Cowal over the Rainbow

Once again I find myself apologising for the lateness of a blog but in all honesty I’ve been stressing over the end of season slide show and the Calamity Awards. More on those in a later blog. Cowal. The weather forecast was rotten but it’s Scotland so pack your waterproofs and sunscreen.

Rothesay Games 2022

Another early Saturday morning on a coach heading for the coast, the weather was actually cold but was forecast to improve after our first jog through the circle. The atmosphere on the bus was also subdued, Tiny Bubbles burst from the speakers, lasted a few bars then the bubble burst and we proceeded in silence. This was the second last competition of what has been a very long and the very best season we have ever had, could we keep up the standard?

Scottish Scenes

Saturday morning found me being dropped off at the bus at the very civilised time of 10:30 full of croissants and coffee but sans hat or sunscreen as it transpired. The search for a Bluetooth speaker began almost the minute we started moving but wasn’t resolved until we reached Dumbarton and Tiny Bubbles erupted from the bus PA, we know the words now so joined Steak and Kidney for a wee warble. As we approached Dumbarton, under a lowering sky, the DJ had the wheels of steel turning way before we had anyone to intimidate. The phrase, “He got aff at Dalreoch!” sprang to mind.

Renfrew (inaugural)

As this was a local competition there was no need for a bus and the attendant hilarity that entails. 2022 is the inaugural Renfrew competition and the first thing to say is where has Renfrew been hiding Robertson Park, even in the Scottish summer dreich it was awesome. 

European Champs

Going by the last report of a Major competition this is going to be a short read.

Oirland 2022

This blog will be full of second hand stories, supposition and stuff I made up. So nothing new there then. I was booked on the bus , boat and accommodation and had even paid the pennies and put my name on the list but a family tragedy engulfed me and I had to step back as some things just take precedence.

2022 British Championship

Very small children could be forgiven for thinking all pipe band events happen in Gourock. In the spirit of deja vu were are back in Battery Park for the 2022 British Championships, the first major Championship for 3 years.

Gourock, finally

For two years we have tried to put some sort of competition season together; single grade, locked venues or God help us Zoom but the gregarious nature of the participants and the pandemic’s not caring about good intentions closed every avenue. I was looking forward to the Gourock games but I had no idea how much.