No, I haven’t fallen in a gutter this time, though it is Scotch on the rocks on Barbados.
The Scotch is, of course, of the golden variety and it is displayed out on the tables of the Tapas restaurant on Hastings’ boardwalk.
Glen Moray, Glenfarclas, Highland Park et al… and yes, our favourite smoky Islay whiskies, with Ardbeg out on show.
Water of life
My week of partying (sorry, research) is ending with whisky and toasts as all Scottish occasions should do.
And the toast of Bim these past few days has been Jeana and her band on the rum, the Scottish Rock Ceilidh group Bahookie.
A force of nature, she has spearheaded the Barbados Celtic Festival which is back with a trumpet (and bagpipes) blast after Covid.
Her voice is naturally hoarse, the only cure for which I would suggest is whisky.
And whisky with an ‘e’
There is whiskey too, of the Irish variety in Teelings, as the Celtic Festival encompasses the Emerald Isle, Wales, Nova Scotia…
And all points in between.
And, no I don’t take my Scotch on the rocks, and prefer it with just a wee drap of water to explode the flavour.
Tapas Restaurant is something of a misnomer as it serves Bajan and international cuisine, and the best of it.
But not in the multiple minor dishes of a Spanish tapas.
Although I wasn’t about to question the charming owner Franco.
Nips and neeps
For the days that are in it, Tapas has put on a Scottish menu choice to accompany its usual fare.
And out of patriotic duty I order the haggis, neeps and tatties.
Whether I’d not left enough for the main or not, after my calamari (mulligatawny soup would have been too heavy) I struggled.
And I left the haggis dish in pretty much the same beautifully layered form I found it.
I resisted too the temptation to show off to my Irish and Welsh friends how a haggis should be addressed.
I guess I feared Welsh Corrie (or Corriebean as she is now self-styled) would react at the mention of sonsie faces.
It means attractive… honestly!
The Parting Glass
It is also a Celtic tradition, usually for funerals but increasingly on other occasions now, to sing the Parting Glass.
‘So fill to me the parting glass
And drink a health whate’er befalls
Then gently rise and softly call
Good night and joy be to you all.’
This is our parting too… old friends on our trip and new.
But as Barbados Soca legend King Bubba would say…
MEET YOU ON THE ROAD