May 31st 2011
The aim of the task was to get a photograph of Pipa in her webbing, kevlar helmet and gas mask. The added twist that it had to be outside of Edinburgh Castle along with the high-profile location she had to wear her camo slanket. The slanket was key to the photo as she had won it from the “Richard Hatch Show on BFBS Radio 1” based on the agreement that she would take this rediculous picture.
We thought “earlier we get over to Edinbrugh less busy it will be”. Wrong!
We got to the top of Castle Terrace where I was confronted by half-a-dozen tour buses. Mortyfied would be a slight understatment to describe my emotions at this point. It really didn't improve at all. On ascending the million steps to the Esplenade I realized it wasn't just the tour buses but all the people that had walked to the Castle also that were milling about not to mention the construction workers building up the stands for the annual Military Tattoo. We found a spot and quickly unpacked all the bits an pieces from the ruck-sacks. However, tourists were coming left right and centre wanting to get photos of Electra – which slowed the process down.
Pipa through me the camera quickly got “kitted up” and I snapped a few pictures. During the thirty to sixty seconds there was a fair few laughs from all around.
Following this, Pipa quickly stripped down packed away the kit and we made fast for the Bus Station to get home.
