After saving up for the better part of a year, we've finally taken the plunge and bought airline tickets to Scotland for Christmas.I should explain that Scotland is my husband's natural born homeland, he's been jonesing for a home visit for some time now. I also have a certain affection for the place, since I lived there for 3.5 years with him.
When I lived there last, I was a pack-a-day smoker. On this visit, I'm planning to get to know a different side of Scotland. We're already talking about going for runs in the Pentlands, hikes in Glencoe, stuff like that. I'll be bringing a lot of rain gear.
Sure it's cold but it's a wet cold.
The kiddos have never been. We've always been in two minds about when to take them. The older they are, the more ready they seem to absorb a big trip like that (and the more prepared we feel for surviving 18 continuous hours of their company on an airplane). I've been spending time now explaining to them what Edinburgh Castle is like, and trying to gently crack their internal belief that all castles look like Disney Castle.
I guess they'll find out soon.
Since we'll be there at the right time, I wanted to go to Hogmanay. For the uninitiated, Hogmanay is a huge street party that takes place every New Year's Eve right in the centre of town. It's a really, really big deal with live bands, street performers, and about 300,000 of your closest friends, all completely drunk off their faces. The streets are utterly awash in piss and vomit. It's fantastic fun - and I don't even drink!
Beloved was not keen to go, for reasons I'll never fully understand, but he was willing to go along with it. He claims to be getting "too old for that shit."
And then I got the phone call from him...it went something like this:
Yeah honey, we could do Hogmanay, that'd be great, but you might not want to. There's this Triathlon you might want to do on New Year's Day...
Holy. Cow.
Does he know me or what?! I'm totally signing up for that!
I am so excited! I'm already doing research on where to beg/borrow/steal a bike, who to talk to in the local tri-clubs, who I could train with, etc. etc. Luckily I still know a few people there (and luckily they still speak to me). I know the area, I kinda know the course, it's really beautiful.
I was so excited, I told someone else -- not a triathlete -- about it and she says (sanely):
"That's going to be cold. That sounds crazy."
Yeah, doesn't it?!
8 comments:
You know, I kissed my s/o on a dare on North Bridge at Hogmanay 2000. That was after seeing the Bay City Rollers performing down in Princes Street Gardens and not even realizing until a year and half later that they were the Bay City Rollers. Hogmanay=good times. Doing a triathlon in Scotland in the dead of winter=...I'll wait to hear how it turns out...
Envy envy envy Envy envy envy Envy envy envy Envy envy envy Envy envy envy Envy envy envy Envy envy envy Envy envy envy!! I've often been very interested in visiting very green web places, and to do a tri while you're there - outstanding!
I meant green WET places. Jeez.
an international tri. I am jealous and who says you can't party like a rock star the night before?
yah, but it's a wet cold.
classic line!
here's another one for yah'
yah, but it's at sea-level.
enjoy!!
p.s. every since talk like a pirate day, i read your blog with my inner-pirate narrating. i'm not sure, argggg, this is a healthy thing.
p.p.s. now my inner-pirate sounds all skote-tish. someone help me.
bold - inner scottish pirate sounds completely appropriate in this venue. it will go a long way toward explaining my narrative style as well. part pirate, part beavis and butthead.
misty - you might not be so envious if I come back with frostbite - eep!
comms - I like the way you think!
Oh wow, I am so jealous. Now that sounds like a vacation. You go girl! Cold or not, that's what rain gear is for. So you'll spend a little extra time in transition, so what. Atleast you're racing in Scotland.
yipes! That sounds like F!U!N!! and I don't even Triathull. I didn't know you had started smoking again back then... hadn't you been quit for years?
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