What a hectic few days I’ve had. We left London on Friday to travel up to Scotland and en-route drove through some truly amazing scenery like the Yorkshire Dales. To top it off we stopped at a convenient M&S where we indulged in some delicious fresh sandwiches and organic food like only they can produce. I have to say, M&S is one of the things I really miss about the UK.

We stayed overnight in Carlisle at a nice bed and breakfast. Then the next morning drove directly to Glasgow to register at the conference. This was a great idea as we were there at the opening and missed the huge rush that followed.

We met the lovely midwife and her family who are looking after us and they are really making us feel at home.

Sunday was the official opening but it didn’t start until after lunch. So we went on a bike ride in the morning with a member of our extended family – Calum who is 13. He took us up hill and down to see the sites of Glasgow. We saw everything including a ride through a graveyard. My perineum is certainly suffering today.

The opening ceremony was really spectacular. The fife drummers were brilliant and the Irish dancers breathtaking. Also the welsh choir sang an African song and were dutifully accompanied by some African women. It makes me fill up to think of it.

Can you believe 456 Australians made it here. I’m so proud that such a huge number came from the other side of the Earth. That is the biggest number from anywhere apart from the UK where there are over 1,000. Quite a poor show considering there are 100,000 British midwives.

The low point of the ceremony was the thank you to Johnson & Johnson. I have registered my objection to the sponsorship from Martek and am quite disgusted by the amount of bottle feeding companies represented here. Money and big business go hand in hand as usual.

This morning we were locked out of the one inspiring workshop. Once they were full they just turned us away. I went instead to see some Welsh midwives talk about burnt out midwives attitude. I thought it was awful and am NOT attending any more crappy hospital based sessions.

Jan Tritten from Midwifery Today has become a known face to me and I’m hoping to attend a study day on Thursday with her regarding cord clamping. It sounds way more interesting than the last day here and I can’t wait to hang out with such an inspirational woman.

I will try and get some photographs uploaded when I get the chance.

I forgot to mention earlier, but I have also added Asherah’s homebirth story to the site. I know there’s a few birth story junkies out there that enjoy reading as many as they can.

Related posts:

1. ICM 2008 Diary – Midweek Update
2. ICM 2008 Diary – London
3. ICM 2008 Diary – Flight Out Part 1
4. Coffee Meet April 2008
5. Coffee Meeting November 2008