Aoelus

Well that's the last time I mention God's of Wind in my lessons! (Attempts at glissando) Non-stop, it has been. Blown all the gorgeous scented rose petals off the bushes in the yard that usually last the month.

We officially live in a hamlet - originally there were 12 families living here. We are still assigned one yellow street light. It has a nice community feel about it at the moment. Always someone around to chat to! Builders are doing up the cottages next door. It cost us a bottle of wine because they left the gate open and our trainee sheepdog took advantage and chased all the sheep into the next door farm's garden .... whoops. She then got them cornered by the patio window and sat by them till we found her and gave her new instructions. A few chairs knocked over and the gravel churned up but no lasting damage, thankfully!

barbed wire harps

Well I'm back at Wycoller - wonder if 'Squire Cunliffe' will be there? I chatted to him a couple of years ago and he told me his Grandma had taught Harpo Marx to play the harp. He told me a wonderful story about Harpo (but you have to come to my concerts to hear it) but he seemed more at home in his long curly grey whig, tights and high-heeled black shiney shoes with huge silver buckles showing everyone around his old Hall ...

Thank you to the person who gave me a picture of the harp Salvador Dali made for Harpo - with barbed wire - fantastic. I try and think of a suitable name and all I can come up with at present - with apologies - is Painf-Al.

Thank you also for the comment on the last blog.

See you at Wycoller for a pure Celtic, historical harp indulgence - Sunday 2-4 pm (yes the times have changed - we're very laid back there)

Bells in A

Bob Hoskins smiled at me! A long, slow smile across a crowded room, just a couple of seconds. I was playing the harp at a wedding and he was apparantly related somehow to one of the couple. The hotel is a favourite of mine, no flashiness to impress, very classy and I often chat to people and come away and think - was that ...?

Last summer I was sat at the bottom of the 'back stairs' playing at a wedding when I noticed a girl sat half way up, almost hidden, in a white track suit. We shared a couple of laughs at the goings on of the guests and young bridesmaids. It was only afterwards that the staff told me it was Kiera Knightly.

I am playing at Wycoller Park next Sunday afternoon - we thought this had gone with the cuts but I am valued apparantly. I will be playing my version of Owen O'Rourke with the big bell in A.