Edinburgh Fun Day

Spent the day in Edinburgh doing touristy things.

Ciaran has developed an interest in collecting Hard Rock Cafe badges. This was his specific request for the day. Since we were going all that way Fiona and I decided that we had to do a bit more than travel eat and return.

So, the plan was to get the train over to Edinburgh, go see Gladstone's land, then lunch at the Hard Rock, then see the Georgian House.

I do love Edinburgh as a city. The architecture is amazing.
The old town is a labyrinth of medieval buildings perched on the volcanic plug of Castle Rock. With space at a premium, they built up - up close and up high. some of these buildings were 12 stories and more. The alley way between was called 'a close'. I just love the notion of these buildings where you drive up to one side, enter the front door, walk through to the back of the room and realise you are 4 stories over the next street.

Before we started with Gladstone's Land we had a cup of tea in an old courtyard. This was the site of a building which had been demolished but never rebuilt. Since its adjacent to the wealthier Gladstone's that may have been an influence. The small building facings us was the Writer's Museum while the other looked like private accommodation. There is a close between to two leading down towards the next road. The building behind is higher than these 2, and descends further down.

Gladsone's Land is a tenement building which the National Trust has restored to resemble what it would have looked like when it was the primary residence of a wealthy merchant. Edinburgh is odd in where the rich and poor lived. These buildings had multiple stories. The rich lived on the lower stories, though not at ground level, while the poorest stated at ground level in the filth or from the attic spaces downwards.

We headed up to the Castle for the 1 O'Clock gun. There wasn't much to see as the stands for the Tattoo are in. We then took a walk down through the Grassmarket and back across the Bridges and up to George Street to the Hard Rock Cafe. Neither Fiona nor I was that impressed. The food was fine, but expensive, the place loud with intrusive video screens that you couldn't help look at. Ciaran did get his badge though.

While we were walking, we decided to forgoe the Georgian House and take the bus tour instead. This would give us a better chance to see the New Town.

This is the other side to Edinburgh (Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde like). Its laid out in a much more geometric style than the old town with wide streets and open places. In this part the rich have their own streets while the poor and workers are restricted to the narrow side streets as not to offend the wealthy. As the New Town developed, the wealthy decamped from the Old Town to the New Town, leaving the riff raff behind.

2013 Airshow

Spent the day at East Fortune at Scotland's National Airshow.
This is becoming a regular event for me and though there is a bit of repetition (mostly trying to convince someone to come with me) I do enjoy it. The airshow does suffer from no longer having an active runway. This means that there are few static displays and the show is almost entirely in the air. Some displays are brought in, and a helicopter or two can make an appearance but the main difference from an ordinary day at the museum is the display show.

One of the things they could get in this year was Brian Jones. He was one of the 2 man crew who first circumnavigated the globe in a balloon. His talk was absolutely fantastic. I don't pretend to know too much about ballooning. I do know they are subject to the winds, but he explained how by adjusting altitude you could find different currents moving in different directions, providing an element of control. He spoke for over an hour, accompanied by slides from his record breaking trip.

This year the display highlight was the Eurofighter Typhoon. We've seen these over Prestwick once or twice over the years but this was the first time up close. I was amazed at just how quickly it could manoeuvre. Some of the turns it was making seemed tighter than I could manage on my bike.

And the noise. It physically hit you in the chest and then vibrated through your body. Wow.

One of the disappointments was the last minute cancellation of the F86 Sabre and the Spitfire. Again these are planes with quite distinctive sounds.

Language barrier

One of the Greek meals I ate when we were on Crete (not liking olives or fish restricting my diet) was gyros. This consisted of roasted pork served with tomatoes, onion, grilled pita bread, chips and tzatziki. Every time I had it I quite enjoyed it.
On our last day I again ordered it. I had noticed that as an alternative to it being served with pita, it could be assembled by the chef and served as what in the UK is called a kebab. I had seen some of these being sent out as takeaway while we were looking at the menu, but I couldn't see the choice in the menu itself. Fiona wanted a pizza so she ordered a Gyros Pizza. Ciaran just went for the double burgers.

The food as ever was very good. This was the same place we had the ribs on the first night. Their greeter was a big hit with the small kids - their laughter was infectious.

So why is Fiona looking so disappointed? It appears that the menu item I couldn't find is a Gyros Pita, which interestingly sounds almost exactly like Gyros Pizza.
Fiona wasn't impressed at her sit down takeaway. But she did eat it all and had to admit it tasted great, but wasn't a pizza.

Spinalonga

Another full day but not quite as early a start.
Picked up by bus at 0910 for a drive to Agios Nikolaos where we boarded a boat for a cruise to the old Venetian fortress on Spinalonga.

Once on board the schedule altered. Instead of heading straight to the island we went to a secluded cove and swam and had a bbq lunch.

After lunch we headed to the island.

The island is basically just a small rock - no water or food. The fortress side dominating the harbour and mainland only 500 metres away.

The Venetian history was played down a bit during the tour. They were then ones that built on it and from what I read before we came, actually created the island by digging out the trench separating it from the rest of the peninsula.

Its current claim to fame is the site of one of Europe's last leper colonies. This was described in some book called The Island ( Fiona has read it - Google it if you're interested - not my cup of tea)

Effectively this transformed the original fortress into a prison for the lepers. They took over what Venetian dwellings there were, restored then to habitable state and lived their lives. They probably did better out of the deal - getting away from the persecution they were receiving when in public and also receiving welfare payments.

Once back in Agios Nikolaos we had ice cream on the shore.

Back into the hotel pool for the last few hours of sun before dinner.

and then they rested...

Really struggled today. Both Fiona and I were aching after yesterday's walk. 

Our calfs and thighs had seized up and it was sore to walk. Steps are a nightmare and even up and down kerbs is almost more than we can bear.

As we move we loosen up a bit but once we sit down we both seize up again.

Ciaran on the other hand was fine of course. What was his secret? "You are both old!" He didn't even have the decency to sweat yesterday. Doing the walk in jeans and slicked back hair...

Had to console ourselves with a day on the beach. My first swim in the Med! First time in the ocean for years. In Troon it's normally too cold to venture into the ocean.

Enjoyed it more than I had expected. The beach is quite nice here - mostly sand with some pebbles at either end.

At one point Fiona was getting out to let Ciaran come in and was wondering how she would be able to find me again she turned around from the beach to look. She said I was a single bright white spot in the blue.

Postcards bought and written and another fantastic meal with raki and ouzo.

Ciaran and I shared a meat platter but couldn't come near to finishing it.

Samaria Gorge

Long day today.

This trip was definitely mis-represented by the rep. The brochure said that you could walk the 16 km or get a boat to the Iron Gates. To both Fiona and I this 'suggested' that it was a 8km in and 8km out walk and that you could walk one way and sail back. With this perception we booked the tour.
Only after paying we we told it was a 0520 pickup in front of the hotel, but I was really keen to see the gorge. So...

Alarm went off at 0400 since we had to catch the bus for our grand day out by 0520. Like 3 reanimated corpses we make it in time. For the next 2 hours we went about picking up more travellers until by 0800 we were full and finally on the way.

After a few stops the bus finally arrived at the head if the walk at 1030 and an altitude of 1250m but by this time we were having second thoughts. We had been provided with more accurate info. The gorge was only 13 km but the distance from where we get dropped at 1250m to where the ferry collects us is 16 km. There is no either/or option - its an all or nothing job. While there is drinking water in the gorge there is no food. The guide had pointed out a few other things to remember:

• it will be hot - up to mid 30's in the river bed
• careful over the surface- its all rock
• have enough water at all times,
• beware falling rocks.
• And make it in time because the boat will not wait, and she'll be on the boat.

Since there wasn't much would could do at this point we persevered and started off.

What beautiful scenery. The bleak mountains the dry vegetation and the deep blue sky.

The first 4km were strong descent on rough terrain. But with regular water points we were fine. It was hard on the knees though. I guess walking in Scotland the ground is softer. All the absorbed water will give the ground a bit of spring.

There were odd little piles of rocks. Previous walkers had arranged little piles of stones by the side of the path, on the bigger rocks and fallen trees. We never found out what they were for or what they represented.

But we were cautioned about missing the boat and had a timetable to keep to.

We pressed on into the hottest bit. The dry river bed with the sun beating down on the white rocks. With the gorge walls spread on both sides.

Due to the danger from falling rock we were told not to delay in this section. I admit I felt like an Israelite being led out of Egypt as I walked across the dry river bed.

At its narrowest point the gorge, the Iron Gates, is only 3m wide. This just shows how little water there is even when wet enough to cut this 1000m deep gorge. What water there is is right up to the edge so as we pass this bottle neck we actually do so on a platform over the water.

Finally make it into the village with time to spare.
I had meant to bring my Garmin with me but was advised at the last minute not to, so I had to use the phone to track our progress. It took us just over 6 hours to make the full 16 km from bus to boat and once we got past the initial descent our pace actually increased.

Having done it I was a little disappointed by our pace. The need to make it in time meant that we probably didn't get to enjoy the scenery as much as we should have.

After having some dinner it was a scramble onto the ferry to sail to the bus.
Why a ferry? There are no roads into the village of Agia Roumeli. Its only accessible by foot or sea.

Finally made it back to the apartment by 2200. My knees and thighs are aching and I have no ibuprofen with me.

Knossos Tour

Early start after the bbq last night. On the bus by 0820. Considering we had breakfast yesterday after 1400 it s a bit of a shock.

Magic mystery bus tour as we picked up the other passengers then the guide and arrived at Knossos. Once you get out of the air conditioned bus you realise just how hot it is. Oddly I seem to be coping quite well. A combination of hat, sunglasses, factor 50, drinking water, and sweating profusely which then dries almost immediately is keeping me reasonably active. Our guide is very good though. She keeps hopping us from shade to shade for her info spiels.

The history of the place is incredible. Apart from the actual palace which we saw the ruins of, this was the site of the Minotaur's Labyrinth , a corruption of the court games played against bulls and the fact that the palace was enormous.

The place was mobbed though.

After an ice cream in the 30 degree heat it was back onto the bus and a trip through lovely but somewhat desiccated landscape to an orthodox monastery.

A bit different to the last monastery I visited, Crossraguel in Ayrshire. First off this one still has monks. They get rooms but unlike the traditional Christian cell, they get their own house so the monastery looks like a small village. They also don't do the communal meals. Also there are no big walls to keep in/out.

Fiona is a bit taken with the patchwork nature of the fields and is being inspired for her next quilting project.

Then back on the bus into a tiny village for lunch. This village only has 30 people who live there. They seem to all be working for the local olive and wine production. This produces olive oil, wine and raki. Lunch of souvlaki and salad. Then some raki to sample. Today it had pomegranate in one type and honey in another.

Final stop on the bus tour was to Niko's Pottery workshop for a demo.

Back to the apartment by about 1800 a good 10 hours trip.

Went for Greek food at Pelagas which Fiona found recommended from tripadvisor. Brilliant meal. Good food great value lovely staff.

Since we have the gorge walk in the morning it's back to the apartment for a 0400 alarm call. Just the wine with dinner and after dinner ouzo to help me sleep.

Murray Sunday

Easy day today. Actually had a late start with a lie in. That's what holidays are for.

Fiona seems to be suffering from caffeine withdrawal so we headed out for breakfast at 1400 but it doesn't help her. The combination of heat, no caffeine and odd sleep patterns has caused a migraine so she cannot manage her salad. The manager was not impressed until we explained she was feeling ill from the heat. It happens sometimes he agreed. Our white skin sells our lack of experience with sunlight.

Off then to find a bar showing the race and the tennis. We find one and settle in. There is a conflict though. Vettel is winning the race on the big screen and on the smaller side screen and everyone is watching but the manager is flicking over to see if the tennis has started. Once the warm-ups are over he turns the race over to the tennis. The German at the front of the room is not impressed. He gets moved to the side to watch on the smaller screen, but is annoyed with the poor reception and storms out.

We settle in with cheap draft beer, ice cream and crepes. And Andy finally takes the big one.

Stagger up the road to the apartments where there is a bbq. We underestimated the formality - we are about 5 minutes late and they are all waiting at a single long table.

Good bbq, lots of meat. Free wine.

Then silly games until we call it quits at just after midnight with an early start for the Crete historic tour in the morning.

Holiday Starts Here

Spent day looking about Stalis.

Oddly its 'overcast' and actually rained on us. A short shower granted but actual rain. After speaking to some of the locals it seems this is the first time in 19 years that it has rained in July. I'm not too sure what this bodes for the rest of the week. I'm a bit nervous about the heat as after almost 21 years living in Scotland I had adapted to the cold.

Went up to the pool for a while but it was overcast again but still hot. Was bored out of my mind sitting by the pool as that's just not my thing at all. Basically I have forgotten that Ciaran is now too cool to play in the pool like we used to. Fiona is getting nervous that I'm going to grump all week.

Fantastic meal for dinner. During the day we had wandered and the greeters outside the restaurants all try to convince you to come in. We had found a few that we liked but both Ciaran and I were tempted by the ribs this particular place offered. They were worth it.

After dinner we were offered some of the local local poitin called raki. This is made from grapes after the wine is made. Its was quite strong but went well with slices of melon. This and a few beers had us all shattered.

June Update

Still getting smaller, just not as quickly.

I seem to have drifted away from my original plan, but perhaps if I redouble my efforts and perhaps cut off limbs I may still make it.

As it is, by the end of June I have lost another 2 kg. That brings my total reduction to just under 15 kg, or 43% of my targeted weight reduction in 50% of the time.

I had a really positive experience while preparing for holiday. I was able to get out some of my older clothes that now fit again and get rid of a lot of clothes that are now too large. Very empowering to put on a pair of trousers I bought for my Dad's 75th. They were a bit tight then but I am now able to put them on, button them up and then take them off. That was the test - anything I could take off without opening went into the charity bag. 6 bags were filled.

I am pleased with my overall progress but concerned about how to get rid of the rest, especially with the summer upon us. With luck I will sweat a few kilos out while on Crete next week.

Exercise wise I'm still on the increase.

Good stats considering I missed 2 cycles due to punctures and at least one weekend cycle due to holiday shopping.
My total distance increased again for June but overall duration was down a bit. I also undertook  more workouts although 2 of those workouts don't really count. Only 1 of June's workouts were more than 70 minutes. That's still the killer. I need to get out at least once over the weekend for a long workout. Sitting in and eating is always going to be worse than going out on the bike or for a walk and then eating.

June 2013, Duration in seconds, distance in km

Plans for July? That's a tough one. I am on holiday for the first 2 weeks. That means no gym since that's at work. Also I'm more likely to snack at home than at work. That's not even mentioning a week away in Crete which will involve eating in and eating out. But sweating too so mixed opportunities. I think I will struggle through the summer but must try to maintain some useful level of activity.

3rd time, not so charming

After replacing my rear tyre 2 weeks ago I was all set to go out for my normal lunch time cycle when I discovered I had a puncture in that tyre. "I must have forgotten to re-inflate the tyre" I thought until I remembered that Fiona and I had been joking about the pump. Puncture it was.

No problem. With these new self adhesive patches its child's play to fix a puncture.
I was surprised though since I hadn't actually been out on the bike, and there wasn't a  puncture when I replaced the worn tyre. I ran my finger along inside and couldn't find anything in the tyre itself but there was a rough piece on the rim itself. Probably caused by the tyre lever getting the tyre off. These things happen. I smoothed it off and got the patches out.

Once fixed I was out and did my cycle. Since its also the first night without Cubs over the summer, Fiona came over after dinner and we both went out for a cycle.

Guess what I found out the next time we went to go for a cycle? Another puncture. I don't think Fiona minded that much 'cos she made Eton Mess for us instead.

When I got the tyre off though it got odd. The new leak is just below the new patch.
So:

1. was it a new puncture caused by the rim;
2. a double puncture that I didn't take enough care in fixing;
3. or did I just put the patch in the wrong place?

I suppose the patch could have been in the wrong place but I was out twice that day and the tyre didn't feel soft. I'm not inclined to remove the patch because I suspect that will cause more damage to the tube.
Similarly it could have been a double puncture. It does seem unlikely since I was out twice on the 'repaired' tyre.
That suggests the rim. In order to test (and because I didn't have any patches left) I decided to use my spare tyre and see what happens.

With great trepidation Fiona and I went out last Sunday but the tyre was fine. We got soaked though and had to call it short.

Yesterday's cycle was great, windy but a good time. I bumped into an old friend which despite pausing my Garmin did skew my splits somewhat.

So, that leaves me confused. Was it a double puncture or did I patch a good bit of tyre?

Come along today. All set to go out and flat tyre. At least this time its obvious - a chunk of glass still stuck in the tyre. But no patches so no ride. Bike shop in Troon is closed on Wednesday so it was a trip out to Halfords to get patches.
Tyre is now patched, re inflated and seems to be holding air. I won't bother re assembling the bike until tomorrow though just in case.