We were at the Prince Albert for the second consecutive week. Karen wasn't with us as she wasn't well, so we had to manage without her furniture arranging skills. Nevertheless, we managed to squeeze in and Dick started proceedings with Bring Us A Barrel and followed later with Tobacco Is An Indian Weed and Limehouse Lass.

Les was in the area on business and had found us via this web site. I hope he and his colleague enjoyed their evening as much as I enjoyed Les' songs, which were Tom Paines' Bones (Graham Moore), Dig and Plough the Common Land and his own Ricky Sings Dylan, inspired by a singer he came across in Ireland.

Tom Paine was an 18th century radical pamphleteer, originally from Norfolk. Amongst his works was 'Rights of Man', defending the French Revolution. Rosie happened to have the sheet music for the tune 'The Rights of Man' and was able to slip in a quick rendition. Later, she and Alan added the Kerry Polkas, Tar Road To Sligo/Tripping Up the Stairs/Blarney Pilgrim and, in 1970's mode, So Far Away and Don't Let It Bring You Down. Towards the end of the evening, Rosie sang the always-popular Chips and Fish.

I think Dave H had left his voice at home. It was unusual that his contributions were all melodeon instrumentals, including The Oyster Girl/Isabella and Banks of the Dee. In Karen's absence, Roger too was songless and gave us Canal En Octobre, Roxborough Castle and Portesham Breakfast.

Bob had left his guitar at home and brought his very loud bouzouki instead for Ticket to ride, Matty Groves and a song about drunken sailors.

One of the evening's highlights for me was the Fenner/Diegan/Fenner trio arrangement of the tune West Wild. Alison sang John Tams' Pull Down Lads and a song in French that may have be called Il Y A Longtemps Que Je T'aime. Dave sang Nic Jones' Barrack Street. Simon led a couple of sets of tunes: Rig a Jig/Any Jig Will Do and Jenny Lind.

Steve decided to sing songs for which he usually accompanies someone else: Can't Help But Wonder Where I'm Bound, Sing Hallelujah and I Ain't Ever Satisfied. As usual, John arrived later. His first song was ….. Can't Help But Wonder Where I'm Bound, quite a lot slower than Steve's version. He finished the evening for us with Alcoholics Anthem (to the tune of Men of Harlech).

We're at TJ O'Reilly's in Marlow Bottom next week. Hope to see you there.