Glasgow - Monday - Day Off

It's an official "Day Off" for the band so everyone is headed in different directions... some are headed to see relatives, others off to visit significant historical sites in the area.

Kelly made coffee for me as we planned our day... shoe repair and check out the goings on in the city. Lots of piping & drumming events as the whole week become a non stop music festival. Not sure were we will end up but away we go.....

Outside the dorms numerous bands from around the world were practicing in the parking lots and grass areas. We stopped and listened for a while.... good sound!

This is the Hawthorn Band from New Zealand. 

First agenda item was Kelly’s shoes as they needed some repairs and cleaning so off to the local cobbler. Kris brought his and Anna brought a couple pair as well. We quickly found the place and the fellow said back in thirty minutes! Excellent!

We wandered over for lunch at the Iron Horse and (mince & tattles) and then it was a bit of a walk about back to the shoe place.

The fellow at Timpson Ltd on Sauchiehall Street had the shoes repaired and polished... they looked like new! I suspect once the band mates see these he may have additional business! 

Kris & Anna headed back to the dorms with all the shoes while Kelly and I headed over to the National Piping Center. There is lots of musical activity around the city and this is just one of many venues that you can go to. Some are free to listen and others are offered with an entry fee. (Most are very reasonable)

The entire event program for the week can be downloaded on the right side of this page here 

Today was for the Big Rab Show featuring G1 chanter reeds. These are the guys responsible for the many podcasts and live streams from piping/drumming events around the world. Both Kelly and I have spent many hours watching from the comfort of our living room. 

We sat right beside Deej (one of the Rab Guys) who broadcast the live stream... and got a great picture of them.

A big selfie!

We enjoyed a pint and watched the show. It was a very inspirational as one former Shots Piper Andrew Shilliday performed. He had caught a virus resulting in the amputation of his left leg and most of his fingers and later, through the assistance of John Elliot, was given a custom designed chanter that allowed him to play again! He did a great job and the crowd was moved beyond words. You can read about it here
 

Next up was the Solo Under 21 Pipe Idol competition. This pits four players per day against each other with the winner (chosen by three secret judges in the crowd) to go to the finals on Thursday. It was great entertainment and these guys could play! 

Following that we made a quick stop at home and then headed off to the Chippy Doon The Road for fish & chips.  It was very good. 

Yes that is blue sky!!!

A stop for some groceries as we headed back to the dorm.  A short social took place in our kitchen as everyone got caught up on travels the events experienced today. Turns out Sarah and Scott got engaged on the Stirling Bridge... her favorite landmark in Scotland. 

Everyone was also clearly tired and we all hit the rack early.