Playing Away From Home
Another long weekend in the north as the Zed family continue the hunt for a new home in the Highlands. The balmy weather on Sunday night has done much to strengthen my claim that is akin to paradise on the Moray Firth. We head down to Bught Park for a kickabout with a soft ball and then I take the children on a walk through the . We zig-zag across iron bridges and, amidst the trees and footpaths, we come across a old-fashioned street lamp which prompts me to draw comparisons with Narnia. All in all I'm painting our new home town as a kind of magical wonderland when, suddenly, we come face-to-face with reality.
Here's the truth: there are neds in Inverness too! Six or seven of them are stationed along the river bank, swigging cider and shouting abuse at passing tourists. One of them climbs on to the railing of the footbridge as the others dare him to jump in to the water. I look down and notice that the Ness is quite shallow at this time of year. The rocky river bed is plainly visible. Sadly I can't linger to see what happens next, but I keep listening for the sound of a small splash and the subsequent wail of an ambulance siren.
Today we hurry through the pesky visits to schools, estate agents and solicitors offices so we can do some important stuff. This involves a trip to the shop, which is housed in a little cabin outstide the stadium. Our nine year old son - who was born in Inverness - is keen to support his home team and needs to be kitted out with all sorts of merchandise. I, meanwhile, ask about the cost of season tickets in the family enclosure. It's so cheap, compared to the prices in Glasgow, that I have to ask twice. No second mortgage will be required.
Strange to note, then, that as we've been viewing houses around the city we've found very few boys' bedrooms festooned with the Caley Thistle colours. and , yes, and many English Premier sides too. I dunno...what's wrong with young people these days? Don't they know a bargain when they see it?
They're never happy unless they're splashing out.
