Popes, Cider & Birthdays

Well, it's been a while, so lets deal with these in order, shall we?
The Village Inn in Nailsworth was a blindin' gig, despite the Papal Election being a bit of a damp squib compared to last year - come on people, I could have come up with a better Hustings speech than any of you proposed Pontiffs in five minutes - put some effort in! I wouldn't be surprised to find out the Pope of Nailsworth has been Defrocked by the time we next play there...
Massive thanks to the stalwarts behind the bar, though, who kept us fuelled with free beer all night - THAT'S how you get the Party Started, folks..!

After that was an all-dayer at the Bell Inn on Walcot St in that there Bath - always a fun gig, despite the rather weird stage setup which causes a few sound problems, but these were ably sorted out by the resident noise-boy, and it turned out nice in the end. The new manager also didn't complain about the volume like the old landlord, which was a nice change. The following week he hit the headlines for ejecting the odious Nigel Farage from the pub after he tried to use it to hold an election meeting in, so our respect for him has shot up several notches further - well done, Sir!

 

Next on the list was a last-minute request to play a Cider & Sausage Festival at the Southbank Club in Bristol - we like cider, and we like sausages too so why not, we thought, and it was a very good decision. We'd never heard of the place before, but it turns out to be a big old club in South Bristol with a nice-sized stage, PA and lighting rig. We were supporting the excellent Flash Harry, who've been playing around these parts for even longer than we have, and it was a pleasure to do. The event was organised by the Bristol Cider Shop, a magical emporium on Christmas Steps that dispenses all manner of appley goodness... check it out if you're ever in that area.

Finally in May, I found that my 50th birthday had sort of crept up on me. Not being one for throwing parties (too much effort and clearing up in my view), I was hoping for a local gig to turn up, and happily there was a night free at the Oxford in Totterdown, which was perfect.

I had a great night, don't know about anyone else! Lots of beer, some good mates, and thanks to DFP an enormous pork pie - that's a Night Out, that is..!