On Saturday I got the train to Glasgow to see the World Pipe Band Championships on Glasgow green. I didn't get all that close to the grade 1 arena this year [20 quid to sit in the stands, which in hindsight may have been worth it], so had a much better listen to bands as they were tuning up. My favourite performance of the day was Field Marshal Montgomery who won the competition on the day. I also enjoyed a couple of performances from bagad bands from Brittany, who were competing in grade 2.I met up with Andrew at about lunchtime, after his long trip on the train from London. Andrew endured the pipe bands, and it will be interesting to get his take on the day in the comments for this post... We also met up with Ben, as per the picture and had a night out on the town before staying at Strathclyde Uni. I'll post something about the meal and drinks later too, 'cause it was a good night out.
On Sunday, Andrew and I got on a tour bus and saw a bit of glasgow. We had fish supper and deep fried haggis for lunch which was great - another photo that I'll post!
I got the train back to Perth in the afternoon, and then headed out to Elie on the east coast, where my Aunty Ann is staying for a couple of weeks. We had dinner, and a very nice walk on the beach. I was convinced by Darryl [who else?] to wade in the water, which was as cold as it looks! I got to meet Catriona's boyfriend, Mike, who has a great sense of humor and can give as good has he gets!
Today I've taken it a little bit easy, probably due a late night with Frances, and a bottle of Drambuie. It's been five years since the last visit, so there is a lot to get caught up on. We went into Perth today, and I posted back some of my stuff... With the hand luggage restrictions at the moment, I have to pack everything to go under the plane, unfortunately including my pipes. Hopefully the news will continue to get better on this front...
I had a full breakfast for lunch, including black pudding, with coffee and Irn Bru [my most favourite soft drink in all the world!]. Check out the wikipedia page on this phenominal drink - and it's claim to fame in outselling coke in Scotland! I also had a Thorton's ice cream, which was excellent!
1 comment:
It was great to catch up with Cameron again, and also to meet up with Ben Smith who I haven't seen for donkey years. I'm not sure that the word "endured" is quite called for - it actually wasn't that bad at all. It was quite nostalgic, hearing piping - almost like being back at scotch :) I even heard my favourite bagpipe tune of all time.
The only part of the day that could possibly be described as not so good, was when we went to the souvenir stands to pick up some merchandise. I felt it was quite reasonable to enquire about the price of the padlock and pink mobile phone that were on display - but apparently they weren't for sale.
I can't remember the exact conversation, but it went something like this:
Souvenir stand girl: are you drunk?
Me: no, I only had two guinnesses
Souvenir stand girl: perhaps you should limit yourself to one in future.
how rude!
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