Duncan's pictures - duncanneish

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Nottingham
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Nottingham


Nottingham


Nottingham


Nottingham

Day 1: Caernarfon-Dolgellau


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In the absence of any Men...
... the sign now reads Herlech

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Day 2: Dolgellau-Tycornel


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Day 3: Tycornel-Pen i Rhiw


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Choo choo
On the famous West Highland line

Tracks to Corrour
Looking towards Corrour town centre. Err, that's it.

It's helpful, when climbing mountains...
... to start halfway up

Everything you need is here...
... as long as it's your own two legs and what they can carry.

No going hungry
Or light...

Loch Ossian hostel
Nice spot...

Beinn Na Lapp


Descending Beinn Na Lapp
MUCH more fun than the way up...

Puddock


Where's Harry Lauder when you need him?


Looking East towards Loch Ossian


No showers, no washing machine
It's the simple life for me

Day 2: on the Rannoch path
Heading towards Carn Dearg (941m)

Summit of Carn Dearg (941m)
Looking West towards Ben Nevis

Wabbit
Where is your mummy, bunny?

Three Munros in two days
It's too much for some...

Doms on a Saturday night
That used to mean something else when I were a lad

I wore out the women

Dorset, December 2011
Looking down towards Lulworth Cove

Dorset, December 2011
Looking down towards Lulworth Cove (http://bit.ly/uTCWWF)

Dorset, December 2011
Ali at Lulworth Cove (http://bit.ly/uTCWWF)

Dorset, December 2011
Dorset's Jurassic Coast, on the way to Durdle Door... (http://bit.ly/18Rng8)

Dorset, December 2011
The Durdle Door (http://bit.ly/18Rng8)

[LONDON TO CANTERBURY]
Windmill, Meopham (pron "Meffam"). Cute little village ("Kent's longest"), not so far from London. Cricket on the village green, and its own little vineyard.

[LONDON TO CANTERBURY]
Lovely North Downs scene - one among many. Plenty gorgeous villages along the backroads too, although the ups and Downs made for a tough 70m(ish) cycle.

[LONDON TO CANTERBURY]
Err...

[LONDON TO CANTERBURY]
Canterbury Cathedral

[LONDON TO CANTERBURY]
Canterbury Cathedral

[LONDON TO CANTERBURY]
Canterbury Cathedral cloister

[LONDON TO CANTERBURY]
Canterbury lanes

[SEVEN SISTERS]
Looking East, towards the Birling Gap

[SEVEN SISTERS]
Looking West at me looking East

[SEVEN SISTERS]
Step back from the edge! Bits do crumble and fall, occasionally...

[SEVEN SISTERS]
You stupid cow!

[OXFORD, BICESTER]
All Souls College

[OXFORD, BICESTER]
Radcliffe camera - it's a library.

[OXFORD, BICESTER]
All Souls exposed

[OXFORD, BICESTER]
University Church of St Mary the Virgin. Previous photos taken from up there!

[OXFORD, BICESTER]
Bridge of Sighs. A rip-off the Venice original, this one's not even (quite) 100 years old. Still pretty though.

Magdalen College, Oxford
Pronounced 'Maudlin', you oiks. Spot Lord Baker lower left.

Magdalen College, Oxford


Islip
Birthplace of Edward the Confessor in 1005

Islip
Told you!

[OXFORD, BICESTER]
It could been me. But I'd just landed in another one. Good fun to take off and land in one of these - I did three times. And very pleasant just circling around too, even if the countryside isn't too remarkable to look at round these parts. Be more fun to actually GO somewhere though.

[WINCHESTER]
Winchester from St Giles Hill

[WINCHESTER]
Winchester Cathedral. This lovely little town was once England's capital, and has some impressive legacy from those times.

[WINCHESTER]
Winchester Cathedral.

[WINCHESTER]
Castle ruins in Winchester. Will have to look up the name...

[WINCHESTER]
Winchester Cathedral buttresses.

[WINCHESTER]
Winchester Cathedral buttresses.

[WINCHESTER]
Winchester Cathedral.

[WINCHESTER]
Jane Austen is buried here, right under my feet.

[WINCHESTER]
And this is where she died - her books really were fiction (it's not such an impressive place).

[WINCHESTER]
Great Hall, Winchester

[HIGH WEALD]
I hadn't planned to go this way but on seeing the name though, "Go not why?"

[HIGH WEALD]
Oast houses. Lots of these in Kent, many converted into homes.

[HIGH WEALD]
I wasn't following a cycle route though - they're for wimps.

[HIGH WEALD]
Cranbrook windmill. More lovely villages - seems most of SE England's countrside, villages and small towns away is like something off the front of a box of chocolates (not sure which brand though).

[HIGH WEALD]
Kent & East Sussex Railway at Tenterden. Does Bob Crow know about the ice creams...?

[HIGH WEALD]
Middle class fantasies on Tenterden high street: haf-timbered groceries...

[STONHENGE, SALISBURY, NEW FOREST]
One of many super-cute thatched cottages along the valley between Salisbury and Stonhenge.

[STONHENGE, SALISBURY, NEW FOREST]
Old Sarum. Just North of Salisbury and that town predecessor. Foreground is the footprint of a Norman (?) cathedral, defensive fortifications to the rear.

[STONHENGE, SALISBURY, NEW FOREST]
Apparently, some of these stones were dragged 250 miles by people living 3000-4000 years ago... you'd think they'd have had something better to do!

[STONHENGE, SALISBURY, NEW FOREST]
Basking lizard

[STONHENGE, SALISBURY, NEW FOREST]
Wilton House, scene of the BBC's 'Sense and Sensibility' (or was it 'Pride and Prejudice'?)

[STONHENGE, SALISBURY, NEW FOREST]
Salisbury Cathedral. I liked it more than Canterbury or Winchester, and not just because I fell asleep on the grass outside (which was absolutely fantastic!)

[STONHENGE, SALISBURY, NEW FOREST]
Salisbury Cathedral. The tower is the highest (church) tower in Britain.

[STONHENGE, SALISBURY, NEW FOREST]
Salisbury Cathedral.

[STONHENGE, SALISBURY, NEW FOREST]
I went the other way.

[STONHENGE, SALISBURY, NEW FOREST]
The New Forest is neither new nor (mostly) a forest but it is rightly-known for its wild ponies which wander freely....

[STONHENGE, SALISBURY, NEW FOREST]
... even across the roads.

[STONHENGE, SALISBURY, NEW FOREST]
Remnants of the city wall, Southampton. The city took a pasting in the War, and what's been built since is less attractive than the ruins of the old stuff...

Britannia bar, Euston Station
A lot of luggage for four guys to cart across London on the Tube! A few anxious glances from fellow passengers thinking I might be planning on a trip to Paradise. If the sun had been out more, and it had been warmer (i.e. not March), they might've been right.

Caledonian Sleeper
Reclining seats, not cabins and berths on the trip North. Slept reasonably but it was a bit cold and all our luggage was locked away in the guard's van!

Trailhead
Only five heavily-laden miles to the camping spot!

Heavy legs
And the rest.

Loch Affric
We camped in the woods in the lower centre of the photo. The peak in the upper centre is Mullach Fraoch-choire (of which more later).

Loch Affric
Slightly embarrassing photo. Nice day though.

Stag on the horizon


Stag-nation
Lots of deer skulls scattered around the place. Culled deer were being beheaded in great numbers in the Glen recently (and 'dumped' near Cannich) but I don't think the isolated skulls we saw were part of that

The four Munro-teers
Mullach Fraoch-choire the ever-present backdrop

Ptarmigan in the mist
Why the hell do they want to live up here?! These daft beasties are only found on the higher Scottish mountains, rarely moving very far. When winter's away their plumage becomes more grey, brown and black, although still with large white patches.

And they're off.


Lunch stop
Someone considerately left a hollow shelter cairn on the top of Carn Eige, the highest peak ayont the Great Glen (1183m)

Window in the mist
Most days, the mountain tops and connecting ridges (above 850-900m) were in cloud. This is a brief glimpse of Sgurr Na Lapaich (1036m) at the end of the ridge connecting it to Mam Sodhail (1181m, and to the left of this picture (we'd just come down from there)).

Toad?
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Sphagnum moss
Commonly-found in peaty soils, and apparently quite widespread at high altitude. It can be used as a dressing for wounds (which we didn't need to try, fortunately).  Quite pretty too, innit?

Looking West
Up the Glen towards the remote Alltbeithe hostel

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Lichen bridge


Mountain view
The weather followed a remarkably consistent pattern for all five days: crisp sunshine in the early morning but with extensive (but high) cloud soon spreading from the West.  Rarely much visibility above 900m - but we slogged up every day on the off-chance!

From the "campsite" towards Loch Affric
The view 'on the spot' is much better than the phot suggests, although the Caledonian pine forest is pretty too.

Breakfast time
Porridge again then.  Diet can be a bit limited out here...

Our happy home
Fantastic spot, overlooking the Loch, about 200m from the main track through the Glen.  We'd be visible to anyone passing - but probably almost no-one did.  Dry but soft mossy ground, and lots of good firewood around too.

On the trail again...
Wonder where we're going this time...

Towards Loch Affric
Looking back, North East, from the shoulder of Mullach Fraoch-choire

Lunch stop
Sustenance for the final slog up to Mullach Froach-choire.

The long slog
Mullach Fraoch-choire (1102m) is a long, pathless slog from Glen Affric.

Mullach Fraoch-choire (1102m)
On the North West ridge.  Didn't go any further: the ridge narrowed and sat under a thick strip of snow.  Too treacherous and unstable so it'll have to wait for another trip.  Couldn't even see the top anyway!

Mullach Fraoch-choire
The unconquered peak.

It's like Wham with ice axes
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No balls on his plates
That'll be because of the anti-balling plates then.

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Gleann na Ciche
Just before its confluence with the River Affric by Athnamulloch bothy.

Homeward bound...
.. but let's not stop too long. We'll never get started again!

Campfire
Mild, dry weather every evening and plentiful ground timber meant a cracking good fire every evening - and a lot less rubbish to carry out too!  The flames made for great shadows among the tall pines.

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Wide loads and kissing gates
Big packs and narrow gates offered some comic potential... enough for a video, if fact (of which there is one).

Last day, last ascent
An unmapped, unwritten-about but clearly-defined path up the spur called Creag nah-Inghinn took us (relatively) speedily to the summit of Tom a Choinich (1112m) on our final day.  If we'd had more time then Toll Creagach (1053m), a couple of miles to the East, would also have been achievable - but we didn't, and it wasn't.

Tom a Choinich (1112m)
Looking along the South East ridge.  Infuriatingly - and not uncommonly - the summit isn't where it looks like it should be!

Allt Toll Easa burn


Oh deer
No, it's not just resting.  And you don't want to zoom in on its nose.

Glasgow City Chambers
A tour of the ever-impressive Chambers with Jie Shen. Free tours are Monday-Friday, 10:30 and 14.30. Worth every penny.

Jie at the ceilidh
Jie couchsurfed a few nights at my place. Had to get my legs out for the occasion.

Jie in the Blue Dog
Nothing to do with me, honest, but some Romanian girls did their best to lead Jie astray...

Marguerite, Eaglesham
Another couchsurfer, Marguerite lives in Brooklyn but her granny was a clippie on the bus tae Eaglesham. Lovely wee village it is too.

Marguerite, fine dining
I know how to treat a lady.

Pipe band, Tarbet
Can't remember the occasion but a brief hold-up on a August drive to the Highlands

Kilchurn Castle
Concha (pictured), Phoenix, five Romanians and I took a spin around the Highlands on the sunniest Saturday of August (so far). Loch Lomond, the Rest and be Thankful, Inverary, Kilchurn Castle/Loch Awe, Castle Stalker, Glencoe, Loch Lomond (again).

Kilchurn Castle
Ace place for climbing around

Kilchurn Castle
It really was that warm...

Glencoe thistle
Concha in the background

Sunday night cocktails
With couchsurfer and Cosmo-fan, Phoenix. I think I'm gonna do more Sunday late-night drinking...

Mugdock Castle
Not quite Kilchurn but a bit more accessible (in Mugdock Country Park). Lunch-stop on a gentle Sunday cycle.

Mugdock Castle
My Second Sunday Cycling Club

My Second Sunday Cycling Club
Unusual technique...

My Second Sunday Cycling Club
What you can't see is that, unlike the others, I rode up the steps... That's why I was up here, taking pictures, obviously.

My Second Sunday Cycling Club
Heading home along the Forth & Clyde Canal. Rare sighting of a boat on the Canal!

Bute
Ready for the ferry... unfortunately it started raining... could be a long day.

Bute
Ruins of St Michael's chapel, one of several ancient religious sites on the island. And it hasn't rained since we arrived on Bute...

Bute
Around Ettrick Bay

Bute
Wave-jumping at Ettrick Bay

Bute
Around Ettrick Bay

Bute
Pedaling down the peaceful, pastoral west side

Bute
Lunch (and England-v-Germany) stop

Bute
Cows Crossing! Watch out for string tied across the road...

Bute
Sneaking in to Mount Stuart

Bute
Fish'n'chips on the ferry home

Bute
Homeward bound (some people are already there...)

East Neuk
Kellie Castle

East Neuk
Kellie Castle

East Neuk
Bonny flowers at Kellie Castle

East Neuk
Does this make me a rapist?

East Neuk
Quaint house in the quaint village of Crail in the quaint East Neuk

East Neuk
Crail

East Neuk
Crail Harbour. Morrison's the supermarket were filming a commercial here - wonder what it was for?

East Neuk
The Crail swingers. Every village has them. And yes, I do know her.

East Neuk
St Andrews cathedral. This is how it looked after the Belgian police had been here, looking for evidence.

East Neuk
St Andrews beach

East Neuk
Anstruther? Or Elie? Or St Monans? Maybe Pittenweem?

East Neuk
Can't remember which village this was.. Elie?

East Neuk
Actually, this is Linlithgow Palace (but if they turned the lights off it could be the East Neuk at night)

East Neuk
Actually, this is Linlithgow Palace

East Neuk
There was lots of screaming next

East Lothian
Tantallon Castle

East Lothian
Tantallon Castle

East Lothian
North Berwick Law

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Pure, dead brilliant!
(so it is). There's nothing like a bit of class... and Prestwick airport is certainly nothing like a bit of class...

Bydgoszcz


Lynda, Ian, Claire
Or is is Claire, Ian, Lynda? Or Ian, Claire, Lynda? Or something else altogether? Whatever. Anyway, the Buckie bottles are tucked behind the wall.

Bydgoszcz
Beer in Poland is good and cheap!

Bydgoszcz
Caption suggestions to the usual address, please.

Caught on camera!
I'm keeping this for blackmail purposes (I think I've already proved that you don't need a job to make a healthy living...)

Swingers
Very popular in Clydebank, apparently

Cathedral, Torun
Where's Knoxy when you need him?

Bloody tourists!
Always taking pictures...

Perv cam
(I can email you some better pictures more discreetly)

Torun toon ha'
This is the other way to get high at the Cooncil offices. And it's not bad for your nose.

Torun-tial
It was too.

Is it Claire overhead?
Err, naw.

I'm a man and I have a barbeque
Prime beef!

Push Pineapples, Shake the Tree!
They played that on the radio in Berlin, y'know. Could it have been ironic?

Where did Kylie used to get her kebabs...?
It's a great joke (they all agreed). Still f-ing pouring outside.

Gdansk
It's like the Dirty Dozen... apart from there being only three.

Amber means Stop
Although I'd rather Prepare To Go.

Torun
If this had been in Glasgow the fountain thingy wouldn't work

To-run?
Not after eating 6 gaufry (waffles)...

Palace of Culture (Warsawa)
One of Stalin's gentler legacies.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Warsawa)


Stare Miasto (Old Town (Warsawa))
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Uprising monument (Warsawa)
Commemorating the ill-fated 1944 Uprising

You must swear allegiance to the Party
Wish I had balls like those.

Lazienki Park (Warsawa)


Lazienki Park (Warsawa)


Lazienki Park (Warsawa)


Auchwitz
I thought it was too peaceful and verdant in its current state to give much sense of what once happened there

Auchwitz


Auchwitz


Krakow


Cheeseburger Max (Krakow)
No need to invoke the Trades Descriptions Act at this place...

Lucia and I
She's on the left

Victoria Park, Berlin
It was bilin' in Berlin! Phew, wot a scorcha!

Kreuzberg
Funky district, funky city

Wee cow'rin, tim'rous beastie


Celebrating the victory of Socialism
Designed by Swedes (someone told me)

Berliner Dom
Cathedral to you, missus

Joscha and Betka
Over the Spree

Berlin graffiti
They drink in the street, they put graffiti everywhere, AND they like the Quo... FFS!

Betka'n'me
Near the Wannsee

Dortmund Alt Markt
Dortmund and the Ruhr is the Cultural Capital of Europe in 2010. Choirs weren't very good though...

Villa Hugel
You think our industrialists built big hooses...?

Prepare torpedoes!
Pedals ahead, full!

Yes, I'd like to book a manicure this Tuesday
Uwe: nautical but nice.

Kinloch Castle (isle of Rum)
You too can stay here for £15/night! It looks better from the outside though...

Looking over to Hallival from Askival (isle of Rum)
The Rum Cuillins ridge - a fantastic five-peak walk from Kinloch.

One of Trollaval's twin peaks (isle of Rum)
I crossed over with a pair of Willies. Kenny, Spike and Greavsie didn't - they had the willies.

Kilmory Bay (isle of Rum)
Another of those fabulous, deserted Hebridean beaches. The deer were a bit annoyed that we'd disturbed them. Unlike the terns though, they didn't dive-bomb us...

Dolphin!
Some cruel people (well, Kris the Belgian) made crude jokes about waxing. I was simply awed by my first sight of dolphins (there were two) in the wild, passing right under the bow of the 'Loch Nevis'. Skye Cuillins in the background.

Westering home...
Well, eastwards really. Looking towards Loch Nevis as we approached Mallaig. Visited Run, Canna and Eigg on the final day ferry trip - a fantastic mini-cruise (available to anyone for £15.50).

Kilmacolm & Port Glasgow Agricultural Show
This show is one of the Court highlights of the year, apparently.  On a sunny Saturday, it's fair to say that the Show was, quite literally, going like a fair.

Fair to say, yes, but also a bit stupid.

Dogs'n'horses'n'everything
The only things not having their teeth examined and being made to jump over stuff were the humans. And some them could've done with it.

Hielan' coos
If only there'd been more tourists here to take pictures of them... These were on a day out from Pollok Park. In fact, one of them apparently had the wee calf.

What's the difference between a Shire horse and a Clydesdale?
Dunno.

Say "hello Hamish"!
That might not really be his name. He might not even be a he. Do you think anyone ever shaves their Hielan' coos?

Llama eats child
Reproduced by permission of the Sunday Sport.

Sorry officer, I didn't know it wasn't allowed.
Just as well I hadn't my long lens out...

Now it's getting serious
Loads of bannocks in the unusually named "Industrial Section". They take their baking seriously in Kilmacolm, y'know. I'm not so sure about Port Glasgow though. Generally.

Don't put yer bannock on the table, Missus!
Never mind the Chelsea/ManU title decider fixtures on Sunday, what the world really wanted to know was who's going to win the Mrs William Farquaharson Tray Bakes prize for 2010. Can Mrs David Urquhart's fruit loaf see off Miss Cameron's rock cakes for a record-equalling third year in a row? And didn't Miss Cameron get put into a home in February after spitting her teeth into the bone china cups at the tearoom just once to often?

Lord preserves us
They might look like respectable ladies but you should have heard the rumours they were spreading about Jean's rhubarb chutney. I didn't know they did that kind of thing in the countryside. Or spread rumours about it.

Vaguely arty shot
If you can't read the label, it says "Marmalade"

I'm not putting any caption on this
Much too busy filling out my application to join the West Renfrew Young Farmers.

Look closely, and again...
... yes, those are what you thought they were. Who said there wasn't much cultural life in the countryside...?

Just... WTF?
If people are really that bored they can come round and help me paint the bathroom. I'll pay them in celery if they like. FFS!

Am I allowed to take pictures of other folk's weans?
In my defence, I do know someone who knows him/it. Honest, I do.

The cronies
Six large drams and a few cans before driving home. Meantime they're bidding to buy the one in the sunglasses.

The new Renfrew Ferry
I pedaled home via this restored link. It's like the previous ferry, only smaller. And they haven't gotten around to painting it by the looks of things.

Sunday: Glasgow-Loch Lomond cycle
Linda and Michal decide that tarmac is for wimps. Maybe that's why they only had energy for one quarter of the distance...

Loch Lomond Shores
Scottish Enterprise and Glasgow City Council investigate a case study of how to waste public money.

Carrick route
Quieter but bumpier route towards Luss.

Show-off!
But he wasn't taking a photo at the same time... I left his head out to deny him the 'oxygen of publicity' and avoid encouraging further reckless behaviour. Nice bike that, btw.

Bike swap
Wittle wheelies!

Made it!
Had to swap wheels to complete the course but if it works in F1... why not?

Cruising Loch Lomond (1)
No *** fun to be had though. So went sailing instead.

Cruising Loch Lomond (2)
£5 for 30 minutes round some islands of Luss. The sailing that is.

Cruising Loch Lomond (3)
Whatever.

Home time
Old Bossy Boots (pictured centre) tells everyone else what to do with their bikes and their car despite having nothing to do with any of it. They said horrible things about her afterwards.

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NYC baby!
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Manhattan from the Rockerfeller Center
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Lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge
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Crusin' Manhattan
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Brooklyn, Manhattan, Williamsburg bridges
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Old'n'new
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Flatiron building
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Brooklyn Bridge
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Ground Zero
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NY Stock Exchange
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Grand Central station. Grand shoe shine station.
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The High Line (former elevated railroad)
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Central Park zoo
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Lower East Side tenements
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Staten Island Ferry terminal
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Liberty Bell, Philadelphia
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Philly cheese steak
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Cousin's kids (Niagara Falls)
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Niagara Falls
DSC04398.JPG 2010-04-19

Guggenheim
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Cool joint in Harlem
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Elena and two pina coladas
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Hiking in the Hudson river valley
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Time Warner in the mist
DSC04557.JPG 2010-04-25

Tribeca Film Festival discussion
DSC04565.JPG 2010-04-26

Cramond Island, Edinburgh
OK, this isn't New York but a sunny Good Friday morning in Edinburgh was a fine way to start my trip. Onwards to London in the afternoon for Easter weekend.

Rye or Wye? Kent


Walking (or not) in Kent


Will's chicken pie
Very good it was too

Woolwich Ferry
Crossing over to London City airport

Amsterdam
The Jordaan

Central Park
Had a wander around here on my first evening in NYC - great park, very popular. It was like the Tour de France and the NY Marathon at the same time... and that was just a Tuesday evening

Grand Central station
You thought it was only in the movies?

Grand Central station
Joe the tour guide on the right; dunno who the other pair are!

The High Line
Great idea to turn a disused elevated railway (sorry, railroad) line into a linear park

The High Line


Cirumnavigating Manhattan


You know what...


Lower Manhattan
Shame about the obstructed view...

Brooklyn Bridge
Opened 1883, one of the first of its kind, I think.

Washington Bridge over the Hudson


Flatiron Building


Subway
En route to the 'Blessing of the Bikes' (!) www.theblessingofthebikes.com

'Blessing of the Bicycles'
www.theblessingofthebikes.com

'Blessing of the Bicycles'
www.theblessingofthebikes.com

Central Park
Springtime in NYC is great!

Central Park zoo


New York contrasts


View from the Rockerfeller Center
Better than the Empire State Building? For the views, probably. Plus you can see the ESB!

Tartan Day!
I'd not noticed many old, overweight people in NYC until I stumbled across the parade for Tartan Day

Pizza in Brooklyn


NY Loft Hostel


My Brooklyn barber
A very good haircut I had too. Not much chat though: my Spanish isn't up to it.

Broadway, Brooklyn
Not quite like the Manhattan one...

Brooklyn
Maybe the 'No Standing' sign is to help your case?

Brooklyn Heights, looking towards Manhattan
It's gonna be a great park....

Spot the join
Yes, it is two photos stuck together

Old Chevvy (almost) under Brooklyn Bridge


Brooklyn Bridge


Lower East Side tenements
Traditionally a major destination for immigrants (Irish, German, Puerto Rican, etc.) it's now an increasingly trendy and expensive 'hood

Williamsburg
This is where the hipsters hang out. But they allowed me to walk through.

Chinatown


Noo Yoik squirrel
They have no fear. Wonder who'd win in a fight with a Weegie wan?

Ground Zero
Not really much to see, it's just a big building site

Ground Zero


Korean War memorial, Battery Park
The US lost almost as many men in this war as in Vietnam (and 20 others also contributed) but you'd hardly know

Staten Island Ferry
Well, the terminal

NY Stock Exchange
Not longer open to the public since 9/11

Broadway, Wall Street
Couldn't be any other city!

Brooklyn, Manhattan, Williamsburg bridges
From South Street Seaport

Manhattan skyline
From Brooklyn

Financial district


Chinatown, Philadelphia


Philadelphia harbour
Maybe we should get some of these on the Clyde? There'd be no danger from other river traffic...

South Street, Philadelphia
Must be good if the cops hang out here. Wonder if they've locked their bikes...?

How considerate...
... but I'm sure you'll pay later.

Kim Jong-Il proclaims a record increase in tractor production
That'll get it right up the imperialist aggressors

Liberty Bell, Philadelphia
They're really hot on it. Can't really see what all the fuss is about myself...

Society Hill, Philadelphia
Very attractive residential district on the edge of the city centre

Society Hall street
Wouldn't mind living here...

Independence Hall, Philadelphia
There's that Kim Jong-Il again! What dastardly scheme is he plotting in the birthplace of the American nation...?

Independence Hall
This is, apparently, the room where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776.

Pliladelphia bike shop
I had to go in. It wasn't a choice thing.

Philadelphia bike shop
I want to live in a place like this.

Philly cheese steak
They're famous, apparently. But not that good.

Philadelphia City Hall
The world's largest masonry building and puts Glasgow City Chambers in a new context! (not sure the City Chambers aren't more impressive inside, though)

Chamounix Lodge, Philadelphia
Very pleasant hostel in Fairmount Park. Would've been good to have had more time to stay here and explore the city and the (huge) park. But so much to see, so little time...

It's a Tea Party!


Old and new in New York


Ma cuzz
He's not always like this, y'know

Great Wolf Lodge, Niagara
That's me smiling, btw

Horseshoe Falls, Niagara
Quite impressive...

Distillery District, Toronto


Amtrak 'Maple Leaf' train (Toronto-New York)


Amtrak 'Maple Leaf' train (Toronto-New York)


Empire State Building at night
You did realise it was night, didn't you?

Guggenheim Museum
Didn't go in, thought I'd quit while I was ahead (artistically and financially)

Fancy block
Fifth Avenue. Described in the TimeOut guide as "New York's ultimate gingerbread house". Didn't taste like gingerbread when I licked it though. Never trust these travel books.

Lower Manhattan from the Staten Island Ferry
The free ferry is one of NYC's best bargains. Probably the only reason to go to Staten Island too...

L Hostel, Harlem
This was the place I stayed my first two nights in NYC! I choose all the best places...

Dining NYC
New York can't be beaten for fine cuisine and sophisticated surroundings. Unless you come with me. Great French toast though, and a cute waitress. What else do you need...?

Dining NYC
It looks even better from the outside...

Irish Famine Memorial
Battery Park City

Downtown reflections


Woolworths Building
Miserable buggers, no wonder they went bust... turning away half their customers. Where else to get a Pick'n'Mix round here, eh? Still, I sympathise - might get one of these signs for my place. Bloody tourists.

Lenox Lounge
Hanging out in Harlem. Cool Art Deco bar, great live jazz and funk. Billie Holliday and Miles Davis played here.  If they were alive today, they'd be saying, "see that Lenox Lounge... Duncan Neish was there, ken?". Ken?

Harlem Apollo


Chinese takeaway, Hamilton Heights
This place specialises in catering to the indifferent Scots' market - people who want something Chinese but can't remember or don't care what it's called

Elena'n'me
She ordered the pina coladas

Late night subway
Irene (?), Elena, Betka

Late night subway 2
Not as lively as the #62 to Faifley at pub closing time. But at least you can let your feet breath...

Hiking up the Hudson river valley
Sharon, Elena and Rose are the Queens of the Hill above Cold Spring

Cold ice, Cold Spring
A well-deserved reward...

Thai me up
Interestingly, the 'restroom' for this decent little Thai restaurant in is only-accessible via the kitchen... maybe that's why this part of town is called Hell's Kitchen? (And yes, I did wash my hands).

Palin to insignificance
I was going to buy this for you as a souvenir but $8.99... frankly you're not worth it.

Time Warner towers
It was a gie dreich day in NYC, the only one we've had this past three weeks. Maybe this is why they don't build really high towers in Glasgow...?

Greengrocer, Yorkville
Noo Yoikers don't mince their words (or probably anything else in a greengrocer's).

New Yorkers and their cellphones
They like them. Never off the damned things. All seem to be iPones or Blackberries. But soon they will realise the might of the Sony Ericsson C905!

Tribeca Film Festival industry panel discussion
From left to right: Georg Szalai, ALexandra Codina, Michael Madsen, Jon Small, Thorkell Hardarson. No, me neither. But it was free. And vaguely interesting.

En route to Glen Nevis
Del and Stu drove up from London, stopped in Glasgow, supped my soup and whisky.

En route to Glen Nevis
Rannoch Moor

Happy campers
Fortunately, we weren't going that far...

Happy campers
Far too much stuff for not many people

Ach, nae bother
We wouldn't want it any other way...

Glen Nevis wire bridge
They're pretty keen on their warning signs round these parts... wonder why? Still, no deterrent to men such as us.

Glen Nevis wire bridge
This is how it's done...

Glen Nevis wire bridge
It's easier than it looks!

Climbing 'An Gearanach'
Typically late start meant we didn't actually get to the top of An Gearanach on the Mamores ridge... oh well.

Climbing 'An Gearanach'
Time to turn around and go back down. It'll be dark in an hour. Well, we can see the the top...

Friday fire work
Probably the mildest evening of any of our March camping trips and the first time I can remember al fresco dining!

Friday fire work
He talks to the animals too, y'know

Sgurr Choinnich Mor
Time for tea, before the snowy stuff starts

Sgurr Choinnich Mor
Crampons on, ice axes ready!

Sgurr Choinnich Mor
Some decent weather on Saturday. It won't last, of course.

Sgurr Choinnich Mor
It was so exposed on the summit ridge that sometimes we couldn't even stand up. Now that's my idea of fun!

Sgurr Choinnich Mor
Another Munro bagged. Good one too.

Stob Ban
If my boots hadn't almost completely fallen apart on Saturday (necessitating a trip to Fort William (and to the pub, apparently)), we might have gotten to the top of Stob Ban. But we didn't. Del's strip-tease was thus the highlight of the day...

Stob Ban
Still climbing...

Stob Ban
Didn't really matter we didn't get to the top... nothing to see anyway!

Hielan' coos
They don't know the Green Cross Code. Or if they do, they don't care.

Glen Nevis wide bridge at night
Into the blackness (hopefully not in a downward direction)

Sharing our body heat...
... it's the only way

Our campsite
One of the nicest spots we've been...

Our campsite
... but drainage could be a bit better (or maybe it could just rain less!).

Aonach Mor
Having missed out all through February, and having dragged my skis, etc. there was no way I was missing out on a bit of sliding. Not so sure about (the appropriately named) 'Duncan's Drop' though...

Map of Europe1.JPG
Map of Europe1.JPG 2009-10-28

My luggage

Some people say it's not enough.  They're just the ones who want me to bring home souvenirs.

Frederik & Kris (Kongsberg)

One is immature and likes playing with cars

My, err, cake...
DSC09123.JPG 2009-09-06

Kris's birthday dinner
Helle (far right) invited one of her PhD students to join us... Sadly, not being able to pronounce her name and my apparently-awful baking skills probably did for my already-slim hopes...

Big boys' toys
(and that's just Helle)

Oresund bridge
The Oresund bridge links Denmark and Sweden

Roller night in Copenhagen
The streets are closed for these guys

Zollverein

Fascinating industrial heritage in the Ruhrgebiet

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zollverein_Coal_Mine_Industrial_Complex

Munster
Not an Orange Walk in sight...

More Munster
what's this doing here?

Munster munchies
Check those loaves!

Uwe, Sabine and I
DSC09205.JPG 2009-09-14

Tour of Berlin
The Jewish memorial

Stephen, me and Kyle
Stephen has a freakishly long right arm, which causes him to walk strangely but is useful for self-portrait photos

Berlin
Berlin TV tower. Such a triumph of East German engineering that they had to use Swedish architects...

Dresden
The less interesting of the two murals...

Baroque'n'roll excess
DSC09249.JPG 2009-09-17

Dresden
The better mural

My new friend

One day, I want to look like this

(fellow passenger on train from Dresden to Nuremberg).

Munich
Beginning of Oktoberfest (it starts in September, would you believe? Who said the Germans didn't have a sense of humour...?)

Adrian, Elena and I, Ljubljana
DSC09314.JPG 2009-09-18

Ljubljana billboard
Dunno what it's advertising but I'll take two

Uros, mayor of Tolmin, Slovenia
Boris, you ain't seen nuthin' yet.

Mija and her mayor
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Tomnin cheese festival
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Uros-the-mayor and I
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Lake Bohinj, Slovenia
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Lake Bohinj, Slovenia
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Petra & Matej, Lubljana
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Slovenian hay rack
This one's a double

Pag island
Looking over to Metanja, I think

Off-season weekend in Novalja
Hmmm....

Split old town
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Cool cat
Split-Hvar ferry

Hvar party people
In a quiet sort of way

Hvar town
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Hvar town
From the castle

'Carpe Diem' crew
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Hvar waterfront
Can you spot my yacht?

Lucca
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Lucca
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Lucca
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My Lucca barber
No pictures of the haircut though...

Lucca restaurant vision

With Glenn, Larissa and Marc (in whose holiday apartment I was scrounging a bed). They're usually from Cambridge (whose house I haven't yet scrounged a bed in.  But I will...).

Bologna arcades
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Bologna arcades
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Faenza (Piazza del Popolo)
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Faenza railway station
C'mon hen, oot the road

Daniela, Samanta, Fabio (Faenza)
DSC09737.JPG 2009-09-30

Paola, Georgia, Catia (Faenza)
I do know them, you know

Firenze
DSC09772.JPG 2009-10-01

Firenze
DSC09793.JPG 2009-10-01

Firenze
The campanile

Firenze
View from the campanile (can you hear my knee clicking?)

Barga
Pure Toscano, by the way

Tim and Agus, Nice
DSC09816.JPG 2009-10-04

My shop, Nice
DSC09798.JPG 2009-10-03

Nice
Walkin' on the beaches...

Place Massena, Nice
Tram route artwork

Russian cathedral, Nice
Where the onion johnnies go to worship

Nice apartments
Lots of 'em

Nice breakdance
I SO want to learn that! Bust some moves muthafucka!

Modern art gallery roof terrace, Nice
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Robert Longo exhibition, Nice
DSC09843.JPG 2009-10-04

Nice sunset
DSC09866.JPG 2009-10-04

Nice-Entrevaux
Think he's French?

Entrevaux
DSC09966.JPG 2009-10-05

Entrevaux
DSC09950.JPG 2009-10-05

Old port, Marseilles
A brief (re)visit, between trains, to Glasgow's twin (in more ways than one

Place du Comedie, Montpellier
It wasn't that funny

Happiness is...

... steak-frites et un vin rouge at L'Assiette de Bouef, Montpellier.

The Millau viaduct
The tallest bridge in the world, and 2.5km long

The Millau viaduct
A GOOD photo (i.e. not one of mine)

Barcelona from Montjuic
DSC00085.JPG 2009-10-11

Carrer Argentina

Barcelona is teeming with street life

Ian and Jermi

On the funicular to Montjuic

Barcelona apartment block

El Raval district

Funny thing at the Forum

Is it a large photovoltaic panel?  Who knows.

Zaragoza Delicias

Luke Skywalker was about to dock his spacecraft (but he had to wait for the AVE high-speed train to clear platform 14 first)

Zaragoza procession

Whiteinch LOL 101 were just behind

Zaragoza

Battling with breadsticks

Zaragoza
DSC00141.JPG 2009-10-13

Zaragoza
DSC00142.JPG 2009-10-13

Madrid

In Plaza del Sol: the bear and the strawberry tree are the city's motif.

Madrid: El Parque del Retiro

Fabulous city centre park, with boating lake, galleries, cafes and lots of SUN to help enjoy it!

Madrid: Guardia Civil

And the prize for Europe's silliest hats passes from Italy to Spain.  What's with the plastic potties on their heads? Didn't ask them though - they've got guns.

Madrid: palacio real

Another day, another palace. More vulgarly ostentatious rooms furnished by those who didn't earn their wealth (while most of those who did struggled to scrape a living)

Madrid: lottery queue at Estacion Ahora

Must be El Gordo tonight... roll another fat one!

Madrid: Palacio des Communications

I thought the former Post Office I used to work in was quite grand...

Madrid: La Latina

Typical city apartments

Madrid: lunchtime

Yum...

Paris, Simone de Beauvoir footbridge


Paris, Notre Dame


Paris, also, err, Notre Dame

I was just walking down the street when... and, unbelievably, I didn't hang around to see What Happened Next. I think that, in retrospect, I can guess.

Paris, Latin Quartier apartments


Paris, Rue des Gobelins

The view from my window. Well, not just my window.

Paris, sleeping Velibs

Seemed to a lot of these not doing much most of the time. Are Parisian fair-weather cyclists?

Paris at the pumps

Pertol pumps on the pavement, why not?

Paris, the Seine

Tour group at Pont Neuf

Paris

Makes me homesick...

London, baby

Will's birthday, Soho

London, shopping

Mo in the Camper store

London

My course group on the Build-Up sessions looking at open space in EC1.

London

One day, you might be wheely pleased to meet these ladies...

London

Pete'n'Dave in Masala Zone (Soho)

London

Tomato-stealing squirrel in EC1

Stockholm

This is Gustav. No crude jokes, please.

Stockholm

Gustav's food. And SEK10,000-worth of bevvy for Saturday night (Ulf & Catrin's wedding party).

Stockholm

My place

Stockholm

No time for cosmetic surgery, so Ulf makes do with a haircut... ; )

Stockholm

Ostermalm market hall, yum!

Stockholm

Joined by Kris & Helle of 135 pictures previously...

Stockholm

I'm going to get married just so I can have a party like this (and a wedding like this (http://tinyurl.com/mxhtlw).

Stockholm

Catrin looks happy to be married...

Stockholm

"Because the music that the constantly play..." Guess the song. 

Stockholm (the day after the night before)

The kittens impersonate Ulf and Duncan 'watching' English football on Sunday afternoon.  Quite a strong similarity... but the kittens didn't snore.

GHENT, Belgium

Central Ghent has lots of gorgeous ancient Flemish buildings... and canals.  Bit like Bruges without the hordes of tourists and accompanying tat shops (although there are some of both, fortunately more of the former than the latter).

GHENT, Belgium

Reflections near Dampoort

GHENT, Belgium

Joanna (who has since let her hair grow) and Wouter (who has since had his hair cut).  This picture was actually taken in May but they're still recognisable...

GHENT, Belgium

Stephan Vanfleteren exhibition in a former circus building (yes, they had a permanent building made of concrete'n'stuff - not a tent).  Excellent venue, excellent exhibition, even if I didn't recognise any of the faces, and very few of the names.

GHENT, Belgium

Stephan Vanfleteren exhibition in a former circus building (yes, they had a permanent building made of concrete'n'stuff - not a tent).  Excellent venue, excellent exhibition, even if I didn't recognise any of the faces, and very few of the names.

ANTWERP, Belgium

Antwerp(en) Centraal station (yes, two 'a's).  Seemed much more impressive than when I was last here a few years ago.  Did I miss something, or have they renovated it.  It's going to be on the new high-speed link from Brussels to Amsterdam, I think, so maybe that's the reason.

ANTWERP, Belgium

The Grote Markt (main square) is mostly surrounded by these ornate, narrow guild-houses dating from when Flanders was one of the leading economies of Europe (in the 12th-14th century). We were still eating heather in those days.

ANTWERP, Belgium

The Grote Markt (main square) at night. It's (almost) as bonny as Brussels' Grand Place but without the tourist tat overload. Antwerp generally seems a pretty appealling place: feels pretty dynamic and vibrant but plenty medieval lanes to wander about too (and not too many others doing likewise).

BRUSSELS

St Gilles crossroads.  St Gilles is quite a trendy area to the SE of central Brussels.  Good bars, restaurants and shops selling stuff that looks nice but is far too expensive.  The old house of esteemed local art nouveau architect, Victor Horta, is also here.

BRUSSELS

Cantillon, Brussels' oldest remaining brewery makes lambic in a very traditional way.  It's used to make 'gueze' a whitish, sour beer that's one of the many wonderful beers of Belgium. Quite an interesting tour too, and samples afterwards. Of course.

BRUSSELS

The Grand Place at night. Nae bad...

BRUSSELS

My friend Adriana is never happier than when tinkering with a car.  Preferably someone else's car...

Flaming June!
It was sooo warm at the beginning of June that I had my first ever backcourt BBQ! And a very good time was had by all, I

[Arran - northern half cycle trip]
The face that launched at least one ship. Michael wishes that Poland was blessed with someone like the marvellous Prince

[Arran - northern half cycle trip]
Speeeed bonnie boat... just get us out of Ardrossan!

[Arran - northern half cycle trip]
Pause at Corrie, Goatfell in the background

[Arran - northern half cycle trip]
Corrie harbour with silly girls

[Arran - northern half cycle trip]
Lunch at Lochranza (well, lunch was really at Catacol but we probably ate as much and spent as much time here!)

[Arran - northern half cycle trip]
A tame deer!

[Glenelg, Glenshiel weekend]
Start of the 'Dirty 30' (miles) hike...

[Glenelg, Glenshiel weekend]
At Ratagan, the Five Sisters of Kintail in the background.

[Glenelg, Glenshiel weekend]
The Forcan ridge, with Spike in the foreground. Can you see a wee Wullie in the distance...?

[Glenelg, Glenshiel weekend]
We just done that... (not realising (or caring) that there was a much easier path just to the East... That would have be

Moniker at The Halt, 16 June
Not sure what the Swedes actually thought of the band, or The Halt but I quite liked the fomer, less the latter... http

Last day at SE...
Most people thought the sombrero was a great laugh, even if it suited some better than me...

[Borders road ride]
Shortly after starting out from Hawick, only another 70m to go...

[Borders road ride]
Eric (centre rider) is definitely not taking this cycling lark too seriously.

[Borders road ride]
Only 10m to go, Bonchester Bridge just down the hill...

[Cairn an Tuirc, Cairn of Claise (Glenshee)]
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[Cairn an Tuirc, Cairn of Claise (Glenshee)]
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[Cairn an Tuirc, Cairn of Claise (Glenshee)]
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[Cairn an Tuirc, Cairn of Claise (Glenshee)]
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[Oliver the puppy]
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[Oliver the puppy]
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[Oliver the puppy]
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Crovie (pronounced "Crivie"!)

The far end of a long road cycle. Lovely village, along with neighbours Gardenstown and Pennan.

[Bute & Cowal trip]

After the train to Wemyss Bay and the ferry to Rothesay, this is the crossing of the Kyles of Bute from Rhubodach (Bute) to Colintraive (Cowal). A fine day for sailing!

[Bute & Cowal trip]

One of my favourite places, and not only because it's the top of a long and steep climb! The view over the Kyles of Bute on a sunny Spring afternoon.

[Bute again]
Bluebell carpet at Mount Stuart (Bute). Never seen so many bonny bluebells as this year...

[Bute again]

Don't commit crime in wet socks.

[Bute again]

"You think it's stopped raining? Haud oan, I'll take a photie..."

[Bute again]
No sign of a pot of cold when we arrived back in Wemyss Bay, sadly. But a bonny end to a dreich day.

[Borders trip]

The joy of the open road (between Biggar and Broughton). A sunny Sunday trip around the Borders with the twa Johns and a Mark. Biggar-Broughton-Peebles-Traquair-St Mary's Loch-Tweedsmuir-Biggar-Broughton.

[Borders trip]
As has been pointed out elsewhere, this photo doesn't convey the impression of great speed. That's because...

[Borders trip]
By the Megget reservoir

[Borders trip]

Passing Talla reservoir

[Borders trip]
A well-deserved ice cream (from a very good ice-cream shop) in Biggar. Another 67 sunny miles completed.

[Brussels, Ghent]
If I liked trains then this would be one of my favourite places: London St Pancras station. Save up before patronising the champagne bar though!

[Brussels, Ghent]
And here is my train... No, I don't know the number.

[Brussels, Ghent]
Grand Place/Grote Markt, Bruxelles/Brussel. OK, it might have two names, and it might be touristy (even at midnight on a Wednesday) but it's still pretty impressive..

[Brussels, Ghent]
 … speaking of impressive...

[Brussels, Ghent]

It's a race to the bottom...

[Brussels, Ghent]
But it wasn't all sledgehammering... there was time for a pleasant Sunday afternoon walk...

[Brussels, Ghent]
...and, of course, Belgian beer. Is that shirt too tight, would you say?

[Glasgow-Stewarton]
Naw, look at the camera, ye daft burdz... But they looked at the Ryat Linn reservoir instead.

[Glasgow-Stewarton]
Is THIS the top? But you said...

[East Lothian tour]
A sunny day, great cycling roads, lovely countryside and villages, East Lothian is fine cycling country. Shame about the strong wind... but we didn't care on the way out...

[East Lothian tour]
Dave and John on the road, East of Gifford and heading for the hills (the Lammermuirs)

[East Lothian tour]

Top of the world... or at least this part of it. Creating the summit of Redstone Rig (1400')

[East Lothian tour]
It's just (yet) another wee hill... and round the corner there's a wee headwind. For the next two hours...

[TV21 gig, Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh]
 Norman Rodger. He's the leader of the pack. And I work (sometimes) with his wife. Who also once dated a professional footballer.

[TV21 gig]

More of the band. They supported the Stones, y'know. Check them (TV21, not the Stones) out at: www.myspace.com/tv21official

[TV21 gig]
And some of the audience. They don't have a MySpace. At least not as far as I know. And I'll bet they haven't supported the Stones either.

[Ben Lomond]

Yes, that's the one

[Ben [Lomond]

Climbing...

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"Who's the wee gnome with the rocket strapped to his back?" asked a colleague...

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Ruthven Barracks
Lost its roof during the insurrection of 1745-46

The Horseshoe bar, Glasgow
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The River Liffey
Rather than hang about Heathrow, we had an evening in Dublin (far preferable!)

Grafton Street
Plenty happening on the streets!

Il Baccaro
Great wee Italian restaurant in the Temple Bar. Pity about the other diners...

Pint of plain...
When in Dublin...

2814 North Troy, Chicago
Welcome to Sara's house...

Millennium Park
They go big on public art in Chicago...

They call it the "jelly bean"
I can't remember its real name... (but it's great!)

It's called Cloud Gate...
...and it cost $23m. That's a lot even with today's exchange rates! But worth it

View from the Hancock Tower
One of Chicago's highest buildings (you have to pay for the Sears Tower!).

Sex and the City
Nah, not really.

Chicago in May
It's like Glasgow in November (but not always (fortunately))

Yee-ha!
Flagstaff, Arizona. You want boots? You wanna hat? (Not like that thanks...)

Getting ready for the Canyon
Anna and Susan load up. Or unload, I can't remember.

On the way to the Canyon
I'm not driving that tank...

The long and (un)winding road
It goes and goes and goes on... Not much happening in the desert, as far as I can see.

The Grand Canyon
Spot the humans. It's 8 miles wide and a mile deep...

The Grand Canyon (2)
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The Grand Canyon (3)
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The Grand Canyon (Lees Ferry)
Warm enough to sleep outside, it seems. Rafting trips start here. But not for me

The Grand Canyon
Here come the rafters! But rafting doesn't float my boat... I'm off to Vegas!

Kingman, Arizona
Biggest flag I'd seen - little did I know... (rest stop on the Flagstaff-Vegas)

This is a bus
They said "don't go Greyhound: it's like the #62 after Glasgow Cross".Aye,right!

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Cable congestion!
SF's cable car system was invented by a Scotsman (as I told anyone who'd listen)

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Houses in Haight-Ashbury
Lots of well-loved houses in this district, and all over SF, it seems

My only souvenir of the trip
Had to bring myself back something and it might as well be practical (and cheap)

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Bay Bridge at night
Not as famous, not quite as pretty or old as the Golden Gate but not fogbound!

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Alcatraz cells
They paid by staying here. I've paid to stay in worse rooms...

Named after a range of bikes...
This is meant to annoy my mountain-biking chums...

Golden Gate bridge
It was foggy every day over the GG bridge. Is it a wee bit over-rated, really?

Boat from Sausilito
It's named after a bike too...

Pacific Highway
Beautiful coastal scenery, lots of sea stacks, wild sea, pretty beaches

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Me in Stanley Park
Right next to the city centre, walk, bike, blade or just pose (for the camera)

Looking over to North Vancouver
Hi Mum!

Downtown Vancouver
The combination of water, boats, shiny towers and mountains is pretty unbeatable

We're flying away on a seaplane...
Everyone does here - but only 6 of us can fit in this one

The mail run
That's the view from a 50-year old seaplane.

Vancouver from the air
coming back on the seaplane (at 92mph, apparently). I'm the only passenger!

She kissed me...
... and look what happened. Can you see a turtle's head?

On the way home...
Pretty spectacular views over the Rockies btw Vancouver and Calgary

Where I went
Where I went

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Breakfast at the House of Bruar

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Wave hello
Cove Bay harbour breakwater

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Wave goodbye
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Cove Bay harbour
(if it merits such a grand description)

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Black and white boats...
... moody or wot?

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The seaplane
It leaves from the Glasgow Science Centre




The passengers...
... trying to stay out the rain (even Heathrow is better than this...)

Wot no security...
... they didn't even asked if I'd packed my own bag.

How did I get this seat?
The worst in the plane... gallantry made me take it, I'll have you know.

Doon the watter
We have to taxi quite some distance downriver before take-off




Safety boat
Would there be space enough for all of us?

My framed portraits
All my pics are through this window... the good ones are someone else's!

Up up and away!
Heading West into Dunbartonshire

Loch Humphrey
In the Kilpatrick Hills; good bike route up there

Coming into to land...
... well, water.

Loch Lomond


The Man
Hey Mr Pilot, can I have a go? And what happens if I press this one?

On the surface


Aloft again


Loch Lomond golf course
Probably the only way to get a look for free

Helensburgh


The Lower Clyde
It's surprisingly shallow

The curvy Clyde
And you thought the river was straight...?

Erskine Bridge
Never crossed it like this before...

Glasgow Airport
Most planes don't fly past it this way...

Final approach


Govan shipbuilders
This is a Type 45 destroyer

Glenlee again
It hasdn't moved since we left. It won't either.

We hope you enjoyed the flight..
... sure you don't want a scratchcard...?

The Where...
... if asked, I'll deny ever having been there...

The Who...
Ageing rockers, just like The Who... That's "metal juice" they're drinking.

The Why
AB/CD - sold out, two nights. And they don't even write their own stuff.

What you doing up there, Granda?
It seems that old metallers never die, well apart from Bon Scott, of course.

Whit the...?
If you get the sense I've a lot of pictures of this guy, its just coincidence...

... see what I mean...
It wasn't even that warm.

He has a face!
Nice legs, shame about the boat race.

Mild-mannered accountant by day
AB/CD bring out the beast in you...

I think he's a Hun...
... cos he looks like one.

Blurry long shot
(another one).

This is rock'n'roll...
"Groupies, meet us under the Hielan Man's umbrella"

I can put this on my Bebo site..
... or send it to the wife just to prove where I am.

Is that Zinedine Zidane...?
No, but they're both champion headbangers.

This one's for you...
... You never close your eyes, any mooore...

Does anyone heard this one b4?
"You'll be here tomorrow night, won't you? Do you have two black t-shirts?"

Get in the mood
I did a small amount of moshing, you know.

And the next night...
...Cookie shows off his new finger puppet. We were not impressed (or interested)

Which one of these...
...fine chaps looks almost 40 (this side of 40 that is). Don't look a day over...

Down a dark lane round midnight
... watch out for the one with red eyes. He's evil - has the number of the beast.

The Gruesome Twosome
That's the island of Inchcailloch in the background... stop blocking the view!

Loch Lomond-side path
The East side, that is

Wellies have their uses...
... as demonstrated here by hers'n'hers matching pairs

Aren't we pleased with ourselves
Yes

oi!
I take the pictures round here...

Moody black'n'white...


... and again


Contemplative colour


Canoe stay away from the kayaks?
(boom boom)

More puddling
They're like a pair of hippos..

Aren't they short...?
I wasn't even standing on a rock, no.

Oi Va Voi!
King Tut's; 17 November 2007

"Yuri"
Quality dancing...

You just put your lips together
Check out www.myspace.com/oivavoi

A well-deserved encore
If you get the chance, check 'em out

Heading for the Menock...
A brief section of blacktop

Once more unto the breech...
Or is it "breach"?

Fresh off the catwalk...
... and pedals like a pussy...

Wait for the auld yin!
But they didn't... miserable sods

Whose idea was this....
... it's worth it for the views.

Derek doesn't trust the guide...
... but then he is a Top International Triathlete, apparently

JR keeps on going
"Why do they keep running off into the cloud?" he wonders...

Who needs bridges?
The first of many water crossings, just outside Wanlockhead

Anything you can do...
... Kenny is not for out-doing. He's a very competitive young man, you know

A poem for Kenny...
... "There was a young man from Sanquhar..."

Lovin' it
Despite - or perhaps because of - taking the Most Arse-Time Prize for the day

More splashing...
... there's a picture of just about everyone doing this. Except me, obviously.

And another one...
The metrosexual pin-up boy of city collaboration makes a splash.Laura'll love it

And he's off!
Must have hear me reciting that poem

Splash splash splah
Tis much more fun riding thro fords than taking photos of it.Unless they fall in

Rolling home
About 2m to go

We're home
Will Kenny have enough petrol to make it to the filling station...?

Glasgow Cathedral (1)
Lit up by French artist, Xavier de Richemonte. This is just the start...

Glasgow Cathedral (2)
... it changed all the time over a 15 minute (ish) cycle, with music.

Glasgow Cathedral (3)
Shame I didn't have a video...

Glasgow Cathedral (4)
And more...

Provands Lordship (1)
Glasgow's oldest house...

Provands Lordship (2)
...was used as a projection screen for a short animation produced by local kids

Provands Lordship (3)
Wooh... scary!

Rottenrow Gardens
It was like the shower scene from Psycho... with extra nutters...

Strathclyde University campus
Finola found it all so amusing that she fell over laughing seconds after this...

Tritych (1)
At the back of the City Chambers

Tritych (2)
This was by United Visual Artists, fresh from Paris's Nuit Blanche, apparently

Tritych (3)
The passing neds weren't impressed...

Tritych (4)
... but many respectable citizens were quite engrossed. Myself included.

Sam Bates installation
This is like the film I could make on my bike... high-speed and back-to-front.

Doon the Briggait
This was a major piece by Speirs&Major. Wasn't sure what it was about...

'Made of Light'
... but it looked great.

'Made of Light' (2)
Plenty space for the punters...

Sno-Lite at the Briggait
... who got to look at Sno-Lite when they were queueing outside

Kim Tae Gon's thingy
Fibre optic dress:easy to find in dark nightclubs(if you weren't actually in it)

'New Moon' by Clair Morgan
Looks like a large lightbulb, paid for by Scottish Enterprise Glasgow.

Bough 2
This has been here since the last Radiance. If I'd known I'd have gone see it

Mitre Bar
Not part of Radiance but all that's left of a much-missed Merchant City boozer

Tour of the Trossachs
Early October saw a lovely Sunday, so it was time to hit the road! Great day out

The Duke's Pass
One of the highlights of our Trossachs tour (note that I wasn't last)

Tea in the Trossachs
We've quite a few decent village delis - you get a fine espresso in Kippen!

Rolling home
50m/80km of good roads, fine company, warm sunshine, lovely views, can't beat it

Greenock and Kelly Cuts
Not quite such a fine day but good to be mtn biking again after a long lay-off

Real rough stuff
There's some sweet singletrack if you know where to go. Some of it's underwater

Industrial archaelogy...
It's not all wilderness, y'know...the wildest thing about Greenock is the locals

Dahn Lahndahn
A lovely day to stop for lunch in Hyde Park. Watch out for the pidgeons...

Is the wifie in...?
A's never been here - I make it my duty to visit every time I'm in London...

Handbags in Harrods
You should check this place out, just once (is enough). Look out for the sphinx

Big Ben...
... looks quite small in this photo

Our Westminster correspondent...
Well, not now she's left the BBC

Bike storage
This is one way to sove the problem of insufficient bike parking on the Thames

Thames-side sand scultpure
Here today, gone tomorrow...

Overdosing on culture...
... whatever that is. Tate Modern is open 'til 10 Fri+Sat, which is pretty neat

What does this make you think of
Not what the artist intended anyway...

View over the Thames
One of the best things about Tate Modern...

... esp. as you get a drink too


St Paul's at night
All sorts of dodgy characters to be found hanging about

It boy
Do you know this man? We do, although we don't like to admit it.

Jedburgh half marathon
Whose stupid idea was this...?

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And they're off!
Some runners have the wrong attitude...

The final stretch
13-and-a-bit-miles with no safety pins to hold my number on.

I won!
Naw, I didnae, I didn't even beat myself

Don't they look good...
All the pain was on the inside

Jedburgh Abbey
Lovely wee town, one of quite a few in the Scottish Borders. Wanna go back.

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Here we go...
First stop Newcastle... the buildings (e.g. Sage) look better than the people...

First night's accommodation
Onboard the Queen of Scandinavia - not bad for 6! Prob the best bed all trip...

Preikestolen...
.. or Pulpit Rock, nr Stavanger. 2000' straight down to the fjord. Spectacular!

Bergen
The army has rainjackets called Bergens; now I know why! Wetter than the Weej!

Bergen cruisers
Don't know why their cars don't rust in this climate... nice city all the same

Fjord-ward
No-one does 'em quite like Norway. Pity bout the weather but it's more dramatic!

First continental rails...
Flamsbana is a pretty spectacular trip - and quite an engineering feat too...

Kris & Helle lost again...
...somewhere near Kongsberg. I stayed 3days with them: they loved it, by the way

Brings a tear to the eye...
Next time someone mentions our binging or says bevvy's too dear in Norway...

Rail and sail
From Norway to Gothenburg, Malmo and then on train and boat overnight to Berlin

The rainy Reichstag
This is my new chum, Josh. He used to be in a band. 6hrs isn't enough4Berlin!

On my way again
A brief pause in Dresden Hauptbahnhof. City looks good from the train...

The Leisurely Traveller
Me, in characteristic pose...

Night in Prague
V. pretty, although overrun by tourists, too many of them drunk English-speakers

Not everything in old...
Looks a bit like the Scottish Parliament... but surely cost less?

On the rails again...
Prague to Vienna (Wien)

Oh Vienna!
Quite a place for monumental architecture. Would make a good imperial capital...

And again
Quite a long trip today, all the way to Verona, via the Alps

Innsbruck
"The hills are alive"...oh no, that was Salzburg. Didn't have time to stop there

Into Italy
Over the Brenner Pass. Some spectular bridges on the shadowing road, btw

Verona
Lovely place. Even if I couldn't find somewhere showing Francesi-v-Scozia...

Through Italy
Heading for Firenza, a familiar Italian landscape

Firenze
Would be great if the tourists *&^$ OFF! Talk about swamped... didnae hing aboot

In Rome for a wedding
People take pictures. I take pictures of them....

The real subjects
Kate's one of Anna's oldest friends (tho not that old). She married the tall one

All the adults were happy...
... with the help of plentiful prosecco and sunshine

... but the weans were ragin'...


Gelato e caffe stop
After a hard day lazing by the lake, a quick coffee and ice cream in Bracciano

North to Daniela+Fabio in Faenza
... and their friend Paola, whose family owns a vineyard! Good friend to have!

Night spot
Going out for milk...

Here we go again...
We got on this train to go to Milan and Lake Como. Shame it didn't go there...

Lake Como
Nice place for a nap...

Menaggio bicycle
Very patriotic...

We are sailing
Crossign Lake Como to Bellagio...

Homeward bound
Friday 21/9, and through the Alps to Paris

Sacre Coeur
Looks better at night - can't see the swarm of tourists

Dinner in Ghent...
... with Wouter, Joke, Anna, and me

Gwab the wabbit!
Travel is always good for making the acquaintance of those different to yourself

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