Was cruising home last Wednesday evening after a meeting which proved to be unexpectedly short and very sweet since bridging finance had miraculously arrived to keep our town manager in post.

So, after a coffee at the Mason’s, a little voice told me to drop in at the Jakes.

Luckily, I thereby caught Matt Reay (guitar & vocals) hosting an open mike night. Jake (keys) and Luke (guitar) were particularly impressive as were Hava (flute) and Ilke, and everyone was at least listenable. I’m emerging from one of my hermit phases but was feeling quietly mellow and had won a couple of games of pool as well as having a quick jam with Jake and Luke so was up for more.

Consequently, I pootled down to The Pirate to touch base net-wise with J-P with the bonus of catching the butt-end of the Gunz’n’Rozes Tribute Band. I’ve had little exposure to metal but these cats sure were hevveee and those who know better than I said the look and sound was authentic. Pick them up on www.gunznrozes.com

Thought I must be living righteously for so much to go right until I was halfway home when it started raining. However, it soon stopped so I guess I’m still in good with ‘im upstairs – hope it lasts!