Frank's Stag Doo

This weekend I was in Freiburg, Germany to celebrate Mr. Frank Phinn's impending nuptials.

I met up with Derek in London on Friday night for the flight over but things went badly wrong from there. Our plane to Basle, that was initially delayed for two hours due to fog, was eventually cancelled so we were packed off to a hotel and booked on the first flight out the next day. We made this flight but the bags did not. That meant that the Santa suit I was bringing over for Frank to wear on the Stag doo was not going to make it. Kevin hastily arranged a replacement and as you can see, it made him look sufficiently like a numpty for this to not be a problem.


Santa and his drunken Elves

As usual, Stag rules prevent discussion of events, but suffice to say everyone had a great time and was pretty pished by bedtime - here's the evidence:



You can see a few more photies from the evening here.

Skye Bus Tour

Our friend Peg was visiting from Tasmania, Australia so we took off to the Highlands to show her the best of Scotland. Peg, if you are reading this, thanks for a making it such a great trip.

Here are a couple of photographs from the trip, the rest can be found here:


How I would look with a comb-over.


Kath, Peg and I have a well-earned drink in Portree on the Isle of Skye.

Exams and Beer

As promised, there have been no recent updates to this blog, but I've had further success with my exams and currently enjoying a well-earned break for a short while.

I passed the third of five exams on Wednesday [21/09/2005] and rewarded myself with a trip to Munich with the lads for our second annual (and maybe last) Oktoberfest on Thursday. James and Hammy were my travelling companions as we made our way to Munich to meet Derek and Snelling who had a head start on us. Of course they made full use of this time to get into the local culture which, at this time of year at least, revolves around beer. We had some catching up to do if we were to fully appreciate the tacky tourist treats of the Bavarian evening that Snelling had organised in the Hofbräuhaus. We witnessed alpine horn playing, synchronised log-chopping, a yodeller and the unique delights of the "shoe-slap" dancers!!! And if that wasn't enough, we were lucky enough to "Enjoy the impressive melodies of the Alps, played on real cow bells."

Friday started slowly and painfully. We had really "kicked the arse oot" of our previous night's drinking and had rolled home at 4am; I think we are all starting to feel our age a bit. We started off with an afternoon in the Ochsenbraterei, famous for it's spit-roasted coo. Great food and beer and as always, hugely enjoyable but slightly nuts music from the oompa-bands made for a nice warm-up session.


Derek and I slip into our FantaPants following the previous nights exploits.


Gaylord von Trapp drowns his sorrows after failing to make the band.

After a few liquid sedatives we were ready for the rollercoasters that are dotted around the festival site. Snelling had pole-position on the log-ride and came off drenched from head to ample belly. We then headed to one of the smaller tents, Nürnberger Bratwurst Glöckl. Unlike some of the other huge tents that attract a large international contingent, we were squeezed into an attic space with a small, mainly German crowd. This was one of our best nights at Oktoberfest as the band cranked out rock and pop favourites that got everyone jumping. It didn't take long for the whole room to be up on the tables singing and dancing their hearts out.


James stuns the crowd with his silky moves.

We had a much quieter afternoon on Saturday, with a brewery / walking tour later in the day. This was an interesting and fun tour, but the real fun began back at the festival site. We were in a smaller, mainly German tent again this evening. I think our neighbours at the next table were somewhat wary of the group of kilted Scotsmen beside them, but just as before the whole place was soon rocking and we were singing and dancing as one - maybe not the same words mind, but enjoying them just as much.


"I drunk a beer this big!"

This was another great weekend in Munich and I can recommend it to anyone (who likes beer). There are more photographs here.

One down, four to go

There hasn't been much posted on here for a while because I have been studying hard for my professional certification exams. I can reveal, however, that I passed the first of five today and will be having a day or two off before preparing for the next one. I must admit to being a wee bit nervy before heading into the testing centre but I sailed through and am now feeling dangerously cocky for the rest of them. I am really chuffed as this is another step along the way to getting a visa for migration to Australia.
There will probably be nothing to see here for a while as I will be doing nowt but studying until these exams are dusted. But for now, I'm having a beer!

Derek & Estelle's Wedding

I haven't got around to writing my entry for Derek & Estelle's Wedding just yet, but until I get it sorted you can entertain yourself with photos.

Stag do shooting

Click here for a video clip of our afternoon shooting in Tallinn.

Derek's Stag Do

I am currently recovering from my mate Derek's stag weekend in Tallinn, Estonia. I thinks it's fair to say that everyone enjoyed themselves.
The pistol and pump-action shotgun shooting seems to be the highlight for most people, mainly as it was an excuse to stay off the Saku for an afternoon. The low-point would be our crushing defeat against the Auld Enemy in a drinking contest: 3-1 to England! We had to rely on probably our most pished player - the groom himself - to come through and restore some dignity.
I would love to share more details of what went down, but the old saying holds true "What happens on the stag, stays on the stag". Amen.
Here are some of the few photographs suitable for public release, more are available here:


The Dirty Dozen, from left to right: Stewart, James, Kevin, Jim, Bob, Frank, Me, Snelling, Derek, Hammey, Andy and Liam.


The lads struggle with probably the roughest litre of beer of the trip.


Jim, Bob and Snelling desperately try to avoid the three-finger forfeit.


That'll be a fifty-seven match ban then!


Here's the man himself, arrested for taking the mickey out of my chest hair. Guilty as charged!


I love it when a plan comes together!


Hammey's lost his fags again.

Glencoe Camping Trip

Just back from our camping trip in Glencoe and Rowardennan. I headed up to Glencoe on Thursday morning and made the walk in to Coire Gabhail (The Lost Valley). I set up camp and stayed that night in this fantastic spot.
Liam joined me on Friday and we met up with Kathleen, Bob, Snelling and Susan in Rowardennan on Saturday. James, Fiona and Ryan came along later and we had a great night round the campfire.


Coire Gabhail, our first camping spot.


Here's my wee basha at my wildcamp in Coire Gabhail in Glencoe. It might look a bit rickety but it stood up to the wind and rain all night.


I think Liam got a wee bit chilly on Friday night. Still, it's no excuse for that hat.


Liam and I in front of two of The Three Sisters.


Kathleen, Fiona and Snelling the cider monster at the campsite in Rowardennan. It was an excellent night out.

Press Ball

Kathleen and I attended the annual Press Ball at the Hilton in Glasgow on Saturday. It was a really good night - champagne reception, live music and a hundred kilted and pished journalists. It would of been even better if Kathleen hadn't insisted that we kick the arse out of it until 4am and left us with the mother of all hangovers on Sunday, but never mind.

Keg Party continued

I have uploaded a video of James Arthur performing a beautiful dance sequence. Click here to see him in his full glory. If you don't see the video, you might need to download and install this.

Keg Party

Had a few people over last night for a tasting of James Snelling's home brew.


Here is the master brewer pouring the first pint.


I can't say it went down too well though. Even the man himself had some reservations.


It did have some effect: here is James Arthur performing the Chair Dance!


The crowd are enthralled as Robert sings Duran Duran.

Skiing trip

Here are some photographs from our skiing trip in Les Gets, France. You can see more photographs here.
Thanks go to Ann, Del, Estelle, James, Liam and Kath for making it such a great holiday.


Kathleen outside a café on the slopes at Les Gets.


Liam and Ann looking cool in Les Gets.


Beer and cocktails at the Scottish pub in Les Gets.


James, Ann & Derek - the winning singstars!


On top of the world at Pointe des Mossettes.

Nothing to see here...

Not yet anyway. I'll have this up and running soon enough though.