Driving

So, I've been having lessons for a few weeks now. Have started to see myself being able to drive, although the thought of the test fills me with dread. My teacher Laura is so good. She is so patient and encouraging. She understands, or seems to, how different people learn. So six lessons in and some progress is being made. Having not had a lesson for about 25 years, I can still execute a perfect three point turn.
The motivation is Whitby, well Whitby and possibly Pete Cooper. The two pilgrimages. I love the thought of being able to put stuff in the car and drive door to door with it. Last time we went to Whitby, we went with two violins and three small suitcases. We came back with three violins, two guitars, a fishing rod and three small suitcases. It was a stressful journey home - although very scenic. Phil has got a replacment driving licence, and can officially drive, however he hasn't driven for about 25 years!! He's going to have some brushing up sessions with Laura, and hopefully, between us, we'll be able to drive to Whitby this summer. Driving is very stressful. In negative moments I ask myself 'is it worth it?' You only need to lose concentration for a split second and you, or somebody else, or both could be dead. I would rather travel stressfully by public transport than be dead, or kill somebody as a result of a momentary lapse in concentration. You see I am trying to talk myself out of it again. Actually, I'd rather drive there and back with all our luggage and arrive at both destinations safe and sound. Millions of people manage it every day, surely I'm up to the job?

Back to Crouch Hill

Today we made the lengthy pilgrimage to Crouch Hill to see Pete Cooper. So much for improvements to the Silverlink/North London Line. It is now styled as London Overground and has stuck on black tube signs on the side of the trains. The trains are still dirty and crowded. Phil and I have to plan our exit from the train several stops before we have to change at Gospel Oak. Feel sweaty and panicky at the thought. All ok though. 

We get off the train and look for the times of the trains going back. A random fellow passenger tells us that they go at half past and on the hour, which we know is completely wrong. In the excitement I have forgotten to touch out my oyster card. After walking along with the fellow passenger chatting about how long she's lived in CH and how many times she's travelled on the filthy overcrowded North London Line, we go for a quick snack in the Larrick as we're early for the lesson. Long for a quick glass of wine, too, especially with it being Friday night and therefore traditional. Decide that the fabled bow hold will be even more elusive if I do that and the lesson will be a washout for me as a result. So, sensibly we share a plate of tasty morsels and some fizzy water, and stride purposefully up the hill towards Pete's flat. 

Wonder about what it would be like driving to Pete's for our lesson.  It would certainly be less stressful in terms of getting on and off the trains with the violins, work  bags etc. We get to Pete's flat and think about how to park on such a steep hill, as we are wondering about this, Pete pulls up in his car and we think he'll demonstrate, however, he drives into his own parking space behind the flats.

Lesson is good, but I can really feel that I haven't been for ages and have been practising in a rather slipshod way. Having mastered the bow hold to a certain degree, I must now focus on holding the violin in a more effective way. We book another lesson for three weeks' time to avoid lapsing too much. 

On the journey home we meet several people who notice the fiddles and chat, which is nice and surprisingly unusual. One says he is a bass player, and encourages us to get in touch should we ever need one. Wonder how we would have got in touch as he doesn't offer any contact details.

Best of all is meeting Barry Grant on the 267 bus, the last leg of the journey. Aah Barry, Luthier and maker of Phil's electric fiddle. Late night smoking and backgammon companion. He's on his way to see the lovely Anna. We wish them both well as we get off the bus, and head off for a fantastic chicken salad takeaway and then home.

Lewes 3

Sunday came. We had a lazy breakfast and I settled the bill. Another pleasant surprise on top of many was that they hadn't charged us for our late night brandies and olives. I mentioned this and they said gave me a 'don't worry about it' type of gesture. Fantastic. Another plus for Pelham House. Phil and I went for a walk, down the hill to a beautiful walled park with a formal garden and stream. The plan was, to walk about a bit and then go for a roast lunch in the White Hart. This was a low point unfortunately. It was hot and stuffy in there, and we fancied sitting outside, but the waiter said we couldn't do that. In fact later on, they even shut the doors to the terrace. We could see other people come and go from the main part of the pub to the terrace with drinks which made is feel even hotter inside. The food was delicious though, and they had marrow as one of the vegetables on offer, which is quite a rarity on a Sunday lunch menu and was very tasty. The service was pretty good too, but lost marks for not letting people sit outside and then closing the doors.

Anyway, then it wastime to go home. We gathered our belongings and strolled down to Lewes Station. An easy journey home apart from a 40 minute or so wait at Clapham Junction for our train home.

By good fortune, we met Di and Paul as we got off the train, and all agreed to catch up in the Magpie later. The predicted end to a great time away.

Bellowhead live at Lewes

So.... we woke up in our fabulous bed and had a fabulous bath. Spent some time trying to wake the sleeping teenager and went down for a delicious breakfast. Wandered around Lewes for a bit, spotted random members of Bellowhead as the afternoon wore on. Lewes is a strange and quaint place. There are very ancient buildings just dotted about in in the normal streetscape. looked at the castle with the great views; eerie through the fine drizzle on Saturday. Met up with Sam, Fiona and children at Bill's and had a great tea - they do fish finger sandwiches and cheese on toast. It's great. I opted for a spicy veg stew which was perfect. Fiona saw mine and had the same. Fortified, we adjourned to the Brewery Tap round the corner, a very comfortable and cosy pub, and had a pre- gig drink all together, then Jake went off with Sam, Kaya and Ryan for and evening of curry, beer and computer fun.

Phil, Fi and me strolled up the hill to the town hall to see Bellowhead. We had a drink in the bar, and then found a good spot to stand. What was really disappointing was that so much of the hall was seated. Yes, seated at a Bellowhead gig. Who thought of that? Anyway we had a small space among some friendly people in which to jiggle about.

The music, a mixed bag. Low point first...Bruton Town. Bellowhead added nothing to this song in my opinion. Maybe it was just so new they were testing it out - they did say this about some of their newer stuff. Maybe it's my own taste and experience. It felt like they were just going through the motions with it, and maybe it's just that I prefer the Pentangle version. The other new material was excellent though, a melancholy song about death, and some really full on instrumentals. A perfect rendition of Flash Company. Love it in their songs where the music falls apart -in a controlled way of course- and then perfectly climbs back in together for the climax.. Bellowhead are sounding really polished as far as their familiar work is concerned. So exciting to go and see them play live again, and have such a great time with friends, too.  Fi came back to the hotel with us to phone a cab, and after she got home, sent Jake back in the cab. Perfect. we had a brandy in the bar and waited for him, and we all went up for a wonderful deep sleep.

Lewes part 1

Just returned from Lewes, and it just the break we needed. The first evening went well, we arrived at Pelham House at 6ish and were shown to two sumptuous rooms. Already a worrying surprise as we had booked a standard single for Jake and a standard double for us, and we thought they'd made a mistake; they had already given us a bit of a reduction on our booking. But no, we had been given an upgrade! Jake's room was modern and had a beautiful view of the Downs; our room was bigger, a suite with its own corridor leading to a huge bathroom with the bath in the centre of the room. The beds must have had the best mattresses of any hotel room so far. Perfectly flat and firm. Crisp white bed linen, huge bath towels. Gorgeous smelling Neutrogena shower gel. We congregated in our room, had some coffee and biscuits and went to visit Sam and Fiona and their children Kaya (oops not sure of spelling) and Ryan.

What a blast of an evening. Haven't seen them for about four years. Greeted with a glass of strong red wine, the conversation and wine flowed steadily all night. We ate a spicy fish stew and lots of ripe cheese and talked a lot. Jake was happy sitting with the adults and playing games with the younger children. It was perfect and we made plans to see them the next day. We had gone to Lewes specifically to see Bellowhead and while we were there, to catch up with Sam and Fi. w had got three Bellowhead tickets, thinking Jake might want to come too, and be won over, but no. So we offered our spare one to Sam or Fi, and came to a most suitable arrangement. Jake would stay in with Sam and the children, and Fiona would come out to play with us. 

More in part 2

Bellowhead here we come

Well, we're off to Lewes on Friday night...can't wait. So much stress the past few months, actually since the day after we got back from Whitby last summer. This year is going to be about recovering and moving on, with the minimum of stress. Here goes then. Arrive in Lewes around 6.30, book into the hotel, visit Sam and Fiona who moved to Lewes from Hove about four years ago spend the evening catching up, drinking wine and being cooked for. Back to hotel. Sleep. Saturday wander about in Lewes, weather permitting. Late lunch. Go to Bellowhead gig. Still don't know what to wear. Try to sleep afterwards! Sunday, find somewhere nice for lunch and then back to Brentford...possibly go to the Magpie for a quick catch up with Di and Paul and any others to round off the weekend. It will be brilliant and here it all comes, just two short days away.

Book Group 2

Anytime now, book group 2 in Brentford will begin. When we moved to our current house and things began to be really sorted out, Di and I were talking about the book group she goes to. I wanted to join. Alas, there was no room and feelings of rejection/dejection ensued. Bit by bit I discover others who there wasn't room for either, half a dozen or so yummy mummies and we will form book group 2. We can't begin quite yet, as there is nowhere to sit at our house. How will we do it? will we take it in turns hosting? I think the idea will be to take it in turns to choose books, talk about them for a bit, drink wine and gossip. It will be great. So, watch this space, and the space on the new blog when it's ready.

Bellowhead

Well, as Bellowhead won't come to us, we must go to Bellowhead.

As Bellowhead don't (doesn't?) seem to be playing in London for the foreseeable future, we have decided to treat ourselved to a weekend away in Lewes, which is the nearest place I can get my fix anytime soon...We're going to stay at the Pelham House Hotel, as the receptionist, Lizzie was by far and away the friendliest of any B & B or hotel people we spoke to, some of which answered the phone with a weary and grumpy 'yes' or 'hello'. Feel slightly ill about spending so much to go and see a gig, but then remember it will be an excellent and much needed break as well. We might get to see Sam, Fiona and co, who relocated to Lewes from Hove about three years ago IF she gets in touch.
What to wear though....last time, having heard that people at Bellowhead gigs really dress up in Burlesque and other outrageous stuff, myself and the select yummy mummies and daddies really went for it when we saw them at the Festival Hall. Although it was packed there, we were definitely among the few dressed up for the occasion, I was sporting a medieval style green dress and feather mask, Di wore a basque and a kind of hitched up skirt, the others, variations on the theme. I thought we looked fabulous. So, this time requires some serious planning...or should I wear the usual jeans and sludge colour tops?