I spent a few days in Edinburgh, having determined it better to commute into Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games rather than stay more local. Visiting athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers and contractors had already booked the best spots and the local hospitality economy maximised their potential. Even the boiler houses of the no star dive hotels outstripped the usual price of penthouse suites. It would have to be Pro Hobo.
Arriving too early to check in to the hostel, I walked toward the castle and meandered around Edinburgh old town looking at architecture. Around me tourists clamoured for photos with the kilted bagpipers and Harry Potter themed shop displays. Up on the hill, looking north I saw a ship. I had not realised the coast to be so close. After consulting with Professor Google I escaped the crowds via a bus trip to Joppa Pans, the closest rocky beach.
I set to work moving rocks. It was a race to beat the rising tide and about forty minutes later I sat on a very rough throne. The sea lapped at my feet, unimpressed by the audacity of my efforts. Job done, I rode the bus back to Edinburgh to claim my bunk space and soon after meet some friends for dinner.
Nicky and Elliott have not long returned from Jersey. Luck was on Nicky’s side as the last available day for her chance to swim around the island had provided a respite in the winds and her circumnavigation was successful. It was well deserved. Nicky and I first swam together in 2010, sharing ambitions, training for similar challenges and gaining common friends. Some days wind and tide are unfavourable and if you put yourself in the Ocean’s Grip, you take your chances. Jersey is somewhere I intend to visit one day- there is a rocky cove there waiting for me to build a throne and when I sit on it will be to celebrate Nicky’s adventure.
We met again two days later at the Judo. I had tickets for all of it, Nicky and Elliot joined me for one of the Saturday sessions. It was particularly exciting as a coach from my club was fighting for England. Having two bronze medals to show for past Commonwealth games and being a veteran of the Paris Olympics placed a lot of hope and expectation onto Jemima’s performance. It was surprisingly nerve wracking to watch. I’m used to seeing Mima training and marvel at her abilities. To see them tested with the arena crowd cheering her on alongside me was something special. It didn’t go all her way – fights at this level are always tough. The one setback was losing to her England team mate who ultimately took Gold. Mima fought hard for her bronze medal. Her winning throw was also significant for the England team – we won the Judo in the overall standings.
I watched every match. There were David vs Goliath moments – especially in open weight where a few of the medallists were only a kilo or two into the class. Some opponents outweighed them by forty or more. Naturally many victories came from high level tactics and precision – whilst others came using the most rudimentary techniques applied just at the right moment.
Back at the hostel, I settled down for the evening. Among the twenty others in the dorm there were snorers, mutterers and night fidgets. Unconcerned, I remembered the highlights, hoping to absorb some of the techniques before drifting off to a sound nights sleep.
See you down the road.
