Winter Wonderland

Some snow pics around Innerleithen over the past week or so.

  

Delightful Deeside

Just back from 4 days in Deeside, staying at an old coaching inn, between Crathie and Braemar.  The weather was absolutely fantastic.  Hired bikes one day and cycled part of the Deeside Way, stopping for a picnic lunch by the banks of the river.
Also did a spot of genealogy, while we were there.  My grandfathers generation back to pre-1700 are from the Braemar area.  Found my great-grandfathers grave in the local cemetry.  Also found the mill house where my great-great-great-great-grandfather and great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather lived back in th 16th century.

Innerleithen Musical Festival

Another hectic music festival weekend over. Having helped organise it, and been on 'duty' all weekend, glad to have a day off.
Both Friday and Saturday night concerts were a sellout, with The Unthanks, Lau and Cappercaillie.
Even got a chance to perform a song (Lionel McClelland's 'Earl O March's Daughter') at an open-mike session at Backcroft, one of the local B&Bs.

Northern Cyprus

Just back from a week in Northern Cyprus.   Stayed near the town of Kyrenia, which has a delightful old harbour.  Our hotel ,the Ship Inn, sat beneath the mountain range that runs parallel to the Northern coast, with St Hilarion Castle perched above us.  An amazing amount of well preserved archeaology in the area.  The Persian palace at Vouni, the vast Roman remains at Salamis and the afore-mentioned Crusader castle of St Hilarion.

Persian Palace of Vouni

500-300 BC

Roman Gymnasium at Salamis

330 BC - 330 AD

St Hilarion Castle

1000 - 1500 AD

St Abbs Head

Trip to St Abbs Head, in Berwickshire, with my wife and Rory.  About an hour and a half drive from Innerleithen, via Gala, Earlston and Duns.

Went for a walk along the cliffs and photographed the guillemots perched on the steep red sandstone cliffs.  Last time I was here there were razorbills as well, but I didn't spot any today. 

After that we headed down to Eyemouth, to give Rory a run along the beach.

Mountain biking heaven on my doorstep

Another beautiful day in Innerleithen and an excellent wee run on the bike with Rory (my black labrador) this morning. The weather was a bit cooler than the rest of the week, but bright and sunny all the same.

A long slog up the main fire tracks and then a cracking descent of Rocky (aka Pirn Craig). Perfect descent and in 6:30 from the summit of Rocky to the Cuddy Bridge. Not as fast as some others can do it, but a PB for me.