I got some interesting looks walking through a 'Willy Week' Milltown Millbay, carrying the banjo and having my arm in sling. As if I was thought to be a little optimistic. But if I used my good arm to take my bad arm out of the sling and place it on the banjo, it was just possible, if more than a little painful to play.

I am not sure if banjo playing can generally improve, but I don't think mine improved much as a result and I would not recommend that others fall down stairs in order to try. But as it was one of the main reasons for our visit - I was determined to play somehow.

And my banjo playing was only imposed upon the fine folk of Clare, who may have found the experience painful also but had the good manners not to complain. I ended up playing with a 'zouk' player who had also injured himself in the past, in a similar manner and also ended up in the same Kerry hospital!