Day 8

Scotland Weather:  Rain.

Yes I've been in Scotland for 3 days now and there has been 3 days of rain.

OK so today was pretty eventful, we all did the cab and train thing to Glasgow again to get to a massed parade and a short show for the Mayor of Glasgow.  It was pretty cool and marching down the hill playing with a bunch of other bands in Scotland was really cool.  The Drum Sargent threw his mace what looked to be about 30 feet in the air and as it spun down he nailed the catch.  It was soooooo awesome to see!  Normally we drummers are at the back and don't get to see much up front.  This was a very steep hill so I could see every drummer and every piper as well as the Drum Sargent!  (Which never happens).  I even had goosebumps on my legs for that one!

Once we did the massed bands each band did a ten minute set for the Mayor and a bunch of spectators, our show was really unique because we got some kids to help us with tambourines and a COW BELL!  Yes I know what you're thinking and yes we did have a lot of it.  :)  Beth was the mastermind behind adding the children and it went over so well!  People LOVED it.  (Good Job Beth).

Once the show was finished the Mayor invited us (complete with parchment invitation) to his elegant dinning room for lunch.  It had marble everywhere and all steps and railings were made from it.  I must say, it was pretty spectacular.  My friend Michelle said "It was stupid beautiful".  :)

We had some pretty fancy stuff all prepared and served by the mayor's chefs and servers.  The smoked salmon was said to "melt in your mouth" and could be cut by gravity both said and demonstrated by Miss Madeleine.

So we didn't stick around much in Glasgow because we are competing tomorrow in the Worlds.  We got home and spent about 2 hours practising as a band and then I cleaned up the entire flat.  I needed a break from practising for a bit.  Then I spent another hour or two with Shahna, Michelle and Tim.

I pretty much have it all now, I am having issues with about 3 parts and am hoping a good night sleep will help sink it all in.  More practise tomorrow then we get to the guillotine.  The plan tomorrow is wake up at 5:30AM, be ready by 6:30AM, get to Glasgow by about 7:30AM and practise until about 10AM when we compete.  Afterwards we deflate and get packed away in a box until next year.  (OK that made no sense, but I'm leaving it in because it makes for a nice visual).

I don't think our band will be televised because we aren't a grade 1 or 2 band, but if you get a chance to see the event on TV it will be pretty amazing.  I saw some of it last year and it was really cool to see all the best bands in the world competing for top prize.

Anyway, it is now 11:30PM here and I need to get to bed so I will be fresh in the morning.  I haven't had much in the way of nervousness or butterflies, but I just need to say this.  I have never competed in my life and my first competition will be at the biggest event known to the pipe band world.   Go big or go back to Germany I guess eh?  HA.

I will let you know how everything goes tomorrow night.

Have a good day tomorrow, let me know if you catch any of the bands playing.

Be blessed my friends.