Melrose 13.1K Race

It was a beautiful late summer morning when Gillian and I drove down to Melrose to take part in a new Race, The Melrose 13.1k Road Race (Half Kilomathon).  The Race started from the old railway station in Melrose, then round the base of the Eildon Hills via Bowden.  It was pretty tough with some nasty climbs and fast descents.  We both had great runs finishing in the top 10.  The race was low key but very friendly and there was a sumptuous buffet afterwards.  

Beautiful morning in the Borders.

Born to be Wild !!! 

Gillian and the Eildons

Buffet Time

I won a spot prize

Tour de Forth

I've getting right into cycling this year, enjoyed watching Bradley Wiggins and Team Sky winning the Tour de France and then enjoyed Team GB successes (and failures) in the Olympics, so was keen to get involved in some cycling this year.  Gillian had just bought a lovely new bike and our friend Grant has just bought a new Team Belgium cycling top so we decided to enter this years "Tour de Forth".  Its a 70 Mile cycles from Edinburgh across the Forth Road bridge and along the North of the Forth to the new Clackmannanshire bridge and back along the south of the Forth back to Edinburgh.

It was a tough day on the bike, but the weather was good so we had a few stops and photos on the way .  100 Miles next ?????

Dean and Grant to the Start.  Dean was the Domestique (i.e. I get to carry everyones kit !!!)

Ready for the off.

Gillian about to cross the Forth road bridge.

Half way across the Forth

A lovely couple !!!!

Lunch stop at Culross !!

Time for a Whisky !!

And another !!!!

Hopetoun House

Dean, Gillian and the Sphinx !!!

Grant gives the Sphinx a ride !!!!

71.5 miles made it !!!!

40 for 40.

This year is the big '4' '0' for me, and by coincidence while I was making a list of the number of Scottish Munroes I've climbed, which was 39, so I thought it would be a great idea to climb my 40th on my 40th !!!!. I decided to climb  Buchaille Etive Mor and thought it would also be a great idea to invite a bunch of friends along and  help me celebrate and have a few  in the Clachaig Inn afterwards !!.

Although the weather forecast looked pretty bad, it turned out to be cracking day out on the hills.  Everyone enjoyed themselves and there was no casualties.  However after a good night in the Clachaig hotel there was a few sore heads in the morning !!!!

Friday night fish and chips at the Real Food Cafe in Tyndrum.

Approaching Buchaille Etive Mor.

A few evening refreshments.

Abdel makes some lovely mint tea for breakfast.

Enjoying a cuppa.

A beautiful day for climbing a mountain.

Group shot with the Buchaille behind.

Heading to the Hills

Grant n'Keith

The going gets tough

Time for a wee blether !!!

Summer finally !!!

Approaching the summit !!!

Abdel on tea duty again !!!!

Looking out from the summit.

D & G

Lesa and Grant took the more difficult route !!!

Another fine view.

The girls went wild !!! .....

....Drove Evelyn to drink !!!!

Heading back down.

Grant "Euro Hiker" Look !!!

40 for 40 !!!.

Hungry Hikers !!!!

My Birthday cake, but I though the Edible Dean was a bit on the chunky side !!!

Shuttle and Paul.

Morrisey and Susan !!!

Whisky time !!!!!

Gillian and the Boys !!!

Kelso Boys !!!!

Things start to go down hill rapidly !!!!!