Year Round Commuter, Cyclist and Adventure Seeker.

About time I put on my blog what I am doing for Vanessa. A local girl needs our help. And her journey has been all over the news recently. If you have been hiding under a rock recently and not heard of Vanessa's cause, then here is the detail: http://www.vanessasjourney.com/ This brave girl needs funds raised fast. On Sunday Feb 26th Im cycling around Arran to assist in my contribution to her cause. I would appreciate any donations you can give. From a quid to anything. This can be done by clicking HERE Or you can donate BY TEXT MESSAGE:  Text CBIU58 £10 to 70070 to sponsor me today.  Thanks for your time in reading this and hope you can contribute. In 2 days I've raised £155 quid and want to raise much more... Thanks Alex

So here we are on Jan 23rd. OMG this month is going so slow. Another week before I get paid, christ its been a long month. In fact 5 weekends this 1... Got paid on 23rd DEC. lol. exactly 1 calendar month ago. Had a few good days off 4 out of last 5 infact. Mind you, I only have 1 week off between Nov11- end Feb 2012... so a few long weeks ahead... Was out Sat with the Gordons for a catch up, and with Hazel, for a bit o dinner and a catch up. Hazel is due in under 4 weeks now, a wee girl- Mucho excited. Wont be long now... Nipped over to Grans on the bike today and back, 16 miles. Stayed dry.... Back to gym this week, off on thurs then got Scott and Karen up on Friday night for a catch up and a burns supper dinner... Working next weekend so will be a quiet 1 then finally a pay in the bank. lol

I decided to take up Alan's offer and visit Millport again, this time taking the bike. As I was off Thurs and Friday, I thought well why not no plans as such. I took the car up to Largs and parked up, removed the bike from the boot and it started pissing down. At which point I growled and thought Í wont be beat..'' I had a nosey around Largs for an hour or so. Up by Nardini's and cycled along the sea front. The condition of the path is shocking. Clearly it needs a lot of work done. I bought my ticket and got the 1pm Ferry over. Only takes 15 mins or so, and by this time the weather was pretty SHIT. I was drookit. I disembarked and cycled the 3 miles or so into Millport, and went up to Bells flat to see if he was in. He was supposed to be working but was sitting on his fat arse watching the snooker. We caught up for a bit then he decided to go and grab his bike and we went a dauner aboot. By this time the weather was a lot brighter. We went down to the mooring area as he...

Well I dropped the kids at school this morning and as it was a cold and beautiful day was going to go out on the bike, but last minute decided to go a short walk up Cairn Table near Murkirk. Was pretty cold but got some fantastic views at the top. Windfarm to East of Murkirk The round walk is just short of 6 miles. Pretty easy and a good way to start breaking the new boots in. Cairn Table Summit Last time I went up this weather was poor and little visibility. RunKeeper result from Phone: Photos

My local Junior Team - Auchinleck Talbot  were today playing in the William Hill Scottish Cup Round 4 today against the SPL team Hearts. To put this into context this is like David and Goliath in terms of team size and standings. I was feeling lucky. put a 5 quid bet on a nil nil draw. at 25/1. How close that nice win came.- sadly it was not to be. Great effort from Talbot.  I fondly remember the treble in a row wins of the Scottish Junior Cup in  1986, 1987, 1988.. Memories lol. Some info for my Blog Readers: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auchinleck_Talbot Early this year the team was on sky news for the goal keeper scoring from his end of the pitch: Match Report: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16371684.stm A great effort guys. You should be very Proud!

So tonight's challenge is to find cheap travel options for this trip to London in April. I am a seasoned erm 'professional' at sniffing out a bargain. Lol. But even this was a challenge. I turn to my natural advice channel - Twitter for advice. ! For years Ryanair used to fly to Stanstead from my local airport at Prestwick but the pulled that last year. - gits!I was gobsmacked at the cost of other operators. Coming in at 450-500 for flights. Even getting a quote on rail fare was over 200. Using all the main options. Trainline.com , Virgin website. Etc, and quoting a family rail card. Bussing it would happen. Bugger that. So looks like I'll drive to a park and ride 1 hr north. Advantage - cheaper. And not bound by time restrictions. Giving us a 4th full day. I know we r in a time of rising costs and austerity but this is mad ! Coming from Mr Tryandfindabargain lol. Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Well today we had some major wind movement today and I'm not talking about me. I awoke after very little sleep (yes usual after 2 days off) at 6am to hearing the most awful gale wind sound coming from outside. I left for work around 730am and let's just say my mere 15 mile drive was an experience. My hands were firmly on the steering wheel. Funny thing leaving the village was dodging the blue bins laying in the middle of the road lol. I got to work safely then got on with my day. When I got home I had a look around the house to see if there was any damage but we were ok. Even the sky dish was ok. So clearly we were lucky. As they were saying these winds were worse than early Decembers ! http://entertainment.stv.tv/opinion/292187-hurricane-2-the-bawbag-returns-or-does-it/ Story above on local news channel.

Well there we are into 2012. A new year, full of new ideas, plans, inspirations and desires. This years a leap year, and the year of the Olympics from London. A few weeks back I decided to list 5 things I want to do this year and this is that list : 1. Take family to London for a small break. 2. Cycle around Arran. 3. Climb Ben Nevis again 4. Snowdon and Scafell Pike. (new) 5. Family holiday to Ireland The list has changed a bit. But this is the final 1.. No1 is booked for April and we are much looking forward to it. 3 and 4 will happen May/June/July. Ish. I've started. Got a new pair of good walking boots at Christmas. Lol. Hope as always this will be a great year. You are what you make it. So enjoy. X

Clan Hamilton had a great christmas this year. A quiet family 1. I was working with side of that day, so another day off was very welcome. Kids got a PS3 between them and other stuff. They've managed not to fall out YET. Lol. Or I take it off them. For myself. Haha. Maryann's mum and dad were up for dinner in the afternoon. Photos Another Great Hammy Christmas - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

I've just woken up randomly as I always do lol,and picked my phone up and quickly checked twitter to read some very sad news of the passing of Lucy Taylor (aka @littlemunchkin ). As I approach my 3rd year on twitter , Lucy was 1 of those distinctive people you always remember from day 1 and her tweets always brought a smile and a chuckle. Though I never knew her personally, she was an inspirational girl who touched the hearts of every1 who was lucky to walk in her path. RIP. x