Lists, Lists, Lists

Lists, Lists, Lists

Today has been very productive: we’ve been busy shopping, collecting and arranging bits and pieces for the wedding.

Excel spread sheets and Evernote are my best friends at the moment! 🙂

images (2)

Today, we’ve agreed on a cake, ordered flowers, bought vases, considered jewellery and hair, booked the children’s entertainment, ordered the favours, finished the invites and written the envelopes ready for posting on Monday.

Just a few things checked off the list!

Next, we’re heading for a family dinner, for my mum’s birthday 🙂

It’s also Burn’s Night tonight, when we celebrate the Bard and his poetry. Anyone having haggis, neeps and tatties tonight?

burnsfaqsbanner_Detail Page Image

A Very Special Day

A Very Special Day

Today, I’ve been in Glasgow with my mum and my sister, celebrating my mum’s very special birthday.
Happy Birthday, mum!

20140121-180705.jpg

20140121-180727.jpg

A Portavadie Run

A Portavadie Run

While @TheWelshWookie and I were in Portavadie last week, we headed out for a run. On our way, we ran past the General Manager, Iain, who shouted after us that we were putting everyone else to shame! 🙂

Having said that, we only had a very short run. But it was great, to blow the cobwebs away.

Here were the views:

20140110-194827.jpg

20140110-194756.jpg

20140110-194840.jpg

20140110-194812.jpg

20140110-194904.jpgI took a picture of that particular boat because it was called Dignity. And, to reach Portavadie, someone had obviously ‘sailed her up the West Coast’. If there are any Deacon Blue fans out there, you’ll know how cool that is!

Happy Hogmanay!

Happy Hogmanay!

Happy Hogmanay!

And a Happy New Year too!

20131231-174601.jpg

Portavadie Marina

Portavadie Marina

Portavadie Marina is a fantastic hidden gem nestled on the west coast of the Cowal peninsula in Argyll. Conveniently for us, it is also a very short ferry ride away from Tarbert!

It features a wide range of accommodation: bed and lockers: bunk rooms for cyclists and walkers, lodge rooms (which are like good hotel rooms) , secluded cottage for honeymooners and couples and luxury apartments for friends and families who want a little more space and luxe while away.

The marina has excellent facilities, and there is a top notch restaurant, while the lodge has a more relaxed restaurant and family area. There’s a spa, and a shop which sells everything from milk and newspapers to high end clothing and chandlery supplies.

I love it!

We’ve visited many times, often for lunch and a few drinks; sometimes ourselves, other times with friends and family. We celebrated @TheWelshWookie’s 40th Birthday here, too.

And now we’re back; gatecrashing the honeymoon, and welcoming in the New Year at the Hogmanay Gala Dinner.

Lucky us! 🙂

20131230-161958.jpg

20131230-162007.jpg

20131230-162015.jpg

20131230-162027.jpg
WiFi and mobile signal is patchy, so I’ll check in when I can!

TartanJogger’s 2013 Review

TartanJogger’s 2013 Review

If you had told me this time last year that I would have run a much as I did in 2013, AND become an amateur running blogger, I would not have believed you. What a difference a year makes, eh?

On 31st December 2012, I set one goal. To run a half marathon in 2013.

b05b581d30d45e0492ed6ae98999c9ef

How far I have come since then!

I’m sure your blog feed will have been overflowing with the 2013 reviews frm your favourite bloggers. So, let me add mine, though I promise, I’ll keep it short!

Favourite Race of 2013

986694_10200604902817628_1628708063_n Yay! We did it! :D

This is a difficult one, and it changes every five minutes. I’d have to go for the Mull of Kintyre 10K. Not only did I PB, but it was great fun, with fantastic support and a brilliant goodie bag!

Most enjoyable race of 2013

IMG_2201 IMG_2198

The inaugural TT10K. Not only was it on my doorstep, but it was a great balance of easy running, hills and trail. The organisation for this event was fantastic.

Most fun running trip of 2013

photo (14) photo (7)

Hands down, this has to be our trip to Dublin for the inaugural RnR Half Marathon. The run was great, and the craic as mighty! Second place was the Color Run UK in London, back in July.

Best Family Event of 2013

IMG_2088 IMG_2085

That’ll be the Perth Kilt Run back in August, which we ran with Joe, Stacey and RJ. Great Fun!

Favourite non-road running Event of 2013

IMG_2858 IMG_2821

The inaugural CowalFest 5K in October. As my first proper trail/hill run, it was great. And I placed! 🙂

Now, bring on 2014!

1aad8aeac2f17e3951afd8a02a4b3ff5

A Winter Wedding

A Winter Wedding

Well, we have had a FAB-U-LOUS weekend at Joe and Stacey’s wedding. The bride was stunning, the groom was dapper; the best man impressed with his organisation and speech, and the bridesmaids were gorgeous.

I didn’t run, but I danced the night away!

Would you like to see a couple of pics?

CIMG5372CIMG5335 CIMG5359CIMG5343CIMG5403CIMG5413

This morning, @TheWelshWookie and I were up early, and spent a couple of hours in the pool, which was great! 🙂

Next, we’re off to gatecrash the honeymoon at Portavadie this week. We are going for the Hogmanay dinner dance, and for a few days to celebrate the new year: trainers are packed for this trip!

Do you have any Hogmanay and New Year festivities planned?

More Tree Huggin’

More Tree Huggin’

Here’s one from the hotel at my brother’s wedding…. More pics to follow!

20131228-153829.jpg

Friday Fantasia

Friday Fantasia

Tonight, I went with my sis and two of my nephews to see Fantasia, with a full orchestra.
It was awesome!
Roll on the wedding of the year tomorrow!

20131227-222748.jpg

20131227-223236.jpg

Boxing Day

Boxing Day

Have you had a relaxing Boxing Day, or was yours filled with sales shopping?

Mine was lovely and quiet: we went for a lovely walk this morning, and have spent the day pottering and packing for my brother and soon-to-be-sister-in-law’s wedding on Saturday. I can’t wait!

We’ve had another day of eating well: @TheWelshWookie made soup and chilli bread, which was just what we needed after our walk!

20131226-192831.jpg

Tonight, we may have another lil’ refreshment, maybe these beauties:

20131226-193140.jpg

Do you have plans today? Anyone having to work tomorrow?