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Friday 1 September 2023

AN order for some Ben Lomond fridge magnets came in from the West Highland Way Gifts website last night so I get them underway first thing.

Margaret’s off into Glasgow to meet some pals for lunch and I get busy in the studio pulling together the digital album discography bundle for some of my Kickstarter backers. It takes a lot longer than I expect and the resulting folder – even when zipped – is too big to send to folks individually via wetransfer or similar services and I don’t have space in my Dropbox account, so I set up a download link and password on my own server and send it out to the relevant backers.

I get the fridge magnets finished off and packed to go in first class post tomorrow (Saturday) then work on some new guitar ideas in the studio.

Our pals Alastair and Karen are coming tonight and pizza’s on the menu so I get the dough balled up and some other prep done in good time before they arrive. Margaret’s doing a ravioli starter and a desert, so the kitchen’s busy!

We have a great night catching up with our pals 🙂

Thursday 31 August 2023

OFF to the school in Balloch for my first music session with some kids this academic year.

Nice to see everyone and the session goes great, Good to be there first thing rather than the lunchtime timing last session which kinda split my day.

Back home I make a bunch of product videos using the (record) turntable – I was gonna buy something on Amazon then realised I could likely use what I have! it’s a bit of a skiddle but I get Something knocked up that’ll do the job.

I have an in-person guitar student mid afternoon then get back to the studio and edit my product videos – some for my own merch, and some for West Highland Way Gifts’ stuff.

Wednesday 30 August 2023

AFTER a hectic few days I allow myself a (slight) lie in…then a bit of a mad scrabble to get ready for a mid-morning Zoom guitar session.

An order for a load of West Highland Way trekking flasks came in from the Netherlands the other day and I needed more ‘blanks’. They arrived yesterday so I get on with the production.

After lunch I get Margaret to drive me to the village to pick up a prescription then walk home. Nice to get some fresh air and a walk.

Then it’s back on ‘production’ – then packing…and there’s a special Glasgow show in October to get posted online.

I’ve just locked up the office for the night when I notice an Etsy order coming in for a leather keyfob. Luckily I have that design in stock so I open up the office and pack it up to go in first class post in the morning.

Tuesday 29 August 2023

ANOTHER early start into Glasgow for the AMEE medical education conference at the SECC.

All goes smoothly and I’m done by early afternoon.

I stop off to pick some stuff up, visit Tiso’s for a new pair of walking boots, hit Costco for some shopping and lunch and make it home just in time for a new guitar student arriving. She’s only eight but dead keen 🙂

As soon as I’m through we head to Dundee. I drop Margaret off at the DCA to meet Maureen, Edith and Meg for dinner and I hit Tesco then got to the Manchurian for some (excellent) dim sum.

I go back to the DCA and have drink with Margaret and her pals then drive home…

Monday 28 August 2023

THE alarm goes off at 6am so I can get my wholemeal sourdough in the oven in time for breakfast. But after heating the oven I realise I put the sourdough in the fridge on Saturday evening…and neglected to shape it and put it in a floured cloth within the bowl.

I tip it out, shape it and put it in the floured cloth and it’s back in the fridge ’til tomorrow. Shop-bought bread this morning.

A message from Eileen lets me know I don’t need to cover anything at the SEC ’til the plenary session at 11am – that means I should be there by 10.30am so I have a stress-free drive into town and have plenty time to get set up.

The day goes well and I’m finished and on the way home before 5pm.

Sunday 27 August 2023

We have a good few hours in the car park at Balmaha accompanied nay Anna’s cat Skye 🙂

UP EARLY to get the gazebos, tables and all our stuff to Balmaha Visitor Centre car park for our wee market.

It’s just Anna (Tropic) and us (West Highland Way Gifts)…and Anna’s cat Skye who proves a real hit with passers by!

There’s a good few folks round from when we open at 10am. I have to ;leave at 3pm to get to Glasgow for the first part of a three day photo job at the SEC for a big medical education conference.

I take the gazebos down and take them home leaving Anna and Margaret to run things for another hour.

In Glasgow I hook up with conference communications manager Eileen and spend a couple hours grabbing some pix then home to grill some marinaded lamb and make pizza dough flatbreads in the Ooni….

Saturday 26 August 2023

UP at the crack of dawn to get some ‘craft’ entries along to the flower show by the entry deadline.

I get there in time and get a chat with some local pals then go back home for breakfast.

There’s still a load of products to be finished and packaged for tomorrow’s (Sunday) market stall in Balmaha car park, so I have a busy morning before walking back to the village hall for the main flower show event.

Nice tips ee so many folks out and loads of entries in a wide variety of categories – flowers, plants, veg, baking, crafts and more. My magnetic leather bookmark has taken second prize in a special ‘bookmarks’ category and my pewter Loch Lomond pendant has second prize in one of the other craft categories.

I walk back home and get back on the case with the West Highland Way Gifts’ stuff and take a break to ball up the pizza dough for tonight… Margaret gives Betty a call to see if she’d like to join us. She does 🙂

A message comes in from Catriona. Her pal’s sister is involved in a big medical conference at the SEC in Glasgow and urgently needs a photographer tomorrow (Sunday) early evening, Monday and Tuesday. We make contact and arrange the job 🙂 It’s gonna be hectic tho’ – and I need to re-jig the diary for Monday and part of Tuesday…

Friday 25 August 2023

Grand time playing my Edinburgh festival fringe show at the Scottish Arts Club…

I HAVE a really crazy morning working on West Highland Way Gifts’ products for Sunday’s market stall in Balmaha…and also getting a couple of things finished to enter into the flower show tomorrow.

In between times I sort gear and pack the car for the Edinburgh festival fringe show at the Scottish Arts Club.

It’s a mad panic to get on the road – showtime is 4.30pm – and things are made even more stressful when we get stuck behind two tractors. Margaret tells me to go to sleep and she’ll worry about getting us there in time. She does 🙂

I’m loaded in, set up and changed with three or four minutes spare. I’m pleasantly surprised at the turnout, especially given the odd time for the show. the place is about 3/4 full.

After load out we go for a drink with Linda – one of Margaret’s old school pals she hadn’t seen for nearly fifty years – then home, dinner and some more work on stuff for tomorrow!

Thursday 24 August 2023

WE SLEEP in a bit…then I get busy.

First job is sorting out a set list for tomorrow (Friday) afternoon’s show at the Scottish Arts Club. It’s a 4.30pm show which is kinda weird…but such is Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

There’s a lot of West Highland Way Gifts’ stuff in various stages off production for Sunday’s market table at Balmaha visitor centre car park.

In between times I have a guitar student late afternoon…then it’s back on production. Still a lot to do before Sunday.

Wednesday 23 August 2023

Birthday dinner at the Clachan

I HAVE a guitar student coming first thing and Margaret’s off for an appointment at a dental place in Glasgow.

After the guitar lesson is done I update the meal plan and shopping list for Margaret then start pay the invoice for the Devil May Care red vinyl pressing. Ouch!

Now I have the Kickstarter backers’ pins I gather some of pledgers’ address info and start packing the signed CDs and pins. Kickstarter doensn’t provide backers’ addresses so I ‘m reliant on them replying to the ‘survey’ sent out for each reward tier and supplying their address etc.

In the office I carry on with West Highland Way Gifts’ stuff for Sunday’s m market table in Balmaha. New design leather wristbands, leather key fobs, fridge magnets, wooden ‘hangers’ and then I cast some loch pendants and pins.

Then it’s time to head to the Clachan in the village for Margaret’s birthday dinner. We have a grand evening 🙂

Tuesday 22 August 2023

A CALL from the bike place tells me all the work – and costs – of sorting my bike. A bit heavier than I expected but if it needs done…

They also mentioned that I didn’t leave the battery key. I took it in my pocket but forgot all about it…however, when I go to find it there’s only a biscuit wrapper in the jacket pocket. I musta lost it. Doh!

Luckily there’s one on my keyring and I also have the key serial number –I find a place online and order a couple of spares.

All the assets for the production f the red vinyl edition of Devil May Care are ready and checked so get sent off to the pressing plant. Hoping they’ll be ready in time for the UK dates in November.

In the office I make up a list of West Highland Way Gifts‘ stock and start a wee run of products I want to have on the ‘market table’ in Balmaha on Sunday.

It’s Margaret’s birthday tomorrow (Wednesday) and I need to make a card and finish off the wee heart necklace I’ve made for her. I also call a nearby restaurant and reserve a table for tomorrow evening for dinner.

I get some work done int he studio then go out for a walk top the lochside for the first time in what seems like ages.

Monday 21 August 2023

Tell Me, Baby from my weekly livestream into may Facebook group

STRAIGHT into the studio for a session with one of my Zoom guitar students…then it’s onto label design and artwork for the forthcoming red vinyl edition of Devil May Care.

Once again, takes longer than I expect as I start tinkering with alternative ideas!

There’s some merch prototypes to be worked on in the studio then another guitar Zoom guitar session.

Then it’s straight into my Wildcats’ livestream into my Facebook group…all goes well and I use the Acoustacaster for the entire show!

Sunday 20 August 2023

The kids do well on their bikes..stabilisers off soon I reckon 🙂

I WAKE up early and find both Aaron and Freda in the bed with us! Margaret takes them downstairs for breakfast and I get myself sorted.

After breakfast we take the kids to the park on their bikes and Catriona gets back. We have a quick coffee with her then head for home.

Margaret goes for a nap and I spend some time working on stuff for next Sunday’s market beside the Balmaha visitor centre car park. Half way through he Dremel seems to gear up to it’s highest speed and the regulator stops working. Bah. That’s not good as the high speed settings aren’t much good for my needs.

I knock up red beans and rice for dinner and we have a fairly chilled evening.

Saturday 19 August 2023

Grand bike ride to Doune….

WE have a long lie then breakfast….then I clear the decks of emails and other routine admin stuff.

In the office I design another item that needs to remain secret for now…then I knock out a couple more Loch Lomond pins to see how I wanna finish them for next week’s “makers market” in Balmaha.

My bike’s booked in for a service at Roots Cycles in Doune on Tuesday morning but we’re heading there today to babysit overnight. The guys at Roots are happy for me to drop the bike today so I cycle over and Margaret drives.

The first half of the 25-mile cycle is off-road and fun…the second half on roads and not as exciting….but I enjoy the ride and get the bike dropped off at Roots just in time before they close.

It’s a short walk to Catriona’s where Margaret’s already got the kids busy. We take them 9n their bikes to feed the ducks then back home, bed and dinner for us….

Friday 18 August 2023

Phil and Marion at Kilmaronock Old Kirk…great evening 🙂

THE morning is spent finalising artwork for the red vinyl edition of Devil May Care…there’s a fair amount of technical issues with ink coverage and stuff.

I get it all done leaving just the sideA/B labels to be done over the weekend then the lot can get sent off on Monday.

I also try out some ideas for a Loch Lomond pin/brooch but my first attempts don’t really work out.

There’s some merch to be finished and sent off. My plan is to get Margaret to drive me to the village to get the last post and then walk home….but last post has changed, to the stuff won’t be picked up ;til tomorrow (Saturday)... bah! regardless, I enjoy the hour or so’s wander home listening to music marketing podcasts along the way.

Back home I design and make another ‘master’ for the Loch Lomond pin and cast a prototype. Much better…but no time to check it out properly – Margaret’s got an early dinner ready as we’re heading out to see our pals Marion and Phil play at Kilmaronock Old Kirk.

They play a great show and it’s nice to catch up with folks…we’re home by 10pm and watch a film before bed.

Thursday 17 August 2023

MAIN job of the day is sorting out the audio masters and artwork for the red vinyl edition of Devil May Care.

For the audio I need to check timings, track order and side splits and include the bonus track – Loch Lomond Home (acoustic). Once done the audio masters need to be resampled for vinyl cutting…then onto the artwork.

I take a break mid-afternoon for a guitar lesson with an in-person student then tis back to the studio. Hopefully I’ll have everything sorted and off to the pressing plant tomorrow latest.

I finally manage to get out for a wee walk and do a couple of livestream updates to my Facebook page and profile.

When I get home I try and log into may US bank account…apparently it’ll be considered ‘abandoned’ if I don’t have a transaction soon and the balance will have to be claimed through some weird process! The website want to send a code to a US cellphone which I don’t have anymore and the only other option is to call the bank.

Four or five failed attempts later using Skype I finally get to speak to someone. it appears to be a condition of holing an account that you have a US cell phone. Fuck. There is a little light at the end of the tunnel tho’ – I can make a small payment into the account from here and that should sort things out.

Meantime, Betty’s arrived and Margaret’s getting dinner ready…

Tuesday 15 August 2023

A duck takes an interest in paddling at Port Bawn 🙂

I HAVE a Zoom session with one of my occasional students then Fiona comes up to go out for a paddle.

We go out and round Inchcailloch, stopping at Port Bawn for a break.

The roof guys are getting on pretty good with your new roof and it looks like they’ll be finished in the next couple of days.

There’s a bunch of social media stuff to do and I send out a general eNewsletter…letting folks know the Kickstarter was a success and thanking folks for their support. I also let them know the guitar necklaces and pins are in my online store and some info on the upcoming Edinburgh show.

In the studio I install a set of power pins on the Acoustasonic…they replace the ‘traditional’ bridge pins which – along with the locking tuners – will make string changing a lot quicker and easier.

Back at the house we clear all the crap form behind the office and chuck it in the roofers’ skip.

Dinner is green curry – first time in ages…then we watch some telly.

Monday 14 August 2023

One Side Blind from the Wildcats’ Facebook livestream...

I MANAGE to get some of the stuff away and sorted out in the studio before my first Zoom guitar student comes online.

I almost forgot it’s my birthday…I plan to make the most of my last year as a ‘fifty-something’.

Next I hit the studio to colour up a special order for a guitar necklace. It works well and I send the customer a photo to check the colour is correct. She’s delighted. I parcel it up and get it ready to post along with some vinyl going to Estonia – we sold out of vinyl halfway through so folks have been ordering online 🙂

An email tells em my package from Thomann has been delivered by DHL. Nope, no one’s been here and the ‘show delivery’ location and photo doesn’t work. I call them and – unlike DPD – at least manage to speak to someone who is helpful and sends a photo of delivery. The package is jammed in a letterbox but fuck knows where! He says he’ll investigate and get it sorted.

Meantime, the guitar bag from GuitarGuitar finally arrives…then I hot the studio and edit the Estonia video blog in prep for tonight’s Wildcats’ Facebook livestream.

Another video lesson then straight into the livestream..then back to the house for dinner 🙂

Sunday 13 August 2023

ANOTHER early rise to meet our driver who will take us from the festival site to Tallinn airport.An hour or so drive.

We say cheerio to Krista and start our homeward journey.

All goes to plan – Tallinn to Stockholm, (extremely expensive!) lunch, Stockholm to Edinburgh.

We arrive in Edinburgh around 2.30pm…but my guitar doesn’t appear. the AirTag tells us it’s close by but none of the staff seem to be able to help. We decide one of us should exit baggage and see the folks at Swissport, the baggage handlers. I go and speak to them but they ignore the fact that the guitar is actually here somewhere close by and insist I complete a lost luggage claim. I walk away!

Margaret and I are trying to stay in touch by phone, but there’s no signal and the airport wifi won’t let us use any VoiP (voice) services so we try and communicate via WhatsApp messages. These eventually stop working too!

Luckily Margaret found one person who gave a shit and after a while the guitar is found in their office outside!

That means we’re a couple of hours later leaving the airport than expected, so but he time we’re home having picked up some shopping it’s well after 6pm.

Saturday 12 August 2023

THE alarm goes off at 6am and we drag ourselves out of bed, check out the hotel and cross the road to the bus station for the first bus to Tallinn.

The breakfast room at the hotel doesn’t open ‘til 7 am so they gave us ‘packed breakfasts’ to go,..the cafe at the bus station is still closed so I nip back to the hotel where they organise coffees too 🙂

We sleep most of the way and arrive in Tallinn just after 9am. A driver from the festival picks us up and an hour later we’re on site.

Our pal – and festival rep – Krista meets us at my stage where we leave the gear then go on to our accommodation.

Sound check is at 1.30pm…and showtime 2.30pm. Krista and her partner Henk join us for lunch in artist catering then we head along to my venue.

I have a fantastic audience…and despite busting two string during my 75-minute set everything goes great. Margaret’s rushed off her feet selling merch 🙂

Krista and Henk help us back the short walk to our room and after sorting the gear for packing I crash for a while.

Krista and Henk’s room is almost next door to us..and some of her family are there too. Krista , her sister, Margaret and I go for dinner then back to my stage/venue to watch and Irish band.

Margaret and I are pretty goosed so we say goodnight…another early start in the morning….

Friday 11 August 2023

Third Estonia show, third full house…Kultuuri-ja Huvikeskus, Põlva

WE have a lazy morning at our accommodation in Tartu – I do some social media promo for tonight’s show in Polva and we drink coffee and munch croissants.

Once packed, Martin comes to pick us up and take us down to our hotel for tonight…too early to check in but we can leave all our gear and bags. Next stop his house where we have a late lunch with him and Marilin.

Then it’s back to the hotel where the venue has sent a minibus to pick us up. I get the gear out of the luggage room and Margaret checks us in and drops our main bag up in the room.

Andres and Siret join us on the minibus and Martin takes his car…a smaller vehicle will be bringing us back after the show.

It’s an hour’s drive to Polva and then straight on to sound check.

Booker Eerika has loaded the dressing room with a load of grub and drinks…the hospitality is first class, as is the venue and production.

I play two sets and have a grand time. It’s another full house and everything goes well.

We’re back at the hotel in Tartu before midnight…some snacks, a drink and a shower…then some work. We’re up at 6am for the bus to Tallin!

Thursday 10 August 2023

Full house at Kultuuriklubi Salong in Tartu 🙂

BREAKFAST is good, albeit a slightly weird dining room packed with Estonian holidaymakers and spa users.

We pack up and head for the bus station earlier than we’d planned as I need to get to a music shop and buy a short patch lead for plugging my foot stomp. I forgot mine!

It’s a three-hour bus ride to Tartu but it goes in quick and soon we’re at the venue where we’re shown around by Kai. She also takes us to our accommodation upstairs.

We meet our pal Martin for coffee then pick up some supplies – we have a kitchen area etc in our room – and then chill for a while before going downstairs for sound check.

Once we’re done and the merch is set up we nip back upstairs for a quick bite to eat. Margaret goes back to man the merch and I get changed for the show.

We’ve another full house when I kick off my set and have a blast playing a couple of sets to a very enthusiastic audience. Kai has done a great job promoting the show.

Once we’re tidied up we go out for a drink with a bunch of our Tartu friends then wander ’home’ back up the hill.

Wednesday 9 August 2023

First show of the Estonia tour – Parnu Summer Music 🙂

AFTER a good breakfast at the hotel we get packed up and make for the bus station. just a five or ten minute walk and the sun’s shining.

The bus journey is about two hours and Ülle meets us of the bus and drives us to the hotel. We didn’t know she was coming to meet us.

The hotel is only two minutes walk from the venue. The forecast is for rain so instead of being outdoors, I’m playing inside the venue.

Sound an Otto has everything ready and the sound check goes smoothly. By 7pm kick off the place is full and I really enjoy playing…the new guitar does a fine job too 🙂

There’s a few familiar faces in the crowd and it’s nice to catch up at the merch table after the show.

Once we’re cleared up and loaded out Ullar – who’s booked me for the Parnu Blues Festival many t8mes drives us back to the hotel to drop off the gear and on to a pizza place where Ülle is waiting for us.

We have a grand night, even if we do get lost wandering back to the hotel!

Tuesday 8 August 2023

FIVE-fifteen alarm so we can get sorted, car packed and on our way to Edinburgh airport by 6am.

All goes to plan, but there’s a huge check-in queue for our SAS flight to Stockholm. Eventually they open a second desk bit it still takes an hour and 15 minutes to get through check-in. Security’s a long time too.

Luckily Margaret goes and picks up some sandwiches while my effects bag is scrutinised, for once I’m clear it’s straight to the gate and onto the plane.

A change at Stockholm then a short flight to Tallinn and a taxi ride to our hotel. An Ibis in the center of the city.

First job on arrival is to retune the National and rebuild the Acoustisonic. Both are fine 🙂

Margaret messages our pal Krista – who is also our rep for ViruFolk at the weekend – and we meet for dinner and a few drinks. Great to catch up 🙂

Monday 7 August 2023

A clip featuring the Acosutasonic from the Wildcats’ Facebook livestream

A BUSY day kicks off with my first in-person guitar student of the day. She normally comes on a Thursday but couldn’t come last week and I’m away tomorrow until Sunday.

There’s lots off mech to be sorted and some leather luggage tags to be finished so I get some of that done before a session with a Zoom guitar student.

Just a few minutes to get some more work done before another in-person student…again, normally a Thursday student but holidays and stuff mean he’s here today.

In the studio I edit some video to spin into tonight’s Wildcats’ livestream on Facebook then hit the office and finish off some guitar necklaces and pins.

Before I know it, it’s time for my final Zoom guitar student of the day and then straight into the Wildcats’ livestream during which I give the new Acoustasonic guitar a whirl.

After dinner it’s back to the studio to get all the gear ready…then packing…we’ve a 6am getaway time in the morning…

Sunday 6 August 2023

We take the kids to feed the ducks and go a walk over Craigie Fort…

THE KIDS have us awake just after 6am…I mange to get another wee doze in between bouts of them jumping all over me then we get up for breakfast,

I finish off the scratch plate for the Acoustisonic then we take the kids to feed the ducks and go for a walk up the lochside via Craigie Fort.

After lunch Catriona and the kids head for one and I grind, sand and and finish the first batch of guitar pins. They’ve turned out pretty good.

In the studio I make up set lists for the Estonia tour then set up sound for tomorrow’s (Monday) livestream into my Wildcats’ group on Facebook. I’m gonna showcase the new guitar and need to plug it in – never done that before on a livestream so I need to check all’s gonna work as planned.

After dinner I cast another batch of guitar necklaces and pins ready for finishing tomorrow….

Saturday 5 August 2023

Pouring rain on the loch made for an eerie, but exciting, atmosphere…

AFTER breakfast I get ready for a paddle then Fiona arrives and we head down to the bay.

We’re not long out on the water when the rain comes and it’s spectacular, bouncing off an initially calm surface,

If course with the rain comes wind and it’s soon pretty treacherous. We still manage to paddle round Clairinch and enjoy the experience.

Back home we have coffee and bother then Fiona goes off and I get some work done in the office.

After lunch – a burrito made with leftover ancho beef and butternut squash plus some avocado and Greek yoghurt – I wash down the paddle board and deflate then soak my wetsuit and boots in a big bucket of water and wetsuit/neoprene cleaner.

Catriona and the kids arrive mid-afternoon while I’m prototyping some resonator guitar pins. Similar to the necklaces but smaller and with no hoop and hole at the top. They’re quite intricate so it’ll be interesting to see how (or if) the work out.

They all go to feed the ducks and I prep the pizza dough for later tonight then go back to the office and design a clear acrylic scratch plate for the new guitar.

Friday 4 August 2023

Got it! Black Fender Acoustasonic Player Telecaster with neck removal mods and locking tuners by Jimmy Egypt. Delighted.

A BUSY morning fulfilling merch orders. not only are the guitar necklaces selling faster than I can make them, they seem to have triggered other merch sales via my online store.

Of course, I want everyone (in the UK anyway) to get their stuff the next day…but I’ve missed the last post from the village for some of the later orders.

All is not lost though. I call Jimmy Egypt to find the work on my guitar is almost done so I can pick it up later today (Friday)…that means I can post the other merch orders in town 🙂

It’s late afternoon when I get into Glasgow’s west end and pick up the guitar…and it’s spectacular! Not sure the credit card agrees, but hey ho…

We need more AirTags too, so I drive home via Costco and pick up a four-pack..and save £27 on Apple’s own price! I put the saving into the fuel tank.

Back home I make ancho beef and butternut squash stew and we watch the tennis….

Thursday 3 August 2023

More prototypes…and they’re selling before I even have a chance to pout them in my online merch store!

FIRST job is to chase up the Acoustasonic guitar and mods…I;m nervous that there’s gonna be a delay and I won’t have it time for the Estonia tour. We leave early doors Tuesday.

I call Jimmy Egypt to find the guitar arrived yesterday (Wednesday…and they were meant to ‘keep me posted’!) and he’s starting work on the mods this afternoon. Hopefully ready tomorrow (Friday) or Saturday. Ideally it’d be tomorrow so I can spend some time sorting patches on the Quad Cortex and generally getting used to it.

A new, bigger, casting flask arrives in the post so I try my new method out on a Loch Lomond pendant…it works! I make a few more guitars too. Once they’re finished and polished I stick some pictures on my socials and immediately sell ’em – someone even requested the rather rough prototype I posted pix of yesterday!

There’s a shopping list and meal plan to be made up then I hit the studio and do some work on the new song.

Betty’s coming for dinner and I make velvetised chicken with mixed mushrooms and black fungus. Goes down a storm.

We’re not long finished when Matty rolls up. he’s staying over tonight on his way to Glasgow.

Wednesday 2 August 2023

Extremely rough video (and sound) to see if this should be developed on side or ‘regular’ guitar…

AFTER breakfast I have a go at using delft clay to cast a guitar necklace. It’s a bit fiddly and time-consuming – but the result isn’t bad and shows promise.

The cleanup job is easier and less destructive than my previous methods and these look like they could be finished without any coloured epoxy inlay. We’ll see.

After lunch Margaret takes me to the village to pick up a prescription and I walk back home.

In the studio I run through a new song idea a couple of times making a rough video recording to put online and see what folks think. Before I start any ‘proper’ work on it I need to decide whether it should be on slide guitar or ‘regular’ guitar.

The ‘regular’ guitar feels a bit more comfortable but I reckon it sounds a bit too country and outwith my (self-imposed) stylistic boundaries. The slide version could be more ‘Dave Arcari’ but seems a little clunky. That might improve as I fart around with it a bit.

The resulting very rough-sounding video switches between the two initial possibilities and I post it in my Wildcats’ Facebook group to canvas some thoughts….

Tuesday 1 August 2023

Some clips from Saturday’s garden concert….

WE sleep in…and I blame a power cut! Seems the electricity went off around 6am and the supplier’s website indicates that they’re on the case and expect power to be reinstated by 11.30am.Ooofft.

I make coffee on our backup camps stove and go back to bed then, att about 10am, the power comes back on 🙂

In the office I make some wee pegboard shelves for all the Dremel ‘bits’. I’m quite pleased with the result and proceed to tidy the place up a bit more.

A new song is pretty much written but the arrangement is causing me a bit of indecision. If I play on ‘regular’ acoustic guitar it sounds too ‘country’…not a problem in itself, but it’s pushing my stylistic boundaries a little! A slide guitar arrangement is more in keeping with my style but some feel feels and sounds a bit clumsy. I record a demo version on slide guitar to see if I can refine things a little.

Late afternoon I head out on the loch for a paddle and enjoy a an hour or so on the water spotting a beaver and then, later on, a deer on a little island peninsula.

Some of my merch production needs improved…the metal/epoxy loch and guitar necklace process needs not only to be streamlines a little but also made. a little more consistent quality-wise. I do some work.

Monday 31 July 2023

Delia’s Gone – this week’s cover from the Wildcats’ livestream

I GET the studio all tidied up and gears set up/put away then have my first Zoom guitar student of the day.

After downloading the livestream video from Saturday’s garden concert I edit a song from each of us and some “prep “b-roll” and make a wee clip to spin into tonight’s Wildcats’ livestream on Facebook.

There’s some radio idents to record for a DJ in Edinburgh…and a similar kinda thing for a mixture producer in Germany. I get them recorded and sent off.

After lunch I approve the artwork mockups for the Kickstarter backers’ badge and also. run of ‘normal’ badges. They’ll take a few weeks. I also call Jimmy Egypt in Glasgow to check on progress with the detachable neck Fender Acoustasonic Player Telecaster (phew..that’s a mouthful!). Apparently all the parts are in, but they’re still waiting on the base guitar from Fender. They hope to have it in by the end of the week…that’s cutting things fine as we head to Estonia a week tomorrow (Tuesday 8 August).

I edit a promo video on various formats for the Estonia shows and sort Facebook ‘events’ and include everything in some social posts.

Suddenly it’s time for another Zoom guitar session then straight into my Wildcats’ livestream

Sunday 30 July 2023

We head for a wee walk and some fresh air…

ANOTHER lie in then Margaret gets breakfast sorted and we blether round the table for a while.

It’s not raining so we go outside and tidy up the garden a bit, collapse the gazebos and put them under the smoker shelter to dry off.

We take Bill and Dorothy a walk up the lochside ad when we get back they pack the car and head off.

I manage to get a little work done, get the PA system back to the studio then put up the pegboards that Margaret picked up for me in Ikea last week.It’s a bit of a faff but I’m pleased with the end result that will, I hope, help keep the office a bit tidier.

Saturday 29 July 2023

Grand afternoon playing in the garden 🙂

AFTER a long lie and good breakfast we all get to work outside preparing for the afternoon’s garden concert.

The rain’s not started (yet!) and we sort seating, merch, PA system etc. the iPad app to control the mixer isn’t playing ball so I use a laptop. Then there’s weird feedback until I realise the mic is ‘back to front’. There’s no real indication which way is ‘forward’ on the mic but there’s some telltale screws which I’d not seen because of the the windshield. Things improve whenI sort it out!

We all do a quick soundcheck then folks start arriving. Marion and Phil kick things off with a short set then Bill and I take turns on stage and play three sets each. There’s a few downpours, but we have a full house (or should tat be garden?) and a load of fun.

We get some tidying up done and the big ‘gate tarp’ down and laid to dry under the other gazebos. All that can wait ’til tomorrow.

Bill and I head to the studio to tile some promo pix for G7th Capos who sorted Bill’s capo problem by going well over the call of duty on Friday. They make my Devil’s Left Hand signature capo and I’ve had an endorsement/artist deal with them for a long time.

When we go back to the house dinner’s ready and have another grand evening….

Billy gets Margaret and Dorothy tip to help out on his number 🙂

Friday 28 July 2023

We get the gazebos up in prep for tomorrow’s (Saturday) garden concert…

WE sleep in a little then get on with prep for tomorrow’s (Saturday) garden concert.

I have an order for some custom merch that’s gonna take a few hours to run so I get that underway.

Margaret heads off to pick up some extra shopping.

In the studio I start some promo or the Edinburgh Festival Fringe show at the Scottish Arts Club on 25 August and do some other bits and bobs until Billy and Dorothy arrive.

We put up the gazebos and sort some stuff outside ready for tomorrow’s concert then relax and have a few drinks before heading outside for pizza….

Thursday 27 July 2023

A bit grey on the loch – but really peaceful. Thanks for the pic and company Fiona 🙂

I’M JUST finishing breakfast when Fiona arrives to go for a paddle. To be fair, I had been up a good while getting some work out the way and my paddleboard/gear ready…

It’s a little grey and damp, but the loch is an oasis of peace and we have a grand paddle then back to the house for a coffee.

After lunch Margaret heads into Glasgow to pick up some shopping and stuff form Ikea to help me organise the office which has now evolved into more of a workshop.

With the Kickstarter campaign about to end I do a livestream thanking folks for their support and reminding other that this is their last chance to grab a reward.

Next I hit the studio and edit some video promos for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe show at the Scottish Arts Club on Friday 25 August.

The Kickstarter deadline passes and I’m delighted that not only did I successfully reach my target, but exceeded it handsomely. Thank you everyone for your support 🙂

Tuesday 25 July 2023

The Upton Blues Festival vlog…

A BIT of a rush to get things sorted before my 10am guitar student…but she doesn’t appear! I text and WhatsApp around 10.15am but get no response. This is her third lesson and there’s been some kind of issue each time!

Plenty to be getting on with tho’…and the Kickstarter campaign reaches its target with two days still to go. Phew! I start thinking about the vinyl masters, revamped artwork etc.

I need to pick up some stuff in the village and get Margaret to drive me there…then I walk back. Nice to get some exercise.

Back home I start the big office tidy/clean up. The place is full of dust from all the merch sanding and it a cluttered mess, so I have to clear everything out and start a deep clean…

Monday 24 July 2023

Meet me in the City from the Wildcats’ livestream

AFTER breakfast I have a big scramble to get the gear back into the studio and ready for my first Zoom guitar student.

Next job, after the lesson, is to start editing the video footage from Upton Blues Festival so I can spin it into the Wildcats’ livestream later.

In between times I get the tent out the car and drape it over the drier in the garden to let it dry and air.

We also need to sort out a tarp and stuff – plus another gazebo – for Saturday’s garden concert.

Margaret goes off into town to the bank and pick up some shopping. Betty drops by for a coffee then I get back to the video editing.

No time for a walk as I have another online guitar student then it’s straight into the livestream

Sunday 23 July 2023

Sunday Blues Train at the Railway, Marsden

UP EARLY on the campsite at Upton – we need to get the tent down and all the gear packed…then into town to pick up all my gear at last night’s venue before the road closes.

The non-stop rain means the tent’s wet, so we bundle it into the spare wheel compartment int he boot. At least the rain’s off when we break down camp!

After picking up the gear we hit the road to Hudderfield, stopping at motorway serve ices for some lunch en route. We drive through torrential rain and get to the Railway Inn, Marsden in good time to load in for the Sunday Blues Train show at 4pm. Our pal Pat – who booked me for the show – and soundman Rico are ready and waiting.

t’s a long time since I;ve played a “two 45s” set and my hastily scribbled set list (I forgot to pick up the carefully curated and printed ones from the studio before we left!) includes some stuff I’ve not played in ages.

All goes well, though, and there’s a packed house for the show.

By 7.30pm we’re not he road home and split the driving stopping. to pick a sandwich and then coffee. We’re home soon after midnight. The gear can wait ’til morning!

Saturday 22 July 2023

Full house at Upton Blues Festival 🙂

BEEN raining all night but we’re all good in the tent. So far.

A few drips come in while we’re making breakfast but nothing too severe.

The roads into town close at midday so although I don’t play ‘til 6pm we get the car and gear down to the acoustic roots venue and load in to avoid the six mile detour.

It’s good to get everything in, car parked and merch sorted before the performances start.

We enjoy the music – particularly duo Sister Bodhi – and it’s great to catch up with lots of pals – both backstage and in the audience.

The venue is rammed for my set and all, thankfully, goes to plan – other than the fact that my carefully prepared set list is still back home in the studio!

We’re back at the campsite soon after 11pm and have something to eat, chill for a while and then bed….

Friday 21 July 2023

Catfish… 🙂

WE check out the hotel and go to visit Auntie Glo and Uncle Cliff.

After an enjoyable couple of hours we say cheerio, go and pick up some supplies then head for Upton Upon Severn.

It’s decent weather and when we arrive E we get the tent up and everything organised before heading into town.

We catch the Washboard Resonators and King Size Slim at the acoustic stage then go for some grub and watch Catfish on one of the outdoor stages.

Back at the tent we sit and chill before heading to bed….and the rain starts…

Thursday 20 July 2023

ANOTHER early rise….Margaret sorts the merch and I take the car to the studio and pack the gear.

We have a quick breakfast, sort some more stuff and get all the tent/camping stuff in the car.

Despite our best efforts we’re still nearly two hours later leaving than we’d hoped…that’s compounded by a load of delays before we even reach Glasgow!

A quick stop at Tiso’s in Glasgow to buy a inflatable camp bed in their sale…half price 🙂 We remembered that Mikey had – against my advice – borrowed our original one a few years ago and had it burst within minutes!

Our delays mean we have to miss our planned stop in Stourbridge to pick up some bottlenecks from my pal Ian…he’s got some more to send later anyway so will post them up when my order’s complete.

We share the drive and roll up at Auntie Glo’s in Bridgend just before 9pm. A flying visit – we’ll see them tomorrow – then off to catch a supermarket before it closes to get some supplies then on to check into our hotel.

Wednesday 19 July 2023

ALL hands own deck today – lots to do before we head off tomorrow and Margaret’s not only feeling crap, she’s off to the dentist to het one of her front teeth out!

The tooth was knocked out four or five years ago when she fell in Estonia and although it was successfully put back in, the root has started to deteriorate and notw it’s to come out.

First major job of the year is to put the tent up in the garden to (a) check it’s all OK and intact and (b) get some air thought it – not been used since I played the Red Rooster Festival a good few years ago.

I make up set lists for the Upton Blues Festival and Huddersfield shows and rehearse a bit then get on with finishing off a big batch of earrings and making some guitar necklaces for the merch table.

In between times I get the gear sorted and packed ready to load the car in the morning.

Dinner is pizza and then it’s back to finishing off merch and some Kickstarter campaign promo.

Monday 17 July 2023

AFTER my regular Monday morning session with a guitar student on Zoom I get back to work editing the video footage from Friday night’s show.

Late morning a couple of Margaret’s pals and their kids arrive for a visit. I sit in the garden with them and have some lunch, take the kids into the studio to mess with guitars then they all go a walk and I get on with the video edit.

My eyes are falling out my head and I need a break from the edit so I go for a walk up the lochside…first chance I’ve had for a walk since we got back from Finland. it’s good.

I’m back just in time for my 7pm zoom guitar student then I nip to the house to sort a spreadsheet for Margaret who’s waiting on Maggi and Lynne coming for a local place plan meeting.

My Lomond Radio session is airing at 8pm so there’s no Wildcats’ livestream this week…

Sunday 16 July 2023

THE kids have us awake at 6.30am. We manage to keep them amused – mostly by jumping all over papa – for another hour or so then get up and get breakfast sorted.

Once things are under control I hit the studio and start editing the video footage form Friday night’s show. Margaret and Matty take the kids to the village to go swimming.

Catriona picks the kids up mid-afternoon and I get back onto the video edit until it’s time to light up some charcoal and grill the pinchitos for dinner.

Saturday 15 July 2023

ANNA arrives to pick up an order and we have a coffee and a blether.

After breakfast I unload all the gear at the studio and start dumping video footage from last night’s show into the computer.

I manage to get some of the mess in the studio sorted while the video transfers.

We take the kids to feed the ducks then Margaret and Matty take them along to see Betty and I go back hime to carry on with some work.

Merch sales have been pretty good the last few weeks so I need to get busy with replenishing stock.

I take a break to prepare the beef for tonight’s Vietnamese beef then hang with the wee ones for a while until their bedtime.

Friday 14 July 2023

Unplugged at Kilmaronock Old Kirk. Pic: Tom Wallace

AFTER breakfast I re-string the guitars for tonight’s show at Kilmarnock Old Kirk.

One of the tuning pegs on ‘the black guitar’ comes adrift and it takes me a good half hour to repair using some old parts I have kicking about.

There’s a few songs in tonight’s set I haven’t played for a while so I run through them then start packing the gear.

The venue is a great sounding space and I could play with no PA, but I wanna take it to add a wee bit lift to the acoustic sound. I also pack a spotlight and some other lights so I don’t have to play under the stark white house lights. the car is overflowing!

Matty stays at the house and will come later – Margaret and I make some sandwiches and head to the venue to load in and set up.

Everything goes to plan and the PA and lighting are the icing on the cake of a great sounding acoustic venue.

We have a great crowd in and the gig goes really well 🙂

We’re loaded out soon after 10pm and back home soon after…

Thursday 13 July 2023

FIRST job of the day is to make up a set list for tomorrow’s (Friday) unplugged show at Kilmaronock Old Kirk.

I’ll rehearse later, but meantime there’s some ‘last minute’ promote be done round my socials etc.

In the office I do a little work on some mercy production and also start messing with one ideas to sort out my stomp box. The wee Wazinatoralways needs taped down on stage – not so much to stop it moving about, more to prevent the double hit after I tap it…the stage at the last Finland show in Helsinki was damp after the floods and it wouldn’t;t stick so I couldn’t use it 🙁

I mess around with bits of silicon sheet, felt and acrylic to see if I can come up with a standalone solution. It might also help feedback problems if I’m on a ‘hollow’ stage. I get quite far with it then put the project aside as there’s more pressing things needing done.

The pork loin I wrapped in a. bacon weave last night goes in the smoker and will, hopefully, be ready for dinner. A I didn’t;t notice a huge wasp nest on the roof above the smoker until I list some charcoal and was attacked by an angry swarm. A few seconds after they were smoked out their nest crumbled with the heat oops!

After rehearsing some of my set and sorting some camera and audio gear – I wanna record tomorrow’s show – I mess with another project idea. I wanna try and make a wee downdraft table (or box!) to minimise the dust in the office when I’m sanding stuff. I think I have a prototype, but the old car vacuum I use isn’t strong enough to be of much use.

Matty’s coming to stay a few nights and rolls up early evening…

Wednesday 12 July 2023

MARGARET has an appointment at the doc in the village…I go for a coffee at Alfie’s and she meets me once she’s done.

Next stop, jimmy Egypt’s in Glasgow to discuss option for my ‘travelling’ guitar needs. Do I get some mods done to the folding electric or can he fit steel liners on a acoustasonic tele so I can easily and safely remove the neck. If that’s possible I don’t want to spend money on mods to the electric. He’ll do some tests and let me know next week.

Margaret drops me at the eye hospital for an emergency appointment and goes to get some shopping.

I have uveitis flare-ups in both eyes and the lens has somehow got stuck the pupil join my left eye. A bit jiggery pokery and I’m given a strict regime of drops and steroids.

Margaret picks me up and we drop into Ikea on the way home.I need to make some kind of down draft table/box to cut down on the sanding dust in the office.

We’re home in time for me to pack some gear and head to Lomond Radio to record a session and interview with David Dennett for his talent spotlight show that’ll go out on Monday.

It’s after 10pm when I get home – Margaret’s got Donner ready… 🙂

Tuesday 11 July 2023

Finland tour vlog…

MY guitar student due to come this morning has been re-scheduled to Thursday, so kot so much of a panic.

First on my list is to sort a visit to the eye hospital – things were playing up a little in Finland and although I self-medicated a little, it’s best to have things checked out. I get an appointment for tomorrow lunchtime.

Next I call my luthier pal Jimmy Egypt – the ‘folding’ guitar is pretty good but could do with some mods – like a straight through bridge to make string changing quicker/easier. A property cut nut to replace my jam-fisted repair and some other potential nice to haves – better locking timers, pickup upgrade….maybe even piezo’s in the bridge saddles.

It might be easier and better to get an Acoustasonic Telecaster and have him put liners in the neck bolt holes so I can unbolt the neck….then flog the folding electric?? I dunno – depends on the costs of mods to the existing guitar.

I’ll take the guitar in to him tomorrow and we’ll chat through the options.

I put down some weed killer a few weeks ago but despite that, the place is looking a bit untidy and overgrown, so when the rain goes off and looks like it’ll stay that way I do it all again.

Next I add a new house concert reward tier to my Kickstarter – and make some video content to share round my socials to share the news. It’s good to have some updates rather than just banging on about the campaign.

Anna drops round to chat over a custom gift she’d like made before the weekend then Betty pops in.

After dinner I try and tidy/clean the office – I need to find a way to cut down the dust when I’m sanding, drilling and trimming metal etc. the place is now more of a workshop than ab office!

Monday 10 July 2023

From the Wildcats’ livestream – which also promoted my current Kickstarter campaign

PRETTY dubbed when I wake up, Not surprising after a run of five gigs in four days, a full day of travelling band flight delays and not getting home ’til after 2am.

After a quick gear today up I have my first Zoom guitar student of the day. One of my ‘in-person’ students is coming at midday so there’s a small window of time to sort some more stuff out.

We grab some lunch then I work on editing the video footage from Finland and spend most of the afternoon on it along with some prep for this evening’s livestream into my Wildcats’ group on Facebook.

It’s been raining all day and I’ve no time for a walk before another session with a Zoom guitar student…then it’s into the livestream

Saturday 8 July 2023

Rain stops just in time at Storyville, Helsinki for the final show of the trip

AFTER breakfast we pack everything up and get ready to leave Lahti.

Ismo and I have two shows today – Jarvenpaa and Helsinki – and we’re staying in a hotel tonight as we fly back tomorrow (Sunday).

Ukko – Ismo’s son – is our driver and roadie for today’s shows. Our show in Jarvenpaa is meant to be outside but the rain means we move inside the venue…no matter, we both have a great show.

A bit of a mad dash toHelsinki. It’s around an hour’s drive and I don‘t think I’ve ever seen such heavy rain. Helsinki is pretty flooded and we have to wait ‘til we get set up on the outdoor stage at Storyville.

Meantime we sit in shelter and are served up big plates of jambalaya.

The rain finally subsides, we get set up and soundchecked and by the time Ismo starts his set there’s a good crowd..and lots of familiar faces including Maiju. Great to see her 🙂

A quick changeover and I hit the stage for an hour or so before Ismo joins me for a coupla encores.

Once we’re loaded up Ismo and Ukko drive us to our hotel and say cheerio. We drop everything in the room and head to pick up some grub…then bed….wet, tired, sore – but well worth it 🙂

Friday 7 July 2023

Great outdoor show at Mylly Nastola

AFTER a late breakfast Suvi drives us to. Supermarket…we need gaffa tape, a light for the merch table and some stuff for our hosts.

We need to leave about 3.30pm to get to Mylly Nastola and set up in time for our 6pm show.

The venue is an old water mill and the weather is good…another capacity crowd 🙂

Both Ismo and I have a blast and we’re back ‘home’ and sitting round the table for dinner by 10pm 🙂

Thursday 6 July 2023

Ismo joins me onstage for the second encore at Virasto

IT’S nearly midday before we wake up…then a lovely breakfast with our hosts.

We have a chilled afternoon then Ismo grills some chicken and stuff for dinner before we go to Virasto in the centre of town.

Soundman Masa is ready for us and we’re both set up and soundchecked in good time for the start of the night.

Ismo plays first and knocks out an amazing set. The place is full and Ismo joins me onstage for my second encore.

We’re back at the house soon after 11pm and enjoy a snack and a blether before a relatively early night.

A full house at Virasto

Wednesday 5 July 2023

Great start to the Finland tour at Mäntsälä

UP early, checked out the hotel and parked at the airport before 8am.

Checkin for our flight to Helsinki and security is largely hassle-free, but our departure delayed by nearly an hour.

The delay is compounded by a busy passport control but somehow we manage to get our train with just 30 seconds to spare.

One change then we arrive in Mäntsälä where Ismo meets us drives us to the venue. It’s a great place and Tarja has a great spread of food and drink for us backstage.

Ticket sales are good and the walk ups make it a full house…and a sell-out!

The gig goes great and is a fantastic start to the tour. After we load out Tarja takes us for a drink then we head to Ismo and Suvi’s in Lahti where we’re staying the next few nights.

We finally head to bed after 4am…!

Tuesday 4 July 2023

My Kickstarter rewards update

OFF to the village early doors – Alison at the hairdresser has saved my ass and booked me in for an 8.15an haircut before what was probably meant to be her first customer if the day.

Margaret’s got some stuff at the doctor and we meet at Alfie’s for a coffee before heading home for breakfast.

I have a new guitar student coming at 10am…..when she looks like she’ll be late I message her and, for some reason, she thought it was 3pm! Nevermind, she’s on her way and will be with me by 11am.

Meantime I film a quick video update to tell folks about the new rewards jn my Kickstarter campaign.

The lesson goes well then I edit various formats of the video to post later.

After lunch I finish off a last minute batch of guitar necklaces, Margaret packs the merch and I get my gear ready. We’re driving to Manchester this evening and staying in a hotel near the airport for an early getaway.

We’re a bit later leaving than planned and rock up at our hotel just after 11pm.

Monday 3 July 2023

A LOT on ‘the list’ today. Merch production, Kickstarter stuff, livestreams, guitar lessons…

After my first Zoom student of the day I get busy with a batch of earrings to take to Finland. We drive south tomorrow (Tuesday) and fly out early Wednesday. First gig is Wednesday night.

In the office I get some merch production underway…I also need to make more guitar necklaces.

Betty joins us for lunch in the garden then I get on with prep for Finland.

I get back on the merch then start sorting out a couple of extra rewards for my Kickstarter campaign….I have a couple of sets of test pressings form my Live at Memorial Hall album..and a couple coloured vinyls left, so I make a ‘bundle’ with them. I also make up a reward with a CD copy of the album plus a backers’ pin.

My evening Widlcats’ livestream goes well then it’s time for dinner.

I spend the rest of the night in the office on merch production and get to bed just after 1am. Early start tomorrow….

Sunday 2 July 2023

You won’t see me crying’…grand afternoon playing Festival Americana in Arrochar

UP early and I get the car packed before breakfast.

We eat then head for Arrochar where I’m playing set at Festival Americana at the Three Villages Hall. Wanna get there at a reasonable time to load in and soundcheck before folks start arriving.

It’s an easy, hassle-free drive and we’re there in just over half an hour. We know the organisers and some of the folks there and set up is a breeze. All sound checked and sorted with time to spare 🙂

I’m never really sure how these daytime shows will go, but the place is full up, I get a good reception and we sell lots of merch…and even attract some Kickstarter campaign backers.

We’re back home late afternoon and I get the pizza dough balled up and ready for later. There’s a fair bit of tidying and sorting in the studio – I have some guitar lessons over the next day or two, a livestream to do and also need to make sure I have all the gear I need for the `Finland tour. We leave on Tuesday evening….

Saturday 1 July 2023

I’VE an outdoor photo job in the village/along the lochside any 11am. A young couple, their 18-month-old kid and a dog…and it’s raining.

Luckily by the time I;ve had breakfast and head out the rain;s stopped and things have brightened up a bit. In fact, the lack of direct sunlight is a bonus as cloud cover is the ideal nature soft box!

The shoot goes well. I’ve done pix for these folks before so things go nice and easy and we have a good laugh.

Back home I dump the pix onto a hard drive, make a coffee then take a walk to the next village for the sheepdog trials. Margaret, Catriona and the kids are already there and we have a nice couple hours watching the dogs at work and catching up with folks.

Later on I hit the studio and sort the morning’s photos, rehearse the rest of myself et for tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon show any the Festival Americana, Arrochar then pack all the gear ready for an early getaway in the morning.

Friday 30 June 2023

I get a batch of wee guitars done for the merch table at Sunday afternoon’s show…a wee bit clean up still to do before Margaret ‘strings’ them

RAINY and grey outside. After breakfast I grab a nice wee ½-page feature (on page 2!) from the Stirling Observer about the Kilmaronock show on 14 July. See it here.

The roofing guy finally shows up…a few missed previous visits, but he seems a good guy. he checks the attic and round about and, as we suspected, there’s a bit more to be done than just the soffits. The roof’s fucked. He’ll get us a quote and timescales and we’ll see if we can get a bank loan!

I do some more work on the wee guitar necklaces…they just need a clean up and ‘strung’ by Margaret.

In the studio I do some promo for Sunday afternoon’s (1pm) show at the 3 Villages Hall in Arrochar and rehearse some of my set. I also get my camera gear ready for a job tomorrow (Saturday) morning.

The new SumUp card reader is working on wifi but I can’t get a mobile data connection and so my dialogue with support continues.

Dinner is marinaded flame-grilled chicken and turns out great…

Thursday 29 June 2023

The Kickstarter limited edition red vinyl edition of Devil may Care will include this song as a bonus track not on the CD release…check out the rewards and campaign here.

WE have a lazy morning and breakfast at Bill and Dorothy’s then stop at the supermarket in Dundee to pick up some shopping.

We’re not long home when I decide we need to do a livestream and hit my socials to promote my Kickstarter campaign and the bonus track that will – if the campaign meets it’s target – feature on the limited edition red vinyl edition of my Devil May Care album.

Of course but the time we get out to do it the midges are out in force. We manage through it then drop into Betty’s for an aperitif…

Wednesday 28 June 2023

Amazing view from Bill and Dorothy’s…

UP AT a reasonable time to try and get some work done before we head off to spend the night with Bill and Dorothy near Dundee.

The Kickstarter campaign seems to have got off to a reasonable start so I decide to hold back on hammering my socials so folks don’t get (too!) sick of hearing about it. I do, however, update the landing page on my website.

In the office I check the silicone moulds…they look reasonable and I melt some metal and cast into the small one. The pour isn’t the best so after it’s cooled I try again. Mmmm…think my ‘object’ is too small for this approach, back to the drawing board on that one.

I do some work on the batch of wee guitar necklaces until Margaret tells me it’s time to go.

The drive up to Dundee is fine and we arrive late afternoon. Bill and Dorothy’s place is lovely with great views over the Tay. We sit in the garden for a while before dinner and have a wonderful evening with our pals.

Tuesday 27 June 2023

My Kickstarter campaign is now live…check out the rewards here…or click the pic…

A CALL from a potential guitar student leads us to diary her first lesson for next week..then I get on with the routine emails, socials and other admin stuff.

In the studio I make up a set list for Sunday’s (1pm) Festival Americana show at Three Villages Hall in Arrochar. I also notice that I’m not getting any notification of Twitter mentions which is weird. There’s a load of stuff from the folks behind Sunday’s show that I haven’t seen, so I like and retweet.

Still no joy getting our SumUp card reader to work – that’s a. on both and half since I got it and it’s never worked. Numerous support ‘chats’ and emails have gone round in circles and I finally lose the tattle today and they agree to send me a new reader to see if that solves the problem. Hope it’s here before we head to Finland.

I hold off launching my Kickstarter campaign ’til later – apparently Tuesday is the ‘best day’ and I wanna leave it ’til a reasonable time in the USA. Meantime, I create a load of ‘now live’ graphics for my socials, banners and anywhere else that’ll let me post promo.

I need to try and streamline the production process for the loch and guitar pendants…there’s too much sanding needed and I end up losing colour by having to sand so deep. I make some new moulds for booth…and a prototype loch earring mould, although I fear it’ll be too delicate for both the silicon mould-making and also the casting process. We’ll see.

In the evening I launch the Kickstarter campaign and start spreading the news. Fingers crossed!

Monday 26 June 2023

Some off the cuff music in my WIldcats’ livestream…

AFTER my first Zoom guitar student is done I hit the office and work on some loch and guitar pendants.

They’re not bad, but to get certain details to come through the epoxy I have to sand down further than I’d hoped and I lose colour in some areas. Maybe I can sell them as one-off special editions!

Lunch is the extra pizza I made last night, reheated in the air fryer. Almost as good as the ‘original’.

After writing up a news release and sorting a pic for tomorrow’s (Tuesday) Kickstarter campaign launch and sen d it off to various journalists and radio folks.

Next I do a little more work on the new song which I aim to play during tonight’s Wildcats’ livestream on Facebook.

Another Zoom guitar student, then it’s into the livestream. Some tentative music including the new song with some yodelling and a special request – Ring of Fire.

It’s 9pm by the time we get along to Betty’s for dinner then back home soon after 11pm.

Sunday 25 June 2023

We take the kids down to the bay to feed the ducks….

AFTER a lie in we have a late breakfast then Catriona and the kids rock up.

We have coffee and cake then Margaret and I take the kids to the bay to feed the ducks and let Catriona get a rest…Aaron woke everyone up at the crack of dawn!

It’s not as windy as forecast and the loch os pretty calm so when we get back I go out for a paddle and do a livestream to try and spread the word about my about-to-launch Kickstarter campaign.

When I get back I edit the livestream footage and use it as content on some of my other socials – InstaGram, TikTok and more…

Dinner is pizza in the garden then we plonk ourselves in for too the telly and watch Glastonbury.

Saturday 24 June 2023

Nice to catch our pal Tom (second right) playing with the uke group at Doune gala day 🙂

THERE’S some mercy to get finished off, packed and in the post before midday.

When I get to the post box it’s not quite noon but the wee ‘next collection’ sign says Monday. Mmmm…

Nevermind, we’re off to Doune to see Catriona and the kids and go to the gala day so well may be find a later post collection en route. Sure enough, there’s a postman emptying a box in Buchlyvie and he happily takes my stuff.

We have a great day in Doune – I find some folks willing to service my bike, spot our pal Tom playing in the local uke group, b ump into an old friend (Lee-Ching) that we haven’t seen in ages and generally have a nice family afternoon.

We have a lovely meal at Catriona’s then head home in time for bed.

Friday 23 June 2023

FIRST job of the day is updating my ‘link tree’-style homepage on my website to include the Kickstarter campaign link…and also create a landing page for same.

The campaign doesn’t launch until Tuesday (27 June) but any traction and followers I can get pre-launch helps get some traction.

A little more work on the new song idea. I;m hoping to get it to a stage where I can give folks a wee taste of it in Monday’s Wildcats’ livestream on Facebook.

The first part of the afternoon is spent working on more prototypes for my guitar necklaces. I have a few fails along the way but looks like progress. Watch this space!

Margaret drives me to the village where I get some posters up for the upcoming Kilmaronock show and I walk back home. it’s a five-mile hike – mostly off-road – and the weather’s not great but it’s nice to get some exercise and fresh air.

Back home in the studio I record another ‘sketch’ of the new song then head back tot he house for dinner…velvetised chicken and black fungus stir fry. And very good it is too 🙂

Thursday 23 June 2023

Lunchtime paddle on the loch…

I’VE got most of the routine stuff done when my first Thursday guar stand arrives. This’ll be her last lesson for a few weeks as she’s working away for a while. I give her lots of stuff to practice!

In the office I work on some guitar moulds then hit the studio until Fiona arrives and we take our sandwiches out on the loch.

Back home I mess with some guitar until my latest e afternoon guitar student arrives.

Once we’re through I do some promo on the Kickstarter pre-launch and. make up a plan to spread the word once it goes live.

Wednesday 21 June 2023

My Kickstarter campaign is finally approved! Click here to see the pre-launch page

A MESSAGE from Kickstarter tells me my campaign needs some changes before approval. Mainly, I’ve referred to the campaign as a pre-order (which is, effectively, what I’m using it as) but they don’t like the terminology!

I amend all the award items and my ‘story’ accordingly and edit the video then re-submit.

In the office I try out some different ways to make the wee guitar pendants I prototyped last week. None of the ‘new’ methods/ideas work, but the process gives me some more options to try tomorrow. Meantime, I do some more on the new song and mess with another idea. Creative central!

Another message from Kickstarter tells me the campaign is now approved and good to go. I’m not gonna launch until Tuesday (27 July) but can spread a pre-launch link to start (hopefully) creating a bit of a buzz.

Margaret gets home with the shopping and once it’s all packed away we wander along to Betty’s for dinner…

Tuesday 20 June 2023

Nice solstice paddle with Emma and chums from PaddleFast 🙂

AFTER breakfast I hit the studio and spend some more time on the new song – it’s morphed from hill country blues to country…and now somewhere in between. I make a quick demo so I don’t forget what I’ve done!

I make quesadillas for lunch then find some more pewter ion the office and give the new blow torch a whirl. Seems to be making a huge difference – faster, better melting and doesn’t seem to crate so much slag/crud. I cast a couple of loch pendants.

There’s a paddleboard event later this evening and I make a batch of brownies to take along and share.

A show has just been confirmed for Huddersfield on 23 July so I spend some time getting it listed online and start spreading the word.

In the office I finish off the loch pendant, add some colour and start sanding.

We have an early dinner as I’m off to Milarrochy to join the PaddleFast SUP Club’s solstice paddle. We have a great few hours heading out and around Inchlonaig, stopping on the island for a biscuit and cake break.

Monday 19 June 2023

A clip from my Wildcats’ livestream – Loch Lomond Home (acoustic)

THE morning is taken up with admin, emails, socials and a Zoom guitar session with one of my students.

II also take the chance to update the forthcoming (hopefully) Kickstarter so the backers’ pin badges are not labelled as handmade by yours truly…that means a trailer video edit and rewards listing edit. I also take the opportunity to generate and add subtitles to the video. I should know sometime tomorrow (Tuesday) if Kickstarter has approved the campaign.

In the office I open up the silicon moulds I made yesterday. The wee guitars have some bubbles but I try casting with the small amount of pewter I have left. It doesn’t work out but that may well be down to not having enough pewter for the pour. The loch moulds look OK….

The Dremel blowtorch I ordered from Amazon – mostly paid for by a generous Amazon gift voucher from Catriona, Will ands the kids – arrives. Looks great, but I have no useable pewter left to try it out. There’s some on order.

Back in the studio I work on the new song idea. It morphs from a hill country style to a country vide which doesn’t sound very ‘Dave Arcari’. I try moving to over from regular tuning guitar to bottleneck and it sounds arts to show a little promise.

I take a short walk up the loch and rush back for my 7pm Zoom guitar student then it’s straight into my weekly Wildcats’ livestream on Facebook….

Sunday 18 June 2023

A nice Sunday evening stroll up the lochside…

AFTER breakfast I open up the silicone mould I poured yesterday – at first it looks good..then I spot two bubbles that have caused tiny ’empty’ areas. The design is too intricate to try and fix. Back to the drawing board…

I work on a new song idea then pour some more moulds to see if they turn out any better. We’ll see in 24 hours.

Margaret’s busy putting plants in various hanging baskets and I take a walk up the lochside. Not such a great date weather-0wise today, but good to get out and have some fresh air.

Saturday 17 June 2023

Mmm…Kickstarter badge prototype didn’t;t work out too good. Fail at all levels…gonna have to rethink production!

WE have a bit of a long lie.

After breakfast I try and rescue the prototype Kickstarter badge but the result is an epic fail on all levels. Looks like my ‘process’ isn’t gonna work for the lettering…plus it’s too heavy and time consuming…not to mention expensive…to go down this DIY route.

I investigate some alternatives. Watch this space.

Next I make a silicone mould for the wee guitar necklaces. We’ll see how that fares tomorrow once it’s had time to cure.

In the studio I experiment with some guitar ideas for instrumental tracks to send DeWolfe. I really need to get buy finger out on that. I get list in the music and before I know it the day is done! Back to the house for dinner and some telly.

Friday 16 June 2023

I get a batch of loch pendants finished…

THERE’S a couple of CD orders to get packed up and taken to the post box…then I get into the office and carry on with the Kickstarter badge prototypes. The silicone mould I made yesterday has cured…

I also need to finish off a batch of loch pendants as a couple are getting picked up later today.

It’s an other glorious day and I take a laptop into garden to start the social media promotion and also all the ‘traditional’ press/radio/media for the Kilmaronock show on 14 July. Good to speak to a few enthusiastic journalists 🙂

Jeanetta comes to choose a couple of the loch pendants and we enjoy a coffee in the garden. Maggi comes to collect some local community survey sheets and we all sit and chat in the garden until the sun disappears, thunder rolls and the rain starts…

Thursday 15 June 2023

I manage to get the Kickstarter project all lined up and off for approval…all going well it’ll launch on Tuesday 27 June…watch this space…

AFTER my first guitar student of the day has had her lesson I hit the studio to make a video for the upcoming red vinyl Kickstarter campaign.

I get the video shot and into Final Cut but have no time to edit before I have to head for the school in Balloch where I have a good music session with some of the kids.

I’m home in time for my regular Thursday afternoon guitar student arriving. After the lesson I finish editing the Kickstarter video, dot all the Is and cross the ts then submit the campaign for review. It could take a few days so I change my planned launch late to Tuesday 27 June…if all goes well and the campaign is approved.

Back in the house Is start prep for to night’s enchiladas. First, I make a batch of sauce then prepare the chicken and all the fillings. I wait until Betty arrived before I put ’em in the oven…

Wednesday 14 June 2023

Nice day for bike ride…from home to Gartocharn, Croftamie and back to drop off a couple things 🙂

ONCE the admin, social media and email stuff’s all out the way I arrange to drop off the Kilmaronock gig posters in Gartocharn and a batch of custom leather key fobs in Croftamie later on.

It’s another lovely day so perfect excuse for bike ride!

I need to hang about for a delivery – some production kit for the office – then I jump on the bike.

I’m back in time for a late lunch then I get busy with some of the Kickstarter stuff for the red vinyl release campaign.

There’s some pewter/epoxy loch pendants to be fi nailed and I also need to prototype some special pins for the Kickstarter. After a bit of experimenting I’m not happy with the results and decide to try making a silicone mould for the pins. It’s a messy job and the silicone’ll need 24 hours to cure, so I’m gonna have to wait that one out.

Tuesday 13 June 2023

A quick paddle in the sun for lunch on the loch…

AFTER breakfast I some more research on Kickstarter and start trying to pull a project together. On the face of it, it seems like this might be a manageable way to run a pre-order campaign to finance the red vinyl edition of Devil May Care.

The rewards tiers need some careful thought and I need to create images of the reward items. Ic a mock up the red vinyl, create a graphic for the digital download collection…but the ‘backers only’ pin badge will need a prototype. Not just so I can show it, but also to make sure it’s viable for me to make ’em!

I make a sandwich and head out onto the loch for lunch and a short paddle.

Back home in time for a quick shower and take delivery of the posters for thew Kilmaronock show on 14 July and some other supplies I’ve been waiting on.

Then I spend some time on music stuff before Margaret gets home with the shopping.

Velvetised chicken and black fungus stir fry for dinner…and self-congratulatory or not, it’s magnificent!

Monday 12 July 2023

A still from the ‘public’ Wildcats’ livestream…watch it here

ONCE I have my first Zoom session with a guitar student out the way I set about sorting the tangle of power and other cables round our router, ethernet switch and a load of electrical stuff.

Having had to to re-jig everything to accommodate BT digital voice we ran out of useable power sockets. I ordered a good quality single track 12-way trailer and have been putting off ‘installing’ it and sorting out the mess. Today’s the day!

Not, of course, as simple as it should be. Sonos system problems ensue and take a good while to sort out. But I get it done.

I reheat a leftover pizza in the air fryer for lunch then work on some Loch Lomond pendant orders.

Next, there’s a new song idea to be developed…and some other guitar stuff to be worked on.

Early evening I take a stroll up the lochside then get back to the studio and set up for the Wildcats’ livestream which – for one week only – is going ‘public’ on my Facebook page rather than in the Wildcats’ group.

After another session with a Zoom guitar student I do the livestream which goes pretty much to plan!

After dinner I spend some time working on a plan to launch a Kickstarter campaign to get Devil May Care out on limited edition red vinyl.

Sunday 11 June 2023

NOT sure if it’s hay fever or the lurgy….cannae be a hangover as I’ve now not had any alcohol for 16 weeks!

Regardless of feeling crap, I get up and we have breakfast in the garden. I have some orders for the pewter/epoxy loch pendants to get underway, so I make a start and Margaret goes of to Doune to see Catriona and the kids.

Margaret’s asked me to set up an online survey to help in the formulation of a local place plan for our area. I take a laptop out into the sunshine and get it all set up for her to check over when she gets back.

We’re having pizza tonight and I do a little prep in the kitchen…I also start the sourdough for tomorrow mornings loaf.

Our pal Bill is live-streaming his monthly show tonight so once we’ve cleared dinner we sit down and enjoy the show…

Saturday 10 June 2023

WE have a bit of a long lie then breakfast out in the sunshine.

I get some tidying up done outside then help Margaret put ups midge screen on our bedroom window.

After lunch I make up some dough for bao buns. Tried this before and is was a disaster. Hopefully better this time.

While the dough’s resting I work on a new song in the garden.

The buns turn out OK…not great, but definately better than last time. I make an early dinner – just a snack as we’re off to an evening wedding reception across the road and there will, no doubt, be lotsa grub there. We have some of the steamed buns with panic chicken, pickled greens and sriracha mayo.

The wedding reception is great.. Beautiful evening on the lochside…and all just a minute’s walk from the house!

Friday 9 June 2023

Prototype guitar necklace…showing promise but more work to be done!

NOT long finished breakfast when I get a message for someone urgently needing some West Highland Way Gifts’ items for a birthday present. They need them today as the birthday is tomorrow. I get on the case.

In the studio I work on some lyrics for a new song, taking a break for lunch then getting back to it.

I’m waiting on posters for the Kimaronock show. They should been here yesterday but the printer is obviously taking shite as. they’re still not here! The folks that run the Old Kirk trust are keen to get tickets before the weekend so I cycle over to Gartocharn in the sunshine and drop off five books of tickets.

It’s a lovely sunny afternoon for a bike ride but I crunch all the way there and back as I forgot to adjust my rear gears after changing the chain yesterday. I work on it when I get back home.

I start work on a wee guitar necklace idea and get a prototype made up. Promising, but needs work.

Next I prepare a bit of flank steak for Vietnamese beef then Rachel, her husband and kids rock up to pick up the stuff she ordered. We have a coffee and bother in the garden then I finish fixing the bike.

We nip along to Betty’s to take down her winter curtains then back home to get the grill going for dinner…

Thursday 8 June 2023

Custom orders for his’n’hers golden wedding key fobs…

A BOOKING enquiry for a local gig came in to me via Facebook last night…I passed to Margaret and she’s on it first thing after breakfast.

It’s a small gig – and the proposed fee considerably lower than we would normally accept, but Margaret negotiates and we have a deal. So Sunday 2 July, 1.30pm, I play Festival Americana at the Three Villages Hall, Arrochar.

I spend the next wee while getting it listed on my website and, along with some other UK shows, submitted to various UK listings sites.

There’s a couple of merch orders in – for both West Highland Way Gifts and Dave Arcari merch. Some items need made up so I sort all that out then a couple of custom “his’n’hers” keyfobs commissioned for a golden wedding gift.

Finally I get round to putting a new chain on the bike…a simple, but messy job that I’m glad to get done.

Betty comes round for dinner…Margaret’s on the cooking tonight -)

Wednesday 7 June 2023

Very pleased with the way my first Loch Lomond pen want turned out…now available to order here

FIRST job is to finish off the tickets for the Kilmaronock show on 14 July….then more online gig listings for all the upcoming shows.

In the office I start messing with some ideas for a pewter and epoxy Loch Lomond pendant. Last week’s prototype casting was promising but needs some refinement. Much happier with the re-design and resulting item. I put it on sale in my West Highland Way Gifts’ online store and spread it around my socials.

After lunch I play some guitar in the studio and try to develop an idea I’ve been messing with for a while.

Later on the sun’s out so I take the laptop to the garden and get some admin work out the way.

We have a local community trust meeting in the evening. I’m not a trustee but give some communication support.

Tuesday 6 June 2023

A FAIR bit to get trough today…and first stop is sorting the internet connection to the studio.

It’s not too difficult to get the network going, but there’s still some bits and bobs not working…or acting up.

Rather than sit and have my coffee in the office I take out out on the loch and have a wee paddle to Clairinch and back.

When I get back I create Facebook events for the upcoming Kilmaronock show (14 July) and the private garden concert (29 July) spreading links for the former and private invites for the latter.

After lunch I get some more work done and notice there’s a bike repair event in the village this afternoon so I take a ride down and catch up with he folks there who take a look at my noisy and ineffectual brakes. Cannae really find any cause….back to the drawing board. Been a good excuse for a ride tho’, and I order a new chain online just for good measure.

In the office I design and print tickets for the Kilmaronock show then Maragert gets home with the shopping – closely followed by Maggi who’s in to discuss some local stuff.

It’s 11pm when we sit down for our enchiladas!

Monday 5 June 2023

Still Friends from the Wildcats’ livestream

SOME custom key fobs to finish off first thing then it’s into the studio for a session with a Zoom guitar student.

BT have switched us over to ‘digital voice’ – fine and dandy, but the BT SmartHuib is pretty crap and we upgraded our router to a Netgear mesh to give better coverage in the garden and office. It also has a lot of extra functionality, including ability to set up a secure guest network and manage decided connected to the network. I have the SmartHub to a pal in Glasgow when I sorted out their internet problems a year or two ago.

However, BT’s digital voice requires the phone handset to be p[lugged into the router…and must be a SmartHub 2! My bad, really, as BT ‘own’ all the equipment they supply (although I’ve never heard of anyone having tor return anything)…so for sure they weren’t about to send me another. To make matters worse, these routers retail at £200 on BT’s website. Extortionate price for a piece of crap…! Anyway, Margaret found one own Amazon for £30 and today’s the day I have to try and integrate it into our network.

It’s a major pain in the ass trying to get routers to connect to each other and function they way I need them to. Eventually I get the phone working and the Netgear router pushing out connectivity. Some of our shit’s not working tho’….

Meantime, the sun’s out and I take the opportunity to spread some weedkiller and fix the squirrel feeder before hitting the studio and knocking up some artwork for the upcoming show at Kilmaronock Old Kirk on 14 July.

Not much prep for tonight’s Wildcats’ livestream so I play some guitar then have a quick wander up the lochside before my 7pm Zoom guitar student…then straight into the livestream.

After dinner I spend a few hours getting some of the other stuff on our network working…still some more to sort tomorrow!

Sunday 4 June 2023

Grand afternoon near Fishcross for a surprise garden concert at Phyllis’…

AFTER breakfast I dye a batch of custom leather keyring I’ve been making then pack the car.

I have a garden concert near Fishcross mid-afternoon but first we’re gonna see Catriona , Will and the kids.

Nice to see them and sit in the sun for an hours or two then we carry on to Phyllis’ place – Jeanetta has hired me to play a special surprise garden concert for her pal Olive – Phyllis’ sister – at a family/friends gathering and reunion before she heads back to Canada.

It’s an informal. low-key and fun way to spend the afternoon 🙂

Saturday 3 June 2023

Nice paddle to Creinch with David B and Fiona…

WE have a bit of a long lie then I make up a setlist for tomorrow’s garden concert near Alloa.

I’m meeting Fiona and David B on the loch around 12.30pm – I get ready and paddle off to meet them.

We have a good five-mile paddle to Creinch, avoiding the crowds, boats and stuff around Balmaha and Inchcailloch.

Back home, have a quick shower, make a tootsie then rehearse my songs for tomorrow.

There’s a few bits and bobs of work to do and I start production on a batch of custom leather keyrings for a customer in Croftamie.

Friday 2 June 2023

First attempt at metal casting…need refinement and work but looks promising…

AFTER my guitar student leaves I go straight onto Zoom for a hydro board meeting.

That takes me right up to when I need to leave for a guitar session with the kids in Balloch.

I drop off a batch of custom flasks in the village on the way home, clear some ivy from around the studio then we head back to the village for the coffee shop opening. I;m stunned when a guy comes up to me and says “do I know you?” Turns out he was a neighbour in Glasgow when we were kids. Hadn’t seen him in 40-odd years!

Back home I get a little work done, manage to cast a reasonable prototype of a jewellery idea – needs work and refinement, but not a total disaster – then wander along to Betty’s for an aperitif.

It’s nearly 11pm when we have our enchiladas…then I fall asleep…

Thursday 1 June 2023

Part of. batch of custom flasks for the new coffee shop…

FIRST job this morning is to get a load of custom flasks made up for a new coffee shop opening in the village tomorrow.

In the studio I have a eureka moment on a new song idea I’ve been working on. No lyrics yet, but an advancing idea!

The flasks are finished in the afternoon and I have some more custom jobs to work on…

I do some prep on enchiladas for dinner – Betty’s coming later and, for once, I’m prepared 🙂

Wednesday 31 May 2023

Another lunchtime paddle…

STILL a load of production to get through for the shop – I’d like to get the stuff down to them before close of play today.

Once things are underway I start assessing funding applications that have come into the hydro scheme – we have a board meeting on Friday to decide not he awards.

It’s a much more in-depth and ponderous process than I’d expected, but that’s a good thing.

Next up I make a chicken and avocado wrap and get ready for a paddle with Fiona. We head for Torrinch, have lunch and paddle back. A grand ‘lunch hour’.

I manage to get all the West Highland Way Gifts‘ products finished, an invoice done and all down to the village shop before closing time.

Fiona, Steven and Betty are coming for pizza tonight..but I need to nip along to Betty’s earlier with a custom leather gift she’s ordered for Kate and see if I can sort Alexa on her Sonos and find the missing STV app on her telly.

I’m back in time to get all the pizza prep done and we have a grand evening in the garden with our pals, heading inside when the midges get too much…

Tuesday 30 May 2023

A wee look at Whitley Bay Carnival…and a clip of Devil May Care….

A LOVELY day outside.I get busy on production for the shop order in the hope that I might get out for a paddle at lunchtime.

Although not exactly work, there’s a note int he diary to sort my bike chain which is stuck between the biggest cog on the rear cassette and the wheel. Once I get it free I spend some time re-indexing the gears.

While hand finishing some of the West Highland Way Gifts‘ products I’m not happy with the engraving so next job his a bit of – probably overdue – maintenance on the laser. Mirror and lens cleaning, rail lubrication etc. Then production resumes.

Next, I make some sandwiches and paddle to Port Bawn on the far end of Inchcailloch. The sun’s beating down and I have nice couple of hours’ extended lunch break.

After a quick shower when I get back I work on some custom designs for leather items then spend some time in the studio messing with song ideas.

Margaret brings home the shopping and I make tacos for dinner – corn tortillas, pulled pork, pickled red onion, smoked cheese and coriander. With a squeeze of lime. Maybe the best tacos I’ve made!

The rest of the night is spent assessing community funding applications in reparation for a hydro society board meeting later in the week.

Monday 29 May 2023

Gravel Road – a clip from the Wildcats’ livestream

THERE’S no milk in fridge so I have an early dash to the village shop to get some…and an order for some West Highland Way Gifts‘ products.

I get production underway then hit the studio for a Zoom session with one of my students.

Next, I start editing the video from Saturday’s show at Whitney Bay Carnival…then it’s back to production and ordering materials for the shop order.

It’s a lovely day but there’s a lot on the to-do list, inclusion sorting a special acoustic show at Kilmaronock Old Kirk for Friday 14 July. I manage to get out for. quick half-hour walk before my 7pm guitar student then it’s straight into my Wildcats’ Facebook livestream

Sunday 28 May 2023

West Highland Way Gifts at Drymen village hall…

A BIT of a panic to get everything ready for today’s sale at Drymen village hall.

As well as gathering all the stuff to sell, card readers and other stuff I need to make a wee sign to let folks know that all West Highland Way Gifts’ stuff can be customised/personalised.

The event opens at noon and although we plan on getting there around 11.30am it’s more like 11.45am. The organiser is a bit difficult as apparently there’s a WhatsApp group for the event that said folks must be there by 11.30am latest. She’s already turned someone away!

Well, I’m. not in that WhatsApp group – although she added me to another that as bombarded me with other ‘opportunities’ – so didn’t see ‘the conditions’, paid may money and I’ll be set up before doors open. She relents and lets us in…but her stubbornness is a fatal error that means I will likely avoid events organised by other folks in future.

Despite a good range of sellers, the event is pretty quiet. I do well as I spread the word on socials and I have a steady stream of visitors – most of whom buy stuff, including some vinyl and CDs that I threw in the bag ‘just win case’! I also get some custom orders for batches of items 🙂

We’ve thought about hosting our own sales for local creatives/bakers/producers – but charging a small donation (like a tenner max) to the community trust rather than charging £30/£40 per table. The (out of town) organiser must have made a (guaranteed) few hundred quid out the event while the sellers are all on a gamble…didn’t look like anyone else sold much. Entrepreneurial perhaps, but I’m not sure I like that balance!

Anyway, it was a good few hours for me.

Back home I have a coffee in the sunshine then get on with some work before we go along to Betty’s for dinner along with Shona, Ian, Tom and Joyce….

Saturday 27 May 2023

Devil May Care….great time at Whitley Bay Carnival 🙂

AFTER a good sleep we have breakfast at the hotel, check out and head for the seafront to load in at the Plaza Arena stage.

I’m not on ’til 2.30pm, but there’s already a steel band playing , the sun’s out and the place is mobbed.

The carnival parade is due to arrive at the seafront around midday and we watch that then get ready for my set.

I never expect too much from ‘family entertainment’-type daytime shows, but there’s a great static audience and I’m delighted at the reception.

After my hour-long set we chat to some folks buying mercy then pack up and had for home. Phew. Been a good couple days tho’ 🙂

Friday 26 May 2023

STILL not feeling 100% and the toilet visits are still pretty violent. Good to travel tho’…

I manage to get a few West Highland Way Gifts’ things made for Sunday’s sale event in Drymen before we leave for the drive south.

It’s a beautiful day and we have a nice drive to Whitley Bay, arriving in time for the carnival reception where we hang out with the organisers, sponsors and some other folks involved in the weekend-long event.

Our hotel is close by and after checking in we go to a nearby restaurant for some dinner before retiring for an early night.

Thursday 25 May 2023

THE doc sees me at 2.30am then I get some more pain relief and anti-sickness stuff…and another drip.

I think I manage to fall asleep around 3am and I’m woken at 7am by a nurse wanting to take blood. Another doc comes by soon after and tells me I need to go for a CT scan. I’d overheard him telling someone else that they’re scared may be ‘today or tomorrow morning’ so I ask when it may be and explain I have a show to play down south on Saturday. e takes my request on board and by midday I’ve had my scan.

I’m feeling a lot better and mange to get a few bits and bobs of work done on my phone but still not firing on all cylinders. Mid-afternoon the doc come back and tells me the CT scan doesn’t;t indicate a diverticularitis flare up, but there is some bowel inflammation/colitis…I can go home this afternoon tho’…and I’m prescribed antibiotics and some other tablets.

I call Margaret who comes to get me and we head home. Although not feeling much like it, I need to sort some guitar patches on the Quad Cortex ion advance of Saturday’s gig and I get the gear sorted and car parked ready for our drive to Whitley Bay tomorrow.

Wednesday 24 May 2023

Here we go again….

AFTER breakfast I work on some art for a set of custom leather key fobs…but I have a sore stomach and can’t concentrate.

A visit to the toilet is, let’s say, “dramatic” then i have to lie down. Ten minutes later I’m being sick….and so it begins. Again.

Things get steadily worse and when Margaret gets back from Glasgow she takes me to hospital….

Tuesday23 May 2023

ONCE the routine stuff’s out the way I get the bike out and take a ride to the village.

I have some stuff to drop off for Paul who’s opening a new coffee shop. We have a coffee and blether for a while then I cycle home.

The chain could do with a clean and some lube..and my gear’s are crunching so I leave the bike out to give some TLC later.

After lunch I check to see what West Highland Way Gifts’ stuff I need to add to my stock for Sunday’s event in Drymen.

I take some time to work on the bike but end up getting the chain stuck between the rear wheel and lowest gear cog. No time to sort now ‘cos I need to start prep for dinner…Betty’s coming to Jon us for butternut squash, smoked cheese and sage filo tart….

Monday 22 May 2023

I edit up a video blog covering our flying visit to Berlin…

BURST again, but too much to do to lie around in bed.

I get some of the gear and merch tidied up and put away before my first Zoom guitar student then I start dumping the video from the Berlin trip into the video editor.

While it’s copying over I do some work on the sound and setup for tonight’s Facebook livestream into my Wildcats’ group.

After lunch I start editing the Berlin video blog – or ‘vlog’ – and sort some merch orders that have come in.

I’m still editing when it’s time for another Zoom session with a guitar student…there’s just half an hour after that to finish the edit and get set up for the 8pm livestream. I wanna spin the video into this evening’s program.

I must have inadvertently done something to the audio interface because when I switch mics during my livestream the levels are all way too hot and the sound all distorted. I revert to plan B and finish the stream then close up the studio and go back to the house.

Our pals Billy and Dorothy are staying int he village tonight with some family and friends and pop up to see us We have a grand couple of hours catching up and making arrangements to see them again soon.

Sunday 21 May 2023

HAVING not got back to the hotel ’til 2.30am it’s no surprise we’re knackered. Just as well breakfast is ’til 11am!

Margaret also arranged a late checkout when we got back after the gig, so we’ve got the room ’til 2pm.

There’s a fair bit of re-jigging all our stuff. My gig stuff all got thrown in different bags, one guitar needs detuned and the other ‘collapsed’..and the mercy is all mixed up.

We check out at 2pm as planned and get a taxi to the airport which is about 40 minutes’ away. The promoted have paid for all out taxis, accommodation and everything!

Our flight back to Edinburgh isn’t ’til 9.40pm so there’s a fair bit of hanging around the airport. Coffee, cake…a little work followed by check in and bag drop then some dinner. The time passes pretty quick, even if our flight departure is delayed a little.

At Edinburgh airport we have to wait about 45 minutes for the bags to arrive and buy the time we’re home it’s after 2am…

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