In the Band

First of all I'd like to point out that my daughter took this picture. She loves taking pictures, in fact, she fought over it so she could take my picture, it's a good picture and her finger isn't even in the way.
Anyway, the pipe band I've just joined had a gig at Culzean, this was my first time playing in the band as well as the first time for a couple other tenor drummers. The day started off with a picnic in the park with another pipe band from the Isle of Arran. The kids enjoyed running around and playing with the other kids that were there.

We marched and played through the castle's ruined archway (which actually isn't a real ruined arch, it was built to be symbolic of the Kennedy family's long lineage when the castle itself was built) and walked along to the front doors of the castle where we played and waited for the other pipe band to get there. We took turns playing different tunes and then did some mass band playing in the fountain courtyard. There was quite a good turn out of spectators which was great. It was meant to rain today but thankfully it held off while we were there.





The above two pictures are taken from the fountain courtyard and the video is from right in front of the castle. I'm the tenor drummer in the green jacket, in fact, I am the only tenor drummer in the green jacket so it is hard to miss me.


And if anyone was wondering how Paul did in his race the other day I am glad to inform you that he did not push himself to the point of exhaustion and injury, he stopped when he realized that "nutrition stations" meant water, redbull type energy drinks and chocolate bars. When all he brought with him was a camelback full of water, he was going nowhere fast. Quick tip if your racing in Scotland.... bring your own electrolyte supplements, powerbars and gels.... relying on "supplied nutrition" is too risky. Paul didn't give up quickly though, he did run 22 miles, he said at some points it was so steep he was crawling up the hill in cow patties and sheep manure. He would also like to add that he slipped in a cow patty and that it was "good fun" he also fell into a number of puddles and sunk an unstable stepping stone thus soaking himself up to his ankles. Some of the course was through a thick overgrown forest full of nettles and thistles which "whipped him in the legs" as he ran through them.... oh but did I mention that he said it was "good fun".