We took the Cubs and Beavers out 10 pin bowling this evening.
17 under 11's, the vast majority of them under 10.
Add to this mix sweet vending machines, slushies, gum balls machines and too much pocket money.
To cap it off we then fed them too!
Now that I'm home its boots off and something to help me sleep.
29 January 2013
26 January 2013
Burn the witch
It was Burns night last night and as a local boy done well his birthday is a bit of an event here.
There are poetry recitals, whisky drinking (that's whisky without the e) and haggis eating. I like haggis and I'm OK with the whisky, though I prefer whiskey, but the poetry I can do without.
In school it was all "O my Luve's like a red, red rose / That's newly sprung in June;" and I just couldn't be bothered.
So when Fiona said that we managed to get tickets for the ghost tour in Alloway as part of Alloway 1759 I was in mixed feeling. The company would be good and the walk about would be interesting but I feared the ghosts we would be meeting would be this milk maid who Burns wrote this about [insert recital] or that beastie [add another recital].
I was wrong. There was little Burns at all. The walk was run by Scruffy Dog and was fantastic!
The walk was based around Alloway and as such it had to include mention of Burns, but that just based it. He was a concrete connection from the past that the history were would be told was tied to.
The bulk of the talk was about some of the more gruesome goings on. The bodies that fell into the train tunnel after a cheap contractor tunnelled under the graveyard with out moving the bodies (think 1982's Poletgeist film). Or of the abbot of Crossraguel who was pulled off his horse, tied over another one and then tortured until he signed over the lands.
We were told about the witch purges - about 4000 Scots who were 'cleansed' by fire or water of witchcraft. One of the group was singled out and used to illustrate the tests - the needle, the thumb screws, the knotted ropes. All very frightening, but more because of how dangerous it became A witch couldn't be trusted not to lie and a parishioner wouldn't lie
All the while we were walking in the area, and along the path that Tom O'Shanter would have come along. We end up in the old Alloway Kirk, the one made famous by Burns and Tam, and whose graveyard collapsed into the tunnel.
Here we did get a bit of Burns, but it was fitting.
The tour was all done in alight hearted way, but still made you think. Some of the lighter moments was the non traditional Burns supper - we had haggis pakora delivered to us on the walk - and our own personal traffic lights.
After the walk the 6 of us went out for a nice meal. Originally we had tried to get onto the 2130 walk but it was sold out and we had to settle for the 1830 one. At 2145, while our mains were just about finished we could see the rain bouncing off the street and the wind blowing a gale, so a lucky escape for us.
It seems a bit unfair that Burns gets all the noise. There are plenty of other notable local boys who should get as much adulation. What about John Loudon MacAdam from Ayr and his road making (eventually tarmac), or John Dunlop from Dreghorn who invented pneumatic tyres, or even Alexander Fleming from Darvel for his penicillin? I personally have more interest in solid tarred roads and good rubber tyres than in whether or not "auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind "
There are poetry recitals, whisky drinking (that's whisky without the e) and haggis eating. I like haggis and I'm OK with the whisky, though I prefer whiskey, but the poetry I can do without.
In school it was all "O my Luve's like a red, red rose / That's newly sprung in June;" and I just couldn't be bothered.
So when Fiona said that we managed to get tickets for the ghost tour in Alloway as part of Alloway 1759 I was in mixed feeling. The company would be good and the walk about would be interesting but I feared the ghosts we would be meeting would be this milk maid who Burns wrote this about [insert recital] or that beastie [add another recital].
I was wrong. There was little Burns at all. The walk was run by Scruffy Dog and was fantastic!
The walk was based around Alloway and as such it had to include mention of Burns, but that just based it. He was a concrete connection from the past that the history were would be told was tied to.
The bulk of the talk was about some of the more gruesome goings on. The bodies that fell into the train tunnel after a cheap contractor tunnelled under the graveyard with out moving the bodies (think 1982's Poletgeist film). Or of the abbot of Crossraguel who was pulled off his horse, tied over another one and then tortured until he signed over the lands.
 |
| A hooded figure in the church yard? |
All the while we were walking in the area, and along the path that Tom O'Shanter would have come along. We end up in the old Alloway Kirk, the one made famous by Burns and Tam, and whose graveyard collapsed into the tunnel.
Here we did get a bit of Burns, but it was fitting.
After the walk the 6 of us went out for a nice meal. Originally we had tried to get onto the 2130 walk but it was sold out and we had to settle for the 1830 one. At 2145, while our mains were just about finished we could see the rain bouncing off the street and the wind blowing a gale, so a lucky escape for us.
It seems a bit unfair that Burns gets all the noise. There are plenty of other notable local boys who should get as much adulation. What about John Loudon MacAdam from Ayr and his road making (eventually tarmac), or John Dunlop from Dreghorn who invented pneumatic tyres, or even Alexander Fleming from Darvel for his penicillin? I personally have more interest in solid tarred roads and good rubber tyres than in whether or not "auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind "
13 January 2013
The Critics rave
Had a brilliant night out at the Carluke Young Farmer's Concert.
Of course, given how it had been played down I wasn't expecting much. Being the newcomer, I didn't know the politics...
I don't really know what the Young Farmers do, but there is an annual talent and craft programme which contribute to the overall winning group. I've been to a Talent Spot night and see other craft work at the Highland shows. I hadn't really appreciated the competitiveness of this. Of the WOHFTF gang, Fiona and Christine are ex Avondale while the Halls are Carluke. Christine, Fiona and her mum were playing down the concert but that seems is just inter club rivalry.
Last night's show is part of the 70th anniversary, so some former (faded?) stars were invited back. Counting past, present, and future , there were 7 Halls in the show that I knew, and others being pointed out to me all evening.
Some of the material was local in-jokes, some was topical - Gangham Style featured. A lot of it was very funny - Andrew stealing the stage from the rest of the cast had us all in tears of laughter.
Some was typical for the current state of the game - during their performance of Scotland's 1982 world Cup theme, We Have a Dream, Alan's lone voice called for the penalty before the man fell!
An extremely funny piece was based on what the cast would be doing of they weren't on stage. One by one the cast came on stage and sang what tasks they would otherwise be doing, along with the actions. As the rest of the performers came on stage this became an exquisitely synchronised round of voice and actions, with people only getting hit, sprayed and smacked as intended.
Another very funny piece was the spoof VisitScotland video for Carluke, along with translations for common phrases and out takes.
It was a really good night and well done to all involved.
Of course, given how it had been played down I wasn't expecting much. Being the newcomer, I didn't know the politics...
I don't really know what the Young Farmers do, but there is an annual talent and craft programme which contribute to the overall winning group. I've been to a Talent Spot night and see other craft work at the Highland shows. I hadn't really appreciated the competitiveness of this. Of the WOHFTF gang, Fiona and Christine are ex Avondale while the Halls are Carluke. Christine, Fiona and her mum were playing down the concert but that seems is just inter club rivalry.
Last night's show is part of the 70th anniversary, so some former (faded?) stars were invited back. Counting past, present, and future , there were 7 Halls in the show that I knew, and others being pointed out to me all evening.
Some of the material was local in-jokes, some was topical - Gangham Style featured. A lot of it was very funny - Andrew stealing the stage from the rest of the cast had us all in tears of laughter.
Some was typical for the current state of the game - during their performance of Scotland's 1982 world Cup theme, We Have a Dream, Alan's lone voice called for the penalty before the man fell!
An extremely funny piece was based on what the cast would be doing of they weren't on stage. One by one the cast came on stage and sang what tasks they would otherwise be doing, along with the actions. As the rest of the performers came on stage this became an exquisitely synchronised round of voice and actions, with people only getting hit, sprayed and smacked as intended.
Another very funny piece was the spoof VisitScotland video for Carluke, along with translations for common phrases and out takes.
It was a really good night and well done to all involved.
06 January 2013
Dreaded time of year...
...the diet starts tomorrow.
We've been running down the Christmas foods and looking at the new cookbooks (I was given the Hairy Dieters).
The exercise routines are being discussed and we went out for a baseline cycle today, just to see how far we had fallen. It was reassuring as we did reasonably well considering its our first cycle of any kind since September. We managed 10 miles in an hour, with an icy cold wind and misty rain.
The exercise last year didn't fare too well. Rupturing my ankle tendons in January kept me sidelined, or at least off the bike, until May. Then in September I put my back out.
Compared to 2011, in 2012 I had 30 hours less direct exercise, and 150km less distance and that even includes 130km, 11 hours while on holiday in Aviemore!
Its not looking good though as I have the Exiles Lunch tomorrow (my roughly monthly lunch with the retired team members) and the Badminton club 'Christmas' dinner on Thursday night...
We've been running down the Christmas foods and looking at the new cookbooks (I was given the Hairy Dieters).
The exercise routines are being discussed and we went out for a baseline cycle today, just to see how far we had fallen. It was reassuring as we did reasonably well considering its our first cycle of any kind since September. We managed 10 miles in an hour, with an icy cold wind and misty rain.
The exercise last year didn't fare too well. Rupturing my ankle tendons in January kept me sidelined, or at least off the bike, until May. Then in September I put my back out.
Compared to 2011, in 2012 I had 30 hours less direct exercise, and 150km less distance and that even includes 130km, 11 hours while on holiday in Aviemore!
Its not looking good though as I have the Exiles Lunch tomorrow (my roughly monthly lunch with the retired team members) and the Badminton club 'Christmas' dinner on Thursday night...
05 January 2013
Loud Dinner
We went out for dinner last night - out to the Maharani for a curry.
I've never been in there before, preferring Chinese, but the Monday night badminton group have had takeout from there back into the hall for our social nights, and its been very good.
I was very pleased with the food last night. Absolutely fantastic, and I'm not that fond of Indian food.
The only real issue was the noise. There was a group of about 12 young people in, spread over 2 tables. I can only presume that they forgot to take their headphones off and felt they had to shout over the loud music. One girl was sitting in the corner of their booth and seemed to want everyone else in the restaurant to hear what she had to bray, and IMHO it really wasn't that interesting, but listen we had to.
Another guy had left his woolly hat on. I am of the opinion that you take your hat off inside, especially one designed to protect from the extremes of cold as this one was. Particularly when sitting down to eat. But disregard the etiquette consider the health issue. He certainly wasn't going to get the benefit once he went back outside. Also, I am convinced his brain was being poached in his skull the entire time. He kept going on, to each and every person in their group, at great volume (his hearing muffled due to the aforementioned woolly hat) that he had commented on a comment about a picture on facebook and not on the picture itself. As if this really matters!
At one point I was going to head over and remind them to use their indoor voices. Or simply STFU.
All in all, a great meal, but a poor night. Next time we go I'll ask not to be sat in the kids area!
I've never been in there before, preferring Chinese, but the Monday night badminton group have had takeout from there back into the hall for our social nights, and its been very good.
I was very pleased with the food last night. Absolutely fantastic, and I'm not that fond of Indian food.
The only real issue was the noise. There was a group of about 12 young people in, spread over 2 tables. I can only presume that they forgot to take their headphones off and felt they had to shout over the loud music. One girl was sitting in the corner of their booth and seemed to want everyone else in the restaurant to hear what she had to bray, and IMHO it really wasn't that interesting, but listen we had to.
Another guy had left his woolly hat on. I am of the opinion that you take your hat off inside, especially one designed to protect from the extremes of cold as this one was. Particularly when sitting down to eat. But disregard the etiquette consider the health issue. He certainly wasn't going to get the benefit once he went back outside. Also, I am convinced his brain was being poached in his skull the entire time. He kept going on, to each and every person in their group, at great volume (his hearing muffled due to the aforementioned woolly hat) that he had commented on a comment about a picture on facebook and not on the picture itself. As if this really matters!
At one point I was going to head over and remind them to use their indoor voices. Or simply STFU.
All in all, a great meal, but a poor night. Next time we go I'll ask not to be sat in the kids area!
02 January 2013
New Year's Eve
Finally surfacing after New Years.
The WOHFTF crowd were having a New Years Eve fancy dress party and the theme was 'Song Title'. That sounds like a fantastic theme as there are thousands of options. Then the restrictions start kicking in - Fiona wanted to be more glamorous than last year so no 'Killer Queen' or 'Psycho Killer'. Neither of us wanted to be carrying around cardboard all night so most objects were out so no 'American Pie' or 'Left of Centre'. Fiona wouldn't dress in a school girls uniform for 'Presentation Boarder' because no one has heard of the Saw Doctors. Fiona decided she as going as an angel so I had to find her a song. She wasn't willing to black up for 'Angel of Harlem' and settled on Robbie's 'Angels' with the angel off the tree to go with her wings and halo. Then she noticed 'Blue Angel' by Marillion and thought that would mean she could wear her new jewellery and blue top. She wasn't listening when I explained what the song was about but we didn't expect to be singing it or even hearing it...
I had been swithering with a few ideas. But, primarily because I am lazy and didn't want to go to too much effort, decided on the 'Sweetest Thing' by U2, though it was a close thing with 'N17' by the Saw Doctors. My logic was I could simply list sugars or the distances off the road sign at that left turn in Claregalway.
Of course, it was a lot of effort. All I needed was to get a tee shirt and draw on it. But printing would be better, so all I needed was to get iron on transfers. I actually got them with little effort but they don't work on laser printers, which naturally is what I have. But Fiona has an inkjet. But wasn't that not working? Yup. So can I fix it? No, it looks like it needs a new ink cartridge but the error says the cartridge is not there at all, and if it does think its there, its not the correct one. Back to PC World where we find out that you can only gets the required ink online. Long story short, Fiona now has a new printer and I ironed the transfer onto my tee shirt later that night.
Ciaran was the wild card. Since he was supposed to organising his own costume, we only arranged a backup one. The simplest costume we could come up with, irrespective of what he was wearing, was 'Sunglasses at Night' by Corey Hart. Needless to say Ciaran went as 'Sunglasses at Night'.
James, organising the party, needed the music. 'Sunglasses' was reasonable easy to get but 'Blue Angel' was more complicated. Marillion of course are famed for their concept albums and 'Blue Angel' is more correctly known as 'Bitter Suite III - Blue Angel' and sits 4 minutes into that 8 minute track.
The party was fantastic. The costumes were amazing - some brilliant ideas. Sadly I never got pictures of everyone. We spent ages trying to figure out everyone.
Games had been organised so we were split into teams and sent off to different rooms. A logo quiz, some pretty specific general knowledge "Which 1976 UK number one single had the title of the song which knocked it off the top spot included in its lyrics?" and a music quiz which coincidentally had 19 songs, the same number of unique songs as there were guests.
Later Fiona and I were narrowly beaten in the "Couples Quiz". The couples were made answer questions on either side of an open door using a table tennis bat to indicate him or her. David and MaryAnne also got 5/5 so a series of increasingly difficult tie breakers were carried out. After 4 tie breakers I got Fiona's favourite colour wrong but I did know her eye colour. I think the wrong answers were more fun and the debate about 'who is better in the morning' is sure to run and run. Anyway I felt better when Fiona's mum got it wrong the next day too.
Over the evening the room did polarise into the drivers and the drinkers but that made the games after the Bells more interesting.
All in all a great night and a fantastic way to start the New Year.
The WOHFTF crowd were having a New Years Eve fancy dress party and the theme was 'Song Title'. That sounds like a fantastic theme as there are thousands of options. Then the restrictions start kicking in - Fiona wanted to be more glamorous than last year so no 'Killer Queen' or 'Psycho Killer'. Neither of us wanted to be carrying around cardboard all night so most objects were out so no 'American Pie' or 'Left of Centre'. Fiona wouldn't dress in a school girls uniform for 'Presentation Boarder' because no one has heard of the Saw Doctors. Fiona decided she as going as an angel so I had to find her a song. She wasn't willing to black up for 'Angel of Harlem' and settled on Robbie's 'Angels' with the angel off the tree to go with her wings and halo. Then she noticed 'Blue Angel' by Marillion and thought that would mean she could wear her new jewellery and blue top. She wasn't listening when I explained what the song was about but we didn't expect to be singing it or even hearing it...
I had been swithering with a few ideas. But, primarily because I am lazy and didn't want to go to too much effort, decided on the 'Sweetest Thing' by U2, though it was a close thing with 'N17' by the Saw Doctors. My logic was I could simply list sugars or the distances off the road sign at that left turn in Claregalway.
Of course, it was a lot of effort. All I needed was to get a tee shirt and draw on it. But printing would be better, so all I needed was to get iron on transfers. I actually got them with little effort but they don't work on laser printers, which naturally is what I have. But Fiona has an inkjet. But wasn't that not working? Yup. So can I fix it? No, it looks like it needs a new ink cartridge but the error says the cartridge is not there at all, and if it does think its there, its not the correct one. Back to PC World where we find out that you can only gets the required ink online. Long story short, Fiona now has a new printer and I ironed the transfer onto my tee shirt later that night.Ciaran was the wild card. Since he was supposed to organising his own costume, we only arranged a backup one. The simplest costume we could come up with, irrespective of what he was wearing, was 'Sunglasses at Night' by Corey Hart. Needless to say Ciaran went as 'Sunglasses at Night'.
James, organising the party, needed the music. 'Sunglasses' was reasonable easy to get but 'Blue Angel' was more complicated. Marillion of course are famed for their concept albums and 'Blue Angel' is more correctly known as 'Bitter Suite III - Blue Angel' and sits 4 minutes into that 8 minute track.
The party was fantastic. The costumes were amazing - some brilliant ideas. Sadly I never got pictures of everyone. We spent ages trying to figure out everyone.
Games had been organised so we were split into teams and sent off to different rooms. A logo quiz, some pretty specific general knowledge "Which 1976 UK number one single had the title of the song which knocked it off the top spot included in its lyrics?" and a music quiz which coincidentally had 19 songs, the same number of unique songs as there were guests.
Over the evening the room did polarise into the drivers and the drinkers but that made the games after the Bells more interesting.
All in all a great night and a fantastic way to start the New Year.
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