Wednesday night and we’re having a ball. It’s our Fringe show, with Dr Neil Howard providing impassioned and informative commentary on the songs’ subject matter.
Rock-God Vibes
We have a fantastic response to our ‘wittiest placard competition’, ending the evening with the stage looking more like a demo than a gig. Once again, the multi-dextrous Stu Shaw joins us on bass, with Stephen Dalley Smith providing rock-god vibes on guitar.
Perhaps fortunately, the show running-over means we don’t have time to join our adoring fans for after-show drinks. Having said that, my old house-mate Nikki is staying at ours. So it would be rude not to have at least one beer with her as the adrenalin wears off. And perhaps a whiskey to wash that down.
Dark & Ominous
But we don’t allow things to get out of hand. In the morning, we have a fifty-mile ride to Newnham-on-Severn. Two years ago, we had an arts-centre gig here inexplicably cancelled. But our generous hosts Ian & Siobhan made us very welcome. We offered to play for them and friends in their home but ended up just having a lovely evening meal with them.
So, this year, we’re back to put things straight. But first we have to get there. For once, the weather looks less than friendly. As we set off, there’s rain in the air; the skies dark and ominous. The forecast for the coming days looks similarly unpromising. So, we prepare ourselves for a soggy trip.
Pure Freedom
Setting off in full rainwear, we don’t get far, however, before the weather abates. So, we’re able to enjoy the car-free railway path between Bath & Bristol divested of clammy waterproofs. I’m especially enjoying the ride now that I’ve got normally-sized tyres fitted, my bike feeling nippy and responsive. We’ve both had minor health concerns in recent times and it’s a joy to rekindle the pure freedom of cycling.
Our moods are further lifted by a brunch stop at the lovely track-side café in Warmley. Once a station, this is now a popular stop-off for cyclists on the Bristol to Bath Railway Path (not only a useful cycleway but also a pleasing rhyme). Here, they serve old-skool teas and breakfasts alongside modern-day coffees and ciabattas. Inexplicably, they also have a TARDIS toilet. I’m always half-expecting to see Tom Baker emerging in fedora and scarf, saying “I’d give that ten minutes”!
Highlights
On we push, following yet another variation on the route North through the outskirts of Bristol. This time around, we’re spared lengthy sections alongside busy dual-carriageways. Instead, we pick our way through suburbs, across parkland, via the University of the West of England’s Filton campus, past a British Aerospace facility and out to the Severn estuary. Of course, there’s more to it than that but those are – for want of a better expression – the highlights.
As we near the Severn bridge, dark clouds loom ahead, with dense curtains of rain clearly visible. So far, we’ve been fortunate. Since the initial downpour, we’ve only had the odd light flurry of precipitation. With hunger beginning to gnaw, we find a spot near the bridge at which to wolf down sandwiches before the anticipated deluge sets in. But it doesn’t.
Invigorating
As we cross the imposing structure, it’s a struggle to stay upright. The wind is so strong I attempt to get off and push but find that even worse. Fortunately the side-blast is pretty steady, so once you get used to the optimal amount of lean and speed of pedalling, it’s reasonbly OK. And quite invigorating.
Once across, there’s a fairly tedious trudge alongside dual carriageway, before turning North East through Chepstow and onto the dreaded A48. We’d remembered this being unpleasant but memory only goes so far before filtering out the worst. It’s a main artery with little passing space and impatient, borderline psychotic driver behaviour. Never again.
Post-Festival Brain
To mitigate against the temptation to shout obscenities at careless drivers, I repeatedly yell a song written on my way back from Shindig a couple of weeks ago. This has not yet been released but is titled ‘Cyclist’ and appeared pretty much fully-formed in my addled, post-festival brain. I’ll sing it for you some time. OK – how about now?…
Just to consolidate the unpleasantness of this final stretch, we’re hit by a sharp downpour shortly before our arrival in Newnham. Which only serves to make the evening there an even more magical experience. As before, our hosts Ian & Siobhan have beds ready made, shower at our disposal, beers, food and – this time – a gaggle of music-hungry friends lined up for the evening.
Having a (Glitter) Ball
An awning has been erected in the garden but, after the rain, it’s pretty cool outside. Ian & Siobhan are – of course – prepared for that eventuality. They’ve set up a space in their living room, complete with guitar amp, seating, dance floor and – best of all – a glitter ball! Seeing the latter, I’m instantly excited but insist we leave that for the end.
The select, invited audience is attentive, responsive and up for everything. Including the atonal sing-along, group harmonies and – at the end – dancing.
Sea of Stars
Ian’s itching to deploy the glitter ball and we finally let him loose on the last number. Killing the lights and illuminating said orb, we’re plunged into a sea of stars: which is pretty much how I’d describe everyone here. Thanks one and all!