91热爆

That's Corrie Capers over again and probably the last week long event. Next year is being planned as more of a weekend affair as most of the committee work and thus don't have time to orginise and staff events. As it happened I had to go away for most of the week so the art event was scalled down to painting shields and swords. I did get back in time for Up-Hellia on Saturday night and the cricket on Sunday though. Here's the photos:


Uber-viking!
We couldn't get the longship to go very far in the wind during the afternoon but everyone still piled in for the Invasion of Sannox bay.



Sheila being brave in the face of a howling gale



It got dark a bit fast!



After an interesting trip down to Sannox in the longship, invading the beach and enjoying the boat buring, fireworks and BBQ we visited the local hostelry for refreshment. Sorry there's no photos of the fireworks etc. was too busy enjoying myself to remember to take snaps.







After stuffing our faces with burgers and beer it was back to Corrie Hall rocking the night away to Fire & Ice and The News Band!



Sunday was mildly more civil with six a side cricket at Sannox Oval. There was an impressive turn out of teams and Arran Ladies remain unbeaten in the entire history of the tournament lifting the ladies trophy despite not having a clue regarding the rules! There were rumours that our captain was a ringer, can't think why!





We struggled for a bit trying to keep the pads on till someone got us the kids ones.







Our game has definitely improved since last year. I know this because my legs ache from running with pads on, none of us had to worry about running last time.



It was going fine while our captain Laingetta was batting but it started to go horribly wrong for the rest of us, that duck got a lot of exercise







Obviously when we lost to the boys we were good sports and shook hands and kissed everyone, we noticed that the other teams skipped the kissing!



The Winning team accepting their trophy from Eric who is dressed up as some famous cricket comentator apparently.



Some of the Ladies team had to leave prior to the presentations so thanks to everyone for their efforts and look forward to winning again next year, you never know there might actually another ladies team to play against by then!







Eventually the wine ran out so we all jumped in the longship and rowed it back to Corrie in time for tea and lashings of ginger beer! This was a really gorgeous afternoon.

What should you do if you come accross a nest of poisonous vipers?
A. Run away screaming?
B. Watch from a distance as slither into the undergrowth then ring the NTS as they are interested in the numbers?
or
C. Pick them up for a photo call?

You would think the answer was obvious but a visitor chose option C last weekend and it's amazing how the news reports changed as the story moved from first hand account to local rag to national broadsheet.

I've just read a report in The Herald regarding the gentleman of dubious intellect who was bitten six times by two adders on Arran last weekend. But I heard it first the day after it happened from members of the Mountain Rescue. The way they described events the bloke was walking in Glen Rosa after a boozy lunch found a nest of adders and picked two up for a photograph. The adders had to bite him six times before he dropped them. His pal realised he was in trouble and ran to the nearest house for help as there's no mobile phone signal. The MRT came with the air ambulance and air lifted him to Crosshouse. He's lucky to be live.

The story in The Banter was similar to above but didn't mention any inebriation. Which is fair enough, the story is embarrassing enough for the chap and maybe the effect of the venom made him appear to be inebriated.

However the story in The Herald states that the snakes had been mating and he lifted them to get them out of the way of the children in the party..... Hmmmm And there's definitely no mention of being plastered.

Adders are very shy creatures; they will retreat at the approach of a human. I can't remember the last time someone was bitten on the island and although I walk through Glen Rosa regularly have only seen adders once or twice a year and they soon make themselves scarce. There are on average less than 10 adder bites a year in the whole of the UK

The moral of this tale is not to be so STUPID! Duh Uh as they say.

Look! After six years we've finally got the sail up on the longship!



We finally got to sail the Longship last night, it was fantastic! I couldn't get a photo of the front of the sail as it was blowing out too far and there was no way I was staying on land for the sake of a photo!




With the sail up we can go tons faster than when we're rowing so the plan is to sail the Longship over to the Largs Viking Festival next Saturday and sail it back the following Sunday. Anyone wanting to come either come along to Corrie port at mid day this Sunday or 6.30 Tuesday evening when we will be taking the longship out sailing or contact me at The Arran Art Store 01770 600 627 or Neil at Corrie Hotel on 01770 810 273. We need more members!

Captain Mark & Margo

I swear there was a porpoise right there a second ago! I will make sure the batteries are charged next time as we see quite a few cetaceans when we are out there. That's Arran, Corrie & Sannox side in the background.

Further to my last post, Ann took these pictures from the quay and kindly e-mailed them over. So that's what The Longship looks like with the sail up! Marvin Elliot, who carved the figurehead and tail of the longship also decorated the sail for us with a Black Eagle which is the name of The Longship.

Arran Viking Longship Society is open to all Arran Residents and Visitors and we are looking for new members now! As a member of the society you can learn to sail and row the longship, go on trips to other Viking Festivals, help out with the developement and maintenance of the longship, help build the longhouse for next years festival and learn more about Viking History. Nothing is compulsory, you can be as involved as much as you want to be. Come along at 6.30pm Tuesday evenings (weather dependant) to The Port at Corrie or ask at Corrie Hotel 01770 810 273 or The Arran Art Store, Lamlash 01770 600 627 for more information. We are also happy to take non members out sailing for a small donation to The Arran Viking Longship Society.

The next sailing is this Sunday at noon, weather dependant.