A Very Pleasant Pleasanton Games

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

This year, the Pleasanton Games were absolutely astounding! Normally, the temperatures are in the 100-105 range. This year, we hardly hit 90!!!

The very first thing we saw as we walked in the side gate, was PiperGeorge warming up for the solo piper competition. He told us if he did well, they would be staying until Sunday. Turns out he did stay until Sunday!



I'm not sure where he placed on Sunday, as I was too busy chasing kids that day, but he did well.



We borrowed his services later in the day. We met at the MacNaughten clan tent, where we have been lucky enough to be hosted over the past few years by the generous Gene and Ruth McKracken. We keep waiting to wear out our welcome, but so far they continue to be tolerant. Here we are, being "piped" over to a good site for photos (in the shade of a large oak tree)



The Border Reavers (Clan Hall) were looking a bit nervous as we descended on them. I think they thought the tables were about to be turned in the reaving department!



All that wind-up for a perfect group shot. Front row, from left to right: Way2Fractious, The F-H.C.A.G, wee Xena and Sinbad, Panache, Scion of Smayniak, Smayniak, Bunchdescendent. Back row, from left to right: Alan H, the Amazing Madalyn, walkerk, Kiltimabar, Monkey@Arms, somebody from the clan tents that I don't know, never mind, I've now been told this is Alan's cousin-a new kilted konvert!, PiperGeorge, KiltedinUSMC, Shelly (aka the C.W.B.F.H.-ask Mikey what this means!), and Big Mikey.



Be warned-there will be hundreds of pictures to follow...

Be well,

[Alan H]

The unknown fellow is my cousin Eric, who tried on a Utilikilt at the Games. I thought it was going to be impossible to get him to do it, but surprisingly, he just marched right up and did it. His sister Kathy gave me a look, clearly she was shocked. He balked at the price, but upshot is, I'm gonna make him a knockaround lightweight tartan kilt from the stuff on sale at JoAnne's right now, in excahnge for which he bought me lunch and beer on Saturday. So he's a "potential" or "soon to be" kiltie!

That Madalyn, always joking around!

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

Some of these pictures are going to be out of sequence.

Madalyn's nephew showed up wearing a Black Watch kilt, given to him by Panache, but it was too large and a bit worn. He decided he needed a kilt just for himself, so chose to be fitted by beautiful young girls. This one seemed very happy to oblige! Too bad Uncle Kent is playing chaperon.:



I think I frightened the young man here (on Sunday, wearing his new Wicked Tinkers shirt):



The children were being a bit obnoxious about smacking me with the rubber chicken (named Grant, by the way), so I bought myself a "swatter". Here, I face off Xena with Grant:



And here we see what men wish the swatter was for:



Bunchdescendent has joined the "purple club" with his new kilt:



Everywhere we go, Xena has to add to her stuffed animal collection. Here's her new, wee mouse, "Squeek":



Next up...fun things to see, followed by Wicked Tinkers...

Be well,

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

Unfortunately, there are many potential pictures that will never be seen, as the camera stayed with Panache while Xena and I went off and watched the sheep dog trials, petted sheep and Clydesdales, and on Sunday, actually got pulled into a street performance. But, I have no photographic evidence of those things.

On Saturday, Panache, walkerk and Sinbad went off to hang out with the reenactors.

The largest and smallest of the regiment, on their way:



Sinbad couldn't resist a little dress-up:



Here's the littlest Marine:



Here's the littlest Gangster, with his rubber chicken :



Panache really wanted to buy this staff-he felt it would help his reputation as a moderator. I disagreed. Who would want to touch that anyway!



More fun things coming...

Be well,

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

Alan made up a nice little limerick in honor of the day. Maybe he'll post it?

Here, he delivers it:



To an appreciative (why the tongue, Jake?) audience:



We only had the pleasure of Big Mikey's company for the first day. After photos, he and his generous wife, the C.W.B.F.H., Shelly, had to leave us. Note how he can carry all his worldly possessions on his back :




On Sunday, we arrived in time to watch some Highland Dance competitions. This is as in focus as our camera can make it-those youngsters know how to move!:



Little Xena plans on becoming a Highland Dancer soon:



Don't worry, there's more!

Be well,

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

On sunday, we were the Loud Family:



We marched with Clan Macleod (can you believe that we were the only ones wearing Macleod of Lewis? Everyone else was wearing variations of Macleod of Harris-wimps!):



This charming gentleman was in the march in front of us, and as soon as it was over, proceeded to tear off his shirt. Can anyone tell me what tartan that is, so I can be sure to avoid it?



Little Xena decided that she needed more than one hat while we were standing in the heat on the track during the clan presentations:




Next, W2F runs the kilted mile (again!)

Be well,

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

On Saturday AND Sunday at noon, there is a kilted mile. Last year, they ran it at 4 pm, and it was 104 degrees. This year, I think it was a civilized 90 or so on Saturday and the low 80s on Sunday.

W2F ran BOTH days, but we were only able to catch him on Sunday. Remember what they say about real men and kilts? Well, they also say the same thing about real men wearing pink. Therefore, only really real men wear pink kilts, right?!

Coming down the home stretch:



Barely winded:



Ok, maybe he was a little tired:



TimC came to watch the triumphant return:





As we walked away from the track, you can imagine the stares-a group of Loud Macleods and man in a pink kilt! I imagine those who drank too much at the Ceilidh the night before were wishing for sunglasses, or maybe another drink!

Be well,

[Alan H]

Unfortunately my digital camera is in Washington with the Luminous Joan, so I have no pics to contribute!

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

Watching (and dancing with) The Wicked Tinkers is a favorite activity of ours-we've been know to avoid games just because they won't be playing.

On Saturday we only caught part of the show. Here, on stage:



And here, doing the usual walk about (yes, he's heading for the beer tent-too bad it's Budweiser, but he must have been VERY thirsty)



Little Xena loves the Pleasanton Games, because the Tinkers are always on the stage next to this little gazebo, where she can dance. They call it their "disco cage" and she's the disco/highland dancer:



We like to hang out there too-it's shady and cool:



At some point during each performance, they begin to sing (to the tune of "I Want Candy"), "I Want Whiskey". Everyone is happy to oblige-look how delighted Panache is to give away his whiskey!



Imagine-three performances a day, and at least 6 or 7 people offer flasks (and pretty much every band member drinks from each flask). No wonder they don't mind playing over and over again!

Sunday Tinkers to come...

Be well,

[Jack Daw]

Looks like terrific fun. I was there last year competing on the pipes and saw my niece, who lives near Berkeley and came to her first Highland games.