The harp with no name

A week of incredible highs and lows. The biggest 'buck-me-up' (other than my Dad's breakfasts) was our new friend, Philip, phoning up to say he had made me a harp ...! WOW!!! This harp is magnificent - thank you so much.

It has no name as yet... in fact it has no strings either ... or any decoration!
It is made from 100 yr old Oak and has a new-fangled design by Philip to hold the soundboards together at the front.

I cannot wait to get it strung up but first I need to decide how to decorate it as it's impossible to do any painting when there's 128 strings in the way! Dave has a wood-burning gadget which would burn a pattern into the wood permanently. I just have to work out the stencil patterns.

Firstly though I have a harp to finish decorating for this weekend! I have managed to design a 3/4 size harp with the same amount of range as the big 'concert' harp. I have made the bass strings as they are obviously slightly shorter. Although this harp has been 'out' a few times I have not had chance to fully decorate it!

I will be parking in a multi-storey in Manchester and walking with harp-on-wheels and amp across town with my long dress, microphone, spare strings etc in a ruck sack - I need this harp. There is no way I would manage with a full size harp!!

Why don't you drop off the harp I hear you ask? Simple - one-way systems - arghhhh!!! I hate 'em. Saturday afternoon in Manchester ... much easier to have a carriable harp.

Well more of harps (and of course the secret of my Dad's amazing 'buck-oo-up-oo'
breakfasts) later ...

baby donkeys and puppies

'what's this all about?' - I was asked so many times on Friday as the public watched act after act perform behind the bus station in Keighley! I was on after the Bingley Bell Ringers. The wind had got up and was swirling around, carrying all the sound away. If you can't hear bells you're gonna struggle to hear a harp alas ...! We did our best so hope it sounded okay! There was quite a crowd and it was good to hear live music in Keighley.

All is well on the farm. The baby donkey, Dodge, and mum, Flossy, are thriving. Flossy had her feet clipped and is looking very sprightly again. Dodge puts on a show for any passing walker charging around and rearing up on his hind legs. We keep going on Facebook to see photos of him taken by complete strangers!

Jack came for the weekend. Mist, his puppy went for her first proper walk on a lead ... well actually we keep forgetting to buy one so we used a bungee! She also came with us in the car to Sainsburys ... didn't think much to it at first as she shot under the car but Jack coaxed her out and she got used to it eventually.

My next gig ... Limetree Festival ... Sunday afternoon ... see you there?