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.
Wenesday 10 June 2009
This morning we started right off on pipes, playing the tunes that we would be using for the boxing match and bringing in the drummers to make sure the band sounded good as a whole. The day however was not with out its dramas as two of the drummers were injured in a rugby match, once of which would not be able to play at the boxing match because of a badly twisted ankle.
That evening was the big farewell BBQ, with all the lads from the BP@D in attendance. It was a great night of tons of good food, good drinks, and good friends.
That evening was the big farewell BBQ, with all the lads from the BP@D in attendance. It was a great night of tons of good food, good drinks, and good friends.
Tuesday 9 June 2009
Today was another pretty standard day, I worked with the pipers going over the tunes that we will play for the boxing match.
After work that afternoon a few of the lads headed over the pads to set up a huge tent that would be used for my going away BBQ. It was a true miracle that we actually were able to get this tent up, since it consisted of nearly a hundred different poles and no directions. It was also a miracle that it actually fit, with the tent stretching the entire length of the garden, coming less then an inch from the house to the fence.
After work that afternoon a few of the lads headed over the pads to set up a huge tent that would be used for my going away BBQ. It was a true miracle that we actually were able to get this tent up, since it consisted of nearly a hundred different poles and no directions. It was also a miracle that it actually fit, with the tent stretching the entire length of the garden, coming less then an inch from the house to the fence.
Monday 8 June 2009
Today was a pretty quiet day. Most of the lads from the BP&D were on guard duty. However I did have the chance to watch the qualifying boxing matches, which was actually a lot of fun. The boxing matches were between the four companies, and the winners would go on to fight at the main boxing match on Thursday.
Sunday 7 June 2009
After a very uncomfortable sleep my mate and I made the hour and half trip back up to Market Drayton. We stopped into the town for a bite to eat, and meet up with a few other lads from the BP&D who were enjoying a few pints on there welcomed day off.
That evening after pressing my uniform,I welcomed the chance to have an early night.
That evening after pressing my uniform,I welcomed the chance to have an early night.
Saturday 6 June 2009
Today one of the lads decided to take me down to Gluchester to visit some friends of his. So around midday we made the hour and half trip down, and meet up with them. We spent most of the afternoon having a few drinks and listening to music. That evening we sampled the local nightlife. I then found myself sleeping on a very uncomfortable couch.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Friday 5 June 2009
Today we had our final rehearsal for the Job at the Officers Mess, the band is really coming together and everyone is confident that it will be a good show. The Band was allowed to take most of the afternoon off to prepare for the job in the evening.
That evening we all gathered in the Band Block and were we all helped each other get into our NO.1 uniform, especially the cloak, which is nearly impossible to get on by yourself. We then all marched over to the officers mess, where the Officer in command of the BP&D welcomed us with a bottle of port.
At 1815 hours the bugles began the fanfare and we stepped off to The Green Glens of Antrim and the Star of the County Down. The show concisest of the Bugles, Pipes and Drums play the lovely slow air " The Last of the Great Whales", a set of Marches, Reels, Jigs and Hornpipes by the Pipes and Drums, a Drummers Salute and the march off of the Regimental March.
The show went very well and the Officers and guests were very pleased. We ended the evening back at the Stormy before heading back to Camp and our beds.
That evening we all gathered in the Band Block and were we all helped each other get into our NO.1 uniform, especially the cloak, which is nearly impossible to get on by yourself. We then all marched over to the officers mess, where the Officer in command of the BP&D welcomed us with a bottle of port.
At 1815 hours the bugles began the fanfare and we stepped off to The Green Glens of Antrim and the Star of the County Down. The show concisest of the Bugles, Pipes and Drums play the lovely slow air " The Last of the Great Whales", a set of Marches, Reels, Jigs and Hornpipes by the Pipes and Drums, a Drummers Salute and the march off of the Regimental March.
The show went very well and the Officers and guests were very pleased. We ended the evening back at the Stormy before heading back to Camp and our beds.
Thursday 4 June 2009
Today was another full day of rehearsal's, with the entire band practicing the drill and tunes that will be played for the job. The band doesn't get a chance very often to practice together as a full band, so there was a lot of work these two days to make sure everything runs smoothly.
That evening it was back to Andy's house, where we enjoyed the BBQ last evening. We did our very best to help him get rid of some of the extra cans that he had laid about.
That evening it was back to Andy's house, where we enjoyed the BBQ last evening. We did our very best to help him get rid of some of the extra cans that he had laid about.
Wednesday 3 June 2009
Today the BP&D began rehearsals for an upcoming job at the Officers Mess. This was the first time I actually played with the full band. The venue will be playing on the lawn outside the Officers Mess and we practiced the drill and tunes that will be used for the event.
That evening we were all invited to one of the Buglers home to celebrate his daughters birthday. We all enjoyed a great BBQ and of course a few cans. That evening a few lads and myself headed across the street to the local pub called the Stormy.
That evening we were all invited to one of the Buglers home to celebrate his daughters birthday. We all enjoyed a great BBQ and of course a few cans. That evening a few lads and myself headed across the street to the local pub called the Stormy.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Tuesday 2 June 2009
This morning, I once again packed my bags and headed back to Market Drayton. Navigating the rails didnt seem as easy on the return, but I eventually made my way back. I was meet at the train station by Ranger Chapman, and we made our way back to camp.
Monday 1 June 2009
This morning the Pipes and Drums of the Scots Guards headed back to the center of London to Wellington barracks. Today was a rehearsal for the Beating of Retreat. Once the band had changed into there kit and tuned there pipes, we headed the short distance to Horse Guards. There we were joined by the regimental massed bands, the Pipes and Drums of the Irish Guards and the Military Band from Norway. It was another warm day, and we were all feeling the effects of the heat.
The rehearsal commenced, with the regimental bands playing and the band from Norway, however 2hours into the rehearsal the decided to call it a day, and the poor lads from Pipes and Drums who had been standing in there kit in the heat, never actually performed.
That evening, we returned back to Henslow West and Calvary Barracks, and spent the night in the barracks eating pizza and watching movies.
The rehearsal commenced, with the regimental bands playing and the band from Norway, however 2hours into the rehearsal the decided to call it a day, and the poor lads from Pipes and Drums who had been standing in there kit in the heat, never actually performed.
That evening, we returned back to Henslow West and Calvary Barracks, and spent the night in the barracks eating pizza and watching movies.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Sunday 31 May 2009
Today was quiet enough, with the lads relaxing after a busy few days and nursing a few sore heads.
Saturday 30 May 2009
Today was an early start, as I headed on a bus with the Pipes and Drums of the Scots Guards to the center of London. We arrived at Wellington Barracks where the pipes and drums got dressed in their number 1 dress and tuned there pipes.
I then made my way to Horse Guards, passing Buckingham Palace and walking down the historical Mall. Once at Horse Guards I took my seat to watch the rehearsal for the Trooping of the Color. It was an amazing event, with all the pomp and circumstance that only the British Army could pull off.
After the Trooping we all headed back to Calvary Barracks where we enjoyed a BBQ and had a few pints.
I then made my way to Horse Guards, passing Buckingham Palace and walking down the historical Mall. Once at Horse Guards I took my seat to watch the rehearsal for the Trooping of the Color. It was an amazing event, with all the pomp and circumstance that only the British Army could pull off.
After the Trooping we all headed back to Calvary Barracks where we enjoyed a BBQ and had a few pints.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Friday 29 May 2009
Today I meet up with Sgt. Kirby who brought be to the train station in Telford. I boarded the train and may my way down to London. I was impressed that after taking 4 different trains and undergrounds I was actually able to make it to Henslow West where I meet with the Pipes and Drums of the Scots Guards. The Pipes and Drums were being put up in Calvary Barracks, home of the 2 Battalion Royal Fusiliers.
After meeting all the lads we headed in to town for a bite to eat and made it an early night.
After meeting all the lads we headed in to town for a bite to eat and made it an early night.
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