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Susan’s mum was taken very poorly overnight, and that meant that Susan’s long-awaited Easter holiday was cut brutally short. As was poor old Martha’s, who accompanied her on the last-minute flight home this lunchtime. Thank goodness for the Air Discount Scheme. I couldn’t go because…oh, it’s complicated: James is in Tenerife with a pal, he…

…but returning there on Monday night for the ‘secret’ John Martyn Band gig. Fine night was had (see Nippy Sweeties) by a roaring log fire, nattering with owner David Mundell about some of the many rock’n’roll characters who have played at this extraordinary howff. Would love to see how Peter Tork of the Monkees shapes…

Sunday was beautiful almost beyond belief, and on top of Ben Lomond (me, Stewart and Magnus, five hours from Rowardennan to the top and back down….oh, my knees!)Stewart revealed that he had been lugging three bottles of Peroni the entire way. And a kilo of tsatsumas. And a Swiss Army Knife. Me, I just had…

The pictures show, first of all James, me, Malachy Tallack and Steven Laurenson outside The Famous Bein Inn in Glenfarg, and then James and me on Sunday night at the Woodlands Beanscene in Glasgow. I think the tour went well, on the whole. Many, many thanks to everyone who enabled: Sheila and Neil at Aberdeen…

The food at Aberdeen’s Musa, where we played last night, is exceptional – lovely venison. Chef Jens, legendary for his work at the nearby Cafe 52, was on holiday but David did a fine job. Standing room only for the gig itself, numbers swelled by The Fortunate Sons, who were playing at The Tunnels. Apologies…

Just off on the boat tonight (see yesterday’s post!) to commence a wee musical tour with Big James on bass. Thursday will see us at Musa in Aberdeen, a lovely cafe/restaurant venue where we played last year with Joe West. Friday we’re at the legendary Famous Bein Inn in Glenfarg, and then Saturday at the…

Answers:(1) Generally yes, but almost certainly not as safe as the battered old P&O ex-Baltic tubs that used to chug up and down between Shetland and Aberdeen in almost any conditions. My evidence? Simply this. When NorthLink cancel sailings, it’s always ‘the captain’s decision’. Sometimes it’s tidal conditions in what is rapidly becoming the useless…

I’m planning a wee trip to the Islay Festival, or Feis, at the end of May, and have been inveigled by my friend Dave to (a) cycle and (b) camp. I tried to interest my son Magnus in the expedition. He is, after all a grown student, with interests extending from real ale to computer…

Both James and Martha had Grade Five music exams yesterday, Martha’s in cello, James’s in double bass. I think they both did fine, though James, who has to be harangued into practising, breezed through it with serene self confidence, and Martha, who practises religiously (and not just on cello; traditional fiddle, piano and drums too)alas…

Phew! I don’t know what kind of whisky I was drinking last night at Maurice’s 60th birthday party at the Ollaberry Hall, but it was very good. I don’t even have a hangover and managed to accomplish an almost injury-free Boston Two-Step into the bargain. Well, I wasn’t injured. Other people may have been. Probably…