Jacques De Molay

Worst film ever... not quite!

2011-05-22T17:26:00.000Z

So it was the other evening that the family found ourselves seated to watch a DVD. This is not in itself unusual. I quite often purchse a DVD at the Supermarket for perusal on a Saturday night. Over the last year we've watched some great films... "Observe and Report" for instance, which we watched again a couple of days ago. A really well scripted and slightly quirky comedy. On this occasion though the aforementioned DVD purchase was a film called "Barabrossa: Siege Lord". Now, I'm a bit of a history buff myself and the cover (not the above image) showed a scene of epic battle chaos. So I thought to myself, "This could be a quite brutal depiction of actual historic events!" I then purchased said DVD for a price that it would later become clear was somewhat greater than the visual return value.

Almost straight from the off it was clearly low budget, but besides that the script and acting were inordinately bad. The scenes depicting Barbarossa's vast army never really got out of the tens of figures as far as I could see. The film was Italian made and as the Milanese rebelled against their tyrannical ruler, I'm afraid to say that they came across as arrogant and obnoxious not to mention quick-tempered. I hoped that Barbarossa would crush them mercilessly thereafter. In fact, unlike "Spartacus" or "Braveheart", where the rebellions were justifiable, the Milanese seem to have been well-treated by Barbarossa and seem largely autonomous when they first appear. Unfortunately, the grandiose climax where the two opposing forces meet was laughable, with cut-scenes of battle and a charging Barbarossa being played sometimes three or four times. The same clips!!!

Best of all, despite stealing elements from Gladiator, the end battle was in fact a complete rip-off of Braveheart. The heroic speech before-hand was almost identical... "freedom, blah, blah, blah....". When Barbarossa's army were advancing, the same "Wait for it" line was used and even the same idea of faking retreat to reveal "Schilltroms" (armed squares of spearmen) appeared. Something which was in fact unique to the Scots! Disappointingly, the Milanese were victorious!

Now as bad as this film was, it wasn't the worst I've ever seen. That honour goes to a film called "Mummy 2". When "The Mummy Returns" was released on DVD, my wife (much to our ridicule) purchased the aforesaid title thinking it was the latter. The Mummy involved in chasing after and presumably killing some American teenagers, was a bandage -wrapped creature not unlike that you would have perhaps seen in a 1920's silent movie. It moved at the speed of a snail while a cowering teenager screamed helplessly for sometimes several minutes as it advanced like a deranged geriatric, never for a moment considering fleeing from it's pathetic advance. Now that is a film you should watch. It has it's own novelty value, quite comic really, in terms of just how awful it is.

Here's my Hoof Print!

2011-05-09T11:36:00.000Z

Today, I "signed-on" for the first time since becoming unemployed. Unless you live in the UK you won't understand what this means, but basically it's going to the Job Centre at a specific fortnightly time to sign to receive benefits. My signing-on time was 9am and I turned up only to wait with a couple other guys for about 10 minutes until someone deigned to unlock the doors. During this period many people passed by looking at us like we were the scum of the Earth, including a couple people I know unfortunately. Maybe they weren't looking at us like that, however, that's the way I was feeling. It was undignified and demeaning. There is still very much a social stigma here about being unemployed. The assumption would be that you don't want to work and that you're some sort of lowlife.

I don't even know if I'm going to get any money anyway. I just want a decent job. I went back to Uni in 2003 and spent four years there. I was Student Rep every year. I had the highest marks in every exam and in coursework. I achieved a distinction despite having no tutors for the last 6 months of my final year... and I can't get a proper job. I have talents, I have ideas. Nobody seems interested. I get the distinct impression from job interviews I've attended that they would far prefer for me to bullshit. They have no interest in my experience or knowledge. I honestly sit there thinking "They want to me to make up some nonsense about my life!" You might not know what I'm talking about, but anyone involved in Scottish education might have a good idea. Your ability to teach or subject knowledge is now secondary to your other talents. I have honestly been told that I would get a job no bother if I could juggle or do Martial Arts. I know why too. They now view teachers as child-minders tasked with entertaining children rather than educating them. Purely, because they've bought into all of these talent shows on the TV. "Those are popular. Let's make education like that! The children will love it!"

I know I came into education at the wrong time, but despite the recession, goverment cuts, local authority cuts and school cuts, what I've seen is rotten to the core. The new curriculum which is "going to put Scotland at the forefront of education"... if I were a parent of the first tranche, I would be livid. I've seen the pupils who are the "first to benefit" from the new curriculum and in more than one school. What I've seen frightens me. They will be a lost generation. Their entire education will be rendered meaningless. They have and are being failed. The goverment will no doubt blame the teachers, but they chose to implement this new curriculum when teachers said they weren't ready for it, without proper finances, when job cuts were looming and with a curriculum which is nothing more than a wishy-washy set of ambiguous and utopian statements of intent. You should know that there is no curriculum really. Teachers are being asked to make it up as they go along. Every school will be teaching different things in different ways. God help any child who moves to another school. They will be completely lost in the system.

Feeling Low!

2011-05-05T10:46:00.000Z

Well, it's true, I'm kinda depressed. I saw it coming, but I thought it could be avoided. I've had 3 years of constant work, different jobs, but without a break. That has now ended. As of last week, I am out of work. I did go for an interview, but I didn't get the job and once again, something about the interview didn't feel right and I suspect that they already had someone lined up. That's not uncommon here!

To add insult to injury, the wife and I drove up to Torridon to climb Beinn Eighe on Saturday. It was a beautiful day and we really enjoyed ourselves. However, as soon as we started the drive home, the engine warning light came on and I discovered that the coolant had disappeared. I filled it with water again, but the engine was clearly over-heating. I've a good idea what the problem might be, but I don't want to discuss it. Let's just say, it could be expensive and couldn't have come at a worse time. The prospect of being out of work and without transport is not to be contemplated. If I do find suitable employment, I will almost definitely have to commute every day and public transport as infrequent as it is, cannot be relied upon in this part of the World.

So, this is where I find myself. It feels like I've been on a roller-coaster for years. To be honest, there is no real prospect of employment at the moment anyway. Employees are being let loose all over. Certainly not being employed. I haven't been this despondent in such a long time. I think I'll go and make a sandwich for my lunch. Yay, highlight of my day!!!

Two-state Machine!

2010-12-19T15:54:00.000Z

So Winter has returned with a vengeance to North-East Scotland. I got caught in a fairly vicious snow-storm while driving home on Thursday evening. All I could see were the tail-lights in front of me, so I just had to hope that they could see the road better than I could. I'm really enjoying my new job, even though it's only temporary. At least I'm getting to do the kind of work that I wanted to do. It's only until Christmas though, so I don't know if I'll be back there in the New Year... it's in the lap of the Gods.

The image above reminds me of this T-shirt I almost bought one-time, "There are only 10 types of Computer Geek in the World, those who understand binary and those who don't". Of course, you have to understand binary to get the joke, which is sort of the whole point. Since part of my job is to teach people about binary, it really appealed to me. I was even more tempted to get myself a binary watch and I still might to be honest. Although, the ones I've seen aren't as visually appealing as I would like. I wonder if you can get a Hexadecimal watch?

I haven't been out hill-walking for a while. The weather was bad, then I hurt my back and then the weather turned bad again. Winter walking in Scotland's hills is actually a very dangerous pursuit. First off, there is a considerable avalanche risk, which kills a few walkers every Winter. Then there is the risk of falling over a cliff in white-out conditions. Also, without crampons there is a considerable risk of slipping on ice, especially if it has a thin layer of snow covering it. I banged my head and knee 2 Winters ago, near the end of a hill-walk. I was kicking myself for letting my concentration slide so close to the finish. I can't wait to get out actually, especially to get some fantastic Winter photos, but I will wait for some slightly decent conditions first.

Carrying A Heavy Load!

2010-12-08T19:06:00.000Z

I haven't really had time to post lately, or to do anything much at all in fact. I just started in my new temporary job this week and it's been busy indeed! First off, I knew I was coming into something of a mess and that I was going to have to sort it all out. Deja vu really, because that was how my last job started also. It has taken me three days though to get the information I need on just how bad things are and it's worse than I expected. Sorting it all out won't be easy. I won't look for any help, because I've learned quickly in this business that you're on your own.

So once again, I'm shouldering a heavy burden. Mind you, turning things around and getting everything ticking over nicely did nothing for me last time around. You had to get yourself noticed there in order to get anywhere. Just doing your job and doing it well wasn't enough. Also, I thought that helping people out now and again might smooth the passage, but in reality I was just doing someone else's work on top of my own and nobody took a blind bit of notice. I won't be doing that again unless it's clearly going to benefit numero uno.

We're still languishing in the deep freeze here, but it could be worse. My niece got stuck on the motorway and had to spend 2 nights in a hotel in some god-forsaken industrial estate town and she only got a room because her mother managed to book one over the phone... they were queueing out of the door. However, the snow looks likely to melt at the weekend, before the mercury plunges once again next week.

Still Working!

2010-12-03T17:37:00.000Z

Well, today was my last day at my present job. After two and a half years, that's it over. Fortunately, I have been able to secure another post which will last at least until Christmas and probably a good bit more. I figure this will be the 12th job I've had and quite a variety over time as well. The longest I've ever been in the same job for was 6 years. That said, I can't say I've ever been truly happy in a job and at the end of the day, that's what really matters, not the pay, not the hours... but, job satisfaction!

What A Palaver!

2010-12-01T19:05:00.000Z

Well, as you can see from the snowman my daughter and her friend made, we still have lots of snow here. Despite that we were back to work today after 2 days off, even though it's colder and it's started snowing again. The boss thinks we'll be back to normal tomorrow. I have my doubts! Anyway, another two days and I'm finished. I did have another interview this afternoon though, so hopefully some good news tomorrow. I need it after the spell I've had lately.

I've probably said this before, but it's amazing how the infrastructure in the UK collapses as soon as there's any amount of snow. I was watching the news and some very bemused travellers from Denmark wondering why they can't travel in this country, when they were able to go about as normal back home and in much worse conditions. There is no obvious reason. I'm sure that 150 years ago, people would have carried on as normal with little fuss, so something has obviously changed in our mindset since then. Clearly our transport network is vastly inferior and unsuitable, but I think it's about attitude as well.

If you are reading this in another country, you may be surprised to hear that many UK citizens really hate their work. It's probably the same elsewhere, but employees here, are in the main really treated with a great deal of diresepect. Quite often the threat of being made redundant is held over you to force you to do tasks way outside your job remit, to work unpaid overtime and to get little or no recognition for what you do. That I beleive is the main reason for so many sick days in this country and as an extension of that, the perfect excuse not to make it into work as soon as there's an inch of snow on the ground!!!

Snow Go!

2010-11-28T17:45:00.000Z

So, we have almost a foot of snow here right now. I haven't seen it so bad since the day I got married, almost 18 years ago. My back's still bad as well, so I'm having a quite miserable time at the moment. I got some anti-inflammatory tablets, but the side-effects were almost as bad as the reason for taking them, so I gave up on them after 3 days. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to go anywhere and that's a major problem when there's a shortage of food in the house. Anyhow, I did manage to go to the local supermarket this morning, but my back was hurting pretty bad the whole time, worse than normal.

I think I can see a pattern emerging in the weather. The last three Summer's here have all been wash-outs, no real extended nice spells and last Winter was our worst for a long time. This one is already making last year's look ordinary. Things are definitely changing. Where it's all heading though, we can't know for certain. Maybe it's better that we don't know. All I can say is, global warming is only making Scotland's climate worse as far as I've seen.

So far this Winter is the Winter of my discontent. I've had failed interviews, a bad back, time off my work which I won't get paid for, and soon enough I will be out of work. I'm not really sure which way to go next. I have ideas obviously, but more than likely something will turn up, as some Dickens character played by David Jason on TV once said.

Down, but not out!

2010-11-25T11:11:00.000Z

Well, yesterday I went for my third failed job interview since August and I'm starting to get a bit demoralised. My present position ends next week and I haven't manged to line up another job yet. To compound matters, when I woke up yesterday, I had a sore back for no apparent reason and it only got worse as the day wore on. As a result, I'm not in work today, and I don't get paid for being off, even with a legitimate reason. So, I know it's not the end of the World, but I think I can be excused for feeling a bit down right now.

As for the interviews... I don't think I'm actually doing that much wrong. In this line of work the motto "It's not what you know, but who you know" certainly seems applicable. I can tell you for a fact, that in one of the aforementioned interviews, I was getting negative vibes right from the start, as though they wanted it over and done with, they already had their employee. That was not a pleasant interview. There were other factors too, like a distinct lack of follow-on questions, which gave me the impression that I was bashing my head against a brick-wall!

Basically, I'm heading down a blind alley. I still have a few options, but time is running out. I was promised great things when I started, but thanks to the "present financial climate", everything has been turned upside-down. Sure, I'm not the only one that's worried about the future, but it's different when It's actually happening to you!!!

Spesh Ops!

2010-11-17T16:59:00.000Z

I know that Call of Duty: Black Ops is the big thing in gaming right now and if I was a teenager I'd probably be playing it all of the time just like my own son is. However, you might have noticed that I've been messing around making some comic strips recently and I've decided to do a mickey-take of Black Ops for my latest venture. Somebody had to! Three pages no less as well....

Click on each page to view full size. If you like it, then please leave a comment!

Weeds

2010-11-15T15:38:00.000Z

Here's another cartoon strip I made. It might make you think of Summer hopefully, because it's freezing here right now!!!

Click to view full size

War of the Animals!

2010-11-13T13:02:00.001Z

Thought I'd have a go at making a comic strip. Here is my first attempt. Mickey Mouse (now sadly walking with Jesus and Walt) relates his version of animals' struggle for survival.

Click to view full size

The Winds of Change!

2010-11-05T16:20:00.000Z

So it turns out that my prospects are possibly not as bleak as I first anticapted they would be on receipt of the news that my current employment would be coming to an end at the start of December. When I received the news, there appeared to be little chance of securing alternative employ before that time. Now, I have at least three good possibilities on my horizon. Of those three, two are posts I was interested in before. One I tried for, but narrowly missed out on and now it's up for grabs again. Another of the posts, I wasn't allowed to apply for (an internal vacancy), but now they have opened it up to a broader group of individuals and I am free to apply.

I do have a preference of the three and I would quite willingly give up my present position for it anyway, so the whole debacle may well end up proving beneficial to me, despite the way I've been treated. Things have been going well at work anyhow. Many of my colleagues have sided with me, so management have really cast themsleves in an unfavourable light because of the way they have handled it all. They've shown themselves as untrustworthy, ruthless and corrupt. Maybe those are the traits required for higher management. In this case however, none of it was necessary.

So basically, at the start of December I should be starting a new job, or I will be unemployed. Either way, I'll be happy to leave where I'm at right now. When you feel like your superiors are plotting and scheming against you, it makes things uncomfortable to say the least. Then, when you discover that your concerns are well founded, then it makes your position untenable. That's where I find myself right now. I'm looking forward to a fresh start, but I've learned a valuable lesson, be careful who you trust!

Glen Ey

2010-11-02T18:02:00.000Z

On Sunday, after the clocks went back, the wife and I decided to head to Glen Ey near Braemar for a spot of cycling, hiking and steep uphill walking (not climbing, it was hardly that). It started off bright and we began with a 12km or so cycle in, mainly on a gentle uphill. After that it was largely cross-country to reach Beinn Iutharn Mhor. It was quite a steep pull up the flank of the hill and it took us a while to reach the top. It wasn't too cold except for when rounding the corrie, where our faces were numb with the updraft.

Beinn Iutharn Mhor

Beinn Iutharn Mhor up the Ey Burn and beyond Altanour Lodge ruins

Odd rock

Looking down Glen Ey to Morrone

Loch nan Eun and Gleann Taitneach

Approaching the summit of Beinn Iutharn Mhor

From the summit we made our way down into the corrie where it was easiest to descend and then faced a crossing over some very inhospitable terrain for a few kilometres; bog, peat haughs, mud etc. It was pretty bad. Eventually we pulled up onto the ridge at the other side though and it wasn't far to the top of the second Munro of the day: Carn Bhac. There were great views of the Cairngorms from here, all browns and greys as the hills are now wearing their Winter plumage!

Beinn a'Ghlo

Carn Bhac

The Cairngorms

The walk back down to the bikes was again through wild country, no paths, plenty of mud and water though. It seemed like such a long trudge and the rain came on a bit before we even reached the bikes. The ride back was much easier, mostly downhill and took about half the time of the ride in. 15 minutes after getting back to the car, it was dark. It seemed to come on all of a sudden. What a difference putting the clocks back an hour makes!

Going Out!

2010-10-30T13:36:00.005Z

Well it's pretty cold and windy here right now, but I've decided to take advantage of a possible window of opportunity and head out on the hills tomorrow. The wind is going to drop significantly the foreacst claims, although it will still be close to freezing higher up. I'm hoping to bag 2 Munros, which will take my tally for this year to 28. I made 29 last year and 31 the year before, which was my first year hill-walking. Depending on several factors, I may get another chance to go out before the year's end and make it 30 for this year. That would be nice!

Not that the annual amount is really that important. I just feel that I need to sustain a reasonable figure in order to be able to complete within 10 years. Yes, that's 10 years in total to climb all of the Munros in Scotland. That's my projected total time required to achieve such a feat. Well, there are 283 Munros spread all across the country and there is a lot of travelling involved. That's probably the worst part. I don't like having to drive for extended periods, especially not before a long walk. You do tend to stiffen up a bit enroute.

I've been thinking about which Munro I would like to be my 100th. It will probably be May/June next year before I reach that figure, but I'd like to tackle one of the scarier ones like An Teallach or Liathach for the event. Some people might suggest that those aren't scary hills, but I'm no climber, just an ordinary walker and I've seen pictures of them which have scared the hell out of me. Quite often though, in reality, they aren't nearly as bad as you tend to imagine. That said though, the Lancet Edge in the Ben Alder group gave me a couple of cheek-clenching moments and it's considered quite tame.

Marching Orders!

2010-10-28T18:23:00.005Z

What a frustrating time. I'm getting booted out of my job, but I have to work for another month. It's humiliating really. "We don't want you here anymore, but you can't leave until we say so!" Leave me some dignity please! It is fairly ridiculous anyway. The reason I'm being edged out as far as I can tell, is mainly owing to my superior knowledge over my superior. Do you get that? His background lies elsewhere and my ability to make his lack of knowledge plain for all to see is clearly more than he can live with on a day-to-day basis. Therefore, I had to be disposed of! He laso has the ear of the boss, while the boss also fears the complexity of what I do and together their child-like ignorance in their interpretation of what it is I do has caused them to desire my no longer doing it.

That being said, if I'd had the chance I would have left before now anyway. I could see which way the wind was blowing. A general dumbing-down has been brought into play, which is clearly a necessary coping mechanism for those with the minds of children. I wanted out before they got me out and now I only have a month to find alternative employment. Unfortunately, I have to keep working during that period when I'd rather be using the time to look for a suitable post. I'm hopeful that I'll find something, but if I don't, well it's not the end of the World. I've suffered worse and survived. Anyway, I'm a firm beliver in "what goes around comes around", so those that shafted me ought in turn be shafted themselves. The sooner and the harder, the better!

Stitched Up and Shafted!

2010-10-26T17:11:00.004Z

I have been stitched up and shafted and there's very little I can do about it. Don't you just hate it when that happens? Not in a small way either, in a significantly damaging to employment way! I'm still there for another couple of weeks yet though, but in essence I have been replaced and it reeks of cronyism. I don't think I even had a chance. The person who was appointed in my stead may well be a good friend of one of the interviewers. That's what I'm hearing behind the scenes.

I was only ever onto a loser, being interviewed to stay in my job. I wanted to leave anyway, just not by their choice, by my own. It's unfortunate that things have turned out the way they have. Unless I can find somethng suitable in the next couple of weeks I will be a man of leisure again for the first time in almost 7 years. It's ironic to think it's virtually 21 years to the day that I started my first full-time job.

I've gone through the whole range of emotions; anger, resentment, frustration, hatred, but I'm now slowly heading towards acceptance. It's a profession in which it's very difficult to know who you can trust. I learnt that mistake quite quickly, but nothing can stop others plotting your demise and for no other reason than a refusal to admit that their idiotic ideas are the only acceptable ones. These people have a very child-like view of the World and clearly they're still in the playground where they used to gang-up on others. Age is no barrier to incompetence and ignorance!!!

Ready for Distraction!

2010-10-24T12:17:00.003Z

So, it's back to work tomorrow after two weeks off. It was meant to be holidays, but with a great deal of time spent decorating and very poor weather in general preventing me going hill-walking, it hasn't really felt like a holiday at all. Also, there is a great deal of uncertainty over the work situation. I can't really say what's happening, but of course if it goes badly I'll spill my guts... heh he he!

I've decided to try and sell my photos online. I don't know how well that will actually work in reality, but it seems worth a try. I'm using Photobox. I'm still in the process of setting things up, but needless to say, links will be added here later on. I have no idea what to charge though and I am assuming that ownership still belongs to me should someone decide to use one of my images for any type of commercial venture.

It seems that Winter has arrived here in the North-East of Scotland. We had large hail-stones yesterday and it's getting colder all of the time. Last Winter was the worst in many years, so I do wonder what's in store for us this time. Given government and council cutbacks it may well be a Winter of discontent regardless of what the weather brings.

Getting shot of!

2010-10-22T15:54:00.007Z

The bedroom is finally decorated and furnished... yay! A King-size bed as well. Our first ever, what luxury! On the downside, I had to spend part of today disposing of our unwanted old stuff; carpet, bed, wardrobe, bookcase etc. I was somewhat aggrieved at being forced to give up my bookcase. Mind you, it was long since filled with books, which had began to spread elesewhere. With the King-size bed, there just wasn't space for it anymore. Never let it be argued that I'm not a reasonable man. I bowed to common sense on this one. My books are now secreted here and there out of sight. I have a lot of books...

Anyway... the dump, as I call it. Firstly I had to borrow my old man's trailer to ferry the stuff. Then I had to also borrow his car, since my car does not have a tow-bar. It took us two trips. Fortunately it's less than a mile from the house. I don't know why we call it the dump, because it's nothing like a dump in the sense of a landfill site. Mainly, it's divided up into skips and bays with separate areas for different types of material; garden waste, earth, rubble, glass, cardboard, polystyrene, metal, electrical goods, household waste, wood and synthetic wood. There are probably others categories that I haven't even spotted, but there's more than enough to be going on with when you have a trailer load of assorted rubbish. We were darting all around the place trying to deposit items in their correct locations.

Now it's all well and good, us doing our civic duty and sorting out all of these items for what we imagine will be recycling or disposal in another form. However, I do harbour certain doubts about what happens to rubbish here once collected. I heard a rumour that the Council must recycle at least 25% of paper rubbish and that the remaining 75% was being sent from the North-East of Scotland to French landfills. If that's the case, then we the general public really are being made fools of. No wonder our local Council are struggling to make ends meet, with massive cut-backs (closing and selling off village halls?). No matter how much money they make, they can't manage the budget. Why not? Because they are self-serving bureaucrats, out for themsleves. That's why!

Post Decorum Magnum

2010-10-20T10:54:00.004Z

Well, that's the decorating done for now, a new carpet in and flat-pack furniture unpacked and assembled. I had to put together a 3-door wardrobe, which was easy enough until it came to hanging the doors. That took longer than all the rest of it put together. All that remains is for our new bed to arrive (king-size yay) and I have been promised a new computer desk. Something a bit more stylish and contempoorary than what I have a present.

The weather's turned very cold here. No hill-walking for just now. There will definitely be snow on the hills, which probably means I won't get to go up Beinn Eighe as I had planned. I might have to put that off until next year, unless we get a settled period sometime soon. The shorter Winter days really do prohibit ascending anything major and the presence of snow can double the time taken. That's why it's very important to put some thought into planning Winter hill trips. being out in the cold after dark, when the temperatures do really dip, especially higher up... that's a big no-no for me. I still want to get out though. It might just mean smaller hills, nearer home.

Marilyns

2010-10-17T14:37:00.016Z

Hills below 2000ft in Scotland are classified as Marilyns. Sometimes when the weather makes climbing larger hills difficult, the wife and I prefer to go out and bag these smaller hills. Obviously a single hill is hardly worth the travelling, so today we did three of them: Hill of Foudland, Hill of Tillymorgan and Fourman Hill, in Aberdeenshire.

Hill of Foudland

Hill of Tillymorgan

Fourman Hill

With Decorum

2010-10-15T13:51:00.008Z

I've been on holiday for a week now and besides our day out hill-walking at Glen Shiel (which was amazing), we've mostly been decorating the Master bedroom. We've gone for an oatmeal type colour for the walls and a dark biscuit type colour for the woodwork. We decided to go for something bold to add a bit of character, so we chose the wallpaper above and ran it around the room. Looks nice! Still waiting until next week before we get the carpet done, then we can look at beds. I suppose it had to be done, although decorating is probably my second worst leisure-time pursuit after gardening.

Don't get me wrong, I love gardens. Looking at them that is. I simply don't have the patience to nurture one. Anyway, we live in Scotland, who needs a garden? We've got amazing scenery all around us. I had plans to visit Beinn Eighe next week for some more walking, but the forecast is for howling gales and snowfall. Might have to look at a smaller target. It's always nice to get out, but I'm averse to risking life and limb.

You might still be wondering why I revived this blog after more than two years without posting. Well, I use to find it quite therapeutic posting here when times were tough. Those times may be returning. I hope not, but there may be trouble ahead!

Fab Day at Glen Shiel

2010-10-13T11:25:00.018Z

On Monday the wife and I drove down to Glen Shiel to climb the four Eastern most Munros on the South Glen Shiel ridge. Given a fantastic forecast, with sunshine and no wind predicted, we were hopeful of a good day out. On the drive down it was quite foggy and when we got there the cloud was very low. As soon as we started walking though, we saw an eagle. A good omen?

The cloud persisted for a long time. We had to walk most of the way around the first Munro to reach the stalkers path which would take us to the top. At about 600m we started to climb out of the cloud. Was a cloud inversion on the cards?

What an amazing feeling being up above the clouds. We were loving it. If you wonder why people go hill-walking, it's for days like this.

It took us three hours to reach the top of the first Munro: Creag a'Mhaim. From there it took about 45 minutes to reach the top of the next Munro: Druim Shionnach.

An hour later we reached the top of highest Munro of the day: Aonach Air Chrith.

We were doing quite well at this point. Just over another hour later we reached the top of Maol Chinn-dearg, our final Munro of the day. We then started our long descent to the road.

We had to walk about 4km back along the road to the Cluanie Inn where we had parked. We decided to go in for a meal which was very good!

Our Summer!

2010-10-10T12:48:00.014Z

I've decided to revitalise this blog to some extent. I always seem to be busy nowadays, busy decorating the bedroom today, off to do some hillwalking during the week. I have two weeks off, but still no time. I'm also putting some effort into my two new forums, so kindly pay a visit and if you like it, join in.

I have no climbed 82 Munros out of a total 283. I want to make 100 by the end of the year. I don't know if it's achievable. This Summer was a bit of a washout just like last Summer and the rest of the time work takes precedence it seems.

We went to Crete in July, visited Knossos and Spinalonga etc. It was very hot, here are a couple of photos I took:

Arnassis

Knossos

Spinalonga

Aghios Nikolaos

Back to the Future

2010-10-09T08:15:00.007Z

Where have I been for the last two years? I wasn't abducted by aliens. I wasn't in hibernation. I was in fact busy trying to flog a dead horse... trying to build a career in education. I probably couldn't have chosen a worse time and circumstances haven't been entirely kind to me either.

Anyway, let's not make this fresh post too morose. I have created two shiny new forums, where I'm still in the early stages of trying to establish a membership. I have however built them around subjects which are very close to my heart and they look quite nice too, so I'm hopeful that they will spring to life.

My first forum is called "ancientstuff" and the main theme is the probablility that planet Earth has seen the rise and fall of advanced civilizations in the distant past. The evidence is fairly substantial and you don't have to believe in Atlantis to make this hypothesis work.

This is the URL: http://ancientstuff.maxforum.org/

The other forum I have created is for people with an interest in UFOs or alien lifeforms in general. It's called "iSAWaUFO" and it is a place to share personal stories of sightings, theories about UFOs and evidence including images and video.

This is the URL: http://isawaufo.lefora.com/

I would be more than happy for anyone of you to drop by my forums and participate freely, if either of these subjects are of interest to you.

In the Monadh Liath's!

2008-06-03T13:31:00.008Z

On Sunday morning we travelled to Newtonmore to walk up 2 Munros there; A' Chailleach and Carn Sgulain. It was a beautiful day, but the terrain became a nightmare, especially after we passed the bothy, below!

When we reached the summit of A' Chailleach we could easily see across to nearby Carn Sgulain, surely one of the most unassuming Munros around. You would never have guessed it was a Munro, just looking at it!

Below, looking back at A' Chailleach from Carn Sgulain!

Unfortunately, by this time we were eaily 7 or 8 kilometres form the car-park and had to walk back along a stream, the Allt a'Chaorainn, across a testing landscape, and despite how straight-forward it looked, this part of the journey was a real slog!

Future All Mapped Out!

2008-05-31T18:08:00.005Z

That's me passed everything I need to pass to start teaching. Inevitable, but certain factors were out of my hands, until now. I have 2 weeks back at Uni, just tidying up paperwork and rounding things off, then that's me through till August. One small thing, to pay a visit to the school where I'll be teaching, meet the Rector, scope out my classroom and evaluate the teaching resources and equipment, see what I need! There are of course several unknown variables; who will be my mentor, which courses I'll be teaching and what level of support I will get, as a newly qualified teacher. I am looking forward to it, but of course there's a sense of trepidation. A visit next week should hopefully address my primary concerns.

I've started reading again as well after a prolonged period of book-abstinence. My choice of tome for re-entry into the World of literacy is "Spartan" by Valerio Massimo Manfredi, and Italian author, but translated into English obviously. I'm not that cultured! Of course I'm familiar with elements of the story of the Spartans and the book weaves in and out of the common legends. It's quite gripping, I've read a couple of his other books and he's fast becoming one of my favourite authors. I also have his "Alexander" trilogy, sitting patiently, awaiting my attention.

I'm planning bagging another couple of Munros tomorrow, but it's a bit up in the air at the moment, as the weather forecast keeps changing, and what was promised fine weather, may now well be low cloud and poor visibility. Can't have that, as I was intending to go off the beaten track, in which case I will be reliant on map and compass, but without visible landmarks a map would be no use. So, hopefully, the forecast will alter yet again, and I'll be able to have a grand day out tomorrow!

Descent Into Darkness!

2008-05-29T19:18:00.004Z

Back to Uni again next week, it's been a while (5 weeks actually). It's always nice to meet up with folk again and hear their tales about their time in school. Everyone has a tale to tell, and not all of them happy ones. Working on the sharp edge of education is a dangerous business, and it's not only the pupils who pose a risk. Of course the risks are not merely physical, but mental and probably most susceptible to damage of all... reputation. If you can keep your reputation, physical, and mental health intact, then surviving school may be a distinct possibility.

I see the French are unhappy over the price of fuel again, but unlike our British truckers who blocked a lane into London, the French are blockading ports, roads and towns. That's how you get things done. We British are far too reserved and law-abiding. If the British truckers had blocked all of the roads into the capital for a few days, things might have got moving. Petrol here right now is £1.13 per litre (that's over $2 for US citizens). I've heard projections of over £1.80 per litre by August. The government is considering scrapping their proposed 2p increase on fuel duty in the next budget and think that that could stem the growing tide of resentment. Well think again, petrol is already going up more than 2p each week at present. Unless they drastically slash fuel duty, things might get ugly. Trouble is, the government has borrowed to the hilt, they don't have the financial reserves to prop up any such action. They've got themselves into a right sorry scrape, that's for sure.

In my mind, the Labour government should be kicked out on their ears when it all falls apart, but our British reseve won't let us push for that to happen. Instead, we'll more than likely be satisifed to see Gordon Brown step down. I say we, I mean the majority of Brits, my personal stance is that he should never have held office, neither him nor his predecessor, the man who dragged us into 2 seriosuly pointless wars, which cannot be won. Throw in, selling us down the river to Europe and opening the floodgates to immigration, and you have the makings of possibly the most inept and cowardly leadership that's ever held office, anywhere.

Life After Quibbles!

2008-05-26T18:19:00.004Z

Yesterday morning we went to the cinema to see the new Indiana Jones movie, which we've had to wait a considerable time for. It was the first showing of the day, so the cinema was fairly empty, which I found really pleasant. The movie is fantastic in terms of action and effects, nothing hugely over-elaborate, which I believe was the intention, so that it fits together with the previous 3 films. The word is that there might be another one in the offing. I hope they get round to it quicker than this one, or I'll be Harrison Ford's age by the time it's released.

While I did enjoy the film, and it's great to see the format revived, there were a few minor quibbles; firstly I'd have liked to have seen a few more of the baddies meet nasty ends. There were some good ones, but there were so many opportunities for more, for instance, the cliff-top race scenario. A few trucks could easily have plummeted into the water. My second gripe was one which I've made over many recent films; the lack of real continuity and more particularly the lack of plot-line. Yes, there was a vague plot-line, but most of the movie had been and gone before it became clear what was happening. There was a distinct lack of set-up. I wouldn't be surprised if many viewers left the cinema not sue why Indie went to South America in the first place.

On to other matters. Following my previous post, and in no way intentional, Channel 4 showed a program last night called "The 11th Hour", with Leonardo di Caprio hosting, and many scientists basically saying that the human race is ****** ! It was stated that 99.9999 % of all creatures that have lived, have become extinct. We, the human race have a limited window in which we exist. The window would appear to be closing. That's to be followed tonight by a show called "Life After People", looking at how nature would quickly wipe away all traces of human existence, should we suddenly become extinct. I'm going to watch that it looks really interesting.

No Future For You!

2008-05-24T16:11:00.006Z

There's something decidedly wrong with this image! What's that then you say? Well, I'm no sightseer, but I really cannot see a future for the car, or any road-borne vehicle. Not only is the use of oil-based fuels becoming untenable, but there is just way too much traffic on the roads, and no matter how expensive it becomes, it doesn't seem to deter families from having a second car, or even more than two cars.

What alternative do I envision. I don't. I'm afraid that my vision of the future is quite bleak, I try not to think about it, because I am actually an optimist, but my faith in humanity fades a little more everyday. When one thinks back on history, rapid population increase tends to be followed by terrible wars, pandemics, natural catastrophes, and before humanity was around, mass extinctions. It seems like the planet always has a mechanism for having a regular clear out. It seems unlikely that we can sustain the current level of pupoulation growth, and that inevitably, if we don't bring about a huge decline in the World poulation by ourselves, then some external factor will kick-in and do it for us.

There are already signs that the planet will wreak havoc on us all; melting ice-caps, magnetic poles shifting, huge increases in UV levels, freak weather, widespread extinctions of animal species, drought and famine. The upshot is, it can't go on. There's bound to be a point where the planet goes nuts and tries to shake off it's human opressors. That moment will be critical for the survival of the human race. Some few will survive to begin again, just like they did last time, and come crawling out of the hills once more, reduced to primitive survival techniques and reliant on base instinct and adaptability.

Raising Merry Hell!

2008-05-22T18:30:00.006Z

It's not essential to have a sense of humour to be a teacher, but it sure as hell does help. I've met some wonderful people so far, with amazing comic wit, unbelievably witty. Some of these guys have a smart retort for everything, but you can't help but admire that. It's a sardonic sense of humour brewed from years of being under pressure. It's their coping mechanism. If they didn't have that, they'd probably have had breakdowns long ago. God knows the system heavily favours the pupil and their increasingly vociferous parent(s), who blame the teachers instantly for their wayward children's neddishness! Of course the kids are in no way responsible for their own actions, and the parents aren't going to blame themselves or take any responsibility for crafting a well-rounded little individual who thoroughly believes that the World owes him/her!

I've heard some unbelieveable stories, and the major gripes from teachers is not so much the behaviour of some kids, but the lack of support they get from senior management. Terms used to describe senior management; two-faced, back-stabbing, conniving, duplicitous, incompetent, sloping shoulders... the list goes on! Many teachers consider the qualities most desirable for progression to be those which most people would regard with contempt. And once in a position of power, those who have acquired it without just entitlement, will allegedly surround themselves with cronies, who will not only do their bidding, but will readily defend them out of some misguided sense of loyalty, having been promoted by them in the first instance.

Despite all of this, I'm not in the least perturbed. Oh yes, I've been stabbed in the back before, and double-crossed, but ultimately, those sort of people orchestrate their own spectacular downfall eventually, and a complete loss of integrity and trustworthiness must be utterly depressing. I don't have much trouble sleeping and that's the way I intend it to stay. I give everyone a chance, but betray me once and you've made an enemy for life!

The Slippery Slope!

2008-05-20T19:12:00.004Z

OK, I found out today which school I'm going to be teaching at after the Summer, and it was just as I had expected! I don't have a problem with it, it's a half hour commute, but it could have been much worse. Unfortunately it's in a town with a fully spawned ned culture going on, but I guess I'm just going to have to go in their kicking ass right from the start, metaphorically speaking of course!

Just another 3 weeks and my course will be finished, so unless I get pushed into a job of some sort, I'm hoping to have some time to catch up on all the books I've been accumulating over the past year. I'm fairly certain I've got some good reads laid by and I've been sorely tempted to get stuck in on more than one occasion, but if I had it would have been to the detriment of my course. I'm fairly certain of that. I'm just not good at juggling several balls simultaneously, another metaphor dammit!

Think youseleves lucky if you're not Scottish, we now "officially" pay more tax than any other country in the World, and fuel prices here are now more expensive than any other country in the World. In other words, we're being right royally screwed! It's starting to feel like the early 1980's again, when the cost of living was out-stripping income. It's not so much the pinch, as a downright grab really. Gordon Brown is trying hard to stop things slipping, but everything he does just makes it worse. Blair stepped aside at the right time, perhaps he saw the way things were going and it was, "Over to you Gordon"!

Cairn Gorm!

2008-05-19T18:19:00.007Z

I told you I had a busy weekend, that's why I haven't been able to post till now. Yesterday we went up Cairn Gorm, and expereienced the four seasons in 3 hours which the custodians promise in their pamphlets, brochures and elsewhere! Above: Looking up at Cairn Gorm, the 6th highest Munro.

The Cairn on Cairn Gorm. Nice view from here of several other well known Munors; Ben Macdui, Beinn Mheadoin, Derry Cairngorm, Cairn Toul, Braeriach and even Beinn a'Bhuird, some distance off and in the heart of the vast Cairngorms.

This is the view looking back down towards the ski-centre... fantastic!

Just Rewards!

2008-05-16T19:00:00.003Z

Yes, I'm working conscientiously once again! I've got through loads of documentation for my portfolio today. Also, received the news I've been waiting to hear, that my probationary year will be spent locally. Not sure how local yet, but certainly local enough so that I don't have to move home. Yesterday was a full-packed in-service day where I participated in a great many things. Quite willingly, because they will fill gaps in my portfolio. That's why I was so busy today, documenting everything that we did yesterday and tying it into my professional development. I was shrewd enough to make last week's targets coincide with the agenda for the day.

I'm presently toying with the idea of going for Cairn Gorm this Sunday, that would be the highest Munro we've climbed so far, if we can pull it off. I'm sorely tempted, it's either that or Meall Chuacih at Drumochter. My weekend is quite busy anyway, so it's a bit of a toss up between a shorter drive and a longer walk or vice versa. I'm definitely edging towards Cairn Gorm though. Either way, I'll be taking pictures and posting them here as soon as possible for your perusal.

Toilet Gazing!

2008-05-15T19:23:00.004Z

Why a picture of a toliet seat you ask? Because that's what I've been looking at for the last half hour. No I'm not ill! The simple fact is that my family are destructive as hell when it comes to toilet seats. They never seem to last any length of time. I only had the last one for under a month before it was annihilated! There may well be a partial excuse in the proximity of the radiator to the toilet, but I haven't broken any seats, and I'm probably the heaviest of us all. Anyway I had to pop in by B & Q earlier today to buy a replacement, so I tried one with a different attachment and it took me a while to work out how to fix it in place, as the instructions were laughable, and it wasn't exactly obvious. As it happens there is a small plastic component which slides out. How I was meant to work that out, I'm not sure.

Anyway, another long weekend coming up, decent weather too, so if I get caught up with all my paperwork tomorrow, that'll leave the weekend clear and on Sunday I'll probably take the family down the A9 to climb Meall Chuaich. An apparently easy enough Munro, which after last week, it better be. The kids won't forget that hike in a hurry, and won't let me forget about it either. That will leave next weekend clear to go and watch the new Indiana Jones film at the cinema. Not sure how good it will be, but who cares, how far wrong can you go with a franchise like that?

Four weeks to go until I finish my University course, at which point I will be a fully fledged probationer teacher. The probationer part seems harsh, but at least I will start getting some form of payment, and that can't be a bad thing with the student loans I have to pay back. It will literally take years, maybe even into double figures. Where are the incentives to enter the teaching profession? Besides the holidays, there are none. Most teachers could find easier, less stressful jobs, for more money. They're only there because that's what they want to do, or don't know any better.

More Of the Old!

2008-05-14T18:06:00.004Z

Greetings Earthlings, I am Tharg! I'm not actually Tharg, that was a homage to the Sci-Fi comic 2000AD, which I used to read in my teens. There's a disappointing lack of Sci-Fi nowadays, don't you think? Back in the 60's and 70's folks couldn't get enough Sci-Fi. I don't understand what's happened, surely reality based films cannot compete. Directors have a free reign with Sci-Fi films, they now have CGI and bluescreen technology to allow their imagination to be realised on screen, and yet besides very few occasional movies, Sci-Fi is largely neglected as a genre. What's going on here?

It might not be too ridiculous to surmise that the book as a medium has died a death, that serious readers, contemplators and thinkers, prefer the quick fix that television offers. How could anyone be satisfied with the Sci-Fi detritis offered up by television? I've seen a few of the latest episode of Doctor Who, and frankly, my intelligence is insulted. If I had endured Sci-Fi like that on television as a kid, I'd have put pen to paper and written a derogatory letter to the BBC. Yest somehow, kids today are more than satisfied with it, simply because they haven't known any better. The easiest assumption to make would be that the show is written by kids as well. What's with everything happening in Cardiff? If I'd crossed time and space to save humanity, I'd take one look at Cardiff and think "Sod them!"

These guys need to go to second-hand book shops and car boot sales and pick up some of these 60's and 70's SCi-fi books, and make them into films using modern technology. Not just straight-forward Sci-Fi pulp fiction, but thought-provoking stories full of symbolism and meaning. That's what I want to see. The books and films that stick with me are the kind that I'm still pondering months and years later.

Only 278 To Go!

2008-05-12T18:26:00.012Z

I finally decided to head down past Aberfeldy yesterday, to the Ben Lawers range. 7 Munros all in a huge semi-circle. We were going to tackle the remotest 2 of those: Meall a' Choire Leith and Meall Corranaich. Above: approaching Meall a' Choire Leith after crossing over a mile of boggy stuff!

Looking across at Meall Corranaich from Meall a Choire Leith. The actual summit of Meall Corranaich is on the right, quite far off. The peak on the left is Beinn Ghlas.

Looking back across the bealach to Meall a' Choire Leith.

Looking back along the ridgeline from Meall Corranaiach to the lower top Coire Gorm and the rounded lump in the distance which is Meall a' Choire Leith, from where we had just walked. Still had a long walk back to the car from this summit. Took us 6 hours in total and left everyone with really tired feet. I still had to make the 3 hour drive home too!

Run To the Hills!

2008-05-10T18:32:00.004Z

The weather's very uncertain for tomorrow. I've been keeping an eye on the forecast to see whereabouts in the country might be the best place to bag a Munro or two, and it keeps changing every hour. First I was heading for Ben Wyvis up North, then Meall Chuaich near Drumochiter, and currently I'm heading past Pitlochry for the Ben Lawers range, although all that could be changed again by morning, when I will make my final decision.

I've been knackered today, too much exertion with all that gardening last night. I woke up with a sore head, but still had to make a couple trips to the dump with all the bushes that the wife insisted in cutting down last night, even after I told her to stop. She was only meant to prune them back, but the Sun must have gone to her head, because there's virtually nothing left now. From one extreme to another, as they say!

Time to go and have those Bulmers left over from yesterday, and keep my fingers crossed for tomorrow. If all goes well, I might even beat my 3 Munros in a single walk, record. That's still a big maybe for now though!

Wecome To the Jungle!

2008-05-09T19:01:00.004Z

I finally mowed my garden tonight, for the first time this year, and probably 3 weeks later than it should have been done. It was well over a foot tall in some areas and there were dandielions everywhere. It took me 3 hours just to mow it and cut the borders. I hate gardening, that's why I've procrastinated until now. However the forecast for tomorrow is heavy rain, and because Sunday might not be too bad and I'd like to head for Ben Wyvis, I decided just to bite the bullet and do it tonight.

Actually, I'm toying with the idea of going and getting myself a couple of Bulmers. Yep, I think that's a plan. Not too bad a day today, besides the gardening malarkey. I got a lot of work done, good stuff as well, for a change. Things are going to get a lot easier from here on in, so fingers crossed that my essay makes the grade and that I get placed in a decent school for next year. Although I'll just have to take what I get and make the best of it!

It's Just A Game!

2008-05-08T18:39:00.004Z

Well the sunburn is starting to ease off, not before time, but the sunshine hasn't let up. That's a whole week of sunny days we've had, and believe me when I say that we would usually expect a week of sunshine in a year, this is Northern Scotland. It's a sign of the times I suppose, or simply another indicator of climate change, either way, a bit more sunshine can't be a bad thing. All the more reason to get out and about and see some of this wonderful country. I'm already planning a few more hill walking trips, although I should get a decent pair of insoles, apparently they make all the difference.

All things going well, I'll be able to notch up a decent number of Munros in this my first year hillwalking. It seems that quite often it's possible to bag 2 or 3 in a single walk, as the Munros are seldom on their own, but more often that not, part of a chain of Munros and lesser peaks. I do have to remember though that the kids capacities for walking have a limit, at which point they will let me know in no uncertain terms that they've come far enough!

I noticed some kids in computing club today playing Mario on some Nintendo emulator and got all nostalgic, and suddenly wishing I was a young lad again, seeing these games for the first time. It brought back memories of my first time playing Tomb Raider, Metal Gear Solid, Final Fantasy VII and Pro Evolution Soccer. Ah the World was our games console back in those days! Anyhow, what's all the fuss over the new GTA game, I much preferred the Driver series, better controls and fantastic smashes!

5 Hours and 3 Munros!

2008-05-06T19:17:00.006Z

Yesterday as a family we climbed 3 Munros at the Glenshee ski centre. We got badly sunburned, because it was a scorcher.

Above, the first Munro - Carn Aosda!

Looking across at the Cairnwell form Carn Aosda. The Cairnwell was to be our third Munro of the day!

Heading towards Munro number 2 - Carn a'Gheoidh, centre of image.

This is Loch Vrotochan, a lovely spot. We had our lunch just past here! That's our Munro tally gone from 1 to 4 in the space of 5 hours, although you can add on another 5 hours driving to get there and back again, as well. Next up, Ben Wyvis, probaby!

Cordially Invited!

2008-05-04T18:46:00.005Z

I couldn't post yesterday, I wasn't here, I was attending a special ceremony. A secret ceremony? Not quite, but it drew visitors from all over the country, won't happen again for 100 years, and it won't be in the press. I take that back, it might be in the press, but I'm guessing that it won't be! Very mysterious eh? And yes, there were several members of the aristocracy in attendance, and it took place during the day... mainly!

Now that I've intrigued you sufficiently, I will disappoint you by making no futher mention of the aforementioned event, save to say that not just anyone could attend. You had to have certain special characteristics (and a ticket) in order to qualify for admission. That is all on the matter.

Tomorrow, we're off to Glenshee. The weather forecast is sunshine, although the forecast was rain for the last 2 days, and it's actually been lovely! The plan is to bag 3 Munros in one walk, as I've mentioned previously. The hardest part will be just getting there. Trying to travel across the North East of Scotland is like pretending to be Michael Schumacher for a day. Very narrow roads, twisting and turning, and constantly up hills and down valleys. Impossible to get up any great speed unfortunately. Anyway, the game is afoot and will be seen through to completion. I'm almost fully kitted out now as well, so all the gear will be brought into play for the occasion!

We're Going Down!

2008-05-02T18:43:00.005Z

Well, May Day has come and gone, and nothing special happened here. In some places they tie loads of ribbons to a pole on the village green and dance around it like demented Morris dancers. Actually, perhaps they are Morris dancers, I'll have to check that one and get back to you. Locally, there's a holiday on Monday, which they're calling the May day holiday, even though it's four days too late. Nevermind, we'll take any time off regardless of whether or not it falls on a specific date loosely corresponding to pagan rituals celebrating Spring and symbolic re-birth.

Better than that, the weather forecast for Monday is looking good, in which case I'll be heading down to Glenshee in an attempt to quadruple my Munro tally in a single trip. I managed to get myself a pair of gaiters from Tesco for £7, thus perpetuating the myth that hill-walking can be done relatively cheaply. It also looks like my son might be going on a trip to climb Lochnagar in several weeks, and that adult helpers are required. I think I'm the ideal adult helper for that journey, yes indeed!

Into the Abyss!

2008-04-30T19:04:00.004Z

Our present Labour goverment must think themselves untouchable, beyond reproach, for at the moment they're so flying in the face of public opinion that it's almost obscene. What's more they seem to shamelessly revel in the fact! It has been revealed that Chancellor Alistair Darling's plans to hike Road Taxes are way more far-reaching than first thought, they're going to hit the public hard. It has also to be considered that the recent fuel crisis has made both the government and the oil companies an absolute fortune.

My biggest concern, and a very valid one it is too, as all of this ties together, is that hauliers are going bust daily because of the fuel prices. This has a knock-on effect, firstly, surviving haulage firms will increase their charges, and secondly the cost of the goods being transported will increase to make up for the increased transport costs. This is already evident in the soaring food prices, which to be fair are also rising anyway, because of global shortages. Expect the cost of food and all other goods to keep going up for the unforseeable future.

To get back to my main point, the government is doing nothing to get us out of the economic crisis we're spinning headlong into, despite Gordon Brown's "The economy is my main concern right now". The economy was always his concern, and look what he's done to it. I for one am very discontent and I imagine the peasantry at large are discontent too. How much of a shambles do we have to put up with before changes are made at the top. Get those fools out of there now before they ruin us all!

Oil Be Seeing You!

2008-04-29T19:52:00.002Z

I've been busy working on my car tonight, had to change the oil filter and oil as well obviously. I also had my doubts about the wheel alignment, which proved to be correct upon closer inspection. There seems to be a leak near the door in the drivers footwell too, although it's not immediately apparent where that's coming from. Of course, I'm far too busy to be mucking around with cars right now, but since I'm planning a little trip away this May-day weekend I thought I'd see to the essentials. Anyway, that's all for now!

Nothing But Hot Air!

2008-04-28T18:45:00.006Z

That's me back in school for a 5 week stint, although I suspect I sounded like a comedian saying that! Perhaps the comparison isn't that inaccurate, much of the job nowadays is to entertain. It's not like when I were a lad! Anyway, the education sytem is once again about to be shaken up, and I'll be caught up in the changeover to whatever new course they bring into replace the Standard Grade and Intermediate courses. The government spokesperson for education was talkling it up last week, all the bright new ideas they have, then when asked what would be replacing the existing courses, she admitted to having no idea. It's all hot air! At the end of the day, they'll have to pay a bunch of experienced teachers to write the new courses, but in such a way that all the daft government ideas are addressed.

It's true that most existing courses need a real shake up anyway, to make them nmore appealing, but what's proposed isn't intended to make them more appealing, only to place more emphasis on achievement rather than attainment. The Curriculum for Excellence for intsance suggests that students might have talents which are not assessable within a school context, and therefore, that although they might not be successful in an educational sense, their out of school success should be recognised within the school system. In other word, let's breed more Richard Branson type figures.

This is probably a welcome time of the year for most teachers, with exams coming up. A chance to take stock and evaluate how the year has gone, and to start planning for next session. Next session I'll be teaching full-time, so I'd probably better pay attention!

The Prodigal Son Returns!

2008-04-27T16:05:00.008Z

Not taking any chances with this fuel crisis, and not heading down to Glenshee as I had wanted to, we instead returned to my old childhood stomping ground, and the coastal path between the villages of Findochty and Portknockie. The above picture shows 2 large free-standing rock pillars, which are almost surrounded by water at high tide. We called them the Mammy and Daddy rocks, and I climbed up both of them many times as a kid.

The approach to the village of Portknockie.

Portknockie harbour.

On the return leg we saw the Air-sea rescue guys practising their winching at the top of the cliffs.

Here's one of them being lowered down, ideal weather condition, hardly a breath of wind. It's not going to be like that in a real situation is it?

Heading back the way, looking at the East of Findochty and the Sandy Craig beach.

The Sandy Craig beach closer up

The Pumps Are Dry!

2008-04-26T16:43:00.003Z

Looks like it's going to be a nice day tomorrow, but I can't go anywhere. It's going to be the first day of the 3 day strike at Grangemouth refinery. I "have" to be able to travel every day next week, so need to conserve every millilitre of petrol that I can. I had fancied driving down to Glenshee and bagging 3 easy Munros there, but I daren't risk not being able to acquire more petrol.

A tidbit of additional info came to my attention today, from an unlikely souce, but never mind. It seems that the bosses at Grangemouth refinery were planning a shut-down for maintenance and repair work anyhow. So now they can carry it out without having to pay their massive workforce for standing idle. Handy huh? What's more, the workers there have a truly legitimate reason for going on strike, their boses have plundered their pension fund. That's happened so often in this country, that if you ask me, they should be handing out lengthy jail sentences to the executives behind it. They won't though, because the government have done it too.

I'm going out for a little drink toinight. First time in I don't know how long. I don't plan on getting too drunk though, I'll save that for the end of my Univeristy course, when we're all going to go out in Aberdeen and paint the town red, just like the Dandy Dons! If the state I was in after finishing my degree is anything to go by, then look out Aberdeen!

Drowning In Debt!

2008-04-25T13:46:00.004Z

I'm back into school on Monday. Unfortunately, I have to travel to get there, and this non-existent petrol crisis could cause problems. Interestingly, the local filling stations have decided that this sudden demand for fuel necessitates a steep rise in cost. After all, if people want it that badly, then they will surely be prepared to pay a little extra. The way things are going I wonder how long Brown can hold on to power. The fuel crisis is just the tip of a dangerously huge iceberg, food prices are also soaring, utilities have been going through the roof, and they've just targeted Road Tax on the most popular makes of car. It all adds up to a looming depression, I can't see it going any other way.

If I were to be cynical, I would suggest to you that the present Labour government want the economy to crash. Why? Well, if you recall, Brown has already ratified the re-drafted Euro-constitution that Blair signed us up to without giving us our promised referendum, the promise of which returned Labour to office. One of the key elements of that document, is that the UK adopt the Euro. Of course, that would have been ridiculous while the pound was the superior currency, but the gap is truly narrowing now, and watch what happens when the Euro becomes the more valued currency. Brown will have us jingling Euro's in no time, and how could we protest? Why would we protest?

If I were a Labour MP, I'd be looking to move for a vote of no confidence in Brown. After all he was the Chancellor responsible for the UK economy before becoming PM, and some would say he's still pulling the strings. He recently stated that the economy was his biggest concern, so he's almost certainly making Alistair Darling dance like his little puppet Chancellor, that's for certain. One way or another, the global economy aside, Brown is entirely resposible for this pickle that we're all in right now. There's no obvious way out, and even though Blair led us into Iraq, opened the door to millions of immigrants and thus welcomed a new wave of terrorism to our shores, those things never made the man in the street furious. Pushing the working class back into Victorian levels of financial suffering, let's see what effect that has on Joe public?

Bitten By the Bug!

2008-04-23T18:51:00.004Z

Proving that any sport no matter how exclusive, can be graced on a shoe-string budget, I picked myself up a nice looking rucksack from Lidl's yesterday. I've already acquired trekking poles from there several weeks ago, which have since been essential in reaching the tops of several hills. I also bagged a Craghoppers jacket and fleece from TK Maxx, at very reasonable prices. The only things that's actually cost me a bit, were my boots, which I bought from Millet's, and even then they were reduced. The fact is that I probably got all of the gear for about one tenth of what people normally pay.

I've been asked several times already, why we've suddenly taken up hill-walking, as though it's some sort of medieval contagion. There are several reasons, but the main one originated in my reasoning that if I'm going to be a teacher (which I am), then I should spend more time out-doors when I get the chance. Climbing hills seemed like a good incentive, it's challenging, there's a goal (the summit), and I would get to see parts of the country I haven't been before.

The fact is that once we started we did sort of get bitten by the bug fairly quickly. There is a sense of achievement, which I'm sure can be had in most sports, and yes, sports do tend to be expensive. Fortunately for me, I don't care too much about brand names, and elitism, so I can quite happily show my face on any hillside, minus the Berghaus clothing, and still claim it as my own. Anyone who thinks people shouldn't be there unless they have the best of gear, deserves to be rolled off of the hill. Not everyone has cash to burn, but everyone is entitled to participate, It's called inclusion, here endeth today's lesson!

While the Sun Shines!

2008-04-22T19:33:00.005Z

Managed to squeeze in another jaunt up the Bin of Cullen today. Got to make the best of it before I'm back in school. That starts next week, and there won't be much in the way of spare time then! The first photo is the view towards Buckie.

The village of Findochty is hiding in here someplace!

This is the picturesque village of Cullen, with it's magnificent railway viaduct, probably the greatest architectural feat in the area. It's not a big place, but it has history!

First Munro Bagged!

2008-04-21T20:06:00.008Z

Yesterday I bagged my first Munro "Schiehallion". Here it is just after we set off (the wife and kids did it too). 1083 metres, up and down in 4 hours, pretty good going!

A familiar site on the hills, burning heather. Why do they burn it? I supsect it's to allow grass to grow, but that's just my theory!

Up on to the boulder field, the steepest part was already over with!

Look at all those boot prints. This is a popular Munro!

Wounded Knee!

2008-04-18T18:38:00.004Z

I'm thinking about heading South this Sunday, to tackle my first Munro. The one I have in mind is Schiehallion, a little bit West of Pitlochry. There are plenty Munro's much closer to home, but the ones further North are all snow-covered right now, and that's not really suitable for beginners. There is also the problem of my lingering knee pain, first it was the left knee, now it's the right. Unfortunately, I have had problems with the right knee in the past, so I'm kind of hoping I haven't awoken a sleeping lion there.

Watched "The Real Indiana Jones" on Channel 5 the other night, quite interesting. It seems to be that Indiana Jones is based on real-life adventurers, although not directly as you might have expected. Instead, it seems that Lucas and Spielberg based the character on their recollections of "Matinees" that they both watched as children. These shows featured all action heroes and clear distinctions between the good guys and the bad guys. The shows were of course based on real characters, not that Spielberg or Lucas might have known that. They simply had a T.V. diet on which they thrived. So Indie is a third-hand version of a hotch-potch of early 20th Century adventurers and explorers.

I've another week or so before I'm back in school for a five week run, at the end of which that will be me, virtually a teacher, although only provisionally for the first year, but at least I'll start getting paid. This course has been a hard slog. You can tell from the drop-out rate, and even amongst those that will finish, I have heard many of them saying that they don't plan to take up teaching places after the Summer, on all sorts of pretexts. The most likely route for many will be to simply finish the course, and never teach at all, because they don't want to quit so close to the finish, but they've already decided that teaching's not for them!

Not Paying Out!

2008-04-16T18:30:00.003Z

Boring day. Had to drive my son the 60 miles into Aberdeen to see the Orthodontist, only to be in and out of the surgery in a little under 10 minutes. What's worse is, I was chastised because he hasn't been brushing his teeth properly, he didn't have a go at him, he had a go at me. Short of brushing his teeth for him, I don't see how I can force him to make a better job of it. He's a teenager, everything he does is half-arsed! When you're 13 you don't care too much about your teeth, or anything other than Call of Duty 4, Halo 2 and lazing around all day. I'll give him his due though, he gets up for school no bother, no idea how he manages that, but he does.

By the way, this is ATM bashing day, because they're beginning to annoy me even more than before. Firstly I tried to get money at the ATM in the town centre here, only they have new parking restrictions in place and there were no spaces. Every single parking space is taken before 9 am, by people who work in the town centre. If they put a time limit on it, that would be helpful, but no. There are never any spaces during normal day-time hours. Absolutely ridiculous.

Next up, I tried to get cash from an ATM at a petrol station in another town, on the way to Aberdeen. Despite the notice that there was a £2 fee per cash withdrawal, I pressed ahead, because I wanted to fill up. Nothing doing, it didn't pay out. I tried twice more, still wouldn't pay out. I managed to make it to Aberdeen, where I was able to retrieve some cash from a machine. I'm starting to think someone wants to stop me having my own money!!!

Bin and Gone!

2008-04-15T19:52:00.004Z

Wanted to get some hill-walking in this morning, but there wasn't time to go far, so we just went for the Bin of Cullen again, this time from the front!

It was a fine day, warm even, until we reached the top, at which point it started to drizzle.

Saw this sign at the bottom of the hill, thrown into the fearns!

Bon Anniversaire!

2008-04-14T19:06:00.001Z

Almost as an after thought. This blog is a year old today. Yay!!!

Hollow Threats!

2008-04-14T18:38:00.003Z

That's the assessment in at last, for better or worse. At least I didn't have sleepless nights over it like some of the other trainees, regardless of the stress I suffered during the daytime. What's more, having met up again with my co-students, everyone's saying the same thing, worst essay they've ever had to write, and that they hated it. Some of these folk have Masters too, so that tells you something. I think the Uni let us down with this one, the task was drivel, it was all very vague, and there wasn't any content to sink your teeth into. Nevermind, it could well be the last ever assessment I have to write. Why do I doubt that?

I suffered an attack of apathy reading how "Gordon Brown sends a warning to Mugabe" yesterday. Not that I'm not deeply concerned about what's happening in Zimbabwe, I've been speaking out about it for years. I just find it laughable that either Brown or anyone else in this country, seems to think that Mugabe is the least bit interested in what Brown has to say. It reminds me of Hitler and Chamberlain, except Hitler at least tried to play the appeasement game. Mugabe plays his own game, by his rules!

I was watching the U.S. Masters now and again over the weekend, and doesn't that Augusta place look lovely? Obviously a small fortune is spent keeping the course looking like that, but it is beautiful. Words like "azalias, catkins, and silver sands" abounded. Then of course there was some golf going on and good old Peter Aliss was having fun with Tiger Woods. He would say things like, "Tiger's earned his stripes" and "Tiger's prowling in the long grass". Sounded like a Frosties advert!

Lasagne Has No Flipside!

2008-04-13T17:22:00.004Z

Yeah, I really should have posted yesterday, but I was up to my neck in assessment alright? Anyhow, it's done now for what it's worth. I'm not sure how confident I should be about what I've produced, I've been wrong before. I've handed in work I thought was terrible and scored high, but on the flipside, handed in what I've considered my best work, and scored mediocre marks. I think it quite often depends who's marking it, what sort of day they've had, and possibly even the time of month ;-/

It's a weight of my shoulders anyway, although I do have a presentation to prepare and deliver next week. After that, I will be able to indulge in some slight relaxation, I'll still be busy, but not under so much pressure hopefully. Some decent weather would be nice too. After hitting that Corbett "Morven" with the wife and kids in a virtual whiteout, they are justifiably reluctant to repeat the performance in a hurry. So, let's hope that the weather improves, that the snow on the hills melts, and then I might be able to indulge in a spot of Munro bagging.

I had spaghetti bolognaise for my supper, if you're interested, not with steak mince but with pieces of chicken instead. That's the way we have it, and it's absolutely delicious, believe me! Those Italians could take a lesson from us Scots, and if it wasn't for Lasagne, they'd be getting one. Can't beat a bit of Lasagne, unless it's Canneloni of course. Pure Ambrosia is Canneloni!

Beyond the Pale!

2008-04-11T19:06:00.005Z

My knees are still hurting a little from my Antarctic expedition yesterday. Strange how I'm the only one who's suffering. I think it might be a genetic marker, indicating that my ancestors lived mainly in flat areas of land, or else my knees are clapped out from some of the laborious work I once indulged in. Either way, it's quite odd that I have no problem walking uphill, but as soon as I start walking downhill, my kneecaps inform me that they're most displeased with such a mode of travel!

I'm still deeply busy writing this assessment. It's pretty much done as far as I'm concerned, with just one itsy bitsy problemo. There's a Word Count limit of 5,000, with a 10% margin to play around with. I just weighed in at 7,628 words, so now I'll have to do some whole-scale chopping to get it right down to a suitable length. Given the quality of what I've written, I simply can't afford to lose marks for exceeding the stated word count.

In a few weeks time I should be finding out which school I'll be spending my probationary year teaching at. I expect to be placed locally or near enough, but it doesn't work like that. I could in fact be sent somewhere beyond commuting distance, in which case, I might have to move house. Just for a year? It's a distinct possibility. The rules are; you have 3 years to complete your probation, you can go where you're sent or go it alone, in which case it will take a year plus a term to complete. If you go it alone and fail to teach for a year and a term within 3 years, then you have to go back to University and go through a whole year's training again. No wonder people are falling over themselves to join the profession!

Snowballed On Morven!

2008-04-10T19:18:00.006Z

This is Morven in Southern Aberdeenshire, which we climbed today. 871 m in knee-deep snow. Either very brave or foolhardy, you decide!

The first section wasn't all that bad, just some melt-water running down the path!

Then things started to get a bit... snowy!

The cairn on the summit. You have no idea what a slog it was to get here, now I know how Captain Scott must have felt.

Love Is In the Air!

2008-04-09T18:45:00.005Z

Ah, Spring is in the air! Well no, not really, but besides the crocuses and daffodils, I witnessed another tell-tale sign this morning. Something far less appealing to witness than a smattering of flowers. "Pray do tell?" you plead! Well, it was none other than... seagulls humping. Yes, first thing that got my attention was the incessant noise they were making as I nipped to the shop. I looked up to see a pair going at it birdy style, then another pair on the next roof along, then another pair... well, you get the idea! One in... all in!

All that was before I'd even had breakfast. Not the kind of thing you really want to witness at that time of day. It didn't put me off my breakfast though... if I'd been watching it happen while I had my breakfast, well, that would be another matter entirely!

Tomorrow we're heading off for some hill-walking on a hill called "Morven" in Southern Aberdeenshire. At least, that's the plan. While it's been a really nice day here today, I've been told there were 3 or 4 inches of snow out that way. Anyhow, we're going regardless. As long as there isn't a blizzard or anthing, we'll give it a shot. Should make for some decent photos! I'll get back to you!

Increasingly Tight Contour Lines!

2008-04-07T19:31:00.006Z

Yeah, so ask me how the shopping trip went. It went alright actually, although I do have a real stinker of a headache now. That could be because of the driving though, I think I have a mild form of travel sickness. Anything over an hour in a car, and I'm liable to receive a migraine for it! Of course you don't care, it's the way of the World. Obviously you have your own problems, everyone seems to have them nowadays. Funny how you never heard the soldiers in the trenches in WWI complaining, and they had something to shout about. Whatever happened to that bulldog British spirit? I actually hate it when I catch myself moaning, negativity is habitual, and it does you no good!

To be fair, I actually scored from our shopping trip, my wife was meant to be spending her birthday money, but I ended up with a few decent purchases myself. As you l know, I'm still trying to get myself properly kitted out for a spot of hillwalking. So, I got myself a jacket and a couple pairs of hiking trousers today. I'm still having difficulty acquiring gaiters though, can't seem to find exactly what I'm looking for. I also need a decent rucksack, I can't keep using my son's school bag (you believed that?)!

I picked up a few Ordnance Survey maps as well, looking ahead to the Summer. We're hoping to make a few forays into Munro territory then, and hopefully chalk off a few of those 284 Munros still waiting to be bagged. Nothing too strenuous or out of the way for a start. From what I can tell so far, there are quite a few that are what you migh refer to as inaccessible, then there are those which could be called vertigo-inducing. Those I will leave well alone!

Thinking About Thinking!

2008-04-06T19:10:00.004Z

I've been working most of the day, it's been snowing heavily and on and off, so thought I may as well get some work done, since I've been procrastinating way too much recently. I'm not a procrastinator all of the time, it's just this damn ridiculous essay, which has to be the most pointless and yet most important essay I've ever had to write. I'm afraid to say I just can't get into it at all, I am writing stuff, but it may or may not be relevant to the question. Not that there is a question, just a paragraph of gibberish about "Inclusion".

Anyway, I'll probably spend most of this week trying to pull together something coherent, as it has to be in in a week's time. I didn't come all this way just to flunk over some pointless exercise in verbosity. Once this crap is out of the way, I'm virtually home and dry. I'll probably take a couple of days out though. The wife wants a shopping trip to Aberdeen and I want to bag another Corbett before it's business as usual again. I think I might have mentioned those yesterday, nevermind, they bear repeating!

I didn't watch Doctor Who testerday, I saw a teaser on the Jonathon Ross show on Friday, and it looked like pure dross. Not like in the old days when Tom Baker was the Doctor, now that was class. Tom Baker did for Doctor Who what Brian Blessed did for Treasure Island. You probably won't get my drift, it's just a strange wiring in my synapses, don't worry about it.

The Elgin Climate Mystery!

2008-04-05T18:31:00.005Z

Snowing here again! I think it's safe to say that the climate is screwed. That's another year that we've had our Winter in March-April. Twenty years ago, it was February-March. I don't think I've seen a proper Winter, i.e. December time, since the 70's, and even then it was only around 6 inches of snow. My father tells tales of six feet of snow, back when he was a lad.

While the problem is clearly global, apparently there are some very severe contibutors here in Moray. The local newspaper had an article in it this week on the subject, which made rather odd reading. I'd like to tell you just what it was about, but to be honest it didn't make that much sense. Apparently, Moray is doing more damage to the environment than any other Scottish county, despite being sparsely populated. The article reported some scientists claims, that it wasn't Carbon Dioxide emissions causing the damage, but excess heat being produced. That was odd enough, but then it gave a specific location, the area of 99 High Street, Elgin.

I wondered what there could be in that vicinity which would produce more heat than anywhere else in Scotland! It turns out that the area is mainly occupied by an empty building. So unless, there's some major geo-thermal activity going on there, something truly bizarre is afoot, and I want to know what it is. The truth will out as they say, and when I find out what the mysterious super-heat source is, you'll be the first to know! I'd also like to know who this so called "scientist" is, how exactly he pin-pointed the source of the heat, and why the budding Sherlock Holmes having got that far, can't work out precisely what's causing it!

Nothing But Scrap Metal!

2008-04-04T18:20:00.005Z

I'm afraid it's lights out for my old car, the one I put off-road on Monday. The intention was to get it repaired and sell it, but it appears that it's too far gone even for that. Seems like I did exactly the right thing, not putting it through it's M.O.T. and buying another car instead. My instincts serve me right again, although I wasn't the one labouring under the delusion that it was repairable. Now everyone's in agreement, it's no good for anything but scrap. It never was a great car, it looked alright, but was dogged by niggling problems, design faults if you ask me. But you won't ask me will you Vauxhall? I won't have another of your cars though, so you've shot yourself in the foot there!

Looks like we're set for snow here again, my fledgling hill-walking career has been severely hampered by the weather, oh wait, this is Scotland isn't it? Regardless of whether it snows again or not, I'm going to bag another Corbett next week. I have my eyes set on the biggest Corbett in the Grampians; "Morven", and if it happens to be covered in snow, then so be it. At least I shpould get some nice photos out of it. Mind you, I also have to squeeze in a day's shopping in Aberdeen, which will be harder on the feet that any hill-walk. I'm sure I've covered some torturous shopping expeditions in this blog before. My wife has a stamina for shopping that beggars belief. I'll find some excuse to duck out of part of it though, perhaps I need to acquire some OS maps, yes, that's right, I won't be able to get those anywhere else.

Going back to the hill-walking, I'm still ill-prepared. I have acquired several necessities such as maps, compass, hiking boots, trekking poles etc. but I still need a decent jacket, gaiters and a rucksack. Crampons too if I'm going to go out in the white stuff. Mind you, I'm not one for extreme cold, or extreme heat either. I think average sort of days are best for hill-walking.

Climbing Is A Mimzy!

2008-04-03T10:40:00.009Z

Never managed to post yesterday, because of this:

That's Corryhabbie Hill, which we climbed, a good walk it was as well, 5 hours it took us.

The photo above is of Cook's Cairn, and the pointy hill right behind it is The Buck.

This is along the ridge-line form Corryhabbie Hill, and is called Carn an t-Suidhe. I know, unpronounceable, but the further into the Highlands you go, the more common these Gaelic place-names become.

I would have posted in the evening, but we were watching a film; "The Last Mimzy". It's the first decent family film I've seen in years, I really enjoyed it, so did the wife, and the kids. I can't recommend it enough! It was like a mixture between; E.T. , Short Circuit and some other stuff of which I can't be certain. My daughter now wants her own Mimzy, which I suspect comes with a fairly hefty price-tag, and doesn't have the powers of the film version!

Replacement Body Parts Required!

2008-04-01T19:13:00.005Z

I've realised over the last couple of days, just how out of shape I really am. I knew I was a bit out of shape, because I don't do much exercise and I do like my grub. That's why the climb up Ben Rinnes knocked the crap out of me a bit. Apart from the knee, I didn't feel too bad at the time, but today my ankles' playing up, my shoulder's stiff, and both knees fell slightly abused. So, with that in mind, I'm off to ascend another Corbett tomorrow, Corryhabbie Hill (in my language - Curry happy hill), Fortunately, this one has a much more gradual ascent, and I'll be taking it easy just to be safe. At least the weather looks better this time, and hopefully there won't be much in the way of snow still lying.

That's my old car off of the road now. It's in my old man's garage. I could have left it out in the car park, but there are too many busy-bodies around here, and the traffic wardens occasionally pass through as well. It's just not worth the risk, especially when you haven't got 2 pennies to rub together anyway. The wife and kids still aren't too enamoured with the new vehicle, but it's better than nothing, which is what I was worried about landing with. I needn't remind you of the state of public transport in these parts, and besides, how the hell would I get anywhere near those hills without a car? It would be impossible!

My wife's birthday is coming up. All husbands will hate me for this, but the wife and I have a great agreement. We buy our own birthday presents, for ourselves that is. As long as it's within reason, we can buy what we want. No problems with clothes sizes, having to take the present back to the shop and so on. We're very practical in that sense. I know it's nice to have a surprise, at least until you reach puberty, then it just becomes annoying to receive an ill-chosen gift. It's much preferable to receive cash, so you can buy what you want. We've just circumvented all that nonsense. Great isn't it?

Cars!

2008-03-31T19:08:00.005Z

This is me in my new car, which I bought yesterday. Nah, it's not really. My car isn't in such good condition. When I said new, I really meant "new to me". It's 9 years old actually, which is an eternity in car years, unless you have an extensive garage, chauffeur and mechanic at your personal disposal. I don't have those, or I am all those even, apart from the garage, that would be ridiculous.

I just needed a runaround really, so got myself a cheap second-hand car with a year's M.O.T and somehow managed to find one within my budget and with a pretty low mileage. The wife and kids don't particularly like it. They prefer the old one, but as the saying goes "Beggars can't be choosers!" I wouldn't beg, but I would accept charity, which is the next best thing really when it comes down to it, not that any charity would be forthcoming anyway!

The benefits of my new car, are as follows; the ABS isn't a pain in the arse, the steering pump functions continuously, it holds the road very well, it's very economical, and it has a CD player in it. From that, you should be able to deduce the deficiencies that were to be found in my old car. I still haven't decided what to do with the old car yet. My father thinks it's worth repairing, but I'm sceptical. I don't like mechanicking, it sucks. The notion of spending time and money trying to fix up a car which gave me so much grief, is frankly, a non-starter. In addition, I have no time to spare whatsoever, in which to carry out said repair job. Don't know about you, but that's me convinced!

Wounded Knee On the Ben!

2008-03-30T20:21:00.007Z

Yesterday we climbed the biggest hill in these parts... Ben Rinnes (840 m or 2752 ft).

Looking down at Roy's Hill, Meikle Conval and little Conval.

Roy's Hill in the foreground, which leads on to Ben Rinnes proper.

Snow... knee-deep and worse.

The top of the hill looking at the trig point, cold, windy, and weather about to take a turn for the worse. We just made it back to the car before heavy rain hit. I twisted my knee on the way down, and I had a wedding dance to go to in the evening. No dancing for me I'm afraid. Mind you, that was yesterday, and it's much better today.

Eye Eye!

2008-03-28T19:20:00.002Z

Sorry I missed posting again yesterday, but I'm up to my eyeballs at the moment! What's more, I've also got something in my eye, which has been annoying me for the past few hours. We used to have an eye-bath, which was extremely handy, but of course it has dissolved into the fabric of the building as so many things tend to.

I'm actually very depressed right now. My futile attempts to find and purchase a car haven't really got off of the ground. I have to be able to time to coincide; having someone else who can drive to come with me just in case, going to see the car before someone buys it and staying within my piffling budget. It's not going well, I've already missed out on a couple cars, I guess because, cheap cars sell quickly. It's very annoying. I don't want to get desperate and buy a pile of crap, but time is running out. I think I have till about Wednesday. I'll let you know how it goes.

Oh Bollards!

2008-03-26T19:24:00.003Z

Did I get any work done today? Yes I did, although the weather was so fine that I really wanted to go out and do some hill-walking. But I had to stay in and wait for the new cooker to be delivered, which it was around 11am, although I had expected the delivery guys to wire it in, because when we bought it there was a sign which said "Free delivery and recycling". We thought that they'd wire up the new cooker and take away the old one for recycling. I have since realised that it was probably the packaging which was to be recycled. Dammit!

So, after the cooker had been delivered I had to wire it, and the connections on the back were very different to the old cooker. In the end I spent about 2 hours on it. What a pain! And so the whole day was pretty much wasted again, although I made a start on my assessment, which was my intention. I also managed to play a game or two, upload some photos to Imageshack and generally waste an entire day... again!

Tomorrow is the last day of Uni for a fortnight, yay! I plan on some major hill-wlaking this next two weeks, only I need to buy a new (to me) second-hand car, because my present one is clapped-out. Then there's this assessment, with which I must discipline myself and do some work on it everyday. Otherwise it will never be done, and it has to be submitted when we go back. I always feel like I'm juggling crap like this, and trying to fit in some quality "me" time just gets harder and harder!

I'll Work Tomorrow!

2008-03-25T18:34:00.004Z

Haven't done much today, and I had such great intentions as well. I was going to get stuck right in to this assessment I have, but then I got a phone call from the school saying my daughter was ill, and to come and collect her. As a result of which, she demanded my attention for most of the day, and hence, nothing done! Well, I did do a little bit, but it was almost a token gesture to myself, which is effectively pointless, because I'm aware of what I'm doing (?).

Ah well, I'll have the whole day to work tomorrow, if I can just make a start, I'll get plenty done I'm sure. There's no great rush really, but this assessment is of such a nature, that it requires a fair bit of thought, and I'm not really in the mood for thinking. I do however perceive, that at this level, you really have to push yourself on and get things done, because there is very little external pressure, such as you might feel exerted at lower levels in the education system. I have always been able to force myself to get the job done, even when it's very tedious, because I realise that it's important not to leave anything to chance.

I know that others have found this course virtually impossible and others who like me have made it this far, are having grave doubts as to whether they really want to do this. I don't have any such doubts, I'm committed and have long-term goals form which I will not be deterred. Just like the rest, I've had my glimpses at the darker side, but I have an inate ability to bounce back very quickly, where others perhaps tend to dwell. You have to have a thick skin, that much is plain, and you have to be able to rise above it. I think I can do that!

Roll Your Yellow Crystals!

2008-03-24T19:37:00.006Z

I'm sorry I never posted yesterday, events conspired once again to prevent me, but at least I found a news item worthy of you for today! I happened to come across an article translated from Russian, which even if it's not true, is worthy of attention. If it is true, then it's one of the most important finds ever!

The basic premise of the article, is that the massive explosion at Tunguska, Siberia in 1908, which had nearby residents petrified, and flattened massive tracts of forest, was actually the result of alien intervention. Yes, it sounds crazy, but the explosion itself was hardly normal, and has often been purported to have been the first ever nuclear explosion. Impossible? If you believe that everything you read is true, then it must be.

However, in recent years a Siberian scientist undertook a lengthy investigation of the "crash site", and found 10 strange yellow crystals in a river bank. The scientist has since declared that such crystals could not form on Earth, and must therefore have came down with the meteor which flattened Tunguska. So far, all very plausible, but the scientist then goes on further to claim that the crystals are etched with drawings of alien origin, which he claims were part of a navigational unit for a spaceship. In test conditions the lab were unnable to make similar etchings on the crystals, as it was too hard to scratch. The crystals all have similar holes through them which he supposes allowed them to be linked together.

The whole theory therefore reads thus. A 1 billion ton meterorite was on a collision course with Earth and would have wiped out humanity, but aliens crashed their spaceship into the meteorite before it could impact, thus saving the human race. Whatever the truth, something very odd happened at Tunguska, and eye-witnesses reported seeing some very strange things at the time. Anyway, since this is Easter Monday, I thought I'd report back that there were others who died to save humanity besides the most well known. Perhaps we should roll yellow crystals on this day!

Cooking Up A Storm!

2008-03-22T18:40:00.003Z

Had to buy a new cooker today, the oven in the old one has been gone for around 3 weeks, and the lack of variety at meal-times was really starting to get to me. There's probably very little wrong with the cooker we have, but the cost of actually having someone just look at it, is more than it's worth probably, so that's why I plumped for a new one. Nothing special, it's a cooker, as long as it cooks, it'll be doing the job for which it's intended. I need lasagane, that's the main issue here, no lasagne for 3 weeks, it's beyond the limits of human endurance!

I'm also looking for a new car. Did I say new car? I meant an old car that's just like new, but at an affordable price, and preferably with low mileage. That's asking a lot isn't it? Well, if you don't ask, you don't get, that's my motto, and it has proven true many a time. When I sort out that problem , I also have a dodgy washing-machine and a knackered hoover needing replacing. Those will have to wait however, as I'm struggling heavily in a financial sense, as I approach the end of 4 years studying, with next to nothing income. Yes, somehow we seem able to save, even when earning nothing. That seems to astound people looking in, who I'm sure suspect that someone must be giving us cash. They're not, we're just good at not being frivolous. What that will mean when I do start making some money, I'm not sure. We'll either be very comfortable, or else won't be able to stop spending insanely.

No hill-walking this weekend bacause blizzard conditions are anticpated, but I do intend to make up for it in a week's time, I have a few expeditions lined up, weather permitting as usual of course. I might have to acquire a few accoutrements first, don't have a compass for starters. I do have maps, and I use streetmap.co.uk quite a lot as well. Anyway, we'll see what happens, the best laid plans of mice and men, and all that...

Time To Evolve!

2008-03-21T19:33:00.006Z

It's cold here today, and very windy too, gale-force even. Not that you're interested, or would even stop to wonder "Where is here?" I don't mind that you don't care, it's the way of the World. Even if I posted something about terrible atrocities happening, it's still highly likely that you wouldn't care, in fact you'd probably navigate away as quickly as possible. You see terrible things on the televison all the time, and you have become numbed by it. You just can't visualise yourself in the position of the victims of crime and violence.

I say that it's because you're a materialist. Don't deny it? You have loads of stuff you couldn't bear to do without. Yet, for every possession you become insecurely attached too, you lose another piece of your soul. That's my realisation, and if you consider it you too will realise that I'm right! I've thought about the ways in which society has changed, from the times when people trusted each other, left their house doors open, helped their neighbours and friends in a crisis, took an interest in the problems or successes of others. That's all gone. People only care about themselves now. Their nearest and dearest, that's all. The trust is gone, replaced by fear. The caring is gone, replaced by greed, and concern for the affairs of others, has been replaced by a selfish drive to keep up withe the Joneses.

I have seen these things, and I think that mankind has regressed because of it. I really think that it's knocked evolution back a thousand years. How can I say such a thing when we have all these new technologies and science is making tremendous break-throughs. I say so, because humanity can't possibly evolve unless everyone shares common goals. Because we only have individual goals, most of which are misplaced ideals anyway, we're far more likely to destroy ourselves before we ever get a chance to take the next big evolutionary leap, the kind that will allow us to find eternal peace for the human race!

The Ruin Of Man!

2008-03-20T21:11:00.004Z

That's me finished another school placement, 3 out of 4, and the pressure's off for the most part. Becoming a teacher is now a formality, barring some sort of biblical disaster. So, it's back to Uni on Monday again, not too much more of that to go either, thank goodness. 4 years in full-time education, just to spend the rest of my natural stuck in education. With the one proviso, that in future, I get paid for it. I do have a small fortune in loans to pay back, which doesn't really seem fair, you'd think they'd be grateful for people entering a profession where you're to blame for every little thing that goes wrong. There is a blame culture in education at the moment, and the teacher's must be to blame, because it's just not fair to blame the real culprits. Who are the real culprits? I'll leave that for you to decide!

Sorry, that this is short, but I think I'm going to have a little drink to celebrate my making it through another round of testing times. I'm still standing! Yeah, yeah, yeah!

Let Me Through!

2008-03-19T18:32:00.004Z

Why is it that whenever I have free time, the weather turns bad, and as soon as my free time is up, it becomes beautiful once again? And, it's not just the holiday times either, quite often it's beautiful here all week long, then come the weekend, wind and rain. I'm not usually one to moan about the weather, but all I want is a few days out on the hills over the next 3 weeks, and if the weather's rotten for that whole time, then both you and I will know that the big man's got it in for me!

I'm trying to join a forum for hillwalkers, not really because I want to feel as though I'm part of something, but mainly just to help me plan out routes up hills, because on more than one occasion recently, my navigational skills have been called into question, in fact 3 times if I'm going to be open about it. On all 3 occasions I was vindicated, by finding the correct path, but that's not the point. The point is, that many of the hills I intend to climb, don't really have what you might call paths, per se. What I need is information form the horse's mouth so to speak, as to the best route to take, in such circumsatances.

I actually would like to hit a couple of Corbetts this Easter break, gearing up to do some Munros, later in the year, probably at Summertime, because I'm a fair weather man to be honest, and Highland conditions can get really bad, particularly on high ground, and at any time of year, but in Winter and even Springtime people die out there. Ben Rinnes is my number one target this Easter, I don't know how many times I've seen that hill in the passing and never been up it. Well, all that's going to change!

Steer Well Clear!

2008-03-18T19:54:00.003Z

I came across this picture in my travels. It was taken by someone with whom I'm acquainted, in a professional sense. As usual, I'm not giving away too much, because I always try to protect the innocent (and myself). Honestly, I just thought it was a nice picture of some deer playing near the lochside. You don't often see any photos of deer with water in the background, more often trees or mountain-side, so this photo seems unusual in that sense. These seemingly harmless creatures can leave a fairly nasty dent in your car, and I heard a story recently of someone who swerved to avoid hitting one, and ended up writing-off his car in the doing so, and the Insurance refused to pay up. They said that he should have hit it! Very odd position to adopt, I would say, what if it had been a child? What if there wasn't time to tell the difference?

That's all for today, I'm a very busy man!

Back to Basics!

2008-03-17T19:09:00.004Z

This week has started like one of those weeks where you just can't be bothered! After all the tension, anxiety and effort I put in last week, this week feels like an anti-climax. I've done the job I came to do, and now I'm ready to move on to my next major goal, which takes the form of a written assessment. With that out of the way I'll be virtually home and dry!

It was the last in the series of "Lewis" last night, which is watchable, but lacks so much of what made "Morse" what it was. I could continue a previous rant I had on here, about the quality of script writing for television in general, and how I suspect that they're hiring young script writers who have next to nothing experience of the World, and therefore the scripts are shit! But, I'm not going to do that because I've done it before. Yes, the Americans have overtaken us as far as script writing goes, I've noticed that even just from clips of new shows that I've caught, and, I'm still watching "Lost" after 77 episodes and Im not bored yet!

Maybe it's just my age (I'm not old), but my expectations of what make good telly have either changed dramatically or the quality of the shows has declined dramtically, and I think I know which it is. Even the film industry seems to have lost it's way, so called big screen blockbusters, keep turning out to be fairly bog-standard. It's not like way back before I was even born, films like Spartacus, Dr. Zhivago and Lawrence of Arabia. Those films demonstrated the power of sweeping cinematography and brilliant storylines. That was without CGI. CGI should be used to enhance a film, but there seems to be an over-reliance upon it, if you ask me. It's time we brought back some of the traditional ideas, they'd probably rock the establishment, we've gone so far from what actually worked in the first place!

Beaten Back By Hail!

2008-03-16T15:50:00.007Z

Today we attempted to walk up a hill called Little Conval, near Dufftown. It shouldn't have been too difficult, after all, we've already climbed it's bigger brother Meikle Conval, a few weeks back. However, there were two major obstacles; finding the path up (didn't seem to be one), and the weather. When we eventually made it up out of the tree-line, and had found some semblance of a path, the weather closed in, and about three quarters of the way up, in a mixture of hail, sleet and driving rain, I finally conceded defeat, and so we trudged disappointingly back down.

That's the first time I've been defeated by a hill. The photo above shows the hill, once we had plodded back down. The weather had improved a bit by that time, but it still wasn't that good. Anyway, I'll be back as Arnie says, and next time I will be victorious! This is not over, mark my words!

Into the Unknown!

2008-03-15T17:03:00.004Z

I've been busy this week and so far this weekend as well, and it's not finished yet, so this might be brief. It's been a good and a bad week, but at least the things I wanted to go right, did so, and the bad parts were very much unforseen. So, in essence, that's me practically a teacher, while at the same time, I've had my real first taste of the sort of problems that come with being a teacher. It's such hard work, and everybody wants your blood. So, why do I want to do it? That's what everyone asks! But if nobody wanted to do it, there wouldn't be any teachers, would there?

Yes, it's true, teachers get flak from all sides. Every day teaching is like being a pilot with the RAF during WWII, leading a sortie over occupied France. Everybody wants to shoot you down; kids, parents, other teachers, guidance staff, management, and other external education staff. At least, that's how it seems. I'm sure there is a lot of co-operation and willingness to work together, but not always.

For some reason they want to make it harder to become a teacher, and also make it so that you need to have a Master's Degree in your subject area as well. All this despite there being a national shortage (allegedly) and as far as I'm concerned, certain huge debts for anyone silly enough to spend 4 years at Uni (would that be 7 for a Master's). You don't have to be crazy to want to become a teacher, but it obviously helps!

The Key To Success!

2008-03-13T20:53:00.002Z

Nothing more to say really. Well Done Me!!!

Not That Budget!

2008-03-12T19:38:00.004Z

I'm tired, I'm fairly stressed, and even worse I'm still waiting! Don't ask why I'm waiting, just read some recent posts, and you'll get the general idea. Almost 4 years of hard work, and it will all boil down to one hour of observation. I could handle the observation part, if I knew when to expect it, but I don't, and it's virtually impossible to be fully prepared for any random time. I'm actually at the stage of not caring when it happens, as long as it's soon, because the waiting is intolerable. It's like waiting for the hang-man, or a last minute reprieve. Either one might arrive first.

There's a hell of a lot of roadworks going on around here at the moment. They've got half the bloody town dug up. Not only are they laying broadband cables, the Gas have been digging up seemingly arbitrary areas since October, and pretty soon traffic calming measures will be started. Mind you, March always was a busy time on the roads, what with budgets having to be used up. Yes, that's right! If you don't know it, this is how it works; departments, such as Roads, get a budget for the ensuing financial year. At the end of the year, if they've used all of their budget, then they get an increased budget for next year. However, if they haven't spent all of the budget, it will get slashed for the following year. That's why the road gritters are out on beautiful days spraying salt everywhere. They have to use it all up before the end of the financial year.

It's amazing isn't it! That's why the local authorities are so hard-pressed financially. Every department is competing for cash, and in ordeer to secure that cash, they have to fritter away the cash they have. It's a peculiar system, and one which clearly doesn't work. Probably needs a total overhaul form top to bottom!

Judgement Day Looms!

2008-03-11T19:34:00.005Z

This is about a mile along the coast from my house! At the location from which this photo was taken, there are rocks where seals commonly bask right on the shoreline. Yeah that is great isn't it? Isn't nature a wonderful thing? Except when it gets in the way of progress of course! That was, of course, a joke! Animals don't cause pollution (except for cows, and they're not doing it deliberately), man is to blame. Are we the dirtiest animal on the planet? I don't think anyone could dispute it?

As I said last week, I've been doing my bit to forward the green cause, and on Thursday I will be rewarding the efforts of those who carried the cause further, at my behest. I am of course, once again, being enigmatic. There's good reason for that, to protect the innocent, which would be those minions of mine, and of course so as not to draw too much attention to myself. I don't really like attention. People who like attention tend to be attention-seekers, and that's not me.

My big day is till to come unfortunately. I have been kept waiting for it. It should be before the end of this week and that suits me fine, my patience is wearing thin, and my high stress levels persist. I have invested so much time and effort, and it all comes down to this one occasion. It has to go smoothly, or else... well, I can't even go there. I'm sure it will be fine. If only it was just down to me, but there are about 20 other individuals who can tilt the blance in my favour, or in the opposite direction. Being reliant on others is never a good thing!

Pay To Play!

2008-03-10T18:57:00.004Z

Here's the poster for the long-awaited Indiana Jones film (20 years), and oddly enough Harrison Ford looks the same as he did in the last one, although he was complaining about old age and infirmity for most of "The Last Crusade". I wish Connery was reprising his role as Indy's dad, wasn't that a great acting combo? That's a rhetorical question, the answer being "yes" obviously!

Am I right in thinking that Connery was invited to partake, but stuck firmly to his "I've given up acting" guns? Well, he's made a hell of a lot of films, and nobody will ever beat his 007, not ever! He does come back here to Scotland occassionally to stick his beak in, but he'd never come back here to live, the taxes would annihilate him.

Hey hey, just found my M.O.T. certificate and I've a week longer than I thought, which is handy because I wasn't going to have anytime to look at it, but now I will have, because I'm on holiday those extra days. Alternatively, I might do things the easier way and purchase some old banger with a years M.O.T. on it. Then buy myself something decent next year when I actually get paid for working, as opposed to having to pay to work. Yes, I do pay for the privilege of working, it sounds ridiculous, but I have petrol and lunch to pay for everyday, out of my own pocket, and occassionally materials as well, and instead of payment I get scutiny. Is it hard going financially? Absolutely!

Today I Have Mostly....

2008-03-09T20:56:00.003Z

Today I went up the Balloch Hill.

The Balloch is near Keith.

This is Keith.

Order, Order!

2008-03-08T19:10:00.005Z

What is it with politicians? It used to be an old boys club, but now it's just a self-service cash buffet! That House of Lords is no better. While setting our taxes, it seems that most of them have been doing everything possible to avoid paying themselves. Setting up huge nest-eggs in Lichtenstein. Why? Because they're rich obviously, and that's how they intend to stay. It's only a few weeks past that it came to light that UK politicians were claiming all sorts of ridiculous expenses, most of them fabricated, and that just to be safe, they'd destroyed all the associated paperwork. Even better still, on the orders of the man investigating abuse of expenses and who had been exposed doing just that himself. No wonder the MP's were all cheering him when he returned to the Houses of Parliament. He'd done them all a massive favour.

It's not like the old days, when the principal objective was to gain the favour of the King, incriminate your enemies in plots and thus acquire their land and titles for yourself. That sort of treachery was practically admirable, and certainly had to be practiced to perfection by the highest ranking nobles in the land.

The latest bee in my bonnet, and it's been there for a while, is the other recent ongoing betrayal of the nation by our politicians. The decision whether to allow us a referendum on the EU Constitution, now the EU treaty, but almost identical in all ways. Except Gordon Brown merits the change of name enough to deny us the referendum we were promised and on the back of which Labour were re-elected. They lied and they don't care. They rubbed it in our faces by denying us a vote on the issue. The only possible outcome is that we will become a vassal to Germany and France. Why would our government want that? I know why, and I told you almost a year ago. Nothing's changed. Blair and Brown cut a deal, it's so obvious, Brown for PM, Blair for Euro-President. That's why it's essential that Brown blocks a referendum at all costs, he promised Tony, who guaranteed it to the Euro-parliament in return for the supreme leadership. Despicable!

Souls of Black!

2008-03-07T19:52:00.004Z

If I say I've done my bit for the environment this week, then you should just accept that, and carry on as before. I can't tell you what it was that I did, that might just make a difference in some small way, but suffice it to say that I stung others into action, which is of course better than having to physically do anything dirty myself! I simply laid down the gauntlet, and others picked it up.

I don't think it'll save the planet or anything, but at least it will raise awareness, and while I have been a bit scathing about climate change and so on, in the past, this isn't to do with climate change. It's more to do with what a filthy species we are. Is that suitably cryptic for you? It is for me, I think I've confused myself!

I concede that I have bigger concerns right now than the future of the planet, and maybe that's selfish. But, hey, there's a few billion others who spend as much time dwelling on the subject as I do! If the planet's already destroyed, if mankind has already pushed the planet to the brink, then I along with the rest of you will face the consequences. It's as simple as that. No one person can make a difference, I said that before, and it's true. We can however, by our actions, feel as though we're doing something worthwhile, and that in itself is useful, if for no other reason than to have an excuse to fall back upon when a blame culture develops. I looked into your soul and this is what I saw!

A Pox Upon You!

2008-03-06T19:19:00.004Z

My voice seems to be going again. I've had a sore throat since lunch, and I'll be right fed-up if I get ill again. I don't want this blog to sound like a forum for me to moan about my poor health, but it's difficult to think of anything else when you're not feeling too hot. Last week was inconvenient, and I really don't think I can afford to get ill again so soon, especially with, as I said before, an important observation due any day now.

I'm determined to fight it this time, no wait, I was determined last time, and look where that got me. I would take precautions, but I've tried that as well, and it seems, if you're in the company of germ-ridden people, then your chances of not catching their bugs are slim indeed!

Nevermind, it's almost the weekend again, and I'm hoping to get out on the hills, come what may. I do have a hill in mind, the sister peak of a hill I've already been up. No names, It's too soon. It should be a good walk though, everything going to plan, which it seldom does. I'll let you know either way, otherwise you'd be left pondering my situation. Can't have that!

Waiting For Judgement Day!

2008-03-05T20:05:00.004Z

Ah, I'm working hard just now, like 8am till 9pm pretty much. It's a long day, but my perseverance should soon be rewarded. If that's too cryptic for you, it's called teacher training, and I have a crucial observation coming up. Pass this and the hardest part will be over. It's essential that I pass, but I won't be judged solely on my teaching, but also on 2 portfolios which I have to update and maintain daily. The portfolios must meet very strict criteria, unfortunate, but I don't make the rules, or break them come to think of it. I simply do what I have to to make it through, and at the moment that means working my butt off!

This observation could come as soon as tomorrow, which might be a relief to be honest, but it might be another 2 weeks yet. It's like waiting for the executioner, but hopefully with a less grisly ending. I missed my post yesterday, simply because I was maxed out, and today's as bad, but I'm slightly more recovered from my cold. I'd say I'm nearer 90% now, which is a vast improvement form the weekend, that's for sure.

So, I haven't been to a wedding for years, but it looks like I might finally be going to one in August, and no plain affair either. I suspect it's going to be very lavish and possibly even over the top, but we'll just have to wait and see.

Vitamin Sea!

2008-03-03T19:55:00.004Z

I'm still slightly under the weather, much improved, but probably still at about 60% I would say. That's why I'm stocking up on vitamins, I just had a tangerine, a multivitamin drink and a vitamin pill. What do you think of the comic strip above? I think it's great, someone has a real sense of imagination to come up with that!

Think I'll keep it brief today, I've got a lot of work on and I'm already way behind schedule. I've got a new television. That's all I'm going to tell you, no technical details. The old one was on the way out anyway, and I never bought the new one. However, there are more questions than answers there if you ask me. For instance; who bought the new television? why did they buy it? what will become of the old one? and my favourite, when will I have time to watch the bloody thing anyway? On that note, I leave you, goodnight!

Walk In the Woods!

2008-03-02T18:17:00.004Z

No hillwalking today as I'm still feeling fairly ill, although not quite as bad as yesterday. Yesterday I was really down! Anyway, just to get some fresh air, we went for a walk near Cullen, to this little tiny loch called Crannoch Loch. Here it is!

After that we had a wander around in the woods, and saw this weird looking tree. The wife thought it looked like someone hanging upside-down. Not from here, but a little further off. Very odd!

Finally, we found ourselves in an area where clay-pigeon shooting goes on. There were dug-outs and platforms from where they fired the clays out. Fortunately they weren't shooting today, because judging by the propensity of cartridge cases and shattered clays scattered around, when they do shoot, they probably shoot anything that moves!

What the Dickens?

2008-03-01T18:35:00.004Z

I was relatively ill yesterday, as reported. Today, I'm very ill. Nothing life threatening, just a really bad head cold. But I can't think clearly, and I hate it when I can't think clearly. I woke up at like 5:30 in the morning and my nose just started streaming. Yep, disgusting I know, but I'm trying to tell it as it is. Worse than that, we had to go for our fortnightly shop after that, and I hate shopping at the best of times, but on a Saturday when I'm ill, it's crowded and the weather is miserable, well, so was I.

Events have conspired to prevent me going hillwalking this weekend, and therefore there won't be any photos of the Scottish landscape for you until at least next weekend now. I for one can tell you that there's definitely no better place to be than the Scottish countryside when the weather's fair. Plenty people would pay for the privilege. I just go out and drive a short distance, and there I am, in the hills.

Sorry for the short post today, I'm sure you'll understand, and if not, too bad. I'm bloody well ill!

The Return to Action!

2008-02-29T19:31:00.003Z

Looks like I won't be flying off to the hills this weekend! Not only do I have a bad cold, apparently the weather is going to be horrible as well. It was no wonder that I caught a cold when I was surrounded by unwell people all week. I was sort of hoping that I'd just get lucky and stroll through it untouched like Bruce Willis in "Unbreakable"! However, I actually broke in about 3 days, as it happens. Ah well, there goes my invincibility. Perhaps I'm more like Samuel L. Jackson than Bruce Willis then.

Speaking of Bruce Willis, I saw a photo of Demi Moore the other day, and she's starting to look like somebody's grandmother despite having put up a pretty good fight against time and nature. Poor Ashton, looks like he's been Punk'd! He should have known that he could never step into Bruce's shoes and fill them. Can't believe that either Bruce or Stallone are still making films. They're both pushing on a bit now and should probably be on the other side of the camera like Clint Eastwood.

Then there's the other aged action hero due to return to the big screen shortly, Harrison Ford, as Indiana Jones, reprising the role for the first time in over 20 years. It's a shame there weren't more Indiana Jones films, I know there was the young Indy TV show, but I found it lacking to be honest. Mind you, we also have the Tintin films to look forward to, although I haven't really come across any details as of yet. I don't know if they'll be making films of the books, if so which ones? And if not, who's script writing? Anyway, everyone likes Tintin don't they? Surely?

Saving the World!

2008-02-28T18:51:00.005Z

I see that Mr.Yorke is undertaking another environmental campaign, and he's right of course when he lays the responsibility firmly at the door of the World's governments. The unfortunate part being, that (at least in the UK) the goverment then lays the responsibilty firmly upon the tax-paying public. They have somehow twisted it into a desperate need for more taxes on fuel, transport and whatever else they can tack on, as a tool for combatting climate change. The best part is how they've convinced the public that it's down to the individual to make a difference. Of course it isn't, and you must be mad if you think that to be true.

No single person will ever make a difference! Why not? Becuase even if the UK completely stopped carbon emissions overnight, the emerging nations in the East would make up the difference in 5 minutes, then quickly overtake it. I'm not just bandying numbers around. I have that time frame from a reliable source. Then of course there's the US! Need I say more, massive SUV's just to drop off a kid at school. Either everyone's pulling the same way, or it's all pointless.

It's true, I'm fairly cynical about any attempt to combat climate change. I admit that climate change is happening, and I recycle and so on. But I'm not even sure that once I sort out my waste that it actually is recycled. They could just dump the whole lot at the tip, and I supect that they often do, because there isn't an infrastructure to support it. Quite plainly this is what happens when agencies do sign up to environmental protocols. They just pretend that they're doing what they ought to be doing, while actually doing what ever they please. After all, if it looks like it's working, who's going to ask the question, "Is it really working?"

Everything's Not Lost!

2008-02-27T19:04:00.006Z

I'm 15 years married today. That's pretty good going by modern standards, I do believe. What's more we've never once threatened to kill each other, and that has to count for something right? I'm not a big fan of overblown romantic gestures, and neither is she, or at least she's practical enough to realise that we can't afford them, so there's no extravagant presents or massive bouquets. If there was I'd probably be right under the spotlight. In certain quarters, such items are a sure sign of hidden guilt. This is such a quarter!

I'm still loving the new series of Lost, loads of questions stacking up once more, such as why is Kate pretending to be Aaron's mother? What therefore happened to Claire? Why did Jack say that there were only 8 survivors of the flight? and why are they called the Oceanic 6? We already know that Jack, Kate, Hurley, Said and Ben make it back, and so who is the other island escapee?

I'm trying to find some smaller hills for this weekend. After last week's Force 10 bashing at the top of the Buck, I'm starting to think that it's still just a little too seasonal for hills of that height, so the plan is to stick to the smaller ones until the weather improves. The challenge is to find smaller hills that sre still worth scaling, because if you can practically drive to the top, then there's hardly any point pulling on the hiking boots is there? I'll find such a hill though, don't you worry!

Under the Microscope!

2008-02-26T18:37:00.004Z

Funny thing happened today. I'm not giving away too much detail, but in an overheard conversation, I overheard mention of the fact that no-one had ever seen an electron. It went further... electrons were just too small to see, but atoms could be seen. Then, tonight I'm having a quick scan through the first few pages of Digg, and I read the headline "Scientists view electrons for first time"! How spooky is that? It's not like it's every day you hear people talk about electrons unless that's part of your job, and it's not part of my job. Well, maybe slightly, but not to such an extent that I even need to say the word "electron"!

I did read another much more disturbing article on Digg last week about a report that the Pentagon had commissioned on climate change. Allegedly, the results suggested that the World, and it's over-burgeoning population might be on it's knees by 2020. It suggested that the UK would be as cold as Siberia, sea-levels would rise dramatically, resource shortages would escalate, and that countries would use nuclear weapons to defend their precious resources, in what was termed "a resource war"! That paints a pretty gloomy picture. Of course they could be wrong, and they better be wrong, because I'm not a fan of the cold and I live in the Northern extremities of the UK.

It gets to the point though, where all these scare stories just wash over you. We've heard it all... pork gives you cancer, vegetables are filled with pesticides, and radiation from Chernobyl, as are the animals grazing on the irradiated pastures. Wine is good for you, no it's bad, wait, some wine might be good. Tap water is filled with fluoride and stuff that makes it shiny, but gives you Alzheimers. On the other hand, bottled water contains chemicals from the bottle's plastic which will give you cancer. Let's face it, there's nothing safe to eat or drink, so you may as well eat, drink and be merry!

When the Time Is Right!

2008-02-25T18:53:00.003Z

Well, today went alright. I've only been finding my feet really. Tomorrow will be my first time out in front of class. Nothing massively difficult, but actually fairly new to me believe it or not. That's right, I don't know everything already. I know most, but not all. The fact is, parts of this will be difficult, other parts will be fairly straight-forward (I hope). My principal concern is, that when the time comes, I'll land with the right class, the right lesson, and the right amount of luck. Lady luck had smiled on me so far through this course. Just once more, that's all I ask!

If you're reading this and you haven't read any of my previous posts, then it won't make a whole lot of sense. I'm complex you see, and I didn't land where I am now overnight. It's taken 4 years of graft, and I'm still not quite done. But soon I will be, then I can start reaping the rewards that my dedication and perseverance so surely entitle me to.

I really wish it was Summer, or even Easter. I need a break! I want to have the time to read a few books. What's more, I really need to do some archiving... badly! I just haven't had the time, and stuff is accumulating with speed. The trouble with even thinking about archiving is (touch wood) that usually when I think about it seriously, that's when I get a hard-drive crash. So, I've just unthought it again. This conversation never took place, you never saw me, right?

Ark Drum Of the Lemba!

2008-02-24T18:39:00.006Z

A researcher "Tudor Parfitt" reckons that the Ark of the Covenant was actually a drum filled with some substance akin to modern day gunpowder, and that it wound up in Zimbabwe after being carried into Africa by the Lemba. The original Ark-drum thing was allegedly destroyed by an expolsion, but the remnants were used to build a replica, which now resides in the Harare Museum of Human Science in Zimbabwe.

Now there are parts of this story which make sense and others which fall short. Mr.Parfitt was the man who traced the genetic relationship between the Lemba and the Judaic Temple Priests, proving their assertion that they were a lost tribe of Israel. The association of the Ark with trumpets, King Solomon dancing in it's presence, and the drums beating around the walls of Jericho, add circumstancial anecdotal evidence. But could a drum really have had the powers ascribed to the Ark in the Old Testament?

On the one hand, the ancient Egyptians also associated musical notes, particularly those of trumpets, with magical powers, but I'm not sure about drums. And, Moses had just departed from Egypt when he received the Ark. Maybe he had it with him already, taken from Pharaoh. That would definitely explain the Pharaoh's burning desire to catch him. The Ark may well have been a prized possession of the Egyptian elite. We'll never know.

Perhaps the drum was merely associated with the Ark, perhaps beating time as the Ark passed around Jericho, and in time became the Ark to a tribe that had ancestors present at the occasion. Maybe the real Ark is still waiting to be found, or maybe it has been found, crated and stored in a huge warehouse someplace where nobody will ever look!

Back Of Beyond!

2008-02-23T18:03:00.007Z

The Buck!

Took this shot on the way back. A view of the Buck from the Cabrach. Doesn't look nearly as big as it actually is from here.

Thought this was a nice idea for a photo, looking along the fenceline with Ben Rinnes in the distance.

What appears to be a pictish symbol stone with 3 fishes swimming around each other, and some other symbols. Nobody knows what these stones represented, but it could have been a boundary marker. Interestingly, the present day boundary between Moray and Aberdeenshire, runs right across the top of the hill!

View from the top towards the Cairngorns.

This was a hard one! The virtual bog at the bottom had to be negotiated twice, but at the top of the hill, the wind was so strong it was almost impossible to stand. I've never experienced anything like it before. I only managed to get some photos off because I found shelter behind the rocks on the summit. What an adventure!