Budapest

We chose to fly BA via Heathrow to enjoy a more relaxed flight time rather than the 6 am direct Jet2 flight. The plan worked reasonably well although the travel was a bit of a drag for a relatively short weekend break away. We got into Budapest around 7 pm on Friday evening and got to the very nice Corinthia Hotel which had a lovely large room.

We headed out in the evening for a wander and a search for dinner. Arrived at some lively areas and had a drink at an outdoor vegan bar/eatery and then onwards till we found a trendy italian restaurant for a very nice salmon (Colin) and steak (Cherry).

Saturday was a wander by foot around the Pest side of the town going through the main shopping area and on to the market.

We went out on a boat trip at 12.30 which took us along the river and dropped us a Margaret Island for a pleasant walk around this green and pleasant little island.

We walked back towards the Parliament and various other sights making it a pretty long day out on our feet.

We headed to the hotel pool and spa both evenings for a swim and sauna.

On Sunday the weather was fabulous for a trip to the Buda side of town. We got the funicular to the top and had a very pleasant walk around town enjoying the sights and views.

From the bottom we got a taxi to the Citadella hill to get some more views from on high.

On Monday we headed to the City Park north of our hotel for a final look at some more sights prior to getting a taxi to the airport for our 13.15 flight home.

SOL 3 & Highland Wildlife Park

The orienteering was located right beside the wildlife park so Colin dropped Cherry off at the zoo for the morning while he did the orienteering. Orienteering was generally quite straightforward apart from 2 controls that weren't. A large valley crossing provided to be too steep to attempt safely and resulted in a very long detour and some back and forth looking for a safe route. Then control 9 of 15 just couldn't be found and I eventually gave up and we had arranged a meeting time at the zoo and it felt as if I could be out all day looking for the darn flag.

Nice lunch and shopping stop at House of Bruar on the way back.

Meall Cuaich

With a trip up North on Sunday and good weather forecast for Saturday we decided to make a weekend of it and booked at night at one of the few remaining hotels in Kingussie, The Osprey, and headed off in the car on Saturday morning.

Colin headed up for a quick ascent of Meall Cuaich which was a very pleasant and relatively easy Munro. The weather mainly stayed fine and I was feeling in pretty good shape and managed a fast pace up and down.

Cherry did the 5 miles walk on the flat approach and along the side of Loch Cuaich.

A very nice dinner in the evening at the Cafe Bistro restaurant.

Peebles Duathlon

An early start on Sunday to head down to Peebles for my second outing at the Peebles Duathlon. A very nice low key event with only around 50 competitors. Start was at 9 am with a 3 mile run on a circuit round the river Tweed. This year was a very fast transition onto the mountain bike with flat pedals and no need to change shoes - saved at least 5 minutes over the 2 transitions as a result. The MTB ride seemed to go pretty well and didn't feel it was slowing my down very much compared to a road bike. Bike ride was 12 miles which is quite a nice distance for pushing hard. Final 3 mile run started with legs feeling very strange after the bike but gradually loosening up. Run pace was steady until the very end where I managed a short sprint to pass the man in front. Nice event and well worth repeating.

SOSOL Windy Hill

With my bike season finished the orienteering season has restarted and my attempts on the South of Scotland and Scottish orienteering leagues. Sunday morning was a trip to Muirshiel Country Park and an area around Windy Hill. The weather started surprisingly nice but by half way the hill was living up to its name with strong winds and rain. Navigation wasn't easy but is never that difficult on open moorland and hills although I did mess up badly on the penultimate control. Came 5th on the green course which was reasonably good.

Had my bike with me and went for a short ride but it was still windy and I was feeling cold from damp clothing so after about a mile headed back to the car. 

Tour O The Borders

Last big cycle ride of the year on Sunday. A VERY early start with a 5 am alarm call and drive to Peebles for a ride that departed Peebles at 7.08 am (for my Wave 7).

The weather turned out to be rather worse than forecast with a fair bit of light rain and quite strong winds on the way round. I started off at pretty steady pace on the familiar route past Cademuir and Stobo. Feeling fine but without the energy to push the pace at all.

First stop for pies and cake was on the main road shortly before Talla. The weather was about at it worst at this stage and thoughts were of taking the short route home. Talla climb was interupted by an ambulance vehicle which gave me an excuse to just off the bike. I'd probably have made it but any excuse was gladly accepted.

The ride towards Gordon Arms had a strong tail wind which was very good news as this section can be a real grind into a headwind. This positive section and an improvement in the weather meant I headed into the Long lane and turned right without any hesitation although it was soon followed by a long grind uphill into the wind and drizzle. The second food station came soon as was very welcome.

The rest of the climb wasn't too bad and then a nice downhill and a pleasant rolling section with a favourable wind. A really nice climb followed at a fairly steady 6% grade which I made up pretty comfortably and it was nice to see others off and pushing. The return to the Gordon arms after this was into the wind and fairly tough.

Paddy Slacks was very very easy and had a feed station half way and the last six miles were a familiar and I was fit enough to start pushing fairly hard for most of this and particularly at the end.

A very well organised event. Very nice to be riding on closed roads. Start time unpleasantly early. I don't really enjoy the grind of 6 hours in the saddle but got pleasure from the fast finish and the third climb.