Glasgow, UK
August 2019
August seemed to repeat itself, but in a very good way. We saw Zivian and Tahlia again, travelled to Edinburgh once more, and I went away again with the Rangers, this time to York.
Beginning with my trip to York, I travelled with the Rangers U10’s to Queen Ethelburga’s College, just outside of York – one of the most extraordinary schools that I’ve ever been to. Expansive grounds, manicured gardens, tennis courts, football pitches, and a bloody stable. The rooms weren’t numbered; they were named after philosophers, for goodness’ sake.
Anyway, my gawking aside, the tournament was a whole lot of fun, as they usually are. The mood was relaxed and the kids played very well – many coaches made the point of saying so, which was nice. Unfortunately, the team lost on penalties in the semi-finals, but hey, that’s football. Another bit of excitement occurred when one the coaches put us on the wrong train back to Glasgow. We had a few hurried moments in Carlisle station changing all of our kit and children from one train to another. Another day in the life.
Prior to getting to Edinburgh though, we stopped again in Linlithgow to watch Amy’s AFL match. Due to the number of expats in Glasgow, there is a surprising interest in AFL in Scotland.
Between Glasgow and Edinburgh there are 4 amateur teams alone. Amy has been playing for the Greater Glasgow Giants for quite some time now and she had an exhibition match against her team’s arch rival the Glasgow Sharks. If you’re reading this and you live in Glasgow, you should totally come down to Glasgow Green to try it out…
After a quick and satisfying dinner at Al-Andaluz we made way to the Royal Mile. Winding up the steady incline to Edinburgh Castle, there was a palpable buzz in the air. A mix of heady excitement, anticipation, and curiosity.
The Tattoo is ostensibly a military parade, with pipe and drum bands from around the world being invited every year to perform in from of Edinburgh castle – a full stadium being built atop the Royal Mile. The mixed nationalities of the invitees made for an enjoyably varied show – highland pipes, drums, and dancers; calypso drum lines; French horns and can-can girls; a Maori Haka – it was every bit as spectacular as it’s made out to be.
I left with the sound of pipes ringing in my ears - it really was something else.
Unfortunately, however, the euphoria of the show wore off quickly as we, and others, tried to make our way home. In what can only be described as a planning debacle, not enough trains or busses were scheduled to accommodate those leaving the Fringe or the Tattoo. Trains were full. Bus after bus drove straight past us – also completely full. Hours rolled by. People became borderline riotous. We ended up walking across town to the first stop of the Edinburgh-Glasgow line and managed to get a bus at 2:30, getting home to bed at 3:30AM. Which wouldn’t normally bother me too much, but unfortunately, I had work the next day and needed to be up at 7:15. I would’ve very much appreciated the extra 3 hours of sleep I should’ve gotten. Sure enough the whole mess made the news the next day.
Whilst the Tattoo was amazing, I have some regret that we didn’t make the most of the Fringe. In the end, we only saw one show during August – we’ll have to do better next year.
Come visit and join us.
JC
" A true gentleman is a man who knows how to play the bagpipes, but does not play."
Thomas Beecham
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