Monday. Lanester.

In the wee hours of Monday, when I took off my brogues, I had a very swollen ankle. I've got some good photos, but I'm generally posting things when I have some sense of perspective, and it's still sore, so the photo can go up when it's all better. That's when my beer tickets started piling up, because I wanted to keep off it after the performances. So much standing and waiting without stretching is no good.

Travel Tip #3: Stretch, and keep moving. Repeat.

Monday morning I managed to get up for breakfast before it finished at 1000. Then it was washing, which we managed to have enough of us to do a load of whites! Jodie would be proud! On reflection, it was quite a domestic day, ironing etc, and some of the afternoon with my feet up. I did manage to get to a chemist, where I got some anti-inflammatory gel. I really should have learnt enough French so that the first thing I say isn't parle vous engle? Communication was pretty simple, 'cause I just needed to point to my ankle, and she got the picture.

At 1745, we were dressed and ready for the bus, which took us to Lanester, which is just over the bridge from Lorient. We were due to perform a street march at about 1900, but that was cancelled due to rain - yes, it was raining again! We then had to wait until 2300 to perform in the concert hall. We got to see some of Claymore's performance, which was very entertaining. It amazes me that I go overseas, and then get to watch Australian performers! At the Edinburgh Festival in 2001, I saw Adam Hills. Adam had a bit about how many Aussies the audience had - travelled across the globe to see an Aussie comedian. I managed to a laugh by baaaaaaing with impecible comedic timing when he asked if there were any kiwis in the audience...

We got packed dinner, and some bottles of wine to take with us, so that filled in some of the time while we waited to perform, and watched some of the other acts. Can you believe that we got Ham, Tuna, lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise rolls?

When we went to tune up in for the Lanester gig, we walked into a gym with no lights. After a quick run around, the organisers managed to russle up a torch, and turn on some lights in an adjacent room. The crowd was very appreciative of our performance, as they are of all music. The reaction is completely different from Australia, where pipe bands are somewhat in decline. Every major town here has at least one bagad band. Family and friends go along to practise with the band, and it's a musical event.

We were back on the bus at 2340, but had to pick up Claymore, who had gone to play their third gig for the day. By the time we made it back to the university, it was after 0200. I went straight to bed again, since my ankle hadn't improved much.

The photo is of some bombard players in a bagad band for a closer look at the instruments.