Year Round Commuter, Cyclist and Adventure Seeker.

A short post to wish you all a Happy New Year. And all the best for 2012. With it being a leap year I've a feeling it's going to be a good and vintage year. Best wishes from us all! Alex. Maryann, Andrew and Euan. XX

So like many people I ponder the year that has just passed and look back on what was achieved and think... 'was it a gud yin..?'- lol ...- in my honest opinion yea I think it was. Did I achieve much, well I think I did... Its been a very quick year, god only feels like last Christmas. Back in January we had a lot of snow. This year hardly any (yet). We started with a weekend in Aviemore and this family time was certainly a theme of 2011. What was my biggest achievement of the year- I would probably say getting out and about on my bike. I changed it in November and to date I've racked up a fair few miles, and for a me that's not bad. And its certainly something that I enjoy, and plan to much more of it in 2012... Also I did a bit of hill-walking, but not as much as I would have liked. Ive bought a good pair of walking boots with some Christmas money so this will be rectified in 2012!, lol . Derry in May, then in July we had 1 of our best ever holidays in Cyprus 2 w...

Been a busy few days on run up to Christmas, both on the home front and at work. After a busy weekend at work I enjoyed a night out with most of the Irvine team at the race course in Ayr. We went last year and it was a laugh. I stayed at the travel lodge. Booked back in September, was only 15 quid. This is why I like booking them often as they are very competitive. Ayr is only 8 miles from my home but 28 quid or so for a taxi, so it made sense. Lol. We had a good night. Then left and went into Ayr to McArthurs. Then into Madesions. I will admit. I over indulged a bit. Shots mainly. Not a good example as the Boss to set. I buggered off at 1am. And this is when things went wrong. Very wrong. This is what I vaguely remember. -: Walking away to Gribbons and getting a taxi. Getting out near Asda/ toward Bannatynes. And walking up towards Subway. Some how (unknown) I've fallen. Ice. I assume. Or tripped over a pavement. Fell cracked back of my head. Blood - a fair bit. Right hands covere...

This is Defo the middle of a very long week. After a weekend off I normally work 9 days on 1 day off. I'm off on Friday then we enter the last full retail weekend before Christmas. So those that know me, I expect to be busy. We are starting to be busier, the builds are coming but not in the volumes of recent years. With the economic situation the way it is, spurred on by the doom and gloom that is reported in the media, cash is tight for people. And I am clearly seeing this in my place of work. Another noticeable trait I am seeing with customers, is the research they do before actually making a purchase. Mobile apps, smart phone applications are used to compare prices. Read reviews. The list goes on. I do it myself. Most certainly. We have seen a big increase in reserve and collect. I recon around about a 30% increase on volume to this time last year and this medium of turn over accounts for around 12% of my stores turnover. Which is a lot. As a manager in a retail environment, th...

Rebecca Ferguson: Heaven (2011): CD: hmv.com Im not ashamed to admit that if you are looking for an easy listening album, this is a cracker: I'm not a fan of listening to people that have came from the x factor but in fact this is a very good album. great voice, and I have enjoyed listening to it tonight. So there... Bet you never thought you would get that from me.. lol

If World War One was a bar Fight... Germany, Austria and Italy are standing together in the middle of a pub when Serbia bumps into Austria and spills Austria's pint. Austria demands Serbia buy it a complete new suit because there are splashes on its trouser leg. Germany expresses its support for Austria's point of view. Britain recommends that everyone calm down a bit. Serbia points out that it can't afford a whole suit, but offers to pay for the cleaning of Austria's trousers. Russia and Serbia look at Austria. Austria asks Serbia who it's looking at. Russia suggests that Austria should leave its little brother alone. Austria inquires as to whose army will assist Russia in compelling it to do so. Germany appeals to Britain that France has been looking at it, and that this is sufficiently out of order that Britain should not intervene. Britain replies that France can look at who it wants to, that Britain is looking at Germany too, and what is Germany going to do abo...

Well I've been enjoying my only weekend off in December. For those who know me, and what I do this is a very BUSY month. This weekend was all about chilling, relaxing and literally keeping a low profile and thats exactly what Ive done. On friday night we went to Liza and Adam's engagement party in Renfrew. I was on driving duty. Was great catching up with some auld work pals from the old Focus DIY, and we chatted about the old days the good, bad and the ugly. Great times! Sat- Was my day. Gym, swim, sauna. got home. house is silent. Had place to myself all afternoon lol and it was bliss. wrapped some presses that arrived. Saturday night I went down street with the local lads for a couple drinks, caught up as it had been about a month. And sunday- done nothing. Caught up on hrs of sky+, x fix factor lol, watched a few films... wrote the Christmas cards with the kids, and kept them entertained. The way sundays should be.... So an really relaxing weekend... Back to work on monday ...

Quick update. Was Maryann's birthday last week so we celebrated with a visit to Jamie's Italian in Glasgow and an over night stay. Had a great night, after dinner - which I'll be honest was in my honest opinion very disappointing. Maryann enjoyed hers more than I did mine which was most important. Apart from that it's now only 3 weeks till Christmas. Better get that sorted. Lol. Hopefully Maryann will read this and tell me what she wants. Obviously at this time of year - flat out at work. So busy busy !! And yesterday we finally got snow. Maybe even if it was just a wee bit.