My sister, Eileen Penman, is performing at the Waverley Bar in Edinburgh, on August the 6th, with the group 'Stairheid Gossip'

She is also doing a solo in the same pub on August 17

I've a couple of reasons for telling you this, one is because I can't be there to support her in person.

The other is because I will not even be able to be in touch with her as, subject to a bed being available, I expect to be on the receiving end of a new heart valve this time on Monday.

It's nearly ten years since we saw each other, though Paltalk has made contact a lot more frequent. I'm sure she would get a kick out of meeting some of Scalliwag's singing companions.

For myself, I hope to return to the small mic just as soon as it's possible

Jack