Saturday, February 6, 2010

Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Australia

The Edinburgh Military Tattoo has come to town and thanks to Jane and Joy, I arrived at the Sydney Football Stadium with a lump in my throat and a bounce in my steps. Like a kid in a candy store, clutching a two-dollar coin tightly in his little fist, wanting to buy just about everything in sight. The whole thing took two hours and a bit to get through and I was transfixed throughout. There's something about burly men in flowing skirts, huffing and puffing into bagpipes that is simply quite stirring. I don't know why. If you do, drop me a line.

The view from from where we sat.


The sky got dark real quick


A little odd but yes, there was a brief indigenous dance of some description. A bit of Australiana infusion,  I guess. 


The pipe bands from Australia and UK doing a combine thingie, very impressive and mesmerizing; putting a lump in your throat.


There's also formation; here you see a cross . . . . 


. . . . stretching bigger . .  and bigger . . . 


. . . and then breaking into circles.


The tiny New Zealand Army Band put in a huge performance. They were very good, even throwing some ballet movements and haka.


The NSW Police Mounted Display. The horseys were very-well trained, and behaved.


One of the many horsey formations.


What you won't be able to see are the droppings of the horseys. 


The grand finale. 


A display of fireworks followed the finale.


Oohs and aahs accompanied each explosive burst. 


Lots of crackles and pops.


Yeah, going out with a bang.


We got really good seats, thanks to Jane and Joy.



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