Mum took us to a few open doors for the Open Doors event in Edinburgh this past weekend. Click on the image across to see a few photos.
Project winter is changing quicker than I can settle on what I want to do. Trying to narrow the project down at the moment.
Jim.
Autumn is here and it's time for a project. Part 1 is under way.
Jim.
Here's a photo of Henry over the last 3 years. It's terrifying how much he's changing. You don't see it day to day, but when you compare photos it's nuts.
Click on the image to enlarge.
Jim.
Again, I have neglected the shed. I've a good reason, I've been mega busy at work. The Edinburgh festival brings us lots of work, so it's been mental.
We also went away on holiday to Blair Atholl. Click on the image to see a few photos of the holiday.
Jim.
I can't believe it's been over a month and a half since my last post on the shed. I'm blaming the heat wave we've had, the unnatural temperatures plays havoc with Scottish blood, it makes us want to drink and laze about as out bodies think they are in the Algarve.
Since my last post, our loft bumbles bees have moved on. I'm going to have a dig through the loft insulation and try and find the remains of their nest, I also made a nice movie about Daisy cycling, click on the image across to see AND I've training with the EH Star cycling club. Most of them maniacally fast, so I'm getting dropped on the hills, but I think I'm getting better. I've got Tour of The Borders coming up in a months time and should best last years time as a result of the training. Carol is also riding the TOTB again, but she's apprehensive as her training plan isn't going to plan.
We also went to the Hearts vs Caley game on Sunday, but the least said about that the better. Click here to see a few photos from the game.
We're off on another Scottish mini break soon, so no doubt will be posting about that soon.
Jim.
Our neighbour spotted, what she thought, wasps going in and out of roof space. I went into the loft to inspect, only to discover it was bumble bees.
Turns out that the bees we have are Tree Bumblebees. Originally from Europe, they've only been in he UK since 2013 and are apparently much tougher that our regular 'fluffy' bumblebees and not prone to the same parasites that are slowly killing off the native bumblebee population.
My plan is to leave them bee, (I thank you!) as nests usually have a life span of 8-12 weeks. What was cool on discovering the nest was the sound of the constant buzzing, either for communication or the keep the nest cool as it's pretty toasty in our loft, there's a strange harmonic to it. So, I'm going head back into the loft and record the sound of the bee's nest.
Jim.
Today is Uncle Tims birthday. He turns 45 today, stunnard, 5 years till' you're 50!
Yesterday was the Blackhall Community Sports Day. It was probably the muggiest day I've ever experienced in Scotland and it reminded me of my time in China. We got a few good results in the races. Henry came 1st in the sprint and Daisy got 2nd in the skipping race and 3rd in the 3 legged race with Abbie.
Click on the image across to see photos.
Jim.
Wow, time is chucking it past right now. I think because we are having a 'proper' summer with real sunshine we are able to do stuff, believe it or not, outside, hence the time flyby.
The kids had their School sports day last week. Click on the image across to see. I also took some fun studio shots of the kids, which can be seen here.
Jim.
Yesterday was a nice day, so we took a walk over the Forth Road Bridge. TBH, I wasn't too comfortable being that high up, I'm fine cycling over it, but walking is different as you can feel the bridge move when the buses drive passed.
Click on the image across to see.
Jim.
It's a bit late, but here a few photos from our Easter holiday in Strathyre.
Click on the image across to see.
Jim.
It's Henry's 6th birthday today. He was most impressed with his camo PS4 controller and his Inverness Caley football shorts. He plans on spending his day playing games.
Jim.
This is my 1st attempt at a 'tiny planet' photo and I'm pleased with the imaged. I'd like to do more of these.
Jim.
There's been a bit of snow of late.
The government said there was a risk to life if you travel to work this morning.
Click on the image across to see some photos.
Jim.
Today we went along to the Blackhall Sports Association fund raiser.
Click on the image across to see photos and listen to audio from the day.
So far so good with my 52 week project. You can see how I'm getting on here.
Jim.
Wow, those last couple of week flew by, must have been the quickest holiday I've ever had. We were pretty busy with Xmas, Daisy's birthday, trip to Inverness and we had a proper, and I mean a proper spring clean in the house.
Click on the image across to see photos from Daisy's birthday. There are also photos from our trip to Inverness here.
The only new years resolution for me this year is to try an take a portrait photo of someone every week for a year. I've almost already failed. See how I get on here.
Jim.
Another super Christmas done. Next stop, Daisy's birthday on Thursday.
Click on the image across to see photos from Xmas day. Also click here to see a few photos from boxing day, we got our first snow of the year today. It was proper Scottish snow, slush.
Jim.
Got a spare 10 minutes? then listen to this years Christmas story starring the Walker-Lyons.
Jim.
Yea, it's Christmas and again we time-lapsed the tree build and decorations. Click the image across to see.
Jim.
Henry needed a new photo taken so that someone who doesn't know him can track his movements. It turned into a bit of fun photo session. Click on the image across to see.
Jim.
The pumpkin is carved are we are stocked up on sweets, which means it's Halloween. A night that supposed to be scary, but the only thing that will frighten me are the rubbish jokes and the pain of my fake smile - 'ha ha ha, 1st time I've heard that' I say as I lie to the wide eyed children waiting for there small packets of future heart disease. I try not to be miserable, but Halloween involves meeting other people within an institution that I'm not interested in, so what do I say? 'Thats a nice costume' or 'Ooo, you look frightening' - these statements are obvious, why do I need to say them? Perhaps alcohol might make things interesting, but I imagine a drunk dad staggering from house to house with a bunch of kids looks for sweets would make the morning news.
Anyhoo, (gritted teeth) happy Halloween...
Jim.
I've helped the kids set up a YouTube gaming channel, which means they play video games and stream it online. Sounds boring I know, but their heroes are on YouTube doing the same and they are fascinated by it. Click on the image across to visit the "Here Munn' YouTube channel.
Jim.
Our new table arrived this week. It's solid oak, which means it was very expensive and we can't put anything on it. It's a waiting game for the first dent, scratch or cup stain to appear. Apart from being non-functional, it looks amazing and I have to say, Carols idea of the bench in a good one as you can fit 3 adults on it comfortably. The kitchen is looking awesome and is the heart of the house now.
Jim.
Damn it! Summer is over...again! The dark and cold awaits and we just have to smile politely and take one for the team! I can't stand winter, it's such a rubbish season. I might have to do what old people do and head south for the winter months, the only problem, I'd lose my job, so it would only work for 1 year! The kids couldn't come with me because of school, I suppose Carol could stay here and look after them! Anyway, that ain't happening. I might have purchase something to cheer my up before we enter our 4 months of dark damp gloominess, perhaps a new bike...perhaps a Mountain Bike...
Jim.
The pic across is from our walk up Corstorphin Hill yesterday.
Yesterday was Tour o The Borders. I'm pleased with my result of under 5 hours for the 75 mile ride. This is an average speed of 15mph. Next year, I'd like to get that upto 16mph.
Click on the image across to see the relive animation of the ride.
Jim.
It was Henry's 1st day of school today. He looked very smart in his uniform, albeit a bit too conformist for my liking, but we'll lose the blazer and the tie for tomorrow.
He was a bit trepidacious when we dropped him off in the classroom, but he was only in class for an hour and a half this morning, his 1st full day is on Monday. Carol said when she picked him up he was fine and that he'd made a new friend.
Jim.
Travel back in time with the shed