My name is Colin Arthur - otherwise known as Cozy - I am 22 years old and live in a village called Braidwood, near Lanark in West Central Scotland.

I have often questioned the usefullness of personal homepages. I suppose if you were a bit sad and lonely, it would be nice to think that someone came all the way here especially to read about you. My excuse for having this site is, well, some would personify me as a net-nerd, and to save them from disappointment, it's only right that I should go to some effot.
The main reason for this website was that I wanted a permanent email address which wouldn't change if I moved ISP -- and what could be more permanent than absolutelyanything@cozy.co.uk! Along with the email addresses came the webspace, so I might as well put something here :o)

(the fact that I got the web-space, simply because I launched my own ISP at age 16 and have grown it over the years as a limited company, is neither here nor there...)

Personally, I wouldn't call myself a net-nerd (then again, in all seriousness, who would?). It's true though, I am an Electronic & Electrical Engineering student by day, and I run my own web design company by night; I'm fully versed in several programming languages; I know a lot about networks and digital comms; and my bedrooms stacked full of PC's and VAX servers that purr away into the small hours of the morning. Shortly after getting a leased line internet connection direct to my bedroom, I'll probably be looking for a 3 phase power supply!

If I had to describe myself though, I would probably settle for the description "The net nerd with a life", though some may beg to differ :)

I'm into all sorts of things as well as computers-n-stuff, like cars, gadgets, wasting away my life on the web, and going out with friends. I *think* I'm fairly easy going (Ha Ha!), but very concious of image and what people think :-/ I'm a total gadget freak, and couldn't survive without my Nokia 7650, and my car GPS and stuff like that. More recently, I've become more and more into cars - and with Brian finally managing to talk me into getting way-too-big Alloy wheels on my car, I've finally crossed the threshold into ned-land! :) (his words, not mine).

Some would call me "Flash". I'm not your typical electronic engineer. I need the best phones, the newest gadgets, a smart looking cruiser and a gorgeous girl on my arm. (spot the mistake). I can be easily spotted on the train, playing with my 7650, reading the news on My Palm, and checking my mail on my laptop. (and after typing that last sentence, i'm realising just how obsessed i really am!)

I am also obsessed with cars...and more correctly, what you can do to modify them! Squeezing 2500 Watts of audio equipment into the back of a Seat Arosa has got to be my greatest lifetime achievement to date!

To write a section entitled "Everyday life" would suggest that my life has some predefined "normal" that each new day could be compared to. Ha ha ha ha har! My life is stressful and hectic! Don't try and get me to think about any further than 2 weeks in advance, cause it just ain't gonna happen! Electronic & Electrical Engineering is a great course, with a lot of decent people in the class - but they enjoy doing evil things to us like a Microprocessor Applications exam one week before Christmas Day. We're also in for 9am every day and often go straight through till 5 -- which is unheard of for social science, business or Arts degrees *grin* :o)

Taking all that into account, I am fairly organised (well, sometimes), and as long as you make me write it down in my Palm...it'll definitely happen! To check out my diary online, have a look here and enter my email address colin @ colinarthur.co.uk.

I live at home with my mum, dad and younger sister Laura. Despite the arguments for moving out and getting a flat nearer University (it's 40 minutes on the train each way), staying at home has multiple advantages - cooking, washing and phone bill all being catered for is argument enough for me!
My sister Laura is 18, and is a medical student in 2nd year at Glasgow Uni.

My dog "Hamish" is a white West Highland Terrier. He probably ranks second most computer literate in the household - which is why I start getting very worried when I find anyone else on my machine.

With my last website, many visitors came because I live in Scotland - so I thought I'd say a little about where I live, the Clyde Valley.

I have llived in this area for the past 18 years, and find it great for being just about within commuting distance...whilst maintaining a healthy enough physical separation from my office in Glasgow, for the weekends. Centrally located in southern Scotland, the valley of the River Clyde offers a diversity of attractions and activities, from golf to hill walking, and from watersports to horseriding and cycling. Of course, being in Scotland we are notoriously bad for shouting about what we're good at - especially on the web - but your best bet is to start at visitscotland.com

The Tower of Hallbar, Braidwood

Horticulture has always played in important role in the Clyde Valley. Throughout time the rich fertile soils have played an important role in attracting growers to the area, with many "Garden Centres" now spread throughout the valley. High quality produce such as tomatoes, bananas and other soft fruits are still exported throughout the world - although nowadays, most garden centres cater for day-trip visitors, offering attractions such as Gift shops, coffee shops, pony trekking and craft shops.

There are also many areas of historic interest, open to visitors throughout the year. Craignethan Castle - built in 1530, is still haunted to this day by Mary, Queen of Scots. The Tower of Hallbar - built in the 15th century, Dalserf church and many others.

Most historic attractions are open all year round to visitors, but nowhere is more popular than the world renown conservation village of "New Lanark".

The conservation village of New Lanark is the gateway to the Falls of Clyde Wildlife Reserve, which is owned and managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust. From New Lanark you can enjoy beautiful riverside walks through the Reserve, following in the footsteps of the many poets and painters including Wordsworth and Turner. There are three waterfalls upstream from New Lanark lying on the Clyde Walkway: Dundaff Linn (3 metres) is the close to the village. Corra Linn (28 metres) is about 20-25 minutes walk, and Bonnington Linn (11 metres) about 30-45 minutes walk.

The Clyde Walkway is a 65 km walking route which is being developed to link the centre of Glasgow to the Falls of Clyde at New Lanark, passing through the scenic Clyde Valley.

This 11 km section of the Clyde Walkway starts at Crossford, and takes the walker through orchard country and spectacular wooded gorges, passing all four of the Falls of Clyde and the conservation village of New Lanark. It has easy links to the historic Royal Burgh of Lanark.

The four waterfalls along this section are Bonnington Linn (11 m.) Corra Linn (28m.) Dundaff Linn (3m.) and Stonebyres Linn (21m.). These are located in gorges which were cut by melt water from decaying ice-sheets more than 10,000 years ago, and the falls formed where there is harder, more resistant rock. Stonebyres Linn is a natural barrier to migrating salmon and sea-trout, preventing these fish from arriving at the upper reaches of the Clyde and tributaries.

Several attempts have been made to harness the sheer power of the Falls of Clyde.

Water drawn from a specially built weir above Dundaff Linn was used to power the cotton-mills at New Lanark. This has been restored by the New Lanark Conservation Trust to power an original 1930s water turbine, and generate hydro-electricity.

In 1927, two larger power stations were opened at Bonnington and Stonebyres. Bonnington Power Station, situated downstream of Corra Linn, draws water from above Bonnington Linn - a fall of 51 metres - and generates 11,00Kw. Stonebyres Power Station, situated 3 km. upstream from Crossford, draws water from above Stonebyres Linn - a fall of 30 metres - and generates 5,000 Kw. Both stations are operated by Scottish Power as a combined power plant.

From the Clyde Valley, the river travels Westwards, meandering through the industrial ares of Motherwell and Hamilton, leading on to the "River City" Glasgow, heavily dependent on the Clyde for its industrral past, and its cosmopolitan future.