Scott's birthday, and we gathered at Zanzero for a spot of lunch on Sunday after our usual Evans rendezvous at the Botanics. Food was good, drink was taken. And then we came across a wee drawing of a bird that Holly had done on her Disney Princess sketch pad thingy.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Racing In The City
Saturday night, and the Nocturne Series came to Edinburgh. Various categories of riders raced around a short, hilly loop centred on the Grassmarket. The evening culminated in the elite pro race, which was won by sort-of-local boy and Tour de France maillot jaune wearer David Millar, ably assisted by teammate and new boy Cameron Meyer. The speed those guys rolled up the cobbles was unbelievable. Meanwhile, I had a go on the Rollapaluza roller racing rig and managed a 500m sprint in 25.25s, which seemed not bad for an old geezer. Click the photo to see my race face, if you dare. And a blurry photo of Millar and Meyer about to lap the main field. Lots of people took better pictures than I did, you can see some here.
A Visit From Auntie Kate
Summer came to Edinburgh, and with it Kate. We took the bikes (and trailer) down to Lauriston Castle, where the trees in the large paddock offered a little shade from the - I kid you not - scorching sun. Holly made a new pal, and we even swapped phone numbers! Later that afternoon, Helen took Kate to the station and Holly and Louis had rather a fine time playing with the hose in the garden.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
John Lodge at 60
While Pat and John were in town, I finally (after nearly four years of procrastination, scrounging, repairing and hacking* to get a Mac that would burn DVDs) managed to get John Lodge's 60th birthday video edited and burned to DVD. Here's the kick that was the entirely appropriate highlight of the match.
* but mostly procrastination.
* but mostly procrastination.
Lodges In Town
Pat turned up on Friday, with John following on Sunday. On Saturday morning we went to Davidsons Mains Primary School's May Fair. There was a fire engine, police horses, bouncy castles, face painting, a jumble sale, ice creams, a barbecue and much more besides. Unfortunately the only picture I took was of Holly looking ghostly and pale. Give it a few years until she dyes her hair black and she's got the goth/emo look down. On Sunday morning we had the Evanses round for a barbecue, and Pete manfully came to the rescue when I struggled to get the confounded thing going. The weather held though, which gave us the opportunity to do a spot of gardening. On Monday, Pat & John took the kids to the Almond Valley Heritage Centre where much fun was had while Helen worked and I stayed at home to do chores. It's traditional for a bank holiday Monday...
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
May Catchup Pt II
OK, so it's not all about me. Busy times, but not many pictures. Here's a selection from the last week; Louis looking pretty in pink and - for friends and family only - exposing his first builder's bum, then a couple of Holly mucking about in the bath.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Caird Park
Proof, if any were required, that I was actually at Caird Park last week with that Hoy bloke. Here I am, lining up with volunteer coach Dave Boffey for a quick sprint round the track. Hoy is fortunate not to have his hands up my nether regions on this occasion, some other bloke did that. Click through for loads more pictures of the day, some of me, and none of the family. These aren't *offical* pics but were taken by one of the club parents I think.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
That Hoy Bloke Again
On Saturday I was off to Dundee in the train, there to meet with Sir Chris Hoy again, and to hang around while he did a bit of coaching with the Discovery Junior Cycling Club. It's all part of my prize from the BT Cycling Challenge last year. The full story is on BT Today but for me the highlight of the day was when the man himself emerged from his shiny Jaguar and, being introduced to the cycling club worthies, caught my eye and greeted me with a cheery wave and a "hello again, how's it going?" After that I had a wee go on the track, on a brakeless, freewheel-less track bike. It's all fine until you try to slow down. More practice needed.
Drumtochty
Keith and I, meanwhile, were pedalling around rural Aberdeenshire in the pursuit of cunningly hidden checkpoints in the name of pleasure. The Great Drumtochty Challenge is a mountain bike orienteering event we've been doing more or less every year for the last decade or so. Last time we were there, the shock of moving up to the "Veterans" category motivated us enough to come second. This year, we only managed third. Just wait 'til next year...
May Catchup
Just a few snapshots of the last week or two. A bit of sleeping, a bit of artwork, and a bit of a mess with the pasta sauce. On Sunday Helen, Holly and Louis went to the Parents Like Us festival on Leith Links, and had a jolly time as always. Face painting always goes down well.
Monday, May 04, 2009
Oh I Do Like To Be Beside the Seaside
Sunday morning with the Evanses, and the glorious weather took us down to Portobello, where much fun was had pottering about the mouth of the Braid Burn as it poured into the Forth after its nine mile journey from the Pentland Hills. Meanwhile, an Italian bloke improbably named Paddy was disposing of the eucalyptus in our front garden. Holly was fascinated to watch as he donned his big lumberjack spikes, shimmied up the rather spindly tree and felled it from the top down. We returned from the beach to find it gone, and Holly marked its passing by striking a pose on the remaining stump.
Friday, May 01, 2009
Renaissance of the Scooter
Holly's Christmas scooter emerged from the depths of the garage on Friday, and she took to it immediately, much more so than the bicycle. Certainly the impact of falling off is somewhat lower, so hopefully it'll help with her balance. Good to see her working the Eastern European peasant look with the full skirt and headscarf...
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