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. 

Sore drunken toe - April update 1

 Well, have just finished 4 early shifts in a row at my gorgeous vet's paradise and am a bit knackered now, decided I will update now, then hopefully update again this month after a boozy trip to Germany starting on Wednesday.

Chester was great as always, not a drop of rain all week, and the cottage and pubs were excellent. This time went to Chester Zoo, and a couple of trips to Manchester, during one of the the Coronation Street set was visited. I used to watch Corrie a lot in the past, now just a wee bit, but the street in undoubtably the most famous in the UK. Was strange to see it with my own eyes, now it changes your perception a bit when you see things on screen.

My body seems to be feeling it's age, first the toothache, then the knee, now an acute gout attack on my right foot big toe, to those that have never had gout, let me tell you the pain is off the charts and meant I was sleepless mostly for 2 days. The doctors being closed until tomorrow I just got on with it as I was working. Was a struggle though and driving or walking was not easy. Sure I did other exciting stuff but am a bit light headed at the moment, maybe the painkiller, or maybe the booze mixed with it!

Yes the photos show the gorgeous wee piepers, a shot from inside and outside the Rover's Return..

 

Sore sober knee

 Yes, it is rather early for an update, but am off down south to Chester tomorrow and I would probably forget, may do a wee update when I return if I remember.

Been an uneventful month so far, have met my steps target already which was helped by the decent weather and the lack of hangovers these last few weeks. Yes, have been off the booze for a month now and am sipping on a 0.0% beer as I write this. The sober era is due to end tomorrow either on the train south or in a pub when I arrive there. It has been fairly easy to stay off the drink, even been to the pub a few times for lime and soda or Guinness 0.0 and it's not a problem. Have lost about 4kg, so that's also good, maybe have to do this again in a few months if the weight creeps up, been doing this yearly since 2020, good for the liver and finances. I don't really know if it's the alcohol directly that leads to weight gain or the poor dietary choices you make when tipsy. I have been watching what I eat, not fanatically, but avoiding crisps etc most days.

Anyway, reaching my steps target early at one point didn't look likely as I have pain from the left knee which was quite severe when going up stairs or moving leg in certain positions. I even went to doctor yesterday, but was sent away with no prescription as it is expected to get better on it's own. Well, it doesn't seem too bad today, better than most days in last 2 weeks. At my age I guess you expect a few aches and pains so hopefully I can get back to long walks and some decent runs after my wee holiday.

Am meeting Oliver from Heidelberg in Manchester on Thursday, we will partake of a few beers, then he's off to a concert and I will be in train back to Chester. Oliver will then arrive in Chester on Friday for a week of fun and excess with us in the same place we stayed last year. 

Got another trip planned to Germany nearer end of April, but I will explain all that later, needless to say some familiar venues will be visited. Just as well my liver has now regenerated itself! 

Here are a few photos taken this month - a horny cow, a great painting of where I stay, and a typical round of non-alcoholic drinks in the pub.

Berwick, Newcastle and throbbing mouth

 Last day of February so I update now. Month started in Berwick-upon-Tweed, a place just over the border in England, hadn't really spent any time there before, but had passed through. It was quite a historical place with a wall more or less right round the centre (to keep the Scots out back then). It surpassed my expectations, was actually very nice, the place we were staying in-spent last 4 nights alone- was just over the bridge on the Tweedmouth side, just a 5 minute walk into centre of town. The weather really couldn't have been better, hardly a drop of rain, took the opportunity to travel by train down to Newcastle for a few hours, Newcastle being another place I had hardly been in before. All in all a good place to spend a week, and a good place to get over 10k steps every day, would go again. Perhaps the only downside were that the pubs weren't really up to much, probably the best being the Leaping Salmon (an ex-spoons) and The Thatch on the other side of river. I even got a couple of runs in-to Spittal- where there is a huge promenade and beach, so not very far from where I stayed. 

Got back home on the Friday, on the Saturday I went to work even though a toothache had started overnight. It got so bad I had to go home and called sick next day, was utter agony and had to wait until Monday to be seen by dentist. It was my lower right first molar, the one I had refilled a year ago, the one the previous dentist had screwed up when the Kinghorn surgery was still open, anyway it was semi-treated, then went back for root canal treatment a few days later. Was bloody expensive, almost £400 and it's not over yet as will be back in April for a crown, I don't like money much anyway..

The Monday after coming home was also the day of Davy Specs funeral, was my Auld Hoose pal for many years in Kinghorn, first time I had been to Dunfermline Crem, been at the Kirkcaldy one plenty times though.  

Got my steps target a couple of days back, well had a great start down south so wasn't likely to fail this month, also a few short runs, including yesterday and today from the Kissing Trees down into Kirkcaldy, only about 3k, so nothing too strenuous at my age! Maybe my increased activity this week is because I am now off the booze, well on day 5 anyway, hope to make the month before the next trip down to Chester and visit to Manchester. My liver is thankful for the holiday and need to lose another 3 kg.  

Here a few photos taken this month, I seem to like bridges, the long one in Berwick, the other the famous Newcastle one. The third is a stunning looking young man at the gate above entrance to Berwick town centre. 

Ancient old lucky driver

 Am updating now as I will be away over the border to Berwick-upon-Tweed tomorrow for a few days. Why there? Just one of those random decisions I make at night, been good in recent times visiting Carlisle, Ulverston, Whitby, Holmfirth etc, and it's a place I have passed through rather than spent any time in. Has the added advantage that carry-out booze should be a lot cheaper too as the SNP have hiked prices north of the border. Shouldn't take too long to get there, after all it may be in England, but nearest major place is Edinburgh. 

Not a fan of winter, hate it getting dark so early, though I have noticed that it is staying light a wee bit longer now, so that's good. It was sleeting when we headed to Norman and Gillian's for a meal on 5th January, my aunt and uncle that I didn't see a lot of growing up. It was fine, managed to get home ok.

A week or so later Davie Specs died, he was a character in the Auld Hoose in recent years and latterly in the Crown. Many of us have specs that Davie got us cheap or even free, was quiet close to him pre-pandemic, but less so since then unfortunately, there will be photos of him on here over the years for sure. Funeral in Dunfermline on 10 Feb, not too far from my vet's place. 

Talking of work I was driving there early on Sunday morning and hit black ice on the quarry road, before I knew what was happening I was all over the road and ended on a grass verge pointing the other way. Was very lucky there was no traffic on road at time because that could have been it for me otherwise. Luckily the car isn't damaged too.

I did survive and celebrated another birthday yesterday, mostly in the Auld Hoose, where I partook of several wee drams and a couple of shots. Don't remember coming home, but I must have had a Pot Noodle when I got in judging by the debris lying about. Took myself off to Kirkcaldy today for the Hair of the Dog, forced down a few and feel a wee bit better now, hopefully I will be out like a light when I go to bed. 

Made my steps target already on 28 January so been a bit of a lard arse since. Will be going booze-free at some point in February for a month, well it will have to be after 20 Feb as am going to the whisky evening in the Crown then :-) After the month it will be almost time for the next trip, this time down to Chester again, staying in same place as last year, is a great city. 

Photos show me in Auld Hoose on about pint 2, so I remember that bit, the cat is up the farm, had 4 kittens, super cute! Also the two bosses here, Kenny and Charlie, supervising everything in the living room. Need to hoover the carpet tomorrow before heading south, what a mess they take!

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.