Freedom From The Mundane

I went out for a few beers yesterday while I watched the rugby. A few of my mates were through from Glasgow, all kilted up for the Irish being in town, but it was nowhere near as good as the Welsh game. I don’t think as many of our Celtic cousins made the trip as have done in previous years.

Rose Street was almost empty as was the surrounding streets, which made for a surreal experience. The main reason attributable was probably the half past one kick off, because after the match the city centre was mobbed again. I think most of them were drinking up near the stadium.

We watched the game in the Sports Bar, with its multiplex of screens and plenty of standing room. It was a good atmosphere to watch the rugby, as it usually is, with live Irish and Scot’s bands playing at half-time and after the game. We couldn’t get into some bars on Grassmarket afterwards, so ended up squeezing into Bar Alba at the far end. The Last Drop is good, but I’m not queuing to get into any pub.

Here’s a couple of pics taken on my mate’s mobile phone. Please excuse my demeanour and daft features – I don’t normally have this much stubble or hair atop my head, and I was only putting on the ridiculous face to be a stupid arse – something I’m very good at. Hopefully these pictures will put a smile on my friend Lara’s face. She’s stuck at home bed-bound, as pregnant as a woman can possibly be!

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At about dinner time I headed home. I’d had enough and was probably far too sober compared to our visitors and those who had been out drinking since day-break. Gail was out on a theatre trip with her pal and then out for drinks, and Laura at her Grans, so I had the place to myself until this afternoon. What bliss!

I relaxed, read, watched some TV, wrote, played with the animals, and generally enjoyed the tranquillity of a Saturday night on my own, a full double bed to myself, then a silent house this Sunday morning. My fry-up tasted so sweet this morning with hot coffee and the news on, then I sat back to watch the France versus England Six Nations match. Not since I was a bachelor have I enjoyed the quiet so much.

But all good things come to an end. The family came home mid-afternoon and we were back to normal.

Tomorrow a new week begins, and it’s going to be a good ‘un!

March 11th, 2007 | Tags: Film & TV | Category: Edinburgh: the City & the Festivals, Food, Drink, and Bevvy, Scotland | Subscribe to comments | Leave a comment | Trackback URL