Summer excursions

It's been almost a year since I last posted. I suppose my busy year did it exactly that... kept me busy!

I've had a whirlwind year full of plenty exciting events and definitely some challenges. Although I've gone through a lot of changes this year, I couldn't be more excited to enter my summer with a new perspective and places to go.

I will once again be headed to Switzerland for the International Basel Tattoo. I have so many things to look forward to for this trip. The second time I stepped off the plane to Switzerland it felt like a second home and my daily routine fell into place seamlessly. I'm thrilled to once again visit my home away from home. This trip brings me a unique opportunity for a leadership role within the band.

I have been fortuitous enough to have been offered the position of Drum Major for the trip. For those who don't know, I'm the person who walks at the very front of the band with a mace and makes the calls for drill and music. I have also been lucky enough to have lessons from one of the best Drum Majors in the CF. It is all very new and very intimidating, but what fun would life be if you didn't take any risks.

As well as my trip to Switzerland the band has been given the exciting and frankly odd opportunity to play in China. I am very looking forward to this new horizon and the chance to continue my travelling plans. A small group of us will be travelling from Zurich to Shanghai.

Our China trip is an invitation to play at a beer festival in Shandong province. It has been nicknamed "Asian Oktoberfest". It hosts over 100 different beers from around the world with their most talked about feature is the beer in a bag. For anybody interested in knowing a bit more about this I've left a link below with some information about the festival.

I'm excited to spend my summer "jet-setting" but I do have one thing I believe will make me terribly home sick. I will have to leave my wolfhound puppy behind for six long weeks. I will make the absolute most of my opportunities but I think I will actually look forward to coming home this time.