Oh bring me the boatman,...

Hurray have finally pitched up in Kirkcaldy, nabbed some free wi-fi and am connected with the outside world. I can honestly hand on heart say that Liddi and I are having the absolute best time since we cross to border to Scotland.

The scenery up here has stolen my heart and I feel as though have fallen in love, every corner we turn Liddi and I are gasp "wow" it is truly truly beautiful.

So first stop was the lovely Coffee Shop in Strathpeffer. Uber cool coffee house complete with silent laurel and hardy movies and a soda fountain store. We had a wonderful show with the kindest of audiences. Many thanks to Rob Ellen for putting us on, to be honest I have developed a bit of a mini crush on Rob, he has a great warmth to him. The gig is run along similar lines to a house concert which made the whole atmosphere all lovely and warm. We stayed overnight with Jim and Marilyn on the breathtaking Cairngorm mountains. We drove up to the house late at night when it was pretty dark so couldn't really take in the scenery but awoke in the morning to realise that there was a snow capped mountain right outside the window. I have never breathed air so fresh or eaten eggs so yellow. Wonderful.

Next stop we made a lovely journey over the highlands to catch the ferry over to Mull.

Onwards to Tobermory which to be honest I think is the prettiest village I have ever been to. Huge thanks to Gordon and the team at the An Tobar arts centre that were our hosts for the evening. After a quick photo shoot with the gorgeous men of the Tobermory RNLI crew, we were straight up to the show:

I managed to catch a shot of the stage backstage which for me summises why I love/fear gigging. It's the moment when you see the stage all lit up backstage with an empty seat and your guitar waiting ready.....there is nothing left to do but play:

The show was wonderful and the audience were as good as they come. After staying in the fab B&B gordon sorted for us and eating potato scones for breakfast we made the drive down from the highlands to Edinburgh. Last night I caught up with a old friend I haven't seen in over 12 years, strange to realise how much time changes and doesn't change us at the same time.

So, now we have arrived in Kirkcaldy for the show tonight at The Acoustic Club. I can't believe we are counting down our last three shows. Tomorrow we head up to the highlands again to the loft in Forres before the long long long drive down to Burton on Trent for the last show on Saurday at The Madhouse. If you are anywhere near driving distance of Burton on Saturday you should come along for the following reasons a) it's our last gig of the tour b) the madhouse is brilliant and c) if all goes to plan Clive will be heading across to play the set with us.

Super exciting I get to see Dom on Saturday and this time not leave him to go anywhere else. However, I do have a desperate urge to write new material so my friend is going to try and sort me out a little hideaway in Ireland for a week so I can lock myself away with my guitar and a keyboard to get some new material written.

Liddi is good, being a rock and I have laminated her a certficate for best equipment lugger the world has ever seen.

Doing the laundry...

I've developed a fascination with laundrettes, this is not new to me, I've had it for a few years, but I only get reminded of it when a visit to the launderette is looming. Like this morning..this morning was a laundrette in Inverness:





I think it is because they are a tiny little oasis in an otherwise hectic world. You simply must just sit down for an hour or so. You don't need to go anywhere, feel guilty about not doing anything or try to do anything else. You must simply just guard your washing and sit on your bum. I was devastated this morning to find the launderette also had internet access. NO! This must be stopped a launderette has one purpose only - washing (and occasional dreaming the guy from old 90's levi's ad may come in at any moment)

So anyway I digress, we have arrived in the highlands for the Scottish leg of the tour. The long drive yesterday was beautiful, the 110 miles of the A9 from Stirling to Inverness is magnificent. Today, Liddi and I are gonna head over to see Loch Ness (if only I had my thistle whistle) and then over to Strathpeffer for tonights show at the The Coffee Shop.

I can't believe it is only 5 more shows til the tour is over, it seems like only yesterday we set off but as though I've been away for a lifetime as well. Strange.

I'm desperate to get home and find myself some writing space and time, I think I may try and find a little hideaway somewhere for a week, I can feel a whole new album's worth of material coming on.

Right, I'm off to get me a nessie.

Feeling hot hot hot

Boy o boy, this touring malarky is harder than I thought. Every second seems to be allocated to one of the following activities:

1. Lugging stuff

2. Playing

3. Sleeping

4. Washing

I have finally managed to grab half an hour at my mates place in Liverpool to catch up on blogging...so where have we been....hmm..right, after Kelveldon we played in the lovely lovely manningtree, super fun show where two monumentous things happened, firstly we were mobbed by adoring fans:

and two, Liddi and I finally bonded:

Manningtree is a fabulous gig, we had a wonderful Georgian house all to ourselves and Myrtel makes the best cooked breakfast, thanks so much to all the gang for having us.

Next up we headed over to the wonderful Hitchin folk club to support Boo Hewerdine. The hotel was great and it was fantastic to finally have somewhere to rest our heads for more than one night. To celebrate I unpacked a bag and bought mountains of sweets from the awesome sweet shop in town. They even pipe Willy Wonka film tunes through the store!

Home sweet home at the Sun Hotel.

What heaven looks like.

Liddi and I are particuarly impressed with our sweet consumption thus far and are now heading into our retro phase of army and navy, cola cubes and banana split. Yes, yes, we are doing well.

We've played Laundan town and the mondaymonday folk club with some great support from Matt Munro and Raven. We've also played the lovely Hoy at the Anchor folk club in Leigh on Sea which is right by the sea and reminded us of home.

There is some fantastic talent in Leigh on Sea and the singer spots before us were really lovely. So from Leigh on Sea we headed north to Otley to stay with the lovely lovely Patsy Matheson and her family for a couple of nights. We played at the cross keys folk club which to be honest has probably been my favourite show so far. Only because Clive finished his support with Jools Holland then headed over to catch the end of my set and joined in for the last 4 numbers, lovely.

I had a BBC interview with BBC Lancashire interview yesterday and tonight we will be playing at a house concert in Preston. Tomorrow, we cross the border to Scotland.

So how are we doing? To be honest I am completely knackered, unsure of what day it is and just a touch homesick but Liddi and I are both super looking forward to seeing the highlands tomorrow. Also, it is too hot, too too hot, I'm melting. I didn't bring any summer clothes and am therefore staying in my nightwear for as long as possible before having to drag my jeans on. They said it was cold up north, they lied.

get into the groove...

Ahh lovely, this is the life, had an absolutely great gig with Clive last night at the institute at kelvedon, which is quickly becoming one of my favourite venues to play. Mainly because James is one of the most professional promoters I have ever met:

James Partridge - approach with caution.

We've had a lovely lazy morning of swanking around in Clive's hotel eating breakfast and nicking their wi-fi, which is where I am blogging from. The 48 hours prior to these have been somewhat more of a slog, we've done a show at The Beehive in Swindon, many thanks to Andy for having us and for Justin and Claire for suprising me by turning up to the show. We then drove overnight to Heathrow so that we were situated half way between the next show, only to discover when we checked into the hotel that I had left my laptop at The Beehive. So next morning we had a VERY long and horrible horrible drive back to swindon and then back across country to Kelveldon. I now have a deep hatred for the M25 and would quite happily blow it up and will endeavour never to have to drive on it ever again in my lifetime. My arse now looks like the bucket of the driving seat. Nice.

Last night I had a lovely time falling asleep in a rocking chair whilst Clive sang me songs backstage, Clive's set was awesome last night with fab new material. If you get a chance to catch him whilst he's on this tour I highly highly recommend it. I know he's me mate and all that but boy that man knows how to write a killer song.

Today? We are chillaxing, super. Breakfast done, 5 cups of coffee, gonna do a bit of essentials shopping and then meander on over to Manningtree to decamp to tonights accommodation and have showers and a nap before the show this evening.

We are having a lovely time, but I'm missing Dom loads :( and it's only day 4!! Ah, no rest for the wicked, we're off to errr, swank!

me, swanking and looking a bit rough to be frank!

Liddi backstage at The Institute

Lovely lovely pepper, James and Helen's doggie :)

No lidia you may NOT open any more windows...

Right short and sweet today, only have an hour before we need to start setting up for tonight. So we managed to get everything crammed in the car (just) - ta da:

Last night saw us at the travellers rest in Draycott, Derby. Fun show, special thanks to Liz and Lynn for coming over to see us (again), it's like having proper groupies!! Also thanks to Kevin for having us and putting us up for the night.

We have spent today with a radio interview with the spectacularly lovely Geoff McQueen, on Bay fm, then tootling our way over to Swindon, where we are now decamped at the The Beehive for the show this evening. The majority of the journey was spent battling with Liddi about the temperature in the car. Liddi seems to think that -240c is a suitable interior temperature whereas I would prefer to feel as though I am in a sauna. The result was me being having to put every item of clothing I bought with me on as well as two blankets and a hat, whilst Liddi drove in her underwear (not quite, but you get the picture). Right o, we're off to find hot food and get set up for tonight.

We are super looking forward to tomorrow night with Clive at The Institute in Kelvedon, yay!

Toodle pips.

It's tough being a girl...

Ahh 48 hours of being at home, lovely. Tomorrow we set off for the long 20 day stint on the road and I am spending these last hours having a post op check up at the hospital and attempting to pack for the road.

Now, if I was a boy, this would be an easy task. Boys are the road are smelly, revolting creatures and would probably only pack one pair of jeans, two pairs of boxers, one pair of socks and two t-shirts for the entire time. I, however, am not a boy. Thus, I am having to attempt to cram everything I require into a case that is a least physically possibly to pick up. Girls just need more things, toiletries for a start. Clothes, now I'm NOT turning my pants inside out for anyone nor am I prepared to wear the same pair of jeans for 20 days straight. What about my hair dryer? Make up? Bras? Selection of co-ordinating outfits? Hmmm...no it's no good liddi is just gonna have to sit on the roof, I can't fit it all in the punto. Liddi has refused. Right then, I'll leave behind the PA, mic stands, mics and guitars. Nope. Need them. Argh, a trailer? No too expensive. There is nothing for it, I shall have to forsake the 4 coats and make do with just one.

We have encountered another problem. Liddi and I have what appears to be matching clothes. This I assure you is completely accidental and was only discovered recently at a motorway service station when people started look at us funny. I then realised not only were we both wearing dark jeans, black tops but also the exact same brown leather jacket. This is NOT a band uniform. We have now then had to devise a "clothing rota" which means I can wear the coat on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays only. Neither of us are allowed to wear it on Sundays.

So where have we been? Well Leicester was the last stop, a lovely show at the musician with a super lovely crowd. Huge thanks to Liz and Lynn for rallying the troops, we had a fab time and our support for the evening came in the form of the fabulous Cole Stacey. Cole and his pal Scott were fantastic and we hope to see them on the road again soon.

Right then, I'm off to curse the suitcase, pick up the last minute essentials and run the last load of errands before we hit the road tomorrow.

Latest pics:

Backstage at the musician, leicester.

What we look at all day long.

What we do when we are not doing that.

I just canny do it captain....

I tried, honest to God I have tried to blog everyday liked promised, but it has become a quick realisation that finding wi-fi access on the road is not always as easy as it looks. But at last we have settled into a pub in Trowbridge with some drinks and wifi access. Woop.

Liddi and I are having a wonderful first leg of the tour. Wednesday saw us start the day at BBC Leicester for a super fun interview with Jim Smallman and then onto Biddulph for a set at the wonderful Biddulph up in Arms. We knew we had struck gold the minute we arrived at Graham and Vanyas with whom we were staying. Not only do they have a truly wonderful home but they welcomed us like old friends which made us feel all gooey, plus we love Aggie the dog.

Aggie the dog

Breakfast, yummmmmmmmmmmeeeeeee.

What a view to wake up to!

Everyone at Biddulph Up in Arms was lovely huge thanks to Eric, Craig, John, Sylvia and the gang for having us, sorry about spilling an entire glass of coke all over the stage when I went on. Biddulph was great for ironing out the clitches before we head on for the long leg next week. Must NOT wear shows on stage and must sit down whenever possible. For some reason I am 4323489 times more nervous when I stand up.

Last night we had a super fun show in Cwmaman at the acoustic lounge, huge thanks to Huw and Graham for having us, fantastic sound system. Hopefully I'll be back for the festival in the autumn. We had to travel on last night and finally rested our heads at the lovely brooklands motel. Liddi did a sterling job on the driving front but is a bit tired now:

So we have landed in Trowbridge, had some italian food, chilling out for a couple of hours before sound check for the folk club tonight.

Ta-Da. I've blogged, super super proud of errrr me! yay.

Byyeeee

What is that jumper I'm wearing??!? Never again.

You know your famous when......

Right o. We're off. The new album tour has offically started and I am already behind on the whole blogging thing. In my defence, it's been a bit stop/start this week and I will probably do better with my blogging once I'm on the road full time.

The album launch was fantastic, thank-you so much to everyone that came out to make it such an amazing night for me and the band. We all loved it and it was utterly brilliant turning to my left and seeing Clive playing and making me feel all safe and what not.

So we've been to Bristol and Cornwall so far, reached the pinnacle of my career thus far when I arrived at the Crumplehorn Inn to find my face on all the fag butt bins. True:

Thanks so much to Sonya in Cornwall who always puts on original music in the fantastic Crumplehorn Inn, so many landlords these days just put on some covers singer/duo that it is becoming rarer and rarer to find pubs that support original artists and have macaroni cheese on the menu - yum.

This rest of this week has consisted of vast amounts of sleep after the album launch and attempting to pack and re pack the car to try and fit in everything we need to tour with. Which has been successful other than whoever is in the passengers seat (me or liddi) needs to also share the seat with 2 mic stands, a suitcase, a case of bottled water and a super sized bag of haribo. Ho-hum that's the touring life.

We set off on Wednesday for a BBC interview in the morning followed by Biddulph, Aberdare and then Trowbridge before another brief stopover at home before we go onto the long haul stretch. Anyway, here's a few pics from the album launch.

Photo by Xan Phillips

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