Developments in Ping and I on the home front ..

Well it has been an interesting few days ....

On Sunday 12th December Ping and I went by train to Falkirk to view 1 house - in Woodlands - very nice but no, and visited another where we had been trying to see it for sometime unsuccessfully and just walked over - found the owner in - an apparently honest and nice Architect - this house too big a project for us so also a No. We then decided to walk up to a house near Falkirk High School which we had discounted previously as being a little too far from the station - only to find that it is only about 20 minutes - but there was another house with a sign up just a little further on ...
Monday 13th December 2010 called the agents to view this one at 2pm Tuesday 14th. Also arranged to see solicitor at 4pm in Stirling. Ping and I book half day off on the Tuesday afternoon.

Tuesday 14th Dec - we met at Grahamston Railway station - looked at house - liked it and after returning to the flat went onto the Solicitor`s and after a good discussion a bid to be placed. Ping and I then went to Nationwide to start arranging mortgage and then onto the Outback for a beer.
Wednesday 15th Dec - solicitor calls in the morning - indicating that sellers want to see what 2 more couples who should be visiting the house status is and suggested that it could be put to a closing date. One couple cancel - due to the weather! (which is currently ok) and the other still have to sell their property so at about 16:50 solicitor calls again to say the verbal bid has been accepted and will start putting offer into writing.

So if from seeing it on Sunday from the outside doesn`t count then time from viewing to buying - 26 hours 50 minutes - perhaps a record?.

Proposed entry date 4th February 2011 - when the fun and lots of diy and decorating commences ...

Finally Ping and I will have a house to call our own and I will have a LOT of gardening to do as well !

Various miscellany ...

Sold Hinckley house - received money on 17th November 2010

Spent some money - on a nice TV- received 23rd November 2010

Looking at other properties with Ping - chosen a solicitor.

Like panoramas but cannot do this ... http://www.gigapan.org/gigapans/65674/snapshots/180704/

Seeing Braham tonight with Richard - not sure of the plan yet - Wednesday 24th Nov 2010.

Been uploading the best of my travel photos from my round the World trip in 2002 ...
 I shall add link when it works!

A month plus of news ...

As usual far too long between posts !!

Cars :-
Well the Mitsibushi Carisma started to play up resulting in scrapping it as part of a deal to purchase a Seat Leon - which I got in early September. Actually not that many for sale at any one time in Scotland and the previous weekend Ping and I went to Glasgow to look at a Cupra - expensive (over budget) and a little tatty looking befor seeing this one.

From New Car - 11th Sept 2010

Travel :-
England
Shortly after getting the above I drove with Dad down to England - driving firstly to Hinckley on the 14th September - after an early start and straight into cutting the jungle - sorry grass - well actually over the next days it had 3 cuts before it was acceptable ..

On the Wednesday 15th we went to Auntie Marjories - and very soon after arriving I received a call from the Estate agents saying someone making an offer. Low number so after quite a lot of thought rejected it - much against almost everyone elses advice.  Stayed for a few hours in Mansfield and then returned to Hinckley. More grass cutting and dinner down at The Baron of Hinckley. (as we had on the Tuesday night when we forgot about the meal and wine offer)

Thursday - giving Dad a lift to Coventry Bus Station for about 11am - using my phones GPS - worked well - though this had consequences later. After dropping Dad off - I think I returned to Hinckley then saw estate agents re renting- and then definitely drove to Braham`s. I was aiming as requested for about 6.30pm so left at about 4.45 - thought there would be no problems - Oh how wrong I can be!! - drove down M1 and expected to easily see signs for Borehamwood near A1 - wrong - ended up in the dark in Finchley and 1 day early in Hendon. Phone GPS - no - battery run out! - eventually arrived about 7.30 or even a little later. Short chat then Braham and I went out for a pint a curry and more beer - excellent. Brahams curry was ferociously hot. A lovely evening.

Friday - up fairly early - as kids up - both so clever - breakfast and chat before deprting for Hendon. Arrived really easily and had to wait a few minutes till Xijuan arrived. She had been in Manchester for a symposium I think. Chat and then drove down to the big Chinese supermarket where she bought loads for the evening.  Soon after returning to house out again to meet Mary - and Tony near the station.  Then in the evening had a Korean hot pot - subtley different from Chinese ones - less sauce but really nice. Stuffed afterwards - the talk was good and the wine was flowing. Mary said something very nice to me about which I was moved.

Saturday morning - as I had arranged for an open day at the house I left quite early and returned to Hinckley - frantic tidying - strimmed edges - neighbour lent me a strimmer - and borrowed a hoe from Pam to de-weed and weedkill the plants between the slabs. Purchased a Times and sat down to wait. No action for a few hours then 2 couples visited at once - one of whom seemed very interested - so much so that she came back with someone else later on in the afternoon to look again. Estate agents interested in how it went and I thought well. It transpired that the other couple whom I had really just left to look around were also very interested and they put in a bid on the subsequent Monday.
I alos had two letting agents come round to value the house for letting should selling fail - they both seemed keen to get the property to market and indicated a monthly rental which was good. (So good in fact that Ping doesn`t think I should sell at all) After all this activity it was time for a quick shower and thenpicked up by Neil and Karen to go to The Concordia Theatre along with Ian, Pete, et al to see Mercury an absolutely superb Queen Tribute band. I really really enjoyed it and afterwards Neil and I went to the trendy pub? on the corner just down from the theatre and had a few drinks - a perfect evening / day/ week.

Sunday - returned to Stirling

4th October - Ping sat exam - unhappy.

I shall miss out a couple of weeks and jump now to the weekend before last Friday 15th to Sunday 17th October.
Friday morning we drove to Kinlochleven - found our microlodge accomodation (Hobbit) at Blackwater Hostel - went for a wander before purchasing a map - which I am sure we should have borrowed from Susan - and then we walked to Blackwater resevoir - quite a long way and when we got there it was raining and I was getting knackered. Returning - much faster - but a lot in the dark and got back to the accom - had some food and so tired couldn`t drink more!! - slept very well.

Saturday - as planned walked to Fort William via The West Highland Way - only 15 miles - but I was virtually crippled on arrival at about 6pm. (Mainly joggers nipple but not that location!!) Had a bite to eat at one of the few pubs not too far from the station prior to getting the bus back at 8pm. Weather could not have been better and really enjoyed it.

On the Sunday we just walked to the very close Grey Mare`s Tail in Kinlochleven before driving to Oban  - for a seafood lunch before driving home.

What I saw driving home yesterday ....

Good evening - I thought that I might relate what I saw as I was driving up the motorway yesterday - it was so much more impressive than someone using a phone ...

Guy driving a silverish people carrier type thing playing what looked like a recorder - yes honestly.  He wasn`t driving fast enough which I was pissed off with and I couldn`t hear what tune he was practicing when I passed! - though the steering with what must have been his knees was fine ...

Birthday - Allan ...

Good evening,
It is Allan Irwins birthday around about now and Dad, Ping and I have done the usual ....

And obviously in the best intersts of Allan`s health, Dad and I hope that we can help Allan drink some of these!

Woodwork, Paragliding, Inception ....

Well a few weeks ago went to the woodworking show where graduates display their work and as usual there was some lovely stuff there . I quite liked the above by a Yuqi Chock but the most unique or unusual item was this ... but I didn`t get the artists name ...

This week I went flying at Hillend - how unusual! - took lots of photos and some videos of Tim Jackson - who as usual makes it look effortless ...

Tim Jackson 100722

And I had a short 10 minute flight after 2 poor reverse launch attempts, flying over and landing too far up - but near Hazel - work colleague. And here is my kml file generated by phone GPS  (as my normal GPS batteries had run out)which if you righ click and save you can then open in Google Earth.

This weekend went to see Inception on Saturday night - very good - recommended ...

Latest update from Bob Veitch

Well as usual no news for ages reported and then lots to catch up with.
Paragliding - nothing much happened for me for weeks - did go to field behind Sherriffmuir and had a few hours of first day paragliding ground handling practice with Utopia harness.

Swimming - most weeks 2 -4 times - started going to Loanhead at lunchtimes - nice. Still rubbish and if doing a fast 50m still tending to be about 45 seconds so unhappy with that.

Holiday - booked a few days down in London in August staying at Tony and Xijuan + Alyssa`s. Ping had an excellent time in China and I think I had more jet lag than she had on her return!

Saturday 4th and 11th July 2010 Ping purchased a new diamond ring - so collected on the 11th - very nice.

Sunday 12th - just went for a short walk with Ping from Menstrie - rest of weekend mainly spent watching videos from Love Film.
Children of Men - possible the weakest of all these watched - story about a world where no children born over 18 year period.
Old Boy - enjoyable but quite viloent and disturbing in places but very good. Man kidnapped for 15 years and has to find out why when released ....
Nathalie - story about a wife who is suspecting her husband (Gerard Depardeu) of being unfaithful .. - very good. and finally
Departures - Japanese film about a musician who changes career - fantastic / emotional / beautifully filmed - a masterpiece I think - thoroughly recommended.

Recently Gregor at work kindly got a range of negatives scanned onto cd for me so here are a few examples from the past : - 

Above my hang-glider - Vision 5 large on Mam Tor  with the cement works in the distance and below Hang-glider training on or near Blacka Moor on a training day with Steve Hudson on the left - from way back in time say late 1980s or early 90s!

And from an early skiing trip to Courcheval I think  ...

Richard and I hillwalking one winter a long long time ago ....

Latest update ...

Well a short summary :-
Thursday 10th June - dropped Pings rucsac off at Susan`s.
Friday 11th June early start as Ping doing half day prior to travelling down to Airport. Susan picked her up and transferred Ping to Airport - no issues and Ping checked in and through security quite quickly.
Ping called me from Amsterdam later and on arrival in China on the Saturday.  In the evening met Richard and started at The Filmhouse Bar - prior to going down to the Ghillie Dhu for a nice evening.
Saturday - started to cut grass but called over to Richards for car and left things as they were - half done one lawn and didn`t get back so in big trouble there. Purchased brake discs and pads for rear of Carisma from Pentland Components and Richard started fitting them. Lots of issues getting the old ones off. Incomplete when went by bus to Neil and Claire`s for an excellent bbq till quite late.
Sunday continued the car - Richard had adapted a 1 1/16th socket to aid winding back of the calipers and job done relatively quickly therafter.
Monday - went to Hillend but didn`t fly and didn`t walk up
Wednesday - Hillend again - this time still no wind but went to top and had a quick ttb - full on forward launch. Foot rest attachment failing. Returned to Stirling.To Steading afterwards with the whole crowd- The book was there - excellent - must buy one nexy payday.
Thursday - Moorfoots - saw Mike Jardine having a couple of hops and another pilot going West (turned out to be Charlie Silverton) - having changed to my Mac Utopia harness - did a little slight ground handling and eventually had another full on forward launch ttb - though uncomfortable as not seated in harness - need to make adjustments. After landing and packing up - Charlie had waited for the best conditions and had a lovely flight. I went to pick him up but he got back to car area and I went ot talk with him there. returned to Stirling - very tired and hungry / thirsty - purchased chicken and chips.

A perfect day ...

Well yesterday turned out to be a perfect day as far as I was concerned ....

Firstly - walked up at Menstrie with wing, used walking poles - but still sweating profusely on arraival at the top. I was about to launch when others started arriving and I met the legendary Snowy for the first time. I reverse launched in very light conditions a little later to have a 10 minute boat around / ttb -lovely. I didn`t see any of these pilots flying afterwards but I am sy=ure they will have had a lovely time - anyhow I enjoyed it immensely. Then walked back to car and back home at about 1.30pm.  On landing the clouds looked epic though some overdevelopment occurred and a light shower did take place later in the afternoon.

.


Returned home had a soft drink and then walked into town to join Ping - just purchased some odds and ends and gifts for Pings forthcoming trip to parents in law. Then wemt to Druthy Neebors for another soft drink and then wandered home. Not home for long when Chris called and said he would be arriving in about 15 minutes. Quick mad tidyup occurred and then Chris Mhairi, Fraser and Alasdair arrived - had a lovely conversation which continued on when we went to Nando`s - really nice to see them all - and to be honest the food wasn`t too bad either.  Good crack.  On returning home then Ping said we could watch the latest LoveFilm DVD we had - Belle Epoque - with a couple of glasses of wine - ends a perfect day.

Tony B

Just a very short post - today Tony coming up from London so looking forward to meeting him this evening at the pub (The Peartree) and thence onto a meal. Staying at Mum and Dads after.

Lake District, Pings exams, Paragliding etc ...

Well as usual it has been some time and post frequency is too low but here is some news anyhow.

Ping`s exams - late April - CA1 and ST2 - apparently we are not to be too optimistic about thje results especially the ST2 where there were 4 fire alarm announcements during it which seriously disturbed Ping.

Lake District
Ping and I went down at the beginning of May on Saturday the 1st . (Friday evening went for curry at Kushis next door to the Peartree in Edinburgh for Grahame`s leaving do) Saturday picked Ping up from Edinburgh Park and then drive down on a lovely day to Keswick and thence onto Stonethwaite. Camp site beyond the Langstrath? Inn. Took lots of photos and they can all seen by clicking on the picture.  On the Saturday evening had a lovely meal at the Langstrath - Ping had Turbot and I had Lamb - the latter was definitely the best option - superb.
On Sunday walked round Buttermere - well down and back one side - lovely and then back to campsite - barbeque using one of those disposable sets but with wine - very civilised - then another walk up towards the head of the valley in the evening. That night cold - and frost in the morning.

Missing out lots of news - and onto today! - went to Hillend first up the hill after work at least and last off it - Charlie Silverton and Tim Jackson  make it look just so easy. Either way I eventually did take off on the SE face and had my best flight for probably a couple of years - at over 20 minutes. Here is my phone generated kml file which as usual displays a higher than expected altitude but gives a general gist. Landing approach was looking good till it went like a lift and I ended up landing just short of the ideal spot - result wing "carressed" a hawthorne tree. Charlie and an orienteer called Marti kindly helped me to disentangle it though. Happy.

Lake District 1st to 3rd May 2010

Ford Escort to go and meet its maker ..

Well later today a car dismantler will be coming to collect my old and abused Ford Escort R914NHG. I will be a little sad to see it go though clearly its time had come

Old car - slightly less old car

- I purchased it from Jack at work a couple of years ago when it had 85000 on the clock and now it is going with just under 139000. This is actually a record I think for any car I have owned. Abuse - up and down to Hinckley, the daily commute from Stirling and worst of all Hinckley to Barwell recycling centre - too may journeys to enumerate there!. The money I shall get for this will offset the recent exhaust purchase (and finger pain!) and make it an excellent value motoring experience. Minus - oil shares likley to plunge as I should not need to buy so much due to worn valve stem oil seals. Thankyou my little blueish Ford Escort 1.6 S you have been a reliable and effective friend for the last 25ish months - Goodbye!

New car ....

Hello, well it has been an interesting few days since the weekend.
Monday just the usual swimming at lunchtime and then in the evening researching second hand car prices - stayed at parents. Tuesday in evening went to the BCA near the Airport. Started by just noting prices for quite a while until a Mitsibushi Carisma GDi appeared - so I put my hand up and suddenly it was mine. Shaking afterwards and full transaction completed in short order thereafter. Only a few problems - this was not enough money as planned in discussion with Ping, GDi denotes petrol not Diesel and it is quite old being an X reg and red. Also have been having issues with the Escort re locking and as had laptop in the boot of the car when at the auction - when I came out I couldn`t open the doors at all - called on some help and that was achieved in quite an interesting way. The result though was that then the alarm was going off consistently and the only way that Allan and I could silence it was by undoing the battery. I had driven there to Currie somehow without problem - but getting out of the car enabled the alarm.
Wednesday 14th April - today - arranged insurance via the Post Office and then road tax on the second attempt when I had actually received by fax the certificate of insurance. This is the first insurance with Ping named so practice can really start now. Left work just before 4pm, got the road tax in Penicuik and then to Susan and akllans and thence onto teh auction. Picked up car - agreed it looks quite good and matbe it will amend Ping`s opinion on my decision and returned to Stirling. Only issue may be rear brake related but need to check over time. Fuel well empty and got £68 in to fill it up!! Arghhh. Also talked to the man who helped me to open the Escort and agreed a price with him to collect it late Friday afternoon without the road tax for scrap / parts. An end of a short but high mileage era I think.

This evening missed chance to fly at Hillend.

I knew that this was a possibility though decided not to put wing in the car this morning - as things to do this evening. Which I really must get on with. Anyhow on driving back from work saw 2 pilots in the air - turned out to be Tim Bridle and Ian Kennedy. I took a few photos and had a short chat with some of the pilots in the landing field before dashing off a few minutes later. Dave H advised flying a bit lumpy. Photos mainly all Tim Bridle coming in to land and landing video sequence. Also present Dorita, Quentin, Mike and Sean from NZ/Australia.

Hillend 12th April 2010

Arrived at Mum and Dads to find dinner ready - excellent and then onto vacuuming the car - to de-muesli it - life is so much fun!
Dad went out to see if he can get into a Science Festival presentation at the Filmhouse at 08:30 by Ian Holt? on the 7 wonders of the Solar System.

Paragliding near Menstrie 10th and 11th April 2010

Yesterday - 10th April I walked up Myreton early - being the first to arrive and then for the next few hours was in the wrong place psychologically. I did take some photos though and they are here ...

Myreton-100410

Then today Sunday walked up again - this time to the same place though I had changed into a crimson or nearly infra-red being! from yesterday. Initially went up little Myreton and again did nothing for quite some time. Then Jan texted me - saying essentially come across to big Myreton or Demyot? so I packed up wing and wandered across. Conditions were strongish thermic and I wasn`t again doing anything though notably Dave was showing what good / great ground handling skills are. Also present were Richard, Jan, Tom and Ian?. Again I took quite a few photos and they are here :-

Big Myreton 11th April 2010

The wind did then ease from the East somewhat and everyone took off - including me - lovely - got past the pyschological problems and had a for me realtively long flight at about 8 minutes! Landing perfect and then even better Lou - Matt Church`s better half gave me a lift back to Menstrie and the car - it doesn`t get better than that as far as I am concerned.
I track my flights using Sports Tracker on my Nokia - and obviously on my Garmin. However it is easier to get a kml file from the phone - the only minus is that the absolute altitudes always seem to be too high - anyhow here is my KML file from which you could if you wish get the gist of my flight on Google Earth. To do this "save link as" and then open it in Google Earth.

Whats happening this week ?..

This week has been pretty much the usual - Monday, Wednesday , Thursday and Friday swimming at lunchtime and Tuesday badminton - didn`t miss it this time by forgetting that I didn`t have my car!. No car sharing this week as L on holiday. Stayed at Mum and Dads on Monday and Thursday nights. On the latter added some foam strip to mums sunroof in the hope that it will eliminate the leak where lots of water ends up in the passenger footwell.  Ping studying hard - as usual. House - advised someone wants to see it so that is good.  Car - something wrong I think back nearside wheel - getting noisy etc.  At work today it was the last day for Grahame and Mairi on our floor as part of the redundancy programme so that was sad. Leanne from Finance left on Tuesday or Wednesday with no emotion or goodbyes. Last wek walked up Myreton but didn`t fly as windy
This weekend weather looking good so up Myreton again and hopefully shall fly this time whilst Ping studying.

Hinckley house finally on the market ....

Well last week 153 London Road, Hinckley, LE10 1HH finally came onto the market and more details can be found here ...

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-29223563.html



http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/find.html?searchType=SALE&locationIdentifier=BRANCH^7363&previousSearchLocation=Profiles+Estate+Agents%2C+Hinckley&useLocationIdentifier=true&savedSearchId=&displayPropertyType=&minBedrooms=&maxBedrooms=&minPrice=&maxPrice=120000&maxDaysSinceAdded=&includeSSTC=true&_includeSSTC=on&primaryDisplayPropertyType=&secondaryDisplayPropertyType=&oldDisplayPropertyType=&oldPrimaryDisplayPropertyType=&newHome=&auction=false&retirement=&partBuyPartRent=&sortByPriceDescending=&x=79&y=10

Bob Veitch`s last couple of weekends - a summary...

Well it has all be happening - and in no real order ...
12th March drove to Hinckley with dad- loads of work from Saturday to Tuesday morning - grass cutting, cleaning, yellow flowering plant hedge vicious trim ->amoeba of waste into car, 3 trips to Barwell dump, carpets installed on Monday 15th - very pleased as look better than expected. Spent a long time trying to get wall units aligned - nightmare. Wednesday 17th replacement gas hob should ahve been fitted. Neighbouring house towards Tesco sold and builders started, 2 estate agents visited, chinese carry outs and Witherspoons, car sharing started on Wednesday 17th March - excellent. Archie, dad and I`s birthdays mainly celebrated on Sunday 21st March - all visited Susan and Allan`s - Ping cooked a lovely Thai Mango chicken dish followed by 2 birthday cakes. I received 2 shirts, a bread making book and the latest Sade cd - which is dating me somewhat but I like it a lot. For dad Ping and I got him a planer.
On the Sunday evening after birthdays, Ping and I did a lot of estate agent research and decided on the one who shall get the job to sell my Hinckley house - Profiles and a guide price. Saturday 13th I got wing out on hill behind Craig Ross`s house but failed to fly as mentally in the wrong place as well as getting dark and wind along the hill! - I hear though that earlier in the day Gordon, Tina and Cliff had a successful flight from the same hill to near the M9 at Stirling.
Monday 22nd and Tuesday 23rd Ping and I jogged for the first time in ages - I had my usual swimming and badminton and on the Tuesday had to collect car from the P+R as locked in so cycled there - triathlons to come?....
Work currently more interesting than normal as learning how to use the banking system to setup payments to forign vendors. Ping is naturally in deep study mode as exams in less than a month now. Richard currently away on skiing holiday and going from the texts received having an absolutely fab time. Probably missed lots of things but must sleep now .....

Not redundancy ....

Today at work attended 1.5 meetings - first indicated I was 1 of 6 who`s job was at risk. At the second meeting - prior to it getting started I was called out and advised not at risk - so excellent. Though it is still bad that 1 from remaining 4 people will be no longer working at Kendle from the 9th April - not a long time away. To celebrate I had a bottle of Bitter and Twisted and a very nice curry from Sainsbury`s with Ping.

Recent news from Bob.

Well - what has been happening in my life recently :-
1) Redundancy programme inaugurated at work - and I tried to become elected as an employee representative but beaten by other volunteers in larger groups. Programme is quite quick and if on the at risk list then out on 9th April! - obviously a worry.
2) Paragliding - well I went to the hill near Dollar a couple of weeks ago - in light conditions and had about a minute long flight - just enough time to wave at some walkers really before landing but still a lovely day. Then yesterday - on an even lighter day I went to the back of Sheriffmuir with Ping and had a few fun runs down the hill with wing - perhaps getting 3m above the ground!. My flying is now like getting back to absolute beginner - but it is helping my confidence.
3) House - last weekend Dad and I went down and cracked on - with me working dad to exhaustion - although he will deny it!. Tidied house, moved stuff into kitchen, ordered carpets and vinyl for all rooms. Shredded the wardrobe after a bit of mishap when dismantling it - as one edge fell against the wall - with dads help - and his rip saw.Bedroom looks significatly bigger without it now. I should have done this ages ago. Kitchen doors on etc. Jim visited one evening so we all went to the Witherspoons in Hinckley good. Ended up staying an extra day - ie returning on the Tuesday rather than the Monday as originally planned. Pleased with how the house looks and optimistic that it might sell quite quickly hopefully when I do get it on the market.
4) Actuarial study - Ping studying mega hard and diligently for her ST2 and CA1.
5) Money being spent like water!

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Paragliding - of a sort ...

Well good evening - today I went to a very small hill in nill wind and had a rather nice if not epic time. After a little ground handling practice - that is 2 weeks in a row now as last weekend at Hillend. After this I then attempted a forward take off - but failed having run most of the way down- so walked back up - not actually that far - and then had a short flight. Site very like the Moorfoots but smaller! Either way that is probably my first flight of the year and here is my kml file for Google Earth which includes the run!
W20100220144252.kml - as this was recorded on my phone it seems to keep me quite some way from the ground all the time - however you can get the gist of it ...