Machern Germany Games

[A Hay]

Just returned from the Machern Germany Games. They are held on 18 and 19 Sept this year, at a small country estate near Leipzig, Germany. This was the 4th year I have been.

I drove up from Garmisch-Partenkirchen on Friday (about a 7 hour drive), stayed overnight and went to the games Saturday only this year. Drove home Sunday.

This was the last big games of the season in Germany. There are pipe bands from across europe that come and compete. Usually about 10-12 bands. So there was music all around the whole day. In the evening there is a celtic pop band, but I didn't stay up that late.

Here are just a few pictures.


Here am I, dressed in my Hay Ancient Kilt (PV). New addition is a Cromach I found in Oberammergau. Only one I've seen here. It is a nice fit and came in very handy. You can see by the straw on the ground, it was muddy and wet.
I had an interesting experience at a vendor stand. I saw some ladies short skirts in the Hay Ancient tartan in PV. As I was looking and trying to decide whether to get one for my wife, a young man came out of the vendor tent and asked me what tartan I was wearing (he was from Scotland, by his accent). I told him and he said thanks, he had been trying to find the tartan pattern in books, but hadn't been successful. He felt he should know in case someone else asked him. I was amused and glad to be of service. I did not get a skirt for my wife though. I didn't know her size and I didn't think she would wear one that short. She didn't accompany me because it was a long drive for just a day.

Here are a few more pics.

Leading the entry parade. Very narrow lane into the fest grounds, but it is great to stand right at the edge and FEEL the pipes and drums vibrating through you from 2 feet away!

Two non-band pipers. The gentleman on the right is part of a small group playing later in the day. Lots of lady pipers in the bands over here, although the lass on the left was more of a punk piper.

This was a small part of a Falcon group in the parade. I will say the falcons and owls were calmer than some of the dogs in the parade, despite the sound of the pipes and drums. Some of the dogs were having a tough time. There were also Hielan Coos, sheep dog exhibitions, llamas, and other animas there.

In addition to a large stage, there was a small stage for small music groups, and I spent a lot of time there in the afternoon. I could still hear the pipe bands in the background. This pic is of a rendition of Robert Burn's Ode to a Haggis, with a German translation by the man in the blue shirt. My German is not good enough to know how accurate it was, but the crowd liked it.

That's all the pics. Wish I could have stayed over Sunday, but have to work Monday. I'm about 3 hours further South this year than in previous years.

Regards,

Tom

[McClef]

Maybe but few pictures but clearly indicative of European kilt and cultural activities where maybe least expected!

And you look very dapper in your photo Tom if I may say so.