I don't know about you but some very odd things have been happening lately in my life.
We were in Scotland for the festivities. We were staying at a friend's house whilst he was away. He loves river fishing and keeps a large net by the door amongst his other gear. You know the one, a long wooden stick with a net at the end; like a butterfly net.
It was about two o'clock in the morning.
I was peacefully rehearsing playing the bagpipes at home when suddenly there was loud banging at the door and continuous ringing of the door bell as if it was pandemonium out there. I stopped playing the bagpipes and rushed to open the door. For some reason, I got hold of the butterfly net in hand.
It was my neighbour still ringing the door bell angrily.
"What is all that noise in the middle of the night?" he asked threateningly.
"It is you banging at the door and ringing the door bell!" I replied, "you're making all the noise."
"Not that," he shouted, "all that bagpipe playing. What's all that about?"
"I was practising playing 'Scotland the Brave' " I said.
"And why have you got a net?" he asked.
"Annette? I haven't got any Annette here. Only my wife and the family. They are all asleep, unless you woke them up with all your banging at the door. Who is Annette anyway?" I asked him.
He pointed at the net I was holding. "Oh ..." I said, "I thought you were my wife going shopping! Would you like a drink? I have some whisky inside."
He came in for a drink and advised me that I was playing the bagpipes out of tune. He revealed his family was from Scotland and offered to show me how to play.
About half-an-hour later there was a lot of banging on the door once again and the door bell ringing furiously. I left my neighbour playing the bagpipes and rushed to open the door.
It was two more neighbours. They said I was playing out of tune, and if I wanted they could show me how to do it correctly.
They came in and as I had a set of drums too they joined in trying to get 'Scotland the Brave' played properly on the bagpipes and drums.
With three bagpipes and a set of drums we made quite a band playing a variety of Scottish songs and tunes.
The funny thing about all this, is that the family did not wake up throughout. I found out later that they were all out shopping at the "24/7" mall.
If you have never visited Scotland, I suggest you do. I've enjoyed many a Hogmanay up there ... och aye!
