The Tour - Saturday 26th May

In the Netherlands, the majority of the Band slept on, blissfully aware that their peace was about to be shattered. Why, because.....

........ in England, Kathy, Erin, John, Julia, and Alison were about to fly out and join up with the Band. Flying from Robin Hood Airport were, Kathy, Erin, and Alison.

Note the different approaches to breakfast, the healthy wholesome breakfast, and a yoghurt. For the record these photographs were taken at 0531am.

And even at that time of the morning, there is always time for a little shopping.

And now time for an archery joke, Get your coat you've pulled!

And off we go.

For those of you that can remember, Piff, Paff, Po, it's the High Life.

And as if by magic, waiting at Amsterdam having flown in from Humberside Airport, were John and Julia.

Time for the Wacky Races to begin.

As the car began to wind its way up to Groningen - yes, that's correct, John drove to the Mercure Hotel at Groningen, unfortunately for him the rest of the Band were at the Mercure Hotel in Haren! - the rest of the Band began to surface.

And first the activity of the day (after breakfast - which ran until noon, and Mark still missed it) was the continuation of the cricket.

Looks like the end of an over, the way everyone is aimlessly wandering about.

Andy bowls, Vicki fetches the ball back.

It may look like Shaun is about to miss, but in fact he'd just hit this one and the ball is racing away off the bat.

Vicki got fed up of chasing after Andy's bad bowling, so hired one of the hotel's stylish pink bicycles.

Thomas tries manfully to cycle away, but there is no getting away from Joshua's steely grip.

Some of the less sporty people took the opportunity to visit the market held in Groningen - here Alice peruses the local plaice place.

Although it would have been easy to continue with the leisure activities, we did have the first concert of the tour to perform, and in the late afternoon we set off for Surhuisterveen, to take part in a joint concert with Brass Band de Wāldsang, with their conductor Rieks van der Velde.

Loading the coach - I'm sure that Paul could have managed more than one stand!

Inside De Lantearne te Surhuisterveen, or in a rough translation inside the Church in the village of Surhuisterveen.

Setting up ready for rehearsal.

Fanfare and Flourishes.

Is Alison asleep or praying?

The Church served as a real community centre point, and after setting up, and having a short rehearsal, the De Wāldsand Band had organised a buffet meal for both bands to enjoy.

The Band politely, and patiently, waiting for the moment to 'attack' the buffet.

Jim smiling away, unfortunately at the wrong photographer.

Thomas looks a little worried, wondering how one plate will be sufficient to feed this lot.

At last, time for both bands to tuck in.

The two young apprentice Bass players manage a much better elephant noise than their Dad does ............. intentionally!

Day One of her tour, and Alison is flagging already.

Alison at least woke up to do the concert, not a chance here.

Following the concert, both bands indulged in a relaxation session. Again a rough translation would be a couple of beers and a bit of a chat!

One disadvantage of drinking in the Netherlands is that they don't do pints, as demonstrated by two of the older members of the Band and Mark. What the camera doesn't show is the other half waiting on the table.

It's not unusual to see Mel surrounded by people drinking beer, it is however, unusual for these people to include Kirsty, Julia, Dave and John. A rare shot indeed.

Jim, Pete, and Paul the driver.

He wasn't smiling on the way to the bar.

This Kennedy didn't have quite such a good grip on her glass.

Not sure who is wobbly here, the photographer probably - it was Alison!

The shadow on the ceiling from Gareth's hair is quite impressive.

After a few beers, it's time for a few stories.

Is this what they mean by 'Band Tart'? Neil needs to learn that you choose your handbag to match your choice of clothes, not the brown wallpaper!

A tray!! What do I want a tray for, don't you think I've enough to carry!

No Kathy! Hold them up, not pour them in.

Shortly after midnight we re-boarded our coach for the journey back to our hotel at Haren. Given that one or two sherbets had been drunk, it wasn't long before the singing started. First up was Andy Kennedy, reprising his trip up Sunshine Mountain.

And the gentle breezes blew....

No it isn't a Tommy Cooper impression, he's still climbing up the mountain.

And one by one, the Band joined him on his trek.

Looks like Steve Rudhall is next to don his climbing boots.

Even Mark got up, obviously much to Steve's delight.

Look at that for an angelic singing pose.

Careful Mark, you're almost smiling!

And so the trek up Sunshine Mountain continued, with even the Chairman getting out his climbing voice.

Paul, even at this late hour manages to look smart, tie fastened, jacket on, and not a hair out of place.

And some people managed to sleep on. We must have sung very quietly.

Obviously the calm before a new verse started.

And once the silly songs had finished, the Grand Leprechaun of Band Singing appeared!

Shaun the Shed doesn't look entirely convinced by this song.

It looked like disaster had struck when we arrived back at the hotel and our favourite barman had failed in his mission to keep the bar open - all that singing gives you a thirst.........

........... and the nice night porter turned his pristine reception area into an impromptu bar.

Who is this young looking chap?

Somehow Alison went into double speed, whilst the rest of the Band were content to relax against the bar.

Gareth makes a better door than a window.

The barman thought he'd serve one or two beers and that would be it. Several hours later.......

..... and it looks like we're settled in for the night.

Unfortunately a few peanuts were spilt, but our coach driver proved to be an expert with the vacuum cleaner. If you think this is a posed picture, turn the volume on, click on the picture, watch and listen to Paul go.

Of course there was the opportunity to model new ways of wearing your tie, fortunately none of them caught on.

But the tie fashion, wasn't quite as frightening as Gareth!

Alison settles down for the start of the wheel chair grand prix, with Vicki providing the turbo thrust.

Storming into an early lead Alison Schumacher, manages to look quite relaxed.

Building up an unassailable lead, Geoff has to settle up for 2nd place.

The experienced crowd try not to get too carried away.

Tim and Dave look on bemused as Jez demonstrates the Isle of Man Haka.

Don't try this at home, it makes a mess of your shirt unless you wear the protective gear as demonstrated below.

Obviously a few drops missed the mouth.

Kathy looks remarkably well, considering the fact that she is being held up by half of the bass section.

Nice to see that some members of the Band are able to remain fully dressed.

Neil demonstrates what a well balanced fellow he is, or he is until you take one of the glasses off him.....................then he falls over!

I'd never noticed before, that Aunt and Nephew go to the same hairdresser.

Eventually, the pace starts to catch up.

Andy, starts to recover though, whilst Gareth makes full use of a comfy chair.

Look at the glass on Gareth's lap start to tip, what happens next?

Despite keeping the camera at the ready, he didn't spill a drop, even when we woke him up!

After doing several laps of honour, Alison reluctantly gets out of her chair. Though judging by her eyes, another few hours rest would do her some good.

No champagne for the winner, but Andy will help Alison drink the beer, and from the look of this shot, eat the flowers too.

And so to bed.

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