The Lads in Edinburgh

Frank was back from Singapore to Edinburgh with his family and got some time off to head out with a good turnout of lads. 

On Friday I met with Glen and Mark over from Northern Ireland. We had lunch at Argyle Place and then did a small Rebus self guided tour visiting 17 Arden Street, Quartermile, Bermuda Triangle, an unrelated beer sold at Cold Town House and then the Oxford Bar.

Joined then by Frank and Warren we headed on to the Standing Order and then visited but quickly skipped the tiny Royal Oak. 

Dinner at Tapas3 by Alba Flamenca. Stopped off for more drinks at The Auld Hoose, Pear Tree and finally  56 North.

On Saturday Colin and Warren did the Portobello Parkrun and we then all met at Howies on Waterloo Place for lunch with Tim joining the crew. We went up Calton Hill then down to Holyrood and into the Scottish Parliament building. Then visited Kilderkin for a few drinks before having Thai dinner at Noks Kitchen on the Castle. After dinner we were rather flagging but had drinks at George IV Bar and the Argyle.

Ingleton Holiday - Day 7

Last day and unfortunately Colin had work meetings all morning. Everyone else headed out to the Ingleton Caves. Some pics below of our lovely house:

 

The next day we dropped Hannah off at Oxenholme Station and drove back to Edinburgh.

Ingleton Holiday - Day 6 - Waterfall Walk

Most of us got out for a nice Waterfall Walk in Ingleton. 

 Ice cream van 2/3 way round and hot dog at 3/4 point. 

Dinner at the house in the evening where we had more baked potatoes with cheese and/or posh beans. 

Ingleton Holiday - Day 5 - Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Train

Colin & Cherry had an early start at the outdoor Ingleton Pool. Around 30 mins of swimming and 49 lengths for Colin. 

Colin, Cherry, Max, Richard, Tom and Maya then headed off to the steam railway on quite a wet day. The train journey was just around 20 minutes long. It was then a walk of around 1.5 miles to Bolton Abbey which was very impressive. We were fairly lucky to escape any heavy rain for our walk. Train back t =o Embsay and then on the drive home there was a very heavy downpour.

In the evening Colin, Cherry, Max, Hannah, Tom and Maya went out to the Wheatsheaf for dinner. Nicola has unfortunately been unwell and not able to participate much in the activities.

Ingleton Holiday - Day 4 - Kirby Lonsdale

The weather turned badly for the worse today but we eventually got out for a trip to Kirby Lonsdale. A very nice small town. We did the riverside walk through to the Radical Steps and the Ruskin View. We then wandered past St Mary's Church and through the town. Had a fabulous ice cream at The Milking Parlour (Lime Cheesecake for me). We bought a bundle of pizzas at Booths for a dinner in that evening.

Ingleton Holiday - Day 3 - Ingleborough

Colin, Max, Kasia and Tom had a hike from Ingleton up to the summit of Ingleborough - one of the Yorkshire 3 Peaks. Another scorcher of a day. We started running and finished hiking. A nice trip taking three hours in total for 7.4 miles and 640 m ascent. 

 In the evening we all dined out at the Wheatsheaf in Ingleton where Richard treated us all to dinner.

Ingleton Holiday - Day 2 - Ingleton Village

A scorcher of a day. After a lazy morning we met for a very nice lunch at GEM Cafe in Ingleton and a wander around the village taking in the pottery, swimming pool and a moderate hike for some of us. 

In the evening we cooked some of our home grown baked potatoes. 

Ingleton Holiday - Day 1 - Travel to The Haybarn

We set off at 10.30 am to collect Max and Kasia to join us at a large house booked to celebrate Cherry's 60th birthday near Ingleton. We collected Hannah at Oxenholme and arrived at the house around 4.30 pm. A lovely big modern spacious property with 5 bedrooms and plenty of living space including a snooker table. Also arriving later that evening were Richard, Liz, Zoe, Tom, Maya and Nicola. We had a nice light dinner in that evening. 

Dollar Hill Race

My third time at this race. The weather was pretty poor this time feeling cold, wet and windy. A pretty runnable course for the most part. Quite pleased with a time just over 2 hrs - not quite my fastest but well ahead of slowest. 9.5 miles and 1000 m of climb.

 

Rambert Ballet : KISMET at Festival Theatre

A double bill of two short performances. 

Gallery of Consequence

Airports are unusual places. Every gate tells a story, and every departure marks a choice. In Gallery of Consequence, choreographer Emma Evelein reflects on the moments that shape our lives. With striking sounds and visuals, Rambert’s dancers bring to life the chaos, quiet, and connections we find in transit in this moving new piece.

B.R.I.S.A.

Inspired by the Spanish word for “breeze”, Johan Inger’s B.R.I.S.A. is a joyful whirlwind of movement, music, and humour. With leaf blowers propelling the action and a killer soundtrack (featuring Nina Simone), this iconic work explores how the smallest shifts can spark transformation. Rambert’s dancers bring warmth, playfulness, and dynamic energy to a piece that celebrates the beauty of breaking free. 

Filmhouse Reopening - Make It to Munich

Opening night at the Filmhouse after being closed for 3 years. Very much like it was before but with an updated decor throughout. Comfy seats in Screen 1 but aircon not quite right yet.

We watched Make It to Munich a low budget Scottish film about a young footballers recovery from  a car accident and cycling from Glasgow to Munich to attend watch scotland at the 2024 Euros. Q&A after with Ethan the star of the film and others.

The Mountaintop at Royal Lyceum

Colin went on his own as Cherry was down with Covid. An ok show. A bit long and very theatrical.

 

Physic and Redhall Gardens

A couple of short bike rides to local gardens of interest. The physic garden is a small space attached to Holyrood Palace open to the public for free. Had been in February and diarised a return in June when it was indeed looking well. Will pay another visit in August.

Redhall garden is owned by SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health) and is a very nice walled garden that is well maintained and used by the charity. It is threatened with closure due to funding cuts. It is a bit out of the way. About 6 people working in the garden but I seemed to be the only casual visitor.

 

Traprain Law Hill Race and Quadrophenia

First time running this lovely race in a decade. Generally quite runnable with a knee high river crossing and a rope assisted climb up the Law. Form was pretty good but the course had changed from a decade ago with a lot more climb now so took just over an hour to get round. 

In the evening we went to Quadrophenia: A Mod Ballet at the Festival Theatre which we both enjoyed.

 

Durisdeer Hill Race

I last did this 10 years ago as a Scottish Champs race. Long enough ago to forget just how tough it is. A very small field of around 25 in a non-championship year. After a first climb there is a very steep and challenging descent before some road and trickly cross country before steep and up down to and from a col. After crossing the A702 there is a long and sapping ascent to the highest peak of the race. It should be a fairly nice run across to the last summit and return to the village but with legs feeling it the last section feels very tough - I remember that feeling from 10 years before.

9.4 miles; 1215 m climb ; 2 hrs 56 mins. I was third M50 and invited up at the prize giving to collect my bottle of beer.

 

Yetholm Hill Race

A Scottish Champs Medium hill race in the Scottish Borders. Weather wasn't too bad and it was a fairly pleasant route by hill racing standards. Fairly rough for the first half but on nicer trails for the second half with downhill slopes shallow enough to be runnable. 

7.7 miles with 980m ascent. Came 123 of 156 and some more SHR points in the M55+ category. Running time  1hr 44 mins.

 

Lads Holiday Mallorca - Day 4 - Cala Figuera & Cala Santanyi

A drive to the small town of Cala Figuera and a walk through town and the very scenic port in the cove.

 We had lunch in Cala Figuera before doing a fairly tricky coastal path walk to the next cove along - Cala Santanyi where we stopped for a couple of hours and beers.

2 returned via the coast and 4 via the road after which we headed for dinner at a recommended restaurant Cassai in a lively looking town of Ses Salines. A very good meal in a stylish venue.

All over very quickly. The next day we headed in the morning to the airport for our flights home.

Lads Holiday Mallorca - Day 3 - Porto Christo and the Coves del Drac

A day spent in Porto Christo which was a little underwhelming. Walked along the shore and had an OK lunch before visiting the main local attraction of the underground caves.

Very large caves with lots of the usual stalactites and stalagmites. Then a seated area in the depth of the cave to list to 4 classical music tracks played live on a rowing boat. An option of a wait and 3 minute boat trip out or my chosen of alternative of a short walk back to the surface and another coffee.

 

Lads Holiday Mallorca - Day 2 - Puerto Pollensa, Formentor & Pollensa

We drove in the morning to Puerto Pollensa where stopped for coffee by the sea front and walked along the promenade having detoured around a very nice nature reserve.

 

We lunched in Pollensa with most of us opting for the Pizza today. Then we drove out to Cap Formentor. It was very busy with bikes and cars with the road narrow and Mark managed a small bump. Four of us eventually made it to the lighthouse after a long queue of traffic for a parking space.

Onwards after that to Pollensa where three of us made the walk up the 365 steps to Calvari church at the top and some more good views.

Lads Holiday Mallorca - Day 1

A very early start with a 6.30 am flight to Palma with Jet 2. Met some of the lads at the airport late morning and then took the hired car to drive to Magaluf to meet up with Glenn and Mark who had arrived very early that night.

Lunch near the seafront in Magaluf and a walk along the main coastal strip before heading to Aldi to stock up on booze and food.

 Then onwards to our villa booked through AirBnB - Bonita Sencelles. A very nice large how with around 7 bedrooms and a pool. Only downside was the fact we were on the landing flightpath to PMI so there was a bit of aircraft noise - but not too bad.

It was a hot afternoon so several of us jumped in the pool that evening.

Stuc a Chroin Hill Race

First big goal of the season was to complete this long tough race which this year is a Scottish and British Championship race. I had last done it 11 years ago. The route has changed a little with the first and final section being a bit more technical and undulating than previously. It felt very hard this year and I wasn't in great shape at the end getting a bit of a stitch around 10 mins from home. 4 hrs 2 mins was a decent enough time but would have liked a wee bit better.

 

Stobo Trip

On Tuesday morning we headed off to Roslin Glen for a very nice walk past the Chapel, Castle and Glen.  

We drove on the Peebles and had a nice salad lunch at Coltman's Kitchen. We then did a short walk along the Tweed.

We stayed overnight at the Neidpath Inn and had dinner at The Crown Hotel.

The next day we headed to Stobo for a day at the spa. Swim, sauna, steamy rooms, lunch, walk to the Japanese Garden and massage. Very relaxing.