Challenge #1 - Formartine & Buchan Way

After a few Sherry's at new year M & I agreed to partake in a series of challenges throughout 2009, and the first challenge of the year was to walk the Formartine and Buchan Way from Dyce to Maud yesterday.

The Way starts at Dyce, passes to the east of Newmacher and through Udny Station before reaching Ellon after 13 miles (21 km). It continues north through Auchnagatt before reaching the crossroads of Maud. The Ellon to Maud section is 12.5 miles (20.1 km) long. Having parked about a mile from the start of the journey, we covered a marathon distance of about 26 1/2 miles.


The journey began at 08:30, with the start of daylight.

A frosty morning, with a strong southerly wind helping to push us along.




Some tricky sections to negotiate, but easy for my offshore lace-ups.

With no stops other than a freezing 5min seat on a rock at Udny Station for a sandwich, the Challenge was completed in 7 1/2 hours, arriving at Maud 4pm just before we ran out of daylight.

Sore but not broken, Bring on Challenge #2.

Happy New Year

After a quiet Hogmany knowing what was ahead, we went to M&D's for lunch on the 1st, followed by a few games.

A few houses and a masonic walk later and we ended our new year celebrations at Stuart's party on the 2nd.

How embarassing Dad's can be!

Guitar Hero

Weebles wobble but they don't fall down.

Tubing

Great fun at the Dry Ski Slope.

Christmas

No-one remembered a camera on Christmas day so we have no photos of the excellent meal at D&S, and the fun playing 'Chalenj' afterwards. Much embarrassment for M having to hop around on one foot singing 'I'm a little teapot' whilst trying to throw discs onto a target mat. It was a great day for all, well done D&S!

The only photos we have are a few quick snaps in all the excitement opening up the presents from Santa.

Granny's 60th

Granny twigged early that it wasn't a kettle and toaster she was getting, and proceeded to open box after smaller box until she unwrapped the Nintendo DS, with Brain Training game.

It was a great evening, and some happy memories for Granny, especially the canvas of the kids that M photographed.

Whoops a Daisy Angel

It was the Primary School Juniors this time with their Christmas Concert, which was centered around a clumsy angel. It was mostly a primary two play, so J, being in primary three, got off lightly with only a singing part in the Choir.

Christmas Party

The Christmas Party was held in Codonas again this year. A trip round Santas Grotto, XD Simulator ride, unlimited arcade games (Brilliant!), Dodgems, Bowling, something to eat and a present from Santa. B got a Digital Camera and J got a planetarium projector, along with a teddy and a selection box each.