Forest of Ae

It's the second last week of the holidays but I have been spending quite a lot of time at work preparing for the start of term, and next week will be much the same. However, because it's still the holidays I can come and go as I please, so it has been quite pleasant. I have also socialised a bit and done some walking and shopping.
On Friday I met up with the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Group because I was check pointing the first day of their Qualifying Expedition. We went down to the Forest of Ae in Dumfriesshire which was rather lovely. I saw lots of cyclists and dog walkers, and the Gold group navigated through the woods very well - woods can be tricky because you can't see any landmarks but they made good speed. When they had set up their tents in a very midgy clearing beside a river I set off back to civilisation, picking up fish suppers for tea on the way!
Today James and I took Ally into Tiso to get some winter boots that he will need in Oslo. Ally is one of the most ungreedy people I know and never asks us for anything if he can help it, so he was rather overwhelmed and thanked us in a gruff but heartfelt manner.
The rain is lashing on the roof of the extension just now; slightly worrying because we will be leaving shortly to watch the Commonwealth Games Athletics finals at Hampden!