I like to work in Yorkshire because it usually gives me the opportunity to see my family - but alas this particular occasion was an exception.  This gig was a 40th birthday party in Apperley Bridge, West Yorkshire and I was going as a duo with the inimitable Dave Silk on bass.

It should have gone very smoothly except for the fact that I ended having to do a job in London on the same day. I tried to find someone to do the daytime job so that I could be free to drive up to Yorkshire with Dave. I couldn't find anyone to dep for me so we ended up making our own separate ways up to Yorkshire. Dave managed to set off from Kent quite early (12-00pm) in his van while I had to set off from London at around 3-00pm. We were supposed to be at the party at about 7pm which didn't give me much time to play with should there be any bad traffic problems or any difficulties finding the venue. The venue on this occasion was a private house which can be a lot more difficult to find than a hotel or golf club. Anyway, having had a difficult time getting out of London on to the M1 - the rest of the journey was fine and I managed to find the house quite easily.

Dave Silk replete and happy after a curry

When I arrived I was greeted by the host of the party and his wife (the 'birthday girl') but no Dave Silk. I soon discovered that he had gone into Bradford for a curry. He must eat curries everyday of the week. Besides music and musicians, Indian food seems to be his main interest in lifeThe party was great and we had a really receptive audience who just made us want to perform. I arrived back home at about 7pm on Sunday morning which didn't give me much time before going to my lunchtime gig at the Spa Hotel in Tunbridge Wells.