CHAS & SUSAN’S EXCELLENT UK ADVENTURE Day Six … The Gathering!

We were WAY late leaving Castle Forbes. It was difficult to get away without seeming “rude!” And, although Malcolm and Jinny, Michel, Arlette, and Virginie were ALL also attending the games, they weren’t worried about getting there … nor were they interested in arriving much before noon!

(They were somehow associated with the Queen’s “party” of folkz – likely, because Malcolm was “Laird Fraser!” In fact, we were later looking for them to be in the Queen’s BOX! As it happens, I saw them come in around 1 pm or so. They were up in the top row of the covered stands. A “prestigious” place. But, one with not nearly as GOOD a VIEW as our cheaper, “B” open stands, ticket afforded!!!)

Anne and her Darlin’ “Coolie”

Anyway! WE needed to scurry to FIND the place … and MEET UP WITH someone! Over the Internet, I had made a great friend in Braemar: Anne Robson, the owner and Hostess of Dalmore House, a Braemar B&B. Although her rooms were full (8 months before the games!), we had become pals.

WE EVEN HAD HER TICKET!!!

(She was seated WITH us!) So, we needed to get there by 11 am. Well. We didn’t get out of Castle Forbes until around 10 am. Which would have been fine … except for the fact that we were destined to get LOST at least once … and run into nasty traffic once in Braemar!!!

It certainly was NOT my NAVIGATOR’s fault that we got lost! At a screwy Scottish country road intersection, I followed a screwy sign, turning completely right, when I should have turned only slightly right! BUT! WE MADE IT THERE around NOON! 8 months previously, I had managed to find us the LAST TWO beds in the LAST PLACE in Braemar that HAD any AVAILABLE: The Braemar Scottish Youth Hostel! (Pic at Left!) By “Magical Accident” (hmm?), that also allowed us to have CLOSER-IN parking (for FREE) than the Gathering Parking Fields.

Just before the Gates was an Information Booth.
Since the Village is so small, I anticipated that someone there would KNOW Anne,
and might be able to help us get in touch with her.
(I had called from a Chips Shop, but there was no answer at her home.)

Sure enough! Isla (“Eye' – lah”) knew Anne!
“She was just here, askin’ for you two, not ten minutes ago!”

We left Anne’s ticket with Isla, and gratefully went to our seats!

My FIRST Braemar MINI-VIDz are of A “MASS BAND” pass!!!!

That’s when ALL the pipe bands parade the field TOGETHER. I didn’t know how long my Mini-Vid-Cam would record (or how long the Mass Band would take to pass)! So, the first “Mass Band” Pass is in TWO-parts! (And, they’re not incredibly wonderful! But, HEY! I’ve got ‘em!) TWO MINI-VIDz!

JOIN US for Continued Coverage o’ the 2002 Braemar Highland Games!

If you have suggestions for The Miller Fandamily Web Site,
OR contributions to the photo gallery!
please Email WebMistress Chas!
c-d-miller@neb.rr.com
That’s: c-d-miller@neb.rr.com –
those are hyphens/dashes (-) between the “c” and “d” and “miller”

This COUNTER was started on September 22nd, 2002.