July, where did it go??

Home on the 2nd, lots of sorting, repacking tent, stowing clean stuff away, clean bike.  Relax!!
3rd, a text from Kiwis Matt and Francie saying they were in a B&B in Elgin and how about meeting up for a drink (I last saw them zooming off from the Utsikten Hotel/Hostel near Kvinesdal Norway on a long downhill run, Francie having dodgy brakes!!).

4th, still putting bits of kit away but weather great so off for a short ride, just a couple of miles each way but, surprise surprise, a cafe was part of the programme!

6th, revving up for a drink or three! (Birthday cake from Cancer Group)

 

Serious business cake cutting!!

 

7th, a cracker of a day, coffee in the sun with Mark and Nic, then a slow wander over to The Bothy for a late (very) breakfast and joined by Jim and Gillian who had cycled over to collect their car from the previous day.

9th, 0830 appointment with Med Practise Nurse; blood letting for my quarterly PSA test.  That evening was a meeting of the local cancer support group where I met up with some of the ladies who had turned out early on that cold April morning three months ago to tie balloons all over me and the bike and wave me off on my wee bike ride!!  This time I was ambushed with a superb pictorial birthday cake, thankfully not sporting 70 candles!!

10th, back to spinning! only twelve bikes in a corner of the main gym as the spinning suite is having an air conditioning makeover.  Home to dump sports bag, grab a bite of lunch and then off to Sneckie (Inverness) for a spot of caffeine therapy, with possibly cake on the side, at Velocity, Sneckie's only (that I know of) DIY bike repair workshop (assistance on hand if required) cum coffee n cake, soup etc.  Meeting place and all round bikey stuff;

though the main reason for venturing to the metropolis was that the 'lad' (Son Philip) was playing in a gig at Hootananny that night and coming back to BH for a couple of days before shooting off to Italy for another gig.  Student nurse Fair (ex ski patrol buddy) based at Raigmore Hospital just up the road, escaped bed pan cleaning and came along for the gig (and the beer).   Phil had been co-opted into the band (Fat Suit) to give the trumpet section some 'body and power and afterwards was coming back to Burghead for a break.

11th, daughter Louise (bike ride blog Drop Box photo sorter) drove up from Edinburgh collecting granddaughter Corran on the way; the weekend was to be a gathering of Cardwell offspring!

12th, eldest daughter Joanne and grandson Thijs arrived all meeting up at Covesea.  Covesea Cafe , unpretentious and serving what I think is one of the best Cullen Skinks for many a mile.  A grand 'sea food lunch' was had by all!

15th, into Elgin for a specific cat food; while I'd been away Freddie, our moggy had developed a tumour on his neck, the vet had removed what he could but the tumour was on his trachea  and couldn't be totally excised; the vet, Paul, a Dutch guy was very good and said "In his opinion there was no point in paying for a biopsy because either malignant or benign the tumour will continue to grow and will press on his airway or restrict his ability to eat, better to buy him a nice piece of fish while he can still eat".

17th, Lisa, a neighbour is training for a bike ride with friends in Shetland so I suggested a run out to Findhorn along some of the single track trails through Roseisle and on past Kinloss to the Foundation and the Blue Angel Cafe.  Sunshine was the order of the day and a great run through the forest was had.  Coffee and cake was forced upon me (well it would have been rude to refuse!).

19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, off to the west again to sort kit and load ambulances ready for the drive down to Glesca and Cathkin Braes to provide medical cover for the National XC Mt Bike Championships.  Packed and away by 1830, collect repaired quad bike from Ian at Laggan, on to Dalwhinny to pick up nurse Ann then down the A9, fuel up at Perth and on to the race site.  We were directed to the camping field and told "Camp anywhere", five minutes later a 'job's worth' appears, "You can't camp here, you'll have to move over there"' to keep the peace (It's now 2345) we moved 'over there', got ourselves sorted broke out the beer and relaxed!
Race Base, Easy-up was up and set out ready for action, mobile units geared up and ready to go, now, catering??  Soon located at the top of the site, two caterers each with a large choice of breakfast goodies; breakfast pancakes with bacon and maple syrup sounded good along with a large filter coffee.  Sorted for the moment, personnel all in place; the coutrse was live for training.
Sunday, same routine but a lot more adrenaline fueled, the race was on!

Med Base and Paul with Doc Helen.

The Workers, like coiled springs ready for action at a moments notice!! (Between races!)

The front tyre needed resuscitating but the rider escaped unscathed!

Potential Customer!

24th, Cancer Support Men's Group meet up for a coffee at the newly opened CLAN (Cancer Link Aberdeen and North) Drop-in Centre in Elgin.  At the centre they offer counselling and a range of therapies, with volunteers on hand to offer a biccy and make you a cuppa!

 

29th, new bike delivered!!

 

Donations totalled £1524.00 so again a huge Thank you!