The Royal Edinburgh Tattoo Down Under

Today we went to see the Royal Edinburgh Tattoo in Melbourne, and it sure brought me back to some fun memories from my teenage years.  I played the trumpet in marching band for 12 years, and my high school band had a bagpipe band so the sound of bagpipes always reminds me of home.  I also took Scottish Dancing lessons for a couple years and competed at a couple Highland Games.  I might not have much Scottish blood, but I feel like I could be an adopted Scot.
Doing the sword dance before the high school football championship 
Competing at a Highland Game
Twenty years ago, (wow, I'm getting old!) my high school band went to England and Scotland on a tour.  Funny, when I hear about Alex Smith the football player I think of that trip.  He was in middle school at the time and the son of our school principal so he went along.  I see pictures of him now and just can't process that he's not that scrawny little 12 year old any more.  Anyway, we stopped and had concerts in a few places along the way and even marched in a parade in Edinburgh.  We of course saw the Tattoo while we were there, and I remember the backdrop of the castle and the ground being packed with bagpipers.  My Grandma was slightly obsessed with the Tattoo also, she would buy video tapes of each year's performance and was excited that I got to go.  I wish I could share some pictures of that trip but I think they're on the other side of the Pacific in my parents' garage.

 The show in Melbourne had a replica of the castle, it was quite funny to see.  They had the stadium roof closed to get the effect of night time, and it gave an air of cheesy sincerity.  It began with a traditional Aboriginal Ceremony, and then the bands marched out.  There were of course the military bands, but with a South Pacific twist.  Bands from New Zealand, Samoa, and Fiji came out.  There were some traditional island dances and a Maori Haka, not something you'd see at the Edinburgh Tattoo.  Then bands from Norway, Switzerland, and the UK, and of course lots of bagpipers and some highland dancers.  Luckily I brought the binoculars so I could watch the dancing up close from our nose bleed seats.  
The replica castle with bands marching out
Fijian dancers in front of the castle
My husband hadn't known what to expect, he spent his high school years on the hockey rink so his marching band knowledge is more the American Pie variety.  I think watching the bands march up and down the field gave him a new outlook on just how much of a nerd I was.  The funny hats, stiff uniforms, and playing cheesy marches while trying to walk were all part of growing up for me.  One of the bands even played a march we played hundreds of times in high school.  That groaning sound the pipes make before the eminent wail brought me back in time.  And meanwhile, my husband's face was one of horror.  
Band pic from back in the day
The crowd was a mix of older people and the adult children they had convinced take them.  Lots of walkers and wheelchairs - a lot like the Dolly Parton concert crowd.  It was funny to watch, especially knowing I was probably just as excited as them to be there.  

 It was an interesting Australia take on the traditional Tattoo.  I liked that they didn't try to do an exact replica of the Edinburgh show, that they gave it a local twist and brought in more local bands.  My husband had wanted to see the real thing so he was a bit disappointed  - I guess we'll just have to plan a trip to show him the real deal some day!
Flaming drum sticks!
The Grand Finale




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Baw Baw Blog

Image
A couple weeks ago Phil set out to climb Mt Baw Baw again with a couple like-minded (read: crazy) bike friends.  We drove out with Les and met John and Glenda at the primary school in Drouin to start the ride.   The crazies started on their ride while John and I headed off to explore the area by car. Phil, Glenda, and Les at the start About 10km in to the ride, as they passed the Drouin West primary school, Phil realised that that was the place he meant to start, and now an already painful 80km ride had become 90km. John and I stopped at the Noojee Trestle Bridge and took a leisurely walk across.  Then we headed on to the "town" of Noojee and saw the sights - the water wheel that no one knows the origin of.  Then we enjoyed some lamingtons while we waited for the tiers to catch up.  They arrived and took a few minutes' break, then set out again on their adventure. Noojee Trestle Bridge Noojee Water Wheel John and I then drove to Tooronga Falls an...
Read more

Tanna, Vanuatu Part 2

Image
There was a wonderful snorkelling spot called the Blue Hole a short walk from the resort so we went there a couple times and frolicked with the fishies.  The weather was perfect and the water was warm so it was a very relaxing few days. The Blue Hole Fish in the Blue Hole More fish in the Blue Hole Blue starfish we found in the rocks Pretty sunset at the Blue Hole We also took a small boat up the coast to a place called the Blue Cave.  The boat trip in itself was worth the journey as it took us along unspoiled coastline for some amazing views. The coastline from the boat near the Blue Cave We got to the Blue Cave at low tide which made the opening just big enough to snorkel through.  Inside the cave was huge and the bottom was covered in clean white sand so it made the blue water of the cave spectacular.  A small hole at the top of the cave let a shaft of light through.  It was quite a spectacular place t...
Read more

An Aussie Birthday Party

Image
My parents arrived at the beginning of April and we took the opportunity to have an Aussie Birthday Party for my mom.  We invited her Aussie friends over for dinner and they enjoyed the chance to catch up.  My mom met these friends through a painting convention they teach classes at in Vegas.  Year after year she kept taking their classes and they became great friends.  The convention is now a yearly tradition for them, and they fit in plenty of fun before and after.  They had just been over for a visit in March, so it was nice for them to get together and laugh about their trip without all the distractions.  I made an echidna cake for dessert that went down a hit, even with the very American peanut butter filling.  After the party they spent a few days with Janice and Ted and then had a visit with Karen and family before heading to Kangaroo Island with us.  All in all it was a great way to begin their visit over here.  Gail, my dad, and...
Read more