After a post on my friend Pam's blog I thought I'd post a picture of a cheese cake from the wedding of Sara and Andi:


Okay, the image is on it's side but meh.
Anyway, in case you're wondering, I can't remember which cheeses were included but ye gods it reeked.
The professional photographer had left by this point and hadn't got pictures of the cake so they asked me to take the official cake-of-cheeses pictures (sounds like a Monty Python sketch).

Thinking about it, while I'm sticking photos up I'll put up a couple more images.

This was the road through the Cairngorms before Christmas, it's ice not snow. It was cold (see previous entry for details).


This one is an image of the Falkirk Wheel. It's a solution to the canal in the Forth Clyde valley, rather than put in a series of 20-40 locks that would take something like four hours to navigate they came up with this elegant and beautiful solution. Takes about half an hour to go from the bottom to the top and it's just marvellous.
It's nice to know that engineers in this country can still produce designs that do their job and have grace and beauty. But then again, if you want another British design that's elegant, look at the Milieu viaduct.

Aplogies to all my rabid readers

I've been told that I don't update my blog enough, by a lady that scares me somewhat, but in a good way.*edit to add* I mean of course a wise lady who kindly takes the time to remind that that people remain interested in the blather I put on here, and many thanks to her (and you all) for that. *Better? ;> *
I'd say that's mainly because nowt much has been happening recently but that would be a bit of a lie....
For a start there's Andi and Sarah's wedding down south, which was brilliant. The bride looked amazing and the groom looked like a 14 year old dressed up for the day, but then that's Andi for you. Photos on Facebook, and will be on Flickr when I can get the new Macbook to log in properly.
Was unbelievably good to see all of my old friends again, shame that I'll miss Ria and Richie's wedding this weekend but best of British to them and every good thing. Also managed to get through a whole night of kilt wearing action without being groped too much, and most of that was by blokes. Which reminds me, the weekend before I'd been down to Edinburgh with some friends to see the Scotland South Africa game and Chris wore the Swansea tartan, I was in a Utilikilt and got a little bit abuse from a drunken Scotish girl for it not being a "proper" kilt, despite my comments to the same effect.
While I was down south I managed to get to see Pippa again, which is always good, but is something that I don't get to do anyway near enough, do love that lass. Also made it to Swansea, initially with the intention of having some more time with Pippa, maybe meeting up with some more of the old gang but I took the operatunity to pop in to visit my gran in Penlan. I'm really glad I did, I don't get to see her much since I moved up north, and since grandad died I worry about her more. By the time I left gran it was too late to see Pip before I had to head back to the hotel in enough time to get some sleep before the early start the next day. Which was a real shame, I'm going to see if I can her and the rest of the guys up here over winter, either people could crash here or I can see about hiring the civil service lodge near Cairngorm (if anyone's up for this let me know). But I digress slightly.

I got back on a Tuesday and was on a night shift that night. Since then, just under two weeks ago, I haven't been away from work for a complete day. Was hoping to break that tomorrow but there are some aircraft movements that require me in, or at least a foreacster and I'm the only one available. Damnit!
Also was talking to Tasha last weekend after the abismal performance by the England rugby team about general stuff and we agreed that I would loose 5 kg in four weeks and she would gain 5 kg. May not sound like much to some of you but it's alot for both of us, bit weird that she's trying to gain it and I'm the opposite but then she is about 40% of my weight, which makes it even stranger that we used to climb together, she got very good at belaying me while suspended in mid-air.
One week into this deal and I'm down buy........all of half a kilo. Shite.
Been to the gym for a couple of good sessions this week but I guess it'll take longer for anything to show up. Planning to get in for a swim tomorrow before work then maybe catch a film afterwards. Got to make sure that I don't weaken and have a supersize ultra sugar hit at the cinema as well..
Aside from that though, and work, nowt much. Trying to get some time off to go over to America and see some good friends, and also to get a certain bit of time off to see more friends down south again, party is good! I'll try and write while at work some time, should be easy enough... providing no sodding pilots get in the way.

More weddings

And a big huzzah to Pam on joining the ranks of the affianced. Congratulations lady!
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While perusing the Jim Butcher website and forum, I was directed to the Order of the Stick.
Most funny, especially if you've ever played any RPGs - or know of those that have. And if you get the joke about "Tragic the Saddening by Lizards of the Toast" then you will enjoy the strip quite alot! *editted to correct a joke*

Weddings and things

Two of my mates from uni, Andi and Sarah, are getting married in September. Best of luck to the two of them, and I'm already planing the kilt!
When I think about it there's quite a few of the guys from Swansea and before are hitched, Tash and Chris (T and C from earlier posts, I can't be arsed any more with the initial things), Sian and Matt, Jules and David, amongst others, and more are engaged, for example Ria and Richie and Alice and her gent. And much love and the best of luck to them all.
Now, don't think for one minute that I'm getting (as my sister-in-law would say) broody.
I wasn't broody at their wedding (I was busy, either being best man or chatting to the guests), I wasn't while holding my niece (the look wasn't longing, it was fear that the sprog would puke/crap/jump out of my arms and smack head-first into the ground. I know, unlikely, but I don't handle small children as a matter of course) and I'm not while I plan how many of my friends are hitched/deeply involved. Now, what I was wondering is this, is there a guaranteed wedding present? I can't always do whisky because some of my friends are allergic to alcohol, so it could be shortbread and tartan dishcloths all round.
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On another topic....
There's a signature on a forum I sometimes visit that I think says it all:
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways Chardonnay[prefer whisky or champagne] in one hand - chocolate[cigar/other] in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO, What a Ride"
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And the final bit, a little rant.
What's happened to the words "twice" "people" and "the/of" ?
I keep screaming at the TV when someone says "two times" rather than the wonderful "twice" or "two persons," when I'm still rather sure that the plural is people. "The" in this case is with regards to dates, at least when used by British. For example, "Sunday the sixth of March," instead of "Sunday, sixth March."
Meh, I'll stop now.
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Okay, one more thing, anyone remember when Tesco only sold food? I've bought a sofa, toaster, vacuum and, today, a fridge.
(And Pam, I took the Star Trek test, apparently I'm equally Jordi, Capt Picard and Worf. Get in!)