Unexpected Turns

Aahhh. Summer in Dublin. The fresh warmth of the gentle breeze in our faces as pedestrians fly past. We arrived to find that Halley had arrived from Dublin a day or so before us and so we had a friend to session with. We've been staying a ways out of town at Cabinteely Cross and checking out local sessions rather than heading into the great Dublin city centre - except for Saturday, when we went along to a health and healing day at Cultivate, a very cruisy alternative lifestyle centre in town. I made it along to a terrific mindfulness meditation session, the day's organisation fell in a heap and the next day my cough had exploded into a bit of a painful throat and chest. Lots of lying about in bed ensued. While this wasn't quite the social exravaganza we had planned, it was what needed to happen. A bit more music last night, but my voice was all but gone. Bummer, but we had a lovely play with some new friends. The session was at a pub called the Blue Light, about half an hour up into the hills. We were there on Wednesday as well and met some locals, who put on an extra session. A half-dozen youngish players and some lovely music.

Staying with Patrick and Eveanne has been tremendous. A totally creative time, with art and music abounding.

Tonight we fly late into Liverpool- John Lennon Airport- very cool, and then it's across the Pennines to Jacey's and a few days off, before gigs, down to Devon and beyond.

Wheeeeeeeee

john

Off to Soggy Dublin

A day at Jacey's before we hop on another plane tomorrow. Catching up on emails, bookwork and sleep.

The second day at Bradford was great fun again. The Mela is a huge event, celebrating multicultural Bradford. We had a little bit of time to wander around in between and after our performances.

And yesterday we were off again, across the Pennines to Liverpool, where we were dazzled and amazed by the wonderful Klimt exhibition at the Tate.

And then...

Dublin. We arrived yesterday afternoon after an incredibly short flight. 5 seats - 3 for us and 2 for the instruments, thanks to an online bargain and we were landed and happy at Eveanne's. Much tea was drunk, art was carried out and fun had.

Today is wet, the house is warm and tonight we session! Even the cello looks excited to be here.

More later,

John

First Post

Welcome to this, our most recent venture online.

All things must start somewhere and the top of the page is always good.  Our travels in England this year have been alternating between restful times with lots of prep work and mad driving binges followed by bouncing around on stage.  

Cambridge Folk Club two nights ago was a hoot, but we were quite surprised at how tired we were.  A small crowd but a lovely club.  In their temporary home at the Romsey Labour Club (a couple of grumpy punters made it along to the wrong venue, but raced across town in time for the show).  

Yesterday morning we were out of bed and zombying around at 6.45am (I'm sure there's some sort of law prohibiting musicians from operating at that sort of hour) and we were on the road at 7.30 to drive up to Bradford.  They hold a multicultural festival there called the Mela.  A huge celebration, mostly of Asian culture.  They include a kids venue called Destination Earth, where the children are designated as aliens, and take their passports around to the international pavilions where there are shows and  displays.  The Australian story-teller had pulled out, so of course the call went out for cloudstreet.  It has been some years since I have been called upon to make a lagerphone.  The kids were a hoot, and the feedback staff told us that by the end of the day, we were neck-and-neck with the Zulu dancers - they were sexy, but we were fun.

Very tired by the end of the day and just one episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer before bed.

Have to be up early tomorrow to try to be much sexier.

The journey continues,

John