Through wind and rain...

Well, yesterday saw me run my first race of the year, as predicted last time I posted. It was the first of my race a month challenge set by the awesome Just Frances. This will see us get through 2012 with a minimum of one organised race a month. We already have a few mapped out and a few gaps in the schedule, but yesterday was the day we got it all kicked off.

And, to be honest, weather-wise, we would have struggled to get a worse day - short of blizzard conditions, that is! As Frances tells me, she's run in colder conditions, but yesterday was the whole package of yukky conditions - rain, strong headwind, bitingly cold, with muddy and uneven conditions underfoot. Added to our combined lack of training, we were fearing the worst. To be honest, I was convinced I was likely to come last having looked at last year's results. And while I'm not running to win, if I'm entirely honest, I find coming last a real problem.

But as it turns out, I did ok. My time wasn't the best (1:04:51 - my slowest yet for a 10k), and my running certainly wasn't elegant. But I didn't disgrace myself - I wasn't last, I managed to run the whole race without stopping and I crossed the finish line with some (but not a lot) of puff left. And while I was shattered afterwards and in my bed by 9pm last night, today I'm not feeling too bad at all. A few twinges but no crippling muscle strains or aching joints.

And surprising amounts of energy - must be all those endolphins. Either that or my post race nutrition - it's all about eating and drinking the right things after all...

Countdown

I was going to blog today about how we're now firmly in the countdown to Christmas (unless you're Frances, of course, who - rightly - refuses to contemplate Christmas until Thanksgiving is over with). I was going to complain about how busy I am and how I'm panicking about being behind the curve with my Christmas preparations.

But I did enough complaining last night.

Instead, I want to blog about what happened to me today. Or this evening to be more accurate. And not to me, but to one of our local communities - Callander.

I blogged at the weekend that I was spending the next few days working with Callander on a Charrette approach to masterplanning. Well, 120 hours and lots of talking, arguing, debating and refining later, the project has ended and tonight the Masterplan proposals were handed over to the community to take forward. We've counted down to hour zero. A vision has been developed that will see everyone pulling together to make Callander a vibrant and successful town that harnesses the benefits of tourism without being swamped by it, that transforms itself from faded grandeur to outdoor capital, and that pulls its community back together at the same time.

It was a great night tonight and genuinely inspiring. I had, and still have, a huge grin on my face that won't wipe off. A few of us have been working for some time to make this a reality, to help the town and its residents work out what it is they want, how they can make the best of the truly stunning place that they live - and tonight it all came together.

Sometimes, just sometimes, those long hours and head numbing frustrations are worth it. And tonight was one of those. Well done, guys - here's to you. Thanks for letting me share the ride...

I spy...

 

There were a couple of things I could have written about under tonight's blog post title, but the other one needs a bit more work and will need to wait for another day.

So, tonight. It never ceases to amaze me at how unobservant people can be. Even with things that are plain in front of them, some people just cannot see. 

It's like when you get your hair cut and no-one notices for a week or two, and then someone says 'Have you changed your hair or something?' Only about a month ago! Or when my colleagues at work were amazed that photos of me as a child didn't have red hair - they thought the colour I am now was natural. Now, this might be a great compliment to my hairdresser, but it's not really a good advert for anyone's common sense. What hair do you know changes colour every 3 months?  I mean, really....

And it's not just hair styles or colours. I don't know how many times I've pointed things out to people who've worked in and around Stirling far longer than I have, that they just haven't seen. Mainly because they've never lifted their eyes above head height. I've said before, Stirling is a fantastic place, jam packed with quirky details and magnificent buildings, if you only take the time to stop and stare.

So, tomorrow (or even tonight!), why not try looking twice at some of the things around you and in front of you, and see what you can see and read from them. You might be surprised!

Friday nights are...

...cocktails night! Or at least they have been since the awesome Just Frances has been in town.

And tonight was no exception. We spent the evening, after a homecooked meal back at Frances new flat, down at the Junk Rooms - drinking delicious decadent cocktails, browsing the owner's new, old book purchases and generally just having fun.

A great way to spend the evening, and one which I'd seriously recommend any time you're in Stirling. Doesn't have to be a Friday night either. But if you're going to drop by, don't forget to give Frances and me a shout and we'll join you there!

And if that doesn't entice you, maybe the wallpaper in the ladies' toilets will...

Keep on runnin'

It's been a while since I last bored you with stories of my running, and having run my hometown 10k this morning, it's seems an opportune time to start again. And before you say anything, yes, I know I haven't blogged about anything much at all over the summer. Just you wait until October, however, you won't know what's hit you then - more of that another day!

So before telling you about today's race, I think I should clarify that whilst I haven't been writing about running in the blogging ethosphere, that doesn't mean I haven't been banging on about in real life to anyone who will listen. Although it would probably be more accurate to say I've been boring them with tales of NOT running because I feel I've been doing more of that recently than I have of the real training stuff. 

And you all, of course, remember why I'm training - both the race itself and the worthy cause for which I'm running. Feel free to sponsor me if you haven't already done so [shameless plug completed - read on in safety].

But back to the NOT running. It's been for a variety of reasons. Some of which, yes, are to do with motivation. Others are to do with over busy-ness. But it's also been about injury. Yes, dear reader, I am now a serious runner and can talk about that niggling calf strain or the bad bout of runner's knee I'm suffering from. Which is all good enough reason to justify my rather poor performance in this morning's Stirling 10k. Not only did I not beat my time from last year, I also didn't beat my running companion, Miss Awesome herself, who shot ahead at just after 5km and was but a mere streak of white in the distance for the rest of my race. My age adjusted performance was worse - even though I'm a year older and clearly much fitter (ahem!). 

And to cap it all, the official race photographer (the 'getting less than awesome by the second', Frances) somehow managed to make me look fat in my pre-race photograph. You will understand that it is a trick of the light and that I am in reality a slim svelte size 8, with the well toned body of a 28 year old. 

The only saving grace, I guess, is that there were no post race photographs and I think I managed to dodge any of the real official race photographers on the way round. 

Yeah, maybe I'll go back to not blogging about my running after all...

The joy of ...

Brunch.

I'd forgotten how much fun eating brunch out with company is.

Time to stop soon and go off to find more fun.

Talking sh*t

Today's blog is in celebration of innovative use of social media to communicate a difficult social message about a particular unpleasant piece of highly practised anti social behaviour. Perpetrators don't necessarily see it that way. To many anti social behaviour is about yobs on the street, drunk and swearing and fighting with each other. It's not something that the nicely heeled middle class indulge in. But sadly that's just not true. This particular piece of anti social behaviour is sadly all too common and committed by people from all walks of life.

Well, it's not really the people. No, it's their dogs. And, if you haven't already worked it out - I'm talking shit. Dog shit to be precise. An all too common scourge and hazard on our footpaths. And something that just doesn't need to be there. It's dirty, smelly, dangerous and just basically horrible. It's irresponsible behaviour and it shouldn't be happening.

And so to the social media angle. Launched today by Stirling Council is a new - hopefully to become viral - online campaign, aimed at encouraging local dog owners to 'bag it and bin it' rather than just let their dogs curl one out and leave it for the joy and delight of everyone else. It's a brave piece of action on the part of the Council. It's a light hearted look at the topic but there is every risk that people with sense of humour by-passes will take exception to it. Hopefully they will be few and far between, and they will help to spread the word by bringing attention to the issue rather than stifling it at birth.

So what do you think? Too risque or just good plain fun?




Coincidentally, I also came across another good piece of clever use of popular culture to help embed serious messages. Zombie attacks may sound like a joke or sci fi fantasy, but CDC in America is using the concept as a hook to get across the message of being prepared for more likely events. Good on you, guys. Go for it. Humour wins!!

Lunch stops and coffee shops

I promised, so here they are - Stirling's lunch stops and coffee shops. All hand tested and with the Bex seal of approval.

Drum roll please for....

The Burgh Coffee House
Beanscene
81 Port Street
Cisco's
The Junk Rooms
Clive's at Bridge of Allan
Zak's at the Peak
Old Town Coffee Shop
Darnley Coffee Shop
Unicorn Coffee shop at the Castle
EC's in the Arcade
Pumpkin at the station
The Bistro at the Campus
Corrieri's 
Paparazzi 
Scottish Arts & Antiques Centre at Doune
Sunlite Cafe, Cowane Centre

And if you must, we also have a Costa Coffee and a Cafe Nero. But, really, why would you bother?

Fine dining

Ok, I promised a post on dining in Stirling, so here it is. And be assured, contrary to popular urban myth (fie on my shallow cynical colleagues) there are plenty of great places to eat in Stirling - and you don't even have to take a picnic. Although if you do, we've got great places for them too.

So, here goes. We may not have Michelin stars but we do have:

Restaurants
Ziggy Forelle's
The Terraces
Hermann's
The Bank at Adamo, Stirling
The Junk Rooms
Henderson's at the Albert Halls
The Riverhouse

And, if you're in to Indian, chinese etc food, we've got:
Khushi's
The Cottage
Rana's
Spice Garden
Nando's
The Regent
Wilawan Thai

Slightly further afield we've got:
Nick Nairn at the Doubletree Dunblane Hilton
Adamo at the Queens in Bridge of Allan
Monachyle Mhor
The Lake Hotel at Lake of Mentieth
Braeval at Aberfoyle
The Sheriffmuir Inn
The Gargunnock Inn
The Bistro at the MacRobert
Cromlix House
and of course, if you must, Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles - now it has got Michelin stars

And that's enough for now. I'm starting to feel hungry!!

Stop by later though for coffee shops and lunch stops galore.

Sterling Stirling

As regular readers of this little blog will know, I am a big fan of the place I live - this wonderful city of Stirling. One of my favourite pastimes - apart from running, knitting, drinking wine or dancing tango - is to get out and about around Stirling with my camera. And it's not because I'm easily bored, or because I'm a skinflint - it's just because there genuinely is so much to see and discover in this fair city.

For example, if you like the big set pieces, you'll love our heritage sights - the Castle, the Wallace Monument and Bannockburn Heritage Centre. If you've got little people in tow, or are just young at heart, you won't go wrong with the Old Town Jail, Blairdrummond Safari Park or the Kings Park play area. The Smith Museum with its child friendly dress up box and outdoor adventure garden will probably please too.

Shopaholics will just love the Thistles/Marches shopping mall, Stirling Arcade and just a 5 minute train ride away, the quirky boutique shops of Bridge of Allan. Sporty types are also well catered for, whether it's participating - at the Peak, the University Sports facilities or just getting out and about in the surrounding countryside and hills, including Scotland's first National Park, or spectating there's lots for you too. Go and see the mighly Stirling Albion at Forthbank Stadium, Scotland's only fan owned professional football team. Or pop down to Bridgehaugh and see Stirling County Rugby club strut their stuff on the field. If you fancy a slighty slower pace, try New Williamfield, Stirling's own international standard cricket square. Or even drop by the Peak again to see international hockey, curling or any number of other sports. If you look hard enough there's even Petanque to be found in Stirling!

But the thing I really love most about Stirling is just wandering round and looking at what there is to see. Stirling is one of those places where, if you look hard enough and lift your head (and eyes) above the street in front of you, there is a wealth and abundance of quirky features and beautiful features just waiting to be discovered. And hidden places too. Like Ailie's Garden at the Smith; like Pithy Mary's pond in the Old Town Cemetery; like the views from the Back Walk below the Castle (Europe's best urban walkway); like the Provost's Lamp-post in Cambuskenneth - and many many more.

I could go on but then there'd be nothing for you to discover yourself when you come to Stirling. Because you should, you really should. It's Scotland's newest city and - although I may just be a little biased - its best!

Coming soon - a blog post that scotchs the myth that there's nowhere decent to eat in Stirling. Fie on you for saying that. Meanwhile I'll leave you with another teaser about the fabulous new Royal Apartments at Stirling Castle. If this doesn't capture your attention, nothing will.

Royal appointment

Yesterday evening I was invited to the Palace and was presented to the Queen. That would be James V royal palace at Stirling Castle and the Queen was Mary of Guise.  More accurately she was the Dowager Queen and also Queen Regent to the infant, Mary Queen of Scots.

And how did I get to do that? No, I haven't learned to bend time yet (still working on that one!) but I did get an invitation to a preview before the public opening of the newly renovated Royal Apartments at Stirling Castle. All I can say is £12million definitely very well spent. It is simply sumptuous and I can't wait to go back as a visitor to wander round at my own pace and drink it all in again. (Last night I was forced to hurry off and drink in champagne instead. It's a hard life!)

For those who don't know, James V was the last of the Renaissance Kings in Scotland. He consolidated the Auld Alliance between Scotland and France and was responsible for the Renaissance Court at Stirling Castle, then the seat of Kings in Scotland - and commissioned a new set of Apartments at the Palace for him and his second wife, Mary. Sadly he died before his magnificent Royal Apartments at Stirling were finished, after losing the Battle of Solway Moss and left as his heir his infant daughter, Mary - only 6 days old. Hence, when you see the Apartments now the King's bed is unmade.

What the renovations at the Castle have done is take it back to our best estimates of how it would have looked at the time. Gone are the grey stone walls and draughty empty rooms. In their place are brightly coloured, ornate and flamboyant spaces - fit, indeed, for a King and Queen. The tapestries that have been woven on site at the Castle for the last few years are now hanging on the walls of the Queen's Presence Chamber. And the replicas of the famous Stirling Heads are now fully painted and installed on the ceiling of the King's Presence Chamber. Absolutely stunning! You can see the originals in the gallery above the Apartments - getting that close to historical artifacts is truly humbling.

There's plenty of fun to be had for the young at heart too - hands on exhibits and games in the basement, costumed actors explaining the history and helping you live the experience as you go round, and of course the fabulous Unicorn Cafe for when it all gets too much. As an added bonus, last night we were treated to a talk from one of the archaeologists who has been work on the restoration project and he brought to life some of the hidden history they've discovered along the way.

I've blogged before about what a wonderful place Stirling is to visit. There's tons to see and do. And now, well from this weekend, there's even more. Get yourself across here. I promise, you won't be disappointed!!

Car go?

One of the more fun parts of my day today was to attend the launch of the Cargo bike scheme here in Stirling.

Arranged by the fabulous Going Carbon Neutral Stirling, the Cargo bike scheme is putting 15 of these strange looking vehicles on the streets of Stirling to prove that you can get by without a car and utility cycling is a realistic option.

Cargo bikes are apparently a fairly common sight on the streets of Dutch towns and allow cyclists the capacity to transport bulky items - and even passengers - around without the need for a car.

I did actually try one of these out today and despite not being particularly good on bikes normally I could see myself perhaps giving one a try. Perhaps it might just move me closer to the challenge I've set myself this year to give up my car.

Making the most of it

So, what did I do with the rest of my long weekend? Did I mope and stress about being on my own or did I get out there and enjoy myself? Truth be told it was a bit of both - plenty to do and distract myself with, interspersed with spells of stopping to think (always dangerous I find) and starting to feel sorry for myself. But I am pleased to say, those spells were few and far between, and certainly didn't take over what has otherwise been a truly lovely day.

After a long lie and a few more pages of Beevor (check the link, guys, before you snigger knowingly!), and a light breakfast of toast and homemade marmelade (thanks Mum), I headed out into Stirling armed with my camera. I was looking for Signs and Symbols - for my entry to A Million Little Photographs - and find them I did. Perhaps not what the mind might automatically jump to, but signs and symbols all the same. And all the better for being found in and around Stirling. You'll have to wait until I've finished the challenge and had the photographs developed (yes, it's print not digital!!) before you get to see them. Hopefully there will be a few acceptable ones in there.

After that, feeling a tad on the thirsty side, I opted for my next favourite pursuit - drinking coffee. A short - ok, fairly long - stop at the Burgh coffeeshop did the trick - and also stimulated my creative juices as well. Leading to a new chapter (at last) for the collaborative book writing challenge - hopefully that will be a spur to my fellow contributors to get writing again too.

And now, I'm ending the day multi-tasking with cooking, blogging and checking out Facebook. A fairly productive day all round really!

Oh, there was some sitting around in the sun as well - but no running. I'm saving that for tomorrow morning (ahem!).

Momentous occasions

It was such a momentous day today that we all got the day off work. Why? Probably not because it was my friend's Mum's 64th birthday (Happy Birthday, Barbara) or because it was the Friday after Easter Monday. Seems there was some young couple's wedding on in London or somewhere. So we all had an extra day's holiday - jolly decent of them if you ask me. Probably the shock of getting an Earldom rather than a toaster as a wedding gift was too much to bear on their own.

Anyway, not one to look a gift horse (even one from the Royal Cavalry) in the mouth, what use did I make of my extra day off? Me, I sprung cleaned (again). While the rest of the nation rejoiced, I did too - but only because now I have somewhere to put up guests - roll on the summer when my sister and nephew, and the awesome Just Frances come to stay.

And then I went out to celebrate with a M&S picnic in the park - just in time to chase the sun away. But still a few more photos for the April Photo Scavenger Hunt secured. And a good excuse for playing on a see saw, and keeping my eyes open for men in uniform - not that I usually need an excuse for that!

And now I'm warming back up again in one of my favourite Stirling coffee shops, the Burgh Coffeehouse, start of the small screen and maker of fabulous coffees and teas close to the main shopping drag of this fair city. 

The Scavenger Hunt has been a good spur for me to get my camera back out again, and also to do some stuff that I probably wouldn't have thought of doing otherwise - drinking Irn Bru (yuk, sacrilege I know, but it really does taste disgusting), eating ice lollies and having above said picnic. I was also brave enough to take (and publish) a photo of me completely naked...

Ok, my hair and face are naked. The rest of me is fully clothed - sorry to disappoint my more red blooded readers!

So all that's left is to complete this loyal (ahem) subject's post with a fitting poem:

The nation rejoices, or mourns

As this happy, or sombre, day dawns

Our eyes will be wet

As we sit round the set
Neglecting our flower beds and lawns

As Her Majesty rides past the crowd
They'll be silent or cheer very loud
But whatever they do
It's undoubtedly true
That they'll feel patriotic and proud

In Dundee and Penzance and Ealing
We're imbued with appropriate feeling
We're British and loyal
And love every royal
And tonight we shall drink till we're reeling

                                                               Wendy Cope

Just when you thought it was safe...

...to put away your winter boots, down comes the snow again!

Or to be more accurate here in Stirling sadly, the sleet. I wouldn't mind so much if it was snow but this is just cold wet yuk. And I've had to cancel my day trip out. Still, it's the perfect excuse now to stay in and catch up on some DVD watching.

Hope the weather is better where you are.


STOP PRESS: The snow and sleet lasted all day into the late afternoon and then turned to rain. There's still snow on the hills this morning but it's nowhere near as cold today. It often snows at this time of year here I've found and it never lasts long, even when we have a heavy fall. It's almost like this is Winter's last hurrah, a reminder that even if she's gone for a few months now, she'll be back again to chill us all once more.


As regular readers know, I don't actually mind winter - I love crisp cold mornings when the frost nips your fingers and paints with diamonds across the world. I even love the snow - silent white blankets that muffle the world and brighten the night. It's just sleet and winter rain I can't stand!!


And if you're wondering, it was Sportsnight I was watching on DVD, courtesy of a good friend for my birthday. An awesome first out for Aaron Sorkin and many of the actors who went on to be West Wing regulars.


Posted to The 52 Week Project on Flickr

White Ribbon

This evening, I got to take part in something really special and important. I was asked to participate in the White Ribbon March in Stirling. The White Ribbon Campaign is a movement hoping to bring an end to our society's still too silent acceptance of the scourge of violence against women. It is aimed at men and asks them to make a public commitment to never commit, condone or be silent against violence against women.

I am really proud to say that our local Council has committed to making Stirling Scotland's first White Ribbon city. And refreshingly there was relatively good attendance at tonight's March, with local men, women and children braving the not particularly hospitable weather to walk from Stirling Castle to the Council Headquarters to show their solidarity with the cause. Central Scotland Police were also well represented with the Assistant Chief Constable reminding us that while domestic violence is a crime of violence, more insidiously it is really a crime of control, isolation and domination. Speaking out against domestic violence hopefully helps all who suffer find the strength to break out and find their own personal freedoms from oppression.

And in case any of you are wondering about how big a problem this really is, ponder the following facts:

• 45% of women have experienced some form of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking.
• At least 32% of children, mostly girls, experience some form of child sexual abuse
• At least 80,000 women suffer rape every year.
• On average, two women a week in England and Wales are killed by a violent partner or ex-partner. This constitutes nearly 40% of all female homicide victims.

It really makes me realise just how lucky I am, and just how dangerous life can be for too many other women.

Do not condone, ignore or turn a blind eye to violence against women. You may just save a life. And it can be happening closer than you think - sadly.

Thirsty work

Just a short post from Scotland's International Tango Festival here in Stirling. And we're having great fun.

Two workshops, one Milonga and a practice session down. Two more workshops, the Braveheart Ball and lots more practice still to go.

At the moment we're probably suffering a bit from overload. My feet are sore and my long suffering dance partner is doing well to put up with my occasional grumpiness caused by 'not being able to do it' frustration!

Anyway, rest over. Time to get back to the dancing. Frame, posture and embrace!

Posted to The 52 Week Project on Flickr

Dance yourself dizzy

It's about a year since I first started to learn Argentine Tango and over the past 12 months I'm really pleased with the progress I've made, and more to the point, the fun I've had learning. I've made some great new friends and found a way of getting out and about for a bit of a social life. I've remembered what it's like to learn something new and not know how to do it, that it's ok to make mistakes, that you have to go through being a beginner to get to being better, that it is entirely the natural way of things. Having spent too many years being 'grown up' I realise now that I'd forgotten that feeling, and whilst scary, it's also liberating to feel it again.

So now, a year on, I'm looking forward to my first Tango 'event'! This weekend sees the Scotland International Tango Festival right here in Stirling. I'm booked in for 4 workshops, 2 dances and open access to the Tango Lounge, and I can't wait. I'll be learning about the basics at the first workshop on Posture, Walking and the Embrace, before moving on to various embellishments in the other workshops on Boleos, Giros and Volcadas and Colgadas. Hopefully I'll be practising them all at the Braveheart Ball on Saturday night. But whatever, I'm sure I'll be enjoying myself, and getting a workout at the same time.

And in case you're wondering, the roots of tango are well and truly in Buenos Aires. It is a dance of the barrios, vibrant with passion and performed as a living dance still to this day. As with many other popular pastimes, it spread to the more affluent classes and the rest is history. It's not without its political dimensions either. In the 1950s, tango was frowned upon and was driven underground. This resulted in a very close and tight form of the dance being developed as venues got smaller and smaller but the crowds of dancers didn't. You can't dance tango without getting close, so people with personal space issues who try tango will either get over their issues really fast, or give up!

Whatever the history, it's an amazing dance to learn. Precision, spontaneity and passion all in one art form. As a woman the feeling of giving up responsibility and simply following can be incredibly liberating. Difficult to do, but liberating all the same. I'd recommend it to anyone - in fact, there are still tickets left for this weekend and a fabulous beginner's package available, so if you want to give it a go, why not pop across to Stirling and have a try this weekend.

See you there, I'll be the one in the blue tango shoes with the big grin on my face!!

(Anything but) Junk Food

Serendipity is the chance discovery of little treasures by happy accident. It's also what lead me to discover Stirling's latest eating establishment - The Junk Rooms on Friars Street. I was stopped on my way to my tango class last weekend by a guy handing out leaflets. I actually thought he was stopping me to ask the time or directions, and feeling in a helpful frame of mind, I decided to stop. He explained that The Junk Rooms had just opened and we got chatting. Since I was on my way to my tango class I offered to take a few of his leaflets there and in return I'd bring a few leaflets about the Tango Festival down for him to display. I so tired at the end of last week's class that I didn't make it back down, but after today's Practica I decided to pop in.

And I'm really glad I did, what a lovely place, just what Stirling has been needing. It describes itself as a cafe, bar, bistro - and it is indeed all those things. There's a selection ranging from breakfast rolls to full evening meals, and everything in between. All made (apparently) from seasonal locally sourced food and presented as modern Scottish cuisine. Whatever that is, it certainly tasted good. The only disadvantage was that I wasn't hungry enough to try some of main course choices available.

What I had instead was an antipasti platter - carefully put together for me with oatcakes rather than bread after a discussion about diet and allergies with the owner. I had only gone in wanting coffee but he talked me into something a bit more substantial as you can see. Unfortunately they didn't have any gluten free cakes, but maybe I could suggest he stocks some things from The Cook Room?

Apparently it's also an Artists' Co-operative, something that suggests itself from the individual and quirky interior design. Mismatched tables and chairs, wooden floors, vintage glass lights and a stunning display of cut glass in the window all go to make a relaxed, airy and individual place that's a pleasure to be in. And they've even got a leather couch for me to slouch on as well - what more could a girl ask for? It doesn't hurt either that the staff are extremely easy on the eye!!

So if you're in Stirling and looking for somewhere a bit different to while away an hour or so, or catch bite to eat, you could do a lot worse than wander down to the Junk Rooms and try it out for yourself. I predict they'll give my other favourite haunts of Beanscene, the Burgh Coffeehouse, the Port Street Deli and Ziggy Forelle's a run for their money.

More firsts

Yesterday I got to do the most amazing thing. I went to my first ever citizenship ceremony, and even better I got to speak at it. I got to welcome a handful of newly granted British citizens not just to life in the UK, but to living in the glorious part of the world that is Stirling.

I also got to do what I am learning to really enjoy - speak in public. Yes, it's still nerve wracking. Yes, I still stumble over my words. Yes, I do still worry about what to say. But at the same time, I get a real buzz out of it now. I think it's largely because the kind of things I'm invited to speak in public at just now are celebratory events and I have the opportunity to share in them with the various different audiences. Whether it's welcoming new citizens, congratulating new graduates or speaking to visitors, it's such a change from the normal grind - and as they say, a change is as good as a rest.

I used to be very shy as a younger person - the idea of speaking in public would have had me running for the hills. Even talking in class or, as I started working, speaking up in meetings was painful. I am so impressed that young people today seem to be more self assured and able to cope with that challenge. I take my hat off to anyone who is willing to give it a try. I was particularly impressed this week with the niece of a friend who not only took on the public speaking challenge, but did so in the form of delivering The Immortal Memory at a Burns Supper - awesome!

All I can say is, keep at it Flik - you're doing great already and just think how confident you'll be in your adult life. I salute you!