It's Summer???

www.microlodge.net

It's been a while since we posted, mainly due to the fact that age is creeping in...and thereby my ability to remember passwords has diminished accordingly.  Thus after hours of mental torture, I have regained access to the blog.

Well, we did manage to get 2 units built rather swiftly for Tyndrum at the By The Way Hostel.
http://www.tyndrumbytheway.com/HobbitHouse.php

They are certainly in a prime location, and were being booked into within minutes of arrival. You can't ask for better than that.

We then got cracking on units 5 & 6 for Glencoe Mountain resort, who opened to the public last Friday...at long last.

http://www.glencoemountain.com/

6 at Glencoe.

It's certainly not been all work though as Gary had some hols & nipped off to Turkey for a while, and myself & Blaze took the chance to get some adventures in. We managed at last to do the Bidean climbs which was lots of fun, and also 2 Munros at Bridge of Orchy...with lots of snow still in evidence.

Me & Blaze on summit of Ben Dorian

We then managed a trip to the site at Kinlochleven and had a wee catch-up with Callum which was fun.

Blackwater Hostel Kinlochleven.

Blaze even managed to sneak his bear into the rucksacks.

We even had a 1st (and last) attempt at waterskiing. I think the water levels in Lochearn have been reduced by a few inches after I swallowed copious gallons of it.

Blaze was non too happy with being left on the shore during my pathetic attempts at this sport, but came round a bit when we were able to take him & his labrador buddy, Digger, in for a swim afterwards.

Blaze, Digger & Cathy in Lochearnhead

We have also been informed...sound trumpets.... that High Seas Hobbit  http://www.facebook.com/pages/High-Seas-Hobbit-House/217284054988565

have been visited and filmed by the BBC with the programme due to air in September, so best of luck to them as they have worked really hard at getting their business recognition.

In the midst of all this flurry of activity, there was one very special day, when my youngest girl was sent packing, at long last...

The proud father & beautiful daughter

Of course, I had to explain that 'someone' wasn't invited...

Anyhow...enough for one blog, and now that the password has been noted down...yet again, it will hopefully not be too long until the next.

Still got snow

www.microlodge.net

Well now, what a busy week it's been.  After the trauma of getting lost in Wales, it was back to the workshop and a rush getting a microlodge ready to head to Tyndrum, and for a change, we finished it with a full day to spare.

We loaded that up on Saturday morning, then myself & Blaze headed to Lochearnhead, where we had plenty of time for a stroll around Loch Tay. I tried to get Blaze to swim for the first time...but he was having none of it.. Digger on the other hand had to be dragged from the water.

Then on the Sunday, it was time to pick out a few Munros to climb. The first had to be rather special as it was to be Kathys 100th, so we headed North to look at what was on offer weather-wise.

The forecast was to be lashing rain by noon, but as we reached Bridge of Orchy, it seemed clear enough, so the decision was made to go for Beinn Dorain then Beinn Dothaigh.  What a wonderful choice.

The weather was glorious & the views were infinite, and as an added bonus, there was snow...lots & lots of pristine snow.  The dogs had a wonderful time, as did we, although it was a tad more wearying than the distance deserved.  Still, we wouldn't have swapped the day for anything...

Ben Dorain summit

Summit of Beinn Dothaidh

Blaze & I then spent the night in Kinlochleven at Blackwater Hostel, one of my favourite places & had a few beers at the Bothan Bar before having an early night.

Then on the Monday, we headed to Tyndrum to 'By the Way Hostel, to offload the microlodge from the truck, and with only a few wee problems, had it sited and operational ready for the bookings that have already started coming in.

It's now a new week, and we have started on the next 2 units for delivery to Glencoe, and these are coming along nicely, again, ahead of schedule, so with luck, we should be headed North again in 12 days or so. ...any excuse to get away to the hills....

A week in Wales & a wedding..

www.microlodge.net

Well, what can we say, other than it's been a whirlwind of a week.

We set off for Wales at 4.30 in the morning on Monday to deliver 4 units to http://www.welshfruitstocks.co.uk/ 
and arrived well ahead of the truck, allowing us to 'scout the land'. Just as well as it happens as there was no way our truck was going to be able to negotiate the narrow lanes up to the farm.  Luckily, all help was at hand with a tractor, 2 trailers & a Manitou crane to help things along, so after doing a transfer of the units, we were off to the location.
The units themselves slotted into their allocated spots with very few problems and were nice and level, so that was the end of day 1.



Day 2 consisted of fighting the elements, battling against torrential sleet & hail & a lot of time spent hiding in a shed to attempt to stay reasonably dry before venturing out to complete the decking job.


Then it was a case of fitting the last of the roof ridge shingles...and job done.  By now, it was 9 in the evening, yet after a 14 hour shift, we took the decision to head back North towards home.
Once again...disaster. The GPS started playing up, and after 2 hours of 'off-road' driving, we were 8 miles further away from where we had started. Therefore, instead of heading for the motorway, we headed towards North Wales, and eventually, tired & frustrated arrived in Liverpool and got through the Mersey Tunnel. We still don't think that was the correct way, but hey...we were getting further North at least.

In the course of all this happening, a nice call came through, and we now have a rush order to get up to Tyndrum, to http://www.tyndrumbytheway.com

We got a good start on this job, then come Friday it was a last minute panic for me & Blaze as we had the small matter of a wedding to attend. So, Friday was rehearsal day...all ready for the Sunday.



Blaze was not happy with his bow tie look though...



The wedding itself went incredibly well and I was so proud and happy for my daughter...oh..and her new husband I suppose.....

I myself missed out on most of the vows ceremony as was occupied by 'blowing bubbles' to keep little Kyla amused as she had kicked off just at the most critical moment of the whole proceedings. I really cannot wait to see the video....

Still, no rest for the wicked, and back to real life. We are going to be a tad rushed for a while getting the next 8 units for Glencoe Ski Centre built & delivered in time for the West Highland Way season.

A Hectic Week

http://microlodge.co.uk/

Well, what a busy week we've all had here at Microlodge. The 4 units, comprising of a 2 man lodge, drying room & 2 shower rooms for Wales are surging ahead and we are aiming for a Friday pick-up with delivery due for Monday. I can see a few late nights to get them out on time. Today we started to get the doors fitted and the wet-wall installed in one unit.. We are however frantically searching for lights as the supplier had forgotten to order ours in... Oops.

Meanwhile...what a weekend. Gary went to Ikea (oh the excitement), whereas I took Blaze on an adventure.

First we drove to 12 miles upstream of Dunkeld and went canoeing. The weather for early April was magnificent.

Then we returned to town via the river, stopping halfway on an island for lunch.

Jayne with Blaze

Quiet & tranquil, pure bliss

After the river trip, we headed west along to Lochearnhead, and stopped of with Kathy at the post office. The intention was to head North to Buachaille Etive Mor & bag the 2 Munros there.  This was 2 that I have already done, (& fell off of), but they would have been just perfect for Kathys 100th Munro.  As it was, the cloud had came down to 2,000 ft and visibility was rubbish, so instead we headed back south & inland to Killin and decided to do 2 mountains in the Lawers range instead.

These were to be Blazes 1st ever mountains & his 1st ever encounter with snow.

Summit of Beinn Ghlas

At Ben Lawers. (it was freezing...-10)

First snow

It's now Wednesday, and we have been hit by blizzards, so the wood burner in the shop is working overtime keeping us all toasty. Today, we should start getting the roof shingles on the units & have a 2nd coat of varnishing done on the exteriors.   Should be able to get some good photos later for the website.

Welsh Fruit Stocks

http://www.welshfruitstocks.co.uk/

It's been a busy old day in the workshop, what with 2 plumbers, 2 electricians, 3 joiners...and of course the apprentice. We managed to get 2 of the 3 wetrooms finished with the plumbing, and will finish the disabled shower / wetroom tomorrow morning.

Shower room 1

Wet room

The 2 berth Microlodge got the bunks fitted & the shelving units in and the outer log lap skin fitted, so only the door and shingles to finish that one off.

Bunks ready for mattresses

Shelving units at door

Of course, Blaze was amazing with his contributions of collecting up any stray tennis balls in the vicinity, and licking any ear that happened to appear below waist height when we were drilling out the drainage holes.

He did however guard the Mini Microlodge for us during coffee break.

Nobody..but nobody gets to nick Dads drill...

Welsh Fruit Farms.

Well, it's been a good day, with a walk to the workshop via the beach, harbour and park. Blaze as usual managed to drop his ball over the sea wall...and muggins here had to retrieve it...again...

The electricians were in early and had managed to wire up units 2 and 3, and will finish the last one tomorrow, just in time for the plumbers to arrive. Pictures of the units to follow tomorrow.

Once again, it was a cold start to the day, but then the thermometer rocketed, so we went to the beer garden after work. Blaze got himself a part time job behind the bar as we don't pay him enough.

The Adventures of Blaze

www.microlodge.net

Due to unrelenting pressure, I have decided to include the adventures of our new member of staff into this blog.

Blaze joined us 2 months ago as an apprentice 'stick-picker-upper' and lunch sharer. He tends to sleep a lot as he is still young, but we hope that after serving a grueling apprenticeship, he will become a valuable member of the Microlodge team...plus he is cheap...and will work for food and water....