going to 9000 ft with a Chief Writer

Just an amazing day yesterday. We climbed up some of Mount Ranier yesterday in beautiful conditions. We got up to 9000ft, just below a rock called Anvil Rock (over Keith's shoulder in one of the phots).

Also, a sneaky phot of Mike with his board on our day surfing.

Keith goes home tomorrow, and we've really ejoyed having him around.

second cyclocross win of the season!

Might be quicker if I got on it eh?

Evergreen Academy was the venue for the first of the Seattle Cyclocross series. I was racing in the men 35+ cat 4 for the first time today. The weather was far too good for 'cross, sunny with highs in the mid 70's today. The course was fast and flat with the usual twists and turns and a fairly big run up. I started ok, and caught the wheel of the leader after about half of the first lap, and held him until the second lap. I ran past him on the run up, and pushed on to win by about 45 seconds after 5 laps. 70+ riders in our category.

Drew's team also won 5-1 yesterday. Warriors won, Heriots lost to West of Scotland (gutted).

Off to Ranier tomorrow with Keith.

More of Drew's Soccer

Last weekend's game was a narrow loss, alas 3-2. I have been roped into coaching again (my 3rd caoching position this year!!), so there's a wee phot of me giving my version of Jim Telfer's "SAS" speech to the troops. More soccer today, cyclocross racing tomorrow. Also played my second round with Keith yesterday at Gold Mountain. The course was really superb - undulating and tree lined with some superb views of Gold Mountain and the Olympic Mountain range. We're surfing today at Westport, and hopefully we'll get in a hike on Mt Ranier before Keith goes home on Wednesday.

Good to see Glasgow beating the Scarlets, but for the perfect weekend, Heriot's need to beat West. C'mon Heriots!!!

First golf of the year

Keith is over visiting right now and were out yesterday for a round. We played at a course near Port Orchard, about 25 minutes noth of here, called McCormick Woods. It was a cracking day, and we thoroughly enjoyed the course. It was in geat condition. All the fairways were lined with trees with houses nestling in behind. Also plenty of water! Keith of course won (2&1) but I gave him a run for his money - not bad after a year without a swipe at the wee white ball.

First cyclocross win!!!

I raced Starcrossed up in Redmond near Seattle on Saturday. I raced Masters 35+ cat 3/4 and got 6th, 1 place outside the prizes. I was pretty pleased, though becasue I arrived 15 minutes before the start, and raced without preriding the course in the pouring rain. I was 4th row in the grid, so I made in up from about 40th to 6th in 6 laps (about 80 starters).

Sunday was the RAD Racing GP at Steilacoom with the young fellas in cat 4 men. I started well and led after a lap. From lap 1 to to the finish I was followed by a rider from Vancouver BC and we created a pretty good gap. He had my wheel all the way to the final sprint, but I managed to leave him behind on the final straight.

Sorry about the scruffy jeans, Mum.

Round the keeper....shoots....GOALLLLLLLLLL!!!!

Drew's team won their second game last Saturday, against a team from Federal Way near Tacoma. Drew also scored his first goal!! He got the ball at the dge of the box and beat the keeper to put the ball in the net at the narrowest of angles - luckily captured on film (see below). Naturally, i nearly died of pride!!

Drew signed by Gig Harbor Thunderbolts!!

Drew' first game of football, sorry, soccer today for his new football club ended in a famous victory and cookies. 3-2 against some bunch from Tacoma.

Ailsa's first day

Ailsa's first day riding the bus and in the classroom!! She loved every minute and is already looking forward to the next day! Here's a few photos from her new school.

Two race weekend

Two bike races this weekend. I raced in Brenmerton which is a town about 25 miles north of Gig Harbor, and has a Naval base. The race was a town centre short circuit lap race (criterium). I got into a break, but we were caught with 2 laps to go. I had enough left in the tank for the sprint but got it all wrong and got into the wrong position. Had to settle for 4th - still, not too bad.

After the race we had a wonder around the Blackberry festival on the waterfront in Bremerton and enjoyed the fabulous selction of freshly cooked food they put on there. All in all, a grand day out!

In the break:
















Sunday was the first race of the cyclocross season at Seatac: The Labor Day Championships. I raced in cat 4 (with all the youngesters) and Summer raced in women's cat 4. Summer was in her first bike race for some time and did an awesome job, finnishing 11th. I got 3rd. Photos to come, hopefully.