Well, I'm back from my short sabatical on the Isle Of Wight. I'd like to show you some photos but as usual the long-awaited flickr account and photo management of this blog is somewhat behind schedule (by a few years, a bit like the Isle of Wight really). So I'll just tell you a little about where I've been:
Saturday 22nd: Went to Birmingham F1 Stock Car semi-final, the 2 major incidents happened right in front of me. Including the site of Steve Jacklin sliding along on his roof, gouging out the tarmac, a small piece of which hit me on the cheek. I felt like James Tague in Dealey Plaza, glad to be part of the action! (but no blood). Overnight in Bromsgrove, too late for the pub.
Sunday 23rd: Down the M5 to Taunton for Formula 2 stock car semi-finals, (the smaller versions). Great day, best commentator ever at a meeting, and witnessed the legend that is Rob Speak, can't wait for the World Final at Buxton in a couple of weeks. Overnight in Yeovil, beer not bad, no cider.
Monday 24th: Drove across to Portsmouth and got a ferry across. Started my island 'tour' (nothing to do with gigging) in the evening on the south coast, beautiful sunset, shame it had to end in Ventnor.
Tuesday 25th: Continued from Shanklin (very peaceful) to Sandown (very tacky), then virtually every place onto Ryde. Appropriately enough, saw Speedway meeting here that evening. Only 2 hospitalised, great smells!
Wednesday 26th: Started at East Cowes (not so great smells), got 'floating bridge' to Cowes, then onto Newtown-a more beautiful place I can't think of. Yarmouth next, also cracking place-such a contrast to Sandown, much more middle-class. Heard about the death of Ted Kennedy while in a second-hand bookshop. I stayed in Newport, hotel and local pub fine, blocked the toilet once and had to ask embarrasingly for help. Twas a brave person that rectified that situation!
Thursday 27th: Carisbrooke Castle to kill time, home.
There were also gigs just before and after all this fun. Thursday 20th saw the band return to the Fenton. Last time was definetly one of the best shows this year, this time was nearly as good. The crowd in there are superb. They were behind us all the way, and I had another great night. Please give me more gigs like this!
On the bank holiday weekend just gone, we played at The Wills O'Nats (Meltham) 'festival' with 3 bands playing on the back of a truck. It was a shame the weather didn't smile on us, though the sheer mention of the words 'outdoor gig' seem to cause this to happen! Not a great occasion mainly due to the rain. The following day I did a solo gig in Rodley at the Barge, again....on the back of a lorry! I was beginning to see a pattern emerging here. This one went better as the rain waited until I finished rather than during the set and I was proud of my 'thank you Wembley...sorry, Rodley' closer, though no-one else seemed too bothered. Glad to say the festival was well-attended, and that with me going on first when it's usually not too busy.
So we're now into September, and a mere 3 gigs to do this week. All my band, Leeds Friday, Keighley Saturday, Huddersfield Sunday afternoon.
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