not quite the same as it ever was

It's a long long way to Berrick on Tweed, five hours from Manchester no less to the legendary Barrels Alehousestill it turned out it to be one of the best gigs of the tour, a great little crowd plus AA star accommodation and hospitality ++. I even managed a few over the two [pints of Boddingtons] and slipped effortlessly into semi drunken post gig conversing with anyone who'd listen [though about exactly what I cant quite remember]. Next day, after an obligatory mooch in the charity shops I'm home by mid afternoon, walking the dog and cooking the tea. A week later I play The Ring o Bells pub in Widnes. This gig I've done several times over the past couple of years and all goes pleasingly well, the pedals behave and the hecklers are harmless, also playing are Liverpools MOUTHBREATHER who are louder than bombs, young gifted and kind of dangerous. I chat with them after the gig about life in their teenage bedrooms purely for my own research purposes. Then I steal their guitar lead by mistake. Since then all has been strangely subdued, Andy and Mike are still in the US, Tim as ever is submerged in cabaret world and Craig is casting his film The Elephant House. The NHS doesn't exactly welcome me home like a lost sheep. I play STAMPS in CROSBY [again] on Tuesday 30th March, do come along do, until then, VPx