2nd pipe band away weekend - Bowles outdoor centre

2nd away weekend with the Gatwick Caledonian pipe band ...  back at the Bowles outdoor centre ...  only this time there was no snow, and plenty of sunshine.

Similar theme to last time, gently gather around 9am, and start with separate sessions, before joining together after the beak for a chanter and pads session.

Pipe and drums after lunch.

After we finished we headed for the Crowborough Weatherspoons for dinner and a drink.

Most of them went by car, but I headed out on foot over the fields ...  a footpath that lead to the main road then a break through the bushes along an animal track as the road had been sunken down and this was easier.
The follow the road to the main cross roads.

A repeat even in reverse after we had finished ...  navigating the bushes in the dark was interesting but the est was aided by streetlights or the moonlight in the open fields.

Next day .. more of the same, only this time some drill so we could all experience the mistakes before they happen for real in the arena.
More practice with full band inside and out -repetition, then time to go home.

Mini band competition, St Albans

RSPBA London competition in St Albans ... we entered into the G4 Marches and G4 MSR

we did not do very well ///  blame it on the piping judge not liking our chanter reed sound.

Lindesfarne, Horsham arts centre

As a part of my birthday present Steph had bought me tickets to see Lindesfarne who were on a "pension raising" tour. As with a lot of the "old" bands there was a mix of original/ long term members and "young guns brought in to deliver a good sound. The difference here was that one of the latter was the son-in-law of Alan Hull ...  a great voice and multi instrumentalist with the direct connection. Rod Clements being the only remnant from the glory days.

They played all the old favourites and pleased the audience predominately from grey vote lobby.

Set 1

1. No Time to Lose
2. All Fall Down
3. Song for a Windmill (Alan Hull song)
4. Lady Eleanor
5. United States of Mind (Alan Hull song)
6. Why Can't I Be Satisfied (Jack the Lad cover)
7. Never Miss the Water
8. Road to Kingdom Come
9. Whisky Highway
10. January Song

Set 2

1. Alright on the Night
2. Wake Up Little Sister
3. City Song
4. Don't Ask Me
5. Love Lasts Forever (Alan Hull song)
6. One World
7. Winter Song
8. We Can Swing Together
9. Fog on the Tyne
10. Meet Me on the Corner
11. Run for Home
12. Clear White Light, Part 2