David Quinlan

Software Engineer, Geek, Trumpet, Interested in Cooking, Photography, Running, Yoga, various other things, Cancer Survivor.

Solutions Architect @ Mercedes-Benz UK

Soprano Cornet @ Hitchin Band

Eb Trumpet @ The Brass Foundry

Barnard Castle

Finally, Performances in Public!

20th June was the day, with Potters Bar band in Hatfield House .. 463 days from last live gig.. or.. 1 Year, 3 months and 6 days.. or.. 15 Months and 6 days.. Yes, we opened up with Barnard Castle March. Few future gigs in the calender now too as things open up for outdoor, and some indoor socially distant concerts. 11th July – Hitchin Band – Borehamwood Bandstand From 3pm – Meadow Park, Borehamwood 18th July – Hitchin Band…

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David Quinlan - Trumpet

Dates in the diary..

Have we just had our last free Thursday night (all brass bands I’ve ever played with, rehearsed on Thursday night..)? Well, until yesterday’s press conference by you know who, I was more positive, let’s see, its go go go for now. At Hitchin Band we will be back to Thursday night, socially distant rehearsals from May 20th. There have been a few small group out doors gatherings but they are not for me really. We did do (potentially) our final…

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Year in Wine

A year in wine…

For whatever reason, our council doesn’t collect glass for recycling so we must store it and bring it to the local recycling centre ourselves periodically. Some people moan about such inconveniences but it doesn’t really bother us, as we often have garden waste (big garden!) and other bits and bobs to bring at the same time, so no worries. Usually, we’d do a monthly trip, probably on the way to purchase food for the chooks as the centre is on…

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50 in February - Half way

50 in February for Blood Cancer UK – Half Way Report

Happy New Fundraising Year! With this years (as far as I am aware) Ride London not happening, I’ve decided to join Blood Cancer UK on their 50 in February event to open my 2021 fundraising account! The 50 in February event is to run 50 KM or Miles in February, raising funds for the charity, publishing progress on social media channels, etc to get the funds in! According to the Facebook group, there are over 1400 runners from all parts…

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No Gigs

No gigs to announce..

Here we go, it’s 2021 and I have no gigs to announce. I say that, as January is usually when I post information here on the first few of the year, The City of London Symphonic Winds, followed by The North London Symphony Orchestra… with a usual post related to Brass Band Area Contests (I’m not missing having to attend eleventy-billion band rehearsals to be fair). I have so much sympathy, if that doesn’t sound too patronising for those who…

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1000 Miles for Blood Cancer UK Done

After 32 days, 31 rides, mainly on Zwift, I’ve completed my challenge! 31 Rides 1005.74 miles covered! 57:35:09 Total Ride Time 36,882 Calories burned! 66,733 Feet of Climbing The final day was the PRL ride on Zwift. 11 laps of the London Loop. Above shows the stats recorded by Zwift App. I can’t quite believe I completed the 100 miles in under 5 hrs which is cool. Yes, I did enjoy a beer or two after the ride, needed to…

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1000 Miles for Blood Cancer UK

One Thousand Miles for Blood Cancer UK – End of Week 3

End of Week 3, the stats!! 24 Rides (21 on Zwift, 3 IRL) 701.11 Miles in total (Lands end to Pitlochry – or near enough!) – er.. 70% distance 41:33:09 Total riding time. 25,301 Calories burned 47,591 Feet of climbing (90.65% of the total I could find for one of the popular routes) 49 miles behind ideal schedule (see burn down!) The red line is tracking my cumulative daily progress towards zero miles remaining (burndown). I’m behind schedule, as indicated…

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1000 miles for Blood Cancer UK

One Thousand Miles for Blood Cancer – End of Week 2

2 weeks done, the stats.. 14 Rides (13 on Zwift, 1 IRL) 360.96 Miles in total (Lands end to Stoke-on-Trent – or near enough!) – er.. 36% distance 21:51:33 Total riding time. 12,821 Calories burned 26,521 Feet of climbing (50.52% of the total I could find for one of the popular routes) 108 miles behind ideal schedule (see burn down!) The red line is tracking my cumulative daily progress towards zero miles remaining (burndown). I’m behind schedule, as indicated by…

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One thousand miles for BloodCancer UK

Having signed up for the Prudential Ride London again this year for BloodCancer UK (formerly, Bloodwise), I had started the year with a training program in mind, penciled in a few sportive events (in fact, did the first of the year with UK Cycling Events). Then, Covid… To cut a long story short, the event has been cancelled. This is disappointing for lots of us cyclists, but really devastating for all of those charities that rely on such events (and…

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Music in Lockdown

Music during Lockdown

The last rehearsal I attended this year with Hitchin Band was (I think!) on 12th March. The planned rehearsals for the run up to the Area contest in Stevenage were cancelled due to the postponement of the Area contest. My last concert was on March 14th with Bloomsbury Chamber Orchestra. What, no concerts? By now, I would have performed in many concerts, with Hitchin Band and a few other groups that I play regularly with. I read today that my…

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