I know some of you were expecting instant updates over the weekend so first of all, apologies for not getting the diary updated sooner.

Overall, I enjoyed the weekend very much and took great pleasure in playing some nice tunes with friends.

Despite the stupendous oversight by the organisers of not advertising the sessions properly, we more or less ended up with the right sort of people at the right sort of do. And a few bewildered as well.

The Irish session on Friday night was well attended, and thanks to Andy Renshaw for coming along and showing how a Bodhran should be played. It does make a difference when there is a good rhythm going. You can imagine how our hearts dropped when a djembe player arrived! Fortunately he was one of the better ones and played quietly. Ian the piper ran the session skilfully making sure that nothing outrageous threatened the session. This included a tactful proactive challenge to a person with no visible means of instrumentation sitting amongst us. It turned out that he was a well known song worrier and eventually wondered off to find some more singers. Now at Deal, they *ADVERTISE* and *LAY ON* both *SINGAROUNDS* and *MUSIC SESSIONS*. No more hints. Next time it’s a poke with a specially sharpened banjo or a ferral Morris man down your breeches.

We played some cracking stuff for about 3 hours, didn’t empty the pub and actually got quite a bit of very positive feedback. Yes, there’s a surprise. The atmosphere was good and the pub wasn’t full of rowdies. We did miss the dancer though. Some regulars from Thursday crept in to see what was happening.

Saturday dawned and the Festival Band called. 9:30 for 10 at the Preston Street stage. A glorious setting in front of the bus station and opposite someone who apparently it is easy to upset. The set-up never goes completely smoothly but we were ready to go shortly after 10:00 with noise level meters bristling from windows and the thrum of a burger van generator (plus the griddle exhaust. It didn’t have a catalytic converter but it sure needed one. Or a filter. Or moving to the outskirts of town). Usual big band extravaganza but sadly missing drums this year. Opinion is divided about the full rock drum kit. I love it to bits but I fear that I am in a minority. Good to see Bob Kenwood, Felix – all the old Festival Band gang. I realised that I had come out without any plectrums so I borrowed one off Bob. A little tip for banjo players. Thin plastic plectra don’t make it through an hour’s gig. I used all three points of a Gibson and split each one in no time. I really appreciate my little Dunlop nylon plectra now. Bless them.

And then off for Elevenses at Havershams before the session in the Bear.

And so, avid sessioneers and followers of this strange world – more in a wee while.