HAPPY New Year. No hangover for me…and up and out early doors to finish the smoker shelter roof, tidy the garden and start setting up for the garden concert.

Thankfully it’s nice weather and I;ve cleared up by midday. Margaret’s busy in the kitchen making soup and stoves for later and comes out to give me hand putting up the gazebos.

Next I start getting the PA and other gear over from the studio and set up.

Once we’re happy with the sound I move onto set up for the live-streaming –camera, lights, switchers, computer etc.

Finally we sort the seating and lights then Fiona and David arrive. They help finish getting the lights up then they soundcheck and we’re pretty much ready when folks start arriving just before 4pm.

I get the livestream underway then David and Fiona kick things off with a grand half-hour set. then it’s yours truly. It’s kinda nerve-wracking playing a load of covers that I’ve not played in years. My aim isn’t to ‘play’ the songs – more to give folks an idea of my influences and how I started playing guitar and performing…and how my style ‘evolved’.

All goes well and we have a good crowd. The livestream goes to plan too.

Once everyone’s away Fiona, David and his brother Stuart help clear up. They had off and I go indoors for dinner. Margaret’s got steak pie in the oven and we’re both starving.

I’m gubbed tho’…and asleep by 9pm!