Ride on, Highway Cat !!: Heavy Object Throw Show

Day 53, Aunti-Gun-Ish - Aunti-Gun-Ish
DAY OFF,
Dist. 0, Avg Spd, 0, Saddle Time, 0

Sat July 9
AAAAAAAAAAHHHH... It feels great to wake up knowing that I have no destination other than the breakfast room ! Stupid cat had Shirley prepped and ready to go even though we had discussed taking a rest day to see the "Highland Games"
So that's what was on my plate for the day. See some big lads throw heavy objects around. Even though I hate Parades, I thought I'de see this one for the Celticness of it and also, it's a welcome change from my usual highway mind game.
The "Heavy Championships" consisted of several throwing events. Scots like to toss heavy objects:
  *"Stone Put". Like "Shot Put" but is a stone, not steel and ranging from 16- 26 lbs.
  *"Scottish Hammer Throw"  A metal ball 16-22lbs. attached to the end of a 4 foot shaft of wood, bamboo, rattan or plastic. Build speed/power through spinning for the throw.
  *"Weight Throw" A steel weight attached to a chain with a handle. Several weights are used, the heavy men category uses 56 lbs. The throw is generated from a spinning technique. Cool.
  *"Weight over The Bar" Toss a 56 lb. weight with handle over horizontal bar with one hand. 3 tries.
  * "Sheaf Toss"toss 20lb straw bundled in burlap vertically with a pitch fork. I didn't see this one, not sure if they used it. It may not be an "authentic event"
  * "Caber Toss". Final event. Toss a huge pine tapered pole (over 20 ft. long) end over end.  Tough one, a crowd pleaser. The weights can vary. Only one competitor completed the throw, barely.
* "Farmers Walk". Not sure, but they may have done this event. Carry 2 heavy objects as far as possible in a time frame.
I really enjoyed seeing these events among others, but was disappointed by the crowd turnout. It rained the whole day and was chilly. I guess that's why.
Okay, by now, I'm freezing and it's time for cold beer at the local pub
I arranged to meet Corey for some beer at "The Piper's Pub"
  Corey is a professor at St. Francis Xavier University. (the town's lifeblood) Was nice to speak to a human for no other reason than to "hang out" rather than ask for directions or compare bike components, saddle bags or camping tools.  It was a great time for sure, and to top it off, Corey picked up the Tab !!
A fine lad indeed. Check the photo and guess who's crazier. hint; I grew up in Ottawa