I went to my first practice (and gig!) of the year last night after two months of diligent sober-dom. I was dreading it. Our first parade is on Saturday (23rd Jan) and we all had to get onto the pipes to make sure that we have no nasty surprises when we arrive at the UJ Rag march. Surprisingly, the tone was quite ok. My instrument felt as if I’d played it yesterday.

To top the evening off, we played in the mess for the General commanding the SA Reserve forces,who was visiting the base. Apart from my forgetting how to march, it went down pretty well. Hopefully he will be helping us financially for the Edinburgh Tattoo tour later this year (or rather helping the Transvaal Scottish go to Edinburgh since the Tattoo organisers seem to think, according to their media publications, that they are the ones visiting this year).

All in all a good start to the year… we’ve got yet another new Matt in the band (I’m really thinking of changing my name… Bob sounds good) and another new member, Riaan, … we’re going to have new competition music coming soon (more coding, etc. for me), and we had roughly 22 people at practice. I’m really looking foward to what’s ahead this year. Also…. band party on the 30th Jan!!

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