Baltic Wakeboarding - A new Extreme Sport?? & Stormy Edinburgh

So a while ago, the mister and I got vouchers for a beginner's wakeboarding lesson with "on land tuition" and an hour session on the water.... it was only valid until the end of this month and as we're away for the weekend, this week was our last chance to use it... after a week or so of sunny days and warm weather, I was rather looking forward to spending some time on a boat... alas.. mother nature had other ideas...

The weekend was filled with rain.... Monday brought winds up to 150km/hr in some parts of the country... with flights and trains cancelled due to high winds and fallen debris...

Tree branches on sidewalks and on the side of the road...  (this was on my walk home)

If you compare the branch to the road sign, you'll get a feel for how big the branch is!
It's almost as tall as the parking meter...

Loads of broken branches in the park just up the road from my flat... It made me sad... :(

Where the branch is broken is about as wide as a basketball... 

Anywhos... things were not looking promising!! 

Alas, Wednesday morning we sent texts, we sent an email, we called them.. and all replies came back with... conditions are good, we are business as usual! So we hopped in our little City Car and hit the road... it took us 2 hours and quite a lot of... "should we keep going?", "have we passed it?"... "maybe we should turn around?"... but we eventually found where we were going... 

As we pulled into the car park... it started to rain... *sigh*...  the "on land tuition" was about 5mins in the shed telling us how to get up out of the water... with a mini demo of the girl pulling us up using a ski handle... we were then taken down to the jetty and hopped in the boat... 

We both had fun and the mister managed to get out of the water and stand up, which is far better than I fared the first (and second time) I attempted wakeboarding... but Loch Lomond was absolutely baltic!! It's the first time I've ever worn a full wetsuit to wakeboard.. and it was STILL freezing!!  I didn't manage to get any photos because a) everything was so wet, b) my fingers barely functioned due to the fact they were turning purpley blue and c) it was raining too much to get a photo even with my lomo fisheye in its submarine coz the lens was just getting spotted with rain... 

We also got stuck out on the lake in the boat because the boat ran out of gas and when the instructor went to change the gas over, the hose froze and started leaking vapours, but she couldn't get the hose unfrozen to take it off, or unfrozen enough to attach it fully... add to that, the cellphone reception was minimal due to the fact the storm on Monday had knocked out power to the area... and it was a tense 10/20 mins until the other boat came to our rescue!!

No power also meant going bathroom in the dark... and it's great having sensor taps until the power goes out and then the taps don't work at all!! Luckily I had a bottle of water with me so I used that instead... *sigh*

All in all, it was a bit of a trying afternoon but we still had lots of fun... Tho I think we're going to save any future water sporting adventures for much much warmer climes!!! 

Wakeboarding is hard enough work when you're NOT suffering mild hypothermia!!!  I'm totally paying the price today tho... my shoulders and arms are SORE SORE SORE!!

Our reward to ourselves was a super yummy pub dinner on the way home.. stay tuned to see the super cozy pub and what we ate there!!

You wore WHAT to work??!! #2

Well, my first "You wore WHAT to work?!?!" is my most read post on my blog so far... topping out at a whopping 57 views! So I thought I'd do another one.. because.. well.. why not?? Keep in mind I wear these things with the main purpose of (trying to) amuse my boss... as opposed to, so I can do these funny posts about inappropriate work attire... (although this could be a big motivator from now on!)

This past Friday's casual Friday outfit looked a bit like..

Yes folks, that's correct.. I sported yet another threadless t shirt to work..

This shirt to be exact... 

('scuse the mess in the background! - I wore shoes when I was at work.. for the most part.. :D )

boss: what's that on your shirt today?

me: *turn to show him*

boss: haha, I just now realised what the cloud is

me: some days this one *points at seated teddy* is X...

boss: you mean most days!?

me: hehehe

boss: actually that's probably me! huh?

I didn't have to heart to tell him he is much more bearable than X most days!

For a start he lets me use him as a punching bag... muaahahahaha...

He brought it upon himself for pointing out how big his guns were one day... 

I will also randomly shoulder barge him at will... mostly because he insists on standing in the middle of where I'm trying to walk... he really brings it upon himself! ; )

Bracelet from a market in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Ring, custom made by Pie

Shellac purple nails from Conetta & Co. (via voucher)

BAH! HELP!

HH

{via}

This is me today.. seriously... I am severely lacking motivation to do anything... I went to bed super late last night and I had "an argument" with my stomach this morning, I wasn't going to come to work but thought I was probably just being a big baby so decided to come in anyways... thankfully my tummy seems ok.. but I am feeling so tired and just blah.. I have loads of stuff to get done but just can't bring myself to do it (hence I'm here instead... *sigh*)

Yesterday was a bit of a disaster evening... I had done so well with charity shopping at lunch time & I was feeling rather proud coz I even remembered to drop off my film to get processed... I was chillaxn at home and at 6.55pm my phone rings... it's a girl at the spa asking if I'm still making my appointment (which started at 6.45pm)... ARGHHHHHH!!! I totally spaced and thought it was next week... apparently not... and because it was a voucher the mister got me, they said the voucher is now void (understandable, most spa's have a 24hr cancellation policty) but I was feeling majorly bummed... I found my voucher and after a quick read, decided to call them back and see if I could just come for the 2nd part of it... - the voucher was for a 30mins choc back experience & a 25min facial... they said if I could get there within 10/15mins I could still have the facial.. so I quickly threw a bra on under my maxi dress & started hoofing it, luckily I saw a cab pretty quick, flagged it down and jumped in.. (there are bonuses to living fairly close to a main road!).. needless to say my facial was less serene and relaxing and more me trying to calm down after rushing around like a banshee... I felt like the technician rushed through it a bit as well (I saw her downstairs afterwards, leaving to go home)... but all in all.. I guess at least it wasn't a total loss... 

The mister had booked a car (more about that in another post!) to come and collect me with the idea that we'd head out somewhere for dinner and enjoy the lovely weather.. I decided I didn't want to go to South Queensferry because that is where we ALWAYS go... and although it's lovely and I enjoy it a lot, it seems redundant going to the same place all the time...  so we embarked on a mini roady to find a new destination... and although we saw lots of quaint and cute little towns and quite a lot of coastal scenery which was very pretty... we came up empty on finding somewhere to eat... EPIC FAIL! 

In the end, we ended up driving all the way back to Edinburgh and getting take out to eat at home... 

Here is a map so you can see where we went... (you may need to zoom out)

        

View Larger Map

Yup! We drove in a big GIANT loop!! 

Oh well... it's a few more places ticked off the list I guess!

Here's hoping your last 24 hours has gone a lot better than mine!! 

At least tomorrow's Friday and it'll be the weekend again soon... 

My phone's going crazy.. so either someone I know's Fb has been hacked

or my Fb has been hacked... happy days... HUMBUG!

Is it home time yet??  

Ceramics

Well, I have been rather slack with my blog posting recently, due to many long weekends with which I lazed around the house and accomplished as little as humanly possible while still maintaining some meagre form of existence... 

So here is a post about a weekend a while back when the mister and I went to paint ceramics~

I bought vouchers from one of the many sites I'm signed up to.. I think itison or LivingSocial provided this fun afternoon out... and we had meant to go for many weekends but for some reason or other managed to not get round to it... (mostly due to the fact that we usually sleep in till past midday on weekends, then by the time I've made us brunch and we've pottered about the house, it's about 3pm by the time we're "ready" to go anywhere... hmmmm..)

Anywhos!!

Here is the mister working on his projects

My workstation...

Notice I even put a little skull and crossbone on the bottom of my mug! ; )

Yours truly, concentrating...

Bracelet by my friend Ducky over at Duck and Cover Designs

As part of the voucher, we also got a tea/coffee and a cupcake!

My outfit de jour

 Coat & Skirt: Old Navy, Shirt & Sunnies: H&M, Leggings: ? 

Watch: Adidas (bought with a groupon to help Red Nose Day)

Bag: George by ASDA £2 (hoorah clearance sections!), Shoes: Miss KG at Debenhams

Here are my finished products!!

Mustache mug.. hehe

Bird of Paradise Oil/Dressing jug.. 

Reversible tashe mug!! :D

Oops, I forgot to photo the mister's finished products.. but mine were cooler and far cuter than his!! ; )

I know I had a super fun day.. and I think the mister did too... (aside from the loads of screaming children at a b'day party.. eep!)  

So, if you're stuck for ideas of things to do.. why not look up if there is somewhere to go and paint ceramics?? It's a fun way to spend a few hours and you get something to show (off) at the end! (Well, probably a week later when you have time to go pick up your projects after they've had a good bake in the kiln).  I'm rather proud of my efforts!! What do you think??

These are the things I got today...!!

You may have noticed my overabundance of posts the last couple of days... 

it's coz I've been home, sick... woke up with a migraine and a temperature on Monday...

Still didn't feel all that great on Tuesday.... but got overly bored and decided I was ok to go back to work today..

Just made sure I had a healthy supply of neurofen to get me thru the day...

Annnywhoooos....

There was a parcel waiting for me!!

Inside the parcel was this box...

Inside the box.. was this watch...

 I got Russet to help me model the watch.. 

coz it's surprisingly hard to take a photo of a watch on your own wrist in poor lighting....

I got the watch through a coupon for £20 + £4.99 for shipping... and they donated money towards Red Nose Day... so I got a new watch and helped a good cause! :)

Sooo... Debenhams are having a sale right now.... so I thought I would stop in after work to have a looksee...

Last time they had a sale, I got shoes for £4.. so it was worth a looksee... 

I got this dress for £5..

Bring on Summer!!

And I picked up these wedges for £29.. Down from £65!

 But they only had one size left which are a bit big for me..

but I figure I'll just punch more holes in the strap..

and this way.. they fit my wide feet at the front!

(scuse my nasty feet.. I'm booking a pedi soon, I promise!)

I had seen  online, but wanted to go in and try them on... and they are SO cute!! So I came home and ordered them online.. hehe... because I had a code for an extra 10% off the sale prices.. yeay!! Tho while I was online ordering them.. I also saw...  and I decided that I just HAD to have it as well.... and they're both on sale! AND I get an extra 10% off!! (click the photos to see them at Debenhams website)


So there you are... those are the things I got today!! :)
Shopaholic much?? ahhhhhyup!!

I would say don't tell the mister! But I came home and showed him everything already.. hahaha... and his response was.... "hmmm... what can I buy myself??"  hehe.. I like a mister who likes shopping.. :) it also means it doesn't take much convincing for him to buy me things!! teeheeeheee *lucky* shhhhh.. don't tell him that tho ok??? it's our little secret!! :)   (Hi mister... if you are reading this.. just ignore that last bit ok?? ; ] )

30 Days of me - Day 8

Day 08 - Short term goals for this month and why

Ok, seeing as the end of the month is next week, let's say short term goal's for the coming month:

Learn to use my sewing machine - because the mister was so generous and kind as to buy me one, and I have loads of his old shirts to practice on and I have sweet fabric which I've thrifted to make into super fun things!!

Go to more yoga classes - coz I have been a lazy lardass and I need to get movin!!

Book myself into pole dancing classes - I bought a voucher in JAN... and I need to get movin!!

Go to salsa or zumba classes - again I bought a voucher, and did I mention that I need to get movin!?!?!

Once hot glue gun arrives, make tea cup & saucer earrings & teapot necklace...

Book holiday in MOROCCO!!! - we have vouchers for hotel & guest house stays.. we just need to BOOK!!

Book flights for Canada in summer - I have two weddings to go to, so I should really get onto booking my flights before prices skyrocket!!

That's pretty much it...

Oh.. and order my camera from lomography... - again with the vouchers!! :D

The Granary, Leith

 On a sunny Thursday afternoon a little while ago... I found myself with the mister, at The Granary in Leith..
I had a groupon to get my hair cut and coloured but the only appointment I could get before the voucher expired was 11am on a Thursday...  now, I don't know about the other ladies out there, but when I go in for a hair appointment, it's super rare that I will emerge before an hour... and probably at the very bare minimum, two hours (if some form of miracle occurs) if I'm having ANY form of colour...

So I figured there was really no point in me going to work for 2 hours to leave for my appointment, then going back for another 2 hours before I left again... so I just took the day off! The mister for some random reason I can't remember was due a half day off, so he worked until lunch time and then came to meet me.. :) *happiness*

Anywhos.. it was a lovely sunny afternoon, if with a slight chill in the air.. we wandered around Leith for a bit and tossed up our options for "lunch"... boy am I glad we decided on The Granary!

Being 'arty'

Looking toward the bar
I loved all the little quotes on the mezzanine!

My new haircut.. :)
Can't really see the colour.. :(

I had a shrimp salad
It was delicious

He had chicken terrine
Served up with oak cakes...
It too was yummy!! Relish was NOMS..

I had portobello & haloumi burger.. mmmmm portobello.... NOM!
The wedges were crunch outside & fluffy inside = Perfection!

He had risotto.. I think.. Spinach??
Don't let the bland looking'ness fool you...
It was tasty and fully of flavour...

Oh Hai!! :)

 I loved this.. :)
And the bike on the wall.. :)

The service was attentive and polite.. our food arrived fairly quickly.. took long enough that you know they were cooking it fresh.. but not too long that you wonder what else they're doing to it...

The restaurant is huge and very lofty, but still feels cosy and comfortable.. There's a selection of games you can choose from, or they have free wi-fi as well... 

Prices were reasonable/borderline pricey but the food was good... I would definitely recommend it to anyone and would love to go back for dinner one evening.. :)

You will find The Granary at 32-34 The Shore, Edinburgh

A weekend of eating... in pictures! (Friday & Saturday)

Friday: 
                 

Lunch: Thomson's Pub @ 182-184 Morrison St, courtesy of the BossMan!!

Bit of a "Old Man's Pub", not very many tables, lots of beers/ales on tap.. But lots of light through the windows on the street and lots of standing room.. Seriously the most AHH-MAzing pie I've had in the UK.. and I'm a Kiwi, so I know my pies! (fo realz yo! we like our pies Down Under!) 

The most amazing Pie I've eaten in the UK...
Flaky top and nice stretchy chewy pie casing... Filling was chunky steak swimming in gravy!
Topped with baked beans - never had THAT before, but not adverse to doing it again!!

Dinner: Cooked by yours truly @ home.

Steak with roast totes (potato) - drizzle with OO, salt & pepper, shake on some paprika = NOMS!
Roast carrot & parsnip - meh, have done better.. bit too much OO to start and was impatient to let it cook off in the oven.. heh!
Roast corn - maybe a bit over cooked, but the oven dried it out a lot, stick with boiling next time!

Saturday:
      
Brunner: Edinburgh Larder @ 15 Blackfriars St
We had bought coupons AGES ago for tea/coffee + a scone with butter & jam. Original idea was to brunch here, then head to Ceramic Experience to paint some ceramics with other vouchers we had bought.. but sleeping in and pottering about the house for farrrrr too long meant it was almost 2pm by the time we left the house.. we first thought to go to ceramics, but decided we were hungry and to head to Ed Larder instead.. GOOOOOD choice!!

They source their ingredients local... well, maybe not the wine in that box.. but the chips are!!

The entertainment provided by a reflective teapot!
Yea, yea, yea.. small things.. small minds.. I know..
but hey, there's nothing wrong with taking pleasure from the small things in life!!

The mister got pork pie, it came with salad and cous cous... he forgot to let me taste the first one... so he ordered a second portion... yup... no joke...

I had apple and parsnip soup & 1/2 spicy smoked salmon & parsley (?) cream cheese sandwich.. I can't remember which green herb it was.. it was yummy tho!

(Only one portion for me!)

Can't forget the scones!!
Not quiet as good as the lemon cranberry ones I made around X'mas time.. but pretty darn good!!
(You can tell because I ate this much before I remembered to take a photo! Oops!!)

It's ok tho! The mister was so busy eating his second portion of pork pie that I was done my scone by the time his came and he let me take a photo of his one before he devoured it!

(He is well learned in not eating his food until I've had a chance to photo it... better than I am, it seems!)

Ok, that is a lot of pictures and rather a large post, and Sunday involved LOTS of yumminess, so I have decided to put it in its own post... 

Hang tight for more yumminess to follow!!