Self Belief is Everything

All words and pictures copyright Alastair Rose 2011

Sunday, January 16, 2011

The last couple of weeks

The last couple of weeks have been a bit of a whirlwind in lots of different ways. Back home in Scotland over Christmas and Hogmanay (new year) playing in the snow and ice and am now in Australia with my sister (more about that with the last photo). My couple of weeks in Scotland culminated with a great two day ski trip above Loch Callater, lots of snow, my first time on Tele skis and even a warm fire in the lodge.

Bob, Lucy and Robin about Loch Turret on the day of new years eve
Bo
The crew at Hogmanay - Clare, Bob, Ann-Marie, Me, Ruaridh, Lucy, Robin and Ali (the other one) in Robins kitchen


The host in the kitchen again


Bob in the col between Ben Vorlich and the Stuc a Chroin
Looking North towards the Cairngorms on our two day ski trip above Loch Callater
Toby and Ruaridh (with ski boots) inside the very fancy lodge where we were rather surprised to be invited by the bill the caretaker for a couple of drinks and a sit by the fire.

On the top of Ben Dubh on the second day - Ali, Ruaridh, Toby, Robin and Me

Cant have been that cold - Toby going for a run in his ski boots
Skiing in on the first day
Ruaridh with the Cairngorm Mountain range behind
Ali and Robin hit the real snow line.
So now I am out in Australia with my sister Anna after her husband Nick passed away a week ago. He had had a particularly tough battle with cancer over the last 6 months and was remembered this week both in a service in perth and a "paddle out" down near Margaret River. The above photo is of 80 surfers taking to the water for a moment of silence to remember Nick at his favourite break, North Point, near Gracetown. It was a beautiful day to remember a great guy who fought so hard to the end. For me it has been amazing to see my family together (after 6 years), to get to know Nicks family and friends a bit better, to remember nick and continue to see some of the places and people he loved. My dad and I are now here for another 2 weeks hanging out with Anna and enjoying a bit of sun (when its not too hot!)