Saint Patrick's Day in Japan 2013

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.

My other life as a drummer

I was one of the founding members of the 2nd Battn 84th RHE in Nova Scotia, Canada back in 1984. The cover shot is of myself back in 1989 at the Burning of Fairfield event in Connecticut.
I was also a member of the Tokyo Pipeband in Japan for two years until my graduate work and full time job left me with little time for band practise.

I

However, I am forming a small group of guys who enjoy playing bluegrass and Celtic music in my own home.

This was the 2010 shot of the drummers in the Tokyo Pipeband including the drumming judge. I'm the bearded fellow in the dark glasses.

Warming up with my buddy Andrew from Scotland.

Another shot of myself in 1987 with a piper from the 78th Highlanders out of the Halifax Citadel. This was during one of our recruitment events at the Metro Highland Games.

This is a shot taken of me back in 1989 by Kerry Delorey. The coat is taken from a sample of tartan found on Culloden Moor. My father had the coat made up for himself but I snagged it that morning as it was the only thing which wasn't wet from the rain the night before.

This shot was taken by my wife at the 84th RHE dinner back in 2003. My best buddy back home, Mark Weatherby is a fellow private and Saint Mary's University grad.

Before my morning cup of tea! And after a night of Alexander Keiths.