Melanie

I loved Melanie's songs when I was young. They spoke to so many of the issues that seemed particularly relevant to me at that time. I always regretted that I hadn't seen her live.
Well, the opportunity came to do that (again at the increasingly irritating Huntingdon Hall in Worcester - illegal raffle and all).

The show started with her son, Bo, performing a number of his guitar 'compositions'. This guy is probably the least sympathetic guitarist I've ever seen on stage, such a shame that nepotism seems to have overcome talent.

Melanie's set was good, though far from the most professional; there were stumbles, forgotten words, "is my guitar in tune?" questions, etc., etc. I don't think that the performance was helped much by Bo's 'accompaniment' and the apparent inability of the sound-man to obtain a decent balance between voices and guitars.

However, a lot of the old magic is still there and it made a change to be one of the younger people in the audience!

I wouldn't go to see here again, I think, but I'm glad I went this time. Even more glad that this is our last planned visit to Huntingdon Hall, at least for a while!

Museums

Jane is a PhD student from Nankai University in china. She was in charge of looking after me when I was there last year and, currently, she's studying for her PhD in my Department. On Saturday we took her to the Avoncroft Museum of buildings in Bromsgrove which is quite interesting ,it has the National Telephone Kiosk Collection for example and an excellent 3-hole earth closet!


After a picnic lunch, we went back to Birmingham via the Lickey Hills. On the top of the highest (Beacon) hill there's a fake castle with commanding views over the whole of the city. Visibility wasn't that good (even though it was a hot and fairly sunny day) but it was fascinating to see that the area was littered with Brummies enjoying the sunshine (and smoking, too, I'm sorry to say).
Then we went to the museum of the Jewellery Quarter. Actually a Victorian factory that had stayed in business until 1982 and then been abandoned! It was rediscovered in the 90s and later converted into a museum. An interesting place with well-informed guides. Well worth a trip.

Finally, dinner at the Sundarbon Restaurant in Selly Oak. A fantastic Bangladeshi place. I particularly enjoyed the Murghi Masalla!

Friday Night is Concert Night

Played truant from the folk club and went to see Martin Simpson in concert. This is a fabulous guitarist and singer. Evening slightly marred by sharing a box with 5 other people - even though it was clearly intended for a maximum of 5.
Still, a good night - a little disappointing that no-one sang along, but that's Worcester for you!