Scouts Night Hike

Last Friday 14th May I helped out on the Scout Night Hike.  The route took us from Bankfoot through Glen Garr and to Dunkeld via the Hermitage and back to Bankfoot.  By the end of the night most of the children were ready to collapse but all did very well. 

The above picture is taken on my camera phone in Glen Garr and below is Cameron on the hike.

Ballumbie Castle Golf

Yesterday I played golf with Hydro Electric Golf Club.  The course, Ballumbie Castle in Dundee, was great however, its location was a little strange, situated in the middle of a housing scheme. (Posh word for estate to reflect the posh houses).

 

My golf was a little hit and miss (pardon the pun).  One of my shots I have named the “Barns Wallis” shot as it skimmed across the pond in the picture below, hitting the water twice before emerging on dry land the other side.

Lou playing golf on Ballumbie Castle course.

Consultants

My Chief Exec at work writes a blog and was dealing with some consultants the other day.  Some of his work colleges told him a few consultant jokes so I thought I would share them with you.

 

A shepherd was herding his flock in a remote pasture when suddenly a brand-new BMW advanced out of the dust cloud towards him. The driver, a young man in a Broni suit, Gucci shoes, Ray Ban sunglasses and YSL tie, leaned out the window and asked the shepherd... "If I tell you exactly how many sheep you have in your flock, will you give me one?" The shepherd looked at the man, obviously a yuppie, then looked at his peacefully grazing flock and calmly answered "sure".

The yuppie parked his car, whipped out his IBM ThinkPad and connected it to a cell phone, then he surfed to a NASA page on the internet where he called up a GPS satellite navigation system, scanned the area, and then opened up a database and an Excel spreadsheet with complex formulas. He sent an email on his Blackberry and, after a few minutes, received a response. Finally, he prints out a 130-page report on his miniaturized printer then turns to the shepherd and says, "You have exactly 1586 sheep. "That is correct; take one of the sheep." said the shepherd. He watches the young man select one of the animals and bundle it into his car.

Then the shepherd says: "If I can tell you exactly what your business is, will you give me back my animal?", "OK, why not." answered the young man. "Clearly, you are a consultant." said the shepherd. "That's correct." says the yuppie, "but how did you guess that?" "No guessing required." answers the shepherd. "You turned up here although nobody called you. You want to get paid for an answer I already knew, to a question I never asked, and you don't know anything about my business...... Now give me back my dog."

 

 

A physician, a civil engineer, and a consultant were arguing about what was the oldest profession in the world.
The physician remarked, "Well, in the Bible, it says that God created Eve from a rib taken out of Adam. This clearly required surgery, and so I can rightly claim that mine is the oldest profession in the world."

The civil engineer interrupted, and said, "But even earlier in the book of Genesis, it states that God created the order of the heavens and the earth from out of the chaos. This was the first and certainly the most spectacular application of civil engineering. Therefore, fair doctor, you are wrong: mine is the oldest profession in the world."

The consultant leaned back in her chair, smiled, and then said confidently, "Ah, but who do you think created the chaos?"

Workers Start Young

Today was take your child to work day.  Cameron cam with me to Scottish and Southern Energy for the day.  While signing in we bumped into one of my friends in reception.  I told Cameron if he worked hard he could have a job like Craig, who now works for the company in China.

If Cameron did not work as hard he might end up working in a “call centre”.  On order to demonstrate this further he spent the morning in SSE’s Home Services call centre.

The afternoon was spent with our corporate team who were letting them know what SSE do as a company and explaining our company values; “The SSE-SET”

• Safety
• Service
• Efficiency
• Sustainability
• Excellence
• Teamwork

Cameron was not too impressed that he was at work until 5pm rather than finishing school at 3:30pm but at least he was not at school.

Child Labour

Today was “take your child to work day”.  This is an event that is run all over the country and gives school children an opportunity to experience life outside school.

I took Cameron to SSE where I work.  Currently I am working in Energy Trading but he spent time is this section last year so I had arranged for Cameron to sit in our Home Services Call Centre.  I thought this might encourage him to work harder at school so he does not end up working there after he leaves school. 

In the afternoon the company arranged corporate activities for the children and shown below is that event.

Alasdair at Aerodrome

Last weekend Alasdair, along with 200 other cubs visited Perth Aerodrome to gain his Air Activities Cub Badge.  The afternoon was spent having a sports day.

Cameron at Craggan Camp

Cameron and the other scouts are building a bridge across the river.  Most of them ended up falling in the water.

Boys in Bedford

Last weekend my Father and brothers decending on Beford. Dad was showing us all where he grew up. The whole weekend involved lots of fun and a bit of alcohol. Saturday we visited the farm where Dad used to work and in the afternoon had a lazy time along the river in Bedford.

In the evening we were eating at the Mannor Coutry Hotel and got invited as personal guest of the owner to Sunday lunch.

On Saturday evening we educated Dad by taking him clubing.

Old Mac Peach's Farm

Thought I would give you an update on our live stock situation. We have lost a few chickens from our original starting quantity. We are now down to 6 and egg production is also down due to the winter. In winter chickens molt and stop laying eggs. One of our chickens when completely bauld and then once his feathers started to re-grown she was nicknames spikey. The decrease in egg production has also hampered the baking. Roll on the spring.

The other casualty we have had is our fish tank. Just before Christmas we got a new tank and set it up in the lounge. This tank holds 350 litres. A few weeks ago one of our extra large black sharks had died but decided it would hide first. As a result the tank went septic and we have lost most of the fish. We are now struggling to get the water conditions back to normal.

We have however had two new arrivals to our menagerie. The boys have both got a terrapin ("Terry and Snappy") These are qute cute.

We still have both rabbits and both ginea pigs.

On the Waggon Again

I am half way through Lent and as usual I have given up alcohol for this period. This is the 5th year I have fasted from alcohol and so far so good. I don't miss the whisky that much but Sunday Roast without red wine is like Tom without Jerry.

This weekend I am a guest at the Rotary Charity Dinner and I will not be able to have a drop of alcohol. At least my brothers have not visited me this year and drunk all my booze.

Winter Wonderland

This year we have had more snow that has lasted longer than I can remember. The local River Tay froze in the centre of Perth as temperatures dropped as low as -17C.

Other than very low temperatures we have not been too badly affected unlink some parts of the UK.

Christmas

Alasdair receive a tent from Gran and Grandpa for his Christmas present. He slept in it for 3 nights pitched in his bedroom. The boys both receive new hads from Santa and Mum and Dad got them doorstops for their bedrooms in the shape of a dog and sheep.

Shield Christmas Party 2009

Wet Worcester

 

I know this is not Cockermouth but the horses at Worcester racecourse are going to need their arm bands.

Widgets

The slide show is fairly good pity about the annoying ads. Never mind you have to pay to get rid of those and this version is free.

Aquascaping

Over the weekend we got a new fish tank. It is a corner unit due to the size (350 litres) we only just managed to get it into the house. I am now looking for ideas of how I am going to set it up and came across this video of the international aquascaping competition.

If I was able to set up something half as spectacular as these tanks I would be delighted but my Silver Dollars would not as they would be moving home.

The Hermitage

 
Last weekend we went for a walk through Dunkeld Woods to the Hermitage. This is the home of some of Britains tallest trees. The tallest in these woods measures in at a whopping 61.5m and is ranked 6th in the UK. The tallest tree being 63m and is found in Reelig Glen Wood, Moniack, Scotland.

Rememberance Day

 

Last Sunday we all went to church for the rememberance day service. Mum and Dad were visiting Scotland and they joined us. Cameron and Alasdair were in the scout and cub uniform and Cameron was carrying one of the flags.

Birthday Lunch - Perth Catering College

Today I took Mum, Dad, Sarah and Alasdair (as he was off school sick) to Perth Catering College. The menu was a French themed one.

Starter

• Venison Carpaccio with Black Olives and Capers



• Muscles in White Wine



• Potage Bonne Femme (Vegetable Soup)

**********
Main Course

• Beef Bourguignon with Seasonal Vegetables and
  Gratin Dauphinoise



• Fillets of Veronica Sole with Grapes, White Wine
  and Sauce



• Shallot Tatins with Balsamic Cream

**********

Dessert

• Cheese



• Lemon Tart



• Profiteroles

Tea and Coffee

*************************************

The cost of this excellent 3 course lunch was only £5.

If anyone is in Perth and fancy going to the college then you can book a table by contacting Katy on 01738 877605

Perth Round Table Bonfire

 

Yet again Perth Strathearn Round Table organised the bonfire and fireworks on South Inch. This picture is taken by myself stood on top of the bonfire with Kevin (the organiser) brining more wood.

The event raised a fantastic £7000 for local charities.

Pumpkins

 

Here are the boys Halloween pumkins. Cameron's is the one above and Alasdair's is below. The boys decorated the house for the evening with cobwebs and spiders.

 

Halloween Party

 
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.

Enchanted Forest

 

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

Fishing

 
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.

 

Above is one of the fish that Ali caught.

7th Bristol Scouts Centenary

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.

Keith Dawes is cutting the cake.

 

Sally

 
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.

I Love Scottish Roads

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.

Move over Clarkson.

Canoeing

 

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.

Investiture

 
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.

Warriors

 

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.