tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84844170201883554982011-11-10T23:46:11.856ZBig Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.comBlogger1631100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-88108187035708184932011-06-12T20:07:00.002+01:002011-06-12T21:49:55.526+01:00

The Gods of Fortune and Favour have smiled upon both Al and Phil. Gentlemen, I have a pair of Grimlocs here with your names on them. If you send your contact details to *redacted*, they will be dispatched post haste. You'll never lose your hat/gloves/enamel mug again.

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-32694463075780101162011-06-06T20:02:00.002+01:002011-06-06T23:50:49.154+01:00

It's not often that I'm at the forefront of something new and exciting but there's a first time for everything. Back in October, last year, I got talking to Sean over on Outdoorsmagic about custom inner options for the  Hex 3. After a wee bit of persuasion, I got him to run me up a "winterised" OookNest (half-nest); bomber waterproof floor, solid panels with mesh higher up. In mid November, a

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-55674269347283559072011-06-05T15:08:00.004+01:002011-06-12T11:42:45.186+01:00

I was rooting around the other day and came across some photies in a folder marked "Blogging". There's a bunch of stuff in there, all of it meant to illustrate blog posts that fell by the way side and never saw the light of day. There's no text with them so I can only guess at what might have been. The Grimlocs are a case in point. As a habitual baseball cap wearer, I've been using clips of some

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-69610561852821807142011-06-05T10:13:00.001+01:002011-06-05T12:25:38.567+01:00

I can't remember exactly when I first saw a wind farm in Scotland but I think it was about 5 or 6 years ago, on the road to Oban. Now, if I want to see one, I just need to drive about a mile and turn left. Go a wee bit further and there's another one. In the next year or so, I'll be able to see one from my front garden. The proliferation of these things continues apace. Depending on which side of

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-34577407832700412132011-02-20T16:35:00.001Z2011-06-08T21:15:58.141+01:00

As it's been a while, I thought my first post of 2011 should be gear related. And what a fine bit of gear it is; the Finisterre Humboldt Mk II. Some folk will remember Finisterre from a couple of years back when they produced something that looked like a Paramo Velez, was made from the same material as a Paramo Velez, but was cut a tad more on the "athletic" side than anything Paramo produce.

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-69595378252068533012010-12-31T22:34:00.000Z2010-12-31T22:34:43.282Z

It's been a quick year. Highlight was getting married to my beautiful Mrs, closely followed by the birth of our beautiful grandson. Very little outdoor stuff happened. Quietest year in the last decade, in fact. Two or three bits of kit bought and a whole lot more sold on. I've little or no interest in such things right now but that may well change in the coming year. We'll see. But this year is

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-40581758725926075002010-08-14T13:15:00.003+01:002010-08-14T13:57:51.917+01:00

Well, they weren't really excuses, more like stuff that I knew was coming and would have to dedicate time to. In all honesty, I'm the King of Procrastination, I don't actually need an excuse. And the motivation to get out on the hills wasn't really there although I did at least get some outdoorsy stuff done, just nothing worth writing home about.So we had the wedding and, as stated previously, we

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-25088883068089202212010-05-29T13:23:00.005+01:002010-05-29T14:13:17.911+01:00

I'd be lying if I said there were no pre-wedding jitters because there were. Not about the getting married bit, more the social side. See, I don't do crowds and I'm not known as a party animal. Then there was the whole stand up and make a speech routine. So aye, a degree of trepidation was felt.But when my wife pointed out our mystery guest, I knew all would be well. There, providing overwatch

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-87402380735421022672010-03-14T08:26:00.005Z2010-03-14T15:10:15.052Z

Maybe I've been watching too much Supernatural but I'm starting to think that my car's been taken over by a demon. I feel like every time I decide I'm going to head for the hills, she acts up. It can be anything from a worrying squeak to a flat out refusal to start. This time she's, as I put it, "Vibrating like a motherfucker".I may have to start referring to her as Christine rather than The

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-40206776843434241812010-02-28T13:36:00.002Z2010-02-28T14:46:27.895Z

Well, it's been a while. A whole 2 months since I last posted, even longer since I posted anything related to the outdoors.Starting the year with a car in the garage, for the third year in a row, didn't help. Nothing like having no transport and a big bill to put the mockers on the fun times.And then we had a death. Nobody that'll be missed to any great extent but it did start me thinking about

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-27064111437548722812009-12-31T22:58:00.002Z2009-12-31T23:08:40.703Z

Lights are off, doors are locked and there's no sign of life. The hoose is rigged for Silent Running. It must be Hogmanay :o)Hope you all have a happy, healthy and prosperous 2010.Awra best, people :o)Bed now. Shhhhhh......

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-20009084491228771732009-12-04T14:21:00.001Z2009-12-04T14:21:43.070Z

We joked he'd wake up with a full beard but there are no perceptible changes.He's becoming a man but he'll always be The Boy. The best son a father could ever ask for.

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-86921117509602882402009-10-11T09:50:00.004+01:002009-10-11T10:15:18.450+01:00

OMG i m gay. At least, that's what I thought it said. The "gamy" is a bit unfortunate on its' own, never mind potential anagrams.OMM-i-gamy. What were they thinking?Piss-taking potential aside, its' yet another example of OMMs' modular approach to carrying stuff. I like it a lot. Regular readers may have noticed various bottles turning up in photies and a complete lack of tubes sprouting from

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-35696911753073531652009-10-09T20:04:00.005+01:002009-10-09T20:50:24.000+01:00

I went for a quick walk on Sunday. Not far by any means but just far enough to remind me of what I'm missing by sitting on the sofa, smoking fags & staring at the telly.The Author. In Serious Mode.Aye, more of the same, please.

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-26434033234712670852009-09-20T14:27:00.006+01:002009-09-20T15:20:32.070+01:00

"Grab your gear, rookie. We're shippin' out.""Shipping out to where, Sarge?""New Mombasa.""New Mombasa? But......that's on Earth.""That's right, kid. Seems The Covenant have decided to pay a little visit and the folks back home want us to throw the welcome party. You in?""Yessir.""Boots on the ground in 36 hours. See you down there."His mind races. First time out as an Orbital Drop Shock Trooper.

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-87017934075643345952009-09-12T19:41:00.003+01:002009-09-12T20:30:38.002+01:00

After the week I've had, I was glad to see the back of it. That it went out in a blaze of colour kind of made up for it. And this settled weather looks like it might hang on for a wee while yet.Interesting.High Pressure. The nice kind.

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-10049238576710927272009-09-09T18:27:00.005+01:002009-09-09T18:42:20.924+01:00

Couldn't let 09/09/09 go by without posting something. I had something appropriate lined up but I'm fecked if I can remember where I put it.Here's some numbers in the meantime.Pure Awesomeness

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-62725756488424597182009-08-29T12:38:00.004+01:002009-08-29T13:32:11.243+01:00

There's been a definite nip in the air these past few mornings. Autumn's nearly here and, this being Scotland, Winter won't be far behind. I'd been going through the gear pile and there's plenty of choice when it comes to warm stuff. A lot of it's synthetic and there's a few bits of down in there but there's always room for a bit more.I had a PHD Yukon Pullover on the wish list but never got

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-882458837127229592009-08-25T20:33:00.002+01:002009-08-26T20:19:09.918+01:00

The corn's been harvested and the baler's at work. Proper bales. Not those stoopid round ones. Can't build a fort out of them. Magic.

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-37869996398716611692009-08-01T12:43:00.004+01:002009-08-01T13:17:31.157+01:00

The first words I uttered on opening the box that arrived yesterday morning. The postie, bless him, was early and caught me just before I left for work. A good start to the day and on a Friday too.It had been sent by Ed, one of the "Windy Boys" over on Outdoorsmagic. I'd dropped in there to enquire about something and it turned out that he had one spare. So, after a couple of emails and a

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-11844942068908112112009-07-24T18:31:00.003+01:002009-07-24T18:41:46.578+01:00

Getting presents from folk is awfy nice but you should never miss an opportunity to treat yourself too.Any excuse, eh? :o)

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-17818785762971904382009-06-28T16:02:00.004+01:002009-06-28T16:45:23.938+01:00

I've been meaning to write a few words about the LIM55 for the last few weeks but other than "It's great!", I can't think of anything else.Oh awright then. I'll try.It's a tremendously good bag. Seriously, I can't fault it. Everything goes in with room to spare. The big, stretchy outer pockets take bottles, and tents, with ease. The roll-top closure is a piece of piss to use and that wee lid

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-245368518791364732009-06-05T12:23:00.001+01:002009-06-05T12:23:32.426+01:00

I'd hoped that the wee box from Bob & Rose would've arrived on Saturday morning but it showed up on Sunday. When did posties start workin on the Sabbath?

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-48090880476419030612009-06-01T20:49:00.010+01:002009-07-25T22:44:17.798+01:00

It was all a bit last minute but, nearly a year to the day since the last time, me and The Boy headed to Braemar for a wee overnighter. We stopped off at Braemar Mountain Sports, stocked up on Honey Stingers and hit the road again. It's a nice wee drive up the glen wi' some splendid views.Passing the Aktomobile at Inverey, we turned into the Linn o' Dee car park in no time at all. Packs on, it

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-73638591369770977852009-06-01T12:24:00.003+01:002009-06-01T12:36:53.721+01:00

We were walking along in companiable silence when I noticed that I was mesmerised by my feet. Specifically, the wee puffs of dust that popped up with every footfall."You can actually see the heat rising", said The Boy."Aye. It's all a bit Foreign Legion", I replied. Grinning, we strode on; the miles back to the car disappearing under our dusty boots.

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-44329085670101106352009-05-29T11:35:00.001+01:002009-05-29T11:35:57.887+01:00

Away team to the shuttle bay. And nobody wear a red shirt FFS.

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-49383539394714449592009-05-22T11:10:00.001+01:002009-05-22T11:10:13.611+01:00

I like stuff that works both on the hill & off. The stuff they gave us is pish IMHO. Pictured: limited edition Velez Adventure (Black, non reflective. Stealthy as f**k)

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-33492398869222809402009-05-22T10:46:00.001+01:002009-05-22T10:46:07.567+01:00

Dear Weather Gods, Make your mind up.

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-34677550226081597572009-05-16T21:22:00.010+01:002009-05-16T22:54:27.950+01:00

He stands on top of the communications bunker and looks out across the shallow valley. It's been half a standard year since he last stood on this very spot. Nothing's changed. Behind the mirrored visor, he smiles.The crackle of small arms fire carries on the breeze but he hears a different song, an ancient one, of times long since past. "Good times".Living easy, livin' free, Season ticket, on a

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-48498813224772918592009-05-09T19:12:00.002+01:002009-05-09T19:35:46.342+01:00

Supplies arrived just in time, along with some pish weather. They'll keep.

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-20595189035476072012009-05-05T14:31:00.001+01:002009-05-09T19:36:51.886+01:00

I declare Apricot & Sultana to be the tastiest of the varieties available round here. I'll take a box, thanks.

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-78828408869428203762009-05-02T12:34:00.003+01:002009-05-09T19:43:21.235+01:00

The keen-eyed amongst you may have noticed the lack of activity here over the last month. Nothing sinister, simply taking a wee break from the Web outside of work hours. Not a complete break, just a lessening of online time. Business as usual in the real world with the recent arrival of some new "shinies". My self-imposed "Sell something to buy something" rule is working well. It's all gone a

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-10818284865756510782009-03-31T21:37:00.002+01:002009-05-09T19:39:57.937+01:00

Nails. Titanium nails. 6 of them. And 6 of the more traditional "shepherds crook" type pegs. That's what arrived this week by way of those nice people at ultralightoutdoorgear. I reckon I'm now good to go for pitching on anything up to, and including, concrete. While I was shopping for pegs, I picked up another OMM Duomat. The one I've already got makes a fine sit-mat or, opened out, a

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-64922936551518665922009-03-29T14:04:00.003+01:002009-03-29T14:07:28.573+01:00

It's a difficult thing, finding boots that fit. Like many others, I have one "odd" foot. I think it's the left one but it could be the right. One of them's a bit out of kilter with the other at any rate. So I'm well used to playing around with the fit;adjusting laces, one sock or two and so on. The 390's need very little in the way of adjustment and that's a minor miracle in itself. I've

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-26244126486588018632009-03-28T13:46:00.003Z2009-05-09T19:40:54.461+01:00

It's breezy out. Almost Gale Force at times. I had half-a-mind to head out this weekend, not far, just somewhere local. My mental checklist (mental as in, the one in my head) always includes a windproof and has done for at least the last 8 or 9 years. It was Chris Townsend's idea. I was reading TGO one day and he'd done a test on windproofs. They were, and I'm paraphrasing here, "One of the

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-28025987818582851382009-03-28T13:10:00.001Z2009-03-28T13:10:05.644Z

I knew I'd forgotten something but I couldn't think what. It came to me when I was looking for something, down in the depths of my inane ramblings; my wee blog is 2. And a bit. I was close with that last post but it slipped past, unnoticed, like a midget submarine in a Norwegian Fjord. Never mind. Better late than never, that's what I say.

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-28967467697835261232009-03-07T13:38:00.003Z2009-03-07T16:33:22.744Z

The real world outside the window is all grey, wet and miserable. To a virtual one then. A couple of hours blowin' shit up should do it. I hope he had insurance on that thing. We're Oscar Mike. Husker, Out.

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-84072684639604575912009-03-03T19:34:00.002Z2009-03-07T10:12:06.915Z

Nothing starts a Tuesday off like a wee trip to the Sorting Office. And when the package carries the mark of the US Postal Service the joy is palpable. Big packages or small, it's all good. I don't buy from The States very often but when the stuff you seek can't be found here then it's over The Pond we go. The contents were eagerly anticipated. The substance therein, my own personal Opium.

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-90083514823658072952009-03-01T16:46:00.003Z2009-03-01T16:53:51.479Z

Why is the Blogger editor so shite? I mean, seriously. Look at the state of that last post. That looked great in Live Writer and then Blogger mangled it. Why? Why does it do these things? Cause it's free, that's why so just STFU and get on wi' it.F***ers.

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-40246565183930332252009-03-01T16:39:00.002Z2009-03-01T19:07:12.764Z

I love my wee Laserlite, I really do, but a couple of things bother me; it's a tad cramped for a big lanky like myself and it's prone to a fair bit of condensation. Combine these things and you end up with a damp sleeping bag on account of me constantly coming in to contact with the inner, particularly at the foot end. So, I'd been thinking of some kind of water-resistant cover. The Rab

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-329178080919989102009-02-15T15:20:00.002Z2009-02-15T15:23:36.871Z

Back to Pitlochry for some much-needed downtime. We ate well, mooched around the local gear shop (where I managed to not buy a Haglofs LIM Down Vest. Yaaay for me!!!) and then ate some more. It was braw. We took a wander up to the wee loch at the top of the hill, just up from the hotel. The ducks were still there; they looked sad. The loch was all froze and everything. We went back this

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-83644090417862652312009-02-01T12:19:00.001Z2009-02-01T12:19:59.461Z

There's some cold weather on the way. It is, according to the Beeb, coming all the way from Russia. Nobody's mentioned where in Russia but you can tell they're thinking Siberia. Maybe they don't want to panic the population just yet? Such weather has of course never happened before. England and Wales are to be the worst affected with accumulations of up to 10 cm expected. 10 CMS!!!! The Welsh

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-39624672388566064872009-01-22T07:24:00.004Z2009-05-09T19:42:21.824+01:00

Important things, pegs. The recent banter over at ptc*s place got me think about my own, admittedly small, collection. I keep meaning to add a couple of really long ones to anchor the ends of the Laserlite in really dodgy conditions but never seem to get around to it. I may purchase more this weekend.From left to right: Vaude(V), Vango(V), Alpkit(V), Big Agnes(X), Clamcleats(Y)*, Golite(Y) &

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-8751842345255542832009-01-11T13:38:00.003Z2009-01-11T14:50:18.889Z

I'm no' sure I believed her but when the waitress at the Little Chef in Spean Bridge told us we were the talk of Fort William, it had a certain air of plausability. Four days previously, we were effectively marooned by a Landie which decided that it didn't really fancy the long drive to Skye after all.We sat in the Little Chef and considered our options; we could press on and risk catastrophic

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-12140669067954957452008-12-31T06:49:00.002Z2008-12-31T06:53:31.311Z

I f****n' hate New Year. All that false bonhomie and pished folk. Blame it on living in Edinburgh for years. Street Party? My arse!However, that won't stop me from wishing you all a happy, safe and prosperous 2009.As for us, we're away to Skye to hide out in a wee hoose at the end of a single track "road". You'll recognise it; it's the one with the "Get tae f**k!" sign on the gate. :o)See yooz in

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-9402821397747774112008-12-04T07:39:00.002Z2008-12-04T07:44:05.146Z

The Boy's 15 today. 15!!! Where the hell did the years go?Happy Birthday, wee man.LOL and indeed, ROFL! :O)

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-8958457809963974782008-11-30T11:29:00.001Z2008-11-30T11:29:16.204Z

That's the question I've been asking myself. When did I go from being relieved that a plan fell through to being disappointed? To be disappointed I must've initially been looking forward. Without realising, I was looking forward to a a night on a hill in shite weather with a bunch of folk I've never met before. I was looking forward to a night of sub-zero temp's, in the middle of

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-1966657813591053422008-11-28T07:51:00.003Z2008-11-28T07:58:16.277Z

"I'm undoubtedly tempting fate by making any plans at all, let alone sticking them up here for the world to see but sometimes you just have to."How prophetic. For the second weekend in a row, bag packed and ready for the off, it all goes wrong at the last minute.The first time, the fickle hand of fate cast the di and came up with two sixes. I threw "snake eyes".This time, the fourth horseman,

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-29074662921078606672008-11-20T07:57:00.001Z2008-11-20T07:58:24.077Z

See previous.Message ends.

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-25431482627087144702008-11-17T11:49:00.002Z2008-11-19T20:24:12.260Z

Standby.-------------------------------------------------I'm undoubtedly tempting fate by making any plans at all, let alone sticking them up here for the world to see but sometimes you just have to.As plans go, it's a simple one: head up to Glen Derry on 28/11/08, pitch a tent and kick back for the next wee while. I might go for a hill on the Saturday but I'll see how it goes.Base camp will be

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-8188628852263891792008-11-09T15:49:00.001Z2008-11-09T15:49:48.365Z

Just when I thought I had it sussed, ie down bag inside synthetic, an unrelated trip to the loft threw a spanner in the works. There, tucked away at the side of the gear pile, was a suspiciously fluffy-looking storage bag. In the bag was a Snugpak Sleeper Lite, rated IIRC, to about -10C. I'd completely forgotten I had it. From memory, it is very warm but, like all synthetics,

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-7388998779809550122008-11-09T09:55:00.002Z2008-11-09T10:10:43.271Z

90-odd years ago, my biological Great Grandfather went off to a war from which he never returned. He left behind a pregnant sweetheart. Just over 30 years later, the son he never knew also answered the call to arms.Thankfully, he survived.Today, I'll stop whatever I'm doing and spend a few minutes offering up whatever the agnostic version of a prayer is, to them and the others they fought

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-6491355850837557802008-11-06T12:34:00.001Z2008-11-06T12:34:31.682Z

My apologies for my tardiness in replying to those folk who've taken the time to leave comments over the last couple of weeks. It's not that I'm being rude, it's that our new Overlords (Hello btw) have decided that we're not to be trusted with our internet access anymore. And there was me thinking that an IT professional with over 20 years experience was about the only person that you could trust

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-33219912416278383052008-11-01T16:16:00.005Z2008-11-01T16:24:33.894Z

I picked up a Golite Trig 1 via Ebay the other day. It's in pristine condition and cost very little. It was an impulse buy and I'm no' sure how, or even if, it'll work out. I like the idea of single skin tents but there's the thorny issue of our increasingly mild and damp winters up here. I'm hoping for cold & frosty for our impending trip to the 'gorms but I'm no' holding my breath. I'll stick

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-73973112022985274802008-10-26T15:11:00.003Z2008-10-26T15:20:55.586Z

With a proposed overnighter in the offing, I've had a look in the armoury and there's a sleeping bag-shaped gap in the weapons rack. I'm covered for 3 season stuff but with The Boy getting the Alpkit AlpineDream 700, I'm left out in the cold, so to speak. I could throw money at the problem by heading over to PHD but then I'd have to decide what, or who, gets sold to raise the money. I'm

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-34272495432084384492008-10-19T11:03:00.001+01:002008-10-19T11:03:34.110+01:00

I was over having a look at TGO's new forum layout and jolly nice it is too. It's still a bit quiet but at least they seem to have booted the porn spammers into touch. However, I was a wee bit disheartened when I had a look at my profile page; there, writ large was the legend "This User Has No Friends". It's even capitalised. Cheers. Thanks for pointing that out. Heartless bastards

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-22875363197540405072008-10-09T21:36:00.004+01:002008-10-09T21:57:47.668+01:00

Man-made fibres are all well and good in this damp climate of ours, but if you want to stay really warm, then down (filled) is the way to go.The PHD Minimus Vest came to the 'gorms with me back in May. I took it as backup insulation but I ended up sleeping in it and was warm all night.When I went back a week later with The Boy, I left it behind (I thought it was overkill, the weather forecast

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-77605778377705134712008-10-05T15:56:00.002+01:002009-05-09T19:49:05.758+01:00

All this talk of snow, and our first frost, has had me rummaging in the wardrobe. Just the briefest of looks revealed a range of options for staying warm when the temperature drops and Jack Frost starts nipping at your lugs. One of the first things I reach for at this time of year is a thin fleece. I practically live in Berghaus Yukons and one of them sometimes goes in the bag. A bit

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-33416417917675769472008-09-27T19:20:00.005+01:002008-09-27T20:49:17.050+01:00

I picked up a Markill Peak Ignition Ti stove today from the Post Office. It belongs to Matt Swaine, Editor of Trail. It's his personal stove. I have a handwritten note to prove it. He's given it to me to keep. He's also sending me some other stuff. He didn't have to but he did.Mad steam-punk ray-gun?I think that's awfy kind. All he's asked in return is that I maybe send in a photie of it getting

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-28756318398054040802008-09-20T10:16:00.003+01:002008-09-21T17:08:37.802+01:00

One of the things I've meaning to do since me & The Boy's trip to the 'gorms was to put together a One Pot Kitchen for him. The stove he used was a wee bit too big to fit in the Alpkit MyTi Mug along with a gas canister, Buff and Spork.Trail failed to deliver on their promise of a free Markill Hot Shot way back in April when I subscribed (more on that later) and I've been keeping a weather-eye

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-64426804054979126672008-09-16T19:47:00.002+01:002008-09-22T07:19:48.974+01:00

If something's worth buying, it's worth buying a lot of it. That's my philosophy. At my current rate of consumption, this little lot should last me 'til at least 2010.

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-62124275463098802942008-09-14T11:54:00.001+01:002008-09-14T11:54:14.848+01:00

It's true, I am. I read things and ideas take root in my head. Money gets spent and small packages arrive. Usually I frown at whatever it is I've bought and think "Why did I get this, again?" The latest offering is a case in point. I can only imagine that it seemed like a good idea at the time. I mean, the guylines on my Laserlite are a bit pish and the linelocks are indeed rubbish

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-15375036800132230402008-09-14T11:35:00.002+01:002008-09-22T07:21:45.280+01:00

It just dawned on me that I've been openly displaying my lightweight credentials, at work at least, for the last 3 years. Folk have asked me what it means and I've tried my best to explain. Very few people get it. The sticker came from the label of my Golite Coal Parka. Why I then stuck it on my work laptop is anybody's guess. Either way, my memory has been jogged and I'm going back

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-71242629093507064632008-09-04T11:55:00.002+01:002008-09-05T08:25:15.994+01:00

It's been a hectic couple of weeks, what with changes at work, one bairn getting married and another going off to Uni', we've been driven to distraction. A walk would be good to clear the mind but, when time is short and the hour late, firing up an Xbox is the next best thing. (I'm talking as a non-drinker here btw). A couple of the boys at work had been raving about Battlefield:

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-2315476931710953482008-08-29T11:46:00.016+01:002008-09-22T07:20:42.086+01:00

10 years ago this month, I parked my car at the bottom of Dollar Glen and set off up into The Ochils. Fresh from shopping in Tiso's the day before, I was all shiny leather boots, baggy TNF pants and a "Wild Rover" ruckie, packed with fleeces, waterproofs, a big flask and assorted paraphenalia that the magazines told me were "Essentials that must be carried at all times" or somesuch. The day was

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-44097160815180104472008-08-22T08:51:00.003+01:002008-08-22T09:03:42.589+01:00

Some mornings, it's a pleasure to wake up and this is one of those mornings. The weather's been rubbish for weeks but it doesn't matter, eventually the sun will come back out.If I lean back in my chair, I can see East Lomond. I've lost count of how many times I've been up there but it's a lot. It's nice to be able to stand out the back with a coffee in hand and look across to it.Looking left I

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-82572216716010576102008-08-22T08:39:00.002+01:002008-08-22T08:47:50.765+01:00

I've had Johnny Cash in my head all week but it's all work-related, so nobody panic, OK?Play it loud.

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-76456579023836365802008-08-12T19:12:00.003+01:002008-08-12T19:44:32.988+01:00

I'm a great believer in recycling. Anybody who's bought stuff from me via ebay will get a well-packaged bundle of happiness but it won't be the first time the wrapping has gone thru' the postal service.So, when The Future Mrs D says "You've got a parcel", I immediately think "Woohoo!!". There's a moment of confusion when she chucks it over. It feels a bit crinkly, almost as if it's been wrapped

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-6672156406751344552008-08-10T13:48:00.005+01:002008-08-10T14:21:34.276+01:00

Yes, I do. In fact, I think I do believe. What I know, is that The X Files is/was one of the finest Sci-Fi series ever shown on TV.I was a Fanboy. I've seen every episode at least twice, and a few of them a lot more than that. I had Seasons 1-9 recorded on VHS, each tape labelled, in order and with the write-protect tab broken off. Then Ebay arrived and the DVD box sets were winging their way to

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-34683621384952665162008-08-03T14:18:00.006+01:002008-11-13T05:23:11.884Z

The Anjungilak Air Pillow; I must be one of the last people in the world to get one of these but it's one of those things that I never got around to buying for myself.A decent night's kip? Here's hoping.Praise be for birthdays then. Now I just need to get out and use it. Next weekend looks promising*. Something a wee bit higher up to avoid the midgies. Or not, if it's breezy lower down. A hill

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-63185298936995684292008-07-29T23:05:00.010+01:002008-11-13T05:23:12.279Z

Disclaimer: The following post contains no references to gear, hills or indeed anything that could be remotely construed as "outdoorsy". (Although the graphical representation of trees, water and mountains is rather nice) If you play, you'll understand.It's easy, in these times of scammers, spammers, phishers and other sundry low-lives, to think of the internet as nought other than a polluted

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-68677925932384952302008-07-24T08:47:00.002+01:002008-07-24T08:50:34.277+01:00

Halfway to my Four Score Years And Ten. I've done so much and yet there's still much to do.Best crack on then.

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-17067426479595653422008-07-19T10:59:00.003+01:002008-11-13T05:23:12.519Z

There's nothing quite like waking up early on a Saturday morning to the sound of two very large, and very hairy, dogs barking their heads off. All bad thoughts were banished in an instant however when it turned out to be our pal, the Postie.He handed over a brown paper-wrapped cube in exchange for an autograph. Some deft finger nail action revealed our latest aquisition; a sleek, black, and awfy

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-11986704003518544892008-07-16T10:42:00.005+01:002008-11-13T05:23:12.761Z

It's that time of year again when thoughts turn to Scotland's second most famous creature, the Midgie. A time when fannying about at the back of the car, sorting and adjusting various bits of stuff, isn't an option. Wishing to hell that you hadn't worn shorts and doing that strange wee dance* that's seen in every car park and campsite across Scotland from May 'til October.I've been using Skin So

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-47444856075795490422008-07-07T20:00:00.004+01:002008-11-13T05:23:12.868Z

WARNING! This post contains references to "GEAR". Proper Walkers should look away.Nipped out at lunchtime to picked up a parcel from the PO, a Snow Peak Trek 900 Ti, bought via Ebay for not a lot of my hard-earned.It makes me happy on 2 levels;1. It's new and shiny and I like new and shiny.2. It means I can get rid of the Alpkit MyTi Mug with its' Gosh-Darned Awful rattley lid.It drove me

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-70492849757551977962008-07-06T14:13:00.012+01:002008-11-13T05:23:13.954Z

The Boy destroyed my PC. I know how he did it; switching it off at the wall rather than shutting it down in the way Bill Gates intended. If it had been been one of my Linux or XP boxes, it might have survived. So, I take it into work and try and bring it back from the dead in my lunch hour but the hard drives have had enough. They kick into life maybe one time in 10. I managed to drag some stuff

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-4452709855187390332008-06-26T08:42:00.002+01:002008-06-26T09:40:20.432+01:00

If I wrote what I wanted to say to those who sat back and did nothing, those who say "I told you so" and the ones with the smirk upon their apathetic coupons, I'd run the risk of having this blog removed and be banished from my beloved OM.So I left them with following :“It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-21484960012696735302008-06-23T12:41:00.004+01:002008-11-13T05:23:14.119Z

Season 4 of Battlestar Galactica went off on its' "mid-season break" last week. The writer's strike had delayed filming but we're promised it'll be back in early 2009. Rumour has it that the writers are happy with the ending of this, the final season of BSG proper. After that, there is talk of "prequels". I can't wait.The mid-season finale, Revelations, was possibly the best piece of TV I've seen

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-3148665491571530972008-06-18T12:07:00.001+01:002008-06-18T12:07:20.510+01:00

Buying kit is one of life's guilty pleasures. There, I've said it. Doesn't matter how much I have, there's always room for more. Usually. Every 6 months or so, the pleasure wears off and the un-used stuff in the gear pile starts to talk about me behind my back. So I'll make a wee pile of things that I'm willing to part with; kit that's been used once or never used at all. It's all good stuff too.

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-51534607104294340622008-06-12T08:37:00.003+01:002008-11-13T05:23:14.240Z

Unprompted by neo-colonialist guilt and bucolic-vision free, I signed up with the National Trust for Scotland. The facilities I used and paths I walked recently, were enough to convince me that it was the right thing to do.I'll offset the money by cancelling my membership of The BMC. They do naff all* for me anyway.*I toned it down a bit.

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-70761412526146420532008-06-09T17:01:00.005+01:002008-11-13T05:23:14.589Z

Came back from Stirling on Saturday to find a card from the postie. Something wouldnae fit through the letterbox. I had an inkling about what it might be but couldnae be sure.So, this morning, I nipped in on the way to work and picked it up.Handy?Ah right. I'd stuck a bid on a wee Ajungilak cup on Ebay on account of it being a) a nice shape and, more importantly, b) marked in 50ml increments. (I

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-25345642840168614162008-06-07T08:06:00.005+01:002008-11-13T05:23:14.661Z

The black steel is dead.Luminous evil stares,The fall out of our lives.*:=[ *My XBox is broken. The dreaded Red Ring of Death. I'm taking it back to the shop.Update : After checking that my XBox was indeed broken ( not, they insisted, that they didn't believe me. They just needed to see it for themselves before sending it back to Microsoft) the boys whipped out my units' hard drive, installed it

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-67540942644090697152008-06-02T13:49:00.006+01:002008-11-13T05:23:16.045Z

Outfitting The Boy for a night in "the wilderness" was never going to be hard; he's as tall as me and has the same "built for speed" physique. If nothing else, he would at least look the part.Gear was selected for maximum comfort but the ruckies, although bulky, were re-assuringly light. A good thing as I wanted to make this as enjoyable as possible and he'd be carrying all his own gear in.We

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-54281395331076536742008-05-31T13:04:00.002+01:002008-05-31T13:06:50.075+01:00

Bags packed and ready for the the off. Again. A return to Glen Derry or thereabouts. That'll be twice in the space of a week. Unreal.

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-35078293200732894282008-05-27T13:47:00.009+01:002008-11-13T05:23:16.630Z

It was only when I'd thrown my arms out a few times, searching in vain for The Future Mrs D', that I remembered where I was and how narrow the Laserlite is. (Note to self: Research wider tentage) TFMD and I have only spent a handful of nights apart in the last 5 years and her warm, wee bod' was sorely missed. I made a half-hearted attempt to snuggle down in the bag but the day was brightening and

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-54772404578233826472008-05-25T16:00:00.013+01:002008-11-13T05:23:17.496Z

Friday's trip up to the Cairngorms NP wasn't going to be an exercise in peak-bagging but rather a recce mission. I asked The Boy a couple of weeks ago if he'd like to come "camping" with his old man and, to my surprise, he said "Aye". To my further delight, he insisted that it not be on an organised campsite but out in the hills somewhere.Derry Lodge was the first thought that popped into my head

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-26876597013807470212008-05-20T19:47:00.008+01:002008-11-13T05:23:17.831Z

When you're outnumbered 2 to 1, superior firepower is the key. A chain-gun, weilded in a Blain (Predator) style, is a great leveller. Quite literally. Me, resplendent in Red, laying down some fireAnd when the ammo runs out or the enemy grow weary of the carnage, it's time to bring out the long gun, find a quiet spot and seek victory, one carefully placed round at a time.Evening up the scoreHalo 3

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-20753666136329231902008-05-19T22:14:00.003+01:002008-05-19T22:36:30.542+01:00

Sometimes I surprise even myself. I've been mentally inventorying everything I'll need for this weekend but there were a couple of things that I didn't exactly know where they were. I knew roughly but "roughly" was the big pile of gear up in the loft.I knew the Laserlite was tucked in at the bottom of my gear cupboard and I could feel the poles in the bag but of the pegs there was no sign. "Must

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-43492600512684541242008-05-18T14:22:00.004+01:002008-05-18T22:44:55.754+01:00

I've often wondered what that meant. I thought it was something to do with spring cleaning and perhaps it is. An alternative was suggested today; Don't cast off your Winter clothing until June.This was proferred as I chittered away in shorts and t-shirt. The sun was out right enough but that North Easterly blowing through knew that this was Scotland and that Summer was last week.Fine walking

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-83872714896633492032008-05-06T10:53:00.002+01:002008-05-06T13:03:16.500+01:00

3 times in the last few months. That's how many times I've walked into an actual gear shop and made enquiries about specific bits of kit.3 times I've had the "No, we don't have it but we can get it in for you. Leave your name and number and we'll call you when it comes in."3 times I've heard nothing. Nada. F**k all.3 times they could've had a sale but, for whatever reason, chose not to.The Arab

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-75473541004330489852008-04-22T11:24:00.003+01:002008-04-26T08:38:16.496+01:00

Don't know about anybody else but I've been getting a lot less spam over the last couple of weeks. Maybe the spammers think I'm down the online casino, checking the time on my fake Rolex whilst in a state of advanced priapism?If, on the other hand, Google have ramped up their spam filters then I must applaud them. The list of things I hate is a short one but spammers are right up there with wasps

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-66699603691059821562008-04-13T11:47:00.002+01:002008-04-22T21:28:39.960+01:00

Well, they've lured me back; I've just signed up for a year. The Markill stove offer was what finally won me over. That, and the fact that I'd bought the last few issues and not been that disappointed.I've been a subscriber before, a long time ago, but gave up when the endless recycling of articles and features became all too apparent. The puerile "look what I'm eating" photies of the staffers in

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-39070372710508793072008-04-13T09:23:00.001+01:002008-04-13T09:23:58.655+01:00

I'm tinkering again. Just ignore me.

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-50294017723432408222008-04-12T09:11:00.003+01:002008-04-22T21:29:52.523+01:00

"What are we campaigning for?"There's the beginnings of a chant right there. Current e-petition signatures stand at 1,233 at time of writing. Somebody's gonnae get a nicely rounded number if they get off their arse and spend the whole 2 minutes it takes to sign up.I could use a "ghost" account and bag it myself but that would make a mockery of the democratic process and, as we've already got a

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-74632621999128932762008-04-10T07:38:00.005+01:002008-11-13T05:23:18.169Z

Back in my teenage years, I was in the school hillwalking club. We didn't have much in the way of kit at first; it was all jeans, wooly jumpers, bobble hats, anoraks and DMs. What we had in spades was enthusiasm and, more importantly, teachers that were happy to give up the odd weekend to drive a minibus full of teenagers the length and breadth of Scotland. (We made one foray to The Ponds,

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-7943427420778823332008-03-30T20:04:00.009+01:002008-11-13T05:23:18.312Z

This is me, as I appear on the killing grounds of Halo 3. I've spent a lot of time there recently, mostly in what are called Big Team Battles. 16 players, 8 to a side, fighting it out across maps that once existed solely in the minds of those magnificent people at Bungie and now brought stunningly to life on my telly-box.It's marvellous. Technology aside, I love the spontaneous camaraderie of 8

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-8962214066189213692008-03-30T19:44:00.002+01:002008-03-30T19:50:36.980+01:00

A lot of folk think it stands for British Summer Time. I don't. I think it's the short form for Bullshit. I mean, I feel bad enough as it is without them nicking an hour off me and screwing wi' my body-clock. I need my sleep, Goddamit!!!The war's over.Bastards.

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-50302707146387125182008-03-30T09:52:00.003+01:002008-11-13T05:23:18.488Z

I missed it by just over three weeks. Disnae seem like a year since I first decided to put my inane witterings on the interweb for all to see. A year of haphazard postings, dodgy photies and a smidgen of hill days.Och well, there's always this year even tho' it hasnae exactly gotten off tae a flyer.Please note the lack of a year's worth of stats btw. I rarely look at them. Wouldnae want to be

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-77865735659494320282008-03-28T07:29:00.002Z2008-03-28T07:37:38.331Z

The New Guy didn't know what The Lurgey was. He'd never heard of it. I tried to explain, it's not a cold and it's not the flu' but something in-between. A general feeling of not-wellness, often manifesting as snotters and croaky voice, a cough that can be "productive" but also dry. Aching bones, zero energy and a desire to crawl back into bed and stay there. It ebbs and flows like a pestilential

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8484417020188355498.post-40554614566561616702008-03-16T11:06:00.004Z2008-11-13T05:23:18.619Z

Holly the SARDA dog. Glencoe 14/03/08. Copyright Getty Images.I saw this on the Beeb's Scotland page. It made me smile and, if I'm being honest, brought a wee lump to my throat. Apart from the brown markings, that could be oor Meg.I'll have another wee hill dug one of these days, just not right now. Three's quite enough, thank you. Oh aye, and not forgetting the two step-dugs.

Big Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15718421848578901920noreply@blogger.com0