Xmas Eve bash

Conditions were pretty good for the traditional Christmas Eve match at DATA to celebrate Dave's birthday - his 63rd. We had arranged for a 7-a-side match between the Friday night "regulars" and the rest, but, as you can see by a quick count below, there are only 13 players here at the start:

l-r: Jeb Tyrie, Gerry Mullins, Ken Black, Ewen Hay, John Moir, Steve Paterson, Andy Marshall, Gary Grant, Dave Williamson, Malcolm Lodge, Ian Sharp, Tim Trimble & Niall Ewart

The missing 14th man was Ian McRae, who missed his bus, but got a lift out later from his son - he missed the first 20 minutes.

 I hung around for a few "action" photos but this was all I got:

If I'd been a bit quicker with my camera, I'd have caught Tim Trimble and Ian Sharp separately upending themselves without anyone near them.

As usual, we retired to the Douglas Arms afterwards, but were surprised to find the public bar and snug closed, so we ended up in the new lounge, where all was not well beer-wise. A few managed a pint of Santa's Swallie before it ran out and I got the last pint of Clootie Dumpling. We had no option then but to vote with our feet and cross the road to the Burnett Arms. I was one of the last to leave and just as I put my coat on, I was called over to the bar to let me know that Trade Winds was now on. Sorry - too late.

At this point, Malcolm Lodge and John Moir, who were both driving, took the opportunity to depart, but the rest of the group were joined in the Burnett by John McWhinnie, Colin Kilgour and Andy Marshall's Dad, making his traditional annual appearance. Soon Dave was doing the honours and we wished him happy birthday with drams of Macallans:

l-r: Messrs Hay, Sharp, Tyrie, Black, Paterson, Kilgour, McRae, Williamson, Stewart, McWhinnie, Marshall (x 2) & Mullins 

The Burnett also initially had some ale problems - two Deeside beers - Rye and Macbeth - were on, but Macbeth in particular was very lively and slow to pour, particularly when there was only one staff member on duty - and she was manning reception too. Fortunately, she called in the cavalry in the shape of owners Robert and Jackie Melvin and soon all was well and they started dispensing bowls of crisps and nuts to keep us quiet - and it got even better when a new cask of Ossian was put on.

It was a double dram afternoon as we were all poured free drams when we were waiting for Robert to change the cask.

A change of location, but still a lovely afternoon - and a good start to the holiday period.