The article appeared in the Evening Times. Apparently I am a furious bride. The comments online are hysterical. Have a look on the website if you can.
I look pretty grumpy in the picture but rather good even if I do say so myself.
The photos have been taken. I tried not to laugh but it was difficult. I was going for angry and sad. Hopefully I don't just look like a plum. I willtell you when to buy a copy!
You get to a point when organising a wedding where you feel like you are just throwing money away. I reached this point when I realised I would have to pay £52 just to have a few pictures taken in a public park. They have gone too far. I called and emailed a complaint to Glasgow City Council and got a response. There will be someone on hand to keep unruly members of the public away. They will let in cars etc. If it is raining we can go into the glasshouse undisturbed. I JUST WANT A FEW PICTURES. I dont want members of the public shooed away (I am a member of the public), I dont have any cars and if it is raining I wont be venturing out. So why am I being charged?
A journalist friend of mine has called the Evening Times who have just interviewed me and will be taking a picture. Am I being petty? In my heart I dont think so, someone has to take a stand surely.
UPDATE - am having my photo taken outside the Botanic Gardens tomorrow looking sad. What have I done?
Finally I will finish this effort at War and Peace!
Day 7 in Thailand was a rest day. We were still up reasonably early with varying degrees of hangovers (still not one from me). It was a short walk to get a boat out on the man made lake which covers the original Sangklaburi (which was flooded when the lake was created) and all that remains now is part of a wall and the top of a temple. In the morning mist it was all a bit surreal. The lake is also home to many Mon people's floating villages, always a thrill to see these.
We moored on an island which was very peaceful and home to a large outdoor crematorium. JD made a joke about it doubling up as a pizza oven. Ah the Swiss wit. Also on the island is a Mon temple: Wat Wang Wiwekaram. We went roung the beautiful temple and learned about Buddism which was very interesting. Next to the temple is a handicraft market where we managed to spend a few Baht before crossing Thailand's longest wooden bridge back to Sangklaburi. Once packed up we waved goodbye to the Burmese Inn and drove South to our one night of luxurious accommodation. The Ban Huay Ulong resort is wooden chalets that resembled cabins inside. Aside from the ant infestation in the bathroom it was lovely and we had a nice dinner, played some cards and all had an early night.
We were up early for our trip to the Death Railway. It was hot. Three of us did not fit in the main open bus thing so we went ahead in a van. Being ahead was key in this game. After an hour on the main road we headed off road and on to a dirt track. I had brought a mask with me for the dust and needed it. Being ahead meant that the truck behing was the one that would get the worst. We felt very smug. My smugness left when I was informed that my bag had been in the other truck and was uncovered. My bag was now just a mass of dust. Oh dear. Those in the other truck were dusty to say the least and many were now faced with the prospect of putting on sun screen over the dust. Nice.
So off we set, some looking rather ludicrous as they were by now covered in dirty suncream. It was hot and it got hotter. No jungle cover here. It started off flat but was soon up and down. There is very little left of the railway but there are pieces of information along the way. I think we all felt very reflective and sad at the terrible conditions those who built the reailway must have endured. The fact that the railway was only in use for 18 months seemed to make this torture only worse. For the first time the group really fragmented with many trailing behind in the heat. Eventually we reached the end of the trail we would follow and an air conditioned museum. Which was interesting and cool.
The afternoon saw us driving further and more dust before we headed towards the River Kwai once more for an afternoon kayaking to our floating hotel. I had opted for the less safe one person kayak but it was actually ok and was glad to be in my kayak rather than the cumbersome two person canoes. It was slow going at first as people who had not kayaked before took a while to get into the swing of things but we made it down river in the end. Our accommodation was floating huts and we had to get a river taxi across to get there. It looked ok from the outside but was actually the worst accommodation we had had. My bathroom was falling off the wall and there was no windows, leading to sea sickness for some. Worst of all two rooms had to be abandoned in the middle of the night due to a cockroach infestation. I am happy to say it was not me. Dinner was a quiet affair. It was a strange complex which was out of season. Kind of how I imagine a 1970s Butlins. There was a large group of Thai school children who had some kind of games night with weird music going on. None of us could work out waht was happening. It was an early night as we had a day of kayaking the next day.
I woke not refreshed and disorientated. Managed breakfast and then were informed that we had an elephant ride in the morning rather than after our kayaking. So off we went to meet elephants. I have met an elephant once before when I was about six. I specifically remember being told by Mum to go and feel the elephants skin but I was too scared and I always regretted it as I never know what it felt like. Well it feels hard and tough and dry with little bristly hair on it. We got on the elephants and went on a little jaunt around some brushland. Elephants like to eat and getting them to move was difficult. The also fart very loudly. It was a good experience though. The best bit was buying a big bunch of bananas and feeding the elephant who ate it all in one go.
It was back to the kayaks for a long few hours down the river. It was hot and layers of suncream were applied to prevent any burning. It was a very pleasant day. But we were all feeling tired as it drew to the end. And so the challenging bit was completed. Woo hoo I made it.
Back in the minibuses for a long journed back to Bangkok. I opted to avoid the sick bus due to bad memories and chose the pimped out mobile this time complete with a CD player, wow.
It was all a bit of a rush when we got back to the hotel. I had to find something to wear for the night out. Unknown to me we were supposed to have bought ethnic clothes for our night out. All I could find was a vaguely Thai shirt and scarf and to be fair that was about as far as I was willing to go. Got ready in a rush and then headed to a very posh restaurant. It was very nice. JD gave us our medals and I did a thank you speech and the trekking oscars with buddhas instead of oscars. We all laughed.
Then on to the worst part of the trip for me. On the insistence of the group JD had booked us a Karaoke room, they do not have karaoke bars like at home. We all knew something was strange when we got there. It was only the next day when we compared notes that we realised the building was a karaoke room, snooker hall and brothel all in one. I am not a fan of karaoke nor of snooker or brothels. I am an ok singer but you can never hear anything and I just dont really get it most of the time. I needed a drink, but there was nothing palatable for me at the bar. Others wanted vodka too so JD and I left to search some out. I thought this would be an easy task. Lets just say that I trekked through the jungle without a blister but the vodka challenge gave me two blisters. Twelve shops it took us to find the stuff. By the time I got back I was certainly not in the mood for vodka or karaoke. I did try but I was just not in the mood at all. I was forced to sing so chose Holiday. An appropriate song I thought. For the third time in my karaoke career the song holiday was a different version of one we had never heard of. I was eventually forced to give a poor rendition of Stand By Me. I walked home in a terrible mood.
Felt quite good the next day, a relatively comfy bed, flushing toilet and real shower can work wonders. Was up early to meet the others to go and see some of the sights of Bangkok. I met one of our trekkers on the way to the lift. He has a strong accent at the best of times but this morning I could not understand a word he was saying. It was not until his friend turned up and explained that he had just returned from the pub and was in fact very drunk that I understood why I could not understand him. Sadly I had to have breakfast with him, an amusing and confusing experience. He then insisted on coming on the sight seeing tour absolutely anebriated. Whilst amusing it was also painful to watch.
The tour was interesting, we went to the Royal Palace, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and Wat Po which is home to the largest reclining Buddha in Thailand. We met near the hotel for lunch and got to choose from the menu for the first time. I freaked out and realised that while the food had been lovely I did not know any of the dishes I had been eating. I ordered something that sounded nice and was in fact horrible.
Did some shopping in the afternoon for a few pressies and then had a 2 1/2 hour Thai massage for just a few pounds wonderful.
Back to pack and get ready to go.
When I went down to reception it was clear that one of our party was not well. She had not been feeling great since the morning but it was getting worse. We managed to get her in the minibus but once at the airport she seemed to get even worse. I offered to take her to the toilet and managed to get her there shortly before she collapsed. The cleaning ladies tried to help. Fortunately I had my phone and called JD who came to find us and then found the emergency doctor. I had to lift her into the wheel chair and we were rushed to the hospital which was in the the airport. It was a nice place and they treated her quickly for what was clearly food poisoning. By this point she was shaking violently and panicking and I was rather scared. I kept my cool. Colin took charge of the others and got them checked in. I was resigned to having to stay at least another night. Our patient was giving multiple doses of all sorts of pills and a drip and after a couple of hours she came round and the Dr decided she could fly. I have never boarded a plane so fast. Straight though everything. I was nurse for a while administering drugs and looking after. But soon I was asleep.
The rest of the journey is a bit of a blur. I was quite disorientated but it seemed to pass quickly and before I knew it I was back in Edinburgh and giving Ray a hug. Back home safe and sound after a truly amazing adventure.
Where has all the time gone? It is my hen weekend this weekend. That is months away surely?
Hobbes has been getting progressively dirtier and fatter.
I went to say goodbye to them before leaving for work. Edgar was perfectly clean. When I went near Hobbes I realised he was unbelievably filthy with dirt and bit of food. I had to give him a bath. He knew what a state he was in.
Then the other night some teenagers were laughing at his belly. I did feel quite sorry for him.
I realise that I have not yet finished my tales from the jungle, I will get round to it, but things have been a tad manic since I returned.
In addition to returning from Thailand, having a busy job, organising a wedding etc., I had started to look for a new job.
I had an interview last Wednesday and was offered the position on Thursday. They said that I calmed the room in the interview, they just hoped I wasn't jet lagged of something. Ha ha. I was.
Anyway the position is two part time posts with Poppy Scotland, combined to make a full time post. One part is Education Liaison Officer the other is Volunteer Manager. Whilst still in the Fundraising team it is not stricty fundraising and is in areas I am interested in. So on top of everything else I am now going to be starting a new job. Oh and I have to buy a car right before a wedding. Opps.
I am looking forward to a new challenge but will be sad to leave the team I work with now.