This is the start of a busy run of 5 double game days, broken only for individuals when on the bye team for every fifth game.
The weather become rather Scottish with damp days, and at the same time temperatures are reaching -11 degree nights are being reported. Overnight stays before and after the games were in Oakville, which made it a short travelling day.
Our first game was at Burlington New Street, a 5 sheet club. (The 2013 tour ended at the Burlington Country Club). Their motto on the sign outside is “come throw rocks at our house”, so we did. In a change to the standard routine we arrived early for breakfast and morning class at the club.
After our common visit to the ladies changing room we were early on the ice with the customary parade led by a piper. A few ex Brier players made an appearance today to stiffen the challenge today. At Burlington Team Edradour played 2014 Brier player Team Ontario player Tyler Morgan, this resulted in a deficit which the other teams pulled back to tie the match at 23 each.
We had a fine lunch at the club before moving on. In the afternoon we travelled back to Oakville to play at Oakville Curling Club, which will be our only 8 sheet rink of the tour. The high pitched roof makes the curling rink look spacious, the lounge area was also well sized and other event were taking place as well. The club has a lot of local members, many in walking distance.
Unusually we did not get exclusive use of the ice rink but were joined by regular seniors games to parade onto the ice and play. On ice Team Dalwhinnie faced triple Brier winner Ian Tetley and came off only 6-7 down. The overall score was not so good, Scotland 19, Canada 30.
Alan Chalmers