I took on the wetsuit... and triumphed!

It's taken a while. You might remember the sad tale of me trying on a wetsuit on a previous occasion. It wasn't pleasant and it involved equally large amounts of sweat and humiliation. Just couldn't seem to stay calm enough to get the darned thing past my knees. But, thanks to the very kind, tolerant and one could almost say, determined lady in Second Skin in Braunton, I got into a wetsuit and last week I, and my similarly suited sister and two nieces, went in the sea three times! Outstanding. Walking into the sea in a wetsuit, it strikes one how incredibly foolish one has been not to buy a wetsuit sooner, given that the whole shuddering coldness of the situation is removed. Duh. There is even photographic evidence to prove this event but I'm not sure I'm quite over the humiliation part yet. Walking around in a wetsuit where no-one knows you is one thing, publicly flaunting it is entirely different. Particularly when there are so many rolls of flab on display I'm still coming to terms with looking at the pictures myself. Still, though I say it myself, I was flying in on my gorgeous purple body board. Fantastic fun. Lottie, my elder niece, was on remarkable surfing form too, and Flo (her sister) and Helen (my sister) did very good running in and out at the edge of the waves. Flo is only 2 so you have to give her respect!

Anyway, being away in Devon is my only excuse for not having been on the phone and getting a few gigs. A bit lax I know - if lax stands for lazy beyond belief - but I will be on to the case this week. It's also my birthday next week. A big one. Very big. Still, I can still find it in my heart to enjoy my birthday. I'm not proud. And I've got some new high shoes to wear - that should be a laugh...

Keep your eyes peeled for gigs coming up - I promise I'll get some.

Rx

Bull's Head Bonanza...

Top night once again at The Bull's Head. Thanks to an excellent audience - great to see you all there. And can I just say WHAT A BAND! Outstanding. I hope I'll be working with Malcolm Edmonstone, Duncan Hopkins and Darren Altman lots more. Put a whole new spin of 'When He Danced With Me'. I felt like I was doing the main show at The Sands. Can't hide the grin. One of these days I'll be the cool, calm, collected and sultry jazz singer... You're right, that's bollocks. Great night, grinning included.

I rather need to get on the phone and sort a few gigs out. I've been a bit lax (if that means lazy in a way unknown to human kind) in my self marketing and gig getting recently so watch this space as I get myself sorted. Should have a few lined up by the end of the month.

Anyway, check out the comment to the last blog. See what a dedication can do for you... Off to the 606 to check out the 30th birthday celebrations tomorrow. Should be fun.

Rx

Friday 13th is your lucky night...

...because I've got a gig at The Bull's Head, Barnes kicking off at 8.30pm at the bargain price of £7. To you, £7. Can't argue with that. Fantastic band. Malcolm Edmonstone - Jacqui Dankworth's pianist of choice and currently Musical Director on Strictly Come Dancing. Duncan Hopkins - fresh over from Canada having been, amongst other things, Diana Krall's bass player. A bit of a step up for Duncan then... Darren Altman - drummer to be reckoned with. There's food if you want it, it's a fantastic venue and I'll be singing. Now what more could you want to dispel that Friday the 13th vibe? I've still got a bit of a tan. Worth £7 of anyone's money just to see that. And one of the last gigs I'll be performing in my 30s. Oh yes. Time waits for no man - or woman. Come on down. It's Friday, it's five to five and it's CRACKERJACK. Do you remember that? Just shows you I'm not lying about my age.

Rx