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?