In time honoured fashion, as with many thrusts in life, skateboarding has temporarily fallen by the wayside for me. When I say temporarily, I really mean it has forever been ditched. I realise my last posting, some time ago now, charted me showing a renewed vigour to learning the sport and a commitment to improve. It hasn't happened, I remain the floundering idiot on a skateboard that I long-attempted not to be. I could use the ramp closing down as an excuse, but it would be a poor one as there are more at Hopeman - a mere 10 miles away. Equally viable would be the onset of winter, long hours at work, a reluctance to damage the environment by driving elsewhere, and the inexplicable dissapearance of my essential kneee and elbow pads.

I have missed two weeks of skating. I had to work late the first week and was on holiday for the second. Holidays are good. I spent a week catching up with buddies in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness. Will put three weeks worth of effort into next week's mini-ramp session.

Boys have invaded girl's night at the urbo mini ramp. It is due to the shop now being open on Sundays in the run up to Christmas. It will return to normal after the break. Accordingly, my targets set out for last night's session were not met due to less ramp-time. I did complete three successful drop-in attempts - but the crash mat was very much still in place. Session was followed by a trip to casualty with friend Susan. She dropped in but hit the ground before the mat and hurt her hand. Two hours of waiting room action confirmed a damaged ligament. "It may twitch for months" said the doctor.

I'm learning to ride a skateboard. I'm being helped by instructor Gizmond and Ian at the urbanology mini ramp at Elgin. They are very patient. There is a girl's night every Monday, when half a dozen wonderwomen take to the four ft ramp and basically fall over lots. But, I can assure you it's good crack. My bud Susan just learnt to drop-in and she looks really funky so I'm gonna try and be just like her.