Today was an early start with the whole gang heading to Ary for another great day at the Highland Games. The morning started off very wet, and it was feared that it would continue threw out the day. However just before the games got underway, the sun broke threw and it turned into a gorgeous day.
This was my first competition in Scotland, and I soon realised I was in a whole new class of Drum Majors. However, I felt as though I had a good run, and I was very pleased with the constructive comments of one of the hardest Judges in Scotland, John Noble.
At the closing of the games, I was honored to be asked to lead the Massed Bands, and to be awarded a Homecoming Scotland trophy.
One the way home we stopped in for a fish supper, ( although I had chicken), and ate our meal on the scenic shore.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Thursday 18 June 2009
This evening was a big practice, in preparation for the upcoming competitions over the weekend. I was also able to hear the full grade 2 band of Dumbarton and District Pipe Band.
Wednesday 17 June 2009
This evening, I meet up with the Simon Family in Helensburgh, were we enjoyed a lovely dinner. Billy, Carol and I also made a visit to a shop in Helensburgh, were a mate of Billys, make hand carved skan dues and flasks.
Tuesday 16 June 2009
To day was a quiet day, of getting wash done, and taking a walk around Alexandria. That evening was another night of practice. The new mace is starting to feel a bit more comfortable.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Monday 15 June 2009
This morning was very relaxed as enjoyed a long needed lay in.
In the evening, my very good mate Andy Lyons came over the house for tea. After tea, Billy, Andy and I headed to the Dumbarton and District Band Hall, where I had my first practice in quit a few weeks. The practice went very well, however I did have a tough time getting use to the mace that Billy had for me.
After practice, we enjoyed a cup of coffee and made it an early night.
In the evening, my very good mate Andy Lyons came over the house for tea. After tea, Billy, Andy and I headed to the Dumbarton and District Band Hall, where I had my first practice in quit a few weeks. The practice went very well, however I did have a tough time getting use to the mace that Billy had for me.
After practice, we enjoyed a cup of coffee and made it an early night.
Sunday 14 June 2009
Today Billy,Morgan,Glenn and I headed into "The Barras" in Glasgow. The best way to describe the barras is as an open air market, where you can buy just about anything for a very reasonable price. However it was very clear that you had to be careful, not only because of pick pockets, but also because onside of the barras had many Red, White and Blue flags and the other had many Green White and Gold flags.
After our shopping adventure in the Barras, Billy took me over to Glasgow Green, to see where the World Championships are held.
On the way home, we got stuck in a massive storm, that flooded the streets and belted the cars with hail stones. This storm also caused Morgans bus to be 2 1/2 hours late.
That evening my mate Dixi came over the house, and Billy, Dixi and I had dinner at the local Indian Restaurant "Sizzlers".
After our shopping adventure in the Barras, Billy took me over to Glasgow Green, to see where the World Championships are held.
On the way home, we got stuck in a massive storm, that flooded the streets and belted the cars with hail stones. This storm also caused Morgans bus to be 2 1/2 hours late.
That evening my mate Dixi came over the house, and Billy, Dixi and I had dinner at the local Indian Restaurant "Sizzlers".
Saturday 13 June 2009
Today started off pretty early, with Billy, Carol, Morgan and myself preparing to headed to a Highland Games in Bearsden. Before we left we were meet up by Billy's two star students Iona Burns and Andrew Simon who would also be competing today.
It was a great day for a Highland Games, the weather was beautiful and the games were packed with spectators. It was also probley the first Highland Games that Ive been to in a very long time, that I could actually just watch and enjoy.
The day ended well for the Jordan camp, with Iona taking first in the Juveniles and Billy taking first in the Adult competition.
That night Billy, Carol, Morgan and myself enjoyed a Chinese dinner.
It was a great day for a Highland Games, the weather was beautiful and the games were packed with spectators. It was also probley the first Highland Games that Ive been to in a very long time, that I could actually just watch and enjoy.
The day ended well for the Jordan camp, with Iona taking first in the Juveniles and Billy taking first in the Adult competition.
That night Billy, Carol, Morgan and myself enjoyed a Chinese dinner.
Friday 12 June 2009
This morning marked the last day with the 1 Battalion Royal Irish Regiment. The morning began with some final last minute packing, and some paper work with HQ. After saying my good byes to the lads who had not left for leave, I headed with L/Cpl. Shaw on the long road to Scotland.
We reached Edinburgh at about 1530, and L/Cpl Shaw left me off at a bus station where I would be able to take a taxi to the train station. After reaching the train station, I booked my ticket to Alexandria and then made a call to my mate Billy Jordan to let him know what time to expect me. However that wouldn't take in to account that I got completely lost in the train station and missed my train.
After the small delay, I headed on the train, first to Glasgow and then on to Alexandria. I was relieved to see Billy's smiling face as I got of the train, and from there we headed to his home in Alexandria.
Billy and Carol had prepared a wonderful BBQ for me, and I was able to meet all the family including Billy's son Morgan, Carols daughter Samantha and son Glenn, as well as Billy's brother.
We reached Edinburgh at about 1530, and L/Cpl Shaw left me off at a bus station where I would be able to take a taxi to the train station. After reaching the train station, I booked my ticket to Alexandria and then made a call to my mate Billy Jordan to let him know what time to expect me. However that wouldn't take in to account that I got completely lost in the train station and missed my train.
After the small delay, I headed on the train, first to Glasgow and then on to Alexandria. I was relieved to see Billy's smiling face as I got of the train, and from there we headed to his home in Alexandria.
Billy and Carol had prepared a wonderful BBQ for me, and I was able to meet all the family including Billy's son Morgan, Carols daughter Samantha and son Glenn, as well as Billy's brother.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Thursday 11 June 2009
This morning, I meet with the OC of the company who wanted to make sure to see me before I left on Friday. It was a very nice meeting with the OC giving me two choices in the future, one was to either join the regiment or two, come back again to visit.
Around midday, the entire regiment formed on parade in the square for the arrival of the Colonial in Chief of the Regiment, His Royal Highness Prince Andrew. As HRH approached, the Regiment to came to a smart attention. HRH addressed the regiment, and bestowed medals to rangers who showed overwhelming courage during their recent tour in Afghanistan.
That afternoon, the BP&D headed over to the community center which would be the venue for the boxing match. There we were able to do a quick rehearsal and we were briefed on the the layout of the evening.
At 1800hrs the band meet at the band block to get dressed in our No.1 uniform and prepare to head over to the community center. Once at the community center the band took its place in the stands to watch the first half of the boxing match. I was however posted with the bugles to await the Commanding Officer and Prince Andrew. As the two dignitaries arrived, the bugles played a fanfare, and I was queued to strike in and play them to their seats.
Once the boxing match had started another piper and myself took turns piping each boxer into the ring.
After the half time intermission, the entire band played its selection. The performance ended with the drummers playing a drum salute with a twist. The drummers had painted their drum sticks with fluorescent paint and installed two black lights on either side, and as the main lights were shut down, it made for a very impressive show.
After the boxing match I returned to my room to finish packing and to say good bye to the lads who would be leaving very early in the morning to go back home for their long weekend. I was just about to head to bed, when a few other lads from the BP&D nearly kidnapped me for one last night at the Stormy.
Around midday, the entire regiment formed on parade in the square for the arrival of the Colonial in Chief of the Regiment, His Royal Highness Prince Andrew. As HRH approached, the Regiment to came to a smart attention. HRH addressed the regiment, and bestowed medals to rangers who showed overwhelming courage during their recent tour in Afghanistan.
That afternoon, the BP&D headed over to the community center which would be the venue for the boxing match. There we were able to do a quick rehearsal and we were briefed on the the layout of the evening.
At 1800hrs the band meet at the band block to get dressed in our No.1 uniform and prepare to head over to the community center. Once at the community center the band took its place in the stands to watch the first half of the boxing match. I was however posted with the bugles to await the Commanding Officer and Prince Andrew. As the two dignitaries arrived, the bugles played a fanfare, and I was queued to strike in and play them to their seats.
Once the boxing match had started another piper and myself took turns piping each boxer into the ring.
After the half time intermission, the entire band played its selection. The performance ended with the drummers playing a drum salute with a twist. The drummers had painted their drum sticks with fluorescent paint and installed two black lights on either side, and as the main lights were shut down, it made for a very impressive show.
After the boxing match I returned to my room to finish packing and to say good bye to the lads who would be leaving very early in the morning to go back home for their long weekend. I was just about to head to bed, when a few other lads from the BP&D nearly kidnapped me for one last night at the Stormy.
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