Las Ramblas Ramblers: 2011

Sunday 2 October 2011

Luing & The World Stone Skimming Championships

Linda was somewhat perturbed to find that Danny Bonduce

was still paddling to the Island using his Bass

and wouldn't make it in time to join her.

Las Ramblas Ramblers (Stone Skimming Division) head out on the Annual Pilgrimage to

Easdale Island for the World Stone Skimming Championships.

Marion,Neil,Linda,Andy,Jill,Kevin,Kay,Haddie & Bob

arrive with time to take a ramble on the neighbouring Island of Luing.
Sean what weather precautions should we take?

"Well Lasramblas Easterly winds could make for a bitter cold wait for your throw
also heavy rain could affect the majority of the competition".

Ferry Over to Luing

"I should be able to see Danny from up here"

Linda,Alfie & Jill

Search for the perfect skimmer

Neil,Alfie & Sam

Kevin,Alfie,Bob & Haddie take a break

Alfie shares his technique

Easdale is the smallest permanently inhabited island of the Inner Hebrides. It was once the centre of a thriving Scottish slate mining industry, and one of the disused quarries forms a perfect arena for the World Stone Skimming Championships.
The championships are held every year on the last Sunday in September. Anyone of any age and any level of skill can enter. Each competitor is allowed 3 skims using specially selected Easdale slate skimming stones.
For a skim to qualify the stone must bounce at least three times - it is then judged on the distance achieved before it sinks.

Neil And Elton are such good friends they have pet names for each other
Neil calls Elton "Reg" & Elton Calls Neil "Suzie".
One day he'll turn up Neil until then here's the Song he wrote for you

Steve & Trish with the assistance of Gillian & Angus
provide the competitors with a
hearty Breakfast in the delightful Garragh Mhor

The Best B&B

Ferry over to Easdale

Las Ramblas enter the arena

The hollow Mountain String Band prepare to entertain

Let competition begin

"Stone Skiming isn't Stone Skimming unless Chas
has failed to live up to his expectations"
Alfie

Time to head back to Ellenabeich for the presentation of the Budgie

The Coveted Trophy

The Oyster Bar

Budgie winner Kevin is congratulated
by members of the Royal Dutch Stone Skimming Association

Kevin protects the Budgie from International invaders

2011 Budgie Result

Kevin = 43mtrs

Bruce = 30mtrs

Neil = 27mtrs

Sam = 0mtrs

Andy = Shoulder Injury

Alfie = 19mtrs

(boys 10-15)

2011 Puffin Result

Jill = 11mtrs

Marion = 0mtrs

kay = 0mtrs

Team

12th Las Ramblas = 190mtrs

Why not visit the Dutch National Team

http://www.keilen.nl/

We highly recommend

http://www.garraghmhor.co.uk/index.html

if you are visiting the area

Jings Crivvens Help ma boab !!!!

the Canny folk at Waverly Books ken how to Increase sales

Revise and Expand an Old Title to include a photo of

Las Ramblas Ramblers (Stone Skimming Division)

Monday 19 September 2011

Dunblane

Muddy Waters called asking if he could join us as he loves walking in Scotland

after all arrangements were made

we headed out to Dunblane but the only sign of him was underfoot

Gillian,Alison,Bruce,Marion,Neil,Sam & Alfie

take a stroll in Dunblane.
Sean how's the weather for today?

"Light winds & clear skies make for a beautiful day for a stroll around Dunblane"

The earliest evidence for Christianity on the site are two cross-slabs of the 10th to 11th centuries which are preserved in the cathedral. Incorporated into the later medieval building, but originally free-standing, is an 11th-century bell-tower, whose height was increased in the 15th century. The nave and aisle less choir are 13th century. Dunblane did not have a rich or extensive medieval diocese, and the cathedral is relatively modest in scale, but its refined architecture is much admired, as is its setting overlooking the valley of the Allan Water. After the Reformation, the nave of the cathedral was abandoned and soon became roofless and used for burials. The choir was retained as the parish church. The nave was re-roofed and the Cathedral provided with new furnishings by Robert Rowand Anderson between 1889 and 1893.

Dunblane Cathedral is remarkable in having retained more of its late-medieval choir stalls than any other Scottish church building (except King's College Chapel, Aberdeen), and also is noted for its organ. Further fragments of medieval woodwork from the Cathedral are displayed in the town's museum, formerly the Cathedral Museum, situated nearby. Though still used as a parish church, the building is in the care of Historic Scotland. To the south of the cathedral are some stone vaults of medieval origin, which are the only remaining fragment of the bishop's palace. Adjacent to the Cathedral, Scottish Churches House was (from the 1960s until its closure in 2011) a centre for ecumenical study and the former headquarters for Action of Churches Together in Scotland.

The town was a royal burgh and part of Perthshire until the 1975 abolition of Scottish counties.

Route

Dunblane Cathedral

Neil uses every clue to make sure he is first to arrive

Sam & Alison

Pig

Striding out toward Ashfield

Sheep

Gillian hides in the shame that she may have got us lost again

Allan Water

Marion & Gillian require Alison's help with a tricky obstacle

Time to descend on The Village Inn for a bite to eat
http://thevillageinndunblane.co.uk/default.aspx

Monday 5 September 2011

A Saunter along the Clyde

Robert Wyatt failed to turn up as arranged

at the new Transport Museum

he did however send this song to make up for his Tardiness

Marion & Bruce take a stroll along the river Clyde on a free Monday
Sean should we take an Umbrella?

"No need for any protection today lasramblas its going to be glorious".

The Clyde is a short river, little more than 100 miles long, rising in the Lanarkshire hills. Upstream it flows swiftly with spectacular stretches, such as the Falls of Clyde, near Lanark. At Glasgow the river was a shallow estuary with sandbanks and islets known as inches. Downstream, in deep water, Dumbarton Irvine and Greenock were the main ports, with Port Glasgow established by Glasgow merchants in 1662. The Clyde Waterfront project covers 13km of the river from Glasgow Green in the centre of Glasgow, down the river as far as Dumbarton.
There are plenty of opportunities to explore along the riverbanks, Glasgow Green provides a welcome green space in the heart of the city and is one of the country's oldest parks.