Spring Break

 A couple of days in London, catching up with AR. Plan to visit Kew aborted by Tube strike, but Plan B even better... Chelsea Physic Garden.

AR lives in Paddington Bear street. Very nice.

Met Alan Bennet.

The Lunchers

Celebrating Bill Wait's birthday, although he was in Thailand.

Resistance is Futile

Smart meters installed today, using 4G antenna to allow transmission from the cellar. Now watching the monitor avidly. Presumably the novelty wears off.

Losers

 Wild Song competition at Leith Depot tonight . 12 acts in a battle of the bands. which we didn't win alas! with our  song Fin de Rêve. Some nice comments though, the panel very split apparently. C'est la Guerre . 

Fire Service

Didn't want to start the new year off with a bang so got my fires serviced. About time too said the man.

Gig 61 - Christmas at Leith Depot

 Leith Depot Thursday 18th December 2025

Super gig , band on good form to a man, we were having fun and it showed. Ian excellent as quizmaster..."The Twelve Days of Christmas" as the theme. Won by IC, give the boy a Terry's Chocolate Orange.

Set list : I Need to Clean The Floor, Polish Seamstress, Take The Picture, Valentine, Sixteen Steptoe,  Ink Arrears, Freiburg CH '89, Red Star, Christmouse inc. Jingle Bells, It's Abnormal.

Valentine, Christmouse and debut of Ink Arrears went down particularly well. Responsive, amused audience.

Support: Adam Stafford on pedal-loop guitar warmly applauded.

Sound: Corey, really pretty good.

Left us wanting to do more in 2026

Lakes 2025

In Bowness - on - Windermere 21st to 28th November. A bit more rain than usual but a sunny Tuesday trip to Sizergh Barn and Beetham. 

Saw "The Choral" at Fellinis, very enjoyable. One cliché after another but none the worse for that.