The 25th was the birthday of Robert Burns, so off we went to celebrate with traditional Scottish fare:
Haggis and tattie. That's a table serving, not the main course. You take a pie wedge and see if your table mates want the rest. If they're not quick about it, you get another. The rest of the course includes Scotch which is brought in with a piper and served to the leaders of the fest in a two-handed cup which is fortunately not completely full. The drill is that you drink your dram from the cup then signify that you've downed it by turning the cup upside down over your head so it's drink it or wear it.
No Scotch was wasted in the ceremony. The piper on the right had to suffer the indignity of someone over 21 filling in for her. There were several volunteers.
Toasts were made and poetry read. The toast to the president was quite brief which avoided any big embarrassments and frankly I still think
mine would have been more warmly greeted, but oh well.
For more Scottish poetry try
The Haggis of Private McPhee.
FWIW, not only was there leftover Haggis, but I got a nice chunk of it. Re heated with hash brown potatoes and topped with an egg over easy it makes a fine breakfast.
I am filled with envy; What A Night! Reciting The Haggis of Private McPhee for others is a very emotional experience. Those Scottish soldiers were a tough lot, and I am sure Service drew that poem from men he knew and stories he heard at the front.
ReplyDeleteAt our gig we had the ode to a Haggis by Burns read complete with the opening of a "presentation grade" haggis with a traditional dagger.
ReplyDeleteWith perfect hindsight i probably should have included it.
But mark the rustic, Haggis fed,
ReplyDeleteThe trembling Earth resounds his tread!