HAPPY NEW YEAR - THE SAILOR RETURNS, AND A MYSTERY SOLVED!!

So here we are again - we've stepped out of the old black tour bus that was 2010, and into the rock arena that calls itself 2011 - I think we are relatively un-scarred by the festivities just passed, and we hope you are too, and can I be the last (but probably not!) to wish you all a Very Happy New Year! We met some fabulous folks and played some great gigs in 2010 (about 25 I make it), and thanks to everyone who took the time to come and see us - a lot of you on many occasions! We know that, although we have a great time, without you, it wouldn't be half as much fun, and we're grateful for your continuing support! We're really looking forward to more of the same this year, and I'll spill the beans about where it all kicks off in a little while.

Before all that, just a quick word about our last gig of 2010 - at our happy hunting ground of The Ship! You may remember, that we played a wondrous gig there in early November and, while it was expecting a lot for the Christmas gig to match it, it did turn out to be a fantastic night! The snow held off (mostly), although Pete Munro did manage to measure his length outside the pub at the end of the night - it was nothing to do with the drink, he said, but it was fortunate that he had taken enough anaesthetic, and so was feeling no pain by the time he landed! Nothing broken, fortunately (which is more than can be said for others who did the same earlier in the month!), and Pete did say he had enjoyed the gig, in spite of that! The pub was packed again, and everyone seemed to have a great time - and it felt really Christmassy! Paul's throat just about managed to survive the evening (which was a major surprise in itself!), probably due, in no samll part, to the chemist's shop he had lined up alongside the beer (VocalZones, honey & hot lemon, inhalers - the works!). We even managed to deliver the THREE new songs we promised - "It's My Life" (twice!) by Bon By Jovi, T-Rex's "20th Century Boy" and "Getting Away With It" by James; they need a bit of polishing, obviously, but seemed to work well, and will undoubtedly see the light of day again!


We were a fivesome at the Ship for about the 6th time in a row, but Captain Birdseye (Dave) has returned from his Atlantic jaunt and will be with us for our next gig (unless he's decided to go on another voyage!) which is this coming Friday, 7 January. You will see it is billed as being a "Mystery" gig, but it's time to put you all out of your misery - cos we don't want to be playing to a completely empty pub do we?! The madness will be happening at The Windmill in Whitely Green (near Adlington), which has more or less become our traditional opening gig of the year, as we've played there the last 2 Januarys as well. The reason it wasn't billed up before is that it is a birthday bash for Becca, the landlady, and she said that she was worried because we attract so many punters when we play there, and she might end up having to work instead of enjoy herself!! So, we have kept it under out hats for a bit, but now is the time to put the word around; if you fancy a bite to eat, and some good beer (assuming you've got any money left after Christmas!), not to mention a chance to join in with all the old familiar tomfoolery, get yourself down to The Windmill, and savour the opportunity to see a "full strength" D&C!