Tuesday, July 27, 2004
A little snippet about the Western Coast and Western Isles of Scotland trip with my lovely Ma and Pop. We got on really well despite the rain every friggin' day! Tempers could have flared, but other than the odd niggle, we had much more laughing, cuddles and good times.
The trip started with two days in Althandu (above Ullapool on the mainland). Stayed with a mate of mine through work and his family's chalets. Great spot and the best seafood the folks and I have ever tasted I'd reckon! A bit of a laugh approaching a guy smoking a ciggie after driving his car into a ditch. Another passer by asked him 'You been drinkin'?' to which the smoker replied 'Yup'. No bones about it ;) Apparently it happens all the time up there according to the locals in the pub.
From there we caught the ferry from Ullapool across to the Isle of Lewis. Stornoway was totally booked out for accommodation due to the celtic music festival (of which I went to see Capercaillie with Mo and her friend Rachel - the folks came under sufferance, I was so proud of them :)
The most enjoyable time for the three of us was the five days on Lewis and Harris. Great folk, beautiful beaches, interesting history dating well B.C. and excellent hikes and running trails for me. My favourite plod was from our B&B in East Tarbert along the coast to Scalpay. About a 10 or 11 mile undulating run. Perhaps the highlight (especially for that flirty mother of mine) was catching the highland games and watching an extremely fine looking Scot from the Port of Nis throw weights and cabers, drag tractor tyres and lift concrete balls to win the heavy weight events.
From Harris we journeyed to Skye. The highlight was a boat trip on the Bella Jane to Lake Coruisk and a walk to the base of the ominous and mighty black cuillin mountains. We stayed right on the quaint harbour of Portree . I freaked the hotel manager out when he spotted me on the other side of town at 7am running towards the Old Man of Storr in the drizzle.
Our final destination was to colleagues'/friends' cottage 'Lighthouse View' on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula in the village of Kilchoan. It was a beautiful drive along the coast via Glenfinnan and Loch Shiel and a perfect spot to catch the ferry over to the delightful town of Tobermory, on the Isle of Mull. I spent a good hour watching the sunset from the lighthouse.
Unfortunately, the drive home was shrouded in rain and the folks (as last their visit) got to see nothing from the car but the windscreen wipers brush aside the buckets of water. Pity, as Glen Coe is just stunningly beautiful (if) when the sun shines!
Happily, since our return, the sun has shone on us in Edinburgh. Mum and Dad have taken off to St. Andrews today (of course - those golfing freaks!) and left me slaving away over a dull desk. Quite the build up after 2 weeks away, particularly with that mail out the folks helped me with!
I have posted some of my own pictures on the webshots link below
http://community.webshots.com/album/167656025lGoIcR so check those out if you're interested.
Until next time... X
The trip started with two days in Althandu (above Ullapool on the mainland). Stayed with a mate of mine through work and his family's chalets. Great spot and the best seafood the folks and I have ever tasted I'd reckon! A bit of a laugh approaching a guy smoking a ciggie after driving his car into a ditch. Another passer by asked him 'You been drinkin'?' to which the smoker replied 'Yup'. No bones about it ;) Apparently it happens all the time up there according to the locals in the pub.
From there we caught the ferry from Ullapool across to the Isle of Lewis. Stornoway was totally booked out for accommodation due to the celtic music festival (of which I went to see Capercaillie with Mo and her friend Rachel - the folks came under sufferance, I was so proud of them :)
The most enjoyable time for the three of us was the five days on Lewis and Harris. Great folk, beautiful beaches, interesting history dating well B.C. and excellent hikes and running trails for me. My favourite plod was from our B&B in East Tarbert along the coast to Scalpay. About a 10 or 11 mile undulating run. Perhaps the highlight (especially for that flirty mother of mine) was catching the highland games and watching an extremely fine looking Scot from the Port of Nis throw weights and cabers, drag tractor tyres and lift concrete balls to win the heavy weight events.
From Harris we journeyed to Skye. The highlight was a boat trip on the Bella Jane to Lake Coruisk and a walk to the base of the ominous and mighty black cuillin mountains. We stayed right on the quaint harbour of Portree . I freaked the hotel manager out when he spotted me on the other side of town at 7am running towards the Old Man of Storr in the drizzle.
Our final destination was to colleagues'/friends' cottage 'Lighthouse View' on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula in the village of Kilchoan. It was a beautiful drive along the coast via Glenfinnan and Loch Shiel and a perfect spot to catch the ferry over to the delightful town of Tobermory, on the Isle of Mull. I spent a good hour watching the sunset from the lighthouse.
Unfortunately, the drive home was shrouded in rain and the folks (as last their visit) got to see nothing from the car but the windscreen wipers brush aside the buckets of water. Pity, as Glen Coe is just stunningly beautiful (if) when the sun shines!
Happily, since our return, the sun has shone on us in Edinburgh. Mum and Dad have taken off to St. Andrews today (of course - those golfing freaks!) and left me slaving away over a dull desk. Quite the build up after 2 weeks away, particularly with that mail out the folks helped me with!
I have posted some of my own pictures on the webshots link below
http://community.webshots.com/album/167656025lGoIcR so check those out if you're interested.
Until next time... X
Friday, July 09, 2004
I've been hankering for a decent feed of sushi. When I was living in Vancouver, I ate it at least once a week. There wasn't a block without a half decent sushi bar or restaurant on it. Here in Edinburgh there are two accessible options for Japanese, Yo Below, which I think has recently gone into receivership and a wee restaurant up the road from my office, Bonsai.
Making sushi seems to be the only option...
Last time I made sushi was with my Malaysian/Kiwi flattie, Evelyn. We got all the best raw salmon, avocado, cucumber, seaweed wrap, lovely fresh herbs, and even wasabi and soy sauce and wrapped them all up using magazines... it was a good laugh and very yummy reward as a result!
But that was about 5-6 years ago.
Last night my sushi companion was... Nick! Yes, new man on the scene. Fab guy who I am having a lot of fun with. Cleared his dining table and spread all the ingredients out.. and proceeded to get very messy as you can well imagine ;)
It's so nice to feel that spark again. Was feeling decidely shelved, and I do believe the shelf has been dismantled. It's kind of a pity timing wise that I am heading up the West Coast with my parents on Monday for 2 weeks. However, I am really looking forward to the wilds of Scotland and some quality time with my lovely folks (but it will be exciting to return home too!)
Speaking of my lovely parents... a quick plug at what gems they are... they have done my gardening, d.i.y.ed about the flat, shopped for me, mum has cooked for me and to absolutely go above and beyond the call of duty, came into the office yesterday and stuffed over 300 envelopes for my study mail out! God love them! I love them that's for sure!
I'll be away with them for two weeks, the first port of call being a mate's chalet in Port Beag. Looking forward to seeing David H. again. He's a cheeky big Irish man who sings Danny Boy when he's pissed like no other ;) Good mate's rates too! More on the McGorm Haggis Tour on my return in a coupla weeks! Och Aye The Noooooooo
Making sushi seems to be the only option...
Last time I made sushi was with my Malaysian/Kiwi flattie, Evelyn. We got all the best raw salmon, avocado, cucumber, seaweed wrap, lovely fresh herbs, and even wasabi and soy sauce and wrapped them all up using magazines... it was a good laugh and very yummy reward as a result!
But that was about 5-6 years ago.
Last night my sushi companion was... Nick! Yes, new man on the scene. Fab guy who I am having a lot of fun with. Cleared his dining table and spread all the ingredients out.. and proceeded to get very messy as you can well imagine ;)
It's so nice to feel that spark again. Was feeling decidely shelved, and I do believe the shelf has been dismantled. It's kind of a pity timing wise that I am heading up the West Coast with my parents on Monday for 2 weeks. However, I am really looking forward to the wilds of Scotland and some quality time with my lovely folks (but it will be exciting to return home too!)
Speaking of my lovely parents... a quick plug at what gems they are... they have done my gardening, d.i.y.ed about the flat, shopped for me, mum has cooked for me and to absolutely go above and beyond the call of duty, came into the office yesterday and stuffed over 300 envelopes for my study mail out! God love them! I love them that's for sure!
I'll be away with them for two weeks, the first port of call being a mate's chalet in Port Beag. Looking forward to seeing David H. again. He's a cheeky big Irish man who sings Danny Boy when he's pissed like no other ;) Good mate's rates too! More on the McGorm Haggis Tour on my return in a coupla weeks! Och Aye The Noooooooo
Sunday, July 04, 2004
Now I'm no jazz buff, but when Ben and I walked into Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club last Friday night, I felt as if I was transported into some glamorous 50s movie. Any minute I expected Sammy Davis Jnr or Dean Martin to come out and start strutting their stuff... but they're dead, so that's just silly.
We trained and tubed it straight from Heathrow airport and arrived with our luggage looking a little disheveled. After checking our bags into coat-check we tried to look as cool as possible as we were escorted by a smooth suited maitre-de to our corner table. The room was hazy with smoke, red lamps glowed on the tables, cats were sitting at the back with their sunglasses on, and all were sipping red wine or martinis. We ordered the most expensive bottle of white wine and sipped away the hours to IRAKERE featuring CHUCHO VALDÉS a Grammy Award winning cuban pianist. Magnificent. And the lead singer was an awesome beautiful big black woman with a voice as rich as chocolate.
Between sets, Ben and I also talked about our relationship that night and discussed how much time we spend together, more time than I think I have ever spent with most boyfriends! I had to admit that I was walking the fence and I could fall either way into a relationship or just settle in to a great friendship. We decided on the latter. It was a huge relief to finally discuss it and establish exactly where we are, as there is a LOT of talk by people about us. I suspect the reason I haven't met anyone in the time I've been here is that he and I are always in each others' company. He asked if I wanted to stop all our shared activities and of course I don't!!! I think my greatest fear is that when he and/or I start seeing other people, we'll lose this closeness. Of course it will change things somewhat, but we promised to be aware that friendships are forever and to make sure our relationship wasn't negatively impacted upon by others!
With the live jazz over and a standing ovation, we ventured upstairs to the club and danced salsa until close. Ben was a great leader and I actually felt like I could dance!? Gee, Dad, who would have thought after all those years of private school, ballroom dancing lessons and deportment classes... it may actually have paid off?!!?
As if Ronnie Scotts wasn't reason enough, the main purpose of the journey to London was that I had court 1 tickets to Wimbledon. Of course I pick the one day in years that it is totally rained out. The two most exciting things we saw were Mark Phillipoussos leaving the grounds and the bottom of a glass of Pimms. Such a shame as we had got all glammed up and excited with our line up of watching Federer, Roddick and Mauresmo.
After a sleep from sheer boredom, we met up with long time friends, Lucy and Jonny Wood, in a chic restaurant run by Geoffery Moore (Roger's son) called Hush. I forgot that Lucy has lost all budget sense and the meal (although very good) came to £70 each... I could have bought a new pair of running shoes with that... and I need a new pair of trainers!!! Good company, lovely red wine (suspect that was the culprit) and fine food, and empty wallet... sign of a good night I guess.
The Sunday morning I left Ben snoozing (in separate beds of course!!) in my friend Todd's flat in Hammersmith. This is a great location near public transport and across the road from the Thames River and Hammersmith Bridge. Really grateful for him letting us use the place whilst he was away with the 'inlaws' for the w/e. I felt the urge to detox myself of the rich excesses of the nights before. I was surprised at what an enjoyable run it was along that stretch of the Thames. A lovely sunny day with other people out jogging, roller blading, cycling, pushing strollers with their kiddies, and bevvying in the beer gardens of pubs. I basically ran under Hammersmith Bridge and along to Barnes Bridge , crossed over and along the leafy trails to cross back over Hammersmith Bridge. Probably an 8-10km jog and extremely pleasant. Barely any traffic to bother with.
Collected Ben from the Odd Spot coffee shop and headed in to town. Met Lucy and Jonny, plus other friends Nicki and Richard, and Ben's 'bit on the side' ;) from the other weekend, Bella (a friend of a mutual friend of ours and a nice lass! Nothing doing Ben reckons as she is 'a bit of a Londoner' what ever that means?!) We all congregated at the Tate Modern for a lunch with a view. The Tate Modern isn't my bag, and the Edward Hopper exhibit was ridiculously busy, so we just aimlessly strolled along the Thames until we got to the first pub with outdoor seating and plonked ourselves down with a couple of jugs of Pimms. We dispersed by 5pm, not only because Ben and I had to get going to Heathrow, but the heaven's opened, and the sun was no more. A pretty apt ending, the Wimbledon experience considered.
Ben was collected by three mates from Edinburgh airport and whisked away 'up north' to go camping. Had to laugh when I got a text from him at 2:45am that he had attempted to put the tent up... without any poles; they were still sitting in his living room...
This is a long post. I'll give you a breather... For my next installment... the dating game... stay tuned.
We trained and tubed it straight from Heathrow airport and arrived with our luggage looking a little disheveled. After checking our bags into coat-check we tried to look as cool as possible as we were escorted by a smooth suited maitre-de to our corner table. The room was hazy with smoke, red lamps glowed on the tables, cats were sitting at the back with their sunglasses on, and all were sipping red wine or martinis. We ordered the most expensive bottle of white wine and sipped away the hours to IRAKERE featuring CHUCHO VALDÉS a Grammy Award winning cuban pianist. Magnificent. And the lead singer was an awesome beautiful big black woman with a voice as rich as chocolate.
Between sets, Ben and I also talked about our relationship that night and discussed how much time we spend together, more time than I think I have ever spent with most boyfriends! I had to admit that I was walking the fence and I could fall either way into a relationship or just settle in to a great friendship. We decided on the latter. It was a huge relief to finally discuss it and establish exactly where we are, as there is a LOT of talk by people about us. I suspect the reason I haven't met anyone in the time I've been here is that he and I are always in each others' company. He asked if I wanted to stop all our shared activities and of course I don't!!! I think my greatest fear is that when he and/or I start seeing other people, we'll lose this closeness. Of course it will change things somewhat, but we promised to be aware that friendships are forever and to make sure our relationship wasn't negatively impacted upon by others!
With the live jazz over and a standing ovation, we ventured upstairs to the club and danced salsa until close. Ben was a great leader and I actually felt like I could dance!? Gee, Dad, who would have thought after all those years of private school, ballroom dancing lessons and deportment classes... it may actually have paid off?!!?
As if Ronnie Scotts wasn't reason enough, the main purpose of the journey to London was that I had court 1 tickets to Wimbledon. Of course I pick the one day in years that it is totally rained out. The two most exciting things we saw were Mark Phillipoussos leaving the grounds and the bottom of a glass of Pimms. Such a shame as we had got all glammed up and excited with our line up of watching Federer, Roddick and Mauresmo.
After a sleep from sheer boredom, we met up with long time friends, Lucy and Jonny Wood, in a chic restaurant run by Geoffery Moore (Roger's son) called Hush. I forgot that Lucy has lost all budget sense and the meal (although very good) came to £70 each... I could have bought a new pair of running shoes with that... and I need a new pair of trainers!!! Good company, lovely red wine (suspect that was the culprit) and fine food, and empty wallet... sign of a good night I guess.
The Sunday morning I left Ben snoozing (in separate beds of course!!) in my friend Todd's flat in Hammersmith. This is a great location near public transport and across the road from the Thames River and Hammersmith Bridge. Really grateful for him letting us use the place whilst he was away with the 'inlaws' for the w/e. I felt the urge to detox myself of the rich excesses of the nights before. I was surprised at what an enjoyable run it was along that stretch of the Thames. A lovely sunny day with other people out jogging, roller blading, cycling, pushing strollers with their kiddies, and bevvying in the beer gardens of pubs. I basically ran under Hammersmith Bridge and along to Barnes Bridge , crossed over and along the leafy trails to cross back over Hammersmith Bridge. Probably an 8-10km jog and extremely pleasant. Barely any traffic to bother with.
Collected Ben from the Odd Spot coffee shop and headed in to town. Met Lucy and Jonny, plus other friends Nicki and Richard, and Ben's 'bit on the side' ;) from the other weekend, Bella (a friend of a mutual friend of ours and a nice lass! Nothing doing Ben reckons as she is 'a bit of a Londoner' what ever that means?!) We all congregated at the Tate Modern for a lunch with a view. The Tate Modern isn't my bag, and the Edward Hopper exhibit was ridiculously busy, so we just aimlessly strolled along the Thames until we got to the first pub with outdoor seating and plonked ourselves down with a couple of jugs of Pimms. We dispersed by 5pm, not only because Ben and I had to get going to Heathrow, but the heaven's opened, and the sun was no more. A pretty apt ending, the Wimbledon experience considered.
Ben was collected by three mates from Edinburgh airport and whisked away 'up north' to go camping. Had to laugh when I got a text from him at 2:45am that he had attempted to put the tent up... without any poles; they were still sitting in his living room...
This is a long post. I'll give you a breather... For my next installment... the dating game... stay tuned.
