Short-lived Arthur's Seat sledging trip left me needing a chocolate and duvet day – Hayley Matthews

I'm sitting in bed with the electric blanket on, Ellie cat all curled up to me and a Wispa that's winking at me from the bedside table.
With little else to do, people flocked to go sledging on Arthur's Seat after the snow this week (Picture: Scott Louden)With little else to do, people flocked to go sledging on Arthur's Seat after the snow this week (Picture: Scott Louden)
With little else to do, people flocked to go sledging on Arthur's Seat after the snow this week (Picture: Scott Louden)

It's been one of those days where I've been full of good intentions and positive attitude but it's turned out to be a chocolate and duvet day.

With all the snow earlier in the week my nine-year-old was champing at the bit to use his sledge and with a two-year-old brother who will do anything his big brother does, we decided to wrap up and head for Arthur’s Seat for a morning of sledging.

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We took the car because we had large bags of feed for the swans, a change bag, a sledge, a buggy, snacks and everything else apart from the kitchen sink.

When we turned up, the car park was open but the road that leads up to the start of Arthur’s Seat was coned off and the place was heaving!

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Everyone in the area with kids and a sledge had had the same idea. In lockdown, in winter, with little to do, when there’s snow and a hill, you can bet a tenner it will be busy.

Seeing a few cars had bumped up on the grass verge outside the car park we did the same. Cars could still pass and loads of people had done it.

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Off we went with our sledge and a bag of crackers. However, Oryn had different ideas and cried the entire time. His feet were very cold despite the two pairs of socks under his boots and he was just miserable. I'd even go as far to say inconsolable, screaming and crying, so I decided to take him home.

Back at the car, I was met with one of the park rangers who started to give me it tight for bumping up on the grass. Feeling like I wanted to start crying and screaming myself, I said to him "now is not the time". Anyone who has a toddler screaming in their ear for an hour knows the last thing you need is a middle-aged man giving you what for in the other ear.

He started to give me all the chat about parking there even though he could see I was not in the mood. As I tried to wrestle Oryn in to the car seat whilst juggling the buggy, keys and everything else I could feel the steam coming out my ears as he rabbited on.

Then as he'd finished his lecture and walked off, I said "aye ok" but then might have shouted a few words at him that I can't quite remember. I do recall telling him to moan at everyone else who'd parked beside us (they'd also have a better chance of hearing what he was saying) and I moaned how he should have the road to Arthur’s Seat opened up so people could park because when there's snow, people will flock to the park.

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Anyway I gave up shouting, took Oryn home (he screamed all the way) put him down for a nap and there being nothing else for it, I'm having a Wispa in bed. But a word of advice, if you're going to Arthur’s Seat sledging, leave the car cause the rangers are on patrol!

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