October 2025

So I should probably lead with the big news of the month: H and I are engaged! In the middle of October we took a wee trip up to see the autumn leaves near Pitlochry. It was the first time away as a family of four. We stayed at a small cottage in Strathtay. H loves autumn and being out and about, so I figured it was the perfect time to pop the (long overdue) question. I was also pleased that despite it being overdue the timing was a surprise. We walked up the Birks of Aberfeldy trail, I read the Burns poem, and H said Yes.

Let Fortune’s gifts at random flee, They ne’er shall draw a wish frae me; Supremely blest wi’ love and thee, In the Birks of Aberfeldy.

We drove along to Loch Tay, had a late lunch at The Courtyard as our boys slept in our laps. After a quick stop at the playground, we went to a small beach and threw stones into the water in the afternoon sun - a beautiful and happy day.

On the Friday drive up we visited Dunkeld and the cathedral. On the Sunday we went into Pitlochry and wandered around the dam in the drizzle, with great sandwiches from Jessie’s Cafe at the end of the town.

The rest of the month was busy as we adjusted to having two children. It can be pretty relentless! We still managed some nice walks in the fresh autumn air.

Halloween came and we took Jack out guising with some of the other local kids. It was fun!

I ran two JavaScript events: one talking about AI with Patty O’Callaghan, and the other with Emmanuel Demey showcasing a WordPress to Astro migration.

I’m pleased that we’ve started getting more volunteers to help out at these events. Having more people involved makes the organisation more robust and sustainable. If you want to give me a hand then fill out the volunteers form.

My running and reading have both fallen off a cliff, particularly since Rory’s arrival. I hope to get back to the regular routine soon. I did read through 1177 BC by Eric H Cline, which gave a tour of the ancient civilisations of the eastern Mediterranean.

Until next month (and hopefully not as late with the notes next time!) 👋