Aw’right, aye? A greeting from Scotland (except Glasgow, where they use the Glesga Kiss – a head butt, I don’t recommend it).
Yep, I’m very pleased to report a successful trip to Hogmanay for New Year’s Eve – had an absolutely cracking time! Went up with Malfroy on a Haggis Adventures tour where we stayed in the most central of hostels to the old town, headed out to the beautiful Scottish Highlands for a day trip, visited the Famous Grouse whiskey distillery, and partied EVERY night, including the unrivalled NYE street party with 100,000’s of other people in the centre of Edinburgh. Pub crawls, torchlight processions, climbing Arthur’s Seat (a big rock) and closely inspecting numerous Scottish drinking establishments for a wee dram of ‘the water of life’.
Somehow, I managed to survive the 5 day adventure. Seriously, I don’t think I’ve ever pushed myself so hard before. By 4am on the last night – in the middle of a pub crawl – I turned to Malfroy and basically admitted that I could no logner keep going, and called it a day (night). I had not been sober for 5 days, and was also starting to get a bit of willy chaffing from the constant rubbing on my kilt (authentic Bruce clan tartan of course). But mainly it was the whiskey, which I was mixing with some Scottish concoction called Irn Bru, and drinking it like it was going out of style.
Anyway, check out the photos that I’ve uploaded – a couple of albums dedicated to Edinburgh Hogmanay, plus I also went down to see the Geezer in Bournemouth (we used to work at SLSA together). And some snaps at what we got up to around Christmas time – including a day trip out to Bruges in Belgium for the Christmas Markets. Amusing commentary provided of course!
Before I head – my new contact details in London. Yes, I’ve finally moved closer to Central London and am now living in a monstrous 2-level flat above a Greggs bakery in West Kensington, close to pretty much everything! Much better than being an hour out of town in West Ealing, and I’m now living with Erin (sister) and her friend Kazza. So, if you want to send me a letter or money or something…
102A North End Road
London W149EX
United Kingdom
Mobile: +44 7503 982 510
Cheers!
MATTHEW BRUCE
Foreign Correspondent | Cronulla SLSC
