Diary of a Coo

Dear Diary, Coo here.

I could barely sleep last night I was so excited the UCI Cycling World Championships finally started today! I’ve polished my rainbow horns and brushed my luscious fur specially and now I’m ready to shine. Oh I hope they like me and I hope I do the Highland Coos proud. The Opening ceremony today was amazing – KT Tunstall was as good as always and it was a great chance to show off my MOOves. The parade of athletes, volunteers and entertainers made me so proud to be Scottish. Plus seeing all those cyclists and para-cyclists here in Glasgow ready to compete at one big event for the first time ever was even better than I could have dreamed of. Over 200 rainbow jerseys sounds so cool doesn’t it? I’ve even heard rumours some of the big coos are dressing up at some point too. I hope someone takes me in their backpack to visit them and to see the action up in Glentress Forest and Fort William. EEEEK this is going to be the best 10 days ever.

Love,

Coo

Dear Diary,

The champs really got going today so I made a trip to the Sir Chris Hoy velodrome to catch some of the track action. No one told me there are hats made to look like me but that was pretty surreal. I managed to resist buying one because I felt that was a little big headed of me….maybe by the end of the champs if there are any left. If a Coo wears a Coo does that make me a CooCoo? I was a bit wary when I headed into the middle and the Italian track team had a scary dancing cactus mascot. I’ll be steering clear of that one for a bit – don’t want to get poked by those spikes. I know I’m a big strong Coo but I’m sensitive and what if they gets stuck in my fur. I did sample a few of the snacks around – the Canadian team had peanut butter which got me very excited but I had to be careful because I didn’t want to bother any allergies if I visit social media and admin in the office. Safety first always. I also fell in love with Nigeria’s kit and need to see if they make it in my size. Anyway – the REAL highlight was that I actually got to get on the stage with the medal winners. We coos are all over and everyone on the podium even gets a coo with their medal. How fun. I didn’t want to take any attention away from them of course, but it felt pretty special to be up there with these athletes who have put so much into their training.

Night, night

Coo

Dear Diary,

A lovely morning graze on some grass before I got to head up to Fort William for the mountain bike downhill qualifying and junior finals. Now, don’t tell anyone but I’m a bit wary of heights so I did close my eyes going up in the gondola. But oh my goodness it was worth it when we got to the top. I felt right as home nestled in the heather in the sunshine before the racing started. There were some real human calves of the future (also known as juniors) on show. But their Mums and Dads have definitely got a task on their hands when it comes to washing that GB white kit after all this. Heard today that Coo toys are selling like hotcakes and flying off the shelves back in the stores AND that I’ve even made it onto the BBC coverage. I hope I get to meet Chris Hoy soon – he’s my hero! Along with Ermentrude from the Magic Roundabout but I would get too shy if I met her.

Coo

Dear Diary,

Saturdoos are for the Coos amirite? It’s the first time in a while I’ve not done a ParkRun on a Saturday morning so instead I had the tastiest of protein brekkies of lorne sausage, black pudding and haggis #gainzville population me. Then it was down to the BMX Freestlye Park. I’m glad I didn’t have to do all that going upside down with all that food in my belly. I was more than happy to watch instead with a cheeky beverage and some new friends in bobble hats. I still can’t get over people in Coo hats all over the place. If I see many more my head will swell so much I won’t fit one! Hitched a ride with a policebike to make it back to George square in time to see the finish of the junior women’s road race. I can’t believe she only took up cycling three years ago. Maybe in three years time I could be a champion Coo too. The boys have invited me out tonight but I want to be fresh for tomorrow and dream about road racing. Just a hot chocolate and an episode of Jimmy’s Farm for me.

Coo x

Dear Diary

I’m so glad I said no to the Discoo last night because I was fresh as a buttercup for the men’s road race today. Scotland looked great in all its glory and I moo’d with pride when I saw the Highland Coos in their rainbow jerseys. And what a race! I had the best view from a backpack as the literal rainbows shone over the roads and the rain cleared away for a mootiiful finish. Glasgow sure does know how to roar a winner on. And to think he even fell off his bike at one point and carried on. These cyclists are made of strong stuff – my fur would be so wet it would weigh me down. And then to top it off, he got a cuddly Coo to celebrate with – I’m loving my life in the limelight on the stage.

Coo x

Dear Diary,

No Monday blues today, just Monday MOOOOS! Today was the best Monday ever. There was another Gran Fondo that showed off just how beautiful Scotland is again but I must admit I had a bit of a lie in because I wanted to be on top form to see the BMX Freestyle Park final. And it didn’t disappoint. Although I did get a bit overexcited about a bike I saw that was pink with a leopard print seat – I never knew Barbie did BMX. Short one from me today because I want to get a good night’s sleep ahead of the rest of the week.

Coo

Dear Diary, I’m writing from a secret hiding spot after someone tried to kidnap me today. The moos on the street is that there has been such demand for coo toys that they are no longer available in shops so people are selling them on ebay. I was just minding my own business over a morning munch when suddenly I felt a tug on my horn and I was hoisted from my seat by the strong grip of a toddler. Luckily, it wasn’t long before her Dad realised and I was put back in my spot, but I felt my whole squishy life flash before my eyes.

Coo

Dear Diary,

No one tried to kidnap me today – what a win! It was the beginning of the BMX freestyle flatland and the Trials today and it was so Cool. Definitely going to try some of those mooves when I get back into the highlands after the games – I think the Heather would make a good soft landing for me when I first start out. I wonder if they make bikes specially for Coos….hmm maybe a startup idea for next year! In other news, I hear the Coos are now selling on ebay for £60 wow I wonder how I get commission on these hehehe. I can’t believe there’s still four more days of this amazing event to come. Bring it on.

Coo

Dear Diary,

I’m not going to lie, I’m quite tired today because it’s been a long and exciting week and I’ve had to stop for so many selfies today but I don’t know how to say no to people. Especially the young kids. Although a baby tugged on my right horn today and it’s a bit sore. But, who am I to complain – I get to be up front and centre for all this amazing cycling. I’m still getting over how lucky I am to be here and such a part of it. I now know how my mate Perry the Bull felt at last year’s Commonwealth Games.  I popped along to George square and felt all the tingles in my Scottishness watching the Renfrewshire Schools Pipe Band on the stage. But the highlight of my day was meeting two people dressed up – one as a Kangaroo and one as a Crocodile. They even bowed down to me outside Stirling castle so I gave them a cheeky royal wave with my ears. And THEN I got taken on a ride across the finish line – WHAT. A. DAY! I can’t wait to see what the next few days bring.

Coo