Striking a chord with the Mayor ...

Here we are at last - the launch of the tour 'proper'!

Two thirds of Team Carillon arrived in Loughborough yesterday in order to dispatch the children to grandparents' and to meet up with Caz, already in Loughborough. It was a rather warm and sedate journey down in our Morris 1000 Traveller, 'Harry Gamlin', avoiding motorways and sticking to a rather fine scenic route through Buxton, Bakewell and Matlock Bath, so we arrived too late for the Saturday Carillon recital in Loughborough but Caroline said that Anthony from St Helens played fantastically. Caroline brought news of more confirmed visits and opportunities to play various Carillons so it looks like we'll be able to get around most of them over the next fortnight (except Ireland and NI which we'll do later in the year). Sadly, we think that London will be 'no go' this time - it appears that the Carillon there isn't played and, possibly, for health and safety reasons isn't available for a visit or for playing - we are trying to get the story on that one so will keep you posted. If anyone knows anything about London's Carillon feel free to let us know by way of comment, thanks.

We now have the following confirmed visits:

Tuesday 29th July - Aberdeen

Tuesday 5th August - St Helens

Friday 8th August - Spalding

Saturday 9th August - Saltley

Saturday 16th August - Bournville

We now just await hearing as to whether we can visit Parkgate. We are also hoping to visit the Bell Foundry in Loughborough during the the second week.

So, what happens today:

The tour launches at this afternoon's recital in Loughborough (Trevor Workman, Bournville). There's a Loughborough Echo photo call at 3:30pm and a visit by the Mayor to mark the end of Loughborough's Carillon Week (photos & video to appear in next blog entry all being well). Then we're off ...

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By the way - we're not doing the tour in 'Harry Gamlin' - we have the loan of a nippy little Fiat Panda complete with 'go faster' stripes and that runs on diesel - thanks Dad!