Family weekend Loch Lomond area

Eldest daughter Shirley and family, Paul , James and Mathew were on a flying visit from Australia so we planned a complete family get together over Loch Lomond area. We booked up three log cabins on the "bonny banks" all next to each other for a good social long weekend. The weather was fantastic for the time of year and we had temperatures of 20 degrees.

Lots of beer and wine flowed and it is safe to say a good time was had by all. We had the old dog Midge along and he just lay in the sun on the veranda

The sunsets were fantastic and sent an orange glow over the water and hills. It was not all just sitting around and a few good walks were taken up the hills and a little geocaching took place. Scott went his usual running up the trails and took some great photographs while up the hills. I have posted a series of photographs on flicker which are available to look at but will add a few more on the blog as they say a picture paints a thousand words. (well I say )

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12383912@N04/?saved=1

Easter day out

Scott and I had arranged to have a day / night out in one of our favourite places ie the Trossachs.
Had booked a B&B for saturday at our final stopping place which as usual for us was Killin by Loch tay.
The idea for the day was quite simple we would drive to callander and Scott would have a "training " run to Killin using part of the route 7 cycle path. I would drive ahead and supply the odd water bottle as required but the points we could meet up were not too many over the 22 mile + route. We have done this before  with me on a bike and Scott running but this time I took the easy option as the only way I could stay in contact was in the car as he leaves me for dead even if I am on the bike.

The weather turned out to be good for the "run" so we set off from home to Callander our starting point at which time Scott headed off up the old railway line which is a great cycling / running / walking track.

 I did manage to get ahead at a few parts of the route and took a few photo's of Scott enjoying himself on the track.

The track went one side of Loch Lubnaig and I had to stay on the A84 up to Strathyre. The snow level was a lot higher than the previous days so the path was fine for the run. I went ahead to strathyre and had a walk round while waiting for Scott to turn up but the way he was moving I knew it would not be long and I could see he was enjoying a good run. We had planned a break at Balquhidder at the "old library" coffee shop so we met up as agreed for a nice coffee before Scott headed off for the last half of the run. I only met up with Scott once more after that break as the track was only available to me at one crossing point so I took a few more photo's before heading off to Killin for our final meeting place which was the old pub at the Falls of Docart.

I had gone ahead to the B&B parked the car headed back with dry clothes for Scott at the falls pub. Scott managed to get a prime seat by the log fire so we had a good few hours enjoying the hospitality on offer  after more wine and food and a walk round to find some live music we ended up very late at the B&B for the night.

loch leven trail

Have been getting stir crazy so set off to walk round Loch leven from Scotlandwell to Kinross. Packed my bag flask of coffee and headed out via bus to the 'well. Walked via portmoak and looped round the turf fields and headed down to the loch side. I got a "shock" after walking all the way down there to find "path closed" signs as they were working on it. I just didn't fancy walking all the way back again so headed down the path anyway. After about 1 mile came accross one man on a roller flattening the new surface so I just walked off the path round him. I did a little bit of geocashing on the way and had a look at a small ruined church that I never knew exisited. Another disapointment came when I reached the last leg of the trail that too was closed off and was directed round the golf course and into town. I must admit that I felt cheated out of my walk round the loch so just had to kill time in the pub while waiting for the next bus home.

Cupar

Well we walked round to the car and sat in to warm up and a quick coffee before walking a short distance to the start. The run was completed and the only comment I can make is "when is 6+ minute miles called jogging ?? At least it looks like no lasting "damage done and on the whole it was a good day out so here's a couple of photo's.

cupar 5 mile

Have been having a very lazy time the last week but had a target this weekend. Scott came over as he was intending to run the cupar 5 and I would be bag man as he was going to run over to Cupar from our house in Leslie .
This would be a 15 mile "warm up" to get to registration in time for the start. I was a bit concerned as we had snow "again" through the night and I thought it would be one hell of a slog to get to the race.He set off and I followed later in the car complete with dry clothes and a flask of coffee. I was amazed as after only three miles heading from home the snow had gone at the lower levels so not as bad as I had feared. I got to Cupar well before he was due in so parked near the start of the race and walked back into town to the YMCA where registration was being held. I know I don't run anymore but still get that "tingle" milling around before the start, it's nice as well to be greeted by some of the runners who know me through Scott. The lad arrived a little later than expected looking completely knackered and shivering like mad, (he had admitted to a sore throat on getting up in the morning). I said don't run but that was a waste of time he was putting the training miles in so was running or going to jog it.

the street where I live

Just to give some idea of how lucky I feel about where I live this photograph was taken from my front door. The hills in the distance are the west and east Lomonds with just a little snow left and that whole area is a brilliant place to walk and if like my son Scott you are into running a great place for off road running.From this angle it is very misleading as there are a few miles between the east and west lomond and not forgetting the "bishop" hill which is not shown. In all a good days walking can be had from my front door and NO car needed.

more white hair and wrinkles

more white hair and wrinkles
Originally uploaded by j.o.bradley@btopenworld.com

Just looking back when the weather was good enough for me to roam the hills above loch tay. Just can't wait to get out there again.