29-Oct to 04-Nov 2011

Sat 29-Oct: Here's the birthday cake that greeted me at my 60th birthday party at the Queens Hotel in Perth. Thirty plus of the family were there to hear me fluff the speech at the end of a lovely meal... a limp joke and an inability to read my hacked around notes with long distance specs on were only enhanced by daughter Beth filming the debacle so she could count how many 'erms' I managed to inflict on the captive audience. A lovely present of Christmas lunch aboard the Orient Express, a birthday cake that depicted, amongst other things, my man bag, along with great company made it a special evening.

Sun 30-Oct: Here's me and my brothers Bob and Andy competing, as we've been doing for over fifty years. In childhood it was anything from who could get extra helpings to the first out of the door after finishing the washing up. Over the last decade or so it's been late night card sessions trying to finish the night pocketing everyone else's money. More recently it's Wii golf, with Bob taking the accolade on this occasion. Might have been something to do with the unsettling effect of the southerly direction of his trousers as the night wore on. In this image Andy is getting ready to launch himself skyward on the downhill ski game, Bob giving him 'encouragement'. Earlier in the day on a walk with Beth, Chris, kids and Sandy the dog along Scone Burn to Quarrymill I suddenly realised my 60th birthday had brought on more fundamental changes than I thought possible... was dressed head to foot in beige, even shoes and socks. I'll have to watch it... this old age thing appears to creep up on you very sneakily!

Mon 31-Oct: Off to Pitlochry by train this morning to see my dad's headstone. Here it is in the Fochaber Cemetry looking out to Ben Y Vrackie and the Atholl Palace Hotel. Left some white chrysanthemums, to go with the pink carnations Beth & Chris left on Friday with their lovely note wishing he'd been able to attend my 60th birthday. As Linda and I walked away I had a strong feeling it was wrong to be leaving dad behind and that I really should be taking him with me.

Tue 01-Nov: Homeward bound to St Ives by train today after a wonderful few days in Scone. And look who was waiting for us at the station... Becky and Sammy! Becky had got us in some bread and milk... and two custard slices. Aren't we lucky.

Wed 02-Nov: First day back in St Ives and shopping calls. Unfortunately time for the checkout challenge set by brother Robert on Monday. As I passed through the supermarket doors like a condemmed man I realised that shopping bag really is identical to the one Roy Cropper has. Scarey!

Thu 03-Nov: Another squash session with the grandsons. It amazes me that whenever I need to pop to the loo they both immediately need to go as well and always crowd into the only cubicle and lock the door before I can get there. Of course that only makes me want to go even more and I wait outside, legs crossed, listening to their giggling. What are they doing in there? Then it's out to have fun with the taps and soap dispenser. Here they are just before Sammy got his usual soaking from Connor putting his finger under the tap, and the bowl then being filled with soap suds. At least they're cheap to amuse. Their mums think I keep them in control, but it's more a case of me desperately hanging onto their coat tails trying to keep up.

Fri 04-Nov: In spite of already having tea I like a bit of pizza. So was looking forward to a piece when babysitting Connor and Paige. Went to one of their favourites, Georges, where the original intention was to get two kids meals. But Connor fancied pizza and they were doing two for one, so after giving the freshly made margaritas time to cool down the two of them tucked in. "Can I have a piece Paige?"... "No!". "Do you have a piece for me, Connor?"... 'Not at the moment Grampy". I then watched as they hoovered all the pizzas up apart from a bit of crust. Here they are with full tums. Boy, can they eat! We then parked the car on Old Ramsey Road to sit in the dark and watch for aliens (Connor) and fairies (Paige) as well as fireworks going off over St Ives. Was babysitting because Chris and Beth were off to the Businessman of the Year awards. Chris missed winning by a single point to a doctor who had been in business for years and had multiple companies. The judges told Chris they're going to set up another award for Rising Star next year... he'll win that hands down.