Everything normally confined to the weekend

A bit of a last-minute arrangement on thursday morning and Flora and I are off skiing at some horrible hour of the morning. Naturally, it starts to rain.
Being as organised as we are, we arrived in Edinburgh with no clue of how to get to Hillend. Fortunately, somebody happened to look up, and spot the bus timetable- particularly the section declaring '4 - Hillend via blah-blah-blah - insert time 5 minutes later here'. Problem solved. Unfortunately (and judging by the number of 'blahs' to be expected) this was not the speedy bus (we are aware of your existence *glares*). So by the time we staggered -it's still early- off at the bottom of the drive for Hillend, hunger had set in.

Can you tell she isn't a health freak?

Following a bite and a bit of a rocky start (Flo's first time on a dry slope- not that it was at that point, particularly dry =/ ) I think we got quite into it, despite the fact we could only stay an hour in order to be able to get to Gifford on time... more on that later. Definitely quite glad to have got in a spot of practise before the course next week.

On the bus back we bagged the best seats, and put our feet up;

Feet have been a recurring theme these past few days.

And Exams....

The downside to skiing that morning was that with the post on thursday came exam results. Or maybe it was a good thing, preventing us from sitting underneath and staring at the letterbox for hours, impatience, anticipation and anxiety punctuated only with the occasional fit.

Either way, I spent the morning repeatedly (blissfully) forgetting about what awaited me at home, being repeatedly (inadvertently) reminded by Flora, becoming excited/het-up/panic-striken, then struck by some other meaningful thought (oooohh, birdie!) forgetting again, only to re-undergo the whole process half an hour later.
My memory failed me to the extent that results did not cross my mind even walking casually into the drive... that is, until Flora says something along the lines of; "Oh, and you'll be able to open your results now--" *looks around but I'm already at the door like a NINJA*.

I'm haaaaappy! Who would have thought it, pessimism does work- I'm perfectly pleased with my results (once they were out of the envelope, much shaking involved...)!

When We Camped

Another ten minutes and we were rushing madly for the bus to take us to Flora's. As I was with her already and my everybody was out, it sort of made sense to go over to hers early. Holly (older sister to Flo) had been allowed a sizeable garden party, plus overnight stay for most friends in an even more sizeable tent.
Flo was now permitted the same. People were arriving at six, so it still being early in the day, Flo and I busied ourselves around the kitchen, primarily the cake bowl.

I'd like to say I contributed to actually making the cake (not just eating it after; although, Lewis, William, wow, easy on the portions!), but I think that might put people off it, so I won't (I did, I did!).

As people trickled in, we played badminton and with hula hoops (not the edible sort), then when deemed up to full strength, shifted back inside...

... to watch Harry Potter, No. 1- and munch. Needless to say, I think Lewis, William and I drove Katie nearly to distraction, debating throughout about film vs. book, mistakes, things that irritated, and quoting the film before the actual actors had a chance to get a word out. T'was fun!!

Just prior to the end of the film, Liz (William's mum) turned up and requisitioned some of us in order to take home. Ah well. Flo, Katie, Steph and I migrated OUT to the tent and proceeded to sort of not sleep for a while...

So mostly consisting of rabbit impressions...

Believe it or not, we did wake up the next day (and at a reasonably decent hour). I know, I was shocked. Although I think someone felt a bit worse for the wear...

Aww Flo!

This is becoming quite a long post. I think it has something to do with the fact that the weather outside is miserable.

I think I mentioned before that Katie was moving away *sad face*, so her mum picked her up around an hour after we'd got/packed up. Moving to Dumfries, but we will come up and visit you!!

Katie's final entrance. R.I.P, or something similar. (P.S. write, or else!)

In which I visit both the Beach and the Zoo...

Suddenly everyone is here, and busy arranging stuff. The first part of the holiday passed in a bit of a stupor and I think it is now trying to make up for it. Consequently things are happening faster than I can be bothered to write about them. As for photos... those previously on my computer seem to have gone walkabout, and naturally I keep forgetting to bring my camera anywhere. Epic fail.

Katie...

...had her leaving party *sad face*. North Berwick beach (which turned out not to actually be North Berwick beach) found itself rather crowded on tuesday, when a decent-sized chunk of fourth/fifth year piled in.

We then...

 

Wave Jumped (failed to jump over any waves, but became considerably wet after going through quite a few).

Searched (unsucessfully) for William's lost wallet- now listed MIA* .

Set up barbecues (one reasonably terrible and one altogether failed).

Roasted the things we should have barbecued but were refusing to cook over the first barbecue, on the bonfire which was the result of the second.

Dried off and ATE.

All highly exciting stuff- but you had to be there.

Several people I've met since appear to have caught sunburn.

Sarah & Co. had been planning a boat trip around Bass Rock, to which I had been invited. Unfortunately, no spaces left when we rang... but half an hour and Flora comes to the rescue...

One of the things included in our summer plans had been a visit to the Zoo, and today Flo's wee sister was going with a friend, so she rang me to see if I was around to go aswell.

As it happened I was, and we set out promptly- Flo's mother Debbie being nice enough to drive us all in.

We wandered up and down (though it felt like mostly up) hill, peering into the enclosures, occasionally seeing someone we recognised... naturally, ice-cream followed. But not for long, 'cos it was hot.
I understand that of course, the Zoo doesn't not have unlimited space/funds to expand, but I was still a tad miffed at the lack of space in some of the enclosures. Those of the big cats bothered me particularly. Fair enough, some of the smaller creatures might have been quite comfortable in that sort of area, but for animals of that size they seemed horribly cramped. And whilst they extended up a bit allowing them to climb, there was certianly not enough space for them even to trot (do cats 'trot'? Well, something similar). I don't know if they ever get taken out and say 'exercised', but I'm guessing probably not. At any rate, the thought of them spending hours cooped up like that I find a tad upsetting.

Aaanyway that's not to give the impression I didn't enjoy it all (I did, Flora, I did!). Watching the penguins was certainly a high point, particularly that one which reminded me strongly of the mad scientist in 'Back To The Future' (yet again, I forgot my camera so this is not my own picture but nicked from the internet in order to illustrate my point).

I end the day by hitching a ride with Flo & Co. back to Gifford, where I meet everyone preparing to tuck in to dinner at the Goblin Ha'... mmm, Brie and Beetroot tart....

________________________________________________

* Missing In Action

A Tale of Two Dinners

Oh dear... where to start? Two consecutive birthday parties (as usual, synonomous with massive overeating... ouch), Rosie (16- today) and Belinda (8). For Rosie's, the plan was to hop into Edinburgh to see the new Harry Potter. I had managed to hold back from going to see it before in anticipation of this.

I think a trailer is appropriate here:

I think that by the time I came to watch it, I had already seen so many trailers that I had a fairly accurate idea of what to expect from the film... What surprised me though was that they managed to make it really very good, without necessarily being particularly funny. Still trying to decide whether or not this is a Good Thing (Personally I'm never averse to bit more comedy). Anyway, clearly it worked...

Following our stint in Edinburgh, we scooted back to Rosie's, on the way to which Beth recieved an unexpected text from Louise (who had just left us), and declared to a shocked audience that Amy Winehouse had died. We had all been fairly cut-off from the world in general since midday, so this news came as a complete surprise. Although I don't think any of us is a particular fan of Amy Winehouse, it is bizarre and sad to think that she is no longer there...

Back at Rosie's, we walk Clover (the residing dog- you might have guessed) and EAT. The table is covered in all manner of small edible snacks, and as we remain sitting there and talking a good few hours, we steadily pick away and eventually discover that the table top does indeed actually exist. We migrate to the 'sofa/TV area' of the room, and allow 'Mock The Week' episodes to run in the background as we chat, comment, and devour MOAMs.

The Very Next Day...

Having spent the best part of the night in various discussions with Ailish, I wake up brutally early, feel stuffed and eventually get sat on.

Still feeling stuffeed and now also reasonably squashed, I hitch a lift with Beth back to Haddington, and another party (ie, opportunity to overeat).

By the time I got back everyone had already arrived (everyone being Sarah -aunt-, Michael -uncle-, Honor, Belinda -cousins- and Caramel -hamster-) and the operation to get lunch out was well underway. I was permitted to sit and drool a while whilst these continued, then finally all was ready and with the table threatening to buckle, people sat down and dug in.

Papa and Sylwia arrived a bit after we'd finished the main course- their bus having broken down just outside of Fort Kinnaird.We had however managed to save them some, and pudding (jelly, cake, meringues and ice cream- albeit not simultaneously) seemed to go down well with everyone...

I go to bed begging to be spared dinner and feeling painfully overfull for a second night in a row (I never learn).

Holidays Beckon!

Exams are finished! It doesn't seem possible.

And I'm very tired.

Well... it's been an interesting two days. The Haddington festival machine is switching somewhat rustily into first gear (it took me a couple of days to find out it was the festival week... we live in the centre of town), and we have not been shirking the celebrations.
Wednesday's Duck Derby provided an excellent opportunity to get out of the house for the evening. 

Admittedly not the most extensive of events, but fortunately we're all well versed in keeping ourselves amused.

Cataloging the events of the event;

 The raft race dissolves into a wading competition as rafts sink and survivors continue in a dash towards the finish line.

A policeman yawns.

... (According to Louise it is illegal to publish funny photographs of policemen.)

People (bees) fall (are pushed) in.

 

Ducks are herded to the finish line. My photograph gains an inexplicable pink stripe.

In a combined assault Angie and I force Beth (with her ice-cream) to the water's edge, and chuck her in. Beth (still eating ice-cream) appears indignant.

 

Having aquired a green inflatable guitar and a necessary pink hat, we leave the Derby in favour of a thoughtfully placed settee. Other photos depict my forcible eviction from this by Angie (right).

 

 

The day ends with a riotus two-man party, featuring juice and croissants, whereupon I try and fail to get up. Music courtesy of Queen.


.... done for the moment, I'll continue anything else when I write the next post....