What I did on my summer vacation

[The Wizard of BC]

After the Pub Crawl on Thursday evening we got a chance to tour some of the town of Dunfries.
Mostly Bobbie and I needed to find another current converter and plug adapter as the one we brought with us from Canada was not suitable. So we headed into downtown Dumfries.

We were really enjoying finding new stores in buildings that are older than our country.
At first look the streets could be sets for a period movie.








We then headed down to the river which winds through the center of town and I found this bridge and watercourse.

[The Wizard of BC]

As we were downtown the streets started to fill up for the annual "Riding of the Marches" festival.

These folks now how to put on a festival. I think the entire town turned out. Half to watch the parade and have to be in the parade.










Getting these large lorries around the tight corners was amazing to watch.





Everybody joined in.




And of course the X Marks cameras we out and saving pics from every angle. This is Chas who came up from England. A super nice guy that Bobbie and I had many a good laugh with in the Breakfast Room of the Ferintosh.



After the Parade we all headed back to our rooms to get ready for the Whiskey tasting that evening.

[The Wizard of BC]

OK, dopey me. I have my timeline all fouled up. The Whiskey tasting was on Thursday and the Parade was on Saturday.

But could be expected to remember when you were offered seven ounces of Ardbeg.



Now I'm not the Whiskey expert that Robertson is. And I don't really like Scotch as much as Bobbie. But this was almost too much for me.

The amazing thing I found was the first glass on the left was the Whiskey just as it comes out of the still. It's brand new and as soon as I tasted it my eyes went wide and I said "Hey, that's moonshine". Now I have had a few mason jars of "shine" and I really like it. So I finished that one without a problem.

Earlier that morning Chas asked if I could help him baste a Kilt he had bought off EBay. So we set up a Kilt Klass in Emma's Breakfast Room.



I don't think Robertson was impressed with his guests moving all the plates and cups off the tables and messing up his room like that.



But a rabble like this cannot be controlled.

That's Alan(ACaig) Robertson, me, Chas, and Alex(cessna152towser) who drove in from Hawick not once but twice to be with us.

Do you notice that Bobbie and Emma are not in the picture? Who do you think took it?

(by the way, for those like me who can't pronounce the names correctly Dumfries is pronounced 'Dumb-free,ss' with the emphasis on free,ss and making it with a long ssss sound.) (and Hawick is a real kicker. I'ts correctly pronounced like 'Hoik'.)

Lat/Long of Ferintosh 55° 04' 18.95" N, 3° 36' 19.17" W

[The Wizard of BC]

On Sunday Alan led a convoy of himself in the lead car, with Bobbie and I in ours and Alex bringing up the rear so I couldn't get lost and we headed over to Hawick for the Games there.

You've seen other pictures of the day in Hawick posted by Alex so I'm only going to add a couple more.


As we got to town we were met with the parade down the main street.
Now, you can't have a proper Scottish pipe band without a real small piper.



And what would a Games be with "tossing the wellie" and "tossing the Haggis"?

here's Chas showing his form tossing the wellie. (that's a rubber boot for all those in N. America)



And Alan tossed too. But notice that the proprieties were upheld and he didn't even remove his jacket as no self respecting Armiger would.



I got to hold his hat.


Now for those who don't know tossing the wellie and tossing the Haggis are complex and difficult feats.
here we are discussing the rules and finer points of the sport.



I want to thank Alex for inviting Bobbie and I to join him for his local Games. We had a great time but before too long Bobbie and I had to leave because we had to drive up to Stirling and be there before dark.

But before we left Hawick I threw the haggis and won second place. So of course I had to take a bow.





Jeez, I'm such a ham.


Lat/Long 55deg., 25min., 55.57sec., N X 2deg., 45min., 39.34sec W

[Old Hippie]

Now, you can't have a proper Scottish pipe band without a real small piper.

Lad's that small he's almost dragging his kilt in the dust! A bit more malt with his brose and he'll be a fine braw piper, I'm sure. And proud to be in front of the lads he is...

Looks like they've got "route march" down pat.

Really enjoying the pix and narrative. Brings back memories...

:ootd:

[McClef]

Some great shots of Dumfries from different angles and good to see Friars Vennel finally clear of all the street works.

[Retro Red]

Wait a sec, I thought you said this was your SUMMER vacation. You guys are bundled up more than we usually are in wintertime here in Phoenix. Jackets? Sweaters? In June??? It does not compute!

Thanks, Steve & Bobbie, for the great photo tour!

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