Scotland - Running and cycling

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 We awoke to see that the sewage lake had subsided in the night, the children were still running and screaming though. Vicky had no shift today, so we could all have a lie in. We chilled for most of the morning, watching an enviro clean lorry doing its work with brushes and sucky tubes, and choosing our fantasy football teams for next season (anyone who wants to join the league see Chris for the code). The other members of our party then deemed their stomachs sufficiently empty for a run round the lake. I stayed home and guarded dame Shirley. On their return (quick times for all) they regaled  me with news of a big hole on the road outside the campsite surrounded by tape and many men in high vis vests shaking their heads. 

Comparing running notes

After showers, a rest, and some grazing for lunch, we heaved ourselves up and got ready for the drive to Blantyre. On exiting the site we noticed that the road to the left, past the big hole, had been closed, and loads of lorries and extra men had been drafted in. Some operation this sewer repair. Traffic was heavy but we made it to Blantyre with two minutes to spare and were soon disembarking at Dalmarnock. 

The queue to get in the velodrome was longer today, it was the last session, but we were in place for the first race. 


In the queue

This time we were at the opposite end and higher up. Once again we had an amazing time and saw a British gold medal winning performance from Emma Finucane. We also saw a gold medal winning performance from New Zealand star Aaron Gate. The same Aaron Gate who was checking into my hotel in the centre of Birmingham at the same time as me last year at the commonwealth games. He won four gold medals there.  I feel he is almost family. And of course we were cheering on our Lotte who won bronze in the omnium. 


From our seat


Some action

After the last race we decided to head on down to see some medals presented. In their infinite wisdom, the organisers had decided that the medals would be presented in another room, down on the bowels of the velodrome. This room also holds very few people. We headed down to see Emma Finucane get her gold, but being after the final race so did everyone else. It was carnage. Security stopped people at the door, including the parents of the silver medalist! Cries from the crowd of ‘it’s her mother for god sake!’ And ‘let them through!’ fell on deaf ears until someone came out. Once that ceremony was over we were allowed in to see a Columbian man get his gold. Emma was still around, so Vicky took advantage.


Columbian superstar Kevin Quintero


Vicky and our Emma

The train to Motherwell arrived almost as we set foot on the platform and we were back at Dame Shirley before we knew it. Just in time to see the draw for the next round of the Caraboa cup. Stoke away. Again


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