Update (25/02/2006) – Hey, we now have String.IsNullOrEmpty, you know! What’s the quickest way, in C#, to test whether a string is empty? This is a question which came to my mind yesterday. I’ve always been fond of: but it occured to me that this necessitates the creation and destruction of a second object (the empty string with which we’re comparing), so maybe it would be quicker to write: ...
For months now, I’ve been desperate for a decent excuse to make a custom ASP.NET server control, so I was secretly pleased today when a CustomValidator originally coded for use on a single page was required elsewhere. It’s surprisingly easy to do, although it took me a while to find a decent example online, which eventually came courtesy of the 4GuysFromRolla. In my particular scenario, I needed to check that the text entered into a TextBox did not equal any of a selection of “banned” strings (which was available via a static property on another class). ...
Remind me again why I do this kind of thing in January? Thanks to Alex for the companionship on this greyest of days.       
Popping my Torridonian cherry on Beinn Alligin. Sgurr Mhor (986m / 3235ft) Tom na Gruagaich (922m / 3025ft)
Two of the hills that rise above Glen Carron. Moruisg (928m / 3045ft) Sgurr nan Ceannaichean (915m / 3002ft)
A superlative day in the hills with Richard, Melanie, Hugh and Harriet. A cloudy start at low heights, but as we ascended higher we broke through a cloud inversion, being presented with stunning blue skies and incredible views across to Ben Nevis and the Carn Mor Dearg arete.        
A great day bagging the two Munros that make up Beinn a’Bheithir – Sgorr Dheargh (1024m) and Sgorr Dhonuill (1001m)        
The little sibling to Buachaille Etive Mor.     
A couple of fine Grahams bagged on a short, steep lunchtime walk. Ben More Coigach (743m) Sgurr an Fhidleir (705m)        
Four big ones in the bag, thanks to an overnight stay at Corrour Bothy: Braeriach (1296m) The Devil’s Point (Bod an Deamhain) (1004m) Cairn Toul (1291m) Sgor an Lochain Uaine (1258m) It was at some point on this day that my Nokia 5510, won during last year’s Nokia Game, got wet and died.        
On which I bagged the UK’s highest peak, Ben Nevis (1344m), via the curvaceous Carn Mor Dearg arête.       
The Foot and Mouth outbreak fortunately did not prevent us from having a fine day bagging Bla Bheinn on the Isle of Skye.      
Another great day on snow-kissed hills.       
On which we summitted the seventh-highest mountain in Scotland, the 1234m Aonach Beag. Plans to continue across to neighbouring Aonach Mor had to be abandoned due to poor visibility.              
A couple of days in the wonderfully remote Fisherfield Forest, staying at the delightful Shenavall Bothy.        