Five Corners at Claonairigh

Too tired for anything but the "then".....sorry!!

2009-07-05T15:02:00.000Z

The “Then” blog. For details see entry for March 7th 2009. In brief the restoration of Claonairigh House.
Sunday July 5th
Caravan park
Very hot clear day
Today Garret and I moved a very large mound of dead Rhododendron bush 50yds to the right! We were clearing a space behind the mass of still living rhododendron for the caravan, boat, trailer etc. We also met the “neighbours” from The Kennels up the road. Pleasant friendly folk.

"Here is the weather forecast rain for the 3rd July"...then and now the same with some lightning thrown in today for good measure.

2009-07-03T15:00:00.002Z

The “Then” blog. For details see entry for March 7th 2009. In brief the restoration of Claonairigh House.
Friday July 3rd
Inveraray caravan Park
Heavy rain with clear spells.
Visited solicitor in Lochgilphead. All going ahead, has purchased the superiority of the feu from Argyll Estates. Briefly visited the house. Some one ? on behalf of Bidwell’s has removed the cottage roofs. The roses at the back of the house rambling up the wall to the first story and over the garden wall are breathtaking both in their beauty and smell. They are very small delicate ivory flowers and a pleasure to look at. No further tiles have gone which is a relief; we met Mr Hendry on the way back to the camp site through the forest. He saw 6 deer in the paddock recently.

Last Day of Term.....

2009-07-01T08:03:00.003Z

A very happy Smiley Freya with her two trophies, one for Sports and the other for Creative Writing...pretty much sums her up really. The other photos are Toby chilling out at Lindsay's in the afternoon after the traumas of rising before 11 to attend the Primary school Assembly.

The “Then” blog. For details see entry for March 7th 2009. In brief the restoration of Claonairigh House.
Tuesday June 30th 1992
Milarrochy Bay.
Drizzling and cloudy, clearer in the evening.
Contacted solicitor and architect today. Architect has contact with a previous owner of Claonairigh whose sister happens to be a historian who is kindly putting some notes together on the history of the house. He also took his wife and children to see the house when passing this morning. Wide was impressed. They are really giving very good support with their enthusiasm.

Having never won a 10k before I win two in one day!!!

2009-06-28T19:11:00.003Z

This was a local 10k organised by a friend in aid of the Community Hall at Achnamara and jolly tough it was too! The day has been warm but overcast and at times the breeze was so non existent that it felt (I imagine having never done this exactly) like running into an oven on pizza cooking mode. I set off fully feeling the four glasses of wine imbibed with Garret at The George last night when the run seemed, oh...hours away but was chased by a lady from Glasgow for the first 4.5 k up hill and down dale, actually scrap the down dale bit as there was not too much of that at all. Water stations were plentiful and provided a welcome opportunity to fling ice cold water over one's head and to feel it sizzle its way down your back before evaporating. At about 5k I lost my shadowing running pal at a water halt and was on my own from there on in. Despite the promise of "downhill from 7k onwards" I distinctly found three significant ups but hey was first lady home AND first old lady so, two medals in teh one day. And a spot prize of a gorgeous mug too. No wonder I am smiling!

Gorgeous

2009-06-25T16:40:00.002Z

This view was definitely the pay off for a long heavy run last night. Taken on the phone down Loch Fyne and above Furnace at about 9.15pm. Oh, and some random foxgloves providing a jolly good excuse to stop and be appreciative.

A big Cup Cake for a Big Birthday

2009-06-25T16:38:00.003Z

A reet good day.

2009-06-22T18:01:00.002Z

Since pulling my adductor tendon last year I have taken great care with my creakily ageing body being cautious at the slightest twinge and reining in the training at any sign of a twinge. So, yesterday I spent 5 hours essentially doing continuous squats with my right leg whilst the left knee rested on the ground. Then I shovelled about ½ ton of sand back into a large square bag from the High School revered astra turf providing good entertainment for the many Dads standing around who all presumably had notes from their Drs to say they could not help. My osteopath will be delighted at being able to fund another child through private school as a result of my efforts. Despite arriving late at the annual Sports day for athletics club the request for help could not be ignored in their hour (nearer 5)of need. However all moaning aside it was a great day and I thoroughly enjoyed being part of it. In my opinion marking the jumpers in the long jump was THE most important job in the field (of course) the pressure was huge but the entertainment factor massive especially with the little ones. The pressure came with the U17 boys who demanded proof of the slightest slip (fingers down behind) . Luckily the crowds had gathered and I had corroboration from all around. The crowning moment came when Toby and Eric battled it out on the long jump for overall first place in the u15s. Toby had three firsts and a second, Eric four firsts. If Eric won he would win the category, if Toby won they would draw. Here comes the commentary..cue the hushed tomes aka the Olympics if you can and enjoy.
The first jump was good, not over long but good and Eric beat it. The second jump was no jump as the toe was over the line...Eric starts to celebrate...the third jump yes...beat Eric’s best at 4m17. Here comes Eric making a good run for it, he is up, he lands...it’s looking good, I bend to measure, the voice in my head “no pressure” and yes! Clearly 4m12..Corroboration from the other judge and a relieved Toby. So what is a sore muscle or two compared to such joy and pleasure. A great, friendly competition.

Flying high on Friday

2009-06-13T12:06:00.006Z

Friday started normally enough as Fridays often do with the children chivvied off to school slightly happier than usual with the weekend looming and then into puzzling over who ordered which breakfast and how many don't want sausages etc etc. I ignored the ringing phone as is my wont as it would be 1. the quarry 2. the woollen Mill 3. someone silly cold calling. In all three of these scenarios it is by far preferable if Garret picks up the call. Once breakfasts were on the table I delivered the usual cuppa to Mr C. lying in state upstairs to find that after all the call was for me. The offer of a trip out in Howard and Mynra's plane if I could get myself to Oban. Hmm difficult choice, doing the rooms and then running 7-8 miles with Liz or going flying on a gorgeous day. An hour later I was on my way to Oban with cold box in the boot so I could shop before hand. With typical Fee like behaviour I started my worrying when approaching the airport, no, not about the flight but about where to park, where to meet H and M and what if I could not find them.....worry worry worry...However as I drew into the neat and small car park there they were leaning on the railings outside a toy sized modern terminal building. It was so lovely to see them and they gave me the treat of a lifetime and a memory to treasure for ever. that sounds such as easy thing to say but it was a sliver of time that will always remain special. We flew from Oban over Loch Awe and onto Inveraray, in miniature Dun Na Cuiche does not look so high as it does from sea level! Over Inveraray we went and then over our house (I spotted a few new tracks for running.....) and then down Loch Fyne to Lochgilphead. The return journey up the coast was magical, and I was resistant to an offer to take the controls in case I missed something! Man may have done some terrible things to the landscape but the wee sails in all colours racing along below and the wind farms lazily turning on the hillside were all part of the day's tremendous beauty. Down again safely we headed to Benderloch to round off a perfect day with a perfect coffee and a perfect scone. By the time I got home Garret had taken off on an offer to go riding and so it was back into family life and teatime. I tried to sneak out for a quick run, just 5 flattish miles or so but got caught by Garret returning so the five flattish turned into 7 challenging.....Only problem now is which photos to publish out of so many perfect ones. If you can bear to look at more the full album is on facebook.
In the usual way i have managed to upload the pictures all in the wrong order and my tummy is grumbling for it's lunch now so no re jogging today.
1. Coast going North to Oban
2. Our House with Loch Fyne in the background
3. Our House
4. Inveraray
5. Loch awe
6. Coming in to land
7. plane and passengers
8. Howard and Myrna
9. Parking the plane without the benefit of parking sensors.

Just the then bit....Wednesday June 10th

2009-06-13T12:01:00.001Z

The “Then” blog. For details see entry for March 7th 2009. In brief the restoration of Claonairigh House.
Wednesday June 10th
Today Garret and Peter bought some beautiful oak doors, superb quality from an auction at Dewsbury. They also bought some light oak doors and some that were sprayed white, also oak. Another purchase was s red sink and drainer ready to be inset into some tiles for the mill.

Just the"then" bit

2009-06-08T13:21:00.001Z

The “Then” blog. For details see entry for March 7th 2009. In brief the restoration of Claonairigh House.
Monday June 8th 1992
G and P bought some lovely gold taps and shower set yesterday to add to the enormous stock of stuff collected from car boots, auctions etc over the last year. The following is an attempt to compile a list of the above:- Generator 110/240v (diesel), wash basin stand, assorted tiles including grey/white for kitchen, and yellowy tiels for the mill kiychens (mainly acquired from a scrap yard following a Discovery crashing full of tiles),a cooker oven (surplus to requirements after a re wire), and hod ditto, very greasy but will clean up. A multitude of aluminium tower scaffolding (auction in Selby), two Sthil chain saws 22” blades (Car boots) and a Sthil quick cut saw. Two pine kitchen units (retrieved from Skips in Leeds), one beautiful pine kitchen cupboard (auction), ventaxia extractor fan and control unit (car boot sale). Wood preservative, massive amounts, wood dyes, wood filler, putty, trowelling mastic, copper pipe, lead rolls for flashing (about one ton of!)screws, various sizes 1/2"-4", brass screws,brick laying trowels, float, browning floats, mobile chicken wire dispenser, wire netting (various sizes, some plastic coated) dishwasher powder, brillo pads, and scrubber and six pairs of waterproof leggings and tops. All from the auction of an old family firm in Goole. Beautiful dark wood chair (Sylvia), a printer's box and blocks from the car boot sale. brass door hinges, fifteen pairs of, nails (various sizes), galvanised nails, clout nails, liqueur glasses (12), one set of antlers, electrical cable, electrical sockets, switches etc, light fittings,steel toe capped wellington boots, picks,shovels, spades, spits, chisels, lathe chisels, hammers, block and tackle, pullies, one ton chain lift,lifting eyes, lifting chains, shackler etc (all lifting equipment from an auction in Wakefield- otherwise car boot sales). Copper and brass fittings eyes. Scaffold boards, conduit bending machine, more shovels and brushes (auction in Rothwell bought at the same times as Sam Chadwick Ltd edition prints x4...he died the following week....).Pots and pans (including one large jam pan). tubs of grease, a minature anchor, rope etc, etc, etc......

I don't like the sound of all those lists he's making - it's like taking too many notes at school; you feel you've achieved something when you haven't

2009-06-06T18:21:00.006Z

In a life governed by lists (shopping,obviously things to do today, things to do tomorrow, things that can be put off but not forgotten,lists for me, lists for Garret (they are nearly always ignored and hang around for years getting dusty), for the kids. I would even do them for the dogs if they could read. At Christmas the list mania goes into overdrive in a serious and some say, troubling way) it is inevitable that I should discover on-line training programmes that so neatly "list" a running schedule which I can, so satisfyingly tick off at the end of each run and anally jot down times, distances and weekly total (yes I really do) on my iphone. I love my iphone! Sadly the "mapmyrun" application stubbornly refuses to work on my machine so I have to manually enter the runs which accounts for the wobbly lines. Today was 3-4 miler,I did 4, not necessarily following the "fast and steady" instructions as advised but hey ho.Liz and I did a very pleasant 6 or so on Friday but no way could I map it even using the satellite map as it winds round and about the trees and wanders around Minard generally. We have had a very good week guest wise with some really nice people staying including some staying all week this week. We get nothing but the best here!

Title is a quote by Dodie Smith from "I capture the Castle"

Animals enjoying the sun in Argyll

2009-06-03T13:17:00.003Z

Its Official...it really is....the Official Race Report

2009-05-31T15:13:00.003Z

(and unofficially I am glad it is all over!!)

A lovely warm day greeted the starters for the inaugural Dun na Cuiche run sponsored by Inveraray Jail on Saturday May 30th. The 29 strong field left the Jail at 11am prompt making its way through the tourists admiring Loch Fyne and on into the castle grounds. The field was led all the way by the eventual winners from Arran Runners with the rest of the competitors fighting their own personal battles be it against the 236m hill or fellow club runners along the way. The friendly rivalry made for some very good times. The majority of the climb was shaded by the trees which was very welcome on one of the warmest days so far this year. The view from the top was not admired by many, except the marshals before powering it back down to the finish line in the Castle grounds. Nick Emsley and Paul Cameron both from Arran runners battled it out in the final stages for first place with Nick making it over the finish line with 8 seconds to spare. Both walked away with Quaiches in the end with Nick as overall winner 28.46 and Paul as first Junior 28.54. First male veteran and third overall went to Paul Thompson from Helensborough. There was an excellent showing from the Mid Argyll triathlon and cycle club with Stephen Whiston , Toby Corner (Inveraray Jogscotland) , Matt Donald and Peter Robertson jostling for position throughout the race. Toby won through in the end crossing the line (with only one shoe!) in 31.33, his first adult race and first local home. First female home was veteran Fiona Corner (MATCC and Jogscotland Inveraray) in 38.59, first female senior was Naomi Dixon, MATCC in 41.02. Third lady over the line was Liz Feeney ,fellow MATCC member in 41.31.First female junior, also running in her first race was Naomi Sturrock, 44.14 who only started running with the newly formed jogscotland Inveraray group 6 weeks ago. Tribute must also be paid to the dedication of Lynn Walker who despite a bad fall continued run over a km to finish nearly 2 minutes under her personal goal of 60 minutes. The organisers wish to thank all their sponsors Inveraray Jail, David and Kathy from Londis, Inveraray and Rhia and Shannon from Argyll Adventure who made the best tablet ever to replace that lost energy. The marshals and line judges did a fantastic job on a busy Saturday as did the volunteer first Aiders Bill and Fiona Nelson. The Duke of Argyll presented the Quaiches and prizes in the castle grounds.

The “Then” blog. For details see entry for March 7th 2009. In brief the restoration of Claonairigh House.
Sunday May 30th 1992
At Last-we have a date for completion. July 1st so it’s all go! We are all going up there on June 29th after Deborah’s (Cousin) wedding. G and P have great plans to re-glaze the house and make it secure asap.
Someone at work asked me if we would get the keys when we complete!!

PS The writers of this blog would like to point out that the photo order no way reflects the true order of runners merely an ongoing cack-handedness at photo uploading!

Sunday May 24th

2009-05-25T16:39:00.004Z

Finally D day arrived after a sleepless night despite the carbo loading the night before (how many carbs does a glass of wine have, and is drinking it what they mean by "keep up a good fluid intake"......?)Trying to force a power building breakfast into a protesting stomach is not easy especially when the same stomach is demanding frequent visits to the smallest room. We made it down to a chilly but dry Campbeltown in enough time to register but not too much time to panic (much). After last minute dithers re a jacket (sooooo glad I didn't) we were off. The 10ks and the half marathoners were together for the first 3/4 mile or so and then went our separate ways. In our case the course headed out of Campbeltown and towards the golf course. We hit the dunes then the beach at 5 miles and off at 6.5 or so. Hmmm this was not my favourite bit, very picturesque and cool but those dunes! Took me a while to get the rhythm back into my lower legs after that. Garret's encouraging chat and easy lolloping run had begun to irritate me by mile 9 but I restrained from stabbing him or even responding (mainly) due to 1. couldn't catch him and 2. no breath left. We will draw a veil over the blister forming miles from 9-11 but mile 12-13 were great! Straight down into the town and towards the ever loader shouts from pal Simone at the finish line who having completed her 10k was on the look out. In a nail biting finish when a sprinter shot passed me in the last few 10s of yards which Garret could not tolerate under any circumstances and so beat him to the line easily! I made it in 1hr 47 mins and 59 seconds....10 mins of my previous so a chuffed bunny indeed. G 48th overall, me 51st, 9th woman to finish and 7th veteran woman! The children however put us to shame as they got trophies! Toby first finisher in his 2k, Rosie 2nd girl in the same race and Freya 1st girl in her 1k race. So, a great day out and the only casualty is a toe on my left foot which is bruised and blistered making slippers the footwear of choice today!

The “Then” blog. For details see entry for March 7th 2009. In brief the restoration of Claonairigh House.
Sunday May 24th 1992
We have contacted two architects in Lochgilphead, one of whom is very interested in the restoration of historic buildings. He seems very positive about the whole project which is encouraging. We are awaiting a quote. The other chap had some useful info on grants etc which look hopeful. G has bought some kitchen cupboards. We decided that a fitted kitchen would not be right. One is particularly impressive. Very tall its top cupboard hides rows and rows of little spice/herb drawers. I have always wanted some drawers of this type. We can now hopefully see an end to all this bargaining which is a relief. It would be a wonderful anniversary present to get it all settles at last.

Ten weary miles on...even the dogs were knackered!

2009-05-15T19:35:00.003Z

A wee trip round Loch Glashan with Liz and the dogs today before the rains came. Lucy realised what was afoot early on and paced herself but Ginny did not need to. Every so often her little black head would pop back over the crest of a hill to check our plodding progress. My legs were definitely heavy and the brain sore too I think. It took me a good long time to add up my mileage over the last two weeks and to come up with 53.3 miles. The litany of aches and pains grew as the miles clocked up and it made me feel so much better to list them all out loud. liz generously tolerated this foible for at least a mile. Who needs way markers when, for example,the tummy gets hungry at 2 miles,the right hip reliably and regularly starts to ache at 6 miles followed by various ailments both imaginary and real roving up and across the body with abandon? Liz beat me with a sprint to the car fair and square...(well, she did have Molly pulling her along on the lead but who would be churlish enough to note that, not me for sure......). We had a mutual confession as soon as the car was reached that internally we had been willing the other to drop to a walk at any point. However we are obviously made of sterner stuff and so celebrated by falling upon a packet of Rollo's lurking in my car. Fab soup at Liz's with toast and salmon finished a perfect (I can say that now) exercise routine nicely. All aches and pains forgotten and forgiven.The finger nails are rapidly disappearing and so that can only mean RACE DAY next weekend.
1hr 29 mins and 57s!!

To Edinburgh and back again....

2009-05-15T19:26:00.002Z

Freya and three of her class mates made it through to a Euro Quiz final and so travelled to the big City on Monday to represent Argyll and Bute at the Parliament and a final involving about 25 teams, including one from Ireland and one from Germany. They took their places in the debating chamber usually reserved for MPs etc. and were a credit to their school and county.The questions were not easy and the relief all round when it was over and the two winning teams were left to battle it out for first place was palpable. They really enjoyed their day of being treated with respect and acknowledged for their achievement in getting to the final.

Sunday May 10th. Isle of Bute triathlon

2009-05-15T19:21:00.003Z

More athletic endeavours this weekend with Garret and Toby braving the weather (not bad as it turned out!) to compete in The Bute Triathlon which is held...surprisingly on Bute accessed by the most expensive ferry ride in Europe. I stayed behind to make beds and breakfasts, bathing in Toby's reflected glory when they got back. First place in the Novice race both in the juniors and seniors. That's ma boy!!

End of another week

2009-05-08T09:46:00.003Z

A bright (at times...) breezy, rainy, unpredictable Scottish day to mark yet another end of week. End of term tests are dominating Toby's life and hence ours at the moment. We have also survived a Swine Flu crisis as Toby definitely had it yesterday morning but has proved a medical miracle by throwing it off by home time.I am in a state of the old usual boring pre race panic intensified by two runs in quick succession...the second arranged by us. I have exacerbated the nerves this morning by looking at the web site for the 1/2 marathon and discovering a count down clock...what sadist thought of that one?! (16 days 0 hours 14 minutes and 56 seconds..oops no, now 55, 54,53...well you get the idea of bubbling hysteria I am sure). The PB at the week end has now receded into a series of excuses:-
a) Fluke
b) Familiar course
c) Glasgow guy pulled me along
d) Tail wind...actually that one is not true......

The “Then” blog. For details see entry for March 7th 2009. In brief the restoration of Claonairigh House.
Friday May 8th
The superiority of the feu now belongs to us in return for £1,000 plus legal costs...except for the fishing rights. The Estate maintains the rights of Salmon fishing. Some burdens imposed by Eagle Star still exist but we have a waiver over caravans for 2 years. So, once more it is all on again. We are awaiting Mrs Martin’s return from 3 weeks holiday (What’s a holiday??) to give a preliminary report into planning permission.

Yipee...a PB!

2009-05-03T19:56:00.004Z

Today was a day of sunshine, showers and hail...the perfect choice for a 10k over the hills and far away! The intrepid Trio (Garret, Liz and I) arrived at the start in Lochgilphead in a hail storm....The others were smug in their preparedness whereas I worried about getting soaked to the skin just getting to register. Never mind, I like to run cold I thought, it is what I do. The run started in pleasantly warmish sun and continued to stay warm for the first 5-6k or so until I crested the brow of a hill running alongside a guy from Glasgow. This is the great thing about running, get yourself attached to someone just slightly faster and let them do the running for you, plus you get a good old chat too! So,I had company as I toppled over the top of the hill and into the accompanying hailstorm simultaneously.This was made soooo much better by the self satisfied feeling I had had less than three minutes previously about a vest and running shorts being the appropriate way to dress for such a warm day! Anyway, Mr Glasgow headed off after hearing that my estimated finish time was 50 minutes but by keeping him well in my sights I managed 46 so well chuffed, Garret did 43, and Liz 48 something and so no grumpy, long depressed faces here tonight, until the next race that is.

PS Cake made by Toby on our return.

PPS I didn't mention that I was second female home did I???

A week with no running.... Arghhhhh!!

2009-05-02T16:02:00.004Z

Not only that but a 10k tomorrow with muscles that have inexorably slid back into moaning about running a mile or less. A twinge or two (or three or four) of some kind of tendinitis along the front of my left leg forced me to abandon the 1/2 marathon training temporarily in an attempt to stay in tomorrows race. This came on following the sponsored walk, or to be more accurate during it,my solution to this is not to walk anywhere any more. I shall run or be pushed by an available off spring in an upright metal tipped up thingy with wheels like delivery men use to trundle around heavy packages. I did potter along with Inveraray jogscotland (we had an article in the local paper no less...in the sports pages too!!) but missed the sprints having to watch the poor souls from the sidelines. Hopefully next week I can join in too. A peaceful week here with some very amicable guests who like some kind of flip side to me walk everywhere...well they have to really as they have no car! They are very committed to this and don't even accept lifts offered into Inveraray! They do it for fun, still it is a very nice walk. Off now to rescue the burning chicken from the oven...no, it is not the one previously featured although I am keeping my beady eye on her!

Caught in the Act

2009-04-29T17:45:00.004Z

IRREFUTABLE PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE

EXHIBIT ONE- THE EVIDENCE OF THE CRIME

EXHIBIT TWO- THE PERPETRATOR

EXHIBIT THREE- GUILTY AS CHARGED AND DOING A RUNNER

EXHIBIT FOUR- THE SENTENCE...No appeal pending

PS Didn't really.....

oopps forgot this one of the boys!!!!

2009-04-26T16:14:00.002Z

More sponsoring...

2009-04-26T15:58:00.006Z

Today was a walk along a misty Loch Fyne from Furnace to Inveraray with enthusiastic parents and teaching staff (well, the ones that we shamed, cajoaled and down right bullied anyway) striding along and gossiping. The girls and I maintained a steady position mid field so nothing too strenuous especially as I have a sore leg following the run yesterday. On occasion we were tempted to slow as the group behind were having a good laugh at something..the view maybe......It is lovely to get together as a group like that and the feast in the School was the best!! Nothing gets the old legs going quite so well as the promise of cake.

I am soooo Slow!!!

2009-04-25T20:22:00.005Z

I seem to have lost the plot after 5 intensive weeks of pre half marathon training and did an incredibly slow 10 miles today.....I am off to bed now in the full expectation of waking with lots of aches and pains......
PS plus I have got all the pictures in the wrong order!
1.Placing signs for tomorrows sponsored walk.
2.Me in the distance (best place for me)
3.The girls overtake
4.Patteran left for girls
5.The start.
6. Just before the rain.....
7. Me and ma pacer....

Legs ache so it is Thursday.

2009-04-23T10:52:00.003Z

A good slog last night at jogscotland mid Argyll as we tackled the 6 mile/10k course set for The Anthony Nolan run next Sunday. We shivered and shook waiting for the off as the day had turned really chilly but all that was soon forgotten as the first hill approached. With Garret off like a hare from more or less the off (there was an enquiry as to whether my training plan said slow or fast for this one? The reply seemed to make his mind up and he cruised off easily) leaving me with a guy tracking me for the first two miles and then he too effortlessly swung away from me and my tired legs.It is a lovely course with decent but not too steep hills (I can say this now!). The rest of the race was uneventful, up to a point. This point was near the end when my oxygen starved brain told the legs to do an extra (very short) bit and then cut off a longer bit. Garret kindly pointed out my error as I approached the finish so I ran back a-ways until June put me out of my misery by telling me that she thought I had made up the distance. She also scooped up the in-front-of-me guy who had gone more wrong than me.....It was great to see everyone finishing and smiling as they did it, cept me of course I was CROSS!!!