LOCAL piper Gerard McClumpha reprts back from his recent trip to Aviles in northern Spain for the 18th Interceltique Folk Festival.

Experience told us it was always going to be a hectic week – long hours and very hot weather – both of which we encountered!

Playing on stage at midnight and 1am, getting back to the accommodation about 2am – or later – and having to be back up for breakfast, a shower and change into uniform for another three or four engagements around the town at lunchtime.

Saturday afternoon was an example – having come off stage on Friday night at 8.30pm and the concert not finishing until after 11pm, we then had to socialise and mingle with the other performers and locals, for another couple of hours, before walking home, then rising for the morning routine.

We had already played in the local shopping mall and were marching and playing to the main square.

At the entrance to the square we decided to play to the front of the Town Hall and purely by coincidence, we arrived at exactly the same time as a Spanish couple were emerging from their marriage ceremony – I don’t know who was the more surprised!

Needless to say 15 minutes later, their picture and ours was already on Facebook.

The temperature in the Main Square was 33C - and no shelter.

The atmosphere around the festival was great and the welcome we received as we walked about the town, especially in uniform was exactly what we expected, warmth and friendliness.

The highlight for myself was the last night (Sunday).

Each of five groups – ourselves and an Irish folk group made up of teenagers, a French Harpist and two local Spanish bands, paraded from the main square in turn.

After the last band arrived, each had to play their national anthem, before each performer playing their spot on the main stage.

That evening, we played with four pipers on the stage, the other two were teaching the locals how to dance the Gay Gordons!

After each group had played their sets, we had to interchange and we then had to play for the Irish dancers and both of us were joined by the drum corps of the local Spanish band, and so it went on.

And of course afterwards when the ‘formal’ part was finished, the ‘informal’ started – again.

Fortunately for us, Monday was a day off and we spent our day visiting the capital of Austurias, Oviedo, before returning home – for a well earned rest.