|
22nd February - Winter Walk 1 - Old Portsmouth Circular Review Finally, after 2 postponements due to weather and illness, and then having to bring our walk forward a day because of yet another wet and windy forecast, our Winter Walk finally took place on Saturday 22nd February. It was unfortunate (and we’re sorry) that the date change meant we lost 4 intended walkers who had prior commitments on that day, but we felt it was a sensible decision rather than delay yet again.
We then all enjoyed a coffee (with an ice cream for Emily) on the pier and proceeded to walk back across the green. The crocuses all the way through the park alongside the footpath were opening their heads to the sunshine as we passed by. We then took the footpath round towards the Cathedral, back into Old Portsmouth, past the Isle of Wight ferry port and back into Gunwharf Quays where we dispersed into the afternoon sunshine. Some to shop and some to eat. A pleasant, unrushed and relaxed walk had been enjoyed by everyone and we were pleased to have finally achieved it. See the Social Events Photo Gallery for more photos Burns Night Dinner & Ceilidh
The sight of ‘Laddies’ in kilts and ‘Lassies’ regaled in splendid dress with a touch of tartan, was enough to signal to anyone that PSYC was about to embark on a great celebration of Burns Night. Tables, named after famous Scottish clans, decked with a touch or tartan, tartan bunting marking out the dance floor and the Scottish saltire resplendent on the walls, set the scene for our Chieftain for the evening, (Alan Bowie), to commence proceedings. Commodore Gail Leaver, delivered the traditional ‘Selkirk Grace’, as penned by Burns himself; not the easiest grace for a non-native of the dialect, but she did it with vigour and aplomb.
Given that so many Scottish people, in search of a new life, emigrated to New Zealand in the 19th Century, who better to ‘translate’ the meaning of Burns’s address to the haggis, than PSYC’s resident Kiwi (John Scott). A mix of tradition and humour abounded and kicked off the evening with lots of laughter. Following the starters, Cathy Riley gave the most marvellous rendition (with actions) of Burns’s poem,‘ To a Louse’. After our main course, and just when we thought that equilibrium and tradition had been restored, we were caught off balance again. Anyone who is a fan of William Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo & Juliet’ may well have been horrified, or delighted, by the scene that was about to unfold.
But, as we ‘Lassies’ know, much of the credit must go to Angie for scripting. However, we did then manage to bring things to order with our Chieftain, Alan Bowie, toasting ‘The Immortal Memory’ together with a very funny, informative, and eloquent speech. As an ex RNR officer, it seemed strange to hear that toast; I thought it was reserved for Trafalgar Night and Nelson, but, hey ho, at least we had to stand up – no regal dispensation on this one!
I’m glad to say that, for some of us, our navigation at sea is better than that on the dance floor. However, ‘the caller’ of the Woodsiders Band persisted and, it is fair to say that the evening was a remarkable success, and an enjoyable time was had by all. Slàinte mhath! Susan additional photographs can be found in the Social Events Photo Gallery |
Seven of us met at Portsmouth Hard Bus Station where we then took a leisurely stroll, following the ‘brick road walkway’ through Gunwharf Quays, around Spice Quay and through Old Portsmouth, then up to the Round Tower and on to the Promenade along to Clarence Pier. Work on regenerating the Promenade is still ongoing from the Hover Terminal to the Sea Life Centre, but a temporary walkway made the going easy. As we neared South Parade Pier the sun came out and the sky cleared which was very cheering and hats and scarves were gradually peeled off and it turned into a beautiful blue sky day as we rejoined the Promenade walk beside the beach.
And then the traditional ‘Parade and Address to the Haggis’ ensued. However, the dialogue quickly broke with tradition, primarily because, after years of nobody really understanding a word that was said, the Chieftain decided, on this occasion, to call in some help.
The sight of the marvellous ‘Morag’, (Angela Morris) balanced on a tartan-ribboned, 2 step household ladder, being wooed (or not so wooed) by her counterpart, put a certain PSYC ‘twist’ on the Toasts to the Laddies and the Lassies. Andy Cassels-Brown as her kilted ‘Laddie’ delivered a humorous performance in both word and deed in his usual inimitable style, despite having arrived only a few hours earlier, his plane grounded and delayed by ‘Storm Eowyn’.
And so, after good food, camaraderie and home-grown entertainment, the Ceilidh began!