Travel

Hi from Budapest.

I'm here for the ETAPS conference, or specifically to give a talk at the GaLoP workshop. Here until Monday...

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Last weekend we were down near Buxton in the Peak district for the AFP camping event. There were tents, and people, and beer. And curry and tents and pie and beer and people.

Nice to get away and relax for a few days.

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Hello from København!

Been here a couple of days, going to be about the same again.

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Hello, I'm home.

It appears to be grey and damp here.

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Tomorrow morning I fly home... If everything goes according to plan (and that's a big iiiiiff) I will be home on Friday morning.

Since I last wrote, I've attended a whole lot of talks, and there's not been much else. I did go for a long run on Saturday morning, which was a whole lot longer than intended as I got lost for a while. Out before dawn, I went around Lake Union, and some of the University of Washington campus, before accidentally ending up at Green Lake, Seattle's popularly overcrowded running/jogging/biking/rowing/etc. spot, which was quite pleasent early in the morning. Unfortunately I'm still suffering from that over-long run on too much concrete; I had never realised how lucky we are to have such soft pavements at home...

I went for a wander today, again around Lake Union to take a few photos, in particular of the old Gas Works.

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In Seattle!

Yesterday I got up at 5am to get to Edinburgh airport and catch a 9am flight. That was about 8 hours, a long time over boring sea in order to reach bustling Newark airport. After the fun of US Immigration (was okay), a shorter (under 6 hours) flight to Seattle. A young boy sitting next to me was impressed that I came from Scotland; he hurriedly imparted this information to the air hostess, and later drew a picture of the Loch Ness Monster. After flying over many hours of flat flat land divided into neat little squares in a variety of colours, suddenly there are mountains, and then soon Seattle. We arrived in around 5pm.

Lots of flying. I'm now a little past half-way through Quicksilver.

I checked into the hotel, had a wander around, ate some dinner at a cool little bar/club place, and flopped into bed exhausted around 9.

This morning I easily woke up and went out for a run around 6. I ran around Union Lake, as shown in the picture above. After changing, I wandered down to Pike Place Market for a look around, and a tasty breakfast.

I then headed over to the Seattle Center, and went up the Space Needle for a (cloudy) view. Then I headed into the Pacific Science Center. They are currently running the Game On computer gaming exhibition. They have a huge collection of machines set up to play; I was most interested in the old stuff they have from before my time. A myriad of space invaders (variations and clones/successors), and a version of Spacewar, the vector-graphics space warfare game that started it all. It seems they have a representative of everything you might think of.

I wandered into the Science Fiction Museum too, before heading back through town, having another coffee and read of a paper, grabbing a couple of new books, and heading up here to sort stuff and write this. The conference starts tomorrow, and I give my talk late morning; I'll let you know how it goes. For now I'm off for dinner.

Comment | Permalink | in categories Log Travel Seattle Photos modified 10 August 2006 (04:19) 

Recently I have mostly been preparing for going away, including writing my talk for Thursday. Saturday quickly disappeared while I bought new running shoes and tops, did my yearly clothes shop (to be very optimistic), bought new boots and books, and went for a run (4 weeks to go). On Sunday we went to the climbing wall, and then since the busses seemed to be taunting us decided to walk home. About 3 1/2 hours of strolling down the Water of Leith built up a nice appetite to go out for dinner to the wonderful Nepalese resturant, The Gurkha.

Tomorrow morning I am flying to Seattle as mentioned earlier, arriving back in Edinburgh on the 18th. I expect to post more frequently while away than I have been recently, it's all very exciting.

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Off to Skye tomorrow with dearg.

May post while I'm there, otherwise I'll be back in a week.

Gosh, there's a lot of stuff in a week's worth of stuff.

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Well, hello from the Cluanie Inn.

I hope I didn't come across negatively in the last entry, I've actually been quite happy recently. Not had time for much, but I've been going to the gym and so on, and feeling well despite the face. It's odd going to the gym, since I never used to; I am enjoying it, but I'm discovering (slight) muscle where there was no muscle before. Feels good...

Going to walk the South Glen Sheil Ridge tomorrow, with my dad. 7 Munros, and he makes it to his 100 (in total, all this year). Should be good, the weather looks like it will be nice. Will hopefully get something up about that tomorrow.

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Hello from CCDE. Link later, that's Clarecraft Discworld Event, a bunch of strange people camping in a field for a weekend. There's been lots of silly talk, and such things as fencing yesterday (not me...), lots of real beer, and currenty people singing to a few guitars.

Back home tomorrow, and there'll be a few photos up from me.

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It's snowing! In Edinburgh. Pretty.

(Apologies for length.)

So, snow. Wind the clock back a few weeks, and I was sitting here wondering if there'd be a decent amount of snow for my Winter Mountaineering course, since there wasn't much around, even in the Cairngorms. Turns out that wasn't a problem. It went cold the week before I went, followed by a windy weekend with big snow dumps, road closures on the Sunday, and so on.

So, I arrived in Aviemore on Friday night, and checked into my accommodation, the Carn Mhor, a B&B which is to be recommended. Saturday, a huge fried breakfast (which fortunately was a constant throughout the week, keep the energy up), then picked up and off to the hill. The Car park for the Cairngorm ski area provides handy access for the hill, so we were off there, got our stuff together (ice axe and crampons, which I purchased), and off up the hill. The rest of the day was mainly taken up by ice axe arrests, sliding down a slope in various positions and then stopping yourself with your axe. And finding out how difficult it is to put crampons on with numb fingers; the weather was quite cold and windy, even off the top.

Sunday the road up to the high car park was closed, although it was perfectly possible to drive up it seems they shut it for the saftey of all the midterm-weekenders. So after a bit of a walk we went off to dig snow shelters. Which was interesting. After this, we went up the hill a bit more, partly for some step-cutting practice. Also went over a small ridge and found a very interesting snow formation (see this page, which has a photo of this as well as our group on various days). And found out how tricky it is to climb up through a cornice of unconsolidated snow—it just sort of falls away, an inch upwards and two foot forwards. And here's another tip—sometimes it's easier and quicker to crawl on deep fresh snow than to wade through it.

Okay, Saturday and Sunday were with some other people who were just there for the weekend. Although a few people did come out to dinner during the week as well, which was nice. Never had to eat alone. Anyway, Monday was basically ropework practice, practically in Ron's (the instructor's) back garden, including digging snow belays.

On Tuesday we were off to the hill again, this time to Coire an t'Sneachda. This was a stunning day, the weather was absolutely beautiful. The walk in was pleasent with a relatively small amount of clothing in the blazing sunshine, could have been in the alps. And the views, with ice and snow-plastered rocks, and distant hills...

Some valuable practice holding falls, good for confidence, and then up a short gully, with Ron taking us up on the rope. Really enjoyed this, particularly the harder rocky step. Then unroped and went down an easier slope, to walk off with the last light of the day.

Wednesday was "put it all together day". Unfortunately one person didn't feel up to the climb, but two of us went up Jacob's Ladder, an easy grade I gully. Was good fun; we were basically doing this on our own steam, belaying each other up, with the instructor climbing up alongside telling us how to set up anchors and so on. Slightly more realistic weather, the wind really does funnel into a gully, suddenly blasting your face with icy pellets and then dying down to nothing.

All in all a great week, and I'm sure I've forgotton lots. Glad I did it. On thursday I went off on my own to do Ben MacDui rather than getting an earlier train home, which given the conditions was a test of navigational skills (I passed). Completely alien landscape when all you can see, up or down, is white. Also tricky to walk in a straight line.

Anyway, good week, learnt lots, and will be out in the snow as soon as I can. Have a look at the winternet page for some pictures, my camera gave up the ghost in the cold.

Comment | Permalink | in categories Log Walking Climbing Travel modified 21 February 2005 (08:35) 

Well, that was a weekend.

Met up with some people I knew and didn't know at Ross's. Now remember that alcohol is bad and wrong. Good time was had etc.

Train gave me some time to read my book, which was nice. Sometimes delays are a good thing.

Oh, my wrist is acting up, so trying not to do much computery stuff; failing somewhat.

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Right. Thesis proposal handed in. Even got some proper work done.

Didn't go away last weekend; there's been Weather recently.

This weekend should be good. Off to the DWCON.

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Just back from Tallinn. Travelling is very tiring, particularly on the way back. 3 hour+ stopovers don't help either, nor does a silly early flight. Probably off to bed in the near future.

More soon.

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Hello. This will be a very short entry... I have only a 2x20 text box to type in, for some reason. Must check my browser compatibility...

Anyway, I'm in Tallinn. Hello.

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Hello. I'm going to go to bed soon, I have an early flight tomorrow for Tallinn. I'm here to speak to you about Lewis.

I was going to go on about the last week, mainly spent on Lewis. But I'm quite tired, so I'll try to sum it up quickly...

It was fun. Stayed with nice people, relaxed a bit. Had a few drinks. Saw beach, standing stones... made a trip down to Harris, and climbed An Cliseam. Here's a few pictures (more here).

The climb was fun. Mum came a lot of the way, and then we split and I made for the summit myself. Was really nice when I was up there, though the weather that day was very variable generally; from sunshine to hail, rain, snow and back again, at a fifteen minute rotation or thereabouts.

Was walking in the Pentlands on Friday with a couple of people, a nice long walk. Managed to spend lots of money yesterday. Tisos is a dangerous place. Still, the stuff will be used sometime in the not too distant future, methinks.

More later.

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Well, you last heard from me on the 16th. Oops. So, two weeks ago. What have I done in the last two weeks?

Well, that weekend was cat's birthday thingy. Down to Barnsley/Wombwell, saw many people I haven't seen for a while. Much goodness.

The next week wasn't particularly productive. Unless you count a L30 Amazon as useful. Last weekend, not much. I forget what I did on Saturday; if I'd known how nice a morning it'd be, I'd have gone out somewhere for it, as it is I was in bed until 11 or something... Oh yes, Saturday night, we went to see the remake of Dawn of the Dead. This was fun. A couple of bits strayed towards the mainstream, but generally it didn't take itself too seriously and there are the appropriate scary/funny bits. Zombies that can run aren't so bad, and I fear chainsaws will now be legally required to display another warning label.

Started rereading Shadow, from K. J. Parker's Scavenger trilogy, in prelude to reading the other two next week or something. My memory that it was fun was right, it is more cleverly written than much fantasy... Or have I just read bad fantasy? Yes, there are probably unnecessary twists and devices, but I enjoy the experience, and generally I'm slow on the uptake with these things anyway.

Now, on to the future. On Friday, I go with mum to Lewis for a week or so, which should be a nice bit of something different. Looking forward to seeing it (never been there), and hopefully a glimpse of Harris too.

Come back towards the end of next week, then the following Monday I'm off to Tallinn, Estonia for the APPSEM workshop. Should be interesting, and I shall have some time to look around Tallinn as well, take in the sights and sounds.

Well, that takes me more than two weeks ahead, I guess, given I get back on the Sunday. Anyway, I may be incommunicado (more than usual!) for the next while, at least as a rule.

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Back from Liz-house.

Everybody is too good to me.

Lots of thoughts in my head. Hopefully I can think clearly to write a decent entry tomorrow. I'm off to finish A Prayer for Owen Meany. Night folks.

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Hi. Remember me?

Just got back from camping in CCDE and Wales. Seem to have forgotton to submit my "going away" entry. Sorry. Will hopefully write more later.

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So as I was saying, Ardgour. It was fun. So long since I'd seen everybody, cousins and all. Hopefully it won't be so long, but then we always say that.

Highlights of the week. Well, there was a swimming pool, and I swam. There was a large dining room, and I ate lots of lovely dinners there (and yes I did contribute). There was table tennis, and I played table tennis. There was a giant drawing room, and I... read a couple of times, and danced there (highly amusing scottish dancing).

There were hills and mountains, and we climbed Ben Nevis.

Time for work now...

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Well. Whew. Apparently that was a week in Ardgour.

So, we were staying in a biiig house (Ardgour House) near the village of Clovullin (see multimap) in Ardgour, on the Ardnamurchan peninsula, which is quite close to Fort William, on the West coast of Scotland. And it was good :) Didn't even finish my book!

Arriving at the house we were all stunned. My mother, grandmother and I had previously met up with all the aunts and uncles, cousins and others (all apart from one car) at the Glencoe Visitor's Centre, and from there we drove to the ferry. A sizeable little car ferry that doesn't take very long to cross the small span of water, which we got to know fairly well. From there up through the village (picking up pies!) to the house. Up the driveway, which is long enough to be a decent stroll of an evening.

And wow, it's big. Took at least a day to work out where everything was. On the first evening the house was full of people wandering aimlessly, appearing from random doorways. Finally I joined others in the Snooker Room, which was to become a bit of a congregation point for some of us, a good place of the hundreds to seek certain people. Turns out I was to play a fair bit of snooker throughout the week.

And poker. I fail to remember if we started on the first or second night, but we definately played several nights of poker. Playing improved once the phallic mushroom cards were replaced by a more standard pack. Nice how having quite a few people makes for a substantial pot (which I didn't win...).

For those involved, in Texas Hold'em, Players can now use any of the five cards on the table or the two cards in their pocket to form a five card poker hand. The betting can differ, but we were playing correctly.

More later...

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Just bought sleeping bag and "self inflating" mat". Very nice. Looking forward to camping.

But first I'm off up North a bit with family. Back a week tomorrow. See you :)

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Sorting out insurance and builders. Today I found out I didn't need to sort out builders (thanks for telling me to get quotes, call centre), so another one is coming on Friday.

Going to Kew to see Jools Holland tomorrow. Arrangements get annoying, and it's gotten too expensive. Wish I never said yes.

Family holiday on Saturday. Hope I have time to pack. Should be fun.

Not long after that is CCDE. Must sort stuff, buy sleeping bag.

And Wales. Again reminding me of the sleeping bag, and the stuff.

I was also going to try and organise a mini-meet in Edinburgh for the festival. Don't know if I'll get round to that.

Oh, somehow I have to fit work into this. Argh.

Amusingly I've recieved a letter about my "resignation". On the date my contract ends. Aren't form letters fun.

Comment | Permalink | in categories Log Travel modified 15 July 2003 (12:11) 

I'm starting to slip, entry-wise. Maybe something's going to my head.

So on Saturday night I was talking to Liz, and this persuaded me to go to Barnsley for the weekend. You see, on Monday night an exhibition in which Liz had work opened, and nobody could go with her or mind Adam. Well I said I'd pop down if Liz could find somebody to mind Adam (she did, a neighbour), so I went down Sunday to come back on Tuesday.

Sunday

Bit of a saga on the way down. Most rail services to Barnsley were replaced by buses due to work on the line, but I'd managed to find a route which avoided that. Unfortunately the train was late by the time it got to York, so I stayed until Sheffield to wait for a bus there. I won't go into the annoying story for fear of becoming terribly annoyed again, but suffice to say I waited the best part of a couple of hours for the rail replacement bus, as I opted to avoid the indirect bus for a nonexistant direct bus, ending up of course on an indirect bus. Seems to be a bunch of corrupt lazy drivers working for that company, so customer hostile it's almost mob-like.

In any case, I spent my time enjoyably, reading (as on the train) OotP in the sun—more of which later. It's really rather unfortunate I waited so long for a bus, as I now have sunburn on my left shoulder. It's particularly annoying having sunburn on a rainy day, as it has been from Monday onwards.

Nice drink in the sun too though.

Monday

After getting in late didn't really get up to much on the Sunday. On Monday we made up for that by shopping. Among other exciting things, there were some clothes, and a PSU to resurrect Liz's pooter. This was duly resurected later (and apparently now has DVD and CD-RW due to Hunter).

Before that, the exhibition. After much faffing and readying, we went, and saw, and spoke, and continued briefly to the party afterwards. 'twas nice, not merely bareable as one might fear.

Tuesday

And so back. Nice stay, nice uneventful trip back. Got here in the evening, finished book. Of which more later.

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