Cameron and Alasdair have just been to the schools halloween party. Each year the Kinnoull School Association organises a party for the school children.
As ever I have been on boys toilet duty. I keep forgetting to take ear defenders to these parties as I am sure it should be classified as an industrial injury as the noise must be seriously damaging.
This evening we have just got back from a trip through the Enchanted Forest. The event is held annually and this years was again round Loch Faskally near Pitlochry.
The theme this year was the legends of Scotland. Wandering round the flood lit forest we were greeted by scenes from Scotlands past along with ghosts and witches. One witch would not allow us to pass unless we could answer her riddles, one being, "I am as wide as a saucepan and as deep as a tub but all the oceans can not fill me. What am I ?" Thankfully Cameron was able to answer this. (Let me know if you can answer it by leaving me a comment or if you would like Cameron to tell you the answer.) Alasdair was able to answer the riddle "I get bigger the more you take away."
The evening was perfect for the event, being a really mild night with not even a breeze. This made the reflections in the water look like another world. Holograms were projected across the water of Scottish myths including one of Nessie herself
The other weekend Mark (my brother) took Cameron and Alasdair fishing. Between the boys they caught 27 fish.
Whilst they were fishing one of Mark's friends was there and he had Mark's Christmas present with him, a new fishing pole which the boys used before Mark had even received it as a present.
Last Saturday 7th Bristol Scout group celebrated their centenary at Chrish Church School, in Clifton. Over 100 scouters attended the successful event and reminisced about old times.
Below is a video clip of some of the old scouters playing the bells that were used each Christmas when carol singing.
Unfortuantely Mike Keefe (Vice-President) was unable to attend as he was in Southmead Hospital. Hopefully he will make a speedy recovery and I wish him all the best.
I was Scout Leader at Bristol from 92-95 and this period of scouting was some of the most fun I have had in the organisation. I was also fortunate enough to meet Sarah whilst at the 7th as she used to help run the guide troop at Pavey House.
Both Cameron and Alasdair would kill for a dog. We are at Gran and Grandpa's for a few days while the boys are on school holiday. This evening they were desperate to go and see Auntie Pam and Uncle David, but more importantly "Sally".
The boys were disappointed that I had not bought Euro Million lottery tickets tonight as if we win the jackpot the first item on the shopping list is a dog.
This week is the second week of the boys October holidays. Unfortunately Sarah and myself both have to work so Gran and Grandpa have been called on for help.
I have had meetings today in Birmingham so left Scotland early this morning. I have just driven 450 miles today and wish the whole journey was on Scottish roads. At the moment the M6 is competing with the M25 for the largest car park title. The only good thing about driving south is that it makes me realise how lucky we are in Scotland.
My hire car this time is a Skoda. At first I was embarrased to be driving one of these but apart from the plastic trim the car is quite acceptible. It certainly has more power then the Insigna I have had in the past. The best things on the Octavia are the stereo and the reverse parking sensors. When reversing an image of the rear of your car is displayed on the dash - really nice feature.
The boys are on half term holidays for the next two weeks. This week they are canoeing each day at Perth leisure centre. Both the boys love canoeing and have done quite a bit on holiday this year in France. They are in the advanced course at the pool and no one else is in their class so they have personal tuition.
Last week Cameron was invested in to Scouts and Alasdair was invested in to Cubs. Both of the boys really enjoy Cubs and Scouts and love all the camping and outdoor activities. Their Group celebrates its Centenary next year.
It was because of Scouts and Guides that Sarah and myself met. Sarah used to be a Guide leader in Bristol and I used to run the Scouts.
On the 7th October 2009 the 7th Bristol Scout Group are celebrating their 100th birthday. Earlier in the year 2nd Wigan St Michaels Scout Group celebrated its 100th birthday. St Michaels Cubs and Scouts was where I spent my scouting years.
Next year the boys scout group, 22nd St Matthews, celebrate their centenary.
Earlier in the week I was at a conference held at the Worcester Warriors Rugby Club. After the conference we had a tour of the grounds. The ladies in our party were very disappointed to find the changing rooms empty.
The picture is the East Wing with is the new conference centre costing £10M to build. Worcester this year has been promoted to the premier division and have an ethos of sustained development, slowly building on their success.
When I first moved away from Wigan it took me a little time to get used to the funny rules of rugby union compared to the rugby league I played at school, but any rugby is much better than the girly sport of football.
