Achi Baba Parade

Just a short note on our outing to Gourock on the 8th of July to support the Argyll Association’s remembrance parade. The weather was threatening but this is usual in Gourock.

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Last Foray to Forres

On this, the last, trip to Forres the bus was leaving in the early evening, travellers were warned that it wasn’t waiting so be there early. The usual bus rules were in place prohibiting the consumption of alcohol and no number twos in the toilet. The plan isn’t rocket science;

Struck Dumb in Helensburgh

Helensburgh Pipe Band Competition begins for me the Thursday before the actual event with a frantic round of Hunt the Lift. Everyone is looking very smug as they tell me they’ve arranged to go with so ‘n’ so and the car’s full. Oh no! What to do?

The Busy Bees

Friday 15th was the start of a hectic playing week for the band. We were double booked, but Pipey had decided we are a big enough band with experience aplenty so two bands shouldn’t be beyond us.

Bling and burgers

A joint entry to try and get me up to date

The weather running up to Lilias Day was preternaturally sunny and fine so there were no surprises when the weather apps showed big black clouds and lightning for the big day. I didn’t care as I was to be wafted up the road in a big posh car pumping fumes and particulates onto my red faced and choking bandmates.

Season Trailer

A hint of what to expect this year

A Day at the Racecourse

The British Championships is a local event for us and as such it’s a morning of lazy baths and leisurely gardening the only small cloud on the horizon was how we were getting there. Big Mick had provisionally offered us a lift but events conspired against him and Hazel Tenor and I tootled into Paisley, pausing only to avoid the profiteering car parks,

Glorious Start to the Season

The week before Gourock games and the first outdoor competition saw us playing at Clydeport and fretting about the weather for Saturday, Pipey got a wee bit older and we hope wiser. Gourock is historically a wet and muddy affair but since the move to Battery Park the rain has been unable to find us and sunscreen and bush hats have been the order of the day.

Reel around Coatbridge

After Sanquhar there is a wee four week competition hiatus that lets players iron out inconsistencies, Pipe Majors unknit their brows and James the Hat and myself get some fishing in. And maybe a beer.

The Road to Sanquhar

A fairly bland and uninspiring February  pushed the NOx button and vanished into the distance leaving swirling snow, travel chaos and chilblains. So bad indeed that Thursday practice was cancelled.