Easdale New Year
Well I spent Hogmanay and the next 3 days on an island with a population of sixty. Also known as the Party Island. They have parties for any reason, christmas, new year, stone skimming world championships, getting the water supply fixed...
It was different
Went down on Hogmanay in the pouring rain to catch the 1900 ferry. Was dark and windy and wild but didn't get any waves coming in so managed to be mostly dry by the time I got there. Had forgotten quite how dark it is when there are no streetlights so was glad Sandra's house was the first one you come to when you get off the boat.
Hogmanay was spent in the pub, then round to Mike's cottage for the bells. Then we trawled the island, visiting, um, Colin and friends, the cottage next door, Willie, Derek and Margaret, Billy and Sheena and then Wendy's. I think. Highlights included seeing an 84 year old dancing to Natasha Bedingfield, the stovies and probably the soup if we had made it to Wendy's on time. And there was a large amount of gin consumed. I gave in about 0500 and went to bed, everyone else went on to Pete and Denises and were still going til about 0630!
So most of the first was spent in bed. There was a panto rehearsal in the afternoon but I was advised not to spoil myself so stayed in reading Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell. Then there was the Ceilidh. Several years ago the island hired a ceilidh band for the 1st. There was a gale, the ferry didn't go and so the band were stuck. That was when they realised that they had enough talent on the island to do it themselves. So there was the girlfriend on one of the semi permanent residents singing (she's a professional singer), the bar/restaurant owner and artist reading childrens stories with the help of an 8 year old italian visitor, several bagpipe solos, several ceildh tunes played by a variety of residents and guest on various instruments, a mini rock band (guitarist, drummer and keyboards), a solo song by the visiting music teacher, a funny story, a 5 year old singing nursery rhymes and other stuff I missed when in the bar. And more drink during and after.
The 2nd saw another lie in, more reading and a scramble at 1650 to make fancy dress costumes (childrens story characters) to wear to the showing of Shrek 2. A crown and a lump of coal = King Cole. Then there was the obligatory party.
Today the islanders rushed about painting scenery and trying to learn lines. The panto was at 1430 and the ferry was going despite predictions of bad weather. Several people had to leave early though as the forecast makes it likely the boat won't go for the next few days, much to the delight of those due back at work and school. The panto was excellent, (Robin Hood and his Ferrymen) full of dreadful puns and local references. The boat falling over was a highlight. And afterwards there were 5 boatloads to go back to the mainland - 2/5th of that those of us who had been staying and the rest people who had made the trip over just for the pantomime.
I doubt I will do anything like it again.
It was different
Went down on Hogmanay in the pouring rain to catch the 1900 ferry. Was dark and windy and wild but didn't get any waves coming in so managed to be mostly dry by the time I got there. Had forgotten quite how dark it is when there are no streetlights so was glad Sandra's house was the first one you come to when you get off the boat.
Hogmanay was spent in the pub, then round to Mike's cottage for the bells. Then we trawled the island, visiting, um, Colin and friends, the cottage next door, Willie, Derek and Margaret, Billy and Sheena and then Wendy's. I think. Highlights included seeing an 84 year old dancing to Natasha Bedingfield, the stovies and probably the soup if we had made it to Wendy's on time. And there was a large amount of gin consumed. I gave in about 0500 and went to bed, everyone else went on to Pete and Denises and were still going til about 0630!
So most of the first was spent in bed. There was a panto rehearsal in the afternoon but I was advised not to spoil myself so stayed in reading Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell. Then there was the Ceilidh. Several years ago the island hired a ceilidh band for the 1st. There was a gale, the ferry didn't go and so the band were stuck. That was when they realised that they had enough talent on the island to do it themselves. So there was the girlfriend on one of the semi permanent residents singing (she's a professional singer), the bar/restaurant owner and artist reading childrens stories with the help of an 8 year old italian visitor, several bagpipe solos, several ceildh tunes played by a variety of residents and guest on various instruments, a mini rock band (guitarist, drummer and keyboards), a solo song by the visiting music teacher, a funny story, a 5 year old singing nursery rhymes and other stuff I missed when in the bar. And more drink during and after.
The 2nd saw another lie in, more reading and a scramble at 1650 to make fancy dress costumes (childrens story characters) to wear to the showing of Shrek 2. A crown and a lump of coal = King Cole. Then there was the obligatory party.
Today the islanders rushed about painting scenery and trying to learn lines. The panto was at 1430 and the ferry was going despite predictions of bad weather. Several people had to leave early though as the forecast makes it likely the boat won't go for the next few days, much to the delight of those due back at work and school. The panto was excellent, (Robin Hood and his Ferrymen) full of dreadful puns and local references. The boat falling over was a highlight. And afterwards there were 5 boatloads to go back to the mainland - 2/5th of that those of us who had been staying and the rest people who had made the trip over just for the pantomime.
I doubt I will do anything like it again.