Part of the trip, notably the exhorbitant parking fees for the mini-buses (though it has to be said this is true of any European capital city), was funded by collections we made on the streets as we played. However, despite costs, we managed to raise £400 for the RNLI from excess funds.

There were masses of photos and quite a few of them are here for your perusal and enjoyment. Some video is also available. Unfortunately there aren't really any of us actually playing in Madrid, because we were all playing, or collecting! The Spanish took millions, so if there are any "Madrileños" or visitors to Madrid who took a good photo, and are reading this, please go here to post them on to us. Thanks in advance!

I personally, as organiser and "Pipe Major" for the trip, am so very grateful to every one who came on this trip, making it so memorable and enjoyable. There are always things which could be improved, and things which don't go quite according to plan, but every one pulled together and just got on with things. It was nothing less than a privilege to be with such pleasant folk.

We made some new contacts and friends while out there and I've no doubt there will be a chance in the future to go back, and play in some speciality bars that we didn't have time to visit this time around, though asked. Meanwhile, people are keen for the next trip, so plans are afoot for the 2009 extravanganza, possibly to Portugal, France or even the Czech Republic. Watch this website for news!