I have no idea whether or not you know what a March Past at an Australian Open Life Saving Event is, probably, if you are anything like I was, you think I have gone totally stark raving mad publishing pictures of pipe bands lined up on the sand on a 40C+ day, a day that came complete with a Severe Heat Warning.
But, to continue in the tradition of posting men's bottoms on this here blog, I wanted to show you the March Past teams I happily snapped and thoroughly enjoyed as they showed off their finery the other week.
So basically, while on other parts of the beach and water at a Life Saving event there is testosterone flying and athletic ability is at the fore, in the March Past, all becomes calm and oh-so-very-very serious and believe it or not people, men in kilts parade on the beach.
Yep the Scottish clan (or Aussies pretending to be Scottish) come with their bagpipes and all their finery and teams of guys and gals march along in strict formation…judged and marked on things such as costume, uniformity, togetherness, presentation, size of rears…(I made that one up, lg will kill me!)
This is a sight to see. It brings tingles down my spine and tears to my eyes.
I tried to get in a March Past team. But I was too fresh-off-the-boat.
Though they liked the size of my rear.
on other parts of the beach, it looked a little more like this…
i
it's a tough gig sitting on the beach having to sit through this…
I love this place they call Australia.
I think I already told you that
Things that make me go Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Wow Sarah!! I have lived here all my life and have NEVER seen anything like that, LOL!! I’ve obviously been going to the WRONG beaches
Enjoy the rest of your weekend:) – Tina x
That’s hilarious. I have never seen anything like that – maybe it is one of those strange things people in the Eastern States do:)
I like the part where they jump in the boats or on the skis and their speedos go… well, we know where they go [giggle]. How good are Australian beaches!!
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
I’m so pleased you love this country! It’s a good place to live, even if we do have a few little eccentricities!!! They are, for the most part, charming just like your blog I am so enjoying it. Today you brought back memories of my youth and the Surf life saving carnivals then. Do’t seem to have changed much!!! Have a beaut weekend Julienne
Wish we also had summer!
It’s always lovely to have a look over to you and great Australia.
Have a lovely weekend,
all the best from Germany,
Silke
I have to say…. never have I seen men in kilts playing bagpipes on the beach. Looks like you had a great day. Best wishes, Mary
What better way to spend a day than at the beach listening to men in kilts playing bagpipes and watching rears…I mean life savers marching past!
Goodonyer, mate!!!
I can’t wait to tell our march past team that they featured on the world famous “abeachcottage” blog. Our guys were the good looking ones from Noosa Heads. Thanks for the great pics. We’ve got the Nutri Grain guys down the road at Alexandra Headland (We only watch to marvel at their surfskills, right ???) By the way – Are your kiddo’s nippers?
Very impressive!
Kat
Oh Sarah you always bring a smile to my face when you do a cheeky little post like this! ;o)
Gotta say as an expat myself (from a long time ago and living in perth) AUSTRALIA ROCKS!!!!!!!! But then I think you already know that! ;o) xx
how fabulous – who would ever thought that you’d see a bagpipe band on the beach!!!!
Love the outfits and the utterly serious looks on the lifeguards!!
Looks like lots of fun.
So much fun!
Well…..thanks for sharing. Since I can’t come to Australia right now I’m grateful for you bringing a bit of it to me. And, at least everyone seemed dressed for the weather.
Jan
BellaCasa
That is fun!
) What I loved the most about it though was the 40C + part…:o) (this morning I thought that 1C- was a good thing…) hahaha
have a great weekend Sarah!
hugs, Erika
I love march pasts – or is that marches past? Such a long traditional part of surf carnivals, with the old reels they used to use and the marching and bands all begun after the war. My favourite is the surfboat races.
I could see that carnival from a distance, I was at a beach further on, cooling off in the surf.
I can see why you love it! Do you have an Aussie flag flying from the beach cottage? I think you need one, alongside a British one.
What a hoot! It looks like VERY serious business. I must say that seeing baseball caps worn with traditional kilts is a bit jolting!
You know what, the other day I was totally wondering how your little tiny bathroom turned out… the one where you did a video of ideas of what you “thought” you might do… Just curious! Happy Weekend, The Lady
Love it! Especially those Aussies ‘trying to be Scots’. Hmmm, those baseball caps are just wrong.
Sandy is right, the good lookers would have been from Noosa, oh what a site for my tired sunday morning eyes…
Thought I’d pop by on my way to bed………………………. you have made an old girl very happy! :O))))))))))))
I’ve never seen anything like that! and I’m from California, lived in florida and now in England
Love the pics. You really captured the character!
I don’t think the kilted band could stand in that heat without some sort of head covering, I rather like the caps. The serious look is all part of the march, all deemed the done thing 60 odd years ago -all tradition. Thanks again Sarah, love it!
Hi Sarah this brings back many memories of weekends spent on the beaches, in Cairns and the Gold Coast, all 3 of my kiddos were into surf life saving, my youngest daughter was North Queensland Champion, for 4 years in a row, oh the butts i have seen over the years……… love a good March Past, Amanda
This just proves my theory that while I’m just living my life all sorts of *unusual* things are going on in the world…
My husband rows surf boats (yes, he wedges his budgie smugglers up his bum on purpose, but i must say its a rather nice bum). I love the beach carnivals and the lifestyle that surf club can bring.
I hope someone in your family has taken on the surf club challenge and joined the local club, it can change your life. And if they havent, i think you tell the club that youve been off the boat long enough and its time you got you march on…
xxxx
ROFLMAO
lovin’ this post
~justine~
Forgot to say I’ve never seen bagpipes on the beach myself!!
~justine~
Oh my, that is so funny! Just the bottoms I mean… the rest is fab, I love a great tradition for sure. I must say, at first glance, the picture of the red uniformed bottoms made me look twice, I thought the guy in the middle was fishing for his undies!!!!!
Thanks for sharing,
OMG im an aussie and never seen or heard anything like this before LOL….thanks for the eye candy ha ha ha
Hi there!
Thank you for sharing a small part of your world. I could only dream of living in such a beautiful place. You’re blessed my sweet friend. Cant wait to read more~
Susie Harris
Well–this Florida girl has never seen the likes of that!!! Men in kilts? On the beach? In the heat? Playing bagpipes? BTW–what DO they wear under those kilts??? ;-0
How do I add you as a blog follower so that you will show up on my blog list? I saw your twitter follower but I don’t tweet. Couldn’t find a blog follower here. But I am a ‘puter dummy
Sarah no wonder you love our Aussie beaches – some special sights to see!!
Alison
OMG I nearly had a panic attack at the thought of what could be in those photos………..
I’ve never heard of that before, and I have to say those are some of the most hilarious photos I’ve seen! What an interesting tradition. I hope they’re not offended that I find it funny, it’s just not like anything I’ve ever seen before!
So Sat. I hauled an old wood table and foot locker out of someone’s trash. I knew I wanted the table but I was iffy on the trunk, but I thought, Sarah would get that, and then paint it white and it would look great! So, I got it. Never mind there isn’t anywhere in my house to put it at the moment, but I’ll find a place somewhere!
I have no idea what is going on, but I am smiling at the seriousness of these guys. Gotta love a man in kilts!
although I love your cottage makeovers, i also LOVE when you show us pics from life down under. these in particular are gorgeous! you have a great eye. Hope your dell from hell week ( that will never end) gets better. I am a MAC user and after your tales, will be forever!
How fun to look at your pics! Obviously very Australian. Someday, yes someday I will get to visit “down under” and maybe I will get to witness a March Past first-hand.
Woo! Look at that view! Haha!
Love your blog, Sarah!