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?

exploding harps.;

Yes you read it correctly DavAL the harp is now a pile of strings and broken wood after it exploded under the tension . Fortunately Fiona Katie has 32 other harps.
This now means though that I have two Months to completely build her another harp using differetn wood for the head.

I enjoyed making Daval and learnt a lot in doing so so I am secretly not too upset as I feel I can improve on the Design significantly and will be making a start on the new harp Capernicus tomorrow.

So all is well that ends well

Sucess - Happy Mother Day

A very Happy Mothers day to you all.
Fiona Katie has had a wonderful day ths far she has received a lovely bag fromfaughter and a bottle of something nice from her eldest son and phone calls from her twins so all is good there.
Meanwhile the orphan lamb which was been looked after until I recovered has returned!
5 times larger than when it left here..

We got back late last night F.K got to try out her new harp at a wedding venue and I am pleased to say that reports back were that it was a resounding success and judging by the rapturous applause I am certain it went down a hit.

This afternoon s job then is to change the new website and to complete it

Thank fully it should not take too long
In the meantime just for something different on the blog thought I would post some updated photos of flossy!!

Sunnier times

Well the sun is shining and as I write I can hear the Cockerels crowing away in the garden. The weather is a far cry from this morning when it rained.
F.K is playing at a weeding this afternoon for 1 hour and it is giving her a chance to test drive one of her new harps.
Meanwhile I am continuin to write and I am looking forward to getting the plaster cast removed from my leg on Tuesday that will be a weight off wuite literally

Well enough for today
Onwards and upwards I say!

Green wheels, Harp and A performance for the BBC

Well what a interesting week it has been
On Wednesday I had a appointment in Keighley so I was unable to go with Kate and since I had a broken leg I got a friend of mine who is a Policeman to take me to Keighley.
Meanwhile Fiona Katie had to dash off to Leeds , fortunately we had persuaded Alberts Fiona Katies son to help take the pressure off so he arrived in his silver VW and much to my suprise he had painted the wheels bright green!
Somehow he managed to get the harp and Fiona Katie into the car and they drove off for Fiona katie to perform as part as a showcase for the BBC
I got back home about 5pm myself and I did not see Fiona Katie till late on and I was in bed when she came home.
Seems she had a great night but did not want to go to the after party! shame I had a broken leg optherwise I would have gone along with her well more weddings lined up over the weekend lets hope the weather holds out for the couple and this wind dies down a bit ------- dave

new website and dates page updated

well I have finally done it after saying I would update the page on F.K's website I have finally done it and have also started to change the overall layout of the site which can be accessed from here http://www.tripleharps.com
Got a busy week over the next week the garage are coming to collect my car in the morning for the MOT on Tuesday Albert Fiona Katies lad is coming up to take her to the BBC project she is working on during wednesday evening.
Fiona Katie is also playing at the Wuthering Heights pub on Tuesday night along with our good friend Eddie Lawler. Tuesday nights performance is free of charge and all are welcome to attend we hope to see you there.

Things atrt hotting up for the wedding season at the weekend and details of the dates that Fiona is booked to play on can be found on the updated dates page of the website