In the early throws of 2022, something stirred in me. I felt the deep, desperate need for a Burrito. And Kong were sponsoring the EUOC Big Weekend, so what better time and place to go foraging? The hunt began on Friday night. The keen orienteers did a fight with the night, but we didn’t because we were driving. We arrived past service time for most spots, so instead of wild Mexican food we went in search of a different prey: beer. While the game seems like an easy mark, it turned out to be a far more challenging hunt than we’d anticipated. Recent local covid restrictions meant that finding a table was near impossible, and only after extensive stalking was the prey brought down. And brought down it was, in Abaddon in fact. After consumption that some partners would later go on to say was “excessive”, a small dispatch left in search of the only late-night game still grazing: Kebab.
Another successful hunt and a few hours sleep later, and we were kitting up for the Saturday urban event, which I’d doubled up with a scouting trip for wild Burritos. On the way to the start, I saw at least three possible hunting grounds, so another success there. After the run, my companions had scored a kill on some chicken Burritos, so I met them with haste to feast. Once we were brimmed with chicken and rice, we set off to find a watering hole, with a brief detour past a museum. Said watering hole turned out to be overpriced, and overly pretentious, but you can’t win them all.
Evening turned to night, and the pack went to scavenge on a curry buffet. Honestly one of the best curries I’ve ever had, this no-frills cafeteria-style dining had us blown away with its quality, quantity, and price. Filled full once more, we set about finding a place to get refreshments from, whiling away the night. Feeling like Joseph on the night of his son’s birth, we went from spot to spot and all we heard was “no room”. Eventually we found a seat at a table outside a popular bar, and drank cold beer while even colder wind licked at our heels. We then managed to get a seat in a tiny folk bar, which was absolutely bouncing. And more importantly, warm.
Night turned to day, and the race on Arthur’s Seat more or less sorted out everyone’s hangover, just in time for Ramen. I had a giant bowl of Hell Ramen, called so for its famous spicy chilli broth. Mine was delightful, served with belly pork and associated greens. The only member of our party not to enjoy their Ramen was the one who didn’t know what miso was, and then discovered they weren’t overly fond of it. A wee bit more mooching and an Artisan cake later, it was time to leave.
All in all the EUOC Big Weekend is fantastic, and I’d recommend it to anyone. Oh, and the orienteering is top draw too. Couldn’t fault it.
About The Big Weekend
From the superb organiser’s themselves… “Big Weekend is Edinburgh’s premier orienteering competition, held at the end of January. We have over 600 participants each year many who have been to every single event!”
Head over to their website to check out all the results, planner’s reports from each day, and to get your appetite whetted for burritos and Big Weekend 2023!
Thank you to Dan for his writings on a weekend away in Edinburgh with a couple of our other staff members to savour this renowned event. A keen (and understated talent) regular on the orienteering scene down here in the Lakes, Dan has also been a successful planner for several events.
