Emile Sande rocks

Emeli Sande and I don't really have too much in common if I am honest.  She has 1.23 million followers on Twitter, nearly 2 million followers on Facebook, 3 number one hits, had the best selling album in 2012 and belted out her tunes at the London Olympics.

It is at the point when I would say something cynical like "Yeh, but I bet she's not happy" or something along that ilk.

However, one thing that Emeli Sande and I do have in common is that we are both ex pupils of Alford Academy.  With a 37 million pound complete refurb and development of what is now called Alford Community Campus, we both happened to have been invited to it's official opening yesterday - I will be honest and say that Emeli had a slightly bigger role to play than myself :)

So, to go back to my cynical comment above, I will happy say that I have been proved wrong and not only is this chick awesome, it seems that she is actually a very very nice genuine person.

Strathconon

The great thing about these early season short winter days, it breaks you in slowly for the harshness of mid weather.

When do you stop to put on that extra layer?  When do you stop to put on the bigger gloves.  When do you stop to put on the goggles?  When do you stop to eat?

Yesterday, the answer was easy - never.  More practice needed.

Another Award!

I think I had a pretty good reason to let Rich down this weekend by not playing:

The first walk into the corrie for the season

As storm A Big Gail did\did not (delete as appropriate) hit the country this weekend, there was only one thing to do.  Three days of Allison trots.

With very nearly half the Allisons ticked and half the Corbetts ticked, Derek asked the question: "What will I do when I have finished them?"

Mmm.  Not quite sure but it did get me asking the question on why on earth I do tick lists.  Simple really, for somebody who organises things for a living and makes the majority of decisions, ticking lists is like somebody else suggesting what to do.  So, if you have many adventures stored in the memory, when you find yourself at a loose end you have the reserve to fall back on.

Today was a perfect example.  Did have a plan but it fell through so a quick phone call to a friend to see what they were doing saw us walk into the corrie of the people for the first time of the season.

Will add quickly at this point, summer hill walking boots were worn and sharpies were left at home.  Anybody who says that things were frozen today in the Northern Corries are telling porkies.  Couldn't find my winter woolies, socks, head torch and despite boiling the kettle 3 times, I successfully left the unfilled flask in the kitchen.  Time to winterise me thinks.

Strathclyde People

Sometimes I forget what I've done.

Ages ago I had a phone interview with a very nice chap from Strathclyde University for their online magazine 'Strathclyde People'.

This was pointed out to me recently:

Needless to say that I can't remember saying any of it :)

South Loch Ness Trail

I had completely buried my head in the sand recently trying to finish this seasons Skimo Scotland brochure.  24 pages later we are finally ready to head to the printers.

It was Nick who mentioned the South Loch Ness Trail, so with a play buddy and some amazing weather, we decided to give it a whirl before the weather breaks.

Lessons to be learnt:

• Perhaps getting the 1115 bus from Inverness was a little bit late
• Bin liners and duck tape do classify as a bag for transporting a bike with Citylink
• Remember to take into account the bike from Fort Augustus to Loch Tarff
• It gets dark at 1645
• Remember bike lights 

Overall, highly recommended mini adventure.