(Title of this post to be sung to the tune of “Scooby Doo”)
Just wondering how the famous UK trip is going, and who/what you’ve met from the piping world down there in the deep Sowff of England.
Boyd
http://www.strathspeyinmay.com
7th to 9th May
A festival promoting traditional song and music.
Mick O’Brien is the piper this year.
Holy…
Tonight I’m entertaining myself by scrolling back over everything I’ve missed here. Turns out THIS one slipped by me. Sorry, Boyd.
Things in Exeter are just great. As far as piping goes, haven’t found as much around this area as I had hoped. I saw “Last Night’s Fun” here a month or so ago and had a chat with Nick Scott afterwards. He was nice enough to give me his number and offer a jam sometime, but then I left for Spain for a month. So I still haven’t cashed in on that one. Truth be told I feel a little intimidated… AlanB and I were emailing for awhile there, too. He’s a dad now!
The Exeter Pipe Band (highland, of course) marched down High Street the other day, and I met some of the guys at the end. I love seeing the look on the faces when you tell them you play the Uilleann pipes. “REALLY! I HEARD of those but 'never actually SEEN a set!” Every highland piper I’ve talked to so far gets a look like deer in headlights! So I’m gonna hop out to one of their weekly practices and pass the set around.
This Friday I’m heading up to Tiverton for a music/dance night in a barn or something out in the country. I spent last weekend up there at the house of a friend of mine, and it turns out his mom’s a fiddler. So the three of us ushered in the dawn with an all-nighter - Dave doesn’t play an instrument, but had had enough wine at dinner (and afterwards) to give the Irish tenor thing a shot. His mom was so impressed. Literally, I think.
So that’s it. Not much in the world of piping yet. I still haven’t made it out to one of the SouthEast club’s meetings, either, although I think some of the members have kindly offered me riders… I think they usually meet in Taunton.
BTW, Boyd, my date for the West Highland Way is June 10th. I’d imagine making Fort William somewhere around the 20th? Will I be in your vicinity anywhere along the way?
All for now.
-Joey
and boyd, I thanks for writing a song for me. so special.
Sadly i’m working that weekend. Ft William is an hour and a half from here…not too far in Highland terms.
The following weekend I’m providing medical back-up for my mountain rescue team’s sponsored walk:
Just want to say a huge thanks to everyone who’s offered help and contacts for me to get involved with piping here in Southeast. I really appreciate it! The last month of college has been pretty crazy though, CLASS-wise…, so like they say, “You can lead a horse to water, but…”
I’m feeling really good about June, though. This month’s wide open for plenty of piping. Hey, it’s already starting tomorrow up around Tiverton!
A good ol’ late night barnyard jam. Can’t wait!
-Joey
Joey,
My dad spent some time at Exeter Uni when he was a student. He really enjoyed it , although I think the place has probably changed a bit since 1960. Another friend of mine is a distinguished Exeter dropout. Seemed like a nice place, although I haven’t been back there since I was twelve…
Enjoy your time there and go easy on the scrumpy…