Day 25 - Aberystwyth
The final day of the Welsh trilogy takes us to Aberystwyth university, and possibly one of the most gorgeous views on the tour as we decended the steep incline of the A44 and the road - cut into a vally lined with trees opened up, to reveal the rooftops of the whole town in the distance, beyond which was the sea. At the time of day we entered the sun was low in the sky and reflected across the ocean throwing the rooftops into silhouette which was quite simply breathtaking. Then I crashed the car. No I didn't.
The University was pretty amazing too. Cream bright walls and Big glass windows looking out onto the sea made it feel like starfleet academy, full of new student in the 2nd week. The gig didn't disappoint either, great numbers and they all lapped it up - especially one lad who claimed to have 'everything' on his ipod. A great way to end the Welsh dates, certainly after Brecon. Did I mention I was repeatedly interupted by a kid with downs? I gave him the benefit of the doubt as he shouted out random words - while his friend/carer found more humour in his outbursts than my set. Bless Brecon. Finally got around to doing the interview with Charlie for SFX.
Day 26 - Guildford
Guildford isn't London, but I think of it as London. From the you-can't-park-anywhere attitude to the big haired posh woman who after 10 mins of driving round in the chock-a-block car park, stared at me, looked at the car and felt need to comment "That's an interesting piece of parking!". I looked at the car. It wasn't straight, but it was perfectly acceptable. Obviously she didn't know that I've spent the entire month driving and parking and driving and parking and driving and driving and parking and moving and driving and parking and parking. So I didn't mean to be too aggresive when I dug down deep into my thickest mackem sensibilities and spat out "AYE PET, IT'LL DEE!".
I got a ticket and decided to re-align the car, not because of anything she said, but out of pure dick-ishness. The second I got into the BMW and reversed a little, two cars appeared. "Oh good, Are you leaving?" quipped a fop from the window of his Audi. "No, I'm not.".
The gig went ok, quite quiet.
Day 27 - Lincoln
The Theatre Royal in Lincoln was a lovely old place, and the crew were very pleasant. I was knackered so did a lot of sleeping in the dressing room. Over the tour my sleeping pattern has become very irregular. (I've just written that as 'speeling pattern', which sounds a more accurate description.) Lots more sleep of the dreamy imaginary kind, where I think I've done something, or been somewhere when I haven't and vise versa. My phone internet has stopped working, which is interesting as I forked out for the 'unlimited' package. Turns out Virgin mobile's idea of 'unlimited' is 1GB, which sounds like a lot but isn't. One of the features of the phone as sold was the BBCiplayer application, so after two episodes of Merlin and one of Spooks it's all gone. Boo Hoo - I hate you virgin mobile. Oh no, I've fallen asleep with it turned on.
Another quiet gig, but I kick a good bit of energy into them.
A far too brief stop off at home beckons, then off to Ireland.
Day 21 - Wellingborough
After the sell out gig in Nottingham, things are more normal and quiet in Wellingborough. A nice enough place, though the rear corridor of the Hind Hotel smells strongly of faeces. A good show is had despite low numbers, and Charlie and I go for a post show pint in the Cromwell, the pub attached to the hotel - which closes at 8pm. What? It is half past 10. "We close at 8" says the woman behind the bar as she pulls our pint. Charlie pops outside to use his phone then dashes back in as two drunk men wobble down the road toward him.
We leave the next morning.
Day 22 - Cheltenham
Danny Pensive did his first ever closing gig here at Cheltenham race course, so I like Cheltenham, and we're not disappointed. A full house for the show and a great one too. I quick wander into the town centre past loads of fanct clothes shops and a giant bronze rabbit sitting next to a bull. A nice fast internet conection at the venue and I managed to download the first episode of Spooks and Merlin of the BBCi player, how showbiz. There is no phone signal at all in the hotel.
Day 23 - Brecon
Day one of the 'Welsh Trilogy'. Yes, we've been to Wales already twice, but this time we stay in the same gust house for three days and sattellite to the venues to gain a modicum of consistancy before the last two dates of the English leg of the tour. We head direct to the unpronounceable theatre in Brecon where it rains, and rains, and rains. Cool stuff - my cousin Seb and his missus turn up to watch the show and catch up which is a much needed respite, as the crowd really are a challenge tonight.
Day 24 - Newtown
Consistency in the Welsh Trilogy is provided by Joan and David at the Plas Canol gust house in Newtown, Powys, a 3 star establishment where all surfaces are liberally covered by Laura Ashley patterns. I don't have anytime to enjoy it, getting up at 6 and driving up to Chester for some Comedysportz corporate work, see the missus for lunch and head back. The Theatre, or Theatr, Hafren looks like it's in the middle of nowhere, like Newtown itself, but the posters of previous tours clearly show different, and there's a good crowd in to see the show. Afterward a walk in the freezing cold to a pub where they are playing darts. It is very Welsh indeed, and pleasingly so.