For Mrs G's birthday celebrations we spent the weekend in Wensleydale which we both love. Had a grand time and being at a loose end on Sunday we made our way to Masham for the 38th annual steam fair. Now, neither of us are into steam but we thought we would give it a whirl. We had a great morning there and saw lots of interesting things as well as the steam engines.

Bear in mind we were on 'foreign ground' and had no intention of going there originaly. Mrs G spotted a stall selling hats. Being in need of a new one she made her way there and saw one she liked. Oh, the other odd thing is it was a leather stall and the hats were just a 'by the way'. On finding the stallholder it was a great surprise to see it was Jon Harvison a regular performer at our folk club and all round good guy! And he was looking after the stall for someone else! Both of us away from home, somewhere we shouldn't have been, buying something that should not have been there. Weird or what?

Next thing - it gets stranger! I met a lovely lady called Ruth Askew who has a huge collection of Melodeons, Anglo Concertinas and all manner of weird and wonderfull 'push-pull' instruments. She demonstrated a few and even let me have a go on a fabulous Wheatstone Anglo. I was remeniscing about a 28 key Jones I used to have and she commented that I should have kept it. I agreed and yesterday, back in the office but still in holiday mode began a search for another. Guess what? First thing I spotted was a 28 key anglo. Doesn't say it is a Jones but it looks remarkably like the one I had. I am going to see it tomorrow so wish me luck!

Ever think you are living in some strange episode of the twighlight zone...;-)

Cheers

Dave the Gnome