I'm deep inside Edinburgh airport. Not got much energy right now, the place is too hot. Boarding commences in approx. 30 mins.
After almost 5 hours at work, went home and got stuck in gridlocked traffic for 20 mins. Abandoned car several streets away, walked went home, called taxi, waited 20 mins for it to make it through the traffic carnage. Jumped in cab eventually, the driver never checked who I was. Turned out I was in a cab to Haymarket station for a guy named Sean next door to me. My cab turned up 5 mins later apparently! Sean wasn't fast enough. Got calls on the mobile from the despatcher guy, don't think they he was happy! Didn't care. Had a good chat with the driver, he didn't care. He got a better fare out of me than he would from the other guy!
Eventually got to airport. Check-in queue opened right as I got there, so I speant a pleasant 30 mins talking to a Glaswegian couple in front of me. Went up to the 1st JD Wetherspoon's for a customary Heineken. Took it over to the comfy sofas I like at the Cornish Pasty Company, attracted attention of staff as I was in an unlicensed area. Had to leave. They never bothered enforcing these regulations before!
Back into JD's with beer, this did me a favour as decided it was time for food. Fish and chips. Superb feast. Expensive, but I drowned the chips in mayo as a bonus!
On the way to security bought F1 Racing magazine. Took ages to get through. I was picked for the random patdown despite having no metal left on me!
Now in the Walter Scott JD Wetherspoon's. Time to leave the country! Maybe the flight shall be delayed and I can get another Heineken. It's a long way to Spain...
Cheers,
Stu B
Friday, 23 December 2011
Saturday, 8 October 2011
Back in the UK - Back in Scotland. The Ochills
It's been almost 2 weeks since I returned home after the “vacation”. I went back to work too soon after T5 at Heathrow then Edimbourg, Ecosse on my return from Colorado etc. Suffered from jet-lag and general fatigue. It doesn't get any easier when you get older, but I have to preserve my holidays so rest days are not an option!
Straight into work related mayhem and pressure. However, no-one's interested in these tales of woe. We've all had it bad or better at one point or another, right?
I skipped hiking last weekend as I had to unwind. I also missed one of my sister’s birthday’s midweek before that as I literally did not have enough energy to make it through to Glasgow on a Wednesday night! I’m still embarrassed about that. She’ll get a card, present and dinner eventually. Honest.
This weekend was different. I had to do something this Saturday. I had a vague plan regardless of the weather. Woke up relatively early and saw the tail-end of the F1 Qualifying from Suzuka, Vettel grabbed it from MacLaren in a shocker. McD's for Breakfast (terrible). I can't digest that stuff anymore, or maybe the quality is nose-diving? Then Tesco for replenishment of my hiking beverages. They now have 6 packs of 400ml bottles of Mtn Dew. My main credit card got turned down, had to use another. Same one got turned down yesterday near work. I'll have to look into this as there’s no lack of credit.
Up across single lane of the Forth Road Bridge (weekend roadworks). Then into the 40mph average speed camera situation that is the M90 at the moment. Preparation for the eventual 2nd Forth Bridge, but it makes me paranoid. I was the slowest guy on the road for miles!
Turned off for Dollar. Overtaken by a couple of motorcyclists within a mile or so of the motorway on the narrower roads, which were definitely slippery in the damp conditions. Probably weekend warriors. Kill yourself with your risk-taking behaviour if you wish, but don’t take anyone else with you. My sympathies for you when it goes wrong are limited. Too be fair to these 2 guys, they probably just about knew what they were doing, but you still feel a bit responsible for them as they close in and overtake you on some of our roads...
Made to Dollar. Followed signs to top car park at Castle Campbell. First one there after the steep final 1st gear section. Damp. Went walking for what turned out to be 7.11 miles. Approx 4 hours. Got wetter and wetter. Quite enjoyed it in a perverse sense. Followed an ancient right of way/drovers road down to the Glenquey reservoir. I was essentially doing a random loop around the edges of the Ochills.
Went up top in the mist afterward from the head/dam of the reservoir. I was using the Garmin as a compass, although it only confirmed my natural sense of direction. I’d set off with an OS map that morning, but I didn’t want to get it out of the bag in the mist/wet and damage it. Wandered a bit on top. Crossed a dear fence. Didn’t want to fall from that ladder. The dampness made it more precarious. Kept going in the mist. In retrospect I should have got the OS map out and extended this damp hike for another mile or two.
The highest point (minor cairn was approx. 2125 feet according to the Garmin).
Followed a “path” down. Didn’t know exactly where I was, but I trusted the Garmin, my instincts and the traffic noise below. Biggest risk at this point was walking too fast on the steep, sodden path and breaking part of myself! Therefore I was very cautious.
Back to the car at Castle Campbell after 4 hours and 7.11 miles. Pathetic. I got to 2125 feet on something, then followed by instincts and the Garmin back down hillsides where only sheep go. I could hear traffic noise etc. far below to the south. Even an idiot like me knew that was Dollar or Tillicoutry.
I knew I wasn’t on the King’s Seat, but frankly in the mist did it matter? I could have stretched it out a bit for more miles/hours if I’d taken out the map, but today it really didn’t matter. Looked at the OS map when I got home, and confirmed I was near the King’s Seat if I’d headed a bit more west before coming down. Although I knew that already...
In the car I flew. 1st gear for engine braking initially down from Castle Campbell. I was nervous in case I met another vehicle coming up. It was pedestrians on the way down that caused an interruption. They split into separate sides of the narrow lane. Makes it impossible to pass at even 1st gear speed. Then of course there was an unmistakeable gesture of looking for some sort of help or advice. Got the window down to the talk to the middle-aged chap at my driver’s side. He was asking directions to Castle Campbell itself! I was quite co-operative and tried to explain that you drove to the top and walked the final bit. From what he said it then became apparent they’d probably parked further down and had now stopped me to ask the obvious! Can’t say I blame them. The signs never make it crystal clear, although the “clues” are always there. Maybe I should ask for a commission from the NTS? He said they were going to go back for their car and drive up. Couldn't quite understand this, as they were most of the way already? Go figure. I said "Cheers" and headed on downhill in 1st gear.
Whiteout conditions on the M9 after crossing the Forth by the newer bridge near Kincardine. I was flying past blundering (and possibly lost) people on the outside lane entry into the M9 due to my car’s current (and maybe driver’s) superior handling/skill and anticipation. Edinburgh was much the same. Many a blundering motorist. Are they all tourists or was it just the rain? Maybe a lot of drivers nowadays are paying more attention to their smartphones etc. than actually driving and staying in the right lane? Who knows? I drove right around some idiots, and almost felt it got back to normal when I let someone faster than me past on the M9. He was the only one, and believe me I wasn't trying. Maybe life is dumbing down? Of course, it wasn't workday (Mon-Fri) driving conditions. I acknowledge that too. Scary if that’s true, as there’s a whole bunch of developing countries that shall take us apart.
Now back at home. Trying to fill in the missing blog entries from Sept 2011. I’m going to enjoy recollecting bits of it!
Straight into work related mayhem and pressure. However, no-one's interested in these tales of woe. We've all had it bad or better at one point or another, right?
I skipped hiking last weekend as I had to unwind. I also missed one of my sister’s birthday’s midweek before that as I literally did not have enough energy to make it through to Glasgow on a Wednesday night! I’m still embarrassed about that. She’ll get a card, present and dinner eventually. Honest.
This weekend was different. I had to do something this Saturday. I had a vague plan regardless of the weather. Woke up relatively early and saw the tail-end of the F1 Qualifying from Suzuka, Vettel grabbed it from MacLaren in a shocker. McD's for Breakfast (terrible). I can't digest that stuff anymore, or maybe the quality is nose-diving? Then Tesco for replenishment of my hiking beverages. They now have 6 packs of 400ml bottles of Mtn Dew. My main credit card got turned down, had to use another. Same one got turned down yesterday near work. I'll have to look into this as there’s no lack of credit.
Up across single lane of the Forth Road Bridge (weekend roadworks). Then into the 40mph average speed camera situation that is the M90 at the moment. Preparation for the eventual 2nd Forth Bridge, but it makes me paranoid. I was the slowest guy on the road for miles!
Turned off for Dollar. Overtaken by a couple of motorcyclists within a mile or so of the motorway on the narrower roads, which were definitely slippery in the damp conditions. Probably weekend warriors. Kill yourself with your risk-taking behaviour if you wish, but don’t take anyone else with you. My sympathies for you when it goes wrong are limited. Too be fair to these 2 guys, they probably just about knew what they were doing, but you still feel a bit responsible for them as they close in and overtake you on some of our roads...
Made to Dollar. Followed signs to top car park at Castle Campbell. First one there after the steep final 1st gear section. Damp. Went walking for what turned out to be 7.11 miles. Approx 4 hours. Got wetter and wetter. Quite enjoyed it in a perverse sense. Followed an ancient right of way/drovers road down to the Glenquey reservoir. I was essentially doing a random loop around the edges of the Ochills.
Went up top in the mist afterward from the head/dam of the reservoir. I was using the Garmin as a compass, although it only confirmed my natural sense of direction. I’d set off with an OS map that morning, but I didn’t want to get it out of the bag in the mist/wet and damage it. Wandered a bit on top. Crossed a dear fence. Didn’t want to fall from that ladder. The dampness made it more precarious. Kept going in the mist. In retrospect I should have got the OS map out and extended this damp hike for another mile or two.
The highest point (minor cairn was approx. 2125 feet according to the Garmin).
Followed a “path” down. Didn’t know exactly where I was, but I trusted the Garmin, my instincts and the traffic noise below. Biggest risk at this point was walking too fast on the steep, sodden path and breaking part of myself! Therefore I was very cautious.
Back to the car at Castle Campbell after 4 hours and 7.11 miles. Pathetic. I got to 2125 feet on something, then followed by instincts and the Garmin back down hillsides where only sheep go. I could hear traffic noise etc. far below to the south. Even an idiot like me knew that was Dollar or Tillicoutry.
I knew I wasn’t on the King’s Seat, but frankly in the mist did it matter? I could have stretched it out a bit for more miles/hours if I’d taken out the map, but today it really didn’t matter. Looked at the OS map when I got home, and confirmed I was near the King’s Seat if I’d headed a bit more west before coming down. Although I knew that already...
In the car I flew. 1st gear for engine braking initially down from Castle Campbell. I was nervous in case I met another vehicle coming up. It was pedestrians on the way down that caused an interruption. They split into separate sides of the narrow lane. Makes it impossible to pass at even 1st gear speed. Then of course there was an unmistakeable gesture of looking for some sort of help or advice. Got the window down to the talk to the middle-aged chap at my driver’s side. He was asking directions to Castle Campbell itself! I was quite co-operative and tried to explain that you drove to the top and walked the final bit. From what he said it then became apparent they’d probably parked further down and had now stopped me to ask the obvious! Can’t say I blame them. The signs never make it crystal clear, although the “clues” are always there. Maybe I should ask for a commission from the NTS? He said they were going to go back for their car and drive up. Couldn't quite understand this, as they were most of the way already? Go figure. I said "Cheers" and headed on downhill in 1st gear.
Whiteout conditions on the M9 after crossing the Forth by the newer bridge near Kincardine. I was flying past blundering (and possibly lost) people on the outside lane entry into the M9 due to my car’s current (and maybe driver’s) superior handling/skill and anticipation. Edinburgh was much the same. Many a blundering motorist. Are they all tourists or was it just the rain? Maybe a lot of drivers nowadays are paying more attention to their smartphones etc. than actually driving and staying in the right lane? Who knows? I drove right around some idiots, and almost felt it got back to normal when I let someone faster than me past on the M9. He was the only one, and believe me I wasn't trying. Maybe life is dumbing down? Of course, it wasn't workday (Mon-Fri) driving conditions. I acknowledge that too. Scary if that’s true, as there’s a whole bunch of developing countries that shall take us apart.
Now back at home. Trying to fill in the missing blog entries from Sept 2011. I’m going to enjoy recollecting bits of it!
Return to the Alamo and the Long Way Home
Content to go here. Maybe. Eventually. Hopefully before the next "vacation".
Manitou Springs and her Incline
Content to go here. Maybe. Eventually. Hopefully before the next "vacation".
Gunnison and it's Black Canyon
Content to go here. Maybe. Eventually. Hopefully before the next "vacation".
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