Andrew's new clothes

Well not really but Santa kinda brought some new clothes in the form of a new running shoe . . . see I went to sleep one night and then I suddenly knew that in order to get my act together for the Maggies's Monster Challenge - instead of just walking and cycling I needed to start running . . . putting the cart before the horse - well no I don't really think so . . . it will definitely help and should build stamina and muscle much quicker than just walking . . . to be honest I am going to do a bit of both to start off with as I have not done anything for months and months . . . .

What can I say about the shoes - well once again went to sleep and just knew these were the shoes for me . . . good thing Santa knew that as well - Hey!

This website probably says it all . . . .

Reebok - Zigtech

Been out . . . . wait for it . . . 2 nights in a row - sharp intake of breath - yes 2 nights in a row . . .LOL - will take many more to get me anywhere near ready - we are planning a couple of overnight walks on the actual route - just quite a mission to get there & back but we will set out from Fort Augustus early Sat morning and arrive Inverness Sunday before lunch sometime - well that is the plan . . . .

That long since my last posting . . .

Wow that is shocking - 2009 - Bali - Wow - how come 2010 South Africa World Cup never got a look in . . .might have to address that - at the very least . . .

Well here we are 2011 has only just dawned - today 4 Jan was my first day back at work . . . lots of changes happening there as well . . . Team Leader resigned today - 1 month notice and new Team Leader starts tomorrow - plus both other team members will leave one next week - she is pregnant & the other is only partially involved with our work stream - we have two new guys who have just started & myself - I'll be the person with the most knowledge - there is a month to hand over so should all be fine . . . but interesting and challenging times ahead . . .

What is on the cards for the year . . . well in no particular order I'd list the following:

• House - my own place purchase
  
• Happiness - in general - what's the point if your not happy??
  
• Family - keeping close - making an effort - reaching out
  
• Friends - broadening and maintaining
  
• Love - passion in what I do - in a relationship - sharing with someone special
  
• Direction - where am I going?? what do I really want to do with my life - my time here on the planet??
  

A mouthful to say the least - but something I want to try and keep an eye on during the course of the year and not just slip into existence . . .

I will be going to New Zealand sometime this year - so really looking forward to that - something to plan for and cherish - will keep me going during the year - there's my direction LOL

Also more short term I have in my foolishness agreed to take part in Maggies Monster Challenge again - so I need to start training again - I was out tonight for the first time walked just over 2 miles - went fine - need to a) makes sure I am out there regularly - come rain or shine (ain't going to be much of that at them moment - and quite quickly start ratcheting up the distances . . . will also need to start cycling again as well . . . . It is all for a good cause so I am looking forward to it - achieved silver last year and Craig & I are now going for Gold with Hazel & Yvonne going for bronze in their first year . . . . they may well want to return again next year - Hazel (Craig's wife) & Yvonne were part of the support team last year -so they have a fair idea of what is involved . . . .

Our fund raising page - we've only just started a long way to go yet . . .

http://www.justgiving.com/albaaqua2monsters

Bali - General

A taste of Bali (again wide angle lens . . . you can click on the link at the bottom to get a better perspective . . .)




Bali 2009

Sam's Wedding

A wee taster of the wedding - official photo's still some way off yet . . . (my camera has a wide angle lens - so tends to cut off a bit on the side - not always the bit you expect . . lol - you can always click on the link beneath the presentation.)



Wedding-Bali

Bali

Well here I am sitting at Glasgow airport - destination Denapasar Bali - off for three weeks - Holiday +

Sam & Hud are to be married on 2 June in Ubud Bali. Cathy & I set off this morning and as with all journeys it has gone without its mishaps already - considering we have only just arrived at the airport - we are not doing too badly. What has happened well I've forgotten my suitcase locks key and Cathy in her wisdom (actually my fault) decided to use my suitcase and I used hers - the wheels seems to have come off the suitcase. She has left already - we are travelling independently of each other and she booked from London nopt Glasgow - so her luggage is not going straight through - she has to grab it and run at Heathrow . . . mine I do not see until my arrival . . .she had me in stitches - I know I shouldn't laugh but the case was hopping along and then she has to rush when she arrives - I'm sure (and in fact hope) all will go well . . .

So Sam's wedding . . . a big event - Jessila and Arran coming over - 25 guests in all . . working on my speech (a long way to go yet) - I am really looking forward to it all and the time in the sun and the water . . . will be a watershed period for Cathy & I - see how we get on etc., - may find we have different approaches to life in general - who knows?

We have a week before and then a week after the wedding basically . . .

I am still with my utility company although I think the writing may be non the wall - will have to evaluate when I come back - at least 2 weeks work left on contract - and hoping for at least another short extension . . . abd then the job of my life!!! Lol . . . I don't know what it is yet . . . but it is just around the corner - I think . . . lol

All for now - I am sitting in the departure lounge . . . time to go . . the adventure begins!

Ankle = Clean Bill of Health

Well Tuesday morning was agony - could hardly put any weight on my right foot - I'd already decided I needed to have my ankle checked out - phoned my doctor - OK only seen him twice since been in Scotland - but I am registered with him Dr McMasters - he is on holiday - his stand in could only see me on Wednesday - so I made appointment or 09h15 - but I was in agony so I phoned NHS 24 in Scotland - and they advised me that I could go to the Royal Alexandria Hospital - bit of a concern really that my local hospital might not have the facilities to deal with a sprained ankle - good heavens what if something serious was wrong - now this is what NHS 24 told me - I'm not making this up - they advised me not to go to Vale of Leven hospital but rather Royal Alexandria . . .

Didn't know where it was - and between you & I it was a wee bit of a strain on the foot - driving that is - only have praise for the hospital though - I took a book and water and a couple of necessities along as I thought its going to be a long process - all n all I don't think I was int the hospital for more than an hour and a half - the Doctor was impressed that I was so well prepared for the long wait which did not really materialise - anyway I was examined sent for x-rays just to meake sure - came up with clean bill of health - I was impressed they took the trouble to show me the x-rays and the only signs of anything was on the side that I have no pain - an old injury perhaps??

I was a offered a zimmer / crutches / a walking stick - I took the walking stick option - came home had something to eat and and ended up in bed and asleep for 8 hours - when I woke up I felt much better and my foot even felt a lot better . . . hope it heals quickly . . . I've to go back in two weeks time . . .

cheers for now
PS - start work on Monday

Another fall . . .

Whoops! Just climbed out of my car - my neighbour arrived at the same time - the two of us were walking next to each other approaching the front door - me limping along and he commented on how bad the weather is and has been to which I replied - well you know why . . . - and as I said it my sore foot hit the bottom of the stairs going down towards the front door - so it was pushing forward - well it hit a patch of mud - and away it went - groceries me and my sentence were all left in mid-air for a few seconds - I landed on my bum - everything went flying (groceries) - I think my neighbour got quite a fright - I was still recovering and he was already picking everything up for me and putting it back in my box . . . I managed to finish my sentence - . . . why bears hibernate . . . he opened the door for me and ushered me in insisting I go first - keeping an eye on me . . .

Something in the air . . . comes in three's ???? - I hope not - enough fun thank you very much . . . .

Week Six - Foot Bridge

For some or other reason I decided to walk onto Erskine Bridge – across the river Clyde to take some photos about 600 feet above the river . . . (if you keeping hitting the plus sign until you get the C for Erskine Bridge - that was basically where I took my photo's from . . .


View Larger Map

Of all the days but I decided I can't just show clear weather photo's of Scotland as that is (as we know) not entirely true . . . Lol – so in the pouring rain – not knowing how to get on to the bridge by foot I parked my car and set off – ended up running across the highway (A82)– for which I am sure there is probably a fine – then I saw there was a steep embankment which was a shortcut – well being the 8 year old that I am – I set off down the embankment — and as I continued I started to let my momentum take me . . . A wet slippery slope – a pair of takkies on – we know where this is going don't we – my left foot lost its footing and just carried on – would not have been a problem had the right foot come along with it – but it decided to stay where it was and then also attempted to stop the ever increasing downward spiral – this it done by turning over itself right on the ankle – and I swear I heard something snap . . .???? Ended up on my belly just as a car was coming along too . . . I was up like a shot nothing wrong with me – hoping stupidly no one had seen my attempts at being an eight year old again . . .lol – of course I was limping after that but was determined to finish my mission . . . Will let you know when links are up – was it all worth it . . . It was an adventure – foot / ankle warm and throbbing now - testimony to the adventure. . .

Had an interesting call from my previous employer - nothing finalised yet - but tentatively they have asked whether I am able and interested in coming back to work . . .so here's holding thumbs that we can finalise this as soon as . . .

Eddie Reader @ Royal Concert Hall

Work in progress . . . photo taken at concert - not the best -

Took Maureen, my sister, to the Royal Concert Hall to see Eddie Reader as she has been a fan for many years - bought her the latest CD so she can remember the evening - she played a large portion of new material from the new CD - Love is the Way - I think? Anyway - Eddie started with Dragonfly and something else before she led into New York City which was the Eddie Reader I know and it was all go from there for me . . . a brilliant mix of old and new and few Burns numbers in between . . . what a fine vocie she has and her Irish accordion player and lead guitarist are both sublime in each of their instruments

Something Old


Somethign New
Eddie's MySpace profile

At her best . . Allelujah