Mrs Shambles - as a birthday treat - took me on a trip up to 'that there London' but did not inform me of our eventually destination. When we emerged into the streets of darkest East London I informed her that no civilization could be found in these here parts. How wrong I was.

She took me to Paul Hathaway's house full of wonderful instruments and told me that that she would buy me the one of my choosing. After about two hours of playing just about every one - I made my choice and happily played my octave mandola all the way home on the train and I have been happily playing it ever since.

It was a very nice day.