Sober calendar boy

Been looking forward to Halloween all month, chiefly because it's the last day of sober October that I was forced into. Normally I do a month off in March/April time, not normally at this time of year which is depressing enough in my opinion. Still, saved some money and lost 2.5kg or so. It's actually not that difficult, but I missed a lot of gossip in the pub as was only there about 3 times all month, actually just returned from there right now, but only a Guinness 0.0 was partaken of. Actually did have a lapse on 19 October, but only because I had intended stopping it then, then changed mind as hadn't intended doing the full 31 days, so I'll count it as a month. 

I didn't take many pictures at all this month, just been walking, with a bit of running, the usual routes, nothing of massive interest happened, wasn't even in Kirkcaldy town centre let alone further afield. Got my 200K steps fairly easily as the weather wasn't too bad most of the time.

One of my photos, taken months ago, has made it on to an official calendar. It was taken with my phone, nothing fancy, so was surprised to be honest, first time ever that's happened! I got a free copy of the calendar for my efforts so will post a pic here. 

Heading up the western highlands on Tuesday by train, heading to Mallaig for a couple of nights, then back again. The train ticket cost only £19 return per person, it's on offer that's on a couple of times a year for those holding the Club 50 railcard, not bad, we'll see how it goes. Will be passing over the Glenfinnan Viaduct, famous from the Harry Potter films, probably only get a reasonable view of it on the return journey as it will likely be dark when we cross on the outbound journey. The train takes hours but is one of the most scenic. 

Not inspired to write much more, as it's been uneventful, work is much the same, never really satisfied with the shifts, but they could be worse, I think I write about leaving every year at this time, but we'll see what the Xmas rota is like before making decisions. 

Here are a couple of photos, the one on the calendar was taken a few months ago, the other one of the Kissing Trees this month. The other photo shows a sold sign outside my father's old house, I won't see a penny of it and his estate is still not settled after 2 and a half years, don't get me started..

Clem Cov Cuz Belfast Oz

Yes, winter is approaching, the nights are getting darker, not even 7pm and the light is fading here, I don't like it, I like the light, but am not rich enough to go to Australia in winter, but Australia came here this month, a few second cousins announced their arrival quite suddenly, no notice at all. So I headed up the farm and we met Sandy (last met her 1986) and her brothers Ross and Bruce and their partners. Shame my mum isn't with us as she would have loved it, my aunt Agnes certainly did, though a bit overwhelming with no notice. Was great to meet them, as mentioned I had only ever seen Sandra before way back then. 

Well, who knows? Will I ever go to Australia? Perhaps I should, maybe once I have finally left the vet's place as I am disgruntled as always. I appreciate that anyone bored enough to read all my posts that I regularly threaten to leave jobs, then don't.  Well, maybe that will change..

I started feeling unwell at start of month, a home test showed Covid (again!) so I was miserable for a few days, this was at same time I had a few days off, not good. A day or two later Clemens and daughter (Mara) arrived,  we went to Kingsbarns distillery and Edinburgh, first time he's been here in ages, obviously he hasn't changed and drank me out of house and home. In Edinburgh we hit the usual pubs , but also took a walk down canal to Stockbridge, the Stockbridge Tap being a nice pub there. 

A day or two later we (not Clem or Mara) were off to Belfast, the Ryanair flight was delayed an hour, but otherwise all went well. Stayed in the Easyhotel on Victoria Street which is very central.  Went a day trip to Carrickfergus to visit the castle, also, on next day, visited the Titanic Quarter and did the tour there which I can recommend. 

Have been at the hospital today, alas I don't have serious disease the GP thought I might have had, I hate the feeling of wasting peoples time. No point elaborating here! Got superfast broadband installed this month and it seems to have gone tits up, slow as a bastard to do anything, shame as I had intended sharing more photos, oh well. 

Panicked dachs carer

Another last minute panic post, I remember this day vividly when the news of Diana was all over the news 28 years ago today. It's amazing to think how quickly time goes blah blah..

This month is almost over, the weather has been ok and I met my steps target easily enough. I got a new sofa this month, and said goodbye to the old one that served me well for 26 years, it was a bloody awful job getting it out the flat, but getting the new one in was easier as the back can be taken off and reattached, still wasn't easy though.

My car made it through it's MOT, though I think a parting of the ways may be in store after all the expense, we'll see. 

I am off work now for about 3 weeks, I might book a last minute wee break away, but we'll see, not flush with cash at moment.

Been looking after Molly the wee dachshund for a couple of
days while her parents are away in Paris, she is as cute as hell, no problem at all.

Rudi is in Scotland right now, Clemens and his daughter soon too, Looks like a few drinks will be partaken of!

Yeah, another uninspired update, maybe you're living an exciting life? 

 

Open wallet car surgery, Charles and sofa

When I look back on this month it will be the amount of money given out that I'll remember, the car was mostly responsible costing 1k to get repairs last week, plus another £100 tomorrow, then there is the MOT to look forward to on Tuesday and further juicy expenses possibly. I hang on to cars too long, until they get really expensive to maintain, this one was bought 11 years ago and has been a good companion over the years, but maybe a parting of the ways will have to happen in the next little while. 

The month started off with a couple of booze-free days, then I was at doctor for a couple of things, will be put on a huge long waiting list to look into a couple of lesions that I cannot be bothered going into here. That same day I was at a whisky evening in the Crown and the boozing continued for most of month with a day off here or there. I managed my steps targets, the main one of getting 200K steps was fairly easily reached, over 270K now and should have been more, but for my laziness once target achieved. Also made another, harder, target spread over last couple of months, that the app set me, but this one involved a few long walks, including from North Queensferry, Stenhouse reservoir etc, also my Auchtertool loop was done, so every month this year so far. Weather mostly been ok, so that helped. 

Also gave out money for a new leather sofa, the one I have now is about 26 years old and has done it's duty, will be collected on 4 August if it can be forced out the flat, not looking forward to that challenge. Might be sofaless for a few days before new one- a black leather recliner 3 seater arrives. Well, it was about time, there is a wear hole in middle of the old one. 

Not inspired today at all, maybe I should not wait until last minute to update? 

Oh, almost forgot I saw Charles and Camilla in Kirkcaldy at start of month, was the most horrible rainy day too, they were there to commemorate centenary of Kirkcaldy War Memorial, near the station. Got soaked that day!

Lardarsed bloater boozer

Just realised how few photos I took this month, it seems I wasn't up to much other than putting on at least 2kg in weight. Actually about 4kg more than I should be. This would be due to a lack of activity and too many beers. Have decided to cut back on the booze in July, not cut out altogether, but have a few days off it each week. 

Was out for a walk/run today, Kissing Trees down to Kirkcaldy then back along coast, it gets 12K steps and burns a few calories that are too easily replaced at the Auld Hoose! Out of shape and will do something about it soon.

It's been a reasonable month, me grumbling about the work shifts I was given on the few occasions I actually did work, a few walks, including my monthly staple to Auchtertool, into Kirkcaldy then back coast, a route I plan tomorrow as it's start of a new month and steps are required. I made the target no problem with about a week to spare. 

I did book Chester again for next year, but otherwise nothing to look forward to, maybe I will need to book something for start of September as there are a few decent deals advertised. We'll see. 

I feel a bit empty, didn't realise I was so unnewsworthy this month. Did get train along to Leven on the new train connection, was actually nice, had a nice lunch in the Windsor, then back to Kinghorn in 20 minutes, beats the hour or so in the bus for sure. 

Was up farm I think twice, my Aunt's 93rd is on 11 July so will certainly be up again fairly soon. 

My father's estate, over 2 years since he died, is still not settled, I believe however that might change soon, a disgrace it has dragged on. I am not the big winner in the will but expect a decent pay out. Ok, will leave it there, hopefully more to report next time.

Here a few photos, the mugshot was for my Club 50 Railcard, could have got it years ago, but didn't, oh well, it saves a few bob. I shaved off my luscious locks in order to look older. The one with wee waterfall was a week or so ago walking Aberdour to Kinghorn. 

Think I have a hedgehog hibernating in my rear again, well, not really, but it's not pleasant. Oh, and am new using a new Samsung fitness watch thing, the faces can be changed, but I prefer the more info ones with steps/calories etc. 

Three sunny long walks, double blood giver

Was working today, off tomorrow, which is most unusual for a Sunday, in fact not back at the vet's place now until 2 weeks today, so that's nice. There are certain things at work that are pissing me off, especially shifts, so we'll see how long I stay. It's been 5 years and I have been guilty of staying in stressy jobs too long in the past.

What a month May has been, mostly great weather, no rain for about 3 weeks until recently, Costa del Fife! Started month getting blood taken at doctor's surgery, the month ended with me doing the same again yesterday, apparently the white blood cells too high or something, they have even arranged a telephone appointment with a doctor for next week, should I be worried? Don't know, we'll see. 

Made my steps target fairly easily given that the weather was great, the most notable walks were to Leven along coast, hadn't done that stretch for a few years, took just under 4 hours and the trip back from there better now that you can get a train rather than the slow bus back that stops everywhere. So, some positive things do happen and the train line to Leven is one!

Another walk was to Aberdour, not the coastal route, the other route going along the Standing Stanes road, then onto Aberdour from above, this is the second time I have done this route, did the dame a month or two ago, very good. Better this time as the Forrester's pub is back open after being closed for months. They make an effort with their ales and I was back there a couple of days back also, thought his time by train.

The other notable walk was my monthly standard walk (and wee run on this occasion) to edge of Auchtertool, then on to edge of Kirkcaldy and back along the coast, over 20K steps so helped with target. Think I have done this loop every month this year, so will hopefully keep this going. 

Am a bit tired right now, just had fish and chips, will go to bed in an hour, was an exhausting shift today. A few photos taken this month, the one with wee boats at Dysart harbour on way to Leven. 

 

Beer drinking body viewing dental visitor - update 2.

What a gorgeous day today is, yesterday was also great, both days I was at dentist in Inverkeithing, the piepers seem to like it too judging by the absolute racket they are making right now!

This is second update this month so will keep it short, got back from Germany two days ago, was a quite short trip, 5 nights in total. First two nights in the Bad Cannstaat area of Stuttgart, in a Premier Inn, the weather was not great, got soaking feet on first night at the Spring Festival, next day slightly better as I strutted my stuff along Koenigsstrasse before heading back to the beer tents. Was a bit confused how to get around at first, also the Stuttgart 21 project makes central Stuttgart a hellhole, took a while to realise which stop was best to get the the real trains for the trip with Flix to Heidelberg. 

Stayed in a hotel near station in Heidelberg for a change, had a good time with Oliver and Rudi/Jutta, on second evening there Rudi had a barbecue and that was good. After travelling back to Stuttgart, and visiting the sunny beer festival this time, it was onward to a hotel very near the airport, than back on a direct flight to Edinburgh. 

Since back, really not been up to much except the dentist visits, tomorrow I have a blood test at doctor too, back at work again Saturday. 

Here a few photos, the one with dead bodies at the museum in Heidelberg, real bodies too, was interesting.