Three of us made the Portsmouth Scottish Walk for New Year's Eve on a damp foggy evening.

From left Draelore (Andrew), Fougasse (Frank) and Beedee (Brian)



Several hundred people paraded through OldeTowne Portsmouth behind a pipe band and honor guard to the top of Main Street beside the Elizabeth River. There we sang Auld Lang Syne and had a ceremonial pagent commemorating the Revolutionary War with a Flag Raising ceremony of the Grand Union Flag of 1776 and addresses from people portraying Benoni Bradner of New York, the Rev John Braidfoot, Anglican priest from Portsmouth, and Gen Joseph Reed (who brought a message from General Washington).

The parade closed with a 13 gun salute as each of the original 13 state's names were called out.

Frank, his wife Sherrie with daughter Katy invited Jude and I to join them for dinner in a local Bier Garten. A Scot, a Kiwi and two Americans in a German restaurant made for a great evening and a wonderful way to end the year with new X-Marks friends.

Brian