Around Town
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THE BEST EVENTS, TALKS AND SPORT
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Ill Maydaze Celebrate the bank holiday out on Glasgow Green with music. dance and bouncy things for the kids. The traditional parade makes its way from George Square at
1 1.30am. Glasgow Green, Mon 2' May.
3|! Beltane Flre Festival 2005 Get in touch with your inner pagan as the annual killing off of winter is enacted atop Calton Hill with frenzied drumming, fire breathing and dancing. See picture caption. Calton Hill, Edinburgh, Sat 30 Apr.
II! Funkfalr Pick up some retro tricks at this design fair which has a sweet collection of vinyl to boot. Ego, Edinburgh, Sun 1 May.
ill The Election X marks the spot. From school hall to the first results trickling in. It's a long rlight of swingometers, sweaty armpits and shock upsets ahead. Democracy in action. Make your mark. Thu 5 May.
* Port Edgar Open Day You’ve never lived until you’ve power boated under the Forth Fload bridge. This is your chance. See preview. Port Edgar Marina and Sailing School, South Queensfen'y, Sat 7 May.
Ready a0!
Wht sin
Morag Bruce feels the thrill of cutting across the Forth of Firth by sail and motor.
eeing things l‘rom a dil'l'erent perspectiye is interesting. Watching the l‘orth Road Bridge stream oyerhead as you wont across the tops
of wayes in a powerboat at 20 knots. screaming your
head oil”. is more than interesting — it's blooming exhilarating.
l’owerboating is just one ol‘ the water-based actiyities you can enjoy at Port lidgar. the sailing school at South Queenslerry. But looking at Scotland‘s best attempt at late spring weather. it was dill‘icult to imagine any of it was going to be enjoyable. ()ur Monday morning cobwebs were doing
just fine and didn’t want to be blown out all that
much. thanks.
The rain came down (and sideways) as we approached the marina ollice and just as I started to think: ‘()h dear. [We not got enough warm clothing with me‘. Angie. our instructor. said: ‘You'y'e not got enough warm clothing with you.‘ Luckily. they haye some spare lleeces and woolly hats and kit you out in
some ol~ the l‘unkiest yellow waterprool‘s this side ol‘
the North Sea. We waddled down to our tour-person Wayfarer boat like two banana Michelin men.
We helped add sails to our llllpl'CsslVC craft. and set a course for the harbour mouth and the raging torrents of Cape Firth ol~ Forth. The wind was strong enough to but‘t‘et Us along at a fair old pace. Salt water sprayed our grinning laces as we cut about under the bridges looking out for seals. porpoises and tried not to be hit by the massiye boats that plough up and down the murky water of this busy sea street.
After arriying back in the sanctuary ol~ the harbour. we ditched the Wayfarer for a big black Rig
powerboat. Angie assured us that it was almost impossible to oyerturn one. with its squash}. inllatable sides and hard y-shaped hull. l-‘irst ol' all we practised reyersing and three point turns llllis non-car driying girl made a total mess ol‘ both). ‘Right. shall we just go really last then‘.’ asked the eyer smiling Angie. 'l)amn right.‘ two eager girls replied.
As companion Ruth put the boat into warp speed. I suddenly learnt what it leels like to liaye last l'orward pressed on your life. I turned to look at Ruth: her lace was a mixture of utter terror and unilateral delight. Then I looked at her hands gripping the wheel. White knuckles. Then I looked at Angie. sitting on the other side ol' the boat. looking chilled but slightly amused by the wailing banshees in charge ol~ the boat. Then I
jtist got down to the btisiness ol shouting obscenities
at the top of my \‘oice.
()ur internal organs had a briel~ moment to catch up with the rest of our bodies when Angie suddenly reduced Ruth's speed to point out a seal that had popped tip. no doubt wondering what all the noise was about.
When we got back to dry land. our shaky legs and quickcned heartbeats indicated that adrenalin was brewing. The cold wind had all but drained our lingers of sensation. but it was with a spring in our slightly soggy socked step that we headed ol‘l' dreaming ol‘ swallows. ama/ons and bit parts in Miami lire.
Port Edgar Open Day, Sat 7 May, 10am. 0131 331 3330. Find out about other places to learn to sail in Central Scotland by clicking on www.rya.org.uk
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