Study visits

Life has been very hectic lately. Last week I had a week of travelling into the city every day by

train. Blah! I had to visit 7 different libraries, with other people all doing my course. Enjoyed the days in the city, our city is really so beautiful. If it wasnt for the travelling I would love to work in there. Maybe one day I will! Not sure which was my favourite library to visit, probably the NSW State Archives, it reaffirmed for me my interest in history. I really want to be a local history librarian when I am qualified. 7 subjects to go!

On Saturday I caught the 6am flight out of Sydney to Adelaide to play pipes at a gig in the Barossa, that really is a beautiful city too, so many old buildings. On the Sunday I had a tour around a few wineries, yum yum, and then flew home Monday. Back at band practice by 5.30pm and back to work the next day. Good job I enjoy being busy.

Enjoyed an RDO off today, wrote an article for a Australian based Scottish paper, then went over and spent a couple of hours with an old friend, Alex. He is a old piper, just turned 80 and very unwell..... It was sad to see him so unhappy. He cheered up with a bit of company, but still so lonely. He is selling his pipes, which I know is a difficult decision for him but he knows he wont play them again and would rather see them being used. I wish I could afford them. Going to practice mine soon, as we have a mini band contest on tomorrow. Loz is running the BBQ at the contest so I have to run round in the morning picking up snags, steak, black pudding, bread, rolls, drinks etc. and then get home, get changed and present myself ready to compete efore lunchtime. After the contest we are having a ceiledh so dont know what time we,ll be home, but it will be a great night. 
Here is a lovely photo of old Alec....... get well mate!  b

Had a great time today at the Epping Model Railway Exhibition. My favourite was a display set in America, which showed a boat ramp and marina. There was heaps of detail in it. It won the award for the best new display. After that Loz and I went to the Macquarie Centre for lunch and did a spot of shopping, always fun. Got home at about 4pm, then got the pipes out. I have a contest next Saturday at Windsor. I am having a bit of trouble with 1 bar in one of the tunes, so I worked on that a bit, then rewarded myself by playing my Piobaireach. I hope to go to Adelaide next year to compete with that tune so have to practice it regularly. Band practice tomorrow!! :)