Happy New Year 2007

Just recovering from the chemical effects of Hogmanay. We spent a few days over the New Year in Arran as guests of Elaine and Ali. (Thanks guys). With news of impending storms we took the earlier ferry over to Arran on the 30th December. The crossing was smooth and hassle free. As a precursor to the following night we partook in a few beverages in order to warm ourselves up.
Hogmanay started with howling winds and a bigger sea. A few more arrived for the nights event and the weather steadily grew worse. We heard that Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle and Belfast had all had their New Year celebrations cancelled due to the weather. However we still had hope, and new that the small community of Corrie on Arran would not let us down.
Early in the evening of the 31st, the power went down, it seemed like most of the island was out. The candles were broken out and lit up, we had a fire of sorts, but what would happen with the organised Hogmanay Ceilidh? We need not have worried. It was a bring your own bottle event anyhow and the locals ad rigged up a generator to power the amps for the band.
A good night was definitely had and saw us dancing into the new year.
We had to return to the mainland on the 2nd only to find out that the rough seas had come over the harbour wall at Ardrossan and damaged most of the cars that had been left at the ferry terminal. Not a good end unfortunately. Never underestimate the power of nature I suppose.
Still thanks to Elaine and Ali who put up with us - it was a great break.

New Flat

Well slowly but surely I'm getting things sorted at the new flat. Bed, Table, computer & new broadband installed.
No seats yet although I've been lent a futon. Now I can watch telly, sleep and surf the net. Everything a guy needs!
Still need gas and electricity meters changed. All in good time.
Probably do flat warming duties once things are a bit more comfortable (heat & chairs).
Now all I have to worry about is paying the bills and whether the River Cart bursts its banks. Fingers crossed it doesn't!

Glasgow Xscape, Tuesday 14th November 2006

My second venture on to man-made indoor snow, this time at the new Glasgow Braehead Xscape. £21 for an hour of snowboarding is very steep, unlike the slope. Although it wasn't overly busy, only one lift was running. This slowed uptake and means less runs.
It's hard to tell yourself to slow down and make the most of the short slope. If you're used to the full mountain it is easy to find yourself flying down hill at full speed. This is a bit of a waste as the slope is more suited to practicing your flat land skills - mental note for next time.
Base was quite hard with sluff on top. Some type of ramp was hauled out at night but was little more than an artificia bump on the slope. Altogether good fun. Price keeps numbers away (maybe a good thing). Good for a warm up to the season unfortunately the views are missing. What do you expect for a big fridge in the middle of Glasgow?

NEW ORDER, Glasgow Carling Academy, 19/10/06

For me this was the first time since 1989 I'd seen the icons that are New Order. Fanatical about them then, I wondered would they still have it all these years later. I love their latest albums so I had no reason to doubt - they still have it.
It was a slightly quiet start from the crowd's point of view, opening with Crystal, but it wasn't long before the audience warmed up. Regret and Temptation really got everyone going and a sprinkling of Joy Division went down really well. They gave a great rendition of JD's 'These Days' and 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' sent shivers up my spine.
Stephen on drums hasn't changed a bit, pounding away like a human drum machine, new guy Phil adds a nice touch with his guitar, Bernard's voice has improved no end and seems to enjoy himself more, even if he's looking a bit portly. But its Hooky who owns the stage, strutting from side to side lapping up the audience approval of his soaring bass.
The venue was great and the mix of tunes was ideal starting with recent guitar based numbers and the second half made up of older dancy tunes and as mentioned a good dose of Joy Division throughout.
It's good to see them making the most of their music history. Joy Division should be heard today not locked away as a recorded archive. I didn't think I would have said this before, but after jumping to 'These Days' and being lifted by 'Love Will Tear Us Apart', I've changed my mind.
Joy Division / New Order still have it.

Bidean nam Bian

16th September 2006
Weather looked promising as we left the Loch Lomond area and it held up too! Turning in to a fresh blue sky day.
It was a bit blowy at the car park in Glencoe but it was bright and looked promising.
At 10am Niels, Bob, Jonathan, Louise and myself headed up toward the Hidden Valley. Dropping in to the gorge at the start of the walk we entered the shadows. It was a cool and pleasant walk up between the first 2 of the 3 Sisters.
Climbing over boulders and streams we entered into the valley basin an hour or so in to the walk. This natural amphitheater was truly impressive and crossing to the North side we entered back into the sun for the path that leading to the head of the valley. After stopping for a snack Jon headed back down with Louise who had had enough.
Niels, Bob and myself continued toward Stob Coire Sgreamhach. The gradient increased dramatically and the going became extremely tough on the loose scree and soil. Niels steadily increased his lead up this face. I was struggling. Must get out more.
With Bob in front of me, loose stones and rock would occasionally fly past. At this point it must be said that it was less of a walk and more of a scramble. The saddle was just beyond a narrow chute, once this was negotiated the vista ahead was breathtaking. Blue sky and not a drop of wind. Then I realised just how knackered I was. We took a breather then headed along the ridge toward the peak of Bidean nam Bian, stopping for lunch about half way.
A slow and steady ridge walk saw me eventually catch up where once again we could take in the view. This gave Bob another chance to loudly exclaim regarding the spectacle - "Boring!".
Another brief rest and we head down Stob Coire nan Lochan and took a rather precarious goat path down back toward the Hidden Valley. This was really sketchy and hard going on tired legs.
Once we had negotiated boulder fields on the descent we decided to open the bottle of red we had relieved Jon & Louis of earlier. We felt it rather foolhardy to try higher up. Wine drunk we headed back to the valley basin down the steep valley wall. I must say it was a relief to get back on the footpath, even with cramping thigh muscles (note to self-must exercise!) We retraced our steps down through the valley back to where we started, although for me at a rather slower pace than before. We finally were reunited at the car around 5.45. A long walk!
Very knackered we headed to Oban where an Indian restaurant had been booked and a night in the pub was ahead. Needles to say, I sailed through that exercise.

Tony Wilson at The Arches

Saturday night saw Norm, Bob and myself watching Digital (Joy Division/New Order cover band) and the legend that is Mr Anthony H Wilson (DJ-ing) at The Arches in Glasgow. Earlier support band sounded good and loud but I can't remember what they were called. Rumours abounded that Tony was playing his DJ set in 20 minutes, this proved to be untrue and we found ourselves stoating about inside the empty venue in which he was due to play. This meant we missed Digital coming on. We soon realised the growing crowd was congregating around something and eventually we too shuffled through to the other 'arch'.
Now! I've always been dubious about so-called 'tribute/cover' bands. But my inquisitive nature, and having never seen J D in the flesh meant I had to see them. I knew I'd be critical but I did actually enjoy bouncing around to J D tracks I'd never heard played live. The singer was a bit weak, not sounding particularly like Ian Curtis or Bernard Albrecht (as he probably thought of himself) & the Bass/Peter Hook guy was a real tosser by the look of things. The music itself was fun though.
After Digital, the DJ set by Tony Wilson started. Mostly full of ageing Factory-philes like myself. As was kind of expected he pretty much stuck to a greatest hits of the Haçienda days, although not exclusively Factory by any means. He even played some Stone Roses!
Norm didn't quite enjoy the old geezer playing his own record collection on stage and left early. Bob and myself however stuck it out till the end - 3 a.m.
Bob did manage to add a great name to his list of camera-phone piccies of him with celebrities. I got in there too for a little memento. I'm not sure if it tops Leo Sayer but definitely a keeper. As soon as we work out how to get the pics off the phone, we'll have them here.
On the listings promoting the event it said revellers could win a Peter Saville designed badge. Posters at the event however informed us that they were not ready on time. No doubt a deliberate nod to the notoriously tardy graphic designer from the start.

Edinburgh Festival

OK Bob, you want more, I got more, eh actually kind of short on stories and everyone's too chicken to sign in and add comments.
We did have a pleasant day at the festival watching ourselves get drunk in a pub mostly then having a laugh with comedians Gavin, I mean Andrew Maxwell (v.funny) and someone Watson . . . I presume! (v.v. funny) Keep an eye out for this funny Welshman.