It's a beautiful sunny Sunday in Japan. Though there is a big parade in Tokyo, I won't be going as it's about 90 minutes from here,and too many people.
Ian and I in our last parade back in 2010
Our first and last Saint Patrick's Day parade in Tokyo together.
As much fun as I had drumming with the Tokyo Pipeband, I'm too busy with other things to be with a group of Japanese musicians who take it too seriously.
So, my little boy and I went out to a park to play
Then we decided to play outside kicking a soccer ball. I wore my Ulster Defence Regiment beret and my DPM jacket with the 107 (Ulster) Brigade badge. Now to those out there who may think I'm some fellow who chooses sides in the Troubles, I DONT! I grew up in Nova Scotia, CANADA, however, my relatives who were left in Northern Ireland were targeted by republicians as they served food and drink to British troops, because they were human beings!
My mothers people came from Nairn, Scotland to Prince Edward Island in 1803. As well, I have ancestors who were from Ulster, Peppards. They were Protestants, Presbeterians to be exact.
My father's people came from Ennis, Co. Clare. I was raised Presbeterian, my wife and children were baptised in the Church of England. I'm proud of my Irish and Scottish heritage. I am not proud of the senseless violence which still takes place in Northern Ireland. I have a UDR cap badge because I view those soldiers with respect. They had a huge job trying to maintain peace, order and good government, which is many ethos of what Canadians stand for. I was never in this regiment, but was able to purchase the cap badge, beret and jacket from cadetdirect.com.
For dinner we then had potatoes, cabbage and pork.
A nice day to celebrate our Irish heritage.
Richard John Uniacke was a successful lawyer, judge and militia officer in the early 19th century. The china in this room was actually the Duke of Kent's! Queen Victoria's father!
Ian and Leena look around
And play a traditional game which they will use at military encampments.
Yesterdays game was to have the Scots invest a town held by an Imperial force.
The Imperialists were made up of Austrian and Spanish troops.
The Spanish Tercio and Austrian pikes await the order to pounce on the Scots.
Another force advances towards the Scots camp.
The Imperialists crash into the outer defences of the camp.
The Scots horse led the charge.
The Scots attempted to smash into the city gates but were then counter charged by Imperial Pikemen. Their morale failed, and they fell back to their camp.
The next morning, the Imperials continued their pursuit onto the Scots siege camp.
The Scots sallied forth to drive back the Imperials and Spanish.
The Spanish led the way covering some Scots pikemen.
The Imperialists then frontally charged the camp.
The Scots musketeers and single siege gun attempt to hold off the attack.
Ian and I in our last parade back in 2010
Our first and last Saint Patrick's Day parade in Tokyo together.
