The Folly

And so we decided to drive up to the tower, in retrospect everything in Oban seems further than it is and we probably could have walked but then my foot is still dodgy (more on that another time), I wish I took photos of the tiny roads, but I was in charge of navigation, and that was a full time job! But we made it up to the top of Battery Hill to see McCaig's Tower and the stucture itself was really cool though McCaig did have quite lofty intentions of a museum and gallery to be included, when he died the shell was all that had been built, thus leaving this impressive folly. Thought it was now starting to be the evening, the sun was still shining and lit up the bay beautifully so we could see all the was over the Isle of Mull and beyond.

And so to finish off the night I surprisingly found a vegan resartaunt in the seafood capital that is Oban, and Dixon agreed to go to it with me. So we had amazing Japanese food from Itadakizen, which was delicious!

Road Trip

This weekend past was our 5 year anniversary, oh how time flies, so we decided to pack up the car take a wee overnight bag and head out to the west coast and perhaps stay in Oban for the night. We definitely lucked out for the weather, the drive was gorgeous and only his a tiny bit of rain just past our first stopping point at Loch Lubnaig, which was a gorgeous loch where you could fish and just further from our stopping point you could camp and get some hot food. But other than a wee pit stop there to stretch the legs, we headed further North West and stopped for food at Cruachan the Hollow Mountain. Where the panini's are extremely expensive, but ultimately satisfying, it was worth the stop as Loch Awe was gorgeous. And as we slowly made our way through the highlands the signs started showing their Gaelic roots and the name places were reflecting that. An t-Òban was only 38 miles away!

So not long now through Glen Ogle where we spotted the railway viaduct from the 1860's. I was pretty snap happy all the way along the journey so I have tried to wittle down my photos to a mere 16 or so and leave with with a wee taste as we made it to Oban safe and sound.

August Wrap Up

So loads has happened since my last post, the Edinburgh Fringe festival has started, we went down to Rebellion for the Punk Festival, and we had our 4 year anniversary (still sounds mental saying that). 

I haven't been to as many things as I would have liked to this year so far, I'm missing my days out buddy, but it feels like August is just whizzing by this year. The shop has been so busy with tourists that I am mostly so tired after work, it feels like a lot of effort to do anything. But I have succeeded in seeing two things including one that Dixon even agreed to see.  Firstly I saw Paul Foot with Gail and the Nick Helm with Gail and Dixon. Paul Foot was more mental that expected, but still hilarious, I would say you might want to have seen him on things before seeing him all by himself. But Nick Helm was excellent! So much fun.

Rebellion was really really good again this year, especially when I thought there wasn't that many bands that I wanted to see compared to last year. I would have to say that Thursday was the best day for me even with SNFU, DOA, and NOFX on the Sunday Cyanide Pills and Morning Glory where brilliant, and I got a wee photo with Ezra which as you can see I was pretty excited. I defintitely got the piss taken all weekend for that one, but it made my day so I don't care. I would have photos for NOFX and DOA but unfortunately my phone was stolen at the end of the NOFX concert so this is all I have what I sent to friends and things taken on other peoples phones. But what can you do.

So even ending on a down note, it is still one of the best times so I can't complain too much.

And then it was our anniversary, I can't believe it has already been four years, four years and I already ran out of things that I can buy Dixon as a present, so we decided to just do small things and go out for a dinner and a movie. Someone did not stick to that, someone replaced my phone for me, I was so surprised, he is really too good to me. Not only that but got me flowers and chocolates too. 

We did still go for dinner, it was amazing, we went to David Bann's again, and they did magical things with food. I tried many cocktails and new things this time for starters mains and desserts. I am pretty sure the dessert, Raspberry Jelly with Mint Sorbet and Amaretto Figs was the best thing I have ever eaten, and Dixon couldn't complain about the Budvar either, he doesn't really do dessert. And we topped the evening off with Guardians of the Galaxy, which I thought was excellent, and Dixon had a nice nap. We maybe shouldn't have eaten so much.

I've also done a bit of drawing, but I'll talk about that later.