Winter Madness

After the winter walk yesterday we headed into Newcastle for a pint and a spot of Madness. Another great show, packed to the hilt.

Paul Heaton provided support, and he even threw in a couple of Housemartin songs. Nice.

The drive home was uneventful as snow had ceased to fall, a solitary woodcock flew over as we rolled along Fisher Lane at 23.15.

Baggy trooosers!

It was a great night at the O2 Academy, Newcastle on Saturday where Madness performed a storming set of greatest hits to a very lively crowd... their second show of the day. First time I've been to a gig where "does anyone live in Cramlington?" gets a mention from the band!! No support act, but a thoroughly entertaining video of hw to become a sucessful band starring, no prizes for guessing, madness.

Only one more gig planned for the remainder of 2009, then the BA "madness" will determine whether a trip away goes ahead or not...

WH relapse

Not much doing at West Hartford today - no sign of the little-ringed plover (it was pouring with rain so I was not there long!) - just a few soaked black-headed, herring and lesser black backed gulls.

Nice to see that Madness have announced a tour that does not involve big atmosphereless arenas' - tickets for the Newcastle show are already available via pre-sale on their website. My December gig list is improving all the time - yeah yeah yeahs and Madness at the O2 Newcastle, then Spiritualized at the Sage, Gateshead just before Christmas. Happy days indeed!