Its that time of the year again, my annual report on life since leaving the Shanty Crew.

Eight years, time is flaying by so fast!!!

On the home front, I have finally replaced my kitchen floor tiles - which I have been meaning to get round to for about six years.

On the work front, I was made redundant in February, but managed to keep hold of the coop's remaining clients.

Musically, I am starting to get out and about a bit more, starting to get to the Ealing club and the Ealing music sessions. over the last three months more times than I got out for the entire two previous years put together. Even managed to perform something without my voice croaking and gasping for breath, still a bag of nerves though.

I've noticed from festival programmes that Chris and Dom are getting about a bit,and wish them well.

For myself, I am revisiting my repertoire(s) and deciding what I want to relearn. With regards shanties, been there, done it, got the t-shirt, sweatshirt and smock. Might stick with music hall. A lot of songs I used to do were those I learned from records or from the radio, and that part feels a bit like stamp collecting! Maybe I should revisit putting tunes to Ashton Broadsides.

Ahoj

Steve