Day 238: Racing through Clyde Valley

20/03/2022

It was a slow start to the week, the kids had lots of opportunities to play together. It is always great seeing them play games and Eloise teaching Lachlan various skills. Although sometimes she gets a bit Lachnadoed-out and needs her own toys for a while.

On Wednesday, we went to post Liam’s last work COVID-19 test. Lateral flows from now on, we have a nice stockpile, should be enough until this is a thing of the past “free lateral flow testing will no longer be available in Scotland from the end of April, Nicola Sturgeon has said”.

Super Mum and the kids went to Bookbugs where Eloise read aunty Becca’s autobiography.

For dinner, Eloise had a sausage with no side of vegetables, we are working on that. While Lachnado had anything within reach.

Thursday morning was a much needed Gymboree session to slow the kids down.

We then rushed home as Eloise had an Amazon parcel arriving soon.

Eloise was so excited with the new unicorn football she had chosen it even made it into bed status with her babies. She will not be able to fit in shortly.

Friday was a beautiful day, spring has definitely sprung. After lunch, the awesome foursome were off to concur Craigmaddie Reservoir, as we had only made it around Mugdock Reservoir a couple of weeks ago. Eloise arrived in style!

After Eloise and Lachnado had fallen asleep, we shifted up a few gears and made it around both reservoirs lapping up that sweet sweet vitamin D.

Friday night we went to the WEST Brewery for the second secondees catchup dinner. We had sadly missed the first one as we were all unwell. It was in a spectacular looking building. As we approached Eloise had her eyes peeled for lighthouse keeper Bill. Another surreal gathering where we could all discuss how bizarre our lives had become. There were some handy tips from those who had been here many years to others who had flown in only a couple of weeks ago. It was nice for the babies to interact with each other. We will have to set up some more playdates.

Friday afternoon our adopted son Curious George officially become an engineer, now he has no excuses. Curious Geroge is becoming a bit of a hit back in Australia. He was looking his damndest sporting a kilt.

“Almost exactly two years after the first Covid lockdown measures were imposed in the UK…. All remaining Covid travel restrictions have now been lifted for passengers entering the UK”. We have been starting to think, where to next? Especially with petrol prices so high, it is cheaper to fly into Europe than drive to the Highlands. Restrictions are still winding back even though a “new record [in Scotland] as one in 14 had [COVDI-19] virus last week”.

Saturday morning, Eloise upgraded her family’s bed because they needed the extra space. Once everyone was dressed for a sunny day it was in the car and off to Clyde Valley Family Park.

Clyde Valley Family Park was pirate themed for the day. Eloise was very excited to pick up an eye patch and treasure map at the entrance.

It was the perfect place for the kids (and adults) to run about causing chaos and was full of plenty of friendly animals. Although they were a tad big for Lachlan.

Once we had entered, we did not end up getting far.

We eventually convinced Eloise to move past the sandpit and onto the kiddie’s F1 Grand Prix. Lachnado especially loved this one.

Our wee pirate followed the clues around the park having an absolute blast.

We had to run back to the entrance because a little someone had heard something coming! “Train, please please please, little train, come on Dad, hurry up!”

Lachlan was getting sick of the pram and Eloise was complaining her legs hurt so it was into the wagon for the Blue Bridge Walk.

Eloise’s eyes light up after she saw the trampoline park. She has been missing hers since she swapped it for Emma’s carrier. Lachnado was just born to bounce.

After lunch, some more games and animals Eloise courageously tackled the mega slippery slide. Before having to do it all over again.

We had bought ourselves enough time to recover from pulling the wagon and it was up the hill on the Folly Walk to the tower. Eloise was on a mission.

On the way up we were surprised to see some Aussie wallabies.

After a tiring day where we all got a wee sunburnt, there was a final goodbye wave to the coos before heading home. The kids were both asleep before we had made the gate.

Big news out of South Australia as “Peter Malinauskas [became] premier as Labor pulls off stunning victory in South Australian election”.

This morning when Eloise was in the shower, Lachnado was feeling cheeky and managed to find Foxie, he was very happy with himself. Let’s just say when Eloise found out she was less than impressed.

It was another sunny day, so Eloise took Foxie to the top of her tower, well out of Lachlan’s reach.

Making the most out of this weather we did a tricky walk to the local park. Eloise decided she would share Foxie’s pram.

There was even a wee goal for Eloise to try out her new football. Nothing was getting past Lachnado.

It had been a while since we had walked the Style Mile, so headed into the city.

While we were in the city we figured we had to check out the Ukrainian Duke of Wellington.

We grabbed some lunch from Barburrito, the UK’s Zambrero’s, to eat on the benches in George Square among the Christmas decorations. After all the slack we copped from Curious George about our Christmas tree still up in February. Apparently, the Christmas decorations are still in place due to the Batgirl filming in the city centre.

We then went home and set up Lachlan with some water play.

Tonight is “officially Scotland’s Census Day”. Let’s hope it works better than Australia’s have previously #censusfail. Eloise offered to help. Lachnado has spent 74.3% of his life in Scotland we decided he probably does feel more than a wee Scottish.