Gigs far away and close to home

Had a quick trip to Japan at the end of March, just 5 nights, 2 shows, with Swing out Sister. What lovely folks they are, I worked with them loads in the 90s, this was like a reunion, more reminiscing than playing. We caught the very start of the Cherry blossom season, massive deal to the Japanese, a photo of the first sighting made the national papers. Our UK blossom has seemed more impressive than ever to me this year, or is it that i'm finely tuned to it after Japan?

Lovely tour of Village Halls and arts Centres with BOP3 after that, part tour part walking holiday we joked, as we climbed lovely Blencathra in Cumbria and walked a beautiful short coastal section of the Cleveland Way over near Scarborough.

Then a gig over Easter that i could walk to, my buddies the Mons Wheeler Band played the Nags Head in our village and i blew along with them all night. Sweet-voiced Mons hails from Co. Armagh and his fine musicians are from Glasgow. 'Give snake a big cheer, he's doing this for nothing' quipped the quick-witted Mons. A good time was had.

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