Summer Wine

Company this morning on our morning walk, we walked round with Jake and his owner. It was very grey, with mist and low cloud hiding any views.

Work was terrific. Had a wee run at lunchtime and a green tea in the Tea tree tea after work.

I was at a surprise 60th birthday party tonight.

I had to put this up as one of my History of Eco dad in 100 blips as these two gentlemen have had a great influence. They both helped take the sharp edges of me , calm an angry young man, and be positive male role models.

I could write loads on these gentlemen but I will keep it short.

Keir in the foreground was my boss when I worked as a student at the Transport Road Reasearch lab in Livingstone. It was a great summer job and I was invited back for the next summer. He started bagging Munros in that first summer and dragged me out round the hills and got me round Scotland.

As a boss he was great and trusted you to do the job, which for a young student was something. it must be almost 10 years since I last saw him.

Wilson who turns 60 tomorrow, came on the scene when we headed to Skye to do the ridge. He was an excellent mountaineer. The 3 of us headed to Skye for my first time, I had a romantice view of this journey which was quickly shattered by Eileen Donan Castle, it is so close to the road and then a 4minute 31 second ferry journey. The hills were superb, first taste of the Cuillin.

We continued to travel around Scotland bagging hills and having just brilliant longs days in the mountains.

We also used to do sports quizzes in the West Lothian sports quiz league. Tuesday nights travelling to the Running Dog in Fauldhouse, Whitburn Labour Club, Carluke Bowling Club ,Armadale Rangers Supporters club and Bathgate Bowling Club, we used to do ok as we never drank while the opposition would have had a skinful.

Bob and I have always kept in touch and still managed to get out for a walk in the hills. I was with him when he fell and broke his back in the hills, he walked out the 8km to the car and then I drove him back to Edinburgh to the ERI still in pain to discover he had fractured T4.

These men helped shape me, gave me opportunities to get to the hills and these men are probably responsable for the crap puns and joke streak.

Thank you gentlemen for loads and Mr Wilson it was great to be invited to your surprise party.