MY Thursday morning guitar student is coming today…she’s not around tomorrow and we’re away on Friday.
I have a loch pendant to deliver in the next village and Margaret has a meeting at the village hall. I go with her, deliver the pendant and walk home. Margaret’s off to Glasgow for some shopping after her meeting.
After lunch I do some more work on the new song recording and re-do some of the yodels. Still a bit ‘rustic’ but maybe that’ll add to the effect!
An afternoon guitar pupil is a no-show. Despite my text reminder it seems ‘mum forgot’ that we’d changed this week’s lesson to Wednesday. Ah well…
I continue work in he studio ’til Margaret comes home with the shopping then we wander along to Betty’s for dinner and a nice chilled evening.
FIRST job of the day is gathering the quantities and sizes of posters/flyers for the upcoming gigs.
The artwork’s all done, so it’s just a question of getting it and the instructions off to the printer.
Once all the boring stuff is out the way I do a bit more work on the arranghemebnt of the new song – Younger Days – and record a rough demo.
We have a listen in the house and decide it’s a go-er despite straying quite far into country territory.
I spend the afternoon recording a better version but struggle a bit with my yodelling. Surprise.
I take a break when Sheldon and David stop by with a price to rebuild our deck. It’s a great quote – although still a lot of money for us – and we go ahead. Might be a while before they have time to do the job tho’.
Back in the studio I finally mange to record some passable (I thinK!) yodels and save the session to be developed further (hopefully) tomorrow.
A ZOOM guitar student first thing then I take advantage of a gap in the rainfall to go for a walk up the lochside.
First job when I get back is to see if I can sort the chop saw which gave up the ghost the other day. I check the power breaker on the outside socket.it;s OK. Next, the fuse in the plug and…bingo! That’s it . Fixed.
I make a couple of prototype castings then a custom magnetic leather bookmark for West Highland Way Gifts then send some time in the studio working on ideas for a new song…tentatively titled Younger Days.
Somehow I’d forgotten to put a guitar lesson in the diary, but Violet’s mum messages me to say her step dad will be bring her for today’s lesson. Phew! The lesson goes well.
When I go back to the house Maggi’s in chatting with Margaret about putting together our local place plan. I join them and chat for a while…it’s after 11pm when we have dinner!
Grand day out at Thornill with Norrieston Nook’s pop up coffee shop…
A BIT of a scramble to get the car packed and o the way to Thornhill. We’re a few minutes late getting there but nothing’s really started yet,
Evie from Norrieston Nook pop-up coffee shop has invited us to have a table at her event. Only takes us a few minutes to get set up and I’m pleased with my £35 banner stand from Solopress. For a budget banner the print quality is great and the fact that it’s compact and lightweight is actually a benefit!
Colin from Thornhill Woodturning and Gasgow-based artist Alister Bull have tables either side of us and it’s great to chat about our various projects.
We don’t sell much stuff but there’s lots of interest for in personalised items and possible future sales.
Back home we attempt to sort out the woodshed but just a couple of minutes into the cutting up of various ‘scrap’ bits of wood the saw gives out. Mmmm…
Instead we go back indoor and work out how to mount the projector screen in the living room so we can easily move it from room to room which will be good come the colder weather and dark nights.
We have pizza outside then watch a couple of episodes of Ted Lasso before bed…
FIRST – and main – job of the day is press/media for the upcoming shows.
We’d been holding off in case any more dates came in but we’re right on some media deadlines, so the news release etc needs to go out today.
I finalise the copy then send off to some of my media contacts.
After lunch I spend some time on West Highland Way Gifts‘ merch for Saturday’s pop up event in Thornhill then get my camera gear ready to take a photo to accompany my news release for the community hydro society.
I’ve arranged to take a group pic with representatives from the local organisations that received awards from he society.
After selecting a couple of images I draft up a news release and send it off to my fellow directors for approval.
WITH a West Highland Way Gifts’ table at a pop-up coffee shop event in Thornhill on Saturday I need to get busy with some stock.
Some new prototype ideas show promise but there’s a few flaws that need ironed out – cat head pendants and magnetic leather bookmarks will be joining the product range soon!
Betty and Liz stop by for a coffee in the garden and some help sending package to Canada then I take a clip form last night’s livestream and post it round my socials.
After lunch I spend a bit of time trying to organise a photoshoot for the local community hydro society for tomorrow then get back on the product development.
I’d hoped to get into the studio but before I know it the afternoons gone and Sheldon and David B stop by to see if they can help with our decking dilemma. Let’s just say last week’s quote of five grand for fixing our three by two metre deck ain’t happening. I guess they guy didn’t;t want the job. Hope our buddies will come up with something more affordable.
We go for a wee wander before dinner then sit back and watch the Apple event on replay…
I HAVE an online guitar student first thing…closely followed by another who’s slot is usually 7pm but has been are-arranged this week.
Then it’s straight to the doc in the village for my flu vaccine.
I’d planned to walk back but the timing’s gonna mess up the day too much so that idea is ditched.
After lunch I start re-organising the space in the studio to try and make a more dedicated space for my livestreams. There’s a lot of technical considerations as well as logistical hoops to jump through!
An in-person guitar student late afternoon then I do a little work on merch in the office.
Back in the studio some more prep setting up the livestream and deciding on tonight’s content.
The re-organised space works well…some Fien tuning necessary, but generally not bad!
UP early to go out for a walk with Martyn. Good to catch up and get some fresh air.
When I get back there’s a message from Fiona saying she and David are paddling down from Rowardennan if I wanna meet them on the water.
I get my stuff together and head out on the water. We hook up at Inchlonaig and paddle back together.
Back home I have a big drink of water, a slice of apple pie and a coffee in the garden then hit the shower.
I spend the afternoon working oil some design ideas for new West Highland Way Gifts’ stuff and some promo round my socials.
Next, I Strat prepping the huge marrow Sandy brought us. Gonna make a chorizo, tomato, onion and herb concoction, stuff and roast the marrow then top with manchego and panko breadcrumbs. Works out amazing!
We eat in front of the telly watching Bill’s monthly livestream…
Terry denies all responsibility…not sure what for…then we have cake
WE have breakfast and more chat then Jon and Maggi head off.
I have a chat with Evie in Thornhill – she’s running a ;pop up coffee shop in the village next Saturday (16 Sept) and is keen for me to go along and sell some of my wares.
After some work in the studio I hit the office and work on some design ideas for products that aren’t solely related to the West Highland;and Way and Loch Lomond in preparation.
We have an early dinner – actually, more of a snack – then into Glasgow for my pal Terry’s 60th birthday party. It’s also his brother Shaun’s 63rd birthday (same day!) and also their brother-in-law Kenny’s 60th coming up soon.
I have seen many oof the folks for nearly 40 years so there’s a lot of reminiscing and we have a grand night.
