River Rat Pack - Day 3

River Rat Pack - Day 2

Here are the Myspace links for the bands on board - well worth checking out!

http://www.myspace.com/ciarahaidar
http://www.myspace.com/sixnationstatetheband
http://www.myspace.com/thewildwolves
http://www.myspace.com/therealriffraff
http://www.myspace.com/natjenkins
http://www.myspace.com/smokeyangleshades
http://www.myspace.com/sexdrugspolitics (Beans on Toast)
http://www.myspace.com/chekatheband

Listening to: 'Somebody Stole my Gal' - Benny Goodman & His Orchestra

River Rat Pack Tour - Day 1

As the Summer breathed its final sigh a troop of Londoners prepared themselves for a week on board three barges; brought together by a love for music and the good life! Armed with a bountiful supply of whiskey I made my way to the pick-up point and met the fine young gentlemen that would be my companions for the week. Once on board everyone came together like one big happy family as the days were spent cruising gently down the river, passing beautiful villages and countryside, and by night we would take over sleepy towns to perform free gigs. On board this year were Riff Raff, Cheka, Beans on Toast, Six Nation State, Smokey Angle Shades, Wild Wolves, Ciara Hadar and Nat Jenkins. They provided endless doses of soulful music, both at the venues and snuggled up on deck in the wee hours. It was an inspirational week to be a part of, and I finally invented a drink I feel proud to put my name to. So to get an inkling of life on board, find yourself a quiet spot by a river, a musical friend with an instrument and lovingly brew up the following ingredients on a camping stove and enjoy being soothed all over by a Mama Blues:

You will need:
Milk - gently warm up until just before boiling
Mix in some honey
Add a generous dose of brandy
Then add a wee drop of whiskey - preferably single malt
Et Voila!

Listening to: 'Poor Freetown Boy' - Famous Scrubbs

Fine Day for a Wedding

There's nothing I enjoy more than a summer's wedding when you get to witness two people celebrating their love, surrounded by friends and family and there's always a marvelous array of hats to admire! My dear friend Simon was usher for his sister Hannah and her beau Toby on their special day, and they asked me to take some photos of the occasion. It was a beautiful ceremony and the reception was lavishly catered with delicious food, fine wine and ale, and it was the elders that put us youngsters to shame on the dance floor, with granny Taylor hot-stepping way past midnight!

Listening to: 'Down by the River' - Neil Young