Portishead - Silence

New song off Portishead's new album, 'Third'. Just bought it yesterday, very cool.

A log cabin in Strathyre

We've got a week's vacation coming up in May. We booked a log cabin in Strathyre. Can't wait. It's a 2 bedroom so we've got some friends and family coming to stay for part of the week. Here's a bit of blurb about it...

Set amongst the scenic lochs and mountains of the Trossachs National Park, Strathyre lies at the foot of Ben Ledi waiting to welcome you to Scotland’s dramatic forest landscape. Experience the peace and stillness of an early morning by the loch shore or take up the challenge of this rugged and beautiful landscape.

Tree-clad slopes sweep down to the edge of Loch Lubnaig are truly breathtaking. The varied terrain of "Rob Roy country" is ideal for hill walking for all ages and abilities. A vigorous hike will bring you to the summit of Ben Ledi, nearly 3000 ft above your cabin.

There's more to do further afield too - visit the other lochs in the area such as Loch Katrine where you can take a trip on a steamship or nearby Loch Earn for sailing, windsurfing and water-skiing.

We'll be there during my birthday so we're heading over to a really nice hotel called Monachyle Mhor for lunch on the 10th. Hopefully the weather will hold up. Keep a look out for pics on flickr when we get back.

Innnnverness, Florida

My brother and his family flew to Florida for a week this past Easter. They stayed at Disney and spent most of their time there, but they did take a day trip up to our old home town of Inverness, where we grew up. (Not to be confused with Invernesssss, Scotland - where the emphasis is at the end of the word, not the start.)

While he was there he drove past our old house on Inverness Blvd. I was kind of half expecting it to have been bulldozed and replaced by a new house by now, but it's still there. He said it was pretty sad, the front porch was full of junk and it looked awful. Here's a picture he took from the woods across the road (I think he was afraid they might come out with a shotgun if they saw him taking photographs).

It was never the nicest house to be honest, but I grew up there and I have a lot of fond memories of the place. I can still imagine the old gold Chevy Malibu parked out front on the grass, and the basketball hoop and horseshoe pit in the back yard.

He also drove past the old Crown Hotel, where he and I and my Dad used to work, and where Dom, Wayne and I stayed in 2000 for our 10 year reunion. It still looks pretty good, although it's no longer the 'Crown Hotel'. It's now a retirement home called 'Crown Court'. Well, at least they kept part of the name, guess it made sense. I wonder if they still have the replica crown jewels in there. Hmm.

Tasty fingers

Seren's discovered her hands recently and her favorite pastime seems to be ramming them in her mouth. I guess she was hungry or something...hmm.