My sparkling role at Auchterarder light switch on is snowed off!

The “old gal” having a good laugh about the prospect of tandeming in the snow!

It was all set to be such an exciting weekend! Regular readers of my Musings will know all about the “old git’s” meticulous planning ahead of trips. And to be fair, usually this is to everyone’s benefit (tho the “old gal” does find it just a bit of  a pain at times!)

But believe it or not, there are actually some things that even the “old git’s” planning can’t counter! And last weekend’s sudden snow fall was one of those occasions .

The “old git’s” big plan was that this “old lady” would feature in a starring role in the local Christmas lights switch-on event in our home town of Auchterarder on Sunday – complete with my own new sparkling lights! I was so excited, I could hardly sleep!

He even persuaded the “old gal” to go along with his idea (well she smiled sweetly at the suggestion anyway!) that my dynamic duo would tandem up and down the length of the high street wearing their unmissable Christmas jumpers and Santa hats.

The “old git” as a true Christmas Pudding in the snow!

He had even arranged to take a few photos outside the local bike store Synergy Cycles – with me nuzzling up to those fast sleek boy racer type bikes with those dropped handlebars to show what a game “old lady” I can still be! There was even the promise of a mince pie and coffee on offer!

And a stop was also planned at the new deli and wine bar called Corbie and Cheip to have my photo taken beside the old bike – that is actually older than me, but doesn’t go anywhere – the friendly German owner has stationed as an eye-catching prop outside their premises. She even suggested it would be fun to have a shot at tandeming! Well I’m, not sure what the “old gal” thinks about that idea!

After attracting  a fair bit of attention, and no doubt a few ribald comments from the locals in the town, the master plan was then that I would be parked outside the “old gal’s” hair salon in the town – Number 57 Hair Salon – as an added Christmas light attraction – ahead of the big switch on.

So it’s all very well to have a plan, but Mother Nature put a major spoke in my wheels with a heavy dump of snow on Sunday morning. And it wasn’t the slushy type of snow that disappears as fast as it falls. No, this was the proper dry, fluffy, not-going-anywhere-fast type of snow.

So as noon approached – the time of the Santa parade through the town – it became clear that tandeming was out of the question. Firstly I am an “old lady” and have to look after my joints these days – and secondly, I don’t have a set of winter tyres or snow chains!

The “old git” – who had worked himself up into a crescendo about the big light switch on – was devastated! But the “old gal” gamely consoled him by suggesting we go outside in front of Matilda’s Rest and take a few fun photos in the snow – complete with their Christmas jumpers and Santa hats!

He was ecstatic and soon we are all outside standing in between 2 and 3 inches of snow – having  a good giggle.

A snow selfie and the outlook from Matilda’s Rest.  Spot the “old gal’s” animal print trimmed Santa hat!

The dynamic duo immediately turned into a pair of teenagers frolicking about in the snow flakes – with the “old git” determined to land a snowball on the “old gal’s” new animal print trimmed Santa hat! Much screaming was heard until mission was accomplished!

She does like a bit of animal print does the “old gal” as you will see from looking at her designer wellies – featuring giraffe print! Not that you see many giraffes in Auchterarder – although the “old git” did point out that you sometimes do see the odd “endangered species” walking up the high street!

The “old gal” complete with her wildlife wellies – and nearly a Christmas tree growing out of her head!

So after a few minutes of getting cold – and the neighbours wondering if my dynamic duo were totally mad posing for pictures in the snow with me – it was time to be put back in my warm garage. And I must say I was quite glad they didn’t change their mind and decided on a snow tandem session!

The “old git” persuaded the “old gal” that a walk up to the high street would be fun so they donned their anoraks, hats and gloves and set off – just as more snow started to fall.

It was a real winter wonderland as they walked along – only to find the high street virtually deserted.  It came as no great surprise to find out that the big Christmas lights switch on – which was due to be carried out by “mystery guest” BBC Scotland weather girl Judith Ralston – had been cancelled due to the inclement weather. Some what ironic that a weather girl couldn’t switch on the lights due to … the weather!!!!

So they decided to escape the snow and retreat into Corbie and Cheip for a warming coffee and a slice of cake. The “old git” had a lovely home-made ginger and carrot cake while the “old gal” had a slice of a tasty festive chocolate cake, accompanied by some real hand-roasted coffee. And as you know the “old gal” is a bit of a coffee aficionado – and she was impressed … so it must be good!

It was like a scene from “It’s a Wonderful Life” as huge snow flakes fell.

In fact the “old gal” would happily have sat there all day, but after a quick look at some of the tasty foodie goodies on offer in the deli (and taking notes for a few items for some presents) my duo returned to base.

A quick glance at the forecast showed that the weather was in fact closing in – forcing the local Perth Winter Festival organisers to abandon their (eve of) Saint Andrews Day celebrations which included an outdoor concert and ceilidh.

My duo were home in time to catch the last set as Andy Murray (from nearby Dunblane) beat David Goffin to virtually win the Davis Cup for Great Britain almost single-handedly. Well done Andy!

All in all, despite not getting out for a pedal it wasn’t  a total right off! But the “old git” still has aspirations to get out for a pre-Christmas ride to show off my lights. Watch this space!

Smile for the camera! A photo taken via selfie stick stuck in the snow and on timer!