Jared playing with Johann's remote controlled helicopter
Getting ready to leave for New Year's Eve festivities
Mashing potatoesDinner time! Haggis, neeps, and tatties
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Christmas photos
Owain and Trish in the lounge with wine :-)
Mark, Claudette, Henry the snowman and Ange
Henry enjoying a Magners
Jared, Flon and Mark
Owain and Brendan - cognac, cigar, sunset
Christmas tree decorations!
Snow white Argyll
The lads having a serious conversation by the fire
Me in the 4WD!!
Dancing with glowing juggling balls
Monday, January 04, 2010
Christmas and New Years 2009/2010
Christmas 2009 was at Ballimore Estate in Argyll, near Taynuilt, Kilchrenan and Loch Awe. There were 18 of us for Christmas Day and it was amazing.
The beginning was eventful, shall we say. The London folk arrived on their train on time and we headed off in our hire cars from the airport a bit before 4. So it was definitely dark by the time we arrived at the estate. For the past 24 hours or so it had been snowing on and off and we had been warned that we might not be able to get the cars up the private road to the house. We tried anyway, but all three cars got stuck. We weren't able to get hold of the farmer so while the boys tried getting the front car further along the road most of the girls grabbed some luggage and walked the rest of the track up to the house. Meanwhile, the farmer turned up and ferried the boys and the food and alcohol up to house. We ended up eating at about 11...
Next day a few of us spent about 4 or 5 hours getting all the cars back out to the main road, as it was clear that the track was too snowy and icy for us to get them to the house. And Niall, the farmer, very kindly leant us a four wheel drive so that we could get between the main road and the house. And I was the designated driver!
The rest of the week was full of sunshine, a wee bit more snow, eating amazing food, sledging, and drinking and partying of course. Special mention has to go to the crew that went supermarket shopping in Oban for our Christmas week supplies. They were gone for 6 hours and all looked rather shell-shocked when they returned. But it was much appreciated and we definitely did not go hungry or thirsty.
Anothe rhighlight was our trip to Ardanaseig Hotel - quite expensive for a soup and sandwich lunch but an amazing view and fantastic Christmas tree!
Christmas dinner was roast goose, lamb, gammon, nut roast, haggis, vege haggis, and lots of roasted veggies. It all turned out perfectly and was ready at the same time! Luckily we had two ovens :-) The party continued until 6am the next day, but I crashed out much earlier than that unfortunately.
Getting out of the house the following Sunday also proved to be bit of a mission, with my taxi-ing skills being put to full use. In the end though, those that had to make it back to Glasgow for their train to London did (thanks to Jared dropping off two rental cars), and Adam and Sarah spent an extra night in the cottage. They had arrived mid week and picked up some chains on the way so they could get the car to the house. So far, so good. But when they went to leave on the Sunday, one of the chains broke on the first decent hill and Niall was not able to tow them out with his Range Rover. He had to go and so the rescue mission with the tractor had to wait until the next day. Luckily, that was successful.
Jared and I came back to Glasgow and had one night here. We went and met up with Trish, Jo, Steve, Esther, Manu, and Trish's friend Stu and ended up with a drink at the Hilton and getting home at 2am. This was not the best recipe for getting up to the Ardnamurchan Peninsula early the next day ;-) We weren't in a particular hurry though, and Glencoe was pretty amazing at sunset with all the snow on Rannoch Moor and the hills.
Fourteen of us were staying at Achateny House and Cottage on the Ardnamurchan Estate, although the first night we were there there were just five. Jared and I were in the cottage. We couldn't see much when we got there, it being dark, but in the morning we saw that we had the most amazing view of the Isles of Rum, Eigg, Muck and Skye. We had pretty clear weather the whole week and it was just incredible to see the snow capped Cuillin (ridge) of Skye the whole time.
The first day was pretty lazy because we needed a rest and Jared had come down with a bad cold. We picked up Manu in the evening from Lochailort station, which is one where you have to ask the conductor to stop otherwise the train will just keep on going! When we got back most of the rest of the crew had arrived so dinner and drinks followed - all good :-)
The next day we went to the Nevis Range to try to go skiing but it was on hold due to high winds, so we decided to go to Glencoe. Mic's first snowboarding experience!! Woohoo!!!! It was a good day but really cold. I mostly just took it easy but it definitely got me excited about going to Mayrhofen in Austria in January! :-D
Then it was New Year's Eve. In the afternoon we went to the westernmost point of mainland Britain, the Ardnamurchan lighthouse, and for a walk on the beach at Sanna.
The main festivities were a 5-10 minute drive away with some of Andy's friends - another 12 people! The highlight of the evening was after the bells when we got first-footed by a bagpiper and a few other guys. After the customary round of whiskeys he agreed to play a few ceilidh songs for us, so we had a proper Scottish ceilidh for our Hogmanay!
About 6am we realised that the only people still partying (apart from one) were from Achateny so we decided it was time to walk back to our houses. This was supposed to take 45 minutes but took us an hour and half. it was okay though because it wasn't too cold and we could see Skye from the strength of the moonlight!! Definitely one to remember.
Needless to say the next day we were all pretty broken but a roast meal was planned and executed and was absolutely fantastic. The following day was leaving day :-(
Andy's van had a flat tyre so we waited for the recovery truck then headed off towards Fort William where we were rewarded with amazing views of Ben Nevis. I've never seen it so clear. We carried on and had a late lunch at the Clachaig. I could've stayed there all night, sampling the different ales, but we headed off and got home at a reasonable hour.
All in all, a very Scottish holiday season :-)
The beginning was eventful, shall we say. The London folk arrived on their train on time and we headed off in our hire cars from the airport a bit before 4. So it was definitely dark by the time we arrived at the estate. For the past 24 hours or so it had been snowing on and off and we had been warned that we might not be able to get the cars up the private road to the house. We tried anyway, but all three cars got stuck. We weren't able to get hold of the farmer so while the boys tried getting the front car further along the road most of the girls grabbed some luggage and walked the rest of the track up to the house. Meanwhile, the farmer turned up and ferried the boys and the food and alcohol up to house. We ended up eating at about 11...
Next day a few of us spent about 4 or 5 hours getting all the cars back out to the main road, as it was clear that the track was too snowy and icy for us to get them to the house. And Niall, the farmer, very kindly leant us a four wheel drive so that we could get between the main road and the house. And I was the designated driver!
The rest of the week was full of sunshine, a wee bit more snow, eating amazing food, sledging, and drinking and partying of course. Special mention has to go to the crew that went supermarket shopping in Oban for our Christmas week supplies. They were gone for 6 hours and all looked rather shell-shocked when they returned. But it was much appreciated and we definitely did not go hungry or thirsty.
Anothe rhighlight was our trip to Ardanaseig Hotel - quite expensive for a soup and sandwich lunch but an amazing view and fantastic Christmas tree!
Christmas dinner was roast goose, lamb, gammon, nut roast, haggis, vege haggis, and lots of roasted veggies. It all turned out perfectly and was ready at the same time! Luckily we had two ovens :-) The party continued until 6am the next day, but I crashed out much earlier than that unfortunately.
Getting out of the house the following Sunday also proved to be bit of a mission, with my taxi-ing skills being put to full use. In the end though, those that had to make it back to Glasgow for their train to London did (thanks to Jared dropping off two rental cars), and Adam and Sarah spent an extra night in the cottage. They had arrived mid week and picked up some chains on the way so they could get the car to the house. So far, so good. But when they went to leave on the Sunday, one of the chains broke on the first decent hill and Niall was not able to tow them out with his Range Rover. He had to go and so the rescue mission with the tractor had to wait until the next day. Luckily, that was successful.
Jared and I came back to Glasgow and had one night here. We went and met up with Trish, Jo, Steve, Esther, Manu, and Trish's friend Stu and ended up with a drink at the Hilton and getting home at 2am. This was not the best recipe for getting up to the Ardnamurchan Peninsula early the next day ;-) We weren't in a particular hurry though, and Glencoe was pretty amazing at sunset with all the snow on Rannoch Moor and the hills.
Fourteen of us were staying at Achateny House and Cottage on the Ardnamurchan Estate, although the first night we were there there were just five. Jared and I were in the cottage. We couldn't see much when we got there, it being dark, but in the morning we saw that we had the most amazing view of the Isles of Rum, Eigg, Muck and Skye. We had pretty clear weather the whole week and it was just incredible to see the snow capped Cuillin (ridge) of Skye the whole time.
The first day was pretty lazy because we needed a rest and Jared had come down with a bad cold. We picked up Manu in the evening from Lochailort station, which is one where you have to ask the conductor to stop otherwise the train will just keep on going! When we got back most of the rest of the crew had arrived so dinner and drinks followed - all good :-)
The next day we went to the Nevis Range to try to go skiing but it was on hold due to high winds, so we decided to go to Glencoe. Mic's first snowboarding experience!! Woohoo!!!! It was a good day but really cold. I mostly just took it easy but it definitely got me excited about going to Mayrhofen in Austria in January! :-D
Then it was New Year's Eve. In the afternoon we went to the westernmost point of mainland Britain, the Ardnamurchan lighthouse, and for a walk on the beach at Sanna.
The main festivities were a 5-10 minute drive away with some of Andy's friends - another 12 people! The highlight of the evening was after the bells when we got first-footed by a bagpiper and a few other guys. After the customary round of whiskeys he agreed to play a few ceilidh songs for us, so we had a proper Scottish ceilidh for our Hogmanay!
About 6am we realised that the only people still partying (apart from one) were from Achateny so we decided it was time to walk back to our houses. This was supposed to take 45 minutes but took us an hour and half. it was okay though because it wasn't too cold and we could see Skye from the strength of the moonlight!! Definitely one to remember.
Needless to say the next day we were all pretty broken but a roast meal was planned and executed and was absolutely fantastic. The following day was leaving day :-(
Andy's van had a flat tyre so we waited for the recovery truck then headed off towards Fort William where we were rewarded with amazing views of Ben Nevis. I've never seen it so clear. We carried on and had a late lunch at the Clachaig. I could've stayed there all night, sampling the different ales, but we headed off and got home at a reasonable hour.
All in all, a very Scottish holiday season :-)
Monday, March 16, 2009
Mabie Forest Feb 09
The red route at Mabie - Neil and Fi
Lucy and Stevie
The crossing! Stevie
Neil
Fi
Lucy
Jane
Oh no!
Late night BBQ
Lovely photo, boys
And another one
Warmed by the hot tub
Birthday present!
Friday, March 06, 2009
January 2009
I'm writing this in May and I can't really remember what we did in January! We definitely went skiing in Scotland for the first time, and went to our first ceilidh. Aaah that's exciting enough!!
Skiing was pretty fun. We went to Glencoe, and the weather wasn't too bad. A bit clouded over but our friend Stevie knew where to go so we just followed him, and it worked out okay. My legs were screaming after the first run but I got used to it, as you always do.
It really reminded me a lot of smaller NZ fields, maybe like Porter Heights. You had to get a chairlift up to where there was snow, but you don't have to do that all the time. There were mostly T-bars and pomas, and only one little shop which mainly just selled greasies. I totally expected to see keas about. But alas, there were none.
The Saturday night we stayed at the bunkhouse at the Bridge of Orchy hotel, and had an amazing meal. Really good food!! Would definitely recommend it :-)
The ceilidh was at The Ferry, and was great fun. Our friends from my work, Brian and Joao, came around to our place beforehand. It was Joao's last chance to do some scottish things before he moved back to Portugal and he unfortunately bought a bottle (small, thankfully) of Buckfast round to try. Yuck!!! This is a so-called tonic wine made by monks in Devon that is the drink of choice for neds in the west of Scotland. Here's a comedy youtube video to start to explain what neds are. If you know what chavs are, neds are similar but worse.
Anyway, Buckfast is pretty much a lethal combination of alcohol, sugar and caffeine, so it gets you drunk real quick but you don't fall asleep so you are free to cause havoc. I can't describe the taste, but its sugary and kinda thick and just yuck! We only had a wee bottle between us thankfully.
I've realise since I've been in Scotland that lots of the dances we did for folk dancing at school are Scottish. So some of the dances were familiar, like the Gay Gordons. My main conclusion from the night is that ceilidhs are exhausting!! And really fun. It won't be my last.
Skiing was pretty fun. We went to Glencoe, and the weather wasn't too bad. A bit clouded over but our friend Stevie knew where to go so we just followed him, and it worked out okay. My legs were screaming after the first run but I got used to it, as you always do.
It really reminded me a lot of smaller NZ fields, maybe like Porter Heights. You had to get a chairlift up to where there was snow, but you don't have to do that all the time. There were mostly T-bars and pomas, and only one little shop which mainly just selled greasies. I totally expected to see keas about. But alas, there were none.
The Saturday night we stayed at the bunkhouse at the Bridge of Orchy hotel, and had an amazing meal. Really good food!! Would definitely recommend it :-)
The ceilidh was at The Ferry, and was great fun. Our friends from my work, Brian and Joao, came around to our place beforehand. It was Joao's last chance to do some scottish things before he moved back to Portugal and he unfortunately bought a bottle (small, thankfully) of Buckfast round to try. Yuck!!! This is a so-called tonic wine made by monks in Devon that is the drink of choice for neds in the west of Scotland. Here's a comedy youtube video to start to explain what neds are. If you know what chavs are, neds are similar but worse.
Anyway, Buckfast is pretty much a lethal combination of alcohol, sugar and caffeine, so it gets you drunk real quick but you don't fall asleep so you are free to cause havoc. I can't describe the taste, but its sugary and kinda thick and just yuck! We only had a wee bottle between us thankfully.
I've realise since I've been in Scotland that lots of the dances we did for folk dancing at school are Scottish. So some of the dances were familiar, like the Gay Gordons. My main conclusion from the night is that ceilidhs are exhausting!! And really fun. It won't be my last.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
New Years in Amsterdam
From Devon we got a ride back to London and stayed a night with our friend Bec and Jeff. We had a great afternoon in a pub playing Jenga and drinking a little too much. :-) They're back in the southern hemisphere now so it was nice to hang out for bit.
Off to the airport in the morning and I was not feeling so good. I got progressively worse - all achey and uncomfortable. It was awful! So we got to Amsterdam and went to our hotel. I managed to go back out to get some dinner but once we got back to the hotel I felt awful again. And I had taken the maximum amount of Nurofen for the day so couldn't have any more. Don't think I slept much that night. It was really hot in our room and I was so restless. I tried to sleep on the floor, and in the bathroom, and I kept making up weird storied to pass the time. Bizarre!
From the next day on I managed my painkiller intake more successfully and although I was sick the entire time we stilll managed to see lots of Amsterdam. We took a canal tour and went through the Van Gogh museum and the Rijksmuseum. We also went to the Sex Museum on the mains treet. That was a laugh. I honestly don't think it's been updated since the 70s. Very cheesy.
We spent New Years Eve in a Spanish pub/restaurant - how ironic. But they were very friendly and it was lively and pretty fun. I made it until midnight!! Which I didn't think was going to happen. We went out onto the street to see lots of different groups of people just letting off fireworks everywhere. Chatted to a really nice gay French man for a while and tried to stay away from the path of wayward fireworks. It was pretty crazy. The next morning there was fireworks rubbish EVERYWHERE and even holes in the road and smashed car windows where fireworks had been let off. Mad.
Of course we went to the red light district for a bit. Not really sure what to say about this. You really need to see it for yourself. It's quite bizarre but apparently it works. We saw lots of people getting yelled at by the girls for taking pictures - a big no no. Some were obviously just not aware that they weren't supposed to but others were being really sneaky about it.
From Amsterdam we got the ferry back to Newcastle. It was quite an experience. Relatively cheap ferry, especially since it's effectively accommodation and travel all in one! The beds were not too bad. Food was okay but expensive, and drinks were pretty pricey too. Would definitely do it again though. There was some super cheesey entertainment - like what you would expect on a cruise ship.
Then we spent the day wandering about Newcastle. It's really cool! I would definitely consider it as a place to live. Lots of history all around and areally cool vibe.
That's it! Back to Glasgow and work and it soon seemed a distant memory...
Off to the airport in the morning and I was not feeling so good. I got progressively worse - all achey and uncomfortable. It was awful! So we got to Amsterdam and went to our hotel. I managed to go back out to get some dinner but once we got back to the hotel I felt awful again. And I had taken the maximum amount of Nurofen for the day so couldn't have any more. Don't think I slept much that night. It was really hot in our room and I was so restless. I tried to sleep on the floor, and in the bathroom, and I kept making up weird storied to pass the time. Bizarre!
From the next day on I managed my painkiller intake more successfully and although I was sick the entire time we stilll managed to see lots of Amsterdam. We took a canal tour and went through the Van Gogh museum and the Rijksmuseum. We also went to the Sex Museum on the mains treet. That was a laugh. I honestly don't think it's been updated since the 70s. Very cheesy.
We spent New Years Eve in a Spanish pub/restaurant - how ironic. But they were very friendly and it was lively and pretty fun. I made it until midnight!! Which I didn't think was going to happen. We went out onto the street to see lots of different groups of people just letting off fireworks everywhere. Chatted to a really nice gay French man for a while and tried to stay away from the path of wayward fireworks. It was pretty crazy. The next morning there was fireworks rubbish EVERYWHERE and even holes in the road and smashed car windows where fireworks had been let off. Mad.
Of course we went to the red light district for a bit. Not really sure what to say about this. You really need to see it for yourself. It's quite bizarre but apparently it works. We saw lots of people getting yelled at by the girls for taking pictures - a big no no. Some were obviously just not aware that they weren't supposed to but others were being really sneaky about it.
From Amsterdam we got the ferry back to Newcastle. It was quite an experience. Relatively cheap ferry, especially since it's effectively accommodation and travel all in one! The beds were not too bad. Food was okay but expensive, and drinks were pretty pricey too. Would definitely do it again though. There was some super cheesey entertainment - like what you would expect on a cruise ship.
Then we spent the day wandering about Newcastle. It's really cool! I would definitely consider it as a place to live. Lots of history all around and areally cool vibe.
That's it! Back to Glasgow and work and it soon seemed a distant memory...
Saturday, January 17, 2009
A few pics from New Years
Sorry, these aren't in order...
The Castle Keep - it was closed unfortunately
The stairs to the Upstairs Pancake House in Amsterdam - very steep, and only a few tables. Yummy pancakes though :-)
Flags outside the Rijksmuseum
Amsterdam Centraal, train station
Newcastle again - the Gateshead Millenium Bridge. The whole thing tips up to let ships through. We didn't see that but you can imagine it would be pretty impressive.
Snowing in Amsterdam!
A canal
Jared and I on the canal tour
Swans on the canal in the red light district
The Castle Keep - it was closed unfortunately
The stairs to the Upstairs Pancake House in Amsterdam - very steep, and only a few tables. Yummy pancakes though :-)
Flags outside the Rijksmuseum
Amsterdam Centraal, train station
Newcastle again - the Gateshead Millenium Bridge. The whole thing tips up to let ships through. We didn't see that but you can imagine it would be pretty impressive.
Snowing in Amsterdam!
A canal
Jared and I on the canal tour
Swans on the canal in the red light district
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