This lockdown, I’ve set myself daily targets for walking. January was 10km and now, as the days grow longer, February is 12km. The plan is to be ready for the hills in the spring, maybe a little camping too. I’ve kept the walks local obviously and discovered some good ones. The Bannockburn Heritage Trail fromContinue reading “Windfarm Walk”
Tag Archives: Dunblane
Dunblane in Lockdown January 2021
This is my third winter as pharmacy delivery driver in Dunblane and, after two mild winters, finally the snow has arrived. Its not been as bad as I feared : any areas where the snowplough had not been I parked nearby and walked in (Dargai Terrace, Buchan Drive, Keir Street and Balmoral Court spring toContinue reading “Dunblane in Lockdown January 2021”
The Skinny Woods
I’m walking down a cobbled lane. I can hear the sea, smell it, taste it even but where is it… Suddenly, a surge of saltwater across the cobbles in front of me, blocking the lane before slowly it recedes and my path is clear again. Wow that was unexpected I say to myself. I dropContinue reading “The Skinny Woods”
Dunblane: Big Freeze 2010
Woke up this morning and its dark. Looking out I can see the streetlights across the glen: Holmehill Court stands out, the Hydro above that and further up the lights at Dykedale Farm. Twenty minutes later I’m up the park with the Shitzu. Theres a hint of dawn over Dumyat, a faint glow (tho thatsContinue reading “Dunblane: Big Freeze 2010”
The Man Who Walks
The Man Who Walks lives in a small town. When he tells people where he lives, they pause. This can go two ways he knows. They will either mention the bad thing or the good thing. Yin and Yang. Hes ready for this and agrees yes it was terrible or agrees that yes we areContinue reading “The Man Who Walks”
Dunblane Auld Yins
Its the auld yins I feel for just now. Stuck in the house, cannae even have visitors, they just want a doorstep blether. My first delivery one day, the auld biddy had her arm in a sling. ‘Been in the wars, missus?’ Her dog had pulled her off her feet. Didnae surprise me in theContinue reading “Dunblane Auld Yins”
Lockdown May 2020
So life under lockdown continues in Dunblane and if anything, I’m delivering more prescriptions than ever as people are reluctant to collect from the pharmacy. Don’t blame them. However, as I am full time now I am taking it all in my stride. Its become the ‘new normal’. The number of prescriptions would have freakedContinue reading “Lockdown May 2020”
Oor Andy
We first became aware of Andy Murray when we were camping at Ballater in 2005. We had popped into the Balmoral Bar early evening and were chatting to some locals. Someone had asked if we were from Dunblane. Yes we replied, expecting the usual sympathetic comment that goes with our hometown. Instead he pointed atContinue reading “Oor Andy”
Lockdown: Spring 2020
Thanks to coronavirus I am now in my 8th week of working full time as pharmacy delivery driver in Dunblane. Having worked part time for 18 months, coronavirus has called my bluff, pushed me out of my comfort zone and forced me to know my hometown as never before. I have discovered streets, cul deContinue reading “Lockdown: Spring 2020”
Coping with COVID: Protect and Survive
The last three weeks have been a blur. Working as a pharmacy delivery driver during a global pandemic is not good for your nerves. I can only equate each day to playing in a cup final : you prepare for it as best you can, there’s nerves, tension, heightened senses, you don’t quite know whatContinue reading “Coping with COVID: Protect and Survive”
