I have had an absolutely fantastic time. Helen, Pat, Eric, Janis, Norma, Mike and Bobette made the last 5 days go with a bang.
Bobette Orr is worth a blog to herself: the first female US consul general to Scotland, great, great niece to Ulysess S Grant whose handshake with Robert Lee meant victory for the Unionists and defeat for the Confederacy and the start of peace following a bitter Civil War, female consul to Egypt and a deeply committed Christian...she is an amazing woman who is fiercely proud of her Scottish roots. She (and her husband, Bill) has remained a constant friend following her time in Edinburgh. Her life is experience rich and her conversation always interesting . Elegant in Black Watch skirt, plaid, matching jacket and tammy she strode down 6th Avenue, her immaculate tartan couture putting all us Scots lassies to shame.
On the way home (we had plenty time - see first sentence) we counted the number of events we squashed in over the short break. In total we counted 9:
- the service at the Memorial Garden to remember those British people who lost their lives in 9/11, followed by a reception at India House...the Red Hot Chilli Pipers wow the crowd and get everybody jumping
- the St Andrew's Society reception held in the Tennis and Racquet Club [worth going to just for the building itself - palatially decorated in hunting green and gold with fabulous marble fireplaces]. We meet John Smeaton and his New York pal Kirsty as well as many familiar friends
- then on to a supper hosted by retiring chairman of the American Scottish Foundation, Alan Bain who fetes Edinburgh's contribution (and most particularly Eric's as their Ambassador in Scotland). We share Alan's excellent company with Alisdair Hutton's (voice of the tattoo and the leader of Borders Council) and Mike Povey who is responsible for organising the Scottish international Model T Ford rally in May. Sitting next to me is Angus McCormack one time EIS leader and sparring partner at COSLA...we share reminiscences and I get to meet his lovely daughter Ayleth who is performing at several official events
- On Saturday we're off to Church for the Kirking of the Tartan; then the parade itself where there was a stushie when our First Minister - allocated a marching place behind the Parade's organisers, pushes himself to the front and causes offence. The parade itself was brilliant and the sun shone! Norma, who is experiencing her first Tartan Day, sums it up for us all...'there aren't the words to describe it'
- Then on to another event at Scotland House, followed by the Foundation's post parade celebration at Stouts on West 33rd Street....think Hogmanay ...at $40 a shout you get 2 bands including the Red Hot Chilli Pipers and as much beer, whisky or vodka as you can drink for 3 hours...you get the picture
- Then finally on Sunday 6 April, just a couple of hours before we leave for home, we attend the Foundation's event at The Arsenal in Central Park in honour of Tartan Day's 10th Anniversary. The Arsenal itself is a great building owned by New York City's Parks & Recreation Department (it fair puts the Ross Bandstand in the shade) and we get to meet a couple of the new Mayor's commissionars. Eric is invited to address the gathering to reflect on 10 years and makes a brilliant speech. Quote of the day, 'It is 75 years since Franklin Delano Roosevelt abolished Prohibition (loud cheer from the audience) with the slogan, 'Happy Days are here Again' and US citizens were able, once again, to enjoy a glass of Scotch without running away from the police. Kenny McCaskill, are you listening?'
Sadly, he wasn't.
What can I say?
Spent a fortune, loved every minute, be back again next year...
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