Back on the bus we looked through the windows to the wonderful Scottish scenery within this tiny village and birthplace of Elvis' ancestors Andrew Presley and Elspeth Leg, who left Lonmay for pastures new in the New World of the USA in 1745. It would take a few generations of blood, sweat, toil and tears to produce one of the greatest entertainers the world has ever known - Elvis Aaron Presley.
We made our way to Mintlaw Country Park and hopped off the bus to meet fellow Elvis fans from all the Scottish branches - Ally Rose and Elvis Aberdeen Fan Club, Paul Sayers and the Memphis Mafia Fan club, Edinburgh, Lesley Stewart and Elvis Central Fan Club, Falkirk who had travelled up to Lonmay with us - The Elvis Touch Fan Club, Glasgow.
As soon as we got to the park we all unloaded our "goodies", food fit for a king!!! We moved all the park bench tables and formed a massive picnic area for our own "E In the Park", reminiscent of home movies Elvis took of his own adventures on the road.
After we refuelled it was down to participation in all the games arranged for our Sports Day. Here is our list of well deserved victors.
Sack Race -
Overall Winner was Inga Burgess.
Female Winner - Linda Smith (Glasgow)
Male Winner - Syd Burbridge (Glasgow)
Limbo Dancers -
Female Winner - Cathy Larravide (Glasgow)
Male Winner - Ally Rose (Aberdeen)
Egg & Spoon Race -
Overall Winner was Inga Burgess
Female Winner - Sharon Stevenson (Glasgow)
Male Winner - Paul Downie (Glasgow)
Three Legged Race -
Female Winner - Laura Forbes (Aberdeen)
Male Winner - Stephen Baxter (Aberdeen)
Tug'o'War -
1st Place - Aberdeen
2nd Place - Glasgow
Football -
Winners - Aberdeen
During the Sack Race Joe McCombe from Glasgow tried to avoid Paul Downie from Glasgow and took a nasty tumble. We were very lucky that we had our own Florence Nightingales on our team and Margaret Colhoun and Marion Gifford applied some TLC to Joe until the paramedics arrived and Joe was carted off to Raigmore Hospital accompanied by his wife Jean.
After all the scheduled games it was time to pack up and head off to the Ban Car Hotel for the day's finale but before we departed we ran around the park heading for the swings and chutes that we all enjoyed in our childhood. We couldn't have asked for a more special day or the fantastic weather that we experienced.
Back at the hotel the females headed for the cloakroom toilets to freshen up and the lads headed for any nook and cranny to change into the gladrags.
The dance started at 8 pm and the hall quickly filled. Dinner in a basket meals were available from the bar and the drink flowed. The Ban Car staff were very hospitable and encouraged us in everything we did. We all danced the night away and had a wonderful time. We are all friends through Elvis and we would like to thank the Ban Car Hotel, the people of Lonmay, the local Elvis fans who joined us on the hight and Elvis fans from Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Falkirk and Glasgow.
We had such a brilliant time we decided to return to Elvis' Ancestral Home. We have decided on "The Return to Lonmay - The Revenge Challenge" to take place on Saturday 26th August 2006 - followed by an Elvis Dance at the Ban Car Hotel, Lonmay.
Click here for photos page 1 Click here for photos page 2
PS Joe McCombe returned to Lonmay with a dislocated shoulder and in a lot of pain. He is recovering well and has returned to the dancefloor of the Elvis Touch dances.