BOOM PART 2 - THE AFTER SWIM PARTY! parental guidence required!!!

BOOM PART 2 - putting Lisa to bed!

As with all races, success breeds the need for celebration and the monster crew allowed out to play certainly had playing in mind. After relaxing at the race venue in the lush Scottish sun for a while it was time to return to the hostel where we were staying. All of us grinning from ear to ear, the swim had been a success, Nessie had tried her best to get us out of the water but we had worked hard and succeeded, it was now time to play hard!!!

But there were still a number of hours til the partying could start...so what to do. We stopped off in the village near the hostel to get some much needed nourishment after which some of the group decided to walk the rest of the way and enjoy the scenery that surrounded us. The remainder got in the bus and headed back. After hanging out wetsuits, towels and cossies we settled down in the sun to relax. Mike retreated to his bunk and attempted to sleep. Lisa and I suddenly realised that the sun blasting down deserved our attention. Now prior to getting to Scotland the weather forecast had informed us that cloud and rain would prevail...however Scotland had been kind to us, we had awoken to sunshine and it was still honouring us. Consequently none of us had packed any shorts or bikini's...so what to do....well with no-one else around it was decided that we would just use our underwear. And so a blissful hour of sun ensued. Lisa lay there with some light refreshments to sip, i just lay there enjoying the warmth of the sun's heat penetrating through to my bones. Chatting away like you do, our revere was disturbed by Nigel returning from his walk...never one to miss an opportunity to use his camera , he soon took up our challenge to get some pics. Pics duly taken it was time for Mike to surface from his slumber. This red blooded male appeared oblivious to the half naked women around him, plopped his rear down and proceeded to munch his way through a bowl of fruit followed by half a bar of chocolate (note he did not share the chocolate!!!) Lisa and i quickly scurried off to shower and start the ritual of getting ready to go out. Kate had already used the showers, smelling better than us so off we headed. 15 mins later and feeling a lot better we started getting ready...cue drink number two for Lisa, a pattern which would repeat itself many times throughout the night.

Once all of us were ready it was time to head out and find food and refreshments....the first place...a tad to up market for our liking..the second was already preparing for a 21st birthday party..we had a drink in there and debating staying on for the party...but sensible heads on (at that point!) we headed out to a pub that had been recommended for its food and real ale...they had me at the ale!!!

Walking toward the next venue we came across .Chris Wilson and his lady friend Lorna, both looked decidedly merry and rosy cheeked.They had just been to the pub and we manged to persuade them to join us. Enquiringly of the barman as to the possibility of food, we were informed of an hours wait...what to do while we waited...the debate lasted seconds as we realised that we could top up our moisture levels. Food ordered and the chat started. Ann suddenly quiet had a moment of reality, you see Ann has only been doing open water swimming for 12 weeks, she has an amazing 'not to be defeated' attitude and although she can not always swim with me she telephones me for hints and tips and then returns the call to let me know how it is going. It is no mean feat what she has achieved, when she joined the group she could only do breaststroke and after a session or two on how to do front crawl is managing well with it..(although in training she will sneak in the odd breaststroke as a point of recovery and thinks i do not notice!!!. Marie on the other hand had never completed a one mile open water race before so you see each of us had had a success. This was a hard swim as the times have shown, all of us down on our normal despite working three times as hard! So praise given where praise is due, Ann and the rest of the girls have done expectationally well to complete the swim and to have come as far as they have in the world of open water swimming in such a short period of time. Waves are now not on the list of things to conquer!

Food arrived and was quickly devoured, with the accompanying refreshments...Red Mc Gregor...wow, would have sat there all night with that one, i even had the offer of marriage as a real ale drinking female..who ever thought ale could produce that result....or maybe it was beer goggles talking!!!

After much swim talk it was time to head back to the hostel for further enlightenment into the world of alcohol. Now let me point out that i am an extremely lightweight drinker and there fore afforded the benefit of being about to watch others succumb to its influence..notably Ann and Lisa. Back at the hostel, the owner set up the karaoke machine....we gave it a go...badly ...then gave up the room too large to support our mauling of songs from the past. Trying to converse at this point was almost impossible with Ann and Lisa...anything and everything set them off convulsing in laughter. At this point Chris and Lorna decided to leave us to it (a wise move i may add), conversations and laughter abounded...i think we were keeping Scotland awake at this point. Several group members departed to try to achieve their much needed sleep quota for the night, which left me and Kate chatting and Lisa and Ann off on the hunt for more vodka!

Roughly an hour later Ann brought Lisa back down to put her to bed (a pattern to be repeated by me throughout the night!!) Kate and i decided to quit while we were ahead and head off to the land of nod.

Entering the room we found Lisa sat up in bed...asleep! Queue first round...getting Lisa under the covers...then finding out that she was fully dressed...we left her dressed. Twenty minutes later Lisa decided she would undress...successfully at this point she smoothly exited her top bunk and holding on to my leg for support she attempted to take off her jeans over her shoes...second round...get up and undress Lisa. Leaving her clothes on the floor and with her modesty intact i attempted to get her back on the top bunk...no not Lisa ,like Goldilocks and the three bears she tried to get into every bed apart from her own. Not sure what the french females would have made of that waking up to Lisa snoring next to them, but eventually i  shoved and pummeled her back onto the top bunk...repeat the getting under the duvet incident! One hour later..Lisa needed a wee...not so graceful exit from the bunk this time, but she managed it and off she trotted ping ponging down the path legs doing a sort of zig zaggy moon walk...this done for some reason she decided to go for a walk in just her underwear and t-shirt. Third round, finding Lisa and renegotiating her return to the room. As you can imagine thoughts of recording this on video were not entering my head, in hind sight i wish i had as she giggled the whole time and chatted on to me about fab everything was and i was and the moon was and the stars were and the group were....you get the picture!!!

Up in the bunk again she asked to be tucked in??? Having a 14 year old meant i knew what she meant and duly tucked her in...her response 'fanks Pauline, i love you!'...back into bed for me!

Now finally able to relax i descended into my own dream filled oblivion until BOOM!!!  Thinking that the roof had come in, i dived out of bed at the same time as Verity. Brain not functioning properly my left hand decided it could sign and off it went trying to communicate in the dark....sorry verity i do not know what on earth i was attempting to do at that point!!! Both of us with hearts literally pounding circled the floor space until we found Lisa...now having attempted to get out of the bed...this time unsuccessfully...and landing in a crumpled heap...one extremely sore foot later and we hauled her to her feet...apparently peanut bladder needed to go again. Round four....leaving Verity in the room i shuffled Lisa towards the loo. and waited outside watching the stars..upon her return to me., Lisa like a little lost girl and in a small weepy voice she informed me that 'I've hurt my hand' (the pain from the foot apparently not registering with her yet despite not being about weight bare at all!) Mother to the rescue....just like you do to children at school i went into the loo, got some toilet paper and wrapped it round her hand as if like a bandage. Clearly this woman needed a hug, duly given and off to bed it was again.

Verity had decided at this point that Lisa was not safe in the top bunk (don't know why we did not think of it before) and availed herself to the top so that Lisa could have the bottom. Installed in her new location and safe in the knowledge that if she fell out again she would fall onto luggage we attempted to sleep...no mean feat when you are now suffering from an adrenaline rush!! Verity gave up trying at 4am and woke me to let me know she was going for a shower and then for a walk. Again the left hand developed a life of its own and tried to communicate. I can only blame the sleep deprivation on this. Verity left and I lay there for the next 3 hours listening to Lisa snore..the better option would have been to join Verity on her walk to the castle and sit and watch the sun come up!!!

Getting up...now how to wake Lisa..would she be ill from the effects of her administrations the previous night...no such luck. She bounded out the bed not questioning the lack of height that met her feet and started to wander round the room. Do you remember getting up several times last night i asked...nope says Lisa.!!! Do you have a hangover...no just tired came the reply. Well as you can imagine i tried unsuccessfully to keep a straight face as i detailed her antics from the previous night others joining in the now virtual ripping apart of any shred of dignity that might have been left!. Lisa gasping and saying sorry with each recount, soon the whole room were in taking the micky out of her...oh and then the french ladies decided to join us. Thankfully they were understanding and politely mentioned the huge BOOM that they heard during the night, realising that Lisa was in safe hands they returned to their sleep (god only knows how) but that is how Lisa got her new nickname. The French's interpretation of the sonic noise that Lisa made as she catapulted herself out of the top bunk at high speed onto a tiled floor!!! So BOOM it is and long may it stick!!

Packing up and heading for breakfast this woman's constitution knows no limits it would seem as Ann produced a glass with the remainder of the liquids from last night...No thanks came the reply i don't need a hair of the dog!!! Is she human to even contemplate alcohol....no she was still under its influence it seemed. Downing breakfast at a rapid rate of knots..the rest of us turning as grey as Lisa's skin in our awe of her stomach!!! We alighted to the bus. Some of the bus instantly slept...most tried not to...i had my camera at the ready for any lightweight who descended into sleep mode!!!!

Ann

Lisa

Nigel



Marie


 Thanks to the power of the Internet we were able to chat to others via Facebook and continue the humiliation.....several comments we received brought much laughter...it seems Lisa has previous for doing this!!!

All to soon the journey home was almost completed. Dropping Kate, Nigel, Maire and her family and Verity off at the services, brought a fresh round of pics to record the memories. For that is what Scotland and this trip has brought all of us. Laughter, fun, frolics....sleep deprivation, swims, dark water to be conquered...would we do it again. Yes, i have not laughed that much in ages, to the point of sore stomach muscles. Would i go with the same people - without hesitation and with anyone else brave enough to join our merry crew. Would i share a room with Lisa again...yes with some notable additions...rope to stop her straying, kiddie gate to stop her escaping and a bucket for her to wee in!!! Oh and tissue to cover the bruise and a marker pen to draw on her.... i could not find one during the night otherwise she would have woken with all sorts drawn on her!!!



kate


It was the sort of trip where you HAD TO BE THERE. It was too short and went too quickly, but its already been decided...once a year (more if we can) the team will head off into the wilderness (if Scotland or anywhere else will have us!) and have a weekend of swimming and friendship and fun in such a relaxed and unhurried manner without real life interrupting. Rarely do we get the time to do what we love best (swimming) and to share it with those we love (Lisa apparently loves everyone at 4 am!!!) but from this point on it will be 'our' thing to do..and you are more than welcome to join us!! You will be pleased to know that after several hours kip on the bus Lisa's skin returned to its healthy pink coulour and she was back in full form!!

friday night

post race

home time!