Toilets

Just finished doing some homework for my German Open University course, it's pretty rarely I do that so I thought I'd let you all know. As for photos, I think toilets are today's theme, have a look at what Portugal and a bar in Stuttgart have to offer..

Oh dearie me

This is a cautionary tale for every country and every generation, the story of what happens when an otherwise civilised and cultured drinking establishment surrenders it's credibility by serving, not only lager, but 12 year old single Islay malt whisky to an amateur from Kirkcaldy by the name of Tavis.

Note his inability to even look in the general direction of the camera as he ogles the talent of Lower Largo disappearing into the distance. Hardly surprising judging by the stain on his trousers! Oh the glory of it all!

Some recent photos

Some lovely photos of Kirkcaldy, my youngest nephew and my back garden- before I cut the grass earlier on. Stunning eh?

All blogged out?

Someone I met last year said of this blog "yeah, it's alright, in fact it's quite funny (it was maybe in August 06 sometime, anyway a while ago) but why do you have one"?

Unless one or two of my loyal readers can provide a reason to continue, I'll maybe stop torturing you all with the joyfulness of my many adventures. I can hardly spill the beans on my Errol Flynnesque adventures without the encouragement of my fanbase! Obviously the picture has nothing to do with what I've written..who cares?

I was 8 then, the other is Seafield Tower just along the coast from me. Walked past it today on my way to get a much needed haircut in Kirkcaldy. Please note the highly professional shadow of the photo taker!

Historical places

I've always wanted to visit Dallas. Why? Well, I was a fan of the TV series (oh the shame of admitting it- those visits to US Soap fan anonymous have obviously paid off) but that wasn't the reason really. It was more to do with seeing the scene of the JFK assassination, scenes of great historical events have always been fascinating to me. I've been to a few places here in Scotland, and the rest of the UK for that matter, but history seems to occur in other countries too..

This photo, taken last August shows me - no, not having a pee, nor anything else (my eyes were closed due to the sun!) - in the exact location of the Berlin Führerbunker. This was exactly the place where Adolf and Eva were set alight.

Obrigado

Just back from a week on the Algarve. I also celebrated my umpteenth 21st birthday while there. Weather was very warm most of the time, the local beer was very good and the food was great.

Now I'm back in dreichland and not feeling too cheerful about it. Arrived back yesterday after our aircraft made an unscheduled stop in Brest to let a very ill traveler off the plane (luckily it wasn't the pilot). I mean, if someone had told me I'd be seeing plenty of "brest" on my holidays I'd be over the moon. Still, as this photo proves, I saw plenty of something else!! :-)

Ich bin's wieder

Yeah, I know it's been a long time but it's been one of those months, not boring you understand, it's just been..oh whatever. Anyway, I had a bad day at work, got totally stressed and needed to chill. I went along to the Harbour Bar (one of the few bars where I bring the average age down a decade or two by entering) and had two or three pints with a couple of old chinas of mine. Being in a money saving mood I walked back from there to here- only took an hour or so and I needed to burn a few calories after the chinese I had earlier.

Am off from work for over a week now, I'll let you know how I spent it. This picture has nothing to do with what I've just been writing (I left the digital camera at home), still it should be appreciated by a couple of people I know.. Well, I'd consider going to places like Naples more if I understood the lingo. Restoring the borders of 1228 would make foreign travel so much better.. only one language to learn..

2007? Already?

Hope you all had a good new year.

I posted something here in the early hours of New Year's day I think..but on sober reflection I removed it. God knows why considering the embarrasing updates I've posted over the last few months! So I guess my New Year's resolution is to publish and be damned, I only write truth or semi-truth anyway and everyone thinks I'm great..

Had only a couple of days off during the Xmas period so I'm not half glad the rest of you malingering bstards will be going back to the grind too! Then again, I know one or two people who have never worked- a few colleagues for instance.. Maybe I should marry someone rich and lead a life of luxury, I made a bad decision dumping Athena Onassis, think I'll maybe give her a second chance.

The photo shows my hardworking sister Kath, Philip and Rhys. The boys seem unconcerned that their chimney sweeping duties await!! ha haaa

I'll get you my pretty..

Had a quiet, traditional Xmas dinner along at my parents, then visited others. Hope you have had a good one. Took a few photos with the new camera of course, this one is me doing my "Wizard of Oz" wicked witch impersonation..

Shopping

Had today off which was nice. Got up about 11..bliss.. then headed out for lunch and then went shopping in Kirkcaldy. Suppose it's about time to start the Xmas mad rush! I managed to buy a few pressies-you can't go wrong with booze and chocolate! Still, have quite a few still to buy. Been playing around with a good value digital camera my mater bankrolled for me as a present today. The chaotic bookshelves reflect the owner's life at present. Shame I'd moved all the classsics of English literature to another part of the living room, leaving mindbuilding material such as Viz annuals etc on view!

Hello again!

I'm back! Was in Heidelberg first, visiting Clemens and family (which seems to include Oli these days- those who know will understand..). We went to our traditional haunts and, as usual, in the Sonderbar I asked for a traditional yuletide song to be played..TNT by ACDC..well, it's that kind of bar. Anyway, I got my Glühwein at the Xmas market and next day it was off to Stuttgart and a flight to Vienna. Vienna is a really nice city, took in some culture (e.g. Museums, Hofburg, St Stephen's Cathedral) and more Glühwein next to a huge floodlit church on Karl's Platz (see photo). The heated wine not half warms you up on cold winter evenings, so I was positively roasting when I staggered away from the christmas revellers, singing "Vienna" by Ultravox. We also went to the Prater, where we visited the Planetarium which was excellent. Next day Stuttgart awaited, our magnificent team (Me, Janet, Carla, Olivier) won the quiz in the English pub near the centre and gulped down the winner's Sekt with gusto.

Got back yesterday about midnight after about a 12 hour journey involving trams, trains, bus, planes but no automobiles. Good old Scotland...cold, dreich, but possessing a certain charm, at least it does now that I'm back.... ha haaaaaaa

Tschüss

They seek him here, they seek him there, those Frenchies seek him everywhere. Is he in heaven or is he in hell? That damned elusive..Black Toenail. Yes, a souvenir of the West Highland Way, the big toenail on the right has gone totally black, so at least a part of me has natural rhythm!

Ich verabschiede mich, werde die Woche in Deutschland und Wien verbringen.

Rainforest

It was my turn to drive to work today (I car-share with 3 others) and not only was an accident blocking the bridge causing massive tailbacks, but the weather was the worst it's been in ages. All this and it was still dark too- unsurprisingly I began thinking about how life could be better. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to escape this glorious country forever but at least 6 months of the year would surely be more enjoyable spent abroad in a place like Brazil. A friend, and former colleague of mine, sent this rather interesting picture of herself from that very country the other day- it certainly beats Edinburgh at rush hour! I know what you're thinking, and I agree, the rainforest by the sea looks lovely.

lazy

The "couple of pints" in Edinburgh actually ended up being about a couple of gallons. Texted a couple of people I probably shouldn't have. Nights like that, once common in my youth, are now rare however. Awoke this afternoon to find a half-eaten pizza sharing my bed - could have been worse I suppose!

Edited this blog entry today- Sunday. Should have headed along the coast today but ended up getting up very late again. Having one of those days when I can't be bothered doing anything at all, it was a struggle to switch even the PC on. Perhaps I should put some clothes on because I'm sure a neighbour saw me walking naked into the kitchen. Then again, why was she staring in?

The KKK took my baby away

Just watched a DVD about the Ramones, the right-wing guitarist stole the left-wing singer's girlfriend and the feud lasted about 20 years until one of them died, still, at least the singer wrote a good song about it. It seems it's not only members of famous bands that have problems like this. .

Was murder at work today but at least tomorrow is Friday, I'll go out for a couple in the capital after work, it's been a while since I tripped the light fantastic over there. I was thinking today, why is it that I always have to wait behind people who don't know how to work cash machines? I mean they've been a part of our lives for 20 odd years yet some old grannies act as if they have never seen one before. It's always when I'm in a rush to catch a train or bus too. Shame the KKK haven't taken the geriatric old bedwetters away too. Oohhh controversy..

darkness

Back into the normal routine now, getting up in darkness, going to work, coming back in darkness. It will be like this for ages now, how depressing. Well, I am going over to Europe in December so I've not too long to wait. After we got back from Fort William after our week-long, heroic, West Highland odyssey, we decided to do some Fife coastal walking too. This dreadful photo, taken by Tavis on his phone, shows the conquering highland heroes in a most unflattering light. I can assure my loyal reader(s) that we are really just good friends! Thanks for the camp pose Clemens.

Went to Lidl on way back from work- proper German Lentil soup on offer! Got myself a trolley and filled it up. Lovely jubbly.

Success

We finished the West Highland Way yesterday! Have a few blisters and some aches and pains but it was worth it. More later..

jetzt geht's los

It may be Friday night but I'm not enjoying myself too much, have a new rucksack but I've just discovered how little will fit in it! I've had to sacrifice tons of stuff already and there's more to take out if it is to be carried for a week on the West Highland Way. I'll try no to fash masel aboot it however. My walking companion will arrive from Germany in about 3 hours time, little does he know that I've been drinking the beer in the fridge I bought for him, what he's never had he'll never miss eh? I'm certainly looking forward to the weizenbock beer he's bringing me however :-p ha ha ha, he shouldn't have told me eh? Bis zum nächsten Mal!

Lyric

Was driving into work today with a lyric stuck in my head "No sex, no drugs, no wine, no women, no fun, no sin, no you, no wonder it's dark" and it took me a while to remember it was from "Turning Japanese" by the Vapors. It kinda sums up my..er..week so far, apart from the wine part of course!

wandered

I wandered lonely as a cloud that floats on high o'er vales and hills, when all at once I saw a pub, a host of golden Holsten Pils..

Walked along the coast with a couple of pals on Saturday, great weather, ended up partaking of liquid refreshment in an Aberdour Inn. Must get in practice for the West Highland Way afterall! The walking was good too.