Tag Archives: Scotland

Running for 100 Years

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Welcome to #SundayTimes. This time next week we will be celebrating the Centenary of The Picture House in Campbeltown, on the west coast of Scotland. The cinema will celebrate its 100 year birthday with gala drinks & a screening of The Great Gatsby.

The Picture House is one of the UK’s oldest independent cinemas & the oldest continuously run, purpose-built cinema in Scotland. It is a registered charity, owned by the community & run by volunteers, one of which is my Mum (who I featured on the blog a year ago).

On the day of the Centenary, Mum & I are running the Mull of Kintyre Half-Marathon & 10k. The cinema is the official charity of the run & thanks to support from friends & family, we’re raising valuable funds for The Centenary Project.

Described by The Guardian as ‘the most beautiful cinema in the UK’ it is now in need of restoration. My Mum has been working tirelessly over the last few years on the project, which will enable the building to face its next 100 years more sustainably.

The project has already received support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic & Creative Scotland, Highlands & Islands Enterprise, European LEADER & Argyll & Bute Council. Also grants from private trusts & foundations have been promised. But the restoration costs are likely to be in the region of £2 million, so many other fundraising efforts are needed.

Please contact me if you know anyone in film who might be able to help The Picture House & The Centenary Project. Campbeltown has a small population of only 5,000, so the future of this cinema does rely on outside support. You can read more about Campbeltown in this blog from last year.

Thank you for reading & spreading the word!

G x

p.s. I’ve got a busy week & then heading up to Scotland, so taking a bit of #GTimeOut… I’ll be back with #WellbeingWednesday on Wednesday 29 May.

Keep on Running

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Welcome to #WellbeingWednesday… The countdown is now on for the Mull of Kintyre half marathon on Sunday 26 May. There’s not much more training I can do now, it’s just a question of staying fit, healthy & uninjured!

Today’s #WellbeingWednesday #5aday is 5 top tips for anyone training for a run, be it 10k, half or more…

  1. Follow a good training schedule. Read this previous blog for a snapshot weekly running programme to get you started. Running
  2. Get the right trainers – you should be replacing them every 400 miles. Read this previous blog for top running shoe tips. Screen shot 2013-04-30 at 19.37.15
  3. Run to a good audio book! Read this previous blog for recommendations of thrillers to keep you gripped on those long runs.The Fear Index
  4. Find earphones that don’t slip when you get hot & sweaty! Yurbuds twist in & are guaranteed not to fall out. Screen shot 2013-05-14 at 22.17.05
  5. Stock up on Bodyglide Anti-Chafe Balm to prevent chaffing from head to toe. It’s long-lasting & easy to apply! Screen shot 2013-05-14 at 22.16.44

5 useful tips which have helped me through my training & now I hope they can help you with yours!

Keep on running! G x

Running Shoe Top Tips

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Evening & welcome to #WellbeingWednesday. In less than 4 weeks I’m taking part in my next running challenge. On Sunday 26 May, I am running the Mull of Kintyre Half Marathon which takes place in beautiful coastal Argyll, Scotland.

A vital part of running is our trainers, so for today’s blog, I’m reposting some advice from my great running friend Tori…

Screen shot 2013-04-30 at 19.37.15

Tori has run hundreds of kms around the world & has about 30 pairs of trainers, so she’s more than qualified to talk trainers! Here’s her #5aday advice on choosing running shoes to minimise injury & maximise fitness & well-being.

  1. Always take at least a 1/2 size bigger than normal to allow for swelling and to avoid black toenails and other unsightly conditions.
  2. Always shop later in the day when your feet are more swollen. Morning they tend to be slimmer but later resemble a bulging sausage.
  3. Support your local running shop! Trying in store & ordering online to save a few ££s is not nice & the running gods will punish you!
  4. Even on finding your dream shoes, it’s still good to swap & change in order to avoid the exact same stresses & strains on your feet.
  5. Don’t dismiss colour co-ordination. Look good in a stylish outfit & shoe combo & you will train well & race better. Fact!

Thanks Tori for your words of wisdom. I’m all for supporting local running shops. My pick goes to Up and Running in East Sheen.

If you’re looking to be inspired, are an avid runner or simply enjoy reading, check out Fit Chick Tori’s blog here.

G x

O Flower of Scotland

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Evening & welcome to #SundayTimes.

On Friday, it was Burns Day, where Scots around the world celebrated Robert Burns’ birthday by toasting the haggis. And on Friday, appropriately Andy Murray beat Roger Federer to progress to the Australian Open final. After an incredible first set this morning, unfortunately Murray was beaten by Djovokic. But there’s definitely so much more to come from Andy in 2013 and so much to be proud of.

Yellowcraig Beach

It’s times like this, that remind me why I’m so proud of my Scottish roots, so tonight’s #SundayTimes #5aday is 5 stunning Scottish places to visit, that hold significant memories for me from growing up.

  1. East Lothian – Where I grew up in a small village called Pencaitland. Lots of stunning beach walks (Yellowcraig pictured above) & pretty villages & towns.
  2. Edinburgh – The place of my education – both at school & in life. Read my previous #GTime about Edinburgh here.
  3. Campbeltown – Where we spent our summers visiting grandparents & now where my parents live. Read my previous #GTime about Campbeltown here.
  4. Glasgow – I enjoyed many nights out here in my younger days & one particularly memorable one with Fit Chick Tori involving the fire brigade!
  5. St Andrews – Memories from school lacrosse matches against St Leonards, visiting uni friends & working at the 2000 British Open & the 2004 Dunhill Links Championship.

5 stunning Scottish settings and reasons to visit Scotland this year. Also 2013, is the Year of Natural Scotland. Find out more from Visit Scotland’s website here.

Next weekend is the start of the 6 Nations Rugby and the Calcutta Cup will be taking place around the corner from me in Twickenham. So, good luck Scotland you brave hearts! G x

O flower of Scotland

When will we see your like again

That fought and died for

Your wee bit hill and glen

And stood against him

Proud Edward’s army

And sent him homeward

Tae think again

The hills are bare now

And autumn leaves lie thick and still

O’er land that is lost now

Which those so dearly held

And stood against him

Proud Edward’s army

And sent him homeward

Tae think again

Those days are passed now

And in the past they must remain

But we can still rise now

And be the nation again

That stood against him

Proud Edward’s army

And sent him homeward

Tae think again

The Flower of Scotland, written by Roy Williamson of The Corries

Out with the Old & In with the New

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Happy New Year to you all!

In keeping with tradition at this time of year, today’s #WellbeingWednesday #GTime (albeit later than the usual 6pm) is all about New Year’s Resolutions… a new year brings with it the promise of a fresh start, a year of opportunity and great expectations. So what are your new year’s resolutions? Join a gym? Lose a stone? Learn a new language? Stop smoking?

Apparently (according to this morning’s Metro), only 1 in 11 of us will have stuck to our New Year’s Resolutions in 6 month’s time… So, I thought this was a good opportunity to do a little test myself. By putting pen to paper (or the modern-day online equivalent) hopefully I’m more likely to stick to mine if I actually commit to them here, publicly.

So in Ginger and Spice style, my 2013 New Year Resolutions come in my #5aday bite-sized format:

  1. Get a PB (sub 1hr 54) in the Mull of Kintyre Half Marathon on 26 May 2013.
  2. Take up Bikram Yoga – to complement my running, increasing my flexibility & reducing the chance of injury.
  3. Do something new & different each month – a friend & I started this last year, taking it in turns each month to organise a ‘mystery’ night of things we’ve never done before. We lasted until May but are committing to this again…
  4. Learn a new skill – have yet to decide on what this will be… any ideas? My mother suggested knitting, cooking or gardening… hmm, quite upset about the cooking suggestion!
  5. Travel to a new country – India, Indonesia and Lithuania are all currently on the shortlist.

So there they are. In writing. My 2013 New Year’s Resolutions. I’ll revisit this post on the 2nd July 2013, and see how I’m getting on. Already I feel it’s going to be easier now that I’ve seen them written down. Go on, have a go yourself!

In the meantime, whether you have resolutions or not this new year, I wish you and your loved ones an exciting and fulfilling 2013!

G x

p.s. I’m also refreshing the Ginger and Spice daily themes this year, so watch this space for your regular(ish) #5aday #GTime posts.

Home away from Home

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Evening. Hope you’ve been enjoying the lovely weekend’s weather. Tonight’s #SundayHome #GTime theme is ‘Home away from Home’…

I’ve just booked to go ‘Home’ to Scotland with friends in November. We’re flying into Glasgow & then driving to Campbeltown, Argyll. Campbeltown is on the tip of stunning Kintyre & it’s where my parents live in a handsome Georgian house overlooking Campbeltown loch.

Today’s #5aday features 5 reasons to visit Kintyre & Campbeltown – from the stunning scenery to the rich history of whisky distilling.

  1. Beaches for surfing/walking/running – from Machrihanish to Westport (one of The Independent’s 50 best beaches).
  2. Eating – on the drive down, you must visit the original Loch Fyne Oyster Bar, 10 miles before historic Inverary.
  3. Golf – Machrihanish Golf Club on the Atlantic coast has been voted as having ‘the best first hole in the world’.
  4. Gigha – the southern most Hebridean Island, 3 miles west of the Kintyre peninsula. Explore the island by bike.
  5. Whisky – Campbeltown had 37 distilleries in the 19th century. Now there are 3 with Springbank the best known.

5 reasons to visit beautiful Kintyre & there are many, many more including award-winning Mull of Kintyre cheese!

Today’s #SundayHome #GTopSpot goes to Campbeltown & Kintyre. In the words of Paul McCartney… “My desire is always to be here.” G x

Paul McCartney’s ‘Mull of Kintyre’

Mull of Kintyre, oh mist rolling in from the sea
my desire is always to be here
Oh, Mull of Kintyre

Far have I travelled and much have I seen
Darkest of mountains with valleys of green
Past painted deserts the sun sets on fire
as he carries me home to the Mull of Kintyre

Mull of Kintyre, oh mist rolling in from the sea
my desire is always to be here
Oh, Mull of Kintyre

Sweep through the heather like deer in the glen
Carry me back to the days I knew then
Nights when we sang like a heavenly choir
of the life and the times of the Mull of Kintyre

Mull of Kintyre, oh mist rolling in from the sea
my desire is always to be here
Oh, Mull of Kintyre

Smiles in the sunshine and tears in the rain
Still take me back where my memories remain
Flickering embers go higher and higher
as they carry me back to the Mull of Kintyre

Mull of Kintyre, oh mist rolling in from the sea
my desire is always to be here
Oh, Mull of Kintyre

Mull of Kintyre, oh mist rolling in from the sea
my desire is always to be here
Oh, Mull of Kintyre

Ginger’s 100th Post

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Today is a special day for Ginger & Spice. This is my 100th post, so today’s #MysteryMonday takes a look back at the highlights.

On this special occasion, I have rated my favourite posts so far. So in order from the top, here are my 10 favourite posts:

  1. ROYAL SOLE OF APPROVAL posted 1 June - A Jubilee inspired #ShoeFriday post featuring shoes fit for a queen.
  2. EDINA! SCOTIA’S DARLING SEAT! posted 21 May - A #MysteryMonday post featuring 5 things to do when in Edinburgh.
  3. LOVE ST MARGARETS posted 5 May - A #SaturdayShopping post featuring gorgeous shops & boutiques in St Margarets.
  4. CUISINE CULTURE posted 3 May - A #ThursdayFriday post featuring 5 different national food eateries around London.
  5. RICHES OF RICHMOND posted 1 April - A #SundayHome post on 5 stylish ‘interiors’ shops in Richmond-on-Thames.
  6. THE ONLY RED SOLE posted 15 June - A #ShoeFriday post featuring my 5 favourite Christian Louboutin Shoes.
  7. SIGHTS & SOUNDS OF LONDON posted 7 June - A #ThursdayFriday post featuring 5 cool things to do around London.
  8. SWEET DREAMS posted 17 June - A #SundayHome post featuring 5 beautiful bedroom pieces/accessories to inspire romance.
  9. BABY GIFTS posted 17 April - A #TuesdayTreats post showcasing 5 cute personalised baby gift ideas.
  10. RACE READY posted 21 March - A #WellbeingWednesday post sharing 5 race tips from my friend & ultra-runner FitChickTori.

So the #GTopSpot goes to a #ShoeFriday post! Here are the Top 10 most viewed posts by you…

  1. BBQ SUMMER posted 6 May
  2. WHO’S THE DADDY posted 12 June
  3. WALL OF FAME posted 13 May
  4. DRESS TO IMPRESS posted 2 June
  5. EDINA! SCOTIA’S DARLING SEAT! posted 21 May
  6. HOLIDAY ACTION posted 12 April
  7. CENTENARY CELEBRATION posted  4 June
  8. THE ART OF PHOTOGRAPHY posted 7 May
  9. A FAT LOT OF GOOD? posted 16 May
  10. AL FRESCO DRINKING posted 24 May

Thank you for following my blogette & for your feedback so far! From now on my 5-a-day #GTime will be posted every other day from 6pm…

So please clock in at 6pm this coming #WellbeingWednesday for my next #GTime post. Thanks again for following.

Lots of Love. Ginger x

Centenary Celebration

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Good evening. I’m delighted to welcome Jane Mayo (my mum) as my next interviewee for today’s second #MondayMonthlyInterview!

Jane is the Chairman of the Campbeltown Picture House, Argyll, Scotland which celebrates its centenary in May 2013.

The Picture House is community owned and run and is the oldest continuously run, purpose-built cinema in Scotland still showing films. On the day of the cinema’s 99th birthday, Jane Mayo answers the following 5 bite-size #GTime questions…

  1. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? “Believe it or not a chartered accountant but my traditionalist father pursuaded me to be a wife & mother, which has been v. rewarding.”
  2. What makes you get up in the morning? “Sadly at my age I wake far too early and thrash around for an hour or two. It’s a relief then when the alarm finally goes off.”
  3.  If you won the EuroMillions what would you do? “Max prem bonds for the grandkids, pay off all family mortgages, refurb The Picture House with modern tech, 3D & fab new 2nd screen.”
  4. Who would your fantasy 5 dinner party guests be? “Judi Dench, Barack Obama, Jim Naughtie, Emma Thompson and Aung San Suu Kyi.”
  5. If you were stranded on a desert island, what 5 things items would you wish you had? “Fresh water for a SHOWER, daily killer SUDOKU, veg SEEDS, SPADE and SUNCREAM.”

Visit Campbeltown, Argyll to see a film at The Picture House, play golf at Machrihanish GC & drink whisky (Springbank & Glen Scotia).

Contact me if you know anyone in film who might help The Picture House. They need to raise £2.5 million & Campbeltown population is only 5k. G x

Holiday Action

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Evening! I might just be back from holiday but I’m already thinking about planning the next one…

Continuing the theme of ‘activity-based’ holidays, today’s #ThursdayFriday column features 5 alternative action holidays to skiing.

  1. Trail Running - After my 1st trail in Paris @FitchickTori has recommended the Ice Trail Tarentaise in the Alps .
  2. Biking - Discover Verbier on a bike this summer with Lucy & Phil from Bike Verbier - Green is the new white!
  3. Walking - See stunning Scotland on the West Highland Way with @macsadventure - 95 miles over mountains & lochs.
  4. Surfing - Visit Ericeira, Portugal’s surf capital & a pretty fishing town - Good for beginners & experts alike.
  5. Yoga - For a more spiritual holiday, opt for a relaxing yoga retreat with Ashiyana Yoga in beautiful North Goa.

5 stunning locations & very different activity-based holidays to dream about… but which will be crowned King of the Mountain today?

Today’s #ThursdayFriday #GTopSpot goes to #5 Ashiyana Yoga in Goa. I’ve always wanted to visit India & this sounds like pure bliss… G x