Further to the last story

One of my great joys is chatting to my family on FaceTime, mostly a weekend thing. Sometimes we have quick chats, others lovely long sit and have a coffee together chats. Like this morning with my NZ crew. Such a gift. Noah was lovely and chatty, and I caught up on his news. I can't wait to see him and his mum and dad in February, and maybe humiliate myself with a round of golf with the young master! I was surprised when Noah knew who Rowan Atkinson was and details about his amazing car collection. I may need to google that myself! 

Talking about bagpipes, I remembered one of the reasons they so resonate with me. When I was about 7 or 8 years old my dad was fishing for whitebait in our local river. A fierce river with strong flow and currents. He over reached to pull in his full net and fell in. I was on the river bank playing and watched him disappear under the water. It was terrifying and I still remember those feelings whenever I stand too close to fast water rivers. 

Next moment a man nearby jumped into action to rescue him. Dad was in full fishers gear including thigh waders and Lucas shed his waders as he reached out and grabbed dad as he went by. I remember quite a battle getting dad out, heavy with the water in his boots and panic, and others helping. Thankfully my Dad lived to fish another day and I had a new hero, Lucas. 

Lucas lived just down the road from us in our very small New Zealand town, and he was Scottish. Best of all my hero played the bagpipes. I used to lie awake in bed and listen to him practice on warm summer evenings when kids were supposed to be asleep, my windows open to get the best sound. I wonder where he is now, my hero. 

Here's a clip of Highland Cathedral showcasing the beauty of Scotland.

Hello, I'm Rowan

Well of course you are, quite a famous Rowan I've always loved! I have the most surreal experiences when I'm out and about with Jules, this time at the Guards Chapel last evening for an amazing concert. The event was organised by one of Jules' long time friends and we were invited guests. Along with Rowan Atkinson aka Blackadder and Mr Bean! We didn't get to interact much as he was in high demand. It was enough for me to say hello, to sit in the same row, to be in his orbit for a short time, and enjoy his speech from the pulpit right in front of me. Moments to bottle for this kiwi lass from the country. 

The chapel is amazing. I've stood outside before watching some dignitaries after an event, including one wearing a korowai. A korowai is a cloak New Zealand Maori wear as a symbol of prestige, and the one I saw was beautiful. Made with feathers and worn with pride. The apse inside the chapel is old but the main body is more modern because it suffered damage when it was bombed in WWII with the loss of everyone present. This tragedy is one of many in London, it's easy to forget the impact of the WWII bombing on this beautiful, vibrant city. 

An elderly lady next to us told us the story, some of her family were killed in the blast and memorialised in the dedication at the front of the chapel. This from the website:

The roof was badly burnt by incendiary bombs in 1940 and other damage was sustained during enemy raids from time to time, but it was Sunday 18th June 1944 when disaster struck. At 11.10 am during morning service, the chapel was hit by a flying bomb which entered at the western end and exploded, killing 121 soldiers and civilians, including the Director of Music and five musicians from the Band of the Coldstream Guards. The chapel was completely destroyed with the exception of the apse, but the six silver candlesticks were unmoved by the explosion and the candles remained burning.

It was hard not to look around and see the changes forced by the bombing. The apse is quite beautiful, the modern part hard concrete and wood with colours (old flags used in battle) hanging out from the walls. The picture below shows these. 

But we were there for a celebration, the 25 Anniversary Concert of The Royal Tournament. The concert highlighted some of the special music from the Royal Tournament with the Band of the Royal Yeomanry playing for the guests. The Royal Tournament was first held in 1880 with the final one in 1999, hence the 25th anniversary concert serving to keep the traditions of the Tournament alive. The Tournament began as a series of skill at arms competitions and quickly evolved to include military bands and a variety of acts and displays. Kind of like the Edenborough Tattoo. There are some clips of the action on the website here. 

The band set up two rows in front of us and it was amazing to be immersed in the music, and my favourite thing, watching and listening how the music is put together. The interactions between the instruments making beautiful music guided by the band master. I knew many of the pieces, like the 1812 Overture, I vow to thee my country, and the theme from the Thunderbirds. Best of all for me was when the piper arrived in full regalia, piping up the aisle to stand before us and play Highland Cathedral. Being of Scottish heritage (way back) and having family who play the pipes, it was a moving and profound moment for me. I've been to where my McKenzie family lived and will go back there again soon. 

It was raining when said our goodbyes and left the chapel, a wet wander through the quieter evening streets. Past Big Ben and onto the Bakerloo line back to Baker Street for a quiet Wetherspoons stop on the way home. What a wonderful night out, one of many lately. Going to town never gets old for me, even the hustle and bustle of negotiating the evening tube and stations and getting across the rush hour roads. 

The colours

Band prep

A wet wander back