Carry on up the Khyber

[Capt. Dirigible]

Speaking of distress, I have been informed that my 'bargain' kilt is, alas, water damaged beyond repair, and that the vendor will not sell it in such condition- I'm getting a full refund and am back to hunting down an affordable all-wool kilt.

If you want an all -wool one it'll work out expensive..even a cheap one is over £100. You can get a poly-viscose kilt for under £50 though...which looks and feel  like the real thing.

I'm beginning to appreciate that- the one I fleetingly had was ex-hire stock, and was £74- too good to be true, and it was. The next cheapest ones I can find start at £110, and go up to £300+!

Synthetics, here I come!

Here ya go, Doktor...poly-viscose Black Watch kilt...£41.00

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

http://www.scotlandshopdirect.com/Casual-Kilts/cid,16908410,index.php

[Danbury Shakes]

I would like to point out that the Lady Elsie  has reserved the right to perform a full inspection of equipment (she also has a large body of volunteers to assist the inspection).  I only hope she has a suitable bellows camera to capture the inspection.

Tradition and wot.

[ladyelsie]

Thank you Mr Shakes,

More to the point, I also have industrial strenghth rubber gloves and a large pair of laundry tongs.

So be warned.

Yours,
Lady Elsie.

[sebastian Inkerman]

-At the mention of tongs, he sidles away whistling 'The Song Of The Bogle Clencher' nonchalantly to hide round the back of the Naafi for a fag and hand of gin-

[Countessa Lenora]

I believe I have some barbeque tongs laying about to help with the inspection...

[Smaggers]

snip for brevity

PS: Is that Smaggers back from Germany?

Back and forth more now.

[Herr Döktor]

Right, as the kilt turned up today, I tried on the whole outfit- very nice, made my mum quite proud, although it was a bit of a shock, though apparently not as much as when I dressed as an undertaker, or the 18th century dandy ghost, or as Julius Caesar...

[TimeTinker]

Parade of the 3rd Foot & Mouth and meeting to discuss future gatherings will take place on Sunday afternoon.

[sebastian Inkerman]

Looks like the shako badges are a no go for the asylum I'm afraid. EG frames don't seem to be answering their phone. I'll keep trying, but they haven't been picking up for a few days.

[Mécanicien de Vapeur]

Excellent... my tunic and day sporran have just arrived from WPG to add to the kilt I already have (Seaforth Highlanders I think), diced hose tops and pith helmet (thanks Major!). A 1903 pattern belt is on it's way from WPG (while I save up for the Slade-Wallis webbing!), so just the gaiters, diced glengarry and shako badge still to obtain.

Possibly new boots too, as my trusty German Paras will probably look too modern and, from what I've read, I'd struggle to get the gaiters round them!

May bring what I've got along to the Asylum (the Major's post implies a 3rdF&M parade and discussion on the Sunday?) if a. I can persuade the lovely evangeline to do one two last bits of seamstressing before the weekend, b. the belt arrives in time and c. there's still space in the case!

[TimeTinker]

I would rather like to see members of the 3rd wandering around in uniform on Sunday.  I will be wearing mine.

[Mr Peter Harrow, Esq]

I should be too.

Major is a musical clockwork sporran regulation?

[TimeTinker]

Not strictly but we may make allowances for "walking out dress".

[sebastian Inkerman]

I will bring my gait pattern to the parade so people can copy it if they want it. Medium canvas double thickness with some boning around the back and side. Pretty easy to make and I got my buttons off the Market, they are exactly the same as the ones I bought.

[Herr Döktor]

Found that brogues work better with the gaiters, so no boots for this Devil in skirts.

[Capt. Dirigible]

Found that brogues work better with the gaiters, so no boots for this Devil in skirts.

I don't have the full kit yet but I too find shoes to be the better option than boots..and as only the toe cap is showing..who's to know?


(apart from everyone who reads this, of course)

[Herr Döktor]

True, and until TK Maxx graciously supplied me with a dirt cheap affordable pair, it was going to be a pair of black canvas deck shoes...

[TimeTinker]

I'll be wearing shoes too since I don't think the Lawn would be happy if I scuffed their dance floor with the hobnail heels of my boots.

[Mr Peter Harrow, Esq]

Very true about the hobnails, if I omit the boots it is quite a saving in weight, but for field maneuvres boots will be necessary.

By the way the sporran also tells temperature and humidity. Too late to get the music box movement which plays Pomp and Circumstance, so having to make do with the one I have. Now all I have to do is invite young ladies to wind me up and check whether I get hot and bothered.

I have three sets of red and white diced hose from Sabre Sales, so can loan out.

[sebastian Inkerman]

Ooh, can I borrow a pair? Still haven't managed to get any as yet.

[Herr Döktor]

Ooh, can I borrow a pair? Still haven't managed to get any as yet.

And when you do, don't forget to say 'Cor! What a luverly pair!'

[Mr Peter Harrow, Esq]

Certainly, they are only relatively inexpensive,  £5 a pair from Sabre Sales and seem to be new, the pair I tried on had original sticky labels on. Indeed they can be described as nothing but cheap hose.

[Herr Döktor]

I hope you've washed them: I wouldn't want Mr. Inkerman slipping into a pair of dirty hose.

[Mr Peter Harrow, Esq]

Well the label does say "Handwash only, do not dry clean" so it looks like a handjob will be in order in respect of my cheap dirty hose.

[Herr Döktor]

So, you'll be needing a scrubber with your cheap dirty hose?