Kit & Ca-boob-le

Kit & Caboodle
Originally uploaded by Lidwit.

It arrived!

We are now the proud owners of our walking kit - cap, t-shirt, bra and walker numbers. No turning back coz we even have sponsors.

My knee is feeling much better already and I'm feeling much more positive again. A little more rest followed by a gradual increase in excercise and finally perhaps a little strapping to remind me to be careful with it. I AM going to be ready and WE are going to do this thing.

All we need now are some ideas on how to decorate our bras. Will it be fluff? Sparkles? Who can tell?

Kneesy does it

Beinn an t-Sidhein
Originally uploaded by Lidwit.

We added a bit of height this time just for a change.

We always opt for the flatter easier routes because we're trying to put in distance in preparation for our Moonwalk. But this time we decided to change the rules slightly. We took a slightly different route on one of our favourite walks between Callander and Strathyre and were rewarded with some spectacular views.



It was a beautiful day and the walking was very pleasant to the point that we even considered stretching it to Balquidder. In the end we walked a little further along the road but not quite as far as Balquidder . It was lunchtime and the lure of a meal and a Guinness was too much to resist. Well it's all part of the experience. I have to wonder though, how we'll cope on the Moonwalk with no pub lunch half way through. Then again, it will be night time and I won't be stopping to take photos every 5 minutes so there's a good chance we could be finished much quicker than we think... and then again...



I'm not sure what went wrong this time but by the time we were walking back towards Callander I was feeling pretty rough. Figuring low blood sugar, I scoffed a bag of Midget Gems... for medicinal purposes. Stuff your nut and granola bars, I needed energy. With the energy balance successfully restored I was hopeful of a pleasant return walk but alas it was not to be.



My muscles were aching from the climbing, which though not excessive, was obviously enough to make a difference. But worse yet my knee was beginning to give me considerable cause for concern. Six miles from Callander I was struggling with every step becoming increasingly painful until I could barely manage the snail-y speed of 1mph. Not good. Eventually as we reached Leny Falls I had to concede defeat and let Red go on ahead for the car. Meanwhile I hobbled a further mile and met her at Kilmahog where she picked me up... just one mile short of the end. Grrrrr.



I'm so disappointed in myself for not making the final mile but I really was finding it tough and though I would have done it, it would have taken me another hour to get there. As Red pointed out, the further I walked on a dodgy knee the more damage I could be doing. It's only 3 weeks to the Moonwalk, and I really don't want to be dropping out now.



I'm now seriously worried about the Moonwalk. What if I really can't do it.? We've been building up to it all these months and now it's looking like it could be a bust. I really hope not. Meanwhile I need to consider just how I use these 3 weeks. Rest, walking, strength exercises? Not being an expert I guess I have to be careful I don't make the wrong choice. After dragging Red this distance I don't think she'd appreciate me bailing at this late stage.

What to do???
Answers on a postcard please...

A little friendly support

101_0149
Originally uploaded by lil'z.

I can't take credit for this image but I just had to blog it with a thought for the day. It's a bit on the smooshy side, I know, but I just wanted to say a big thanks to Red for being supportive - and buying chocolate - when I accidentally poisoned my car.

A Friend Is Like A Good Bra
Hard to Find
Supportive
Comfortable
Always Lifts You Up
Never Lets You Down or Leaves You Hanging
And Is Always Close To Your Heart!!!

1-2-3 Awwwwwwwww =O)

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Breast Awareness Bra Fence, Wanaka, New Zealand

Whang Dang!

Doorway to light
Originally uploaded by Lidwit.

What a cracking walk... literally.

Today's adventure went off road somewhat heading for what is known as The Whangie. Strange but true. A couple of miles north of Carbeth on the A809, we pulled into Queens View car park and headed up... and up... and up the Auchineden Hill, braving bogs and cow pats in search of this unusual geological feature.



To explain the Whangie is a geological fault that is about 50 ft deep and 300 ft long. and was probably caused by glacial movement way back in the dim and distant past. The more colourful explanation however is the local myth suggesting that it was a crack caused by the devil whipping his tail during a meeting with witches and warlocks. Either way it's an interesting walk and popular with climbers although they were hiding on our visit.



The walk from the car park over to The Whangie is about 1.5 miles - so not very far... unless you're us. It's pretty unclear as you go, which path you're meant to take and at one fork we opted to go up the hill (following the people) taking us up to a fairly level area of bog, marsh and cow pats surrounding a trig point. The views from up here were pretty spectacular. To the north - Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, to the west - Burncrooks reservoir, to the south Glasgow and the northern suburbs and to the east, Strathblane and the Campsie Fells. Beautiful enough on a dullish day but on a clear day this would be even more amazing.



But of course it wasn't a clear day... or particularly sunny and bright - no. Fortunately it wasn't raining but that didn't really make any difference to the going. This was, quite something else and more than once we found ourselves trying to leap across burns and bog and not a few quagmires into the bargain.



Us? Shy away from adversity? Never!

We just kept plodding on... in roughly the wrong direction. Ho hum. We were so caught up in the views from the top of the hill that we forgot to watch where everyone else was going and headed off the wrong way. It was a lovely walk, wade, walk, wade, but eventually we realised that we weren't getting anywhere close to our destination and decided to retrace our steps... wade, walk, wade, walk...



What we should have done was taken the lower fork in the path which leads straight to the Whangie... but we didn't know this. So we went the long way round and in the process were rewarded with the views I mentioned earlier. Not to worry. We got there eventually and it was well worth the trek.



And that was it. Whanged! All done bar the wade, clamber, walk, stumble back to the car for a well earned banana and a fresh pair of unmuddy shoes. Only that wasn't really it... was it?



Oh we made it off the hill okay, and in one piece which I considered impressive given some of the rough ground. We jumped in the car and headed for home to the tune of my dashboard playing the bagpipes and asking for fuel. I duly stopped and filled her up with petrol - as you do... if you happen to have a car that runs on petrol.

DANG!

Or similar four letter words to that effect. Six miles from home and we were stuck in a petrol station with my poorly wee diesel buggy filled to the brim with the wrong fuel. And guess who forgot to pack her AA card. Doh! The good news is they came anyway and towed us home but that was all they could do - being a Sunday there was no garage open and no hope of getting her running again. Sorry Foggy. (Yes I'm one of those sad women who names her car - deal with it).

And there ended a lovely day. Understandably there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth from my husband and subsequently much draining of funds from el credit cardito. But also a valuable lesson was learned. Never trust the bright green circle inside my petrol cap that seems to suggest it might take unleaded... it doesn't.

Before I go I should mention that The Whangie is also a popular destination for scouts and guides visiting the local outdoor centre at Auchengillan. And in the spirit of this it just remains for me to start a sing song. All together now, after three...
1 - 2 - 3

Lidie is a diddy
Lidie is a diddy

!

Mammories are made of this...

The Paps of Jura
Originally uploaded by Lidwit.

I have to thank my friend Angie for this one - she sent this through on an email and I just had to share it with you... so with my tongue firmly in my cheek, let's go.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Many women are afraid of their first mammogram, but there is really no need to worry.

By taking a few minutes each day for a week preceding the exam and doing the following exercises, you will be totally prepared for the test and best of all, you can do these simple exercises right in and around your home

EXERCISE ONE:

Open your refrigerator door and insert one breast in door.

Shut the door as hard as possible and lean on the door for good
measure.

Hold that position for five seconds.
Repeat again in case the first time wasn't effective enough.

EXERCISE TWO:

Visit your garage at 3AM when the temperature of the cement
floor is just perfect.

Take off all your clothes and lie comfortably on the floor with
one breast wedged under the rear tyre of the car.

Ask a friend to slowly back the car up until your breast is
sufficiently flattened and chilled.

Turn over and repeat with the other breast.

EXERCISE THREE:

Freeze two metal bookends overnight.
Strip to the waist.
Invite a stranger into the room.
Press the bookends against one of your breasts.
Smash the bookends together as hard as you can.
Set up an appointment with the stranger to meet next year and do
it again.

CONGRATULATIONS!
YOU ARE TOTALLY PREPARED!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Don't forget to have a mammogram!!!!!!

Beauty and the bay

Port Ellen, Islay
Originally uploaded by Lidwit.

So just a few short hours left to enjoy the sunshine and scenery. It's all gone so quickly and it hardly seems any time since we were disembarking from the ferry at the start of our weekend. It's true what they say - time definitely does fly when you're having fun. Rather than bemoan the fact that it's nearly time to leave however, we elected to squeeze the best from the time we had left and took a wander around the bay at Port Ellen. I'm not even going to post between these shots. These are some of my favourites from the weekend and nothing I can say can do the scenery any justice... so justice once isa gonny shut it!

And that's basically it. All done and dusted. A fantastic weekend walking through some of the most beautiful landscapes with the warm smell of peat smoke lingering in the air. What could be better?



Four very tired but happy moonfeet later we have a whole lot of wonderful memories and a very sound intention to return. Not only that but given the distances we covered we feel confident that the Moonwalk, though still a challenge, is not outside our grasp. It might hurt a bit but we can definitely do it.

Ruins & Relics

Port Ellen, Islay
Originally uploaded by Lidwit.

And no I don't just mean us!

One thing that abounds on Islay, no matter where you go, is evidence of her history. Everywhere you look there are ruins and relics from the past whether it's just a derelict cottage, a standing stone, a church, a cross, a hill fort... the list is endless. At one time there were over 15,000 inhabitants on the island. Today there are just 3400.



Right from the start of our break we were faced with ruins and we hadn't even reached Finlaggan yet where the most famous ruins of all still sit in evidence of the era of the Lord of the Isles.









Sadly the ruins aren't confined to the ancient past. We also came across many buildings that had obviously been in use until very recently before falling into disrepair. The most striking example of this was the Islay Hotel in Port Ellen. The beautiful old building is in a prime location but has suffered greatly from a lack of funding and basic love and care.



Hopefully the issues surrounding this will improve soon but in the meantime it stands as evidence of a community still balanced very much on the knife edge of economy.

Malty mania

One very happy Red
Originally uploaded by Lidwit.

Okay so we've covered some of the walking stuff on Islay... all well and good as that was the main purpose of the trip. The Moonwalk is approaching and we definitely need the training. But reason number two was definitely the draw of the peat. There are an astonishing number of distilleries on this little island and we made a point of getting within visual distance of at least a few. First on the list was Laphroaig - Red's tipple of choice. She says she enjoys the medicinal quality... haha - I think it smells like hospitals myself. Way too much bromide in there for me but it is definitely a favoured drop by many.



The thing to bear in mind of course, is that peat is everywhere on Islay. You only have to look at the colour of the burns as they bleed into the sea to realise just what a rich resource it is. Small wonder there are so many distilleries when you think about it.

Our first glimpse of these was from the ferry as we arrived. There are four distilleries on the south of the island that serve as mile markers along the coast.


Ardbeg


Lagavulin


Laphroaig


And the now closed, Port Ellen, although the Maltings in Port Ellen are still very much alive pumping the glorious smell of peat smoke into the air and providing the remaining distilleries with their principle ingredients.



Of course no trip would be complete for me without a wander past Bruichladdich. Humina humina. Yup I like it light and sweet and the free taster of their 12yr old malt put wings on our feet for the return walk to the hotel that day. It's what's known as piggy heaven - you take something you love and just wallow in it. Some people like mud - me I prefer a dram... hic!



So all in all we did not too badly - we missed Kilchoman, Bunnahabhain and Caol Ila but that just gives us even more of an incentive to return... oh yeah like we really needed another one. Meanwhile we take great pleasure in remembering our Think Pink haze of delirium as we hiccupped our way back to the hotel for dinner... oh yes... and more whisky... hic!

Buddies

Spring
Originally uploaded by Lidwit.

There's nothing quite like taking a break away with friends to find out how well you get on with them. I can't speak for Red but I for one didn't want this weekend to end. Before we left Ballygrant we decided to take one more short walk down to the loch. We missed walking this on our arrival because the ferry put in at Port Ellen instead of Port Askaig but we didn't want to waste a chance to at least see a small part of it.



There was just time before our lift down to Port Ellen to take a quick walk down through the village to the lochside and snap a few more pics before we had to say goodbye to Ruby - our hilarious hostess with culinary skills to rival even my Gran... and I don't say that lightly I promise you.



It was pretty sad to be going so soon. We crammed a lot into our stay but there was so much more we wanted to do. There was still the rest of the walk past Finlaggan up to Bunnahabhan and back down the coast past Caol Ila. That's definitely on for a future visit.



There was also the walk past the three lochs, Allen, Lily and Ballygrant, or up through the Lossit estate where the remains of an ancient cairn are still visible. And all that in one small corner of the island. They all have to wait for another time. And to top it all our friendly Bird of Prey came back out for another fly past, giving us one more chance to catch a picture. It couldn't have been a more perfect way to finish.



It's pretty rare to find someone that sees life in much the same way and has similar if not identical interests. Before we took off for the weekend I confess I was a little worried that we might begin to get on each others nerves spending so much time together. But for me it just wasn't the case although I daresay Red will have many tales of my resonant snoring or how I grind my teeth or something... ulp! I really had a lovely time and whatever else I do in the future I will remember this weekend as one of the best. Partly because of the amazing scenery but mostly because it was spent with a good friend.

Lord of the Isles

Standing stone at Finlaggan, Islay
Originally uploaded by Lidwit.

In the middle ages Islay was a seat of power for Clan Donald which ruled the west coast of Scotland from Lewis to Kintyre virtually independantly of any royal power. The centre of activity was Finlaggan where ruins remain today on two small islands to the north end of the loch.



Finlaggan is approximately 2 miles north of Ballygrant which made it a must for an evening walk last Friday. Okay so it's not very far but we knew we would be doing the distance thing the following day and decided this would be an excellent way to ease ourselves into the way. Better yet as we headed north we spotted what we think may have been a golden eagle. With virtually no wind and a clear sky conditions were perfect for a wander and it wasn't long before we were soaking up the atmosphere and the history.



Of course, being the organised people we are, we'd arranged a time for dinner and were soon conscious that that time was approaching and we still had to walk back the two miles. But hey... we're on island time now. Everything is a little bit later on an island. So technically we had plenty of time for a few more pictures... really.



That said, we are girls who like our food and our stomachs were grumbling for some attention, so we didn't hang about too much longer. A quick jog back down the road and we were ready to demolish whatever was put down in front of us... and demolish it we did, every last bit. One thing was for sure, we weren't going to starve on this weekend.



For anyone interested, there are more pics where these came from. Just click on any of the images to be taken to the complete set on flickr. And look out for the next post tomorrow.