Tinto Hill climb

Tinto
Originally uploaded by Sparks57.

It's Hogmanay and with wild weather forecast, we headed out at 9am for the Motherwell AC Tinto Hill climb in South Lanarkshire.

Tinto is 711m high (more than 2,100ft) and is a deceptive climb. You think you're near the top but you're not really. There's another part of the hill to climb.

Anyway, the weather was absolutely appalling as you can see in this video I made.

This picture of our happy lot before setting off doesn't tell the full story of how hard the wind was blowing near the top. A couple of brave souls ran down the hill.

A very quiet Hogmanay forecast for us. The wind is absolutely howling outside right now. Not a night for venturing forth and no-one in the drive of Love is having a do anyway so we're very happy to stay in with some drink near to hand.

Fiona's mum's here too (must look after the pensioners of the world).

Climbing cat

Climbing cat
Originally uploaded by Sparks57.

Hauled out of the house mid-morning to go and visit Maisie and Migsy because there was the suggestion that we might find out today when we'd be able to take them home.

It should be next Wednesday, January 4, providing Migsy has had his inoculation. That's due to happen on January 1.

So aside from being climbed all over by the pair of them, we had to go and buy a scratching post, food, more toys, litter and various associated cat things.

Sophie was very happy to hear the news.

Today is Fiona's brother's 40th birthday so we had lunch at the White Cart, which was nice. Best meal we've had there for a while, in my humble opinion.

Lots of goings on to do with the club - all very political but suffice to say that life might be a bit easier given the events of today.

Gerry and Eileen's is the stopping point for tonight although I'm feeling like crap and we're meant to be climbing Tinto Hill tomorrow morning with the club, weather depending.

Stravaigin

Stravaigin
Originally uploaded by Sparks57.

Life is returning to something resembling normality following the departure of our last guests yesterday.

I'm also £100 lighter of pocket after having to buy a new vacuum cleaner because the old one gave up the ghost on Tuesday night.

Yesterday was a good larf - Paul's annual Stravaigin lunch which has left us both a tad delicate this morning.

No running today I think, not because of drink but the beginnings of a cold. Not good.

Christmas lunch

Christmas lunch
Originally uploaded by Sparks57.

So that's it, over for another year.

The high this year - having Sophie. The low - the family argument on Christmas Day.

Our choice of restaurant for lunch proved to be a good one. Full marks to the Avondale for their hospitality.

Next year we're off somewhere in the general direction of away, no question about it.

I got out for a run of four-and-a-bit miles on Christmas Day morning which was nice but didn't get out of bed this morning for the club's Turkey Trot. Shame on me!

X Scape

X Scape
Originally uploaded by Sparks57.

We had a top larf at X-Scape, the indoor skiing place at Braehead organised by Chris and Nicky, fellow Love Drive-ites.

Back to theirs for some fine grub and a few bevs then an early night because I planned a wee run on Sunday morning.

There's some video on You Tube here.

Car park

Morrisons car park, Bellshill. Packed. Store mobbed. The end of the world is, of course, upon us.

Why otherwise would hordes of people be buying loaves by the dozen and milk by the cowful?

Next year, I swear we're leaving the country at Christmas time.

Christmas cats

Migsy
Originally uploaded by Sparks57.

Back to blogging!

Christmas is here or as near as dammit.

Lots of people around from today onwards and huge excitement about the arrival of Maisie and Migsy (pictured).

ETA remains January 8 but that may come forward a few days.

Not forgotten...

I know it's nearly a month since the last post. I'll be back in the near future!!!