Explorers Garden & Enchanted Forest

On Saturday we had a short stroll past the Dam and on to the Explorers Garden above the Festival Theatre. Nice in the autumn colours. Worth a visit in the summer as well.

Then went to the Festival Theatre and saw a demonstration of Scottish Weapons and Dress. Max got to the from and led the charge !

Watched a couple of hours of open Mic performances while Cherry completed her knitting !

In the evening we had a nice meal at the Old Armoury and then went to the Enchanted Forest. A walk round an illuminated lake with many small historical or mythical sets.

Dougie MacLead & Eddi Reader

We all headed North on Friday afternoon for a concert at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre. Dougie MacLean did a very good 45 minute set on his own. Then Eddi Reader and band played for about an hour. Both excellent and everyone really enjoyed.

ESOA Champs

Max and Colin headed out to cold, wet and windy West Lomond hills in Fife for the East of Scotland champs. Colin was off form and very slow. Max did well coming 4th in a good run on the Light Green course.

Crieff Day 5

High Ropes in the morning. Scary Stuff. Max did incredibly well completing all the tasks - even complete the leap from telegraph pole to trapeze ! Hannah did very well as well although the telegraph pole was a bit too scarey.

Nice dinner at the brasserie.

Crieff Day 4

Disc golf in the morning then Cherry & Max had a go at Archery in the afternoon. Tennis later in the afternoon and some great doubles.

Crieff Day 3

Another sporty day with a short badminton tournament and a game of squash. A swim in the pool and haircuts for Cherry, Hannah & Max.

Crieff Day 2

Busy day. Started with a walk up the Knock. Then Max, Hannah and Colin played 5's in the sports hall recording a great victory. In the afternoon we did outdoor laserquest which was brilliant. Nice dinner at the Brasserie.

Holiday at Crieff Hydro Hotel

Travelled up to Crieff Hydro for a 5 night stay. Stayed in one of the chalets just above the hotel. On Monday we went to the Family Fun and played lots of short tennis and badminton. Colin was persuaded to put on a Sumo suit and get slaughtered by a 6 ft rugby player.

Survival of the Fittest

Colin ran a 10 k obstacle course through the centre of Edinburgh on Sunday morning. Great fun with obstacles ranging from an army assault course, water slides, wrecked cars and skips.

Some photos here

http://www.sleepmonsters.com/photosystem/menshealth/index.php?search_value=773&event_id=7508&page_action=Search

Came in place 372 of 1303 in a time of 1 hr 3 mins.

Fight with the Night - Craigmillar

Ridiculously difficult night orienteering at Craigmillar Castle. Loads of horrible nettles as well. Yuk.

Manor Water

Colin was on his own for a trip down to the sheepdog trials and hill race in the Manor Water valley near Peebles. This is a very nice race with a long steady ascent over 5 miles with it runnable all the way to the ascent of The Scrape the final summit. Really wanted a PB so pushed hard all the way up maintaining a steady pace and resisting any temptation to walk. Reached the summit in 58 minutes and then enjoyed the long fast run home. Suffered a bit from lack of water and felt I might have gone a few minutes faster if I'd brought a drink.

Very pleased to finish in 1 hr 35 min 30 seconds over a 1 minute better than previous fastest in 2006.

Hopefully some photos to follow.

Holiday Monday - Dirleton Castle & Inveresk Lodge Gardens

Cherry, Colin and Hannah went out sightseeing in East Lothian on our bank holiday monday. Skys were a bit grey but it didn't rain. Both gardens still looking well and Dirleton Castle very interesting.

Went out to the beach at Longniddry Bents on Sunday.

Wan Day

Colin had a long day out in the Pentlands on a 8 hr bike/run/canoe orienteering event. Biking went reasonably well, canoeing was very difficult and by the time I got to the running I was pretty exhausted. Good event which I would hope to do again and maybe look to be a bit more competitive.

Caerketton Downhill

Wonderful sunny evening with lovely views from the top of Caerketton hill. Hannah and Colin running in the madcap downhill race. Hannah was off first in a small field of just herself and Jacob. A closerun race with a dead-heat at the finish. A great time of just 4 min 3 secs.

Colin was 16th of 29 in a personal best time.

Hannah got some nice goodies for her troubles.

Golf - Princes Course

Hannah went out golfing with Colin on the Princes course on a fine Sunday afternoon. Round the 9 holes in 95 shots.

Salomon Turbo X

Colin headed off to Mugdock Park near Glasgow for a tough run through the mud in the Turbo X race. Lots of deep deep ditches and mud to run through. 98th of 502 runners.

ESOC Score - Holyrood Park

Max and Colin headed out to Holyrood Park for their first orienteering in quite a while. Both ran very well and were both first of those who had finished when they downloaded.

Lomonds of Fife

Ran in the tough Lomonds of Fife hill race on Sunday. A challenging race with a sharp climb up West Lomond Hill, back down again, through forest trails and up to East Lomond along nicer paths. Tough section through heavy moorland grass and then final second ascent of West Lomond. Finale is the near verticle slide off the hill. Time as OK. Needed to push a bit harder.

Caerketton Hill Race

Colin ran in the Wednesday night slog up the ski slope at Hillend and back down again in 19 mins 32 seconds. A very tough short sharp race. Better than last year but about 20 secs off personal best

Stuchd an Lochain

Max and Colin got up early on Sunday morning to tackle a munro. Got to the hill after a long and winding drive at about 11 am. The start was very steep and through wet and muddy ground. Not terribly nice but we made very fast progress. The ridge and summit were much nicer. The final descent was very tough on the steep and rocky ground.

Corstorphine Walled Garden

Went with Les to Corstorphine Walled Garden where they were celebrating 10 years and an award. The Garden was looking very good. Climbed to the top of the hill and the tower.

London Holiday

We enjoyed a very pleasant two weeks in London, Richmond and Windsor.