Our time is up....

It is with very mixed emotions that I write this update today. A few weeks ago I was offered a great opportunity, with my existing company, to take on a new challenge in New York. After some considerable discussion and many meetings, Ana and I decided that we would make the change.

Despite being excited about a new role we are both very sad to leave Chicago and the friends we have made. We arrived on 1st August 2009 and so will leave almost exactly 4 years later. We have so many great memories and will look back on our time with great fondness.

Our change is happening so quickly. As soon as the decision was made we went on a 2 week vacation to relax ahead of our new challenge so we have not had much time to tell people individually. The removal company will arrive to pack our house on 12th August and will leave for New York five days later. We will drive to, probably temporary, accommodation on 17th August and start to build a new life.

We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has given us friendship and help during our time in this great city and community. We feel very lucky to have been able to spend 4 wonderful years with you!

 

72 holes in 2 days at Kiawah Island

This was my second visit to Kiawah Island. Eight of us played 4 rounds in 2 days with two rounds on the famous Ocean Course, location of the 2012 PGA Championship. Kiawah is located in South Carolina on the coast and the Ocean Course has a real links feel like many Scottish courses but a lot warmer! The club house is absolutely majestic with great views over the Atlantic...

My golf was mostly poor apart from the second round on the Ocean Course where I was 4 over after 9 and finished with a 87. A very good score for me!

On my way home I took a trip into Charleston to have a look around...the last 2 pictures show what a beautiful city it is...need to visit again!

Great company, great scenery and great golf. A wonderful weekend away.

Climbing up to get down - Highland Bowl, Aspen

Ana and I learned to ski from beginners together in Aspen, Co over 15 years ago. Introduced to us by our good friend Laura, the town has continued to draw us back year after year both in the summer and winter. Over this time, with lessons and practice, our skiing has steadily improved. Our kids, Jamie and Gemma, started skiing when they were 3 years old at powder pandas. Now they are accomplished skiiers and their parents have had to work hard to make sure we can keep up!

When we first started our lessons in Buttermilk all those years ago, I remember we discussed that one day, when we were good enough, we would go ski the Highland Bowl, a set of steep double black diamond runs only accessible by climbing uphill for around 40-45 minutes. 

Finally, the day came, Spring this year, where we felt confident enough to go and give the runs a go. Our ski instructor Bob Mattice, kindly offered to guide us up and down.

The climb is in three sections...the second of them being the longest and steepest. Once you get over this the final ascent to the top is not too tiring....but being at altitude it is hard work. You have to carry your skiis as well which can be awkward, especially when Ana persuaded me to carry hers as well!

The view down as we walked up made us wonder...

Bob and Ana at the top...


Climb done....now just to ski down

And the view at the bottom of the bowl.....

Have to say, the ski down was steep but because it was so open and the ski so good it was not that hard. Really enjoyed it...

Anyway, having safely got to the catwalk at the bottom we took the Temerity lift up and skiied to the Cloud Nine restaurant for a slap up meal and a few glasses of wine..

Thanks so much to Bob for taking us up...a wonderful experience. One that we will do again very soon - with the kids I hope!

 

 

 

Olympics 2012



What an unbelievable experience. If watching Bradley Wiggins become the first Britain to win the Tour de France was not amazing enough Team GB goes on to win more golds than ever before and finishes 3rd in the medal table. What a summer for British sport...one that I think many of us Brits will never forget.

We were lucky enough to be in London whilst this all took place and we immersed ourselves in the games either live or on TV for almost all of the 2 weeks they were on.

First we went to the opening ceremony. I have to admit was a little nervous that it was going to be a bit of a national embarrassment but I was very pleasantly surprised. A really enjoyable show topped off by the real stars, the athletes. Not sure I agreed with whole dancing nurses and NHS piece...not that I have anything against the NHS but at the Olympics? The only thing that was interesting to us that viewers may not have seen on TV is how many athletes walked in, took their positions, and then promptly took a quick exit out of the stadium. It was getting late....well after midnght when we left so I suppose it is not surprising. But for most of them, like us, it was probably a once in a lifetime experience

 



We were so lucky in the UK ticket ballet...as well as the Opening Ceremony we got tickets to two evening swimming sessions, basketball, and rowing. We also were able to get tickets to Weightlifting while were there by just going to the games web site. Furthermore all of these events were crammed into the first 6 days of the games. Once our tickets were used we were exhausted!