Hi Everyone,

I have just returned home from my European Championship Tour that took me to Scotland/ Ireland for the past 5 weeks. Early this year I decided to return to the competition arena having not been able to complete my goals last year due to my injury, on making that decision I thought it was best rather than to relax here in Australia, that I would take myself to the heart of championships in Scotland and compete in the first ever European Championships being held in Belfast.

I arrived in Scotland on March 15 to be greeted at Edinburgh airport by Delma Wilson who I would be staying with while in Scotland. It was so good to see her again and catch up on what had been a very difficult 3 months for me. After catching up with Bruce, David, Jeanette and of course the most important being in the house, Delma's Westie Scotia, it wasn't long before we were in the studio.

The first Championship was the SDTA in Kelvin Hall, Glasgow. I was particularly excited to be dancing here, as when I was on the World Tour last year, this championship was cancelled due to snow. The event was everything I anticipated it to be. Before anything else was the all too important catching up with all my dancing friends. I love the atmosphere in Scotland, it is always welcoming and with so many great people in my group it always a good laugh. The day was a great start to the championship season. I was particularly nervous in dancing as it really was make or break for me. I have never had such a serious injury before, and returning to the competition stage is probably the most nerve racking experience of my life, however my return was a successful one placing 4th in the Adult group with 3rd in the Fling, 3rd in the Swords, 4th in the ST and 6th in the Reel. It was also a priviledge to see my "brother" David win his very first adult championship. In addition to this I was awarded the Highest Placed Member Trophy, a very nice honour for an Aussie.

Onwards and upwards from the SDTA, we put in a great deal of work. Delma, David and I put in place a weeks program which included gym training, 4 practises and swimming for relief. It was a very productive week and enabled us to better the performance at the UKA Championships in Edinburgh. Again this event attracted hundreds of dancers and the UKA put on an event that can only be compared to that of Champion of Champions. On this day I placed 6th in the Adult group and walked away very pleased with my performance. In hindsight one more 6th placing from a judge would have seen me 4th in the Championship, so a very close result.

Week 3 saw training slowed down a wee bit as I begun to struggle with achilles tendonitis on my right side. We had to limit the training to ensure the foot would pull up for the BATD Championships being held in Paisley. As the week progressed and with hours of icing the tendonitis improved and I was able to dance better again than that of the week before. I placed 4th in the Fling and 6th in the Reel, placing 7th overall by just 1 point. Again I was unlucky with the result as one more judges 5th placing would have had me 5th in the Championship. Just 7 points points seperated 5th, 6th and 7th. However at this stage I was particularly thrilled that on the back of last years injury and with a new one kicking in I was able to produce 3 consistent performances each time improving from the time before.

Week 4 gave us a little break and we headed into Glasgow for the World Irish Dancing Championships. WHAT AN EYE OPENER! We saw the boys 16 - 17 years class which only had 50 competitors! I say only because their female counterpart section had 143, all of whom had pre-qualified to get there. This event was something else. Sponsored my Mr Irish Dance himself - Michael Flatley - the Royal concert hall was filled with dancers from all over the world. The stage was lit up with banners and backdrops, the trophies were nothing short of amazing. The dancers danced in front of 7 adjudicators and every event was packed with people, some of whom had to stand in order to be part of the audience. It was a thrilling experience, one of which I would be delighted to have again.

Week 5 and now we are at the event I came for. The first ever European Highland Dancing Championships, held at the Ramada Hotel in Belfast. We arrived in Belfast bumping into dancers along the way, the airport, the hotel and later on back at the hotel when we were joined by a large group from Dundee. The atmosphere was already mounting for this prestigious title. Day 2, Championship Day, we entered the Ramada to be greeted by large banners and an electric feeling amongst the crowd. Everyone was well excited. I was a little embarrassed when walking in, being my 25th birthday, Delma insisted I wear a "Birthday Boy" badge, meaning everyone was aware I was yet another year older. The embarrassment was soon forgotten as I entered the ballroom to compete in the Championships. Yet again I provided a personal best performance, with Delma and myself very pleased with my dancing and many people in the room coming up with kind comments on my return to competition. By days end I had been named 5th in the Adult group, a nice end the 5 weeks of hard work, a particularly nice entry back to the competitive stage.

In the evening we attended a Ceilidh, with music provided by Deryck Mitchelson's band Cutting Edge. WHAT A NIGHT! Everyone was on a high and a great time was had by all. Further to my birthday celebrations earlier in the day, Deryck managed to embarass me further by having the entire ceilidh sing me happy birthday! It was lovely of everyone to join in. Just following the Birthday tune Deryck played Waltzing Matilda, it brought a proud homely feeling to what was already a wonderful evening. I must say a huge congratulations to Deryck and his team who put on the European Championships - it truly was an International event and enjoyed by all who attended.

Now I am home again to train for the Worlds in August. I had another fantastic trip to add to my now very large collection of travels and of course this trip would not have been possible without a number of people but I must name some - Delma, Bruce, David and Jeanette who welcomed me into their home, thank you so very much, you know how much you mean to me and I can't wait to see you again in August. All the dancers in my group, who continue to make me feel welcome every time I come over, the organisers of the great events I attended and last but not least the people at home who have supported me and continue to believe in my success, Cheryl - you were instrumental in getting me prepared for my trip and I can't wait to get back training with you, and of course my family. My Mum who has always taught me to such a high standard and continues to bring the best out in me and the rest of the fam whom without I certainly could not have made this trip.

And so very quickly my Europeans Tour is over, and I'm back to reality. I will be kept very busy keeping the new website up to date and bringing all the best products to my customers. I am also well into plans for Down Under the Kilt - Dreamtime Stories along with the International Championships of Australia, which is shaping up to be one of the years hottest contests! So I best get into my work. For everyone reading this you have in some way contributed my career and I hope you enjoyed reading another one of the Travel Diaries of a Highland Dancer.

All the best, sincerely.

Dougie