Cyprus watersports

Newlyweds Russell & Ashley, plus the Cyprus wedding party of 24, had great fun with various watersports which was located on the beach beside the hotel. I managed to stay dry, but the others didn't! A selection of the hundreds of action photos is shown here.

Nobody survived the banana boat trips!

Ashley and Freya showing off by holding on with one hand.

Watty tries to knock the kids off!

The boys had great fun trying to knock each other off the water raft without falling off themselves. Gavin won every time.

Jillian & Christopher were the only ones brave enough to try para-gliding. The rope was 200m long and they were around 150m in the air most of the time. They started and finished on the fast moving speedboat and so didn't get wet.

Surfing Montage

The many positive comments on my surfing pics from the O'Neill Cold Water Classic surfing event has prompted the creation of a montage. My photoshop skills are limited and so I enlisted the help of StudioGraff's Duncan MacLachlan to create the above montage. It has created a lot of interest already.

A framed A2 sized copy can be seen in the Tempest Cafe at Thurso harbour, which is the meeting place for local and visiting surfers. The montage is available to buy, but due to the amount of effort in creating it, the normal print prices do not apply. Contact me if interested.

Halkirk vs Sleat & Strath - HA Cup Replay

Halkirk beat Sleat & Strath from Skye in the Highland Amateur Cup replay today (27th June). The score was 5-1 with 5 mins to play. The bumper crowd of over 300 from the Eain MacIntosh cup final played earlier in the day, stayed on to watch Halkirk stroll to an easy victory. A big change from the first match when Halkirk scored in the 88th and 93rd minutes to sneak a draw. They are now away to Avoch on 11th July. Wick Groats, Castletown and John O'Groats are also still in the competition.

Swifts vs John O'Groats Cup Final

The CAFA Eain MacIntosh cup final was held at Halkirk's Recreation Park today (27th June) in glorious sunshine. A bumper crowd of over 300 watched Thurso Swifts beat John O'Groats 4-3 in a thrilling end-to-end match. It was referee Bob Wheatcroft's last match (after 30 years) and he was very emotional at the end. He presented the man of the match award to Swifts Lee MacDougal. Eain's mother Mary presented the cup, in memory of her son, to Swifts captain Blair MacKintosh.

Thurso FC Football Tournament

I went along to watch the Halkirk junior teams at the Thurso FC football tournament at the Thurso High School today Sunday 21 June. The Halkirk U13s (above) wanted some action pics, so I took a few of them and also the other Halkirk teams. I didn't stay to the end, so not sure who won the 5 age groups. It was very hot all day, just perfect for mid summers day. From tomorrow, the nights will be drawing in!

I'm off to Sellafield this week, so will not be able to update my website with all the weekend's photos until next weekend.

Halkirk U9s vs Swifts B

Halkirk U11s vs Castletown

Halkirk U13s vs East End

Halkirk U15s vs Thurso Pentland

Canisbay Show

The Canisbay Show was held in glorious sunshine on 20th June. The horses finished very early (just as the show was being officially opened!) and I only caught the overall championships and the young handlers classes (have to keep Saturday mornings free of chores in future!) The overall horse champion was a wee black shetland pony.

Eddiston May-Bee ridden by Jillian Gunn was the champion ridden pony.

The overall horse champion and reserve supreme show champion- a shetland pony.

Castletown vs Golspie Stafford

Castletown beat Goslpie Stafford 1-0 today in the Highland amateur cup. For a change, there was glorious sunshine and it was warm! I caught the first half only - there was some tough tackling and no goals. Castletown's mascot made an appearance - I think it is the only mascot in the North. All the Highland Amateur cup results can be viewed on the website http://www.hacup.co.uk/.