Lones in Europe: Highland Games...

Well Everyone I have now been to my first Highland Games, ever.... and it was well worth it.
Once again Ally drove us to Glamis Castle, dorpped us off and headed home. Sheonagh and I had a ball. The sound of bagpipes was everywhere, some bands were competing and some were warming up, it was magnificent. I love the sound of badpipes, played well, they are so haunting. There was also tartan everywhere, I need to look up my families tartan, because apparently to wear the wrong one is a very big Faux pas... Don't stress girls (my daughters will be freaking out!!) I shall not be wearing a kilt, but a throw or cape or something would be nice.

I could not believe how many things were going on at once. The bands were competing, as were the single pipers, the girls and boys were dancing, the heavies (seriously that's what they called them) were throwing hammers and stuff, there was running and cycling and tug of wars. It was amazing. I tried to get some shots to show what was happening at one time, but hard to get it all in. I shall post a couple though. I did get to see cable tossing too, the "heavies" threw the hammers (big long things, not real hammers, you goose) some kind of fat weight weighing 25 kilo's, little hammers, I think they were called ham's and then the cables... Brilliant. It was a really great day, Sheonagh actually said she could feel her face burning, I had removed my coat and jumper at this time (though only for about 20 minutes), but still had two long sleeve tops on. I couldn't believe it. I looked at the sky and the sun was almost out from behind the cloud, almost but it never really made it, just a very poor attempt. Then of course the rain started, so we made a run for it and Ally took us home.

We went to the Golf Club for tea and then headed home. It has been a wonderful stay in Scotland and I am returning for a few days in October. Sheonagh and Ally have been kind enough to say that is okay, which is great as I have left a lot of my excess clothes there. My suitcase was really getting beyond a joke, it was so heavy it was a nightmare. So I have removed all the things I do not think I will need and I may have saved the life of my suitcase, the wheels looked like they were going to give up and collapse at any moment. So now it is way more manageable and I am feeling much better about it.

I left Forfar this morning and it was sad to go, Sheonagh and Ally have been so wonderful to me, they took me to so many places that I would never have seen otherwise and nothing was too much trouble. I cannot thank them enough for all that they did for me. They are really wonderful people. So thank you once again, both of you.

I am meeting a friend tomorrow for a cuppa and I shall see as much as I can of Glasgow tomorrow as well. Then I am heading off the next day. I am not sure yet if it will be North Yorkshire/Duram or Ireland. I shall see which is the easiest to get to from here. I need to go to both places so it really doesn't matter which order it is in.

Glasgow is a funny place, or perhaps it is just this hotel, but it is odd. I was sitting in my room today after I arrived and I heard a fire alarm in one of the adjacent buildings, it went on and on. Not really a problem, but just now the fire alarm in my room started screaming so I looked out and no one was in the corridor, I tried to call reception 3 times and when I finally got through I asked if I should be alarmed and he's like, "No, just the kitchen, chips burning". Well I hope they don't cook in the night, cause that thing would wake the dead and I need my beauty sleep, like I really need it, it is way overdue. I wonder if fire alarms go off all the time in Glasgow or just because I am here? I could say it's because I'm so hot, but that would be 20 years too late!!

Anyway I hope you enjoy the pics

Cheers

Lones