Another successful tour to Galicia Spain. The band had a busy time including a live TV performance on Galicia TV.

The band flew out early Thursday morning and eventually arrived in Ortigueira by coach (shared with the lovely Dominic Graham School of Dancing - from Ireland. Lovely but ooooh they can talk and talk and talk). A quick change in the Hotel Porno and it was back to Ortigueira for an entertaining evening.

The views from the hotel were stunning (albeit a bit chilly on the first 2 days).

Everybody was enjoying the first night so much that the PM cancelled the bus home. Luckily for us, Biff's top tip was spot on as he had handed everybody a hotel card whilst we were enjoying a beer earlier on. Biff's top tip web page will be appearing soon. It will be an invaluable tool for all pipe banders on tour.

Day 2 - an evening play in the square and after that a 2.5 hour trip to Santiago to play live on Galicia TV after which there was a 2.5 hour return journey back to the hostel. Lucky for us it we had to share the bus with the DGSID Irish dancers. Such quiet girls.

Day 3 - no scheduled play but nevertheless this did not stop the band dressing up and doing a play outside the Caracacas Bar.

Most of the band went home to return later on, but 6 hardy lads stayed out for the afternoon - SR, Stuart Gray, Alan McGill, Dale Miles, Richard Fairnie and Biff. Only 4 of these fine chaps would make it to become founding members of the OLA Club for Knowledgeable Gentlemen. Evening dinner was Pulpo (octopus). The magic beer incident and the "I say, are you staying out late tonight ?" and the general informed debate about current scientific topics (apart from Mr Stuart Fissix Gray) added to the frivolity of the afternoon.

The evening concert was tremendous. Bagad Kempar were brilliant and we were well chuffed when several of them wanted to exchange their ties for SPB ties. Bless them. Yer no gettin them back.

Lots of Kalimocho was flung about.

Martin and Mr Fissix Gray had an argument in the taxi on the way home. Martin apologised in the morning. Unfortunately, due to a lack of keys, Donna had to share a room with the boys for a while. Dont worry though, the boys were OK.

Day 4 - the day that sorted out the men from the boys, the wheat from the chaff, the wood from the trees, the birds from the bush. After a gruelling play around Ortigueira only four were left standing to stay out for the afternoon. The OLA Club for Knowledgeable Gentlemen was thereby formed by Messrs McGill, Gray, Laidlaw and Robinson and what a fine afternoon they had.

By evening the numbers swelled to 7 as Richard, Dale and superstud joined the ranks. We met the cleaning lady from the hostel who was not happy about the smell from room 301.

Well that was that and it was time to go back to the hostel for some well deserved Kip-Eye.