Sunday, September 6, 2009

In the Virginia Hills for the Scottish Games

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The Scottish Games of Virginia were held in The Plains. This is where the Gold Cup steeple chase race is held each spring. I was surprised at the length of the line to get in.


Once in the gate, we were greeted with row upon row of antique cars, many of the them British.


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It was a beautiful day and there were lots of people and many vendors selling food, jewelry, kilts, pottery and other crafts.


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Lots of good food. I did not sample any Haggis. I was curious about something called Birdies. Its ground beef, onions and spice in a fluffy pastry. It looked exactly like a turnover. I couldn't help but think someone would be very disappointed if they picked one up expecting sweet cherries...


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I can't imagine this young lady eating that WHOLE turkey leg. I'm sure her dog is hoping she shares. What a good dog!


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There were lots of dogs at the event. This little terrier marched proudly with her clan during the parade of clans.


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We even got to watch a demonstration of a border collie herding sheep.


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There were even 'sword' fights.


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Those Scottish women are sure tough. Yes, beware a Scottish woman wielding a sword.


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Be even more cautious of the Scottish woman wielding a HUGE log.


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She was really good! The whole idea of this game was to flip the log. She did - - three times.


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And she kicked butt in the hammer throw.


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This man is an east coast champion. They competed in the hammer throw and stone put (like the shot put only it was a big river rock).


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Yes, that would be a pitch fork that he is polishing up - - for the sheave toss.


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For the sheave toss, they get a sack of straw that weighs (I think they said 15 pounds) and they take a pitch fork into the corner of the sack and toss it over a pole.

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The pole below is set at 27 feet.


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I saw this cute t-shirt.


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However, I found that the manly Scottish men were quite modest.


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