What's All This, Then?

**vanwenger** · 8th July 13, 04:42 AM

Yes, I'm a newbie. Right now, I live in Istanbul, but in September I'm going to be returning to my adopted permanent home of Vancouver, BC, where I'll once again be able to take mallet in hand and indulge in my passion for croquet.
Well, you might ask, what does all this have to do with kilts?
Between now and September, my wife and I will be visiting Scotland for the first time. While there, we'll indulge in a bit of distillery visiting, some walking here and there, some exploration of Glasgow and Edinburgh, and of course a couple of visits to croquet clubs, where I will try to scrape some of the rust off my decaying skills. We'll also go to the Braemar Gathering.
So what images might be running through my mind? Scots in kilts and croquet playing. When you think about this too fast, the images tend to blur together. It struck me that a nice kilt might be just the thing for croquet, if the fabric and construction can cope with frequent contact with the mallet.
The only problem is that traditional croquet playing is done in white. I Googled "white kilts", and the next thing I knew, here I was, reading postings on white kilts in your Forum. I also managed to sneak over to the Croft Weaver Tartan Designer where I laid out a mostly-white tartan for myself.
The only fly in all this lovely ointment is the cost of it all. We're going to be retiring on a rather minimal budget (the visit to Scotland is our final fling, a last pretense at being fancy free), and the costs of kilt manufacture look steep to someone used to buying cheap shirts on sale, and infrequently at that.
So I think I'll wander around this lovely website and dream, and be a kiltie in thought until I can afford to become one in deed.
It's grand to be here, and I look forward to getting to know you!
-- vanwenger (Pierre Dunn)

**1oldsarge** · 8th July 13, 07:29 AM

Pierre, welcome to the rabble! Great group of people here.
I hope you weren't impacted by the government activities that was going on there as of late...

**Richrail** · 8th July 13, 07:29 AM

from Reno Nevada U.S.A.

**Jock Scot** · 8th July 13, 07:32 AM

Welcome, from Inverness-shire.

**JohntheBiker** · 8th July 13, 07:42 AM

from Toronto, Canada

**NorseCelt** · 8th July 13, 08:00 AM

Greetings, and welcome from Illinois, USA.

**Kiltedjohn** · 8th July 13, 08:31 AM

Welcome from an exiled Scot living in the English Midlands. Hope you have a great trip to Scotland, and that you find a kilt to suit. I look forward to hearing all about it.

**Orionson** · 8th July 13, 08:40 AM

Welcome, too ~ from the Misty Isle of Skye, where today the sun is a roasting 22 degrees+, and the Peacocks in the garden are basking in it's glory.

I lived in Glasgow for 7 years before moving up to Skye and I thought I'd drop you a line on "the Croquet Scene"there.

A bit of background first. I love the game. I still have the set my folks taught me on when I was a boy. The set was old then and it's been 50 years since I first learned the genteel Bombay Sapphire soaked etiquette and ruthless strategies of the game. I love it still and every time I lift those hallowed old mallets my folks, my grandparents and our dearest neighbours, to whom the set belonged - I am transported back to what was Nirvana for me. The cultured conversation + heated debate on the issues of the day + Bombay neat, in frosted glasses, of course + the vicious team play + the ruthless, yet noble attacks = heaven for this wide eyed boy of 7. (I wasn't allowed to partake of the Bombay until I was 12, at a flamboyant tongue in cheek "formal" ceremony that was dubbed my "right of passage as a young man.") Ah, bliss... Now a days, Bombay is still my favourite, even when I can be persuaded to add an olive or a cocktail onion.

Anyway, I digress. Back to Glasgow, which has a vibrant Croquet scene. There used to be some smashing pitches in Kelvingrove Park in the lea of the University and the Museum, but they were taken over last year to be refurbished for use as the Bowls Venue for next years Commonwealth Games. I don't know if they will be used for Croquet now, which would be a great pity. In any event follow this link http://www.glasgowcroquet.org.uk/ and you will find information about the Croquet scene in Glasgow today. You and your wife sound like you come from a very interesting and varied background. I have no doubt that they would welcome you both most graciously. Even if you pitch up in a White Kilt! Which, would likely be a first and the talk of the Steamie for generations to come.

In fact, if you find yourselves in Skye, we would be delighted to smash the hallowed wooden balls around the garden with you and your wife, if you'd care to drop- in for a round of "Bombay Invitational."

Cheers,