Scottish page

February and back in Scotland
In and around Edinburgh
A weekend in Moniave with the Gordons
Hot stuff from the sports club
Braveheart country
Orkney Magic
Can you hear the Hampden roar!!!

Our arrival back in Scotland

It was mid February 2000 brrrr!: The smell of the fresh Scottish air made my eyes water, why had we left sunny OZ! Then i remembered what we had come back for, the cold, wet snow/rain, darkness, beer and haggis supers, yahoo its great to be back!. First on the agenda was our belated family Xmas, due to the fact that neither my sister ( Ann ) or i were in the UK for it. Ann had been in Norway with her boyfriend Bjart and we had been in Australia. That evening we got some strange looks at the restaurant with our Xmas hats on ( they're 2 months late was the whispers from the other tables ).Oh well a party's a party as they say. A good time was had by all, and the food and views from the restaurant were superb.

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In and around Edinburgh

March in Sunny Edinburgh

Well we were really lucky with the weather, even though it was cold, the sky was blue and the sun was blue ( told you it was cold! ) Armed with my recently purchased digital camera ( from Bjart ) we went for a wander around Edinburgh and the following are a few of the pictures i took.The famous Edinburgh Castle. This is the castle esplanade where during July/August they have the Military Tattoo.

Yes, and its always sunny!!

Various views of in and around the high street / victoria street.

So after an energetic walk around the city of Edinburgh, nothing beats going to the pub for a few ales with friends.

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A Weekend in Moniave with the Gordons

Magical Moniave in Spring: After a long work list of what to do before we left Glasgow, our host dully arrived. Mountain bikes loaded ( 4 off ) , food and booze, we set off to the South West of Scotland, Rabbie Burns country!! , on a wintry Friday night. When we arrived the house was cold and damp ( dodgy, leaky roof ) but no problem to our host Mr Bounty who proceeded to build his mother of all fires!! backs to the walls and down to our shorts, we sweated the night away!. After dinner we went to the pub for a small refreshment and met Bounty's Uncle Jim. The bar fireplace has two Burns characters embossed on it and a small hole, where in yea olden days you would leave your change which beggars / travellers could use to buy drink!!! Unfortunately it was empty so we had to dig deep!
Mountain bike mayhem!: The Saturday morning greeted us with sore heads but lots of get up and go. With the fire resurrected back to its former self we took of for a day of forest and coastal mountain biking. for the Stewarts it was hard going as bums and legs were not used to this treatment! The weather was superb and the views of the coastal village of Rockcliff were tremendous. On the way back Fiona had a blow out and our always prepared leader did not have a puncture repair kit! With much juggling i ended up giving Bounty a lift whilst he held on to Fiona's bike. All went well 'til we reached the down hill section where it all went horribly wrong. After the crash and bruising we made it back to the car, then home. To Bounty's delight the fire was still alive and another roasting of his guests took place. Sunday was more subdued and was broken with a visit from Billy Glasgow. A few bottles of wine and the Grand prix on telly was as much as we could muster. A great weekend away and well recommended for a visit anytime of the year.

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Squash Supremo

Action from the court side ( March ): The Glasgow bad boys, being members of a fitness club, had taken to squash with a vengeance!. I naturally felt obliged to join in and show them some of the skills i possess. I was met with a level playing field with no one in particular dominating the game. That all changed when i walked on to the court ( there can be only one highlander! ) Here i'm playing David Main Esq. who is oblivious to my next shot hence the drubbing he got. I will keep updating this page!

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Braveheart Country

Wallace Monument: On a cold spring day, my sister Ann & Bjart with mother, went with Lisa and i to Stirling where the Wallace monument resides. As it sits upon a hill its quite impressive and can be seen from miles around. By the time we got there it was closed ( early spring opening times ) but the views were still impressive. On the way down Bjart managed to slip and for a Norwegian let his side down by getting covered in mud! After a little reminiscing by Ann as we drove around Stirling University we headed back to Stirling for a curry. One of the best curry's around and the most amazing setting was the Cafe India. There we met a friend of Ann's called Claire ( she's looking for a man!!! beware ) A good day out was had by all and my burning botty!!

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Orkney Magic!!!

The North West of Jockland: Up the road from Glasgow ( 8 hours later ) we were in the remote wilderness of North West Scotland. After booking in to a B&B we watched the sun and clouds roll in off the sea from Iceland. Many pints of beer later the sun and clouds were still rolling and it was 11pm. The next morning we were greeted with fine weather so headed for " Smoo Cave " for a bit of touristy time. Being inspired we headed for the hills and Scotlands most Northerly Munro , Ben Hope. The weather was great and so off we went. The last 500ft saw light whispy clouds cover the top but still in my t-shirt on we went. At the top we were greeted with the biggest snow flakes i've ever seen. The t-shirt was quickly covered over with 3 layers of warm clothing! A quick munch on our food and back down we went only to be met with clearing skies and sun , 300ft down from the summit! Thats Scottish weather for you , even in summer.Ben Hope in the background.
Orkney Islands: So at last Lisa gets to one of the remoter Scottish Islands, Orkney. It was a 2 hour ferry ride from Thurso and the weather was glorious , I even got sunburnt on the way over. The ferry arrived into the port of Stromness and from there we headed up the coast to Scara Brae , a stone age village which had been covered by sand for over 5000 years!!! It was rediscoverd last century after a violent storm unveiled part of its structure. Next was the famous Ring of Brodgar , standing stones of 3000 B.C. Grave sites and Stone Age villages abound in the area with Maes Howe being the most famous grave. The grave was broken into by the Vikings in the 14th century and looted , what treasures lay in the tomb no one knows but the Vikings left graffiti on the walls before they left , telling of their deeds. On South Ronaldsay we visited the Tomb of the Eagles. The tomb was discoverd by a farmer in the 1970's. Over 350 skulls were found inside with only four of them showing slight tooth decay!!! We actually got to hold some sculls as well as the stone age tools and jewellery they used. All in all, our time in Orkney was well worth the effort of getting there and we would recommend it to any one.

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Golfing in Scotland

Pitrevie Golf Coarse: Each Friday my two old School mates ( since 4 years old ) play golf at their local club. Every now and then i turn up to teach them a leason or two on the finer arts of the Royal and Ancient game , such as where to find your ball in the long grass and the difficult burn shot ( a burn is a small Scottish river ) Afterwards its off to the club house for copius amounts of beer with fellow members then its of up town to hit a few more pubs. After the alchohol reaches the top of your chin we head for the nearest Indian restaurant to get the hottest meanest curries we can lay our hands on , then wash it down with more beer. As you can imagine doing this every week would make you horizontally challanged, that is why i only do it occasionally and my best mates are fat gits!!!. The picture will follow soon as every time i try and take one they suck in their guts!!!

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Glasgow Glamour

Our National Stadium: So after our quick exit from our flat in the west side of Glasgow and then baby sitting our friends house for 6 weeks we eventually moved into a flat. I was offshore at the time when Lisa informed me she had found a flat and it was outside a football ground! oh no which one i said! I think its called Hampden she said. Oh the National Stadium that should be nice and quiet i said!. And so here we are 3 months into it and looking forward to the first International game which happens to be Australia vs Scotland on the 15th of Novemember so watch this space! This is our lounge in which my sister and boyfriend are contemplating the finer points of a game whick Lisa's mum brought back with her from Aruba.; Room with a view!!!