Red Kite over Talgarth

Talgarth Mill - a delectable cafe with scary accoustics

There’s a lone red kite flying down the main street in Talgarth. Otherwise the town’s strangely empty. We’re here for Mel’s Birthday Bash and, after being sneaked in the back door of Café Melin, burst into a saxophany of Happy Birthday. Straight into Ain’t Misbehavin’, Summertime and Careless Love to a bemused audience – it’s a small space and we’re loud. Biggest applause is raised by our duet of The Rose. Strange how captivating the voice can be (even from two guys on the wrong side of 65). 

Also 'on the street': my latest book

Sunday morning and a solo busk in lovely Ludlow. Takes me a while to build up steam so when a passer by offers: “Do you want this 20p or my lucky penny?” I opt for the penny. 

Afterwards nip into Castle Bookshop to tell Stanton about my latest title, just out. He promises to order a copy. Where would we be without small, independent bookshops like these?

The Great Outdoors

The Great Outdoors: a lovely place to play

Prevented from taking to the street all this year because of two book deadlines. So it was a relief to have a practice session with my fellow sax player in our local Asda underpass. Playing outdoors is good for the soul.
Frightened a small boy with the opening blast of Amazing Grace, but charmed a young mum with Ain't Misbehavin', a slow rolling version we're developing. We're building a set that includes Summertime, Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter, Pennies From Heaven, Careless Love and our warm up, MD (short for Morally Dubious).
And it definitely sounds better outside.