Up early to work on my flying schedule for next month. I get to bid every month on the flying that is available and pick my days I would like off. After checking with Kelly about camping & RC contests, I managed to get it all done via cyber space.
At 8:30 sharp the drum section met up in the Mackay penthouse for their early session and the pipers went over their stuff in Warren's room.
Chelsea Patrick arrived this morning from Victoria and quickly got her pipes ready for the morning session. Although tired she joined right in.
At 09:30 the band assemble in the usual patio area for the run through of the MSR. We also have numerous pipers that are not playing the MSR warm up and go through various other band tunes.
Once everyone was tuned up they went through some band tunes and moved off to the parking lot next door for additional play.
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| Drummers warming up. |
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| Another drummer pic during practice this morning . |
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| MSR |
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| The parade group also get in a good practice before joining for the "full band" session. |
The band members broke off after Colin gave us the Friday bus details and the parade route. The band will eventually end up at George Square to play a few tunes. Weather reports indicate that rain capes should get a thorough washing! Yikes!
Brunch was consumed then it was off to the subway to attend the afternoon practice of Field Marshall Montgomery (FMM) at Kelvin Grove. The subway is actually two trains going in opposite directions that do a loop around the city. Pick your return point and away you go. It was straight forward and in short order we headed to the park from the Kelvin station. A beautiful park hosted several bands but we watched FMM for the duration.
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| Beautiful park!! |
The drum section got going as the pipers were tuned up in small groups. Interesting tuning protocol as the Pipe Major and Pipe Sargent kept checking chanters and the other smaller groups also tuned and check chanters. Warm up consisted of each individual piper playing whatever he wanted then, at the hand command of PM Parkes, they would stop and start playing a tune in unison.... and when I say unison it sounded like one loud chanter. The drums came in and a couple runs through several sets of music. All very entertaining and we could get right up close to see and hear the band.
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| Field Marshall Montgomery |
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| FMM Practice... very nice music |
As the wind was cooling we followed Dave Hennigan, J.W. Troy and Peter Aumonier to the
Park Bar close to the park. The place was deserted and we quickly obtains the requisite fluid replacement location (bar).
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| More road candy! |
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| Thirst quencher at the Park Bar! |
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| We were not the first Canadians in here! |
While enjoying our well earned drink, in walks the FMM band, obviously following us! The bar was quickly packed and the bartenders swamped.
Kris mentioned that it would be great to talk with one of the FMM guys about their drum set ups, in particular the heads that they used etc. Seizing the opportunity, he spoke with their drum Sergeant Kieth Orr for about ten minutes. Keith was very cordial and answered Kris's questions about... you know... drumming stuff. Very nice of him to take the time to chat!
We grabbed a cab back to the dorm and had a quick pint at the local Todd's Bar then it was off to the chipper for a fish supper. The place was really small but the food came fast & hot so we went back to our dorm and ate there. The drummers left for an impromptu practice and we went up to Doug & Shelley's for a small social. Sensing a party, the drummers quickly joined us :-)
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| He is so happy! |
Paul was presented with a lovely parting gift of a WestJet 737...which I suspect will be used for "flight testing" from the sixth floor :-)
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| Chelsea plays the chanter. |
Chelsea eagerly demonstrated her chanter skills.... very good.
Home to bed early at ten p.m. as the band has a parade and then a performance at George Square tomorrow. Drummers practice at 08:30.
