The local gossip was that they were doing some filming for the new Harry Potter film at Rannoch Station. Supposedly they doing some helicopter fly overs and bringing the Hogwarts Express from Glenfinnan to Rannoch and back again. Not being a huge Harry Potter, but keen to see what the filming experience was like some Rannochians decided to take a trip up there that Saturday morning. Debs drove myself, Jamie, Deb’s 4 year old, Rory and grandpa Jack up there. Was a bit overcast and cloudy so they couldn’t do much filming, but was interesting to see the whole setup and the massive entourage in tow for a tiny bit of filming. Rory was very excited to see the Howarts Express and I must say it was pretty impressive to see it go through the station, stop, turn around and then head back off again. Highlight was of course the Rannoch Station tearoom Carrot Cake…

Well you know when all season you have been playing badly. well not badly but just unconsistent and then out of know it all clicks and comes together into a great round - well that was me on Wednesday. Still trying to work out what I did or what I changed, but believe you me it just all went well. My irons to the green were amazing, hitting most greens and leaving me with birdie chances. My driving wasn’t great but was managing to hit most fairways and give me a chance of a second shot. My putting also was so steady and had confidence on every one to go in or at least be very close. Anyway, after a 2 at the 10th, I birdie 2 more holes and had 3 silly bogies to come back in level par - and a total round score of 75 (minus 16) = 59. Yes, 59 and overall winner! Handicap now cut to 14 so lets see what the rest of the season brings. Hopefully more of the same!

The biggest day of my golfing captaincy has now passed smoothly! Saturday was the Aberfeldy Golf Club Gents Open with an entry of 141 people. We had a great day as the sun shone and the rain stayed away - pity about the gusty wind, but that adds to the fun of things. At 7am the first 3 people tee’d off and the games continued until 3pm. Helping hands had made light work of the preparations and we had a great team working behind the scenes to make sure everything was organised and ran smoothly. I played at 2.30pm and had a dreadful round. Just couldn’t get going in the wind and eventually torn the card up at the 11th - continued on and as usual - as soon as the card is gone you start playing better! Once I had finished myself and John finished off the cards, organised the winning vouchers and money and then processed all the scores. It was really exciting as the winner came from the last group - needing a 3 at the last to win. George put his tee shot in the bunker, but then splashed out and sank a long putt to win the competition. I then said my captains speech which went down really well and things were then done and dusted.

My good friend Craig visited Rannoch this weekend - and what a weekend it was. He arrived Friday night and started straight onto the first bottle of wine! And then the next bottle, then the next bottle and bed eventually arrived about 2am - was a great chat and good to catch up.

Saturday morning was the Taymouth Open which myself and Tommy had (stupidly) booked in to play at 7.48am - so after missing my alarm, Tommy knocked on the door and within a quick five minutes we were in the car and off to Kenmore. Arrived just a few minutes late and made it straight onto the tee. We were playing in a 2 ball and I shot 74 and Tommy shot 73. I dropped Tommy off in Aberfeldy and then headed back to Rannoch. Craig and Mairi were up and we then tucked into lunch at the cottage. After lunch we decided to climb Craig Varr. Was a really nice walk and very very windy at the top. On our return myself and Craig popped into the pub for a few pints. We got home about 7pm and then got ready and headed for dinner at the Dunalastair. We all enjoyed a great meal and then headed to the Stables bar for a few drinkees before bed.

On Sunday we all managed a lie in and got up mid morning. Craig kindly took us to the Cosy Cafe for lunch and afterwards we walked around the triangle, then said our goodbyes to Craig.

A great weekend was had by all - catching up on old times and having a general laugh. Hope to see you in Rannoch again soon mate.

After an over night stay in Mairi’s car - yes we drove to Glasgow after work for Anna’s leaving doo, then back up the road to Aviemore and parked about 5 miles from the festival as it was 2am and we didn’t want to pitch the tent in the dark!

Anyway, we got up and headed over to the Outsider Festial in Rothiemurchas. We arrived and found a spot to pitch the tent - it was a wee walk from the car so we did it in a couple of runs. Tent assembled and car unpacked we decided to have some breakfast. Mairi cooked up a mean bacon sandwich on our new camping stove and we tucked into it. About 30 mins after clearing up, the rain started! And I mean rain! It then continued all weekend turning us both into drowned rats and the festival into a mud bath! Not to dampen our spirits though, we headed into the festival. We saw Capercaillie in the afternoon and around dinner time we went to the big tent (dry!) for Blazin Fiddles. They were excellent live and we joined Malc and Fiona down the front for some beers and good music! Afterwards, we headed back to the tent to have some tea. Mairi again did a maverlous job cooked Gnocchi in the rain on a camp stove. We then headed back into the arena for an evening of good music. We saw Idlewild (one of my favourite bands) - they were excellent live and kept us all going. KT Tunstall then headlined and we all enjoyed her songs.

Back to the tent, to sleep, keep warm and get dry! We awoke in the morning to the now familar sound of rain on the tent. Not amused we kept sleeping and got up around lunchtime. We finished off the bacon and headed into the arena. First up was Roddy Woomble (lead singer of Idlewild) whose acoustic folky stuff is amazing. So Scottish and so good! Eddi Reader followed - on the main stage in the rain - but she was really good too. Afterwards we headed back to the tent to see Justin Currie - again a really good live musician! After dinner we met up with Malc and Fiona again, after a quick bump into Jules and we all headed over for the last act Crowded House. Tent was all packed up and we were ready to head off afterwards. Crowded House were really good, good chat and great songs!

All in all the festival was great. A really good idea to combine environmental issues with good music and good fun. Pity about the rain though - oh well it is the Highlands in Summer after all…

It’s a game of up and downs!

Unfortunetly not for me when I mean chip up and putt down! It’s more like thin and 3 putts to get near the hole. It’s just such a fluctuating game these days. Some rounds are good and everything goes well, then I get some rounds like yesterdays monthly medal when drives are awful, putts lip out, mid irons go left and pitches end up shanks. Yes, the dreaded shank!

Well I suppose that’s why we love the game. Keeps us going and keeps us going back for me in that search for the perfect round.

Well the sun was shining and myself and Paul headed to St Andrews for a work visit. We have a client St Andrew’s Golf Hotel who asked to come and take photos of the refurbishment in the hotel. With a few hours to spare in the morning, Paul went to get his haircut so I nipped down to the Old Course to take some snaps. Americans everywhere!! Littered with them - and at £140 a round, was probably expected. The course was looking amazing and the footprints on the 18th green from the previous night didn’t show up that much!

Maybe one day I’ll get to play…need to get the handicap down first as I don’t want to ‘top’ it at the 1st

Well what a season it’s been - loved every minute of it. My season as Vice-Captain at Aberfeldy Golf Club has drawn to a close - all ready for Season 2007 as CAPTAIN!!!

We had great end of season play-off day where the weather held out and we witnessed some t-shirts in the middle of October in Scotland. The scores were good - albheit mine was crap as I had a cold!

Anyway, Mairi met us in the clubhouse after the round in time for dinner and then the annual prize giving. My role was to get the trophies ready and then hand them out and expecially enjoyed handing a prize to Tommy and then last but no means least Tommy presenting me with the Autumn Shield - victorious over 2 rounds and the now is pride of place in the lounge cabinet - see the photo for proof!!

Roll on season 2007 - love golf and can’t get enough of it!!

Well that’s it…..boxes all moved (thanks Jamie!)…..cleaning all done (thanks Helen!) and we have moved into our new wee Cottage. It’s a beautiful old stone cottage with walls about a metre thick!!

We have lounge come dining room, kitchen, master bedroom with ensuite, spare bedroom (open invite!), a study, a bathroom and large garden. The layout is lovely and both Mairi and myself love the cottage already.

We have plenty more boxes to unpack, tidy away and furniture to buy and make from Ikea! Plus the added bonus of a homemade shed - thanks so much Tommy.

I shall be posting some images of the cottage as soon as I get round to taking them.

In the meantime, as stated above, we would love you all to come and stay (not all at once though), so whenever you fancy a trip to Rannoch let us know.