Inaugural KL Highland Games

Last Sunday we went to the inaugural Kuala Lumpur Highland Games which was held at the Bukit Kiara Equestrian Centre. It was hosted by the Selangor St Andrew's Society* and featured some traditional Scottish sports events and entertainment. It was touted as one of the biggest expatriate sporting and family-friendly events of the year.

One of the opening acts (CNB 2014)

There was a stage for cultural entertainment, including dancing (Scottish, Malaysian, etc.). The traditional sports events of the Scottish hammer throw, caber toss, etc. were also entertaining, because you get to see big, burly men in skirts kilts work hard at throwing and tossing! In fact it was kilts, kilts everywhere - on burly men, spotty teenagers and even little boys. There was lots of fun and entertainment for children too, and of course, loads of food and drinks for everybody. The food and drinks were a bit on the pricey side, but hey, its all for the good cause of charity.

Burley men of Scottish traditional games (CNB 2014)

The competitions in piping and drumming seemed intense as many bands around us at the stands practiced loudly (and noisily!?). I guess pipe and drum bands cannot help being loud, but entertaining nevertheless. Among them was the Kuala Lumpur Pipes and Drums (who won), the bands from UiTM, St John's Alumni, Sri Dashmesh Pipe and Drum Band (?), etc.

A gathering of men in skirts (CNB 2014)

Last minute practice ... (CNB 2014)

The only girl band in the competition was all the way from Pulau Pinang - A and B's alma mater St George's Girls School (SGGS). A also got to meet with her former teacher Cikgu Aswan who was in charge of the band. We were also introduced to the instructor who flies from Bangkok to Pulau Pinang to impart his skill and expertise.

The St George's band play for the judges (CNB 2014)

A and her alma mater's band instructor (CNB)

The sky had been downcast since early morning and of course it all poured down for a while in the afternoon. We left before the end so we missed the massed bands perform at the conclusion to the KL Highland Games. That should have been a fantastic spectacle and really, really loud!
Note*: The St Andrew's Society was established in 1887, and is one of the oldest Loyal Societies in Malaysia. The membership comprises the Scots, descendants of Scots and people who are interested in Scotland and Scottish culture.

Happy, Happy Holidays

Everyone seems to be in a holiday mood in December, what with the schools being closed till the new year. Most families go 'cuti-cuti Malaysia' or even overseas. Selamat bercuti or Selamat makan angin!!  But we must not forget our friends especially in the east coast states of Kelantan, Trengganu and Pahang where the monsoon now brings floods. Let's pray the situation improves and those in the flood relief centres/shelters can go home.

Since being a pensioner, life seems to be a holiday all the time - mostly at home, of course. So I try to surround myself with things I like; a library of books to read and reread, and a little garden to tend. Didn't Cicero say that "If you have a garden and a library, you have everything"?

Still, I do enjoy travelling and would have loved to go on holidays overseas recently with the family, if I could. But as disclosed earlier, I am medically grounded for now. Hopefully the situation will get better and I can plan to go somewhere in Spring or Summer next year. Wish me luck! Anyway I vicariously enjoyed their holidays through their photos, some of which I have posted here.

This is my last blog post for the year. I will be back in 2013. Joyous holidays and a happy new year!

B & A at the gates of the Buckingham Palace (Dec 2012)

A at the Christmas market in Notting Hill (BB 2012)

B at Shakespeare's birthplace, Stratford on Avon (AB 2012)

Eer... to which Scottish clans do A & B belong to? (Dec 2012) 

B on Princes Street, Edinburgh (AB 2012)

B and friend Su 'on' the London Eye (Dec 2012) 

Forays in the UK 2

English Rhododendrons (CNB 1978)

My initial forays in the UK were as a student, but two years later I had a husband who also shared the same enthusiasm for exploring this territory. Mostly we drove all over, staying at campsites. But sometimes we stayed at the public inns that offered accomodation. And once or twice, when we really had to, we slept in the car!

Summertime was the best time of course, the English/UK weather being what it is. The campsites had more occupants and the motorways more vehicles. And even at 10 pm, it was still light outside. We thoroughly enjoyed our summertime forays, especially into the English countryside. (Sometimes friends joined us on our road trips).

The rhododendrons of Wythenshawe Park, South Manchester
(MB 1978)

With Angeles & family at Wythenshawe Park (MB 1978)

Wythenshawe Park (MB 1978)

Another view of the Park (CNB 1978)

In summer, the roads in the UK will see many motorhomes going about in search of good camping grounds to stop at. M and I had to be content with our car and tent for two! It was fun and okay because the grounds offered conveniences. When we felt a bit rich we stayed at the 'Bed & Breakfast' inns. I think we covered pretty much the whole of England and Wales and a bit of Scotland. We even managed to make it to Devon and Cornwall, and the 'end' of England, Lands End.

In a camping ground in Mid Wales (MB 1977)

M sitting outside a country inn in the Peak District (CNB 1979)

M stripped down among the wild flowers of summer (CNB 1979)

Basking under the English sun (MB 1979)

M contemplating in Castleton (CNB 1979)

M & our friend Rasool in the English countryside (CNB 1979)

We came upon these Morris dancers on one of our road trips
(CNB 1979)

M contemplates Shakespeare's Hamlet (CNB 1978)

At the Greyhound Inn, Hackforth (MB 1978)

Torquay (CNB 1979)

1977-1980

My Scotland

So what do you think the men with the bagpipes wear under their kilts? Under wear, get it? And what do they keep in the sporran in front of their kilts? Whatever .... Jokes aside, Scotland I remember, to be very cold indeed, even in summer. Edinburgh was quite pretty, especially Princes Street. The garden there was also pretty, even in winter. We were privileged indeed to be able to watch the annual Tatoo in the Edinburgh Castle grounds. The stunts were stunning to say the least.

At Stirling Castle (1975)

(pic Princess Street garden)
I was in Glasgow once and I recall that there was something in the air that sort of reeked (to me at least). Then a friend told me we were in 'Johnny Walker' territory and I understood.

The Loch Ness monster eluded me when I was there and there was no Loch Lomond monster either, not that there were any sightings of the latter that I know of.

In Scottish heather with British Council fellow travellers (1975)

We visited Holyrood Park, where Arthur's Seat is. This hill in the centre of Edinburgh resembles a crouching lion and its name has been associated with the legend of King Arthur.

Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh (1975)