Wednesday 14 August 2013

Tassie and the Tartan Army

You can learn all sorts of things from the friends you see in the park of a morning.

Meet Lhasa Apso ‘Tassie’, she of the playful demeanour and piercing bark. (Gail, why are you saying “pot, kettle, black”?)


Some weeks I see Tassie every day and some weeks not at all. She tells me this is because her Dad supervises the deck crew on an oil field diving support vessel, and when he is away offshore, for up to a month at a time, her exercise regime with 'the wife' is more relaxed.

Well it seems that this week, Tassie is going to be alone with 'the wife' for a different reason. Dad is off down to London for three nights with his Tartan Army pals, the main event being of course the England versus Scotland football match at Wembley on Wednesday night.


It surprised me to learn that Tassie’s Dad, whose normal parkwear is a well worn sweatshirt and track pants, is quite the snappy dresser when following the Scottish football team.

Apparently he has just purchased some brand new Timberland boots, beige in colour, because, to quote directly “ye cannae wear auld trainers wi’ a kilt”. Gail asked politely which tartan his kilt is made from. He seemed uncertain of the clan, but told her it was a purple plaid and that he hoped it would still fit around his expanding girth.

I guess this is the look Tassie's Dad is aiming for:



We also learned from him that airport security is a problem for the kilt wearer, as not only the belt, but also the sporran and the kilt pin have to be removed before you pass through the scanner, and all skean dhus are confiscated, including those made from plastic.

Worse, the Scotland fans are not allowed to take bagpipes into Wembley Stadium, also ostensibly on grounds of security, although Tassie confides in me that the real reason is because the English have no equivalent noise producing instruments.


Well, Gail and I shall be watching the football on the telly on Wednesday night, shouting and barking for our respective teams, and maybe looking out for Tassie’s smartly clad Dad in the crowd.
A household with divided loyalties

19 comments:

  1. Hari Om
    Oh Bertie - glad you're in the Saltire, lad!! Gail can be forgiven, I'm sure. Old habits die hard...@)

    But a tartan of purple? Hmmmmmm.

    On other matters - hoping to have some plans up on Monday's Menosukhi post for you regarding protective equipments. Plans for entertainment at least - practicality? I leave that to Gail's judgement! Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pee Ess
      I know, I know, that's right on deadline, but hey, gotta bit on this side!

      2nd Pee Ess
      LOVE the new banner pic. Giving the Westies a run for their paw old boy! xx

      Delete
  2. I have a funny feeling that Scotland might just win this one Bertie.
    I do hope that Gail didn't broach the delicate subject of underwear and a kilt at airport security. It takes a "pat down" search to a whole new level...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh my Bertie, but you do look very handsome watching the tv with your neckerchief!


    Loveys Sasha

    ReplyDelete
  4. We suppose only in airport security can one learn what a Scotsman wears under his kilt.

    Careful, Bertie, it's difficult to barrack for your team in a divided house, where one fan is in charge of the treats.

    XXXOOO Daisy, BElla & Roxy

    ReplyDelete
  5. Enjoy the footie Bertie. We hope it is a good game. Have a wonderful Wednesday.
    Best wishes Molly

    ReplyDelete
  6. Just remember...it's a sport. Divided team loyalties can be tricky.

    ReplyDelete
  7. OMD BERTIE...TASSIE IS A LOOKER AND IT APPEARS YOU MIGHT HAVE MET YOUR FEMALE COUNTERPART....MAYBE WITH TRAINING YOU CAN TEACH HER YOUR SPECIAL TAIL MOVES.

    MOM loves the kilts and...however the brogans made her cackle!!

    Hugs madi your bfff

    ReplyDelete
  8. We are very concerned about that guy at the airport... HOW will he hold his kilt together if they take away all the Impawtant thingys?

    Maybe he will have to GLUE it on. THAT would be very much Wrong.

    We hope that everybuddy remains FURENDS at the end of the big match. Just sayin.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh, Teka says she does love men in kilts! Enjoy the game and thanks for the information about going through airport security in a kilt. Muzzer was laughing so hard we thought an artery might just go sproing!

    She managed to gasp out that that was just one more reason to go back to Scotland next year.

    Gussie

    ReplyDelete
  10. that is what Mom has always said - you meet all kinds of interesting peeps and dogs at the park

    ReplyDelete
  11. I keep telling my Lee I need a kilt they look so spiffy. Those flowers on the hillside look lovely in your last post. We have seen Cloudberry jelly in our specialty store, but to expensive to buy.
    Thanks for being a friend
    Sweet William The Scot

    ReplyDelete
  12. We hope everyone enjoys the game. May the best team win! Lee and Phod who will let others decide who the best team is!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Your fans dress to the nines for a football match...Over here they strip down and paint their bodies and faces with team colors ... Sports fans are so strange...Won't be able to watch the match but we promise to root for Scotland Bertie

    ReplyDelete
  14. Note to self...leave kilt at home when traveling by plane. Bawhahahahaha

    Your pal, Pip

    ReplyDelete
  15. Look at those beautiful legs
    Snotrts,
    Benny & Lily

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi Bertie,

    Are there good snacks to be had at the sports intervals???? That would be the only thing that would keep me awake through the whole thing!

    Tail Wuggles, Rubie xxx

    ReplyDelete
  17. On the very rare occasions I travel wearing the kilt in America security take the dirk , put it in a brown quilted packet and give it to the pilot to keep safe until we land. Why a sporran should be deemed an offensive weapon is bureaucracy run wild. In some ways America is so much more Tartan Army friendly. I hope your friend wasn't the one arrested for bathing naked in the Trafalgar Sqaure fountains !

    ReplyDelete
  18. The Scottish remind me of the saying:
    "It's everything, or nothing!"
    Go Scotland!

    ReplyDelete