Haggis night?

Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face,
Great chieftain o the puddin'-race!
Aboon them a' ye tak your place,
Painch, tripe, or thairm:
Weel are ye wordy of a grace
As lang's my arm.

As this is Robert Burns' night in the wonderful fairytale land of the Scots, I should be tucking into Haggis, neeps and tatties right now, but I'm not. Don't get me wrong, I like the minced up inner organs of a sheep, served in a sheep's stomach, as much as the next man, it's just not on the menu tonight.

Well this month is never my favourite, just been going to work and chilling at weekends, no massive long walks have been undertaken and nothing much of note has happened - unless you count the ongoing war between my seagull-obsessed neighbours and myself. It's a bloody joke that the old age mafia leave mountains of food out on a table when there are rats about, but , hey, I'm an easy going guy and am extremely patient....

No new photos taken recently my blog friends, I promise to do better from now on, here a couple from the archive.. a nice one of Seafield Tower just along the coast from me, and the cutest Maltese cat ever.

My birthday on Saturday, please don't spend too much on presents, see you all in the Auld Hoose?

Happy New Year!

I know it's traditional for me to say the year went quick, it did. In fact every year recently has seemed quick, isn't it funny how your perception of time and age change as the years go by? I can clearly remember thinking a friend of mine was ancient because he was about to turn 29! Don't think I'd think that now! Anyway, enough of my obsession with staying youthful, hope you've had a nice Xmas.

Talking of youthful, had an Australian relative visitor at Christmas and things went well, I remember her mum visiting a few years ago -well 1986 actually- here I go again!

Here a couple of photos, one shows my home town Burntisland covered in snow, the other of our down under damsel.

Winter wonderland

The snow has been here for a few days now, haven't made it in to work since Monday. The trains seem not to be running and even the Forth Road Bridge was closed. So much for global warming eh?

Here are a couple of photos I took yesterday.

 What better to warm up with than an Austrian Samichlaus beer? Brewed only on 6 December each year, it packs a powerful 14% punch! Prost!

Stalingrad

Getting to work today was like the advance to Stalingrad, I tried with the car, but the roads hadn't been gritted and a disaster was sure to happen, so back I came to Kinghorn, and just in time for the 6.30am train to South Gyle. The walk in from there took longer than usual due to the amount of snow but I arrived at my glorious workplace with only  a sore back to complain about (this has been playing up since Saturday).  A completely non-eventful day ensued that you don't want to hear about..

Amazing that it's already about 4 weeks since my West Highland Way adventure, the first 3 days were in sunshine! The later 4 were in almost constant rain, apart from a diversion for the last 5 miles, everything went very well, that's now 3 times I've completed it and that tells it's own story. Will have to buy boots, waterproof trousers, and a totally waterproof jacket before attempting other adventures however, have had my fill of almost freezing to death on the hills.  

Here are a couple of photos. My next trip is, of course, to the xmas markets in Heidelberg and Stuttgart, can only hope that the snow goes away because the airport has been closed for most of today! 

Trees and walk

Having heard the good news that the appeal of the evil builder to kill the tree I grew up opposite was thrown out, I got on a plane and flew over to Stuttgart. Over there the people were on the streets, and in the parks, protesting against Stuttgart 21, a scheme to create a quite unnecessary underground main station, obliterating the beautiful park and killing loads of ancient trees in the process. Hmmm seems a theme is developing..

Here are a few photos of the park and trees, all of which may be gone when I return there - already a large number have been felled, protesters held back by police water cannon. 

Now I've been back a couple of weeks, this is Thursday, and on Saturday I'm off again on the West Highland Way - I have never been so unprepared! Also, was ill for two days this week and now seem to have injured my back! Oh well, so be it, I'm off to start the walk from Glasgow to Fort William in any case, am sure a few drams or two of highland malt will dull the pain.

Will let you know later how I got on! The other photo is in a beer tent at the Volksfest, I don't think any of those pictured remembers it being taken..

Stunning cygnets

So that's almost September over, a month that has dragged a bit as I was feeling less than 100% for some of it - cue the violins - but now there is just a week to go until my trip to the Stuttgart Volksfest. Will be heading to the beer tents for beer, food, music, beer, schnapps, oh and a bit more beer! I might have the courage to go on a roller coaster or two as well after a stein or two of the local brew.

Walked down the Union Canal to Edinburgh city centre on Friday, a nice wee walk with a variety of ducks and swans to see. Yesterday I took a drive to the Hermitage forest and waterfall up in Perthshire, was a nice day. Even had a couple of nice pub meals so the weekend went well. Sunday blues have started to kick in now though, another 5am alarm call tomorrow! Plans for the West Highland Way are taking shape , the first 3 nights accommodation booked, come on October lets be having you.

Here are a couple of recent photos.

   

Lovely day

August has gone predictably quickly, already my thoughts are on October and another West Highland Way adventure. Yes people, I'm doing it again! Not had any work-free weekdays since last update so any adventures were limited to weekends. Went walking a few times, including a Crail to St Andrews extravaganza that was blessed by good weather, nothing compared to today though which has been brilliant, sun has been shining all day and I, because I treated myself to a holiday today, walked out to Black Rock and on to Aberdour. Had to make the most of it because there will be constant rain and wind before long.  Here are photos of the gorgeous beach and Arthur's Seat over in Edinburgh.    

Totally stiff

Hello again! I've always liked July, there's Wimbledon, the British Open golf and, this year, the World Cup. But now that's all history and it's time to get off the sofa and stop being lazy!

In the last couple of weeks I've embarked on a couple of long walks, first one from here to Hillend (there just happens to be a nice pub there) and yesterday, a monster trek from here to Dalmeny, with brief stops in local watering holes in Aberdour, Inverkeithing, North Queensferry and South Queensferry along the way. Then it was on to Edinburgh by train for an hour or two -attending a colleague's leaving do-before returning back here.

I guess Tavis and I must have covered about 20 miles in total and my legs feel it today!!Taking it easy today, not leaving the flat, not for anything.. will have to raise my fitness levels for my autumn walking extravaganza in the highlands. Plans are yet to be finalized but I'll keep you updated. Fancy coming along??

Here are a couple of random photos from the archive, unfortunately I forgot to take camera with me yesterday!  One is a rare one of me with the cast on the broken arm, taken in Stuttgart, the other from a Portugese beach, oh how I'd like to be there now..though the hat is fashion suicide!

Schönes Flugzeug

Well it's almost the end of another month and summer seems well under way, surely this good weather can't last though can it? 

Have been over in Germany since the last update - flew to Leipzig (the city of my relative youth) and spent time in Landsberg near Halle at a birthday celebration. Also found time to go to Berlin for the air show at Schönefeld airport. Have to admit that the planes there were impressive-both old and new- and it was a surprise to see a Messerschmitt 262, the first operational jet fighter, still flying.

Since my return I've been glued to the TV watching the world cup and Wimbledon, well it's a summer tradition isn't it? Plus it gives one a good excuse to crack open the beers early doors - am enjoying a Westmalle trappist ale as I write this, having ordered it in via an excellent beer website.

Some things never change though - the English media saying England are really great, that the world cup is theirs for the taking, and then disaster...so predictable. Still, us Scottish never revel in the misfortune of our friends down south, though my English neighbours next door did not take kindly to me flying a German flag from my window. Of course, I was just showing my support for my favourite foreign football team, and was not a personal attack on my lovely pigeon-feeding sassenach neighbours homeland :-p. 

Photo shows an Me 262, the Kaps family boozers, and me after a refreshment or two during the trip.

 

Burnt fizzog

Hello again, been back at work for some weeks now, was nice to get away for a couple of weeks however. Spent a few days in Germany with a week in Malta in between. 

Caught some sunshine in Malta as one of these photos show! Actually that one was taken on a boat (now converted into a pub/restaurant) allegedly once owned by Errol Flynn - hence the pictures of him on the side of the boat behind me. Another hell-raiser with a Malta connection is Oliver Reed, who died after a heavy session in the pub I am pictured staggering out of! The other photo is of the Maltese capital Valletta, taken from the ferry.

Just another week or so before my next trip abroad, this time to eastern Germany. Hope the volcanic ash doesn't return to scupper my plans. Will be over there when the world cup starts, another excuse to head to the beergardens, not that I need one!

Monstrous carbuncle

Well, I'm off for the next couple of weeks and am due to fly to the usual place in Europe tomorrow, we'll see if the aftermath of the volcanic ash scuppers my plans. Anyway, I'm not getting the Sunday blues today and I'm well relaxed, watching the snooker and even ironing a couple of t-shirts I'm planning to take abroad. I always travel light so you'll not want to be seated next to me on the return flight, it's OK when I travel out, the clothes are clean then..

Not been on any long distance monster walks these last 3 weeks or so, but did walk along to Kirkcaldy a couple of times, one of the photos shows the most horrible architectural monstrosity on the promenade. How buildings like this were given planning permission I'll never know. Other photo shows nephews who came here on Thursday night. The eldest said he wanted to go to America, his mother replied "even your uncle Alan hasn't been there" to which the nephew replied "yeah, he's always going to Germany, that's why." He's right, am off tomorrow again. 

Ancient tree

I just can't believe I forgot to update in March, I know many of you were eagerly awaiting the March update and..well, I meant to but forgot, that's what happens when you reach my advanced age. Anyway, last month went out with a bit of a snow storm but today is stunning and gorgeous, just like me..

Have booked a couple of flights abroad because it's good to have something to look forward to after these hellish months of snow and ice. What I been up to? Well, this and that, I have had a tree on my mind for a lot of the time, a tree that I grew up beside (more exactly opposite) and is about 150 years old, so even it is older than me! A local cowboy builder had plans to kill it and build shoddy flats over the ancient roots but my dad and I gathered a posse and defeated his nonsensical plans, though he can appeal the council's decision. I will keep you all posted on developments, and provide you with better photos of the gorgeous tree than this one I took.

Went walking last weekend, intended to go to Crail but the roads were closed for some reason or other so got off bus in Elie instead and walked again to Leven from there. The Chain Walk could not be attempted because of high tide, believe me, I would have drowned this time!  

Here are a few photos, one is of the wonderful tree, one is of my local pub, the other is of Earlsferry, near the Chain Walk.  

 

Bye bye February

It's amazing that two months are already gone, every year gets quicker. What have I been up to? Well, this and that, I went to Elie and walked to Leven, which included the famous chain walk. I hadn't even thought about my dodgy wrist/arm before attempting this, but was reminded by a considerable amount of pain while halfway up a cliff face. Still, the tide wasn't totally in and I managed it. For those that don't know, when the tide is in, any mistake can be deadly, indeed it has claimed many people over the years.

Stunning bridges

Hello people! The snow has finally gone, being happy about it probably means I'm an old git now! Still, driving is possible again so that's good. Just back from work, just had a bottle of Schlenkerla Rauchweizen (a most magnificent smoked wheat beer from Bamberg) and life ain't so bad afterall, all you'd need is a wee dram of Laphroaig Islay single malt whisky to make things perfect..which reminds me, I have some left in the bottle under the sink! :-))

Here are a couple of photos from Saturday 9 January, when I and a couple of comrades walked from South Queensferry to Burntisland, the snow was great, I don't mind it when I'm not in the car, nice purple hat eh? Perhaps we take the Forth Rail and Road Bridges for granted but I wouldn't be without them..

Happy New Year!

It's been a hectic couple of months and another year is almost over, I know I've been more depressing than Morrisey recently so I'll not write how every year goes quicker etc etc. Got the cast off my broken right arm and can even drive again now, so that's good. And the snow! So much last week, first time I'd seen that much since '93. Hope you all had a stunning Xmas and are about to celebrate 2010. Here are a couple of photos because I finally got around to getting a new camera, tried using the cartoon feature so that's why the photos look funny. One shows my parents and younger sister, the other shows the most wonderful day- the wedding of my parents ( I took a photo of the photo you see, I was not there...honest..I had too much of a hangover to attend..) :-).

Broken boned depressive..

Well, a lot has happened since the last update and I apologise for the lack of new photos, will get around to getting a new camera soon. First, I spent two weeks in Glasgow getting training at the network O2, I shall be training new people in due course back in the capital. Also, well, I broke my lower arm and wrist in a fall running for a train last week, those who know me will know my obsession with not missing trains and buses. Think I might change my behaviour because I was in hospital for a couple of days and had an operation under general anaesthetic. Also, the cast I've on is really beginning to annoy me. I stick a plastic bag over it for showering but it makes the hand sweat - at least it's the left..

My planned trip to Germany looks like it will also be delayed as the work are demanding I train O2 trainees! Hellloo, I had this trip planned for weeks..!

Oh well, so ist das Leben, sorry I'm not my witty self, will try to do better in future. Picture shows a great discovery - ham flavoured schnapps! Went down a treat it did!

lovely bison and large lagers

Hello again! I had a good time up in Newtonmore in the Highlands, did lots of walking and even collected mushrooms and won a pub quiz! Afterwards I flew out to the Volksfest in Stuttgart, there I did not touch a drop of beer or schnapps..NOT..and, as we all know, two negatives make a positive! Been back at work for a couple of weeks now, been pretty uneventful but I heard at end of last week that I've to spend this week in Glasgow..in the Weeg!! We'll see how it goes but the chaotic arrangements for this do not fill me with confidence. Oh, I saw Colin the dog and 4 of his pals today, he said to say hello to my blog readers, smart doggie he is..

Thanks to Dr Reddick for arriving with the best medicine for my recent ailments - genuine German Oktoberfest beer! I actually woke up feeling semi-normal after a week or so of feeling bad. So you know what to do if the flu gets you - crack open the beers and start drinking. The aforementioned Reddick even demonstrated-several times- how the medicine should be taken!

Here are a couple of photos from my recent adventures. One is from the Highland Wildlife Park, the other from a Stuttgart beer tent.

Fortnight free!

Yes folks, after tomorrow I am on holiday for 2 weeks!! Am heading up north for a week before heading to Germany for a beer festival for 3 days. Well, I think I deserve some chill time, been a bit too stressed out to be my witty and charming normal self recently ;-) !!

Will have to get a new camera soon, mine has been broken for months now, apologies for not posting stunning new images of myself. I should have gone to Dallas..that is where my future is..I dreamt that last night that Pam and Sue Ellen were fighting it out to be with me, had my fingers crossed for Pam...but then the alarm went off, why does that ALWAYS happen!! Still, no alarms for a couple of weeks! yeee haaa.

Time machine

I always find August a difficult month to write anything, I don't know why, this year it's maybe because I've not been anywhere different or done much (at least nothing I want in the public domain ;-) ). It's been a bog standard non-eventful month, getting up early and going to bed early too, at least I have a couple of weeks off at the end of September. Wish I had a time machine, I was looking at a book about dinosaurs with my nephew earlier on, he asked if I remember them..well, I guess I almost do. Even going back in my time machine a hundred years or so would be great, maybe then I could have been witness to the death of my great-grandfather, who died aged 32 in 1906- I live in the same town, here is the grave. I always tend to get the blues on a Sunday, will be more cheerful once Monday is over!!

Teutonic vandalism and TV resurrection

Well, here I am on a Wednesday, just back from work, sifting through the wreckage of a visit by Clemens. As Winston Churchill almost said "Never in the field of human drinking have so many beers been consumed by so few"..or something like that anyway.

Unfortunately it was not only my liver that Clemens set out to destroy - my trusty digital camera packed in, meaning I could take no photos of our various adventures. The camera on my mobile is pants so the couple of photos of Highland Games Day in Burntisland appear courtesy of Tavis' mobile. Clem also buggered my TV, it doesn't work after I left him to continue boozing because I had to get up early for work. This joins the record player -that has never recovered from Oli's ill-fated Scottish job search- in the German attempt at breaking everything in my flat..

Aaahhhhhhhhh the TV has sprung back into life!! A miracle has occurred! Gott sei dank!

Had a good long walk from Tay Bridge to St Andrews on Saturday, it's about 18 miles but mostly a scenic route, something similar will be attempted this coming weekend too, sometimes just getting out there is good for the mind and soul. More later blog fans!

Inviting..

Invited to the USA for a wedding, to Australia for a barbeque with stunning sheilas, to Kirkcaldy for a piss-up..so what do I do? Choose Kirkcaldy, then decide my village is better so don't go anywhere. What's up?

Who possibly could refuse the big KDY? I must be mad.

Here a photo of my lovely flat, those who know will know..Schönes Wochenende!

Nanny state and strange wetness

How come my hits counter is stuck at 590? It was always nice to know how many people had nothing better to do other than read my weird thoughts and look at photos of me in some pub or other. Well, I'll not disappoint you, one of the photos shows me a couple of weeks ago in the Heidelberg Sonderbar, Clemens and Oli forcing me to drink copious amounts of beer, soon to be followed by some schnapps back at Clemens' place while listening to "So what" by the Anti-Nowhere League, an absolute must for connoisseurs of classic punk seshing.

The government here is always telling us how to live our lives, don't smoke that, don't drink this, blah blah. Increasing the price of booze seems to be their solution, obviously oblivious of the fact that most European countries have cheaper booze than us! If they wish to dictate to us how we should behave, perhaps using the other photo here would be better propaganda for them! I can just see the health-fascists rubbing their hands with glee..yes kids, don't drink to excess or you too will be unable to grow a proper beard, you too would fall unconscious on the gorgeous blue leather sofa of your host..and you too could have suspicious looking stains on your trousers.. That wasn't caused by spilling red wine! Oh the glory of it all!