Alteration to training plan!!

Well, what can I say? Working with 26 germ factories everyday is bound to result in a lurgy or two being passed on....not sure if it's tonsillitis or not but it's bleeding sore! Maybe try again tomorrow to get back on plan!! Watch this space!

Alzheimer's Facebook Page!!

WOW!!! We are really scaling dizzy heights now! We have a feature on the above page- as I eluded to in our last post! Already got some really positive comments regarding our adventure- thanks Alzscot to more publicity the better! :-) (typical- the very weekend we decided to have a weekend off our training!! Ppppffff!!!)

 

http://www.facebook.com/?closeTheater=1#!/pages/Alzheimer-Scotland/7884358681

A day off!

Well, what can I say? We've had a weekend off! The weather was rubbish yesterday and today we've decided to rest up as for some reason my knee is playing up! Also we wanted to head to the casino to see the old firm match then came back to relax...however Lesley is currently suffering from apoplexy as she is determined to get through the next level in the Crossbow challenge on Wii but she can't find the last man she has to kill! So one of us is relaxing - I'm watching Dancing on Ice online!! Oh the joys of technology!!!

Coming down in the rain

Sunday comes around again and with it brings a fresh down pouring of what seems like all the rain in China, and standing in our pyjamas, gazing out through the slats of the blinds, ensconced within the warmth of the house, we silently ponder the certainty of another drenching on our next training walk.

We parked the car at Tesco Riverside in Dundee city centre, take a deep breath and step out into the downpour. Our route today did not require any degree of map reading or compass skills, for all we needed to do was head East and follow the National cycle network Route 1 (connecting Dover to the Shetland Isles, no less) and try to end up somewhere near Arbroath….or there abouts.

We made our way along the city quayside, passed by the magnificent RRS Discovery and on towards the port authority security gate where we watched the gate keeper take great delight in opening up to allow a man on his bike pass through, yet he stopped us in our tracks and claimed we were not allowed to enter the area on foot! To which we both questioned…why was the man on his bike allowed to pass? “I don’t make the rules hen” was the response, so rather reluctantly, and with the question still unanswered, we turned back, and up and over the rickety bridge that would take us back onto the main road. We trudged along this next section in silence, the roaring from the multitude of vehicles rumbling along the major highway, splashing up all the surface water proved futile to fight against with only our happy chattering, so we just didn’t bother trying. We soon left the chaos of the roadside and headed back along a coastal path, towards the pretty village of Broughty Ferry. Fiona pointed to a church steeple shrouded in scaffolding away off in the distance and told me that it was hit by a huge bolt of lightening a few months back…..we both agreed that where we stood would have been a magnificent vantage point on that evening when it struck! KABOOM indeed!

The conversation was flowing again as we picked up the pace and rounded the corner at Broughty Ferry Castle and headed out towards Monifeith. Unfortunately, the rain picked up its pace too and by now, it had turned itself into stinging needles that jabbed against the soft skin of our exposed faces, so it was hoods up at the double! Heads down, and keep right on to the end of the road…..

We passed by a couple of campsites, right by the waters edge and walked through a fabulous kids play area, complete with rope swings, and adventures galore. It reminded me of the times my parents took myself and my brother on holiday to Aberdeen when we were kids and let us loose among the golden links…..what fun it all was! Scraping our knees and clambering all over the rope climbs, and then a race back to the car for our yummy packed lunch! The similarities in both Fiona’s and my childhood is a subject we chat about frequently on our walks, I like how it takes us both back to really happy times and fond memories….it certainly lifts the spirits and provides some welcome escapism when faced with all these rain soaked miles!

The next section of path seemed to go on for ever! From Barry Burden Army base, along the side of the golf courses, the road is dead straight and has very little deviation. It was time to think about the aches and pains now creeping into our bodies and the complete inadequacy of our “shower proof” walking jackets. The sleeves of my fleece underneath my jacket were completely soaking, as were my feet, trousers and shoulders. Fiona’s heels were beginning to nip from a couple of nasty burst blisters and she was soaking wet too! We reckoned we had covered around 8 miles up to this point and it was perhaps a further 5 miles to Carnoustie….a good time for a chocolate boost!

At last, the large sign that welcomes you to the Carnoustie Golf links was upon us and some shelter from the relentless rain was finally in sight! We had agreed that we would have a comfort break at the Carnoustie leisure centre and see how we felt about plodding on any further. We walked past the tenth green and remembered the last time we were here, following Bernie Langer and Corey Pavin in the final round of the seniors open golf tournament last year….glancing over at the windswept course now, the only person to be seen was a hardy dog walker holding a giant umbrella, even his dog seemed to be taking cover from the rain, seeking refuge in one of the bunkers perhaps!?

A quick photo stop in front of the iconic Carnoustie hotel and then on to the leisure centre. By this time, we both were limping and in desperate need of some shelter, so the decision was made to terminate the walk here and to jump on a train to get us back to Dundee and the car. Our timing was poor however as the next train due was a two hour wait away! So plan B was adopted and we hobbled up the main road to catch a bus.

It was a challenging day today, but we both agreed it was well worth it and still very enjoyable, even in the appalling weather conditions! We must have looked like a right pair, shuffling off the bus, all stiff and cold and sore….but at least we could still have a good old laugh about it……the rain had definitely not dampened our spirits on this day!  

Better late than never.....a journey of learning

So yesterday was the day that was- I set off full of intentions of heading up Kings Seat and Dunsinane on a bit of a pilgrimage but on heading down the Kingsway it became evident that the cloud was going to thwart me- no way was I risking falling over a precipice in the mist so Newtyle bound I was! I have often wanted to trek the paths around the village and surrounds but never got round to doing it.

So off I set from dog jobby park (now, those of you who follow the blog will know the sort of things I was saying to myself so I shall refrain!) with Dolly and Kenny, Melissa and Nanci Griffiths (my counter part was at work- shame) along past the old home where my Granny was, Mundamalla (which is an Indian word meaning Peace and Tranquility- so I found out yesterday) to join the railway loop walk. I was blown away- metaphorically speaking-by the beauty of this path, especially once I was into the cutting known as the gullet- it really felt as if I was in an enchanted forest- even the tree roots were weird, growing in squares round the rocks. I have lived in this area all my life and I never knew that such beauty existed. The Newtyle community should be very proud of their achievements in setting up the path network- it is beautiful. I also never knew that Newtyle used to have a golf course- in fact the tees are still visible in the fields.

I continued along the railway until it ended at the Dundee road and took Jacob's ladder up into the woods which took me along a path leading up Newtyle and Auchtertyre Hill - which I didn't go up I hasten to add! I wound my way through the Scots Pines and came upon a 5ft tall Crucufix in the trees which was erected as a Polish Priest died on that spot during WWII- something else I didn't know!

I continued on my merry and ever relaxing way through the woods behind Kinpurney Castle not long after this the path meandered back down towards the road- much evidence of foxes (totally stinking!!) and stripped pine cones indicating red squirrels. The latter part of the path was mainly on the back roads with the last stretch being on the railway back to dog jobby park.

What a wonderful walk- I just wish that someone had been there to share it with me as much as Dolly and Kenny et al were entertaining they were stuck in my ears! Just the therapy I needed after a very busy and at times quite stressful week.

Oooh, so much potential!!

Now, this being mid term weekend and having the luxury of a four day weekend I am delighted at the prospect of getting lots of walking fitted in- I am not being flippant or sarcastic- no way! I think walking tomorrow- may even tackle a hill then rugby Saturday with my counterpart, then walking on Sunday/Monday as my said counterpart is also off on Monday- how glorious! I need to do a lot as what with parent's nights, organising charity shops and Monifeith High parents night tonight, I have only been on the Wii Fit once this week- I just know I'm going to get a row!

Oooh, what excitement! Also just to update you on my other charity venture- the kids in my class organised a charity shop for Mary's Meals yesterday and raised an amazing £532!! How proud am I?!!

Watch this space! :-)

And the plan went Awry....!!

Well another walk down and it really is getting easier! This time it was all planned to leave one car at Haddington, come back to Musselburgh then walk to Haddington - all 17 miles or so....

Saturday night we were regaling our guests with our plans to do the walk, get up at the crack of the sparrow's, get it done in six hours, yada yada yada- that's where the plans went awry! Unfortunately the clock wasn't set and we eventually dragged our sorry asses out of bed at a time FAR too late for 17 miles! So some swift sifting through the walk books produced- taa daa- Aberlady to North Berwick on the John Muir Way! All 9 miles!

I can say that Lesley was less than enthralled with the prospect- granted it was damp, drizzly and down right dreich to say the least! So off we trudged, making our way along the main road, trying to catch up on the events of the week....not good! We did however, find a beautiful wee path round the back of Gullane golf course when low and behold, we spotted some deer- Loads of them in east Lothian- at least this time they weren't jumping about in front of us and making us squeal like girls!!

The path once again met up with the road in Gullane and headed towards Dirleton- once again along the roadside! After walking single file and in almost silence we managed to get off the road and into a wood....it was beautiful! We stopped for some photos at opportune moments - some of which I think are indicative of how my counterpart was feeling about the walk- a branch with cones does not constitute a musical instrument, no matter how hard you blow!! After this brief musical interlude we emerged from the trees to find a private airstrip- way too much money in East Lothian!!

Off we meandered to Dirleton- what a stunning village that is- ancient, quaint, huge village green- perfect setting for DCI Barnaby to be honest!! We then headed to Yellowcraig where we saw stunning evidence of the force of the wind in that part of the world- very strange looking trees!

Here's Jahnnny!!

We headed off to North Berwick, by this time any notion of walking back had gone as it was 3.30- AND the obligatory pint was calling! However, this subsequently almost made us miss our bus- at which point I launched into a Victor Meldrew-esque rant at the price of the bus fare- £3.20 each to travel 9 miles! We actually had to borrow 1p from a lady on the bus as we had no money left! talk about Mortified! So the pair of us bumped our gums all the way back to Aberlady- this was made worse by the fact that we had to walk almost a mile to get back to the car- Lesley was not impressed!!

All in all, another highly enjoyable (!!!) and successful day rounded off by a pint and packet of Cheese Ba's!

Can I take any more?!

The excitement is still building! Just today I received our t-shirts from Alzheimer Scotland! Ok, we won't be able to wear them for the whole week as they will seriously stink but it could be our evening attire for when we go out for dinner!! Yeah, right- dinner! Packets of noodles and pasta in sauce I think somehow! lol!

Also, since our article in the "Tully" (a la man outside Boots at the top of Reform St) we have had an influx of donations- thank you, thank you, thank you of all who have contributed thus far! Not done a rough total but I think we must be approaching £1000! It is just amazing!

Not sure where our well leathered feet will fall this weekend but watch this space!