Islay 2015 - Part 3 Party Time

With the race over and our accommodation only 50 metres from the finish line, most of the Harriers had a quick shower and changed from Calderglen vest to Ardbeg T-shirt to prepare for the prize giving. We had to forego our usual pre-prize giving swim as the pool was out of order unfortunately so for once, all the Harriers were on time at the prize giving. The Bowmore village hall was packed and the prize table overloaded as usual thanks to the generosity of the sponsor, Ardbeg. The prizes won by the Harriers made and impressive (and highly flammable) sight indeed.
Davy Watt - 3rd overall, 1st M50
Alan Derrick - 5th overall, 3rd M50
Stephen Phimister - 5th M40
Julie Beveridge - 2nd Lady
Joanne McEvoy - 5th Lady, 4th F35
Billy Buchanan - 1st M60
D Watt, A Derrick, S Phimister, D Herbertson - 1st Male Team
J Beveridge, J McEvoy, F Maxwell, E Jamieson - 1st Ladies Team
Geo Ferguson - spot prize!

The Calderglen Prize Haul

Further photos from the prize giving are in this album. Well done all.

A very full day continued with an afternoon of relaxing followed by a dinner in the Lochside Hotel and The Ceilidh from 21:30 till late. For the dinner we were very lucky to secure a booking for a table for 24 plus another table for Jim and his family! The restaurant is not exactly huge. Most impressive sight of the afternoon was three grown men struggling (but eventually succeeding) after several pints (and the prize giving free bar) to do the mental arithmetic to work out the bill for the pre-selected menu choices for 24 people. A great evening was had by all and still the sun was shining! Some photos from the dinner are in this album.

And finally we were off up the hill to the ceilidh. A quick glance at the race results will show that this was a truly international field which meant that there would be a whole load of people who didn't know their Dashing White Sergeant from their Gay Gordon and many more who were not fussy. Unusually the Harriers seemed to be among the most expert of dancers at the ceilidh. Another first!

Kenny Leinster gets special mention again for continuing tp extend the "Friend of Handship" very impressively to anyone who would listen whilst Eddie Reid extended his coaching skills to the dance floor, maintaining law and order during a Strip the Willow. Stephen Phimister maintained his sartorial elegance throughout, wearing the team winners' tie over T-shirt and despite this managed to make friends with a group of Americans over on a whisky trade mission; a nice gig if you can get it.

Not too many photos of the ceilidh due to the poor light but here is an album of what we have.

Part 4 follows tomorrow with news of the Harriers' Expeditionary Party to Jura whilst others enjoyed various beaches and distilleries around Islay (note that some more race day photos have been added. Check the link on yesterday's blog post).
Alan