2009 in Pictures

Reflections on 2009.....in pictures and memories.....the things I enjoyed doing and the places I loved to visit....

January

The highlight of January was a weekend of hedge laying with my National Trust buddies at Threave in Dumfries and Galloway.  Learning a traditional skill, creating a hedgerow for the wildlife and a natural barrier for the cattle. It was easy to see why fencing is now the barrier of choice, the amount of work required to maintain a hedge properly is immense, but there is something satisfying about a natural barrier that can never be achieved by a fence.

February

In February I travelled to Lubeck in the north of Germany for a meeting with work, but I also had a morning to wander round this beautiful old city, with it's UNESCO World Heritage sites and beautiful architecture. 

March

Took a day trip to Glasgow in March. I spent 5 years in Glasgow as a student and I do go back quite often but usually for work meetings or shopping but this time I had planned to visit the Donna Wilson exhibit at the now defunct Lighthouse (sadly went into receivership late last year), Scotland's architecture/design museum, built around Charles Rennie McIntosh's Herald Building, with beautiful architectural features....I hope that they manage to find a good use for the building.

April

How to choose one photograph to represent 2 fantastic weeks holiday in Japan....it was a difficult choice but in the end I went for cherry blossom....with that most Japanese of past-times, the hanami parties, celebrating the start of spring, under the cherry blossom.

May

National Trust outings to Kellie Castle and Rockcliffe in Dumfries and Galloway, where we enjoyed perfect summer weather for working and relaxing. 

June

I spent a long weekend in the East Neuk of Fife with my parents in June. We stayed at my cousin's beautiful house right on the sea in Pittenweem and loved every minute of being surrounded by the sea, touring the countryside and enjoying each other's company.  You too can rent the pink house by the sea if you'd like - the details are here.

July 

Hiking Ben Chonzie in the Perthshire Hills. 

August

A friend's wedding in Basel, Switzerland followed by a trip to visit the Aletsch Glacier.....as a geographer, touching glacial ice was an amazing feeling!

September

More weddings, this time in Greece, followed by 3 blissful days on the Greek island of Hydra, with only boats, donkeys and your feet for transport.

October

Visiting Pittenweem after a storm, showing friends Scotland.

November

Paris with my parents.....

December

Spending a snowy Christmas with friends and family!