The sun may be shining in the land of strudel but the search for new and meaningful horizons continues a-pace. Steadily working my way to a final draft of the pilot script for Sky has been a long long process but one which has proved invaluable and taught this old dog more than a new trick or two. In other news the ever tightening of Radio 4’s budgetary belt has left me out in the cold and commission-less this year. It’s tricky knowing how to navigate this strange new world I find myself in other than by re-publicising some of my “greatest hits” which is no kind of publicity at all. If anyone’s got any bright ideas please feel free to write in!!! All suggestions considered!
Hookland
Last week I had the great pleasure of walking in the magnificence of Epping Forest with none other than the always fascinating and informative Mr. David Southwell. It’s a walk we’ve been intending to do for quite a while so I’m delighted we finally managed it. After much discussion of trees, the genius loci, unusual places to squat in and startling encounters with infamous public figures we came upon a tombstone in the shade of an ancient tree in a far corner of the forest dedicated to the evangelist (and early recording star) Gypsy Rodney Smith. Just one of the many fascinating discoveries on a walk I hope we repeat in the very near future. What a genuine artistic achievement David’s creation Hookland is. Eerie, mischievous and always haunting I cannot recommend it enough. Check it out in Bluesky or Instagram or that other platform which uses a letter which once designated films us kids couldn’t get into.
Happenings in Shadwell
In other news I pitched up with some old friends at The George Pub to see my son’s brilliant band Weatherrman. Well, that was quite the night, my friends. Aside from Weatherrman being on top form they very generously gifted their headline to the unruly and gloriously outrageous Sweet Cheeks.
For an hour or two it felt like I was very far from the deserted streets Shadwell but at some CBGB style punk “happening” in the seventies. (If you know, you know.) Fun outrageous and haphazardly high camp.
Weatherrman have a new single coming out in late August and are well worth a listen.
Hope you re all having a great Summer and looking forward to blogging more soon. I’ off to finish a short story which I hope to publish soon. Have a good one!
