Scotland - BMX racing

 Our Final full day in Glasgow started with miserable weather. It was pouring with rain as we awoke, a shame because everyone else had planned to do the Strathclyde country Park Park Run. Ian rose early in order to do all the things that he has to do before he leaves home, especially when running when there are extra things to be done. One of those things was the crossword off, which I won! Vicky and Alex came over at the allotted time and off they all went in the pouring rain. I sat in Dame Shirley eating toast and writing my blog. There was excitement on their return as Vicky had broken her 5km personal record! 

Park run 

Today we had tickets for the BMX racing, over at the place where Vicky had been volunteering for the previous week. After the run everyone had to shower, then Alex and Vicky had to pack up the tent as they were leaving straight after the BMX for an overnight stop in Cheshire. They managed to do it between the raindrops and we were soon off to our favourite Scottish station, Blantyre. The rest of the week we had had no problem parking in Blantyres tiny car park, but today it was full! We loitered a bit while Vicky checked on how far the next place, Newton, was, where we had spied a massive car park. Luckily during the loitering a car pulled out and we rushed in. Scotstounhill station, where the BMX centre is, is also on the direct line from Blantyre. You see why we like it. We were soon being thoroughly searched by the keenest security we have come across and taking a seat in the grandstand (unreserved seating) with a great view of the whole course. Two things very quickly became apparent. BMX racing is brutal and dangerous, and everyone watching it bar us is related to a contestant. Let me address point number one. In the first few races we saw, two people were helped off the track after crashes, and three were carried off on a stretcher. One girl squealed so load I feared for her life. Vicky, very blasé after her volunteering experience, informed us that they don’t want to be seen as weak and like to leave the circuit on their own, and there were six stretchers dotted about. And the second point. A young man sat next to Alex was the brother of a French rider, Zachariah (who we had to cheer for), the family behind, military he told us, were cheering on their son, Scott, the French people in front had skin in one of the races, etc,etc. we felt a bit foolish not actually knowing any of the rules. Anyway we had a great afternoon, even though all the finals and medals will be presented tomorrow. 

At the track

Our view of the track

Arty photos

Alas, before the end the rains came, and we got soaked. We were also apoplectic with rage over the refereeing performance of one Bobby Madeley 250 miles away at the New York Stadium. Never mind, we had thoroughly enjoyed our time at the BMX. 

Back at Dame Shirley, Vicky and Alex loaded up their remaining stuff and departed for their Cheshire hotel, where fours hours later, they apparently arrived in the middle of a very drunken murder mystery weekend! Sadly not quite as much fun for us, although we did have a quiz night with an episode of pointless, only connect, and university challenge before, done in, I retired. 

Extra sadly our Scottish sojourn has come to and end as we travel back to Rotherham tomorrow.

The Hole

The hole had been shored up with steel shuttering as we returned at 8pm.