Christmas-time in Munich

Jacquie and I have just spent 5 days in Munich.  Very festive with all the Christmas markets.  Visited the observatory where Johann Von Lamont (my first cousin, five times removed) worked in the early to mid 1800's.  Born in Braemar, he was educated, worked and died in Munich.  Becoming director of the obervatory and being knighted by Ludwig II.

We also just happened to visit the odd beerhall or so!

Rathaus (Town Hall), in Marienplatz



Grave of Johann Von Lamont

The street named after him

 Hofbrau Beerhaus (can accommodate 3000 people)



If I Was a Blackbird

My first video recording of me singing. 

A traditional song, with additional lyrics by Andy M Stewart,

formerly of Silly Wizard (the group that first got me into folk music, and playing guitar).

Check out some other songs on my YouTube channel

http://www.youtube.com/user/mikel3561

Isle of Mull

Just back from a week on the Isle of Mull, staying in a cottage at Pennyghail.  Weather was mixed, but great weather for a trip to Staffa and Iona.  On the way back saw an otter for the first time and got some great photos.  Also saw Golden and White-tailed Sea-eagle.

Otter

Bunessan Bay

Fingals Cave, Staffa

Last light on Loch Scridain

Innerleithen Music Festival 2011

What a weekend.  As well as helping run the festival, we had one of the performers, Canadian folk singer Nathan Rogers, staying with us.  Even tried his Tuvan Throat-singing workshop.  Hard work but fun. 
Nathan took Rory for a walk up Lee Pen on Sunday.  They're best of pals now.

Nathan, Jacquie and Rory

Nathan and I



Half Century Holiday

Just back from a tour of the Outer Hebrides for my 50th birthday.  Up to Ullapool, across to Lewis then down the islands to Barra, and back to Oban.
Weather was mixed but scenery was great.  Dolphins, seals, eagles, Callanish, Dun Carloway, fishing, folk sessions and lots, lots more.

Common Seal

Dolphin (Common, I think)

Callanish

 

Dun Carloway Broch

 



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.