Drumtochty Highland Games plus fox update

We went to the Drumtochty Highland Games yesterday where Elizabeth participated in the highland dance competition. Overall she was a bit disappointed with the results but nevertheless she managed a 3rd out of 12 in the jig and got her final intermediate stamp so she’s pleased with that. Technically she can still compete in intermediate if she wants until November but I think she’s probably done with it and will get her premier card which she’s now entitled to. She doesn’t love dance competitions so she probably won’t do another until November anyway. I wish there were more opportunities for them to dance as a performance rather than in a competition because that’s what she really enjoys.

Daniel complained for much of the day about how he didn’t want to miss his Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) game planned in the evening. Unfortunately the competition ran way over time and both kids were a bit late for D&D but it was nice that he came along to support his sister.

There was a married ladies race at the games which Ben was keen for me to enter but we never heard the announcement or saw it happening so maybe they cancelled it due to lack of interest? One attendee celebrated his 90th birthday by running a lap around the field to big cheers from the crowd.

The games were held near Drumtochty Castle in Auchenblae which is about 40 minutes south from Aberdeen. It’s a lovely, leafy area with lots of forest.

We weren’t very close to the stage and half the dances were on the stage facing away from us but I recorded them all. Here are her dances from the stage nearest to us.

Here’s the reel. She didn’t place in this one. It would be great if they could get feedback from judges so they knew where to improve as I really have no idea when I watch them all. The main thing is she was really happy with how she danced.

The sword. She didn’t place in this one either.

And the hornpipe where she got 4th out of 12.

Somewhat oddly she got 5th in the Seann Triubhas despite tripping on the stage. Go figure. The results don’t make any sense. But thank goodness for the jig bringing home her final intermediate stamp.

Food at Highland Games is pretty dreadful – it’s all chips and burgers which the kids were happy to consume. Thankfully at home they have a healthy diet. They made themselves ramen for lunch today and I took this photo of Daniel’s bowl just before he consumed it.

Meanwhile on the fox front, Rita the vixen with mange has been treated and we think we’re seeing improvements in her already although it will be months before her fur grows back. Sadly it looks like one of the cubs has bad mange. I saw this footage on the camera and thought the cub looked blind. Mange can cause a crust to develop around the eyes making it hard for them to see. We’ve got some medication on the way for her too although it will be hard to treat her as there are several cubs and I haven’t seen this one other than on the wildlife camera.

I think this is the same animal hungrily eating up the food we left out. The poor little thing. We haven’t seen this one with either of the adults either so she’s struggling blind on her own.

This morning I saw another healthy-looking cub and left him some food. I recorded this while he was eating it.

Animals have such a tough life. We are very lucky to have all our basic needs so easily met.