EDINBURGH JULY 2015

SCOTLAND 2015

10 hours after leaving our hotel at Stokenchurch, near Oxford we have made it to Wilma and Jimmy's in Musselburgh, Scotland. It was Friday, beginning of school holidays and they decided to close off two of three lanes of the M6 motorway near Lancaster. It took us two hours to do two miles and at the end of it no work was being done only half a dozen trucks with flashing orange lights!

 View above is from our bedroom window.

The three musketeers Wilma, Cathy and Helen. Friends since schooldays.

Cathy,Rosabel and Helen are all in this picture of the Prefects of Musselburgh Grammar 1963

Cathy with her second cousin Ian Steedman outside his shop. Ian and Cathy share the same great-grandfather.

THE GOLFERS REST, NORTH BERWICK.

Inside the pub, the Golfers Rest, where Andrew worked during his Scottish sojourn. He met pro- golfer Ernie Els while serving at the pub. Ernie was here for the British Open at Muirfield, nearby. He was in the early stages of his career and was so impressed by Andrew,( or was it the drink!), that he asked him to caddy for him when he was to go to Australia. Andrews knowledge of golf was next to nil so he declined.

The outside of the pub.

PORTOBELLO

We went to Portobello to buy haggis from this butcher's shop which has a big reputation.

A new building development facing the sea.

From the landward side with the preserved pottery kilns. This is where Cathy's grandfather worked as a potter. Prices of units range from 192,000 pounds.

View across the Forth.

EDINBURGH

A new attraction for Edinburgh, the wheel.

Up at the castle. All prepared for the Edinburgh Tattoo.

Seen this act before but they are getting more elaborate.

Another attraction for Edinburgh. New since we were last here. Trams along Princes Street.

Back in Musselburgh. Davy Clarke's fishmongery. 

Cathy with Wilma and Jimmy in their garden.

Wilma, Cathy, Helen and Christine having pre-drinks before Honest lads and Lasses dinner.

Jimmy, Roy, Bill and Alastair doing the same. A very rare event to see me in a jacket and tie!

MUSSELBURGH FESTIVAL 2015

MUSSELBURGH FESTIVAL

JULY 18 - 25 2015

The big moment has arrived. The reason we have come to Scotland. Cathy ready for the Honest Lassies dinner which marks the beginning of Musselburgh Festival week.

This years Lass, Mhairi Braby, with ex-lasses.

Jeananne Hunter. Ex honest Lass who was born in 1965 the year Cathy was elected. Jeananne came to visit us in Sydney.

Debbie, Honest Lass 25 years ago.

Next comes the Kirkin', when the Lads and Lassies attend church for the blessing of the new Lad and Lass. This is Cathy with her Honest Lad of 1965, Rob Hardy. Their fiftieth Anniversary.

The local press take an interest.

Cathy with Sylvia, former school friend and Honest Lass the year before Cathy, 1964.

Cathy with Jackie Powell, who was her folk singing partner. The famous Jack and Kathy!!

A gathering of the Lads outside the church.

Band leading the parade after the service.

2015 Honest Lad and Lass follow the band.

Cathy with the lasses

THE CRUSADERS CHASE.

All the horses and riders which have gathered for the festival from all over the Scottish borders do a major ride around the burgh and passed by Wilma and Jimmy's house.

The practice is for the riders to call out HOO - RAY and raise an arm and clenched fist. The spectators respond in the same way.

Followed by the sweepers clearing up the mess!

The horses cross the river Esk in the town on their return trip. Two pipers make the crossing first.

One horse pulled up lame after the crossing.

THE SASHING CEREMONY.

The new Honest Lad and Lass have their sashes presented.

Cathy as Honest Lass 1965, 50th anniversary, says a few words

Some of the audience.

Cathy and Rob, 50th anniversary, with 25th anniversary and new Lads and Lasses.

Cathy with Wilma and Jimmy in their garden.

FANCY DRESS PARADE - FRIDAY 24TH JULY

This years theme for the lasses. SHEEP.

Cathy with oldest Honest Lass. 90 years of age. May White as she was then

Needs a sheep dog!

SATURDAY - FESTIVAL DAY RIDEOUT

We randomly chose a spot to view the rideout in which 150 horses and riders took part. It proved to be a winner.

This is Carberry Towers only 5 kms up the road from Wilma and Jimmy. It used to be the seat of the Queens cousin, became a religious retreat and is now a hotel.

The procession starts to arrive from the far end of a field. Flag bearer first.

Flag being handled with great care. Honest lad has promised to return it at the end of the week "unsullied"!

Honest lad presents a scroll.

The blacksmith doing his stuff.

But wait.....There's more!

Horses everywhere.

Rob Hardy and Cathy together, Honest Lad and Lass of 1965. Rob on the back of Coco Chanel!

After about 30klms the procession returns to the town hall.

Lad and Lass.

Oldest and youngest.

The dignitaries.

Safely back at the Town Hall with flag "unsullied" as promised.

Wilma, Cathy, Helen and Christine having pre-drinks before Honest lads and Lasses dinner.

Jimmy, Roy, Bill and Alastair doing the same. A very rare event to see me in a jacket and tie!