Thursday 4 February 2021

Ooters 'Virtual' Burns Supper 3rd February 2021

The Burns Supper was a roaring success with many excellent contributions. Thanks to all who were involved especially to Alan and Robert for making it happen. It showed exactly what we've been missing all these months and lifted the spirits, both mentally and physically.

At the request of some of the company, I've posted last night's Ode to the Ooters : the Covid Year(s)


The virus from China was nothing to fear

The Brits treated it with an initial sneer

And then events in Italy made us doubt

But we’re GREAT Britain, we’ll keep it out

It would never reach our shores

However, our borders had open doors

 

The first wave knocked our country for six

As the politicians and scientists sought a fix

Lockdown came and the country was jolted

The stable door was shut after the horse had bolted

 

In March the Ooters were forced to stop walking

But with Zoom at least we kept talking

By summer the restrictions began to be eased

And back to walking we were teased

 

No pubs, no coffees, no FRT

But getting together it was good to be

And just as we thought it was safe to be out

The second wave hit us with a clout

 

Too many folk had been to Spain

Returned with a tan and a brand new strain

The schools re-opened and so did the unis

Mismanaged by some of our elected loonies

And before we knew it restrictions were tightened

Alert levels everywhere all were heightened

By September we were back to Zoom

Locked away in our own wee room

By Christmas full lockdown was imposed once more

No surprise given the numbers were sore

 

But the guys who had toiled for success in the lab

Had produced a saviour in the form of a jab

It remains to be seen where we go from here

Will we be back to normal by next year?

 

Covid-19 was what it was named

For so many lives it was rightly blamed

From bats, wet markets or escape from a lab

No matter, we still have to pick up the tab

Maybe Donald was right, it’s difficult to say

The Chinese were to blame and should be made to pay

No chance of that, so we just have to pray

And borrow more money for our weans to repay

 

In 2020 the Ooters lost a lot

But we’re still here, are we not?

So what was there that we all did miss

Well, here’s a go at a reminisce

No walks, no beers, no birthday curries

Replaced with ‘stay at home’ and lockdown worries

No Christmas panto and then to the Jewel

At least we saved on our bill for fuel

No Burns Night out in Johnny’s house

No stabbing the haggis or ‘To a mouse’

No Arran, Cumbrae, Galloway, but still

No shouts of ‘Get me aff this fecking hill’

No Glasgow, no canal walk, no Castle Semple folly

And sadly, no more walks with Holly

No Wetherspoon’s, Drouthy Neebors, or the Brown Bull

No Crown in Sanquhar, there to sit on a stool

No Empire Bar with its less than fine dining

At least every cloud has a silver lining

No Dalmellington Inn and its free Kit-Kats

No Black Bull in Mauchline with its copious snacks

No River Ayr walk wi’ the water in spate

No Ness Glen circle or figure of eight

No Isle of Bute or the Greenock Cut

No journeys down to Alan’s hut

No Lowthers, Tinto or Culter Fell

No Carlin’s Cairn or Rhinns of Kells

No Portencross or Arthur’s Seat

No valley walks then the pub for a treat

No New Lanark or even old Lanark at that

No lost villages including Benquhat

No Grey Mare’s Tail or Falls of Clyde

Or icy paths down which to slide

No Cumnock circuits or Deil’s back door

No Ballageich or Whitelee with turbines galore

No four lochs, four tops or Durisdeer

No Windy Standard or Cobbler to fear

No Ballantrae or Dailly Hills

No leaving Blackcraig with its thrills and spills

No Dumgoyne or up Ben A’an

No Whangie and a curtilage ban

No Merrrick with its thunderous rain

No Hill of Stake or Beinn Bharrain

No coastal walks or Culzean Castle

But at least no more parking hassle

No Blacksidend or down to Glenbuck

No Barony Hill and a trail through the muck

No Corsencon or to the Lunky Hole

No Cairn Table which can take its toll

No Muirkirk Sanquhar, the very first walk

Too far now? Some might baulk

No Lochranza to Sannox and the chase for the bus

No sloes at Penpont over which to fuss

No drive to Maybole to go on tour

To Kirkoswald or even Dunure

No chance to do the Luss horseshoe

Or visit Dollar, the Ochils to view

No Dumfries House, Ochiltree, or an ‘A’ Frame day

No Hurlford to Galston and the Chris Hoy way

No Carrick Hills over which to drool

Then back to Rex’s for a game of pool

No Knock Hill or the Gogo Burn

But, but, the Ooters they WILL return

 

And when we do start to get on the move

It’ll take a wee while to get back in the groove

We’re not as fit as we used to be

And have to stop more often for a pee

Maybe some moderate walks for a start

That to me would be more than smart

So from the big hills, for a wee while, we might refrain

When the Ooters bandwagon hits the road again

 

 

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