walking

 

161st Victoria Highland Games & Celtic Festival  

Saturday morning, I cycled a 17km loop over to the 161st Victoria Highland Games & Celtic Festival (VHGA) site at Topaz Park.

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My main purpose in taking this bikeride was to checkout the roadway/cycling lanes one could take to attend using one's bicycle for transport. Fortunately for me, Finlayson Road's eastern terminus is very near our home.

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From my home the shortest — and hopefully the safest — route was: South along Richmond Rd. using the sidewalk (there are no north-south connectors currently available for Gordon Head cyclists)/ West down Knight St. at St. Michaels University then south at Aldbridge/ then west along North Dairy which (with a name change) becomes Finlayson Rd..

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From Aldbridge at N.Dairy it's 2300m to Topaz Park beside Finlayson Rd. Total route distance is 4100m (4.1km/2½ miles).

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The selfless volunteer VHGA members had set up an area for bicycle parking. Security guards were posted nearby.

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After getting my two-day pass, I bought tickets for my two grandsons who arrived shortly after.

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The younger brother was in Highland Dress and looked quite striking. He is awaiting the arrival of his Irvine Clan kilt from Scotland.

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After getting the lads introduced to the VHGA President, James Maxwell, I left shortly afterward to get home to my invalid wife.

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The bikeride to the Games was only 4km so I took the long way home — 13km along the Galloping Goose/Lochside to home/ I got onto the GGT at Selkirk Landing, located at the western terminus of the Finlayson Road Bike Lane (Finlayson changes name to: Jutland Rd.)

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So . . . it was a noble experiment which turned out favourably for all concerned. Amen.

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Labels: games, izip, kilts, scots

 

To the uninitiated, it appears some octogenarians within the Victoria Scottish Community may be remiss in their actions and lack of participation in some current Scottish events. Perhaps, after they too, have given over two decades of their time to just such endeavours, they will have a keener eye as to what that participation actually entails.

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Today, I took a reconnaissance drive over the 161st Victoria Highland Games & Celtic Festival (VHGA) site at Topaz Park. Such an event is a monumental undertaking and requires the work and expertise of many willing souls. While doing my walkabout to measure their progress I took a panoramic photo to show the magnitude of such an undertaking.

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As I was leaving the VHGA site around 10:30am, I saw VHGA President, Jim Maxwell entering on another gateway to the grounds. We did not speak because one can appreciate all the important things he has on his mind this day-before-the-event.

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My main purpose of making this visit was to checkout the roadway, cycling lanes one could take to attend using one's bicycle for tranportaion. Fortunately for me, Finlayson Road's eastern terminus is very near our home.

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From my home the shortest — and hopefully the safest — route would be: South along Richmond Rd. using the sidewalk (there are no north-south connectors currently available for Gordon Head cyclists)/ West down Knight St. at St. Michaels University then south at Aldbridge/ then west along North Dairy which (with a name change) becomes Finlayson Rd..

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From Aldbridge at N.Dairy it's 2300m to Topaz Park beside Finlayson Rd. Total route distance is 4100m (4.1km/2½ miles).

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Labels: highlands, scots, topaz

 

Tuesday morning I cycled a 25km loop to Craigflower Manor House and return.

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Ostensiby, the ride was to deliver an Irvine Family book to one Jim Maxwell.

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Jim is president of the Victoria Highland Games Association (VHGA) but the facility was closed this day.

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This gave me the opportunity to walk about the claim taking copious amounts of photograph.

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The new VHGA building was recently completed on what was Craigfrower Farm.

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The Manor House was built in 1853 and my great-great-grandfather, John Irvine, worked on that project.

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Labels: cycled, ebike, scots

 

Well, lots has happened since our last, blog post. Saturday, January 28, we attended the Burns Supper at Naden Wardroom with Irene and her friend, Betty. Lynne Griffith's Dancers entertained with her son, Cole, piping. Cole is a world-champion piper and is one of Victoria's most-sought-after hosts for Burns' Events throughout the city. He does an excellent Address To A Haggis recitation.

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Sunday, January 29, grandson, Liam, took time from his busy schedule (he's in third-year, UVic university business school) to have lunch with us at Broadmead Village. MexiGo Restaurant serves Victoria's best Mexican food and this was borne out due to the fact the place was packed and we couldn't even get in the door. Not to worry, Romeo's next door has great food and still accepts cash. Liam was celebrating his 21st birthday and we were honoured to be a part of it.

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Sister, Chris phoned and said her and Joel were going to start playing house. Goodonya, kids.

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Thursday, January 31, we had lunch at Oaks Restaurant in Oak Bay. It's at the former, Blethering Place, location. We talked with the manager of Oaks Restaurant & Tea Room regarding the bands she hires. They have live music every Friday night and Ditza Hopkins (female) said they are interested in hearing new musicians but have a waiting list. I gave her The Push bizcard with the name and contacts and told her about Don & Kelly's Fast Forward duo. She was interested enough to take The Push bizcard and gave me hers with her handwritten name on the back.

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We visited Elaine at Oak Bay lodge. She's doing well.

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Doing lots of flying in South Africa because Liam is planning a business venture there as a volunteer in Zambia. Villages surrounding Livingstone are the centre of his business associates' interests and their efforts will be directed to improving drinking water access and its quality. If all goes according to plan, he and his team will depart May 2017.

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Thursday, February 2, Dr. Stephen Baker performed on me a bilateral iridotomy at Jubilee Hospital, Clinic #5. Dr. Baker is an eye-guy. The procedures went smoothly enough with no discomfort but afterwards -- once the freezing wore off -- both eyes felt like they had been burned out with a laser. Come to think of it, that's what an iridotomy is.

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Saturday, February 4th, we were back at the legion after a three-week hiatus. Yesterday's Wine had a few new songs which means they still like to keep it fresh for their dancing and listening audience. We enjoyed listening to various jammers including, Evan Ehgoetz on pedal steel guitar. Bill & Lena couldn't make it but Don & Marg did. Eight of us went for supper at Apple Tree.

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From Tom's FB Page
It's time for some thank yous to everyone who made yesterday so much fun at the Esquimalt Legion. First and foremost, the guys and gal in the band: Doc, Clayton, Randy, Don and Glenda! Next, all the jammers who came to share their amazing talents with everyone: drummer tony, guitar players Rob Jeffrey and Steve from Maryland, singers Sharon Mae, Marc Bird, and Joel Kaiser, and Especially all the way from Powell River Mr Evan Ehgoetz on pedal steel! And of course the friends and fans that come from near and far. You and the Esquimalt Legion are the ones that make it possible! My special thanks to Kamillia Klimek for her untiring work recording some of the moments so we can share them. if I left anyone out, my sincere apologies. I am trusting my memory!

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SUPER BOWL SUNDAY
G.O.A.T. is how the Greatest Game Of All Time is expressed in writing! And guess what? Lady Gaga shut up and sang! It was reported she was going to ruin her whole performance by making political statements (with accompanying, rude gestures) but it turns out The Lady is smarter than that. Good for her. Nothing wrong with being and acting smart. I do it all the time.

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The Left, however, was and is eerily silent regarding the fact that it was Donald Trump's friends who own and play for the New England Patriots NFL team. Just imagine if the NEP had lost what a deal the Fake News and Losers would have spun it as a testament to - once again -- Trump's poor choices and judgement. It didn't happen. Amen to that.

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If Robbie Burns played guitar he'd do it like this. by PixxyLixxx

Labels: burns, dinner, scots

Sunday we attended the 12th annual Tribute to Robbie Burns hosted by Ken Irvine & Anna Appleby and held at the Royal Canadian Legion Esquimalt Dockyard Branch #172. Ken is a clansman of mine and we wear the same kilt tartan.

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As a member of the Piping in the Haggis parade for the past three-years, I'm unable to photograph or video this part of the proceedings. Some past events were recorded by my wife. For those interested the Youtube video links are below. These videos are approximately 1½ minutes long (90sec).

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Burns Tribute 2013 Esquimalt Legion

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Burns Tribute 2012 Esquimalt Legion

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Burns Tribute 2011 Esquimalt Legion

Labels: burns, scots

HAPPY ROBBIE BURNS DAY! Friday we walked 5km up Broadmead to UVic's Finnerty Gardens then over to Henderson Park. From there it was through Rattenbury to Mt. Tolmie Park and down Glastonbury.

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It was 2°C. when we started just after nine but warmed up by the time we got home at 10:30a.m.

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There are many harbingers of spring and today's photo of the SNOWDROP is but one.

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Friday night we were invited by friends to join them at the Naden Wardroom for a Burns Supper. Bernice & I have been active in Victoria's Scottish community for over two-decades so this was not our first rodeo. It would be fair to say we know a good Burns' event when we see one and the Officer's Mess puts on a good one. Michelle, the event coordinator, had all the necessary ingredients and each in just the right amount. The function was a sellout. Congratulations to those involved.

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Saturday, we danced the afternoon away at our legion hall then dined with friends at Il Greco's for supper. Deb Rhymer joined Yesterday's Wine on set to do a couple of country tunes then closed with her forte -- a blues number. Very good.

Labels: burns, henderson, scots, tolmie, walked

Tribute to Robbie Burns

We enjoyed the Tribute to Robbie Burns organized by Ken Irvine and Anna Appleby at the Royal Canadian Legion Dockyard & Esquimalt Branch #172, Sunday, January 22, 2012.

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Thank you to all participants.

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3-minute Video to Robert Burns Tribute

Labels: burns, legion, scots

Today we walked around at the Highland Games in Topaz Park.

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The Victoria Highland Games & Celtic Festival is the longest running cultural event in the City of Victoria, BC, Canada, since its inception in 1864. Thanks to all the organizers and volunteers who make it all possible; also, thank you to the citizens of Victoria and visitors whose ongoing support is appreciated.

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Island Tents & Events supplied many of the booths for participants.

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148th Victoria Highland Games & Celtic Festival 2011 VIDEO

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Sydney J. Harris columnist:
“Our dilemma is that we hate change and love it at the same time; what we really want is for things to remain the same but get better.”

Labels: scots, walked

HAPPY ROBERT BURNS' DAY

Robert Burns (25 January 1759 – 21 July 1796) (also known as Rabbie Burns, Scotland's favourite son, the Ploughman Poet, Robden of Solway Firth, the Bard of Ayrshire and in Scotland as simply The Bard[1][2]) was a Scottish poet and a lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland, and is celebrated worldwide. He is the best known of the poets who have written in the Scots language, although much of his writing is also in English and a "light" Scots dialect, accessible to an audience beyond Scotland. He also wrote in standard English, and in these his political or civil commentary is often at its most blunt.

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Did you ever stop to consider those things which you are in search of are searching for you? I would have to say yes. We contacted our sister to find the email address of our favourite band so we could send them a video link for a video we produced and posted to Youtube. Unfortunately, the email address sister had was outdated and didn't work. She suggested we get the email from Tom Gough, the bandleader.

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When we mentioned to Tom we wanted to send him the link to said video, he stated that Tyler Carson, soon-to-be-world-famous fiddle player, already sent him a New Year's Eve Video link. Not only that, still images both of us, along with our friends, Walter and Paq, were prominently included in the production.

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We had to inform Tom and Tyler Carson -- guess what? -- that's the video we wanted to send the link to so you and the band could view it and enjoy. Seems this action was accomplished without any additional input from us. We didn't have to direct them to the video; the video found them. Cool.

Labels: bands, scots

This morning we walked into Mary Lake property to attend a dedication ceremony sponsored by the Save Mary Lake Conservancy. Approximately a hundred people came out this damp morning to hear some speeches and see the natives dance. chief Sampson said (more-than) a few words to those seated before his dancers did their thing.

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Later on, we enjoyed some haggis along with pipes and drums and highland dancing at a Burns' Supper put on by The Johnston Clan. What a great time. What great food! it was fun to meet many old friends in the Scottish community who we haven't seen for a while. We posted some photos at our Picasa Album.

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Saturday we danced the afternoon away to the sounds of Yesterday's Wine. We ate supper at Nelles Block for our evening's dining enjoyment. Tyler Carson sat in with the band for a few of his fiddle tunes so that was an added treat.

Labels: marylake, scots

HAPPY 2010 RABBY BURNS' DAY

2008 Photo



Today we dined at the Legislative Dining Room (The Ledge) with George + Irene in celebration of our wedding anniversay. Irene could not make it to our prior invitation to join us and Sam + Irene a couple of weeks ago.

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The Ledge had a Burns Supper on the lunch menu so how could I pass that up? It was delicious! And yes, even the haggis.

Labels: scots

Click4Larger
On the eve of Rabby Burns Day -- January 25th -- we thought it fitting to post an image from today's Times-Colonist. Bill Johnston is shown at Craigdarroch Castle with his grandsons: Lance & Cole.

We have our Burns Supper Celebration tomorrow night at our mess.

Due to the fact we are still getting over our colds, we're not walking outdoors but are still exercising indoors -- walking the halls and using the spa. Why, I even did five-minutes on the stationary bike (as you recall, I'm recovering from a leg-muscle injuring).

Labels: scots

We walked two-days in a row: Friday and Saturday, at our favourite places: Cedar Hill and Henderson. I even played four-holes at Henderson and hit three greens. Cool.

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"Give us clear vision that we may know where to stand and what to stand for, because unless we stand for something, we shall fall for anything."

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Today's photo is from the CPO Mess's Burns Ball, held Friday 19th. Bernice did a great job giving the Reply to The Toast to the Lassies. She got many compliments and words of encouragement from her many friends at the Mess. Well done, Babe! To view your Shaw Photo Share, Click this link

Labels: burns, scots

We've both had lousy colds for a week so not much walking.

The biggest news' story is regarding the newest citizen of the Earthly City: Olivia. congratulations to Tina & Joe. She's bonny! Being born the same day as Robert Burns' could be considered fortuitous.

One can see from the pictures posted we have been busy. We did have a wonderful evening with the Colonel and Kathleen at the The Club for Rabbie Burns' Supper. We were joined by Howard and Sheana and Graeme and Brenda to make up our party-of-eight.

Wednesday we golfed the Ridge with Jay & Suzanne in the beautiful Victoria sunshine. I shot a 31 finishing with a nice par.

Sharon got her Property Management job so Amen to that, brother.

Labels: scots

Spring is here! Unofficially, but still the record-setting British Columbia temperatures did not bypass Victoria -- we got a balmy 12C. today. We walked Cedar Hill at a grueling pace but probably didn't break Bern's record 35 minutes. It was fun though.

Have we been busy you ask? Yes.
Monday, we lunched at the CPO's Mess (and bought tickets for the Valentine's Dinner/dance)
Tuesday, we lunched at the Parliamentary Dining room (where Dominique is manager after leaving the Union Club.
Wednesday, I lunched at the Union Club and we dinner-dined at Country Restaurant to try their pulled-pork (it wasn't as good as in Sequim)
Friday, we attended the Union Club Burns' Supper celebration with Ron and Kathleen and family and friends.
We took the weekend off!
Today, Monday again we had lunch at the Parliamentary Dining Room again. This is a very nice place with linen tablecloths and linen napkins. Cool. Bye.

Labels: burns, lunch, scots

I just got out the shower after my walk over Mt. Tolmie but can't post the pics from this computer. When next time on my WIN-ME machine (with the card reader) I'll show you the North Col Route pictures. Have a great day! I'm off now to the Union Club for lunch with a group of acquaintances.

While I'm at it, a pic from the Valentine's Saltire Luncheon will be included.


THIS MORNING'S WALK OVER THE MOUNTAIN - NORTH COL

I just got in from a nice luncheon at the Club with the Mariner's Group. A very agreeable bunch of gentlemen.


Saltire Valentine's Luncheon at the Club

Labels: scots, valentine, walked

Perhaps this picture doesn't do justice to Henderson Park but here it is:

Henderson Park Recreational Building

I walked the chip-trail here Thursday. played a few holes for free (the golf course is actually closed for the season) and then hit 67 balls ( i finally got around to counting the number of balls in my pick-up bag) into the net. I'm not sure hitting balls into a net does anything to improve one's game but it's good exercise.

Friday, I played Olympic View golf course with Cameron and Rick in the poring rain.


Cameron and Rick getting serious

and . . . in the evening Bernice and I attended the social-event-of-the-year: Burns' Supper at the Union Club of BC


Sheena and Howard, 2004

Howard tells Sheena: "My love is like a red, red rose." Not too original but definitely timely (especially in view of the rose corsage' Sheena is wearing.

Our thanks to Ron and Kathleen who have invited us to this event every year for the past several years. What great friends!

Labels: scots

We heard today bro Gerry's prognosis is not good but we're thankful he's getting the best treatment in Bankok Hospital. We're also thankful he did not get sick in British Columbia. One can just imagine what treatment he could expect to receive here. As we say out west: " . . . don't get sick in British Columbia!"

On a lighter note:

Walked over the mountain again this morning

I walked over Mt. Tolmie on Friday then had lunch with Sam and Lawrence at the Wardroom.

Our friend Lawrence at the Wardroom (Lawrence is the one in the jacket)

Bernice's foot continues to improve but it's sure curtailed our social life.

Saturday, I drove to Chemainus British Columbia to pick up my Highland Dress accoutrements. This includes a belted plaid which will be worn the night of Saltire's 50th Anniversary Banquet at the Union Club of BC when the Lt.Gov. of BC will be our guest of honour.

Close-up of belted plaid on Prince Charlie jacket
It's named 'belted' because it hangs down one's back and sweeps up under the jacket and waistcoat to tie around one's waist with a belt. Sure hope they have the thermostat turned down at the Club December 6th ;-)

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Labels: scots, siblings, tolmie