Whisky tasting school visitor

 Almost the end of 2024 and I am not inspired to write much, am not drunk, though had a couple in pub earlier, just feel a bit bloated. I won't be going out again this year, not really my scene, don't feel too sociable. Maybe go down to beech to see the Loony Dook tomorrow, no way would I go for a swim in the sea though!

Made the important (for me) steps target yesterday, glad I did as today has been pretty awful, even the Edinburgh New Year celebrations are cancelled.

Was out for various walk/runs throughout month when weather permitted, including one to Auchtertool then to Kirkcaldy nearer start of month, nothing out of the ordinary.

Went with my pub pal Bob to Balwearie High School for an open evening, first time I'd been there in almost 40 years, longer for Bob! Externally not much had changed, even internally the changes weren't too drastic, was interesting for sure.

Was at my second Whisky tasting evening in the Crown, as I'm a bit of a lightweight I always have little to no memory afterward, though I'm sure the whiskies were nice.

Christmas was a quiet affair, was working on Boxing Day so took it easy on Xmas day itself, popped into Auld Hoose early doors and even won a bottle of vodka in the raffle there.

Not working until Saturday now, so that's nice, hope you have a great new year dear reader. Here are a few photos taken this month, one is me in Auld Hoose with Karen and Carol, the gorgeous wee Piepchen Kenny and Charlie, and one of me near Scott Monument in Auld Reekie. 

Boring bum boozer

 St Andrew's Day, not that you'd notice. Another month gone, Xmas round the corner.

November is never my favourite month, but the weather was fairly mild, did have to battle through the elements last Saturday to get to work, but it's mostly been Ok. Managed to meet steps target with a couple of days to spare, managed a few runs, nothing too strenuous, 3K or less mostly, not the youngest anymore!

Would normally have been at the vet's place today, but got someone to cover shift, back in again tomorrow first thing, then off for about 10 days. No major plans to travel, whether that changes remains to be seen. Think there may be snow in a few days, and everything comes to a halt here if one flake falls. 

Been in Edinburgh at least a couple of days this month, plan on going again next week too, the Xmas market is already open, but expensive as you would expect. Was over the bridge today too, in a crowded train to South Queensferry, headed to Ferry Tap for a meal and a pint, then back again. Wasn't that great, but go there about once a year. Looked into the Haws under Forth Bridge, but then decided just to head back.

Was out with John and Dave yesterday, it's non stop pubs these days, and had a few in Spoons and then Krafty. Day before I was up farm, my Aunt seems in good form, not bad for 92. 

What else was I up to? Not a lot, not a lot of tidying up, or hoovering or doing anything much around flat, my laziness was regularly commented upon..

Had an eye test a couple of weeks back, no real change so the specs I wear for driving/watching films, remain the same. Was also at doctor as I have been up in night peeing. He didn't seem that concerned though did seem keen to put his finger up my bahookie. I had expected at least a meal and couple of drinks first!

Well, don't have much else to say, not the most eventful month, it never is.

Photos show last Saturday, the footsteps in the snow are mine, first in the building as usual. Mostly Ok weather though as the other 2 photos taken this month show. 

Tayside trek

Happy Halloween! It's so Americanised these days, it was turnips when I was young, now pumpkins are everywhere. 

Anyway, that's another month gone, am just back today after a couple of nights alone on Tayside, or Dundee to be exact. Dundee is not my favourite place after wasting some youthful years there, but I thought I'd look to see how things have changed. Have been briefly a couple of times this century, but this time I walked to where I spent first year at Dundee Uni, my old room, where I shared with someone I didn't like, is no longer existing! Some of the old building is there, the rest modern flats. Makes you feel old, as I was already aware where I stayed the year after is also long gone. The house of horrors where I spent some time in 1987ish is still standing, and it looks horrible, so had hardly changed at all. I do not intend any further trip to the distant past, best to let go it would seem. 

Not much else happened this month, made my steps target on Tuesday, went a few walk/runs when weather permitted, an unremarkable month. Went to the Imperial strength whisky evening in the Crown, 6 whiskies all between 57-62%, the first 5 were nice, especially the first heavily sherried one, but don't remember the last one, such a light weight!

Got my festive shifts for the Xmas period, not bad, even got Xmas day off, though will probably be spending it carefully as working early on 26th, cannot complain though. I had every intention to resign should I have been given shite shift, so I might stick around for a few months. 

In other exciting news I went twice to the dentist in Inverkeithing (Kinghorn closed last year) for routine appointments, the teeth I retain seem to be in good shape. 

Here are 3 photos taken this month..one of me in Krafty in Kirkcaldy, stumbled in intending to buy a bottle, left 4 hours later after several litres of German Festbier, I was not popular when I returned. The one in Edinburgh visit a couple of weeks back is now a place popular with tourists because of the One Day thing on Netflix, good view of castle to be sure. The other photo is Desperate Dan of the Dandy, well known to Scottish kids anyway. 

American Adventure

Well that's the month almost over, it's been a memorable one! 

Meet distant cousins from the USA in Larbert at start of month, was the worst possible day and we all got soaking exploring old cemeteries for joint relatives. Kath and Uncle Norman came along, Kath without a jacket and got totally drookit. 

A couple of days later we were on plane to Heathrow for overnight stay before flight with BA to Seattle on 5 September. Almost a 10 hour flight, but wasn't too bad, watched a couple of films but didn't sleep, arrived there about lunchtime. Found our way to Motif Hotel and off exploring. Was nice there, much too much to describe here, so will keep things brief, did all the usual tourist stuff and would certainly go back. Seattle is famous for rain, but it was clear blue skies during the whole USA trip. 

After Seattle got train to Portland for 2 nights in Deluxe Hotel, was nice also. Visited the mother of the cousins I had met in Larbert on first day too. Portland has the biggest bookshop in the world so spent time there as well as in a couple of breweries.

Got the Amtrac train down to Emeryville (for San Francisco) from Portland, takes 18 hours, but had a wee roomette where the seats can be converted to beds, was OK, think I caught a cold in train though. 

San Francisco was excellent, again all the tourist stuff was done, Alcatraz visited, Golden Gate, Lombard Street, Coit Tower, cable cars etc. Stayed at Handlery Hotel at Union Square, was Ok. Got a driverless taxi to the Castro district to hang out with all the boys..Was visited while in SF by Lindsay, the cousin I had previously met in a soggy graveyard in Scotland.

After SF it was onward to Santa Barbara for a night, really needed more than a night here, was good, but could only scratch the surface. Didn't meet Harry or Meghan while there, but not disappointed about that.

Next day it was LA, managed to get to the hotel in Marina del Rey with a combination of tram (full of weirdos) and taxi, didn't do much on first day as was about 6 or 7 pm by time we were at hotel. Next day, we crammed a lot in, headed to Hollywood and did a minibus tour through famous areas. After that the tram to Santa Monica, went to pier then walked back along Venice Beach to hotel, must have got almost 30k steps that day. 

Flew back from LAX on Monday 16th, on that morning we visited a graveyard in nearby Culver City as Bea wanted to see Leonard Nimoy's grave. The flight back was OK, was overnight and I didn't sleep much if at all. Got our connection at Heathrow and arrived back in Edinburgh in one piece. 

Not been up to much since arriving back, took a while for sleeping to get normal, was waking up during night for a few days. Managed a couple of wee runs this week, but been pretty much a lardarse otherwise. Got 200K steps by 15 September, but have only added 75K since. Oh well, the weather has been shite. 

Out for a meal tonight with Norman and Gillian tonight (it's her 80th tomorrow), Kath and John will be there too. 

Have probably forgotten to write quite a lot, but hey ho..here are a few randomly chosen photos, took quite a lot! One is a terrified me on the Space Needle in Seattle, another the sun going down on Venice Beech, actually made video of sun disappearing. Also to be seen is Alcatraz, me collecting my Oscar in Hollywood and meeting Lindsay in SF. 

 

Pre-American Tension

Sun is shining, what a lovely day! Not typical of this month which has been largely shite. Managed to cut grass here (damp grass choking cutter) and at my father's old place. We are still in limbo regarding my father's will, it has taken ages and we are probably being taken for a ride by the law firm dealing with it.

Collected tickets/paperwork from Charlie Reid Travel on Thursday, the trip to the USA is very soon, flying down to Heathrow on Wednesday and on to Seattle from there on Thursday. Then, after 2 nights, down to Portland, visiting a relative there I never knew (mother of cousin visiting here) I had until recently, then San Francisco, Santa Barbara and LA. Only 2 nights in LA, so won't see too much but certainly Venice Beach and Santa Monica which aren't too far from the hotel, obviously will have to briefly visit Hollywood too. 

Am at work early tomorrow, but just a 5 hour shift then I can fully prepare for the holiday. I usually leave things last minute as I just love the stress of it all..Added to the mix are the group of USA cousins we (Kath and Uncle Norman) are meeting at Larbert on Monday. We found our connection on a DNA testing site, we meet at Larbert where the common ancestors are buried. Got to say I am out of my comfort zone with all this, but fingers crossed all goes OK. 

Made my steps and went a few runs as usual, despite the mostly rubbish weather. Was up farm the other day and my Aunt is doing fine. Shame the US relatives are from my father's side of the family otherwise she would have been all over it :-) 

Here are a couple of photos taken this month..Rudi and Jutta from Heidelberg were in the Auld Hoose for drinkies, an old photo of me, my sisters and cousins John and Christine, probably 1974 or so..also the Old Crocks runners for charity at the Auld Hoose.  See you in September!

Post Norse depression

 That's July almost gone and it will soon be Christmas.

Month started on board the Balmoral cruise ship visiting 4 places in Norway. First time there, were relatively lucky with the weather and all went well. Had the drinks package so partook royally while aboard, also hit a couple of Norwegian pubs in Haugesund and in Alesund, very expensive, but was prepared for that. 

Was a nice wee ship, not the biggest I've been on, but small enough to enter the fjords. Would have been better with an outside cabin, but you can't have everything. 

Rest of month has gone really quickly, been walking/doing my short runs as normal. Also went to Edinburgh the day before last, ended up in Bow Bar and don't remember leaving the place. Been a bit fragile yesterday, but had a run from Kissing Trees down into Kirkcaldy today. Actually been great weather last 2 days, should have cut grass, but hopefully do that tomorrow.

Financially a bit better off after the endowment poilicy I was mis-sold back in 1999 matured. Did not reach the target amount, but as I have already paid mortgage off was a nice bonus. Will help with the USA trip in September and perhaps will help with an Australian -or similar- trip in future.

Discovered yesterday that Rudi and Jutta from Heidelberg will pass through Kinghorn on a roadtrip next week, so no doubt will be having a few refreshments, also going to a Whisky tasting in Auld Hoose on Friday, got to be careful though as working next day.

Work is manic as usual, glad I have a designated seat now as hotdesking is not for me. 

Here a few pics..

Pre-trip running football mourner

 I update now as I leave tomorrow on a boat to Norway for a week, never been there before, a beautiful land where you need a bank loan for a pint I think, so we'll see. Don't expect the weather will be too good, and I will likely have no wifi unless in port. Think there will be 4 stops during the week, then I'll be back on day of the general election to vote for the party most likely to stop the nationalists winning this constituency. 

Been an active month for me in terms of steps, but particularly running that I am quite into now. I like to combine walks and runs with maybe a 3-4k run at end. My favourite running track is up near the farm and kissing trees, was there earlier today and the fog was thick as hell, should have worn my bright yellow t-shirt but didn't, still there were no cars to speak of luckily. 

Made steps target today, as I might not be able to update without internet on board the ship. Packing things right now and it's difficult to pack as Norway might be warm/cold/sunny/rainy. Also I have to pack smart clothes for the dinner evenings on board, will be easier to pack for my big trip in September, but more on that another time. 

Was at funeral of Jim Smith yesterday, a lovable Kinghorn character who almost everyone knew, certainly all pub goers. The service was good and afterwards a few drinks were partaken of at the Auld Hoose in his memory. Won't be the same without Irish Jim RIP.

The football was predictably shite, a negative manager well out of his depth picking his mates for the team. Absolutely pathetic surrender against Germany and not much better in the other two games, the fans may have been popular abroad, but it was all so pathetic on the pitch. Don't know who I want to win now, though not England as we would never hear the end of it. I drew France in the office sweep, but really? No, I can't support them either. See you next time! Photo shows me getting ready for funeral, the budgies in a rare quiet moment and the washing drying in back garden, maybe Monday was our summer..