Firstly, just a quick note, this is a diary entry meant for Saturday 12th, which i posted today (Sunday 13th, as published above this blog) because I finally found the time to publish it tonight. This explains the mixed up dates. Anyhoo...
Well, here I am sitting in my slightly smokey-smelling, singed Red Cross uniform. Had I had the chance to wash it, I would have done, but it wouldn't have dried in time. So tonight, if anyone sniffs and asks, "can you smell burning?" I'll just edge away.
Tonight is duty number two of 2008 - the finale of Highland 2007 in Inverness. I am yet to treat a casualty, although I've been a member of the British Red Cross for almost eight months now, as a co-worker and I calculated the other night on the way to the Burghead Claivie. Perhaps tonight will be busier than last, both casualty and, no doubt, crowd wise. I was surprised that an event involving so much fire didn't result in multiple casualties coming up to us complaining of burns or embers in their eyes or something, but there you go. Maybe some people were too proud to admit they had burnt fingers because they picked up a smouldering piece of wood with bare hands that flew off the Claivie, thinking it would make a good souvenir. Who knows.
By the way, for those of you who don't know what the Burghead 'Claivie' is, it's a giant torch that is set alite and doused with petrol and tar and carted around Burghead on the shoulders of a very brave (and some might argue foolish) man. After the procession is complete it's taken to the top of a hill and doused in yet more highly flammable liquids until it bursts into a fire ball that somehow doesn't set alite the whole of Burghead. Although some may see this as pointless, it is a tradition none-the-less, performed back in Pictish times to welcome in the new year, if I remember rightly. Anyway, you know now if you didn't before.
But tonight should be different. For one thing there are unusually strict rules on our appearance tonight. Of course we're required to wear our uniform, not that we wouldn't do, but long hair has to be tied back, no jewellery of any kind must be visible, etc, etc. Basically we need to look spic and span, and more respectable than usual. Now of course I have no problem with this, but why receive such a strict letter about it? And as for tying hair back, well I know first aiders who have gotten away with not doing so before, including myself.
Anyway, either way I'm a bit scuppered. My uniform smells of burning wood and smoke, and I don't even have proper trousers or shoes to complete the ensemble (although my official Red Cross boots have been ordered!). Right now I'm making do with a pair of navy-blue tracksuit bottoms and black trainers; very nice. Plus, the fact that my hair is not quite long enough to successfully tie back means I'm not really following the 'orders' given. A part from not wearing jewellery, now that one I can do.
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