Saturday 24th May 2008

Scally’s, Weston-super-Mare...

Well, we’re off! And it has to go down as the best birthday ever.

I got a wonderful present from Russ – a Sun Machine sticker for my Line 6 floorboard. Now I won’t keep walking off with ones that aren’t mine when we’re in the studio. Bev got me a card, which was very sweet.

We travelled to Weston in convoy, which meant that it took 45 minutes to get out of Warminster. We managed to lose Colin straight away – putting air in his tyres apparently. That’s some euphemism! Then Bev had to find petrol. Then there was a last minute panic about whether we’d got all of the PA.

Weston’s roundabouts were a step too far so sorry to anyone we cut up trying to keep together. One roundabout was so good, we did it thrice!

And then to Scally’s. What a place. A true music pub. The regulars were great, gentle mockery, warmth and a hint of danger. But they do like their music and hats off to all of them – a crowd that welcomed original material.

Two hours flew by. I could have carried on for two more. To the seasoned observer, most things worked, some didn’t, but that only added to the fun.

Anyway, we had a great time and found some new friends. And Bev, God bless her, sang ‘Happy Birthday’ for me. What a star!

The journey back was much quieter and it was only when we got home that I realised how much my ears were ringing! What a feeling.

So thanks Scallys. Hope to see you again soon.

Tim