The London Trip

Snow is over-rated. Sure it looks pretty on a postcard or when you look out of the window, or when you see a Polar Bear sliding about on it, but when you actually have to contend with it and buggers up your plans, I think we could have waited another 18 years for some to fall.

Yes, the worse snowfalls for 18 years in Britain, sounds bad doesn't it. Until you consider how crap we are at dealing with it, myself included I'm afraid. On a practical level, it meant our Tuesday night gig at the Junction, Queensbury was cancelled. This was a blessing really, as Queensbury is climatically linked with the arctic circle and I'm sure it would have been a Captain Scott-esque adventure getting the vans up there. 'I'm going to push a Mercedes Sprinter, I may be some time...'

With my impeccable timing, it was also the week of my visit to London. This was planned well in advance and to be fair part of it went to plan. I had 3 gigs booked, plus a visit to watch Bradford's opening match of the season at Harlequins. That's Rugby League for the un-initiated, a summer sport, confusing isn't it. The rugby was cancelled so I had no choice but to cancel my Sunday night gig in Hitchin. The previous 2 did go ahead though and ran pretty much to plan.

I played at Club Acoustica at The Crown, Twickenham having driven down through the sleet in the afternoon. Thankfully it was a good night. I got a good reception throughout and managed to sell a few CDs. I played 'Shadow', 'Cold Day', 'Whiskey', 'Gods&Angels', 'Coming Out' and 'Freefallin'. During the last song, I was joined by the house band 'The Deputees', whom I have since found out are a very experienced bunch of great musicians, one of which has co-written with Status Quo. I think this was a definite 7 out of 10.

Saturday was at the White Bear at Rickmansworth. This one was more along the open mic format but had a sizeable crowd and most people listened to my set. I did 'Shadow', 'Cold Day', 'Whiskey' and 'These Eyes'. It wasn't quite as magical as the previous night but still solid. 6 out of 10.

Following on from here, I decided to pay a little homage to one of my musical gods. Around 10 minutes' drive from Rickmansworth is the Northwood Hills Hotel where one Elton John, then Reg Dwight, performed his first ever gig. I hoped for nothing more than a swift drink and that there may be some recognition of their place in our musical heritage.

Wrong. The place is basically now an Indian Restaurant with a public bar. It is very bright, shiney and noisy, with a DJ and big screens. It was heaving, but I didn't fit in, so feeling a bit intimidated I had a quick drink and left. I doubt if anyone present, staff or customer, even knew who Elton John was. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with Indian restuarants, or that in it's pub days it was any good, but I did feel like there should at least have been some kind of momento-instead any soul and heritage seemed to have been ripped from the place- a feeling I get in Greater London about a lot of things.

That just about covers the latest adventures. With a bit of luck the band should be playing this coming Saturday in Wakefield, then Sunday afternoon in Berry Brow. As long as it doesn't keep on snowing or whatever else is thrown at us next.