The Quest of the Quaich

[Downunder Kilt]

Great photos Graham, looks as cold there as it is in Melbourne at the moment, well perhaps a little colder in your neck of the woods.

[Graham]

"I can almost taste it now"

[AN COIGREACH ALBANNACH]

Hello to Greame from An coigreach albannach.

I was fortunate to attend a very convivial quiach night in victoria(austr) organized by Down under kilt and am well pleased to see the quaich stravaiging through your island.That is where my father met my mother back when my Scottish grandfather was working as a fitter in the pulp mills near Burnie.

Events including Scottish country dancing and Rabbie Burns nights,along with hogmanys were enjoyed by them in affiliation with the local Caledonian society.My grandfather was always chosen as the first footer,in keeping with the ancient requirements of a good looking dark haired man for the task of wishing all within "best o luck and a guid new year".Is this society still up and going?

Does the heart good to think of you hiking kilted through chilly conditions to the cradle mount bay.Sad to think some Scots would stick to trousers and think you mad when thinking of a similar activity in these times of weaker wills and tenderer constitutions.I totally agree,the kilt is a well qualified garb for just this sort of thing in just those conditions!Well done to Down under kilt for getting it safely to you and again to xmts for generously sending the quaich abroad to be shared by all.

[AN COIGREACH ALBANNACH]

My apologies,may I correct my greeting to hello Graham!I shant forget again!

[Woot22]

Awesome photos Graham! It looks amazing where you are took those pics.

[English Bloke]

Graham. Crackin' pictures Mate. It's great to share a little bit of your world. Looking forward to the festival pictures. It seems the Quaich's prominence is expanding.

[Graham]

Thanks lads, it was also interesting on the walk that two groups of walkers wanted a photo of or with me because of the kilt. That happened also last time I was in Scotland - tourists wanted to see Scots in kilts, so they saw me and photographed me (if only they knew - an Englishman from Australia, in Scotland kilted, there's something strange!)

So, on with the Quest, (I'm enjoying this), had some friends around, Mike and Pauline are pictured. Mike is a drummer in our local Pipe Band.






More to come...

[Graham]

In Tasmania and around Australia, Cradle Mountain is a icon. It is a place of great beauty all through the year.
I like taking visitors there because there are so many walks, from a 2 hour walk around Dove Lake (shown) to a seven day hike and everything in between.
This time of year (Autumn/fall) the area is famous for the beautiful colours in the Fagus, or deciduous Beech, native to Tasmania. It puts on quite a show.

This image shows the most photographed view of Cradle Mountain with the old boat shed in the foreground.



That day we were planning to climb to Marions Lookout (the peak above the roof of the shed) but conditions were not the best.

[Spartan Tartan]

Great pictures Graham! Wonderful scenery. Looks like you are doing it right.

[SusieMac]

I was privileged to share from the quaich last night at a gathering at Dairy Plains in Tasmania where a convivial time was had by assorted musicians and imbibers. Photos were taken and no doubt they will find their way here before long.
It was a great night!