Harpenden Games 2012

**freddie** · 23rd July 12, 01:03 PM

Aye, with all that mud you could say I was stuck in the bar!

Next time we meet up I'll buy you one.

**English Bloke** · 15th July 12, 09:55 PM

They thought it was funny anyway...

Cummon now, compose yourselves... This is supposed to be a serious, descriptive picture thread.

Time for some light refreshment. One observation. The beer in the beer tent, while quite drinkable, is hideously over-priced. It may be my Northern-ness showing, but four quid for a pint of Lager? I was at the Beverley Folk Festival a few weeks ago and the beer was 2/3rds that (£2.70) and they still managed a healthy profit. A review is possibly required. Just a thought. (More suggestions for a better gig later perhaps... signed 'Outraged' of Tunbridge Wells).

Next up, The Gay Gordons Dance Group.

Barrie (X Marker Schiehallion) is a member of this Dance Group and it was a pleasure to watch these Chaps perform.

There are folk on board X Marks who know far more about Scottish Country Dancing and Ceilidh Dancing than I do, so I shall not embarrass myself by demonstrating my complete ignorance; but you may be interested to know that the chap with the short hair (as in VERY short hair) and big bushy beard is profoundly deaf, and dances using feel of rhythm and acute observation, which I think is spectacular. I personally, wouldn't have known were I not introduced.

It was an impressive display by ALL involved.

And so to the finale

**English Bloke** · 15th July 12, 10:01 PM

The massed bands took to the Arena for the closing display, prize giving and closing address by the Deputy Mayoress of Harpenden and the final salute. The initial counter-point seemed a bit chaotic at first but soon settled down once the bands had established the layout of the available space. Not bad for 'cuffed'.

The indomitable 42nd, who seemed miraculously returned to full health after taking numerous 'falling when hit' barrages, took up the rear of the parade with colours a-flyin'.

The music was just awesome... Sends shivers up yer back!

And the Kilt display was impressive too... (if you like that sort of thing...)

Even my little girl was momentarily silenced with the power and the spectacle!!

After it was all over there was still time for the obligatory face paint and a quick wizz on the remnants of the kiddies funfair and...

Because enough is never enough when you are little, we popped into the playground for a quick go on the swings...

Stick your Pipe Bands... The real competition is right here, it's all about who can swing the highest.

**English Bloke** · 15th July 12, 10:04 PM

For those who have not been to Harpenden before, I must say it's very picturesque. Not you average housing scheme.

Just some of the architecture that abounds.

Bit nicer than where I live.

No shopping trolleys dumped in the pond for a start...

My daughter of course, was not amused with wasting time taking photos of houses on the way back to the car when she could have spent another ten minutes on the swings.

For this I was duly punished!!

And so we head back up the M1, refreshed from our brief sojourn to the South.

By eck... it's GRIM up North (apparently).

Hope you enjoyed our day out as much as we did.

**Panache** · 16th July 12, 07:27 AM

Henry and John,

What a great photos from both of you. Thanks for taking us all along to Harpenden with you.

I think this might be one of the better photos posted on XMTS!

Originally Posted by English Bloke

My daughter of course, was not amused with wasting time taking photos of houses on the way back to the car when she could have spent another ten minutes on the swings.

For this I was duly punished!

Cheers

Jamie

**Jock Scot** · 15th July 12, 10:26 PM

It must have been hell EB, all that shot and shell, noise(pipes), smoke, arrows, screaming(children), escaping duck, hawks going AWOL and more! Did our intrepid reporter falter?-----Well OK, the prices at the beer tent seemed to cause the heart to miss a beat-------no! Onwards our man and trusty crew, valiantly went. He was there------well OKaaaaay, not quite right from the start --------to the end. What more can we expect from an xmarks reporter?

Well done EB, super pictures and I am really glad that a goodly number of the rabble were able to attend too.

**Derek** · 15th July 12, 11:29 PM

What a great bunch of pics EB. Glad you all had a fab time.
Drink wise it was the same at the festival we played. They seem to slam the prices right up. No quite the wetherspoons we are used too John eh!
Thanks again for the pics .. great style in presentation too
Iechyd Da

Derek

**Grizzly** · 16th July 12, 12:25 AM

Excellent pics and report John. A great day was had by all.

**Laird_M** · 16th July 12, 12:37 AM

Was a great day, with no rain until the end - although we left about 1530 as the boys were a bit tired.

The boys thoroughly enjoyed themselves and asked why I didn't have a vintage Rover like those on display...two reasons boys - they're called Callum and Shehan...

Imi found it very enlightening and has decided to start making kilts... I'm waitign with interest to see how well she makes them for me, I mean herself.

Was a pleasure to meet some of 'the Rabble' in the flesh.
I'll try to post some pics tonight.

**Schiehallion** · 16th July 12, 12:59 AM

A great day and didn't end there as I and my partner joined the Epping Forest Pipe Band in the local pub and were there relaxing and washing our dry throats until gone 9pm. So sorry I missed the group photo . Pic of me dancing on the small stage in the Isle of Skye kilt.