Clan-fun and golf-bonanza

It has been a whirlwind of a summer already, and the fun has only started! In the next couple of weeks lots of things will be going on. We have already booked tickets for everyone to go to The Gathering 2009 in Holyrood Park here in Edinburgh. The Gathering is two (one for us) fun filled days with traditional Scottish Highland Games (i.e. strongman games like throwing of sledge hammers across a lawn, tossing telephone poles as far as you can, and lifting huge boulders, all whilst wearing your clan kilt and other accessories), Scottish dancing, a clan heritage village, live music and pipe bands from around the world and lots more. Should be fun! Shaena and I have never been to a Highland Games event before and I am looking forward to inducing a bit of 'our' culture into our visitors as well.

Check out this page for more: http://www.clangathering.org/

I have also been invited by Grandpa Keith to go with him to the British Open in Ayrshire where all his golfing idols will be playing, so we are heading over there next Saturday to get a glimpse of Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, Mike Weir, Nick Faldo and John Daly among others. Even the retired legend Jack Nicklaus will be there, so hopefully we can elbow our way through the autograph-area and get a few signatures. Keith has also promised me to teach me all about golf and supposedly 'when I am done with you, you will love golf!'

Check out this page for more: http://www.opengolf.com/

We are sure lucky that these events are happening just when family is visiting, as especially the British Open will be a once in a lifetime happening for Keith.

Grandma, Nini and Julia also booked themselves a Highland bus tour for next week, so they are heading off to find that infamous monster once and for all. Those tours are always good fun and educational as well, and I can imagine that the snap-happy Jules and Nini will come back with tons of amazing photos!