Commonwealth Freebies

As Mr Mars is working at the commonwealth games, we got a couple of freebies!

He got the full kit - as picture below, you also get a bag, water bottle and umbrella. I snaffled the bag, bottle and brollie, but I won't lie - I used the bag once and it started to burst so did not seem the best quality or it could be that I rammed it full with my usual junk - I'm going with poor quality ;o). The trousers are really good and Mr Mars is going to keep them! They also got a big jacket and water resistant cagoule thing. I would steal the jacket but it is too big :o(.



They also got some thank you presents (also snaffled by me); a Clyde pin badge, some thistle seeds, a Clyde USB pen, a towel and a limited edition commonwealth games picture (I LOVE).





Then, whilst cheering on the road cycling, I got talking to a lovely girl who knew the Scotland support team and was in the car that follows the riders. We cheered and waved them as they passed in the support car - then she gave me a "Team Scotland" official pin badge - HOW COOL! What a lovely thing for her to do and it obviously made my day!

She was a very funny girl. She had a top on with shorts and no jacket; I asked her if she was not cold and she responded "I'm very very drunk right now". Ha! I was not drunk, therefore I had a large waterproof jacket on, hoodie and jeans and was still cold.
 

So that is it for my freebies so far. Does not help my hoarding issues...but at least I have some cool pin badges!

xoxo

Sunday Summary

Here is a summary of my Sunday!

 

Catching the Commonwealth fever I became slightly obsessed – after staring off with nothing I have now been to a fair few events. The finale being the Road cycling on Sunday morning. Up we got at 8am (after my sister called me at 8am telling me she was en route to my house with a present – I’ll detail in another post with pictures). Mr Mars and I then had some fresh roasted coffee and toast and fresh farm eggs (another present from sister) before walking into Glasgow City Centre.

 

Off they went:

 

Very much the same for a few laps but I did read that a storm was forecast and the weather did not disappoint… torrential rain ensued… we took refuge in a pub and watched on the TV until they were due to pass then popped outside!

 

The winner passing near the end, below. To give you a grasp of how fantastic a win for Wales this was and how horrific the conditions were, something like 139 started and only 12, yes 12, finished. WELL DONE to anyone who even finished!!!

 

After the race Mr Mars and I went a wee shop to the Nike store to the vegan restaurant Stereo, Mr Mars is not a Veggie, but he almost eats Veggie now because of me! Mwhahaha. He really only eats fish now, so he is almost a pescitarian! He and his friends really like Stereo (non of them are Veggie) because it is known for its music and very good food!

We both ordered off the specials board - the BBQ Ranch chickpea and mushroom burger with rashers – ohhh my goodness me it was sooo GOOD. Perhaps because I have been watching what I have been eating (she says after ramming two Quality Street chocolates into her mouth) but It went down and absolute treat. Shy of licking them, our plates were cleared. We then walked to Costa for a wee coffee and then walked to the BBC at the Quay to watch the Commonwealth Closing ceremony!

 

Picture of the Ceilidh they had going on before it started:

 

 

A brilliant finale - I don't care what anyone thinks, I really enjoyed it!!! With a sad Auld Lang Syne to finish. Maybe because I am soon to be leaving Scotland or because I am sooooo flipping proud to be Scottish, but I was sad at the end. Sad that it is all over, sad that who knows the when the next time I will see a random Ceilidh, or a fiddler playing Caledonia, or bag pipers just randomly walking down the street or people crossing their arms for Auld Lang Syne. But I was sad...

Here is to Gold Coast 2018! I think Oz will also do the games proud! If I am still living at the other side of the world, I can assure you I will be there!!!

xoxo

Commonwealth Games, a gubbed ankle and a new bike

Sooooooo much to update everyone on, but sooooooo little desire to type it. I’ll sum up the 3 main things in my life at the minute!

The Commonwealth Games have arrived to Glasgow and so far I have seen ZERO events in person. House viewings and a hospital visit (gubbed ankle) have scuppered my plans. Hopefully tomorrow (Saturday) I will get to go to Strathclyde Park and watch the Triathlon and then the Marathon on Sunday morning.

As mentioned above, I've gubbed my ankle. A silly run up and down Ben Lomond (for more info on Ben Lomond see HERE) meant I tore my ligaments and ended up in crutches. We actually thought it was a broken ankle; there was a rather large CRACK when I went over on it and it started swelling up immediately (I aint lying - my brother started squirting water from his water bottle onto my ankle as if this was going to stop the swelling, bless, think I need more than water bro, this is not a “magic sponge at a football match” type situation). A week later and I can walk fine now, but ankle is still in a lot of pain and bruised. Dr advised absolutely NO running for 4-6 weeks and ESPECIALLY not up and down Munro… spoil sport.

Those that have been following will also know that this means my marathon plan on the 2^nd of August has also come to an abrupt end. It is amazing that you get really fit and train for WEEKS and then one incident puts you out for weeks and ruins months of plans. I’m not upset – it is just a race and a gubbed ankle. PERSPECTIVE, people. I’m healthy (ish) and happy. It’s all good! PMA.

On the plus side, I ate a full bag of Cadbury chocolate buttons and had a rather large amount of red wine last night completely GUILT FREE. See, it is all about perspective, people. :o)

Due to said injury AND because I had actually mentioned it on the forums (those visiting from MSE land) I was looking to get a new bike. No better time to get one when you can no longer run and have scuppered all marathon chances…

I’ve bought crap bikes before and I’ve bought super expensive bikes also (crazy debt days). Both are a waste of time for the kind of usage I will be doing. I was like Goldie Locks and her porridge...not too expensive...but not too cheap. It had to be just on Budget…

After much searching Mr Mars and I happened across this bike, which of course, due to halving in price, sold out pretty quickly. Down to £200 and then with a 10% sale I got it for £180. I literally think I got the last one in Glasgow. As we checked all stores and eventually managed to track it down in Paisley, where I think it was the last one.

 

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/carrera-zelos-limited-edition-ladies-road-bike-2014

I LOVE it. I would have taken any design, the budget was the concern, so I feel I have lucked out that it also looks pretty good. Where we are moving to, apparently public transport is not great, so cars and bikes are the main forms of transport (I will never moan about UK public transport again). Hopefully this will also get LOTS of use when we move next month (4 weeks today!!!) and not just to cross train on.

 

xoxo