Vive Escocia

Saltcoats, North Ayrshire, Scotland // 4.55 pm // Partly cloudy 2ºc / 36ºf

It's the weekend, and I'm spending it back home in Scotland. Had quite a good week, with only two days at work. I managed to book Wednesday off at the start of the week, and had Thursday and Friday booked off already for the trip to Scotland.

On Wednesday, I did something that I wanted to do for years. Unfortunately I had to do it alone as everyone else that could've come with me was working. But that wasn't going to stop me doing a 20-stop pub crawl up and down the Northern Line on the London Underground network. Eventually I want to have half a pint of lager at or very near every single London Underground station. I managed 17 of the 20 on Wednesday, as follows and in this order:

Edgware, Brent Cross (couldn't find a pub), Hampstead, Mornington Crescent, Highgate, West Finchley (couldn't find a pub), Finchley Central, Kings Cross, Old Street, Bank (couldn't find a pub), London Bridge, Morden, Tooting Bec, Balham, Clapham Common, Kennington, Charing Cross, Goodge Street (where Elle joined me after work) and Warren Street.

I had 15 half pints, and two full pints, altogether and it took me about 10 hours. It was a really interesting tour of London at the same time, which was part of the attraction. I went to a couple of Irish pubs, one gay bar and one Indian restaurant alongside some traditional pubs and modern bars. There are a lot more stations on the Northern Line, before I move on to another line, so I'll do them at some point. I don't think I'll do as many as 20 at a time, as it was quite an effort! Maybe 10. And the stations where I couldn't find pubs will be revisited, but I'll do some research online in advance and find the nearest pub that way.

While I was coming to the end of the pub crawl, all hell was breaking loose in Mumbai. I don't know how I manage it, but I always seem to miss the breaking news at work. I've got mixed feelings about not being at work this week. In a way, I'm glad I'm in Scotland and relaxing, especially as my colleagues have been working overtime and also through this weekend. On the other hand, it would be good experience for me if I was there, and it would be an interesting time to be working.

Instead, I just watched the output when I got to Saltcoats, and it has all looked great - they've been doing a brilliant job. The flight on Thursday was fine, and I got to the house at about 2pm. I didn't do anything for the rest of the afternoon, but in the evening I went to Stephen and Ian's brand new house in Ardrossan. They were busy putting pictures up and fitting the washing machine in the kitchen, but we had the chance to have a few beers and a chat later.

Yesterday was a really lazy day, until about 3pm when I went into town for a stroll, a pie and a walk along the beach. Every time I go down there, and see the sea, it's just brilliant. I say it all the time, but I really miss living so close to the sea. I would always head down there if I had to do any thinking, or just wanted to relax and clear my mind. I never took it for granted, even when I had been living here for 18 years, and I still miss it now.

Last night I went round to Stephen and Ian's again, with Stephen's sister Lynsey and her boyfriend. We had a good few drinks, and late in the night I managed to persuade Stephen to come out in town with me. Which we did, going to Wetherspoons for a quick pint then across the road to the Metro club where, once again, I immediately felt twice the age I actually am. I really don't know why we do it to ourselves!

Felt a bit rough this morning, mostly because I didn't drink anything yesterday that wasn't beer, wine or dark rum. Watched the second half of the Hearts v Rangers game this afternoon, and had a bath earlier while listening to the Celtic game on the radio. We won, Rangers lost, meaning we now are 7 points clear are the top of the Scottish Premier League!

Tonight me and Stephen are going out in Ayr, via a pub in Kilwinning that has just re-opened.

This week on TV I've been watching CNN International, BBC One, STV, Sky News, Living 2 and Setanta Sports 1

On the radio I've been listening to Kiss 104.1 (Atlanta), Solar Radio, Kismat Radio, 3TFM, BBC Radio Scotland and Soul Central Radio