Pink Kaloo goes on holiday by mistake!

Dear Isla,

You didn't notice but when you left the cottage I jumped out of your bag because I wanted to go on an adventure! Don't worry I'm coming back soon!!

Caroline found me and gave me to Helen. Helen and Jamie put me in their car (which was a bit smelly because I was next to Jamie's bike) and we went to Bridge of Allan.

It is very sunny here and lots of people are eating ice-cream. I've really enjoyed myself so far. I sat on the deck enjoying the views with a glass of wine.


Helen's teddies - Truffles and Big Ted - have also been looking after me, we sat and watched TV together. Big Ted in particular has been very attentive.



I was quite tired after a very exciting day, and I snuggled in next to Helen for some sleep. She's not as cuddly as you.

Helen told me she will get me back to North Berwick safe and sound, but until I do please don't worry about me. I'm enjoying my adventure!



Lots of love

Pink Kaloo

Shetland April 2009

I think I will let the pictures speak for themselves on this post.

This was from my trip to Shetland with Sorley a couple of weeks ago.

Included all the usuals: cheeky laughs, marmite, seals, football, sunshine, crofts, walks and cats.

Homegame Festival, Anstruther and Crail, Fife

We spent a weekend in the wee fishing villages of Anstruther and Crail, in Fife. We were there for the Homegame music festival - a lo-fi series of intimate gigs in Churches, halls, Schools and the fishing museum.

This is Helen with her festival band on her wrist. Unlike the usual festivals spent in tents and portable toilets, we were in a hotel in Crail.

Weather was amazing. This is a 16th century doocot near the sea.

Isle of May.
Looking over to North Berwick, The Law.




We dandered around Anstruther (Anster to the locals) between gigs, peeking into antique shops and lunching in pubs.




Of course there was lots of music. This is Adem doing his folky thang.

A big cheese for this festival was KT Tunstall. Compared to some of the bands that shuffled on and plucked at instruments cautiously she blew everyone away with high energy levels and chat.


James Yorkston.
On the last day we went up to St Andrews for lunch.







Back in Anstruther for the low key finale.


We had gone to the festival principally to check out FOUND, my old school chum Gavin Sutherland's band. Gav and I were once in Amorphous Head at school, playing Pixies covers and his originals.

Unfortunately we didn't have the camera for their performance on the Friday night, but they were brilliant.

This was FOUND frontman Ziggy Campbell's solo spot on the last day in the fisheries museum. He has a great Hawick drawl and sly lyrics.

Two of FOUND joined him, but Gav was back in Edinburgh at work.


It was great to catch up with Gav's parents who had come through for the weekend. I hadn't seen them since I was about 17. That's his mum at the front enjoying Ziggy's performance.

Donegal, Ireland

A weekend in sunny Donegal, Ireland, with Chris, Maggie and Alfie.

Giant's Causeway was first stop after Chris picked us up in Derry.



Chris is a photographer and Maggie a designer. After years in Glasgow, they've been in Ireland for the past 4. Chris is a Glasgow (hard)man but Maggie Marley (best name ever) is from Donegal, returning to her roots.


Finally! A shot of me and Helen together not looking like numpties.

Donegal is just full of amazing white sandy beaches and miles of stunning coastline. Alfie walked us as often as he could.

As usual Alfie barely stopped for the pictures.

This is on the west coast near Ardara which has a festival just about every weekend.


Yes, that island cottage looks perfect thanks. We'll take it.

These are Maggie's friend's goats, the smaller of which is a pygmy goat. Helen has added it to her must-have domestic animal list.

I was broken on the Friday night, so lay around feeling sorry for myself on Saturday. Chris being the alpha Glasgow male ripped me a new one for such 'soft' behaviour.

Thankfully he got food poisoning and was rooted to the porcelain god on Sunday while I roamed roaring!

When we weren't on the beach we were next to the fire.

We are very very jealous of their abode and surroundings.

We plan to return soon for one of Ardara's many festivals.

Dumfries

Great weekend down in Dumfries which is Callum and Emily's stomping ground.

Their beautiful kids Rosie and Cameron entertained us for the weekend, Rosie seen here protecting her wee bro's dignity.


But unfortunately wan't totally successful...and here we have the 5th Edgar, Holly, who may look like a unassuming wee dog but I can tell you at the end of a lead on a walk she's a powerhouse going at 100 miles an hour.

Rosie forgetting that she's camera shy..
Don't look down! Uncle Rich letting Rosie feel like what it's like to be real tall.
Oh dear, Al got his large bottom stuck at the end of the slide and everyone just kept going...who IS that guy with the sunglasses?!
Rosie a bit miffed that Al stole her balloon.
Cameron pleased as punch with his golf stick and ball - the wee pet is obsessed with golf, Gill went to wake him from his nap to find his arms clenching his plastic golf club in his sleep! AW!
Rosie again forgetting she's camera shy - probably shouting 'silly man' to Jamie which she did all weekend, you'll find out why further down

It's making me hungry just looking at him, Callum's breakfasts are legendary and he didn't let us down. Al ate the last sausage.

Rosie after her brekkie, full of bounce!
While the boys were out biking the girls mucked around with the fashion accessories..
Speaking of fashion...now you see why Rosie shouted 'Silly Man' at Jamie for most of the day! Callum showing off his helmet at a jaunty angle..
And that pretty much sums up our trip, beautiful family, beautiful food...we love Dumfries!!

At Howemill

Up for a weekend to Howemill to see Sorley, Wendy and Ben. Glorious Friday sunshine on the way up and it was pretty good over the entire weekend.

Watched Ben in action on his trusty steed, although it certainly dragged its feet, kicking up plenty of dust.






Sorley and I headed over toward Tarland and hiked Morvern from that side (east). It was lovely going up.
But soon clouded over as we got near the top.

Pretty damn windy up there, but we sheltered behind some rocks to have some lunch.


This is a ruin at the bottom of Morvern. Any takers?

Southerlies and Northerlies

I wrote this little ditty while delayed in Sydney on my way back from New Zealand, it's for Jamie, but thought you all might enjoy it too. hx

Expensive cheese, some ID please!
Wetsuit knees and cabbage trees

Buses with apologies
Southerlies and northerlies

Oyster catchers, easter campers
Coffee drinkers, we’re going pinker!

Te reo learners, wide berth turners
All Black watchers, kite surfers

Tunnel toots, your shootin’ boots
Pesky Pahutakawa roots

Shops shut?! two thumbs up

FORD!!!

Zec, Bunter, Ben’s possum hunter
G’s eaten all the butter!

Lyall Bay, what’s the take home pay?
Sun’s rays, Molly’s happy days

Merlin’s troos, which towel did you use?
Wellington Pheonix dinnae loose!

Fantails, harbour sails
Trixie never ever fails

Woodburning stoves, draughty holes
Opera, dub and film shows

Maddy’s drunken stumbles, airport rumbles
When will the earthquake cause a crumble?

I’ll miss our own Mr Tui
Kia Ora bro, arohanui

Christmas in Shetland 2008

Christmas was spent at Muckle Bousta with the Durham clan. It's been 3 years since we were all together. After a couple of days sleeping, things started picking up, and we ventured outside!

A rare sighting of Gudrun, but a not so rare camera in hand.

Those damn wellies! They've done more travelling than me. (HH: They're blue with dogs on!)

Weather was incredibly mild and on a couple of days there wasn't a breath of wind. (HH demonstrated by upright persons above.)


His favourite rock. (HH: Attempting a 'Banasana'!)

Awright?


David has a canny knack of blending into his surroundings.

Sage all blinged up.

Amazing light as we made our way home.


Boxing day at St Ninian's Isle. It was fekking freezing! (HH: but still beautiful, we warmed up with some nice strong tea, and jaffas, making it all worth it.)