Loch wanderer

Almost forgot this update, am tired after working last 6 days, and am in again tomorrow. Have Sunday off, but have to get up very early anyway to run a certain someone to the airport. Car is due it's service/MOT on Monday, but am unsure if the garage will pick car up as arranged, we'll see.

Am working Monday to Friday next week on early shift, then a 3 day weekend that I am certainly in need of.

Been an unremarkable month, made my steps target again, but less so by walking coast to Kirkcaldy, went different places like Kinghorn Loch and a circuit up near the Binn. Also walked a lot from Inverkeithing station to my new office near Rosyth station, the office is not bad really, but there are no shops nearby, better for driving home at night though and handy for trains.

Didn't realy go anywhere that I can remember this month, been heading more often to the Crown rather than the Auld Hoose recently, chiefly because the Crown makes more effort with the beer they sell, was there today too for a couple where I met Davie Baxter and his wife.

Stuffed myself with a chinese, so feeling a bit tired now, won't stay up long as I get up around 6 tomorrow.

Maybe I'll have more to report next month!

Photos show the Kissing Trees, some geese at the loch and Davie in usual pose.

Whitby and dog walkies

Well, that's April almost over then, started the month down in North Yorkshire in the nice wee town of Whitby, famous for it's fish n chips, ice cream and connections to Dracula and Captain Cook. Was nice, walked to Robin Hood's Bay one day and on another I walked alone to Staithes, a good 4 hours or so, for a well-earned meal in the Cod and Lobster pub.

There were plenty of pubs down there, so enjoyed myself, also managed a trip to Scarbourgh and visited the castle there, don't think I'd been there since 1977...as a tiny baby of course..

It's always the case though that a week off work flies by, so before we knew it it was back to the train back home (which took quite a while by the way).

The weekend after I got Shadow and Ember to look after for a couple of days, they dragged me to Aberdour and over the Binn etc, was nice to have them. Have looked after Ember before, but not the two of them together.

Worked the weekend after that, which typically was the warmest weekend of the year, hate working weekends. Less than 2 weeks until we move office, so we'll see what disaters develop..

Walked quite a lot this month so got to about 250,000 steps, which is reasonable, even went one run-around Kinghorn, but that was it, still a bit lazy.

One of the last walks along the coast was last Friday, when I went to the barber and had my strands cut by Pete who first cut my hair back in the aforementioned 1977. He is retiring for good after all these years, hard to believe he won't be in the shop anymore, we've been through thick and thin..hair..together. Anyway I took a photo to mark the occassion.


 Pictures show me with Whitby in background, the town of Staithes at the end of a long walk, the dogs on their way to Aberdour, and Pete the barber.

PC-less station walker

Yet another month almost gone, updating now because am off down to Yorkshire today for a few days, a break I feel i need. Am very tired today as was out at the theatre yesterday and am not used to late nights, think I almost feel asleep during the performance, but managed just about to hold it together.

Not been up to much this month to be honest, am still obsessed at reaching steps target and I managed it again no problem this month. This is part due to my travelling more often by train when on backshift-meaning that sometimes I am walking from Inverkeithing station to Dalgety Bay station via the Hillend Tavern more often. It's a good way to get steps and a nice pint or two, so a good combination. Have been walking also quite a lot between Inverkeithing and Rosyth stations, takes about 30 mins, I often pick the car up from there and continue on to my Dunermline workplace. This workplace is moving soon to very near Rosyth station so a bonus for me, provided I stay at the work, i foresee a bit of a disasterous season ahead for us.

Not taken many photos this month- two to be exact so far. One shows a nice pint of East Coast IPA in the Hillend Tavern, the other my garden after I cut the grass for the first time this year. The ivy on the right really need cut back.

Oh well, still some packing to do! Lots of walking and English ale awaits!! Just back from delivering a birthday card to my dad, who turns 82 today.

Oh and my desktop PC suddenly stopped working, I have a new one arriving in the coming days though, need to get back into PC games rather than always playing on the tablet.

Bristol, Bath and ailments

Well, the shortest month is almost over, not that it seemed short.

Month started down south in Bristol, also visited Bath, was first time I had been to either place and was a nice trip. The last few days of the month have been mild, but there was snow aplenty down there, especially in Bath. Visited the usual things while down there- the Clifton Suspension Bridge, designed by Kingdom-Brunel is impressive as were the roman baths in, er, Bath, or Aquae Sulis as the Romans called it.  Stayed 3 nights in a Hilton down there, visited a few pubs of course, even a cat-themed one- basically a pub stuffed full of cats, they were everywhere. Plenty of walking was done, which helped get me off to a good start to the month. This was just as well as I was ill again for a lot of the month with flu-like symptoms again and a back seizure meaning I could hardly move for a wee while. Maybe I should rename this blog "Alan's ailments" as I seem to be describing nothing else!

Walked many times along coast again this month, sometimes to Morrisons, sometimes into central Kirkcaldy. On one of these walks I went into Marks and Spencer on the High Street to buy some trousers, I'll not be doing that again there as the shop closed after 80 years the day after I bought them. Spent much time in the shop over the years as it was my mum's favourite port of call. Seems Kirkcaldy High Street is dying out, Dunfermline seems to have far more shops. There are plans to spend a lot on the promenade now, but it's probably a waste of money, basically everything should be flattened and then rebuilt!

Work is very quiet, with not much money being made, obviously Brexit playing a role. Hopefully things will be resolved one way or the other soon, but who can tell? I try to avoid the news now as I am just so bored with politicians.

Visited my dad today after work, he actually looks healthy enough all things considered and is keeping himself busy with this and that. I usually cut his grass, but no need just yet, unlike my own garden that already looks like it needs cutting.

Am chilling at home now, am glad that I have the next 3 days off, a good feeling!

Here are a few photos taken this month..

Oh, also booked a week away in England for April and a cruise for later in the year, some might think I am a spendthrift...

I -just-made the 200000 steps, I know you would just have to know!

Runny-nosed Morrisons stalker

That's January almost finished in my speedy dash to old age and retirement. It's been a month that started with the Loony Dook down the beach near me, no I didn't take part, are you mad? However, I know someone that did!

My ever increasing obsession with steps after getting the fit-bit has shown no signs of going away, my routine when on backshift involves walking along to Morrisons then back again before going to work, am even usually in the store before you can legally buy booze! Yeah, me! Have done this about 10 times this month and I reached my steps target no problem.

Feeling a bit fragile today as it was my birthday yesterday, getting more than tipsy when you've to get up for work at 6am is not to be recommended, have vague memories of my sister (the younger one, as the older one doesn't speak to me)  arriving with a bottle of wine, not that I needed any extra lubrication at that stage, but it was my birthday after all. Anyway, survived the day at work and am now looking forward to a few days off, heading done to England, the details I will provide next time.

Honestly, not much happened this month it seems, was off sick from work for a couple of days in middle of month, the dreaded lurgy got me. If truth be told I've not been 100% since about Xmas eve and my nose is running since then. At least my nose is-as I haven't been, the lazy lard arse I've been.
Oh well, let the trip commence, an early start tomorrow and it will be -4 degrees overnight, will have to get the car engine running a few mins before departure.

Here are 3 photos taken this month-not taken many to be honest- one is visitors from Manchester area in the pub, the next my budgies sitting on the kitchen door, they love doing that (and kacking onto the floor) and the other is me yesterday, yeah, I've no idea either.

Flu-ridden old killjoy, oh yes I am..

31st December and another year is about to end, not something that someone of my age should celebrate, though this won't go down as the best ever year anyway.  Been working these last 3 days, long shifts, and I take time to unwind, just feel really stressy even though we were just out for a couple in the Auld Hoose and then inhaled a Chinese
take away. Now at home, the budgies chatting away loudly and me still internally calming down. These last few days were also bad due to the horrible illness that has gripped me, some would say man flu, I prefer just to say flu. It started about Xmas eve (which I also worked) and has been a constant companion since, sometimes I'm cold, then burning up, then cold and so on..

I realize I moan a lot about the job on here, perhaps 2019 is the time to do something about it as it will be chaos once the campsites open. Have to get the CV updated.

Did reach my 200000 steps target, went several times along to Kirkcaldy, sometimes back along the coast too, also went to Aberdour. Got train to Aberdour for a pre-xams meal too, was good, the Aberdour Hotel do it well.

Had the silicon replaced in shower replaced as there was another leak, seems to have solved the problem thank god.

We also went to the panto this year, and it will probably become a tradition, was very good.

Not on top form today, you might have guessed! Anyway here's to 2019!

The photos show Stewart and Nan the non-festive fairies, me with Bently the dog, the Lammernlaws in Burntisland taken while on a walk to Aberdour, and the budgies demanding attention while I was on the PC..oh, and the panto!!!

Squirrel-feeding slaphead

What a dreich day it is today, have day off as am working tomorrow. Had to go out into the bad weather though as i still had to get steps to meet the 200000 target, yes I made it! I didn't do any massive long marches this month, just the usual, but I did walk more on work days, going round Pittencreif Park and feeding the squirrels when the weather allowed. Was also gifted a fit bit thingy that syncs with my Samsung phone, so more steps are probably counted. Sound obsessed? Probably am. Have quite a few days off in December so hopefully I should meet target again, problem in January though when I'll not have much time off.

Work is quiet, still quite shite though. I really do not miss it when i'm not there, I avoid night out with colleagues and that kind of thing, Sykes was a lesson, I really cannot be fashed with it. Not even feeling festive, we have decorations up at work already though. Visited the Christmas market in Edinburgh last Saturday, was mobbed and typically expensive. Had been at cinema to see Bohemian Rhapsody beforehand, not a bad film.

My budgies have been quiet for most of month, the dark days are not their thing, but they are out and about right now and making a deafening noise. Anytime you're on the phone, rest assured they will go from being quiet to going mad!

Car had the brake pads/discs done this month, almost £300 and I did not go to Kia garage as their customer service is probably the worst I've experienced. Talking of this, I need a plumber for leaking shower (thanks knobend who fitted bathroom last year) and had contacted a plumber, but he simply didn't show, was in the Auld Hoose just a moment ago and Johnny gave me a tip, so have contacted another, we'll see what happens.

Did our annual pilgrimage to Ulverston again this month, weather pretty bad, but was fine. Perhaps it's time to explore other towns though I might change my mind. No holidays booked at moment, not even to Germany. Just don't feel like it, need to save some cash for the crash that Brexit looks like bringing, I hardly put the news on anymore, just depressing and the sight of the Sturgeon makes my blood boil.

Got my luxurious lion's mane cut today after walking to Kirkcaldy to get my steps target, am still clinging on to a few strands, then to spoons for fish n chips, was good. Too lazy to walk back in the rain so got train back.

Not been a too eventful moth, but Novembers rarely are..here some photos taken this month..3 from Ulverston, one from the park in Dunfermline during a pre-work stroll

200000 steps

Been a bit obsessed with meeting the steps target my phone thinks I should meet. Been a bit of a couch potato this month so it's been a struggle. In fact I was left with about 70000 to go a couple of days ago, but, as luck should have it, I have been off work this week so a few long walks were undertaken.

The surge started in Edinburgh last Saturday where, after a long walk, we ended up at the Sheep Heid Inn in Duddingston for a decent meal. The Queen drops by on occasion apparently..

The steps target was then met by 2 coastal wanderings (Monday and today) to the far side of Dysart and back (with detour to spoons for some grub) and a long walk from Dalmeny rail station to Aberdour that I did yesterday, was tiring, but worth it in the end. Was rained on for about half the time, but was easy weather for walking.

This month has not been the most exciting, did a handful of walks to kirkcaldy, had the flu jab, had an issue with a rear car tyre that I needed to get replaced (oh, the lifestyle..), even cut my grass just the other day, unusual that I do that so lete in the year, but it needed it. Will probably have to call council to get ivy cut back a bit again as it's so thick half my grass has died off.

Wish I had more exciting development to report, but I dinne.

Plan a trip to Edinburgh tomorrow to visit the cinema, might squeeze in a couple of craft beer pubs beforehand.

Congrats to BP who achieved a sober October (it's been tough- for me) and even got her picture taken with William Shatner!  But seeing as this is about me, me, me, I won't publish..

Photos show a railway engine in Pittencrief park that I remember as a wee boy- this was taken during a work break. Also the squirrel, there are so many in this park! There is much talk of the new bridge across the Forth, but this is the original, taken yesterday. The other is Dysart harbour, taken today.

Post Clematic stress syndrome

Did the most steps in ages this month- the app on the phone told me that- about 250000, which is not bad.  Also went a couple of runs around Kinghorn, I have a wee circuit that i like, and that was good. Used to run along coast to ruin of Seafield tower and back, but I'm not as young as I used to be!

My oldest-and most loyal- pal Clemens came over this month for a 4 day visit, much liquid refreshment was taken, we walked to Kirkcaldy and back on first day, from Elie to Crail on the second, Kinghorn to the Hillend Tavern on the third and a wee pub crawl of Edinburgh on the last day- think we were in Guildford Arms, St Andrews on Potters Row, Jolly Judge, Bow Bar, Blue Blazer...you get the picture.

Was nice to have a few days off work as it has really been getting on my perfectly formed chest recently. Talking of work, I even spent Thursday night at the City Hotel as I was working til 10pm and starting early next day, was OK.

Worked back-shift last week as Lesley N was off, and it's my back shift week this coming week- though a late start does have it's advantages, and I can watch more of the Starsky and Hutch box set I am into now. Yes, another series from the past, a psychologist probably knows why...true, I am obsessed with the past.

Here are pictures of Kinghorn, BP and Clemens and St Monans on the day we marched from Elie to Crail.

Wedding witness

A month that started when I was ill is now coming to an end. Just back from the Bavarian beer fest in Kirkcaldy, a bit tipsy it's true.

Anyway, was in Germany for a week or so this month, the gorgeous couple decided to tie the knot, and it all went swimmingly. Too hot for sure, but then any temperature is too hot for me.

 I will post once I remember passwords etc, am in a tizz right now.

 Well.  This is a couple of days afterward, Tavis and I got a bit pissed at the German thing, story of my life really, he did go the extra mile on the hat though..

Congrats to Silvio and Franzi. I am a boring wedding guest, you learn by experience.

Flooded ill Juror

Just back from court after sitting on the jury for a week in Kirkcaldy, the courtroom stuff was fine, but the hours spent waiting in the jury room each day was a joke. The jury room simply isn't fit for purpose, virtually nothing to do, couldn't even get outside at all during the day. Still, I wasn't at work for quite a while, so every cloud as they say.

My jury stint was quite an ordeal for a number of days as I had a bad food poisoning (thanks Wetherspoons!) and I was terrified I was going to puke-or worse- while in court. The stomach cramps were especially painful, but the worst is over now -now though the gout is back in the big toe joint!! Have still some tablets from last flare up last month, so hopefully the pain will go soon, honestly I'm just falling apart. With all these health issues I've not even had a beer for over a week, so that proves I'm not quite myself.

Been a good month for weather, managed a walk to Aberdour and went a few times to Kirkcaldy along coast- will have to not order food at Wetherspoons from now on, they poisoned me 5 years ago and now again, pretty sure the breakfast wrap I had last Monday was to blame. I got myself a folding bike a few days ago too, though illness has prevented me trying it out, no rush I suppose, have a few days off in August.

Was in Edinburgh to see Mamma Mia 2 this month too, not really my kind of movie, but it was OK. Hope to go to a show or two at the Edinburgh festival, but won't make it this weekend as am working unfortunately.

One of the main things that will stick in my mind this month however is the flood caused by a faulty hot water hose pipe at the bathroom sink, this is similar to the disaster I had with the shower a few months back and the same workman was responsible as he fitted the sink and shower at same time. I called him and he blamed his supplier, obviously I got an emergency plumber , most of the damage was done to neighbour's below. She needs plastering and painting done, the guy who did my bathroom will pay, would have been worse had either party been out at the time.  Think I might need a proper plumber to give the place the once over before too long.

 The photos show the unused new bike, the beach here at mine on a typically sunny day in July and the other is the grave of my Great Grandfather, his son James (my great uncle) was killed in July 1918 and is listed on the gravestone. Nice and cheery, eh?  Oh well, always a bit depressing when July ends, but August might not be too bad, invited to a wedding for starters..

Out and a gout?

Apart from today-it's overcast here-it's been a brilliant month for weather. This is the only day I have off, am working the next 7 days unfortunately, might mean i'll miss a couple of world cup games, but such is life.

Was at the barber today, just noticed I was there on 2 June too, very rare for two visits in one month, especially these days..will need to get my remaining strands cut again for the wedding of the year in Berlin in August, but more of that another time.

Month started off with my car being serviced, had booked courtesy car, but they wouldn't give it to me as they required my national insurance number! I don't carry the number around with me so ended up having to get taxi to work, not the best start to the day, or month.

The following weekend I took Kath's dogs a walk from Inverkeithing to Kinghorn (well to Burntisland for them), they really are such well behaved doggies, have to to this more often if health allows..

I say this, as the last week of the month has been dominated by massive pain in my big toe joint, had to phone doctor, got an appointment with a nurse practitioner, who thought it was gout, was prescribed pills which make me woozy and a bit sick, though the pain in toe is seemingly much better now and even managed a walk along coast to meet Tavis in spoons today. He grudgingly bought a round of the cheapest beers..

Work is stressful, lots of people at end of tether, we'll see how this ends up, am not looking forward to the coming 7 days at all, though hopefully I'll have a few more days off from now on.

These photos were all taken recently, One on a sunny walk along the cost to see the seals, one on Kinghorn beach last Sunday, the other was taken the day of the Germany-Sweden game, the only game they won before going home in disgrace (also the only day the flags were out).

Endless sunny stressy month..

This month has lasted forever, is the month I only had 8 days off work, but managed the 200000 steps the fitness thing on my phone demands!

Month started off with me falling ill for a couple of weeks, thought it was just the usual bug, but lasted for a couple of weeks or more.

Felling under the weather one day as i was driving home I got a wee stone hitting windscreen, but luckily this was repairable as I'm already on my third windscreen with this car.

Managed at least 4 marches to Kirkcaldy this month, plus at least one gym visit I can remember. Also a visit to Edinburgh to buy expensive jeans- Levis- now i have 3 pairs of various colours.

Biggest walk was last Friday, the only day I've had off recently, when I walked on my own from Leven to Kinghorn. Was a good walk and the weather this month has been really good.

I have started to hate my workplace, very stressful, especially at weekends when a supervisor is on their own. One of them just got herself signed off for 2 weeks, beat me too it, because we just aren't paid enough to take the crap dumped on us, with very little reward.

Got a pair of scales so I can see my weight going up, seems it's very inconsistent though, how can it be so different every day? 77kg one day, 75.4 the next, back up to 77 again.. anyway, must get fitter! Pic are me in Edinburgh, twice on the long walk from Leven, and Dysart harbour.

Jersey

So that is April almost over and the sun is beating down, getting in my eyes as I write this, with the budgies making a hellish noise. This flat is a good place to live when the weather is good, perhaps not in the depths of winter however, and it was just a few short weeks ago when the snow was here!

Managed two trips to the gym this month and did a few walks along the coast to Kirkcaldy, just today I was along the coast and back to Kirkcaldy, stopping to panic buy some booze because tomorrow minimum pricing is introduced. Actually there was a great offer on smoky Black Grouse whisky, so I have 3 bottles in store, they will go up to at least £14 tomorrow and I get them for little over £10. Blame the crap SNP for this nanny state policy that really only targets the poor, the separatists really need to fuck off, the sooner the better.

Got back on Saturday from a wee trip, four nights, to Jersey. Had never been before, was good. Is a place I may well want to go to again. Did a couple of tours, one around the whole island, the other to the War Tunnels, built by occupying Nazi forces during the war. Also visited the military museum, festooned with swastikas, and had a nice walk from Corbiere to St Helier in the nice weather. The pubs were ok, though not brilliant, probably the best of the bunch were the Cock and Bottle and Lamplighter. The beer of choice was Liberation Ale, also liberation IPA was good.

Got a wee bit squiffy yesterday as I had today off, I managed to cut the grass and clean the living room windows while steaming however! Luckily the budgies didn't escape!

 Here are a few photos taken over the last few days in Jersey.