The following weekend was the Bathgate Games (here is the local Bathgate and Boghall Caledonia Pipe Band at their home games) and with summer now upon us it was apparent from the number of North American accents to be heard that there were many more visitors from the New World than in a normal year. The tannoy announcer gave a roll call of visitors from Canada, USA and Australia who had made themselves known to him.
I had maintained contact with my mother's Uncle Tom's family on Vancouver Island, but had not been in touch with her Uncle Dan's family since her passing in 1992, until I had contacted my second cousin Doug in 2008 prior to my visit to Toronto. Doug came from Kingston Ontario to see me in June 2009, here he is with me at the air museum.
Later in June, Steve Ashton, The Wizard of BC and his wife Bobbie came to southern Scotland where they took part in the Dumfries Guid Nychburris weekend and also the Hawick Highland Games, here Steve throws in the Haggis Hurling competition where he won second prize. Chas is also in this photo, spot the dandelion.
To be continued.
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