play.

<a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/27825698">iMapMyRun: 4 Feb 2011 12:15</a> <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/?location=unknown, United Kingdom">Find more Runs in unknown, United Kingdom</a>

Wet Wednesday

2011-02-02T21:31:00.000Z

A right old breezy rainy day today....the kitchen is festooned with deerstalkers jackets, gun cases and riding clothes all jostling for a place to dry off...just a little. Perched at the side are some damp trainers following a surprisingly dry jogscotland session in Lochgilhead, there was a little rain but some rather deep puddles too that claimed the unwary runner quite early on in the session. Some new faces there tonight which is nice to see. folk are beginning to talk about the years races, what to enter, what they have entered and what they are too late to enter already. The Kintyre run was full by the 23rd January so I got in by the skin of my teeth there. Planning to run tomorrow....maybe the forecast is not great for then either!

&amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/27773062"&amp;amp;gt;lgh js 2/2/11&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;br/&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/?location=Lochgilphead, United Kingdom"&amp;amp;gt;Find more Runs in Lochgilphead, United Kingdom&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;gt;

2011-01-12T14:26:00.000Z

Serves me right I suppose for nagging Toby about revision. The image of a nice tall G and T that had sustained me on the way home from Tuesdays jogscotland was whisked away from me in favour of some physics revision for the next hour or so. He did allow me to shower but alcohol and physics just do not mix, well, not for me anyway. My head was whirling with capacitors and circuits and currents. Dreary day today...the ice on the track is sustained by the slow chilly puddles forming on its surface, my driving skills improve daily as I spin the way to the top of the hill. The main roads etc are fine and even the pavements in Inveraray are clearing and so jogscotland was on last night for the first time since 23rd November. It was good to see everyone and catch up...off to wash the paintwork now...will the excitement never cease
?!

 <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/26884690">Jan 11</a> <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/?location=Inveraray, United Kingdom">Find more Runs in Inveraray, United Kingdom</a>

New Year Blog

2011-01-06T16:13:00.000Z

A bit late admittedly, I am quite shocked when I look at the date. All quiet here now with the first day back at school under-way..in fact over by now. Where did the day go? Oh yes I remember now...in a first day free frenzy of washing, cooking tea with all the left overs, sorting socks and trying to tidy my room just a bit! How boring but it will soon be the weekend! We had a lovely noisy, busy Christmas and New Year with a full house....just the way I like it. So happy new year to you all.

Decking The Halls!

2010-12-19T11:22:00.000Z

The Argyll deep freeze continues amid preparations for Christmas. Today's trip to see the Dawn Treader has been delayed as Toby and Freya full of cold...very seasonal. Friday saw the last decorations going into place, after souffle and jacket spuds the tree dressing was well managed by all concerned despite Toby thinking that an owl was more suitable than an Angel as top of the tree occupant.In fact I think I had better check to make sure it has not flown up there again. The forest roads are now covered with a fresh layer of snow from yesterday which gives a little more gripunderfoot. I attempted a run along to the Caravan Park two days ago, only about a 1/4 of it was runnable as I skidded the rest of the way and gave up just past Laura's house. There was a bizarre scene being carried out there as six deerstalkers had forgathered to stalk and dispatch Laura's six cockerels (you just cannot tell what you are gonna get!). Apparently any game is fair game and it was quite surreal to see the camouflaged hunter stalking the oblivious bird. The School Snow Ball came and went for the girls although poor Toby decided to nurture his cold instead.

Snow!!!

2010-12-06T15:18:00.000Z

The snowy conditions continue with some close shaves for early folk crossing the tops near Auchindrain this morning. The children got a lift into school with John, I suspected that we were going to be very unpopular when the bus did not turn up and they were the only Inverarayites at school but they did turn up very late after fun and games on the way. So most exercise still on hold but I am going back to Boot Camp tonight...thsi could make me ache a lot after three weeks..(or more?) off.

A lazy daisy of a Sunday

2010-12-05T20:28:00.001Z

A slow wake up...well, it was nearly 8 O'clock when I heard Rosie downstairs which is pretty late for her. After I had whined for a while for a cup of tea it was time to get up and relight the Rayburn. Very cold temperatures again for a change and so the obvious thing to do was search out the skiing stuff and go hit the Claonairigh Slopes....Post ski the girls and I went for a swim at the Loc fyne Hotel and I just about froze my toes off and hair off being dragged outside to the not-so-hot spa..Brrrrrr! Minus 6 when we got home.

Bowing to the inevitable

2010-12-04T14:05:00.000Z

Of course it was glaringly obvious from about Monday onwards that Sundays Jingle bells run for the jogscotland group would have to be postponed the little optimistic voice inside of me did not want to give in gracefully...perhaps the route would be the only place in the area to be devoid of snow and ice...maybe. Liz and I set off round it on Friday clad in walking boots and many layers to test it out. The snow was the major obstacle (see picture 1) until we hit the shore road when the sheet ice under foot became a little tricky to negotiate causing Liz to do a small impromptu dance mid path. The snow was falling heavily again by the time we got back to the car and the main road was only slightly visible under a layer of slush, another two inches or so joined the 8 already down although a thaw late on has led to some lovely ice today. On Thursday the last of the Christmas present shopping was firmly bought into line in Oban, we saw these reflections on the way there at Loch Awe which was glassily clear.

Snowy Argyll.....

2010-11-30T10:29:00.000Z

Finally the snow has arrived in Argyll much to the children's delight (and ours really!) and it all looks so very pretty! The above are from a walk out on Sunday round and about here. Poor Lucy gathered large amounts of snowy balls on her back legs which did not seem to hamper her too much when chasing snowballs thrown by the children. Lucy building her own snowball The weather has hampered running plans so the treadmill came into its own on Sunday when I managed a 24.36 minute 5k but now feel as though my lower legs has turned to stone. Both running clubs are cancelled this week though so I may be back on it soon.

Boots and shoes

2010-11-23T08:43:00.001Z

Still taking it easy re the back and so no boot camp...shame I missed the end of session weigh in....just a little run whilst the children did D of E and athletics club. Some soreness but not as much as before so hopefully I am going in the right direction. Good weekend with Harry Potter fest on Sunday at Braehead with the girls after some shopping for Christmas parties etc. Delighted me to buy Rosie's first proper heels..felt like a rite of passage as it is the first time she has entertained such an idea. She teetered around on them when we got home honouring the humble pizza with such glamour. Freya also got boots but not necessarily her first choice as maybe 4" heels might prove tricky when negotiating the forest track on the way to the bus. She likes hers too and has even worn them for the intended purpose of keeping her feet warm for school. An acceptable coat was also found so no more ripped ones of Toby's for her! hey ho...on with the day. Visiting Lewis today.

LATER As you can see a stunning day for a ride in Argyll....shame the camera chose to focus on Lewis's ears rather than the hills but then again what handsome ears they are.

&amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/run/united-kingdom/-lochgilphead/761129050145252352"&amp;amp;gt;11/23/2010 Route&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;br/&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/find-run/united-kingdom/-lochgilphead"&amp;amp;gt;Find more Runs in&amp;amp;amp;nbsp; Lochgilphead, United Kingdom&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt;

The dreaded axe of injury

2010-11-19T15:39:00.000Z

was poised above my head this week as each excursion into running led to a tighter and tighter feeling at the back on my left thigh. Sprints at jogscotland last week in Lochgilphead were very sore and I hobbled my way round the Jingle Bells route to measure it on Friday. Resting over the weekend seemed to help but more sprints on Tuesday stirred it up again. Feeling a fraud or worse wondering if a hamstring was responsible I missed Wednesdays session and got an emergency appointment at the osteopath on Thursday with the girls in tow. Such relief to have a mere sprained muscle in the lower back which affected my leg as it got more and more tight. Considerably relieved of mind, body and pocket we left with exercises and reassurances bound for the best hot chocolates around and some shopping therapy. Obviously with my sore muscle I could not carry the supermarket stuff.....

If a Picture paints a thousand words....

2010-11-16T21:43:00.000Z

Then none are necessary here!! A great night out at Rocky Horror at the Kings in Glasgow...no running, no cycling or swimming...not even much drinking just a lot of shouting, singing and dancing...GREAT!!

A quiet week........

2010-11-08T12:40:00.000Z

For a supposedly quiet time of year the days are scurrying past very quickly and I am only just managing to catch hold of the tail end of the weekend. Celebrating our dear friends Howard and Mynas 45 years wedded on Wednesday was just lovely. To anyone who has eaten in The George and there are a few....it is a wonderful place to indulge in good food, nice drink and close friends....especially on a dark November night. I actually made some money last weeek too with several guests including the deerstalkers and a unique couple who are recently retired from running a hostel in the hills of Pakistan for new missionaries undertaking a crash course in Urdu. They were on their way to a church meeting on Islay and she was..rather cold when confonted by an early scottish winter! No real running after wedesday when I did a 4.5 run round as penance for not going to jogscotland, just a 2.68 run round with Liz to loosen up for the weekend followed by a swim. On Saturday night we set up a bonfire in the back field which the pigs minded not at all and Poppy,the goat kept her distance. The latter was not terribly keen on the first firework indicated by her ricochetting off the fence. We duly moved and completed the display elsewhere. After a frosty night we woke to find the pigs comfortably huddled on the warm, ashy remains of the fire. We had no time to admire or even photograph them as we took off for Ormsary with blue skies above and icy roads below. The Tin Farm 5 race is a road/off road/ beach/field muddy five mile run where you also have to ford a river in case your feet are too hot. Freya was alas too young and so we have her to thank for the photos. Toby and Garret definitly had their own agendas to follow and did really well with Toby coming 6th overall and 3rd Male jr. The male junior position is becoming more and more contested each year. Garret beat all his mates that he wanted to/expected to beat (and wasn't beaten by any girlies which is always a boost) and I paced Rosie along her first adult run to first junior female position. So more shiny trophies and a confidence boost all round!!

PS a shame that I have managed to put the bonfire night picture into the race ones but it will take me too long to reload them all....sorry!!

Just a norrmal tuesday!

2010-11-02T21:31:00.000Z

A day of thunder, lightning, torrential rain...weak autumn sun and then hail...never a dull moment. The first day (for me) of the winter riding and I headed along to the stables to see Lewis who was happily munching away at his hay when I arrived. I spent a very pleasant time re-acquainting myself with procedures and re- discovering the delights of grooming despite itchy eyes and nose. I was a bit quiet on the sing song front but soon it will be time to go full on with Christmas carols. We had a wee amble round the ring remembering each other and our little ways and had a few trots too to remind my legs just what it is all about.
Back home and the first mince pies rolled out this afternoon (puff pastry ones not entirely successful!) then after homework for both girls, shuffling Toby around and about for work, welcoming Howard and Myrna back to our winter routine it was off to running club with Rosie and a good old work out!The map below does not seem to fully capture those skips, step ups, squats and boxing....but you can definitely see the laps round the oval! Full credit to all who turned out on a potentially lousy night, we were very lucky as we escaped with hardly a drop of rain falling and then the heavens opened on the way home.

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Never too old for Halloween!!

2010-10-30T18:40:00.002Z

.
and the finished product(s)!..

No running today just a bike ride for Freya, Lucy, Ginny and me through the wet leaves along the track and down to the shore where we threw sticks into a very high tide and walked along the stones a bit hampered only slightly by random sticks placed at or even on our feet. Very peaceful.

Carron Bothy

2010-10-29T14:47:00.002Z

A rainy day and a host of birthday chores to compete and so just time for a quick run with Liz.That was the plan but three hours later and with a mission to find Carron Bothy completed and I am back cold, behind in my jobs,aching back, very wet but happy!! We set off from Auchindrain Museum, crossed the road and headed through a very wet field and from there up the Leicann forest track...and "up" is the correct word to use. It heads up and over towards Loch Awe following roughly the old drovers route and for almost 5 miles was indeed up! We reached a / the peak and started down the other side with no sign of off shoots that looked likely. The rain was more than dripping down and we nearly turned round being 50 minutes into the run when we spotted the dogs standing near a likely turn off...a little closer and there was the distinctive but small white arrow sign. The track then was more adventurous with a choice of running surfaces from fast flowing stream which had diverted itself onto the path for the quickest route downhill and quick sand into which my trainer disappeared at one point although my foot did not.The trees opened out and the dogs pretended to chase a fox which crossed our path. From that point on we could see the bothy chimney and we were spurred on. The building was such a pleasant surprise, literally in the middle of nowhere with emergency supplies and friendly advice and help notices. It is obviously well used with the last over nighters on October 2nd according to the visitors book.There are bothys like this all over the place free for the use of (usually relatively inaccessible!) and an understanding that one replaces what one uses and keeps it clean etc...a really great find and one that starts the cogs turning...who needs Portugal?! The run back was less inspiring as the rain really came down and the constant up of the outward journey seemed to have sprouted some ups for the way back too. The field at the end was especially challenging as the tussocks and wet grass threatened ankles made tired by the previous 12 plus miles.Just the birthday celebrations to complete now...now where is that icing bag...?

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It is that time again!!

2010-10-28T20:13:00.000Z

Christmas cake a bit crammed in today between going to the high school to look at Freya's years work on gender inequality and about 20 videoed adverts by the same all sadly with no sound and making tea. We did manage the traditional mixing though but alas no one thought to take my photo...

PS Sorry Rosie, no idea why your pictures is so much smaller!

Mega shopping and then running (for a change)

2010-10-27T21:44:00.000Z

Well, when I say shopping Garret did most of the really boring stuff whilst iI mooched around buying some flat shoes (Oban Ball for dancing??), some muesli ingredients and bits and bobs for Toby's birthday...then I was tired so had a coffee....We met at Tescos (who says romance is dead?) and I joined Garret in another coffee to be polite. Then a trawl round the best supermarket in Oban as the school kids hit the cafe with demands for mega amounts of chips. Trying to persuade Garret not to spend 20 minutes deciding between vegetarian suet (30% less fat but do you sacrifice flavour?-discuss!) and the more traditional beef kind meant that we did the necessary in about twice the time not three times the time it would take me usually...however I did get a new skirt and jacket so not moaning too much, well, not too loudly anyway. Found a new place for a very late lunch made slightly amusing by my having to sneak off to the bank for funds as after paying for the parking metre with 5ps found in the car (each one gets you about 3 minutes as far as I could tell) we were 50p short on the bill. The soup was fabulous and the sandwiches....Chunky! Meandered back to the car in order to fully utilise the 31 minutes we had paid for and home. Fastest omelettes ever made and off to running club through the darkly lowering skies which liberally dumped the wet stuff onto us on and off during a run round Lochgilphead. A warm up run with sprints thrown in as a treat and then 3x400m (aprox) circuits increasing in speed each time. If you look closely at the map you can see how I cut the corners......then a nice steady run back and a damp drive home but THANK GOODNESS the heater in the car is working again...so happy, so happy so happy!!

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Drizzley, damp day

2010-10-26T14:32:00.003Z

...but then it is October so what did I expect? The guests booked in last night and tonight turned out to re returnees, well she was and had bought her husband this time on route to the islands. The aforementioned inclement weather is a shame for them but they put a brave face on it and in return I gave them a freebie ticket for Kilmartin House museum. They have been married 58 years and so deserved a wee treat! Post breakfast we (self and Garret not the guests) dashed off for a quick dental visit and a chat to the others in the surgery...topics for discussions "inappropriate presents to give your wife" (concrete mixer was mentioned) "6 missing ducks"...were they stolen by fox or man?? and the "unfairness of Garret's neglected but strong teeth and my cherished but decaying gnashers".
It gave me great pleasure to collect a small and almost perfectly formed pumpkin from the poly-tunnel this morning to use for soup...I know that they do not even sell them that tiny in the shops and if they did they would be about 30p but the pleasure is non-the-less strong! As is the quite undeserved pride in growing something useful successfully that we did not plant and watched puzzled for several weeks as the mysterious fronds twined themselves around the tomatoes and indeed anything that stood still long enough and then finally produced the bulbous fruit which identified them.

The three "R"s Revelling, running and revision.....

2010-10-24T13:47:00.000Z

Glorious day today with a very crisp start to greet us after a late night tumbling selves and children into bed at about 2.30am after a great stomping ceilidh to celebrate a friends wedding. The drive to and from was long but very beautiful with a huge silvery moon looking down on all us busy humans. The feet are a tad sore today from barefoot dancing but as always following a Scottish shindig the head is clear as you just can't do alcohol and the spinny dancing thing...not without CONSEQUENCES. In fact I was well exercised yesterday as I tried to get back in the running mode by attempting a longer run, I got very "empty" round about 3.3 miles but as this was the furthest point from home there was not a lot I could do about it. This seems a common occurrence at present with the gas tank frequently being empty or the legs just too damn tired...grrrrr.Today sees some maths revision with a little biology as a side platter (Toby and me) and wee run in preparation for the Tin Farm 5 in a couple of weeks (Rosie) and general dossing about (Freya). I have managed to register some more books on the bookcrossing site between sin and cos head hurting stuff. Quite an interesting and addictive site to brows around take a look! if you are interested.

Home again home again jiggerty jog

2010-10-22T09:48:00.000Z

Back to the cool autumn air of Argyll after a lovely 12 days in Portugal. The pictures tell it all really and we have a fabulous family holiday with my brother and his daughter Ellie arriving for three days to surprise us...which it did indeed! The running carried on albeit shorter and earlier (too hot by 9am in general) along the cliff tops out from Burgau and then back to have a fresh orange with mum at the beach view cafe. Bliss!

all photos in glorious facebook technicolour
Rosie's Birthday

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Marathon Man

2010-10-04T08:07:00.001Z

Garret completed his marathon in 3.57...and is a happy Bunny to have ticked that one off!

Marathon Day -1

2010-10-02T18:08:00.000Z

It is Garret's big day tomorrow and the final preparations are over and done with..No, not last minute sprints or muscle stretching but the trimming of the beard and packing of multiple energy bars and drinks to sustain him through 26 plus miles (oh and a night in the car too...). Naomi arrived here snuffling full of cold and under the weather and so they set off Inverness bound at mid-day comforting each other with their various excuses for any possible under-performance...watch this space! The new additions are doing well in their little cocoon in our sitting room...They are supervised by Ginny who is obsessed by the cheeping coming from the silver lined box in the corner....

Country run out and about....

2010-10-01T14:59:00.000Z

Triathlon Training over and now it is back to what I love best, out and about with Liz and the dogs. Poor Ginny and Lucy do not approve of bike training at all and got ultra excited today at the sight of running trainers, running belt and best of all leads. We splashed our way up into the hills above Minard and across sheep strewn moors to a small Loch in the middle of nowhere. Across the loch and a fast flowing deep set steam and up a clear fell or two we could just glimpse a forestry track that went...well...somewhere obviously. Thirty minutes and one more rain storm later we were on said track and only about 1/2 a mile away from a "which fork shall we take" decision. Luckily Liz's homing instinct and the need for lunch sooner rather than later came good and we were soon heading down into Minard after a wet, muddy,cold and thoroughly enjoyable 7.45 miles.

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Mid Argyll triathlon

2010-09-29T13:35:00.000Z

Regular readers (if there are any?) will know that the big day has been and gone and still no entry. This is due to a lingering sense of disappointment on my part with my performance on the day. Alas my cycling skills were not up to scratch and the nerves also got the better of me but I did compete, complete and survive to fight another day so onwards!

With four competing relatives in the house plus two assistant marshals my bother in law found himself deserted with his pint of beer on the sofa on Saturday night. The bikes were on the car, the transition boxes were packed (or were they?) and in the car, the food contributions hidden from the children and all athletes etc were tucked up in bed.Amazingly we managed to get off at the pre-arranged time of 9.15 despite Garret forgetting until 9.10 that goggles might just be a good idea and followed another bike laden car down to Lochgilphead passing Liz on the way doing last minute packing. Racking, unpacking and greeting other competitors and friends carried me along for a while and I was trying, really trying to keep my usual pre tri nerves at bay for the sake of Kate, on her first ever tri and Toby (Garret is immune by now). With Kate in Heat two, Liz and Hazel W in Heat four and Toby and Simone in Heat five we were kept busy popping from pool to transition area and the time until Heat six went relatively quickly although the nerves returned with full effect as soon as Toby entered the pool. I briefly considered an energy bar but the thought of eating was so repellent I decided not to...after all it is only a sprint tri...... Into the pool, a quick good luck to Garret in the next heat, a frightened glance exchanged with Hazel and we were off. Thrown slightly by the matching yellow cap next to me going off too soon I quickly settled down and after one overtake from the statutory fast guy started to feel a little bit more confident. Somewhere along the line the swimmer behind me and I played cat and mouse but that was okay with the last time coming two lengths before the end. Out of the pool a few seconds in front of Garret and onto transition. oooopps...not a good one, bits of grit needed to be removed from the soles of my feet and then shaky hands slowed my trainer putting on technique. I had helmet issues as I had decided to put my hair in a French pleat to keep it out of the way and this made my helmet feel too tight, I am convinced that I had my helmet on backwards and that it would be my photo that would be up on the big screen at the tri dinner this year.. that finally sorted and I then fumbled unracking the bike and worried about the old bike dominoes game. Finally off and fearing I was last in my heat I tried to pick up the pace. The ride was good, not too hot but I could see no one else apart from a couple of club guys from elsewhere who rapidly left me behind. Halfway round the cycle I started to question the training programme I had doggedly stuck to as even without a watch I realised that I was way too slow and way too lacking in energy. The energy bar would maybe have been a good idea to replace all that nervous energy sapped away. However onwards and there is Craig and the boys which picked me up as did the sight of Dinah on the Oban road. Then a miracle! I catch sight of two cyclists on whom I am gaining rapidly...great! I continue to gain and feel pleased up until the moment I realise..no numbers, no tri suits...not even shorts they are just a couple out for a pleasant Sunday ride...Grrrrrr!! so KEEP GOING!! Past the Cairbaan turn and then Emma comes past me and we go into a bizarre over-taking routine so scared are we of the drafting police as we each fail to maintain the dreaded 7m lead. With many a "sorry" and "please go ahead and over take" she takes the lead on the run into the pool. It is great to see Kate finished and happy, and then to see Liz smiling her way into an obviously great finish. Emma leads me out on the run too and the old brick hits my calves for the first 1/2k or so. The band stops playing as I reach the canal but not I think in awe of my running prowess...the day is still not too hot and the run is okay for me although I seem not to be able to pick up the pace. People are coming thick and fast in the other direction as they head towards the end of their run but still no over takes from the previous heat...yet. I see Toby looking comfortable, Hazel W finally smiling again ,Garret managing a high five then Hazel M looking great and then I hear those dreaded foot steps behind me...yup here comes Stephen and I know that Peter, John, Tim and Matt will not be far behind. Stephen overtakes before the turn around and Peter, then John after it. Homeward stretch now, the day is definitely warmer now and there is just Matt to go. I overtake one guy on the way home and can still see Emma. Down from the canal with a brief hold up at the road....legs forced into starting again and here come Matt! Finally I can see (and hear) family and friends and head for the best moment of all. Those cheerleaders were the best!! Not my greatest times but lessons learnt (I hope) and great to take part with my family and friends. At least I was no worse than last year (or so I thought until I remembered that my chain came off last year!)...

Soup and jam

2010-09-15T14:24:00.005Z

Well....I hope that in the dark winter months when the world has collapsed and we are all huddled around the Rayburn counting our few remaining blessings that the marrow and ginger jam that I sweated and worried over today is one of those blessings..what a faff! Very, very nice but from trying to split a large marrow with a quite large but clearly not large enough knife through removing seeds from the marrow to all over the kitchen floor and beyond and then steaming it until it is actually tender enough to jam it it was...well a faff! Quite a long process which involved quite a lot of equipment which despite washing has retained a sort of sticky patina...or maybe it is me that has remained slightly tacky. The last straw was having half a marrow left over (this is as well as the four or five complete ones I still have in the utility) which I just could not waste (or "waist" as I continually see it being spelt on facebook but that is another rant entirely)and so made into spicy pumpkin soup only without the pumpkin but with a medium sized squash. This very welcome abundance of vegetables is from John, the deerstalker, after exhibiting them, and winning at his local agricultural shows. So any more marrow ideas...bring them on!! PS we have done stuffed marrow.....

Quote of the week....this time from Rosie

2010-09-14T17:03:00.003Z

"Mum! Mum!...the tablecloth has shrunk...no wait, I had it on the wrong way round!"

This just tickled me in a way that some comments happily can. Things are quietening down now but still some hardy guests struggle through the gale force winds and spectacular gales with which we have been entertained recently, thus the table setting duties for Rosie whilst I scurried around trying to get ready to go to Minard to pick up a recently playing basket ball playing Toby to ferry him to work. The weather has calmed somewhat now but the hail midday was chill and violet...wonderful to live in a place where the weather is so exciting...and never ever predictable. Skipped out of Boot camp last night as the children's outside club (see above for reasons why)and my legs were too tired (see previous post for reasons why) for a hearty beep test. Will be back next week I am sure. Very unlike me to duck out but sometimes one has to do what one's body is telling/shouting/screaming at you....However running club tonight in Inveraray, luckily when you lead a group you can also dictate the pace/speed.

PS picture posted later..this was on the way to Inveraray tonight. The calm mentioned above was merely a temporary halt as at 6.40 the wind was raging, the rain was torrential and the hail was just gearing up....however by 6.50pm the world was calm enough to take this photo and we had not one drop of rain during our allotted hour of fun and running!

Boil in the bag cyclist

2010-09-12T20:43:00.003Z

Hour cycle to crarae

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Yesterdays cycle in the new highly visibly jacket kindly provided by Garret a while ago but never worn was interesting with an internal debate along the way as to how much moisture can collect inside a jacket before you overheat and topple sideways from your vehicle onto the road and lie melting in a puddle of sweat...At the turning point I oozed my way out of the sleeves which tied nicely around my upper chest meaning that the visibility factor was still available but breathing heavily was....um... limited. However all attention on my ability to breathe was knocked into second position when "Susan's Giant Schnauzers" van attempted to remove my elbow without recourse to anaesthetics....This was nothing compared with today's "brick" session with Garret(Cycle (4 miles) to run (1 mile)) times three) which I did (well, we started at the same time but he gradually extended his lead to just under two miles...) during which I was hooted at by a passing motorist for presumably not being able to go as fast as his car for which I apologise....sort of, well, actually I don't but then again neither do I make offensive gestures on a main road of a Sunday lunch time! Relaxation came in the form of a cycle (yes really!)to the shore, a fire and picnic lunch with my favourite family.

Brick session sun 12 th sept

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Pigs and guests (never ever to be confused!).

2010-09-08T14:43:00.002Z

Two more piglets have arrive peaceably and with no fuss a night or so ago. The two mothers seem to have settles down to a share and share about feeding regime with the piglets going to whoever is most available. The weather has fined up again after a couple of very windy showery days and so we have left them where they are for now being unwilling to intervene unless necessary. The nights are darkening now and I reckon Inveraray running club had its last long run out last night...back to town training and lovely sprints! It was pleasant running last night although a sharp shower at the end reminded us how lucky we had been the rest of the time. Another good B and B night last nights with family favourites Maggie and Vladimir blowing in and blowing out after their usual over night stay on the way back from Skye. they are a delight, as I have said before there are many people out there who can enrich your life and they are two of them. Deerstalker John and his wife June also left this morning more lovely folk.

route for 7th september js

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New Claonairigh House residents

2010-09-06T11:56:00.001Z

Introducing the new piglets now 5 days old and hopefully going strong. Mum is taking good care of them and hopefully they will be able to get a bit of meat on their bones before the next lot due to auntie arrive.

Still trying to train for that tri...

2010-09-01T15:10:00.002Z

The tri training programme is stepping up now with the majority of my time spent prevaricating about what to do and wondering if I feel up to it...today I decided on the 30 minutes cycle as being a soft option and so taking my life in my hands I ventured forth on the A83 towards Inveraray. It was quite pleasant, a little bit warm but I sped along for 15 minutes (well, 44 seconds more to the nearest lay-by)I even stopped the timer when halted at the traffic lights so dedicated am I. I turned...sped off homeward bound and then discovered that the reason for the speedy outward journey was the unfelt presence of a nice little head wind which made going home a little bit more of a struggle. Still, a nice ride which made me forget for approximately 36 minutes and 15 seconds exactly how I feel about finding Toby's newly ironed clothes on his stairs with large dirty footprints on them.....
Still got guests in, a lovely German couple who arrived off the road on our first (double room) empty night in ages seeking a room for three nights...perfect, Happy them and Happy us! They discussed opera the first morning at breakfast with the other (Edinburgh) guests and the inability of the English to embrace new languages the second. I hear the gentle clatter of school bags hitting the kitchen floor and the beginnings of the search for a nice (quote from Freya "and therefore unhealthy") post school snack. Back to motherhood and a short pithy lecture on the suitability of stairs as a resting place for clean clothes coming up.

Sept 1st road

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Musings on bottoms amongst other things

2010-08-27T18:33:00.003Z

Just how long do you need to know someone before you feel comfortable to discuss your bottom with them? This is a question I am sure many people have asked themselves...it being a sensitive area to chat freely about, not many of us would not suffer a quick nervous pang if having to, for example visit the Dr with a bottom related complaint. But not for us sporty types..oh no straight after breakfast this morning I was swapping sore bottom stories with a guest staying the one night and so with whom I can only really claim a passing acquaintance. But here is the key...and it is a crucial one to unlocking the bottom conversation lack of embarrassment factor...he rides a bike too!! Simple as that, and was full of useful advice and sympathy. This very recent conversation was uppermost in my mind for some reason when I unexpectedly (lack of concentration due to chatting to Liz, no, not about bottoms this time) hit a pot hole on the triathlon route this afternoon..suffice to say I shall be taking up some of his more useful tips. The training continues on despite being stalled partly by missing yesterday due to the Oban Games (don't think that the 40 yard dash really counted). Liz and I managed the cycle and run today in quite warm blustery condition...fighting against the wind in one direction and running in an airless vacuum the other. Swimming tonight whilst Freya and Toby are karate-ing and that will be the day done and dusted!Only a 40 minute cycle and 10 minute run tomorrow. Can feel my bones groaning already.

iMapMyRide: 27 Aug 2010 14:38

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iMapMyRun: 27 Aug 2010 15:18

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Out and about with fellow joggers again

2010-08-25T19:51:00.002Z

Wednesday sessions are up and running (spot what I did there with that clever pun??) again. The three boot camp refugees Davy, Liz and me all aching in the same places (arms and upper body generally feeling as though in an iron straight jacket), Bill and a new girl Carol along the canal for a warm up and then a fearsome 2 mile trial (14.10) with me eating Carols dirt but the girl power (apologies for that phrase ther...so loathsome of me)....ummmm feminine force? "leg"endary ladies...anyway the girls won through for once and I managed it in 14.10. It was a lovely night and the run was along the Crinan canal, which once we got our breath back to chat was very nice. the evening is a typical pre autumn one with clear skies and a wee nip of cold. perfect for running. Garret has done his 22 miler today which he endured manfully but in no way enjoyed...roll on October 3rd!

Weds js

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Officially old

2010-08-25T08:57:00.003Z

So, the start of another term and the endish of another B and B season. The flow of guests has hotted up over the last week or so with us fully booked until the 30th and then NOTHING!! for a couple of days anyway and then the usual September laid back guests drifting around. Freya has taken her next big adventure in her stride hiding nerves under a thin veneer of lip gloss and beautifully applied mascara...whereas I just crumpled watching at the window with sausages in one hand and hanky in the other the three of them heading off to the bus. How did I get to be old enough to have such big kids and to make matters worse my MARRIED nephew is coming at the weekend...married!!! No one had better even consider making me a Great Aunt just yet or I will have a good big foot stomping tantrum....imagine having a sister who is a Grandma?! Not that she is yet but the way the wedding rings are flashing in her family it might not be long...Training continues apace for the triathlon for me and the marathon for Garret, we could safely say that he is not enjoying the training having never been one to enjoy the shackles of a routine of any kind. The 22 miler today will be his high point and he is soooo looking forward to it. Had a trip to Glasgow on Monday for a unique experience at the garage when a standard £150 service turned into a head reeling £1,400 plus bill which amazingly got reduced to £900.17 after I crashed to the floor in disbelief and a conversation with him in doors. Forget university all you A level and Highers folks scrabbling for places...Mechanic, that is the way forward. In fact I may retrain myself, bit dirty though for me, oh and cold. All those draughty garages, but still £900!! and 17p...... Ah well, rooms to do and guests to chat to, (talking of which we have had some ace ones recently, you know who you are and thanks for the pleasure of your company) must be off.

Arggghhhhh

2010-08-15T11:40:00.001Z

No time, no time...normal service will be resumed when the summer holidays end.....

Sunday, sunday

2010-07-25T14:16:00.002Z

Waved goodbye early this morning to Dan and Julia (not as early as they planned...) off on the next bit of their trip. What a lovely couple, people whom we have met through this slightly odd way of life or ours who have enriched it in no small way. As they went so early we had the room done as a team by 9ish and then a steady flow of runners went out for a 3 miler not necessarily together. Rosie went first then was caught by Toby who ran with her a little way and then when they got back Freya and I repeated the run...the dogs were surprised but pleased to go again. We avoided the rain and had a nice "Ahhhhhh" over the new chicks at Laura's house.Freya filled me in spectacularly well on the Philip Pullman book she is reading which took 1.5 miles whilst I did less well remembering all the twists and turns of my Harlan Coburn thriller. A fast and furious game of monopoly has left us all exhausted and I am slightly surprised by the previously unheard rule that the loser tidies up.....

iMapMyRun: 25 Jul 2010 12:02
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Catch up time

2010-07-24T15:50:00.003Z

Ooops let a week slip by without an entry...I shall blame the kids...and my mother now visiting from Essex having returned Toby to us. we have had the Inveraray games blighted a bit by showers in the morning but redeemed itself in the afternoon. Garret manfully entered everything he could and won the 200m and came second in the 400m which surprised him as this has never been his distance really. The kids earned a bit more...and then a bit more at Mull two days later. The weather was boiling hot and all got caught in the sun coming home glowing...or more than glowing in Garret's case....Closer to home Dan, an American guest who stayed here before two years ago with his lovely mother, and with whom we have remained in touch visited again with new partner Julia and proposed! The ring had been sent over before hand to be held here nervously by us until we could hand it over and PHEW she said yes!! Another big run yesterday ending at Lyndsay's house for a much needed foot bath, shower and lunch. Not so relaxing as last weeks run and was 1.6 miles longer. Meanwhile Garret, Richard and Naomi cracked off a 16.7 hilly run over Lochgilphead way.

iMapMyRun: 23 Jul 2010 14:00

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The longest long run

2010-07-16T18:47:00.004Z

Interesting run this one...a planned 14 miler for Garret and Richard as part of their marathon training. No Naomi today, and if I am honest she is faster than me especially at the start so I was on my own! Planned 10am start became 10.30 and the run loomed large in my mind...the furthest I have ever run but with a get out for the first 8 miles to cut back and do less, so did I? I set off ten minutes behind the boys to enable me to take the dogs, the distance coupled with Garret's pace is too much for them and I prefer to run with them rather than solo. First problem....I wanted to listen to an audio book via a free iphone app...enter Sherlock Holmes read really badly by an American guy....did not realise that the app depended on a connection and constant downloading which was fairly ineffective in the hills round here so I ditched that and listened to repeats of " The Now Show" and "The News Quiz". Once I took the decision to enjoy the run and stop if I wanted to take photos etc things began to gel and I managed fine and dandy all the way to miles 8.5-9 when I could not remember if I had plotted the route up to the Dun Na Cuiche field or not. I nearly did go that way but in the end did not and so avoided going over the 14 miles. The Castle was shrouded in mist and being heavily photographed by Japanese tourists whom I fear I frightened considerably by looming out of the drizzle bedraggled, wet and giggling at Sandi Toksvig....Along The Avenue and homeward bound...3.5 miles to go. The dogs were still perky and despite dragging myself through brambles and low flying branches I was feeling not too bad. The Dalchenna road was as always long but the last mile came and eventually went..home and lunch, more lunch and then a bath...Yey...My longest run ever over and done in 2 1/2 hrs!

planned 14 miler
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Recap

2010-07-15T18:29:00.002Z

A nice run on Tuesday night with the group, a lot of people were off last week sunning themselves or holidaying in the rain so there was a lot of catch up and admiring of tans. We managed to find a whole hour without rain which added greatly to our enjoyment. Rosie dipped out before the end but still did a few miles. I am not looking forward to a planned 14 miles tomorrow which will be the furthest I have ever gone. Methinks I will be running solo with ipod rather than struggling to match Richard and Garret. Lazy days at the moment treading water until Toby and Mum arrive next Monday. We saw the long awaited Eclipse yesterday which begged the question Jack or Edward...my girls are predictably at opposite ends of this poser! rising lesson for them this am and rooms for me...the washing is intense at the moment, and then back to mucking out the library and sitting room...loooonnnnng job!!

iMapMyRun: 14 Jul 2010 15:12

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Conversations...

2010-07-13T16:54:00.002Z

I love talk and chatter, the more random the better. With folk on holiday with time to spend to chat it is the best, a meandering path that takes you to parts of their lives and experiences through funny anecdotes about them, people they know, their jobs, pets and families. You can start with what to do around here and end up a thousand miles and a thousand or more words away having covered coincidences, vets and (this is a common one) pigs! People drift in here for a day, or two, or three, or more and by the end you have an easy relationship full of both your lives to explore, they arrive a blank page to be written, read and or explained. Sometimes a glimpse is given both ways through booking e mails and a picture begins to form but it is so different from any other chat with say a family member or friend whom you know and who knows all those historical/ present day facts about you. There can be so much to say and exchange, so many lives to get a peek at which then close and flow on their way when their stay comes to an end. Some stay in touch and a new type of conversation begins, some just remain a pleasant anecdote to pass onto the next guests...a B and B Chinese whispers....and of course some guests don not wish to chat and that is absolutely fine too!!

Bug talk...

2010-07-10T16:37:00.002Z

The very best kind of guests this week...ones who not only don't mind the rain...they actively LIKE it and have much worse insects than us at home..Fantastic! Guests like that keep me going through the lows...The girls were great this morning after a slow start helping me to get the rooms sorted and the kitchen tidied etc. I rewarded them by allowing them to accompany me on a 8 mile run to Inverarary and back, they were allowed to use their bikes which meant the outward journey was fast with my poor legs twinkling along dragged by the dogs as they tried to keep up with the bikes. Homeward was slower as the girls claimed their well earned reward of an ice cream on the front at Inveraray and so the dragging slowed down big time. Girls home alone tonight with garret away to Leeds to help Peter with the Leeds house running repairs, so tuna wraps and chocolate fairy cakes for tea.

Wednesday onwards.....

2010-07-09T19:50:00.003Z

Very few guests about at the beginning of the week...CURSE that football!! Still better times at the back end with a full house for more than one night...Hurrah!! Highlights of the week were seeing Howard and Myrna whom we miss during the summer months,they were as they always are and we bored them with our tales of derring Highland game doo/do?? Freya's 12th birthday was a great day with a family trip to Oban Swimming Pool where Garret and Toby (after a good games of "Two Piggies in the Middle") showed off their diving skills to a rather stunned pool...not to be outdone Freya followed with some nifty dives of her own and even Rosie got in on the act. This kicked off a spate of diving from other swimmers which was still going on as we enjoyed a cappuccino and/or a cake later. It was a sort of Mexican wave phenomenon only water based...once one person did it others followed on and the trend continued. Early start the next day and off to Glasgow to watch Shrek the Fourth 3D,some shopping and then a slightly nervous mum and Toby to the Airport for the latter to fly solo down to Stansted and Grandma....by the time we were home he was nearly there and is now in the land of drought and 31'plus temperatures! Rosie and I braved the weather (actually the rain halted mid afternoon)forced into a run by the necessary return of a neighbours run-away dog and then onwards to a four mile run with some speed-work...somehow feel it was not enough.

Running with the hounds.....

2010-07-06T21:33:00.002Z

A foul day that got worse at about 7pm when a valiant few met for a run out...it turned out to be a nice one cos once you are wet you cannot get wetter and at least all the midges drowned.....
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Rosie did a fantastic run pulled in part but definitely not all the way by one or two doggy power. she did a sprint finish when they saw Garret waiting...no wait it wasn't Garret it was some kids with a football! Home again to decorate Freya's cake for tomorrow...there will be pictures but not tonight...Zzzzzzzzz

Retrospective....

2010-07-04T14:57:00.002Z

A small run out on Friday with Naomi, Richard and Garret all of whom are marathon training and so have been building up week by week to this 13 miler...not me of course and it nearly broke me.Very slow after ten miles and not much faster once I turned for home. In fact the breeze along the front at Dalchenna nearly pushed me backwards. It was very hot and so thank goodness for my new habit of carrying and using a camel pack on long runs (and for not letting Garret carry it for me as he was, in my hour of need about a mile ahead chatting away to Richard....). Very slow but at least I am am not too sore too days later. We then had a lovely communal lunch with home made bread ready for us on our return and some mercifully un-burnt soup that i remembered I had left in the oven at mile 11 but just did not have the breath to call Toby, let along the energy to fish the phone out of my back pocket). A beautiful route though taking us over the hills to the Loch and then mainly along the Loch side (a short detour to follow the road to Argyll caravan park) to Inveraray, along the side of the golf course and through the trees to loop back home. Only a couple of miles repetition in the whole run.

The Start of the holidays and the start of the Games season....

2010-07-04T14:38:00.000Z

As usual the fine weather has faltered at the start of the holidays and so the Luss Games suffered from the odd shower or two but nothing like as bad as the deluge last year. spirits undiminished and a clear eye to the cash prizes Toby took on most events including the jr heavies and wound up with £118, the girls competed too netting £30 and £16 respectively so not bad for a day out! Garret worked the hardest by far following in my footsteps from last year (not literally as he did not get lost..) by doing the local and open fell races.However his only placement was £10 in the local obstacle race and boy they worked hard for that, not as hard as the Open one which followed straight after the longest fell race....

Finale...

2010-06-30T13:49:00.005Z

A week of lasts...last night of js training last night with an end of session fitness course and then some flowers and wine for me. They are such a lovely group to work with and run with that I feel very lucky indeed. Another last came today with Freya leaving Primary school..I kept the tears at bay until saying goodbye to her class teacher. Twelve years is a long association and I shall miss being primary School Mummy! Freya came away with the Sports cup to keep for another year and the much coveted Neil Munroe Quaiche given to a P7 for the writing of a Para Handy connected story so we are proud parents indeed! So proud we went off to The George for lunch. A lovely way to spend a Wednesday and it ain't over yet!!

Athleticy Stuff!!!

2010-06-26T20:57:00.005Z

Just another day in the life of with breakfasts kicking off a busy day. The guests as usual got on really well and chatted away until time to rise and leave. The children were pleased with the rolls the guests had ordered (if guests have them they get the spares...). One line of washing hung out pre breakfast and one post with the rooms cleaned and re-set,the poly-tunnel watered and then off to Lochgilphead for the Mid Argyll sports Day......fantastic to see all these kids running/jumping/ throwing their hearts out...maybe the inserting of that latter verb into that sentence did not quite work but they tried jolly hard at the throwing too! My guys did really well against stiff competition but honourable mention goes to Rosie first in the mile run with some very good tactical running and a wee bit of pacing from big brother (running in the same mile/different category) who came back to see her in along the last stretch....sprint finish!! Fish and chips supper followed by home, a movie and a glass of wine....well, I had the glass of wine and the girls had the movie.

Chatting and running

2010-06-23T10:11:00.005Z

Two of my favourite things to do rolled into one on a jogscotland night out. We ran from Furnace to Inveraray in two waves more or less getting there together....ish. the run is really nice almost totally along the shores of the Loch, we then had a lovely if a little tardy meal with lots of chat and banter...

06/23/2010 Route
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Weekly runs 10.62

Mid summers day

2010-06-22T10:53:00.003Z

First a three mile run to check the sore leg from a fall last week...unlike me to fall I know professional runner that I am but hey ho it happens. Anyway leg okay and too hot to go far plus a stand off situation between the dogs and tow kittens...dogs lost meant that it as a quick run and back to get last minute fancy dress ready for a hog-roast at Dalchenna. saud pig was the piglet who foolishly escaped one too many times a month or so ago and was ceremoniously cooked for and by good friends in a custom built heath Robinson drum and was delicious! The evening drifted down to the shore with various teenagers swimming and then drying off by a huge bonfire...perfect!

iMapMyRun: 21 Jun 2010 16:39
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Hot day running...

2010-06-18T13:40:00.004Z

A lovely run around and about the outskirts of Inveraray and the Dalmally road looking for new routes to take the jsers on. We found several new tracks but are not too sure how they link up...a job for another cooler day! Actually much of today's run was governed by where the shade provided by the trees was.Liz was trialling her new running Camel which worked really well and I got a few sips too...made all the difference.
iMapMyRun: 18 Jun 2010 12:52
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Walk 7.5 run 17.82 swim 1k

A day in the life of....

2010-06-17T20:21:00.003Z

A perfect random day full of the different facets of my life...wife, Mum,B and B lady, friend and imperfect gardener who... gets the occasional perfect treat. Breakfast was very genteel and polite with the two afore mentioned ladies who finally departed in a flurry of frantic car repacking and goodbyes which left me to clean and reset the room at my leisure. Garret had car duties in Inveraray during which time he had a call out (in Inveraray as luck would have it so was not left kicking his heels too long) so I fed and watered birds, piggies, goats, ducks and geese (can't do the rabbits due to allergies...these are the two members of the rabbit family who rubbish any known facts about the ....um....promiscuity??? right word? or speedy ability to procreate as they have been living together as man and wife for many months now with no effect apart from Mr Rabbit looking a bit brow beaten all the time...back to the story, for anyone who is still following they did finally get fed by the non allergic Garret). Watering the poly-tunnel also fell to me today and so I got to harvest the first two strawberries which we duly scoffed before the children could get them...all is fair in love and gardening. A quick shower and off to Inveraray to collect a lovely flower bouquet which only dropped water on me for a short time before I handed them to Birthday girl Janice prior to a chatty long lunch in The George. Home to cobble together pasta for tea and then a whirlwind beauty therapy session for Freya prior to the P7 High school disco. We discovered that there is a very good reason why restaurant/hairdresser combinations just don't work....so, another trip around the High School for me whilst she boogied on down...finally home and a whisky (for me not her....)