Day #343

Hello there. I have just had an awesome night and I have exactly 20 minutes to do this blog. Enjoy some top class rambling. 

So today, Laura, Teddy and myself met up and decided we would show our faces at the local music club and play a couple of tunes. The 'couple of tunes' turned into four songs and by the end I was telling jokes and dancing! Me...Dancing! Normally the folk club that we go to is full of old people and egos that barely fit in the room, but tonight we felt like locals, discussing music with 'Martin' in the bar and asking people what key they were playing in. I only ask that because it makes you sound like you know your music. 

But tonight there were two other teenagers, Fliss and Sarah. They sang some of the best harmonies you could imagine. Our last song came and we busted out 'Rattlin' Bog', during which Teddy and I broke into solos and guitar offs. The crowd of only about 30 actually laughed and sang along, something that the half-drunk people at the beer festival did not do quite so well (apart from you Dad, you did it very well). The end came and I had to get the two girls' numbers, mainly because we wanted to work on some music with them. Yes. Really. The story ends with me having the girls' numbers but forgetting my music stand and leaving it in the pub... 

The moral of the story is to think with your brain and not with your …y'know.

Until tomorrow

Will :)

Day #342

Standing in the heavy rain with a broken umbrella with two best friends waiting for the chip shop to open. Yeah, 'Wish you were here'. 

Today, we, the band, got nothing done. When I say nothing I mean that. I went to Laura's, we walked to Teddy's, sat in Teddy's kitchen, talked for an hour about a drink none of us liked, walked to OUR chip shop and then went our separate ways. Same again tomorrow? Also today my awesome mum took me clothes shopping, I got some photos done for my bus pass and I picked up a package. When I was sitting in the photo booth and looking at the photo of myself on screen, I wondered does anybody ever look good in these photos? I do not look happy, and how come in the photos we aren't allowed to smile?!?. Chronologically, the blog post today is a bit rubbish but I bought some bright blue chinos followed by some bright red chinos. I am going to look like I have been attacked by a highlighter pen and they won.

Until tomorrow (Friday-The Cure)

Will :)

Day #341

I went on two walks today. Count them. Two. 

I was watching TV and playing xbox and generally being lazy until about 2 o' clock, at which point I wanted some natural light. When I got outside, I realised that there wasn't any. 

Whilst walking along the seafront, I found the sweetest song I have ever heard in my life - 'Heartbeats' by Jose Gonzalez . On the first walk, I found a vodka bottle, a sea gull, a Nikon lens cap and the old crazy golf place that my family used to go to. 

On the second walk, there was a rainbow and I was trying to race the clouds to the end of the pier in order to get the rainbow over the wind turbines in the channel. I got distracted and the clouds won. I realised that I am actually looking forward to winter because nobody goes out and these are ideal photography conditions: nobody staring at you, getting in the way and, best of all, I can wear my Bellowhead hat from Day #142.

Photographers and guitarists are the most jealous people on the planet, even if we deny it.

 I could be watching a guy take a photo with his family on his little camera, just for a memory of being there and find myself mumbling some profanities about how he doesn't deserve his camera. I could also be listening and watching a young guitarist, just learning to play Twinkle Twinkle on an out of tune classical guitar and I would suddenly feel envious. This is stupid. Really stupid. Photography helps people to see, I have that on my own blog! I am just a hypocrite if I say I'm allowed to see...but...you aren't and nor are you. You never see more than three guitarists in a band because usually their egos never fit in the same room together.

 Confusing rant over.

Until tomorrow

Will :)

Day #340

Yeah, that's right, it's a box containing Laura's two Blue Peter badges...Two! I haven't even got one!

Today's post is brought to you by some classic songs, I Wanna Be Your Dog by The Stooges, The Passenger by Iggy Pop, and Boys Don't Cry by The cure. 

Boys don't cry by The Cure was actually the first thing that I learnt on guitar. The riff was taught to me by my brother. 

Today was chill day. I met up with Teddy and we walked to Laura's. I always tease Laura because she says she has a gold Blue Peter badge as well as a blue one. I say that I don't believe her because I hadn't seen them but when I turned up at her nan's today, she handed me a box in which the two sat. 

After picking up a pint of milk, Teddy and Laura headed to look at some ukuleles in Deal's music shop. I went to the library. I did my school's compulsory work experience in a library so have always had a soft spot for libraries. The fact that it was warm and every sofa just made me want to fall asleep was wonderful. Also the books. 

I needed a new library card. The only thing I did not anticipate was the Who Wants to be a Millionaire-style questions that the little old lady asked. "How old are you?", "are you still attending Dover Grammar?", "what's your address?" Even I was shocked when I managed to remember my postcode - having moved to Deal so recently.

After my ordeal I felt like I needed a sandwich. Not just any sandwich. One from Subway. 

Having eaten my huge sandwich and regrouped with my friends, Teddy drew a few more quotes on my guitar. I now feel like when I play that guitar, people are going to be focusing more on the quotes and than listening to me play 'Stairway to heaven' badly. Kudos to anyone who listens to 'Stairway to heaven' all the way through.

25 Days until it is all over

Until tomorrow

Will :)

Day #339

Literally too much stuff happened today, way, way too much.

I woke up feeling pretty naff. After a coffee, a hot shower and the sobering thought that my friends would be round in about half a hour I was full of energy (artificial energy mind you). 

We ran through the songs for a final couple of times, decided enough is enough, Teddy's mum picked us up and the next thing I knew I was crammed in with my camera, guitar, music stand, Teddy's instruments and Laura's stuff in Teddy's mum's car.

I felt ill, really ill. 

When we arrived at the music festival, I was a bit uneasy, tuning up while another folkaholic played their songs. 

When my family arrived, I suddenly felt some more energy, like we needed to be kinda good. We were told that we would do two songs at a time. We had six, so this worked out perfectly. 

The nervous situation that I was in was not helped with the fact that sitting across from me was my primary school teacher.

I was wearing a waist coat. What did he think society had done to me? 

We got up, came straight in with You go by the Keston Cobbler's Club, which went down really well, followed by Hallelujah which was pretty well received. 

As we took our seats again, we heard from the next people on, "...and that was 'For folk's sake. It's safe to say folk music is in safe hands with those guys."

I was now relaxed. 

I saw my family and friends standing at the back of the bar and decided I would go and be sociable. "Hiya mum, how goes?" 

"Thomas, thanks for coming." 

"Nan, ho-", 

"I've seen your blog WILLIAM!"

Oops. 

Our six songs were seemingly up. We had played quite well I thought and I was now happy to get home and go to bed when suddenly Adrian the organiser comes over, gives us each a coupon for a free drink and says, "you guys were absolutely fabulous, would you come out and play for us in the beer garden?"

"Yeah sure," I replied when I was actually thinking, "ah but I kinda have plans to be shooting some bad guys on my Xbox."

After getting outside, we were announced: "if you add up the total age of the next three people, they are still younger than me and most of you. Let's hear it for the wonderful For Folk's Sake."

Song played. Gig played. Festival done. Photo one is just before we went on at the beer festival. Yeah, I'm rocking a waistcoat. Photo two is the poster with our name circled. Thirdly is us playing in the beer garden. Last is me pulling my hard man face. I did this literally as I walked off hence why Laura, camera guy and lady in purple are staring at me. 

Okay, here's the last bit, the punch line if you like. although this music and beer festival has now been done, we have now been asked to play at 'The Maritime Festival' on September 15th. So yeah, who knows what the future holds for For Folk's Sake.

The big gig, not in the sky, in a very small pub in Bekesbourne

Morning all. This is just a very quick little post. I have woken up, tuned up and thrown up. I normally get quite nervous before gigs but after I texted Laura, "you ready?!?!?" with her response being, "I was born ready," I am now a lot less nervous. This was until I found out that Teddy has only just woken up...

Until tonight where I will tell you what went down and possibly have some photos and videos (if my nan can use my camera correctly).

Will :)

Day #338

With the gig coming up tomorrow I have taken to sex, drugs and rock and roll. Well actually...it's watching Alan Partridge talk creepily about sex, 2 paracetamol for my headache and playing folk music quietly so my neighbours don't get annoyed... 

Today was the final proper band practice for straightening out the kinks in the songs (is that an analogy that people use?). I now have to work on my front man skills. My plan was to tell a few bad jokes, but apparently they are really appalling. 

About a week ago, I received a card through the post from my nan. It said on the front "New Job?" This seriously confused me, but I took it as humour that I didn't get and stuck it on my shelf. Today my brother comes into my room. He'd received a card saying "You've Passed!" My nan had given us the wrong cards! Nan, you are treading thin ice. 1 strike out of 3. Another 2 and it's off to the home... Only kidding, it's been two strikes already... 

Only kidding, I couldn't put you in a home, not after you bought me this awesome new alarm clock. I haven't worked out how to turn it off so that it doesn't just ring but hey, that'll be a nice surprise for me to wake up to tomorrow.

Until tomorrow (Unless my nan has killed me)

Will :)

Day #337

The rule of thirds in a photo? (The rule that the subject has to be to the left or right of the frame) I think I just broke that rule with number one, what are you going to do? Throw me in photography jail? If anyone should be in that jail, it is Bruce Gilden. What he does in the linked video is jump in front of people, blinds them with a huge flash and takes a photo of their reaction. This ,in my opinion, is wrong. By all means, Stand your ground but Bruce Gilden gives photographers a bad name. I'm wary to even point a camera in anyone's direction because I am unsure how they will react.

About a minute ago I found out that Neil Armstrong, first man on the moon has died. This blog is "one small step for man...one...giant leap for mankind!". Today's post is also brought to you by two songs, Too close by Alex Care and End credits by Chase and status. Tomorrow is the final proper band practice before the big gig on Monday. Some final changes need to be made and whoever is there will bear witness to me telling some pretty awful jokes rather than just providing awkward silences. I also need to mention that I had a thought while unloading the dishwasher: when I become an old man, I am going to subscribe to all the old man traits and the old man uniform. By that last part I mean I will be rocking a flat cap, socks and sandals and a fanny pack. You know it makes sense.

Until tomorrow

Will :)

Day #336

Hello there, I'm Will, I like long walks on the beach and...Oh, this isn't that kind of website? 

Today is probably one of the last band practices before the music/beer festival on Monday. 

I think we are nearly sorted. 

I woke up extra early because next door's alarm clock went off. I felt that I had to do my part and wake up, despite it not being mine. 

There is something about a morning coffee that just feels right, whether it's the perfect ratio of milk, water, coffee grains and sugar or the fact that when you drink it it essentially sends you a fuck yeah right to the brain. 

I also cleaned the bathroom today. It involved me throwing bleach everywhere and wearing the tightest rubber gloves ever! 

An hour after the coffee-bathroom fiasco and I find myself in the middle of town, sat on the benches outside the shops with the men that are being dragged round by their partners. I share and appreciative nod to the man opposite me and try to fade out into my thoughts. Laura has gone in to buy new shoes and just as I start thinking "what would win in a fight, a lion on roller skates or a tiger on a skateboard," a woman sits down behind me. The woman sitting next to her (a woman she has never met before) opens with, "I just bought one of those bras you see on the telly." "Oh yeah?" comes the reply.  "Yeah, they looked good, very comfy." "And were they?" "Actually-" suddenly Laura is beckoning me and we are walking to Teddy's house. I never did find out if the bras from the telly were good or not.

Today's photos are pretty naff. I've been a little too busy to take photos. The first is Teddy's batman figurine and the second is a thing my camera can do where it makes everything black and white except for a certain colour, it's Laura looking pretty bored with her bright yellow bag.

Also, hello to Malin if you are reading this. Malin is my friend from Sweden who my dad, brother and I met in Spain while walking the Camino. (Pictures and blog posts for that are way back at 'Day #269')

Until tomorrow

Will :)

Day #335

There is only one man who can sum up how I feel right now, Jon Gomm. 

Good evening, today was definitely the best day...since the last time I said it. 

Today was also results day. I woke up and I just wanted to get it over with. I marched in, took the envelope, signed my name and after being told, "you must look at your results and sign in with a teacher," I walked out, purely because my mum was waiting in the car and if they were awful results I would throw the letter at her and say, "sort them out please!" 

I opened the letter and scanned the table with letters and modules and subjects and my mind went blank.

There are no B's or higher, all fails! 

No No No!...

As I began to panic, I spotted them. I was reading my module grades - which were not great - but I had managed to pull it back in the actual exams. 1 A, 5 Bs, 4 Cs! 

I was back in for sixth form. 

They are not great results but I was glad the pressure was off and it was all over. 

I took my guitar to the repair shop and we have band practice. I then watched one of the most violent films ever with Laura who, by this time, has coloured my very old and decrepit guitar red. I am also writing quotes on it which I think are quite good. 

Once I'd walked Laura back to her nan's, with whom I had a lovely chat, and headed back (I'm not sure why I walked Laura home, if somebody tried to attack us then Laura could handle herself alot better than I could any day!), I sit down for dinner after my family has already eaten and suddenly my dad walks over to a cupboard. He brings down a big box and what is it? A frigging new camera!

It's the Nikon D5100, exactly the one I wanted. Safe to say I have the best parents ever! 

He said he would get me a new camera if I got into sixth form and he stuck to his word. Thank you, Dad! 

After sticking my camera on charge, my brother and I hit the tennis courts. We were playing next to a proper sports guy. You know the ones. The "I wasn't quite good enough to play professionally but I am always on the tennis courts talking as if I know stuff and being over competitive" players. The man next to us was telling his friend that he loves the way they had restrung his racket because the sweet spot was in the right place. The perfect place... Well my friend, I will restring your racket. I will restring it round your head in a minute, then who will look like a "Sweet spot"? You. Actually, you will just look like a repressed sportsman with a tennis racket rapped round your silly over-competitive self.

Until tomorrow

Will :)

Day #334

Hello. Twenty minutes ago, this would have been a very jolly blog post, but now it is a very annoyed one. 

Today was pretty lazy but good. Teddy's melodica came today. He was so excited on the phone. A melodica is a keyboard instrument but you blow air into it to make a sound. There is a picture of Teddy playing his in the fifth picture, although it kind of looks like he is smoking something.

If you will also notice in the same picture that I have paused BBC's Robin Hood at a point where Richard Armitige is looking the same way as Teddy and they kind of look alike. 

An hour and a half into jamming with Teddy and the door goes. This will be the man to pick up my camera and take it away to be refunded. I open the door, give the package to him, he puts a sticker on it then sticks a bar -code on my arm. No lie. He just put it on my arm. The first picture is said sticker and I hadn't touched it (I have kept hold of the bar-code just in case I am supposed to do something with it).

The second picture is Teddy playing ukulele while I take a long shutter speed photo. It kind of looks good ignoring the three photos of me in the background from school. (Please do not zoom in.) Teddy left and I took a stroll along Deal seafront. 

I always see something new. Today I noticed a piece of art on the side of a pub that has closed down following fire damage. The picture and writing is shown in photo four. It reads: 'Sunday May 27th - A fire at the Bohemian destroyed the interior - The "Unbreakable" gin bottle survived. 

The third photo is just a sculpture that somebody did at the entrance to the pier. It's pretty cool but nothing major. 

I get home, go upstairs to my room and tidy up. 

I gave tips yesterday on how to get some percussion into a band, well I have a new tip. When tidying up, do not lean your guitar on a spinning chair. 

The chair will spin, your guitar will fall, the tuning peg will hit the radiator and break into two pieces.

Yes, this is exactly what happened just last week when I had to go all round East Kent looking for a place to fix my guitar. Tomorrow I will be taking the guitar to Folkestone to be repaired after I have picked up my GCSE results. 

That brought me nicely onto my last point: I pick up my results tomorrow. If they're bad, don't expect a blog post; my parents have probably just driven me to a forest and left me there.

Until tomorrow

Will :)

Day #333

Goodbye my lover, goodbye my friend, you have been the one, you have been the one for me. 

Well today I had to say adios to my DSLR camera. It has done its job and is now going to camera heaven. More likely, it will be buried in a landfill site before the month is out. 

But today was not to be a sad day. Laura came over and we had band practice.

I say band practice, but it involved us sitting in a milkshake shop trying not to laugh at a nearby family. Laura then gave me a fish soap holder and a rabbit that she had painted. We watched A Nightmare Before Christmas.

Tomorrow is another band practice session but we will get stuff done this time! The first sub-standard picture is of my secret to doing Johnny Cash songs: fold a piece of paper and slide it over the 12th fret. It kind of works. 

A second secret to getting some percussion into a band that has no actual percussionist is to make a bass drum using a suitcase and a bass pedal. Honestly, good tips.

Until tomorrow

Will :)

Day #332

Hello! Look, you might want to be sitting for this news, oh, you are sitting down?... 

I have some good news, but I also have some bad news. Not quite as bad as the news on the Titanic when the captain asks, "what on earth was that?" but still quite bad. 

The good news is that I am getting a new camera. Right now I am using the Nikon D3000 with an 18-55 VR lens but it is partially broken. 

While I was in Spain (Day#269-Day#279) some dirt or a piece of tiny grit got inside the lens. It isn't sat near the sensor or on the glass but in the part that actually turns. This means that sometimes the lens does not zoom or - worse - the grit falls into the focus ring and the camera refuses to focus. Okay so here's the good news - not quite as good as when on said Titanic, the women and children heard that they had priority boarding, but still. My dad is sending my camera back to amazon who will apparently give me a full refund (hoorah!) which means my kind and lovely parents will help me fund getting a new camera, with more awesome capabilities. 

Back to the slightly worse - but not too bad - stand-in bridge camera from the very first days on the blog!

Also, I said I would mention my mum tonight. Hi mum.

Double also, here's Andy Murray rapping. (You will know when he is rapping)

Until tomorrow

Will :)

Day #331

Good evening, today's blog post is brought to you by the Arctic Monkeys and whatever else I feel like.

Today was one of my nan's legendary roast dinners. You know the kind of roast dinner that just makes you feel good, even the vegetables tasted good!

But (betraying my primary school English lessons of  not starting a sentence with a connective word. Viva la revolution) today was also the day of taking all of the rubbish in our garage to the tip*. The tip is just a place men go to feel manly. Pulling up in their midlife crisis cars with their general waste in the back, prepared to give mother nature a swift kick in the teeth with a cry of, "decompose this, b*tch!" I'd imagine that as soon as one of these men's wives say, "honey, what do you think we should do with this chest of draws?" the man instantaneously replies with, "the tip! I'll take it to the tip right now and once I'm finished being all manly at the tip I will come back and do more manly things, like wrestle, or shoot things!".

*Tip - For American readers, I'm talking about a dump. It's a place at which all the rubbish goes and - I like to think - is recycled... 

Until tomorrow

Will :)

Day #330

Good evening, this is your captain speaking. Today's blog will be a short paragraph and the emergency exits are located to the top right of your screen with an 'X'. Passengers are reminded that in the event of bad spelling mistakes and poor humour nothing will happen. We will be arriving at a laugh shortly where the weather is sunny. 

Hello! Today, Teddy came over, we practiced some songs for the beer and folk festival and sat in the sun. If you would like details of the beer and music festival, please email me. My email address is located somewhere on my profile. Right now there is a party going on next door, with the people at the said party singing Price tag by Jessie J. 

Where I live right now is where a lot of people that I kind of know live.

Let me explain. 

Yesterday, I was walking where I took the photo of the pier. A bike rolled on past and suddenly *brakes skid* "Inglis, is that you?"

I used to be in the cadets (don't laugh!), during which I became good friends with a guy called Connor. I hadn't seen him in 3 years but he told me that he is now part of the Royal Marines. I've been invited to join their 6-a side football team. I think I'll give it a miss...

Untiil tomorrow

Will :)

Day #329

Third time lucky. 

This is the third time I have re written today's blog post because it is just too rambly.

Four weeks, 30 pounds, a whole lot of excuses and when I take the broken guitar into a different music shop, the owner fixes it in ten minutes. 

I feel like there is a moral to this story. 

Today, following yesterday's speech and unlike Braveheart, I was not executed and I did not have my lands confiscated. No, I just have a guitar that looks funny. 

Today's photo is HDR but - because I didn't use a tripod - it is all out of focus. There are some tiny white dots just past the pier on the left; these are the wind-turbines that stand in the English channel, or so they say.

Also, there is a subscribe button above my picture on the right, click it, I'm not sure what it does -->

Until tomorrow

Will :)

Day #328

The day I socked it to the man. Not a major man of a government or regime, just the local music shop owner who was taking the...mick. 

Evening all, I had a Braveheart moment today. I shouted freedom in the face of being ripped off. I walked into town to pick up my guitar today and put an end to being messed around. When I got into the music shop, he started, "your guitar...it's not ready yet...but-"

"I will take it to the music shop in Canterbury then." I replied, not quite believing what I was doing.

"I've ordered the new parts. They will be here in the next couple of-"

"No, I have been messed around enough. I have an important gig this Friday and it has to be sorted now."

"I will get it done by then, I promise. It's just that Andre the guitar specialist-"

"No excuses, I will take my guitar to the music shop in Canterbury and they will give me good service."

I walked out of there emotionally confused. I had just made this man squirm, I had his tatty bo-jangles in a clamp and I was tightening hard. 

I consider this a victory. I now hope that I don't have to come crawling back to this man and beg him to fix the guitar.

I guess this is what can be achieved when you listen to God save the Queen by The Sex Pistols, before entering a shop.

Try it.

Until tomorrow

Will :)

Day #327

Happy relaxation day. I am not relaxed. 

Today once again I heard the words uttered to me, "your guitar is not ready yet."

This man infuriates me, like seriously infuriates me. 

The music shop in question is called Mark 1 Music. I am not sure what the 1 stands for but it is not 1st-class service. If you live locally and find yourself in Mark 1 Music, exit, run, walk or waddle out of there. 

The owner's name is not even Mark, it's Terry.

Rant over for today. I pick the guitar up tomorrow and I will say no more about it. 

Today, Teddy and I ran through a set list for the beer and music festival which is 1 week away on Monday. Teddy showed me a pretty decent song about losing weight. I think it's about losing weight. It's called You go by The Keston Cobbler's Club. This evening I fancied a walk along the front. I took these two HDR photos by hand, because I am lazy, which is why the first one is majorly blurry.

Until tomorrow

Will :)

Day #326

Hey, I just met you, and this is crazy, but here's my number, so call me maybe. 

Good evening! I am in a much better mood after a few hours of just feeling helplessly annoyed with an incompetent music store owner. 

Today I had my penultimate orthodontic appointment which is weird because it's been two years of  my life that I have been going in for appointments just so that a woman can put her hand in my mouth or strap some metal to my face. 

I was also told today at the appointment that I get to keep a mold of my mouth. When I say a mold, I mean a life size model of my mouth, like something you would see in a museum on a stand and everything. So, dear future girlfriends reading this, do not be freaked out when I ask if you want to see my teeth. I am literally going to have them on display. 

Today's photo is actually HDR. It isn't great at all but I thought I would show you what I can see outside my window but closer. This tower is all that is left of a music hall that once stood here. I have wanted to take a photo of it since I moved in. The trouble is that opposite is a pub full of hard butch men and so - as an easily intimidated teenager - this didn't bode well bearing in mind I carry a MAN BAG which kind of looks like a HAND BAG. 

Until tomorrow

Will :)

Utterly pointless rant

Hello, it isn't quite time for the daily dose of, 'oh god, why did you do that', or the next installment of 'what Will's nan did next,' but I thought I should let you know that I'm not in a good mood right now.

Let me start the story 3 weeks ago. 

It was a Monday. I strolled into the music shop, handed over my guitar to be fixed; a tuning peg had been broken and the man told me "it'll only take a couple of days and it will not cost very much at all." I came away thinking "wow, that is quite a good shop, providing good service." 

Fast forward 3 weeks. I have had a week of band practice using various other guitars, I have been to Scotland and I have come back, ready to pick up my guitar. 

I strolled into the shop yesterday to casually pick the guitar up and be strumming by sun down. 

This was not the case. 

"They didn't have the right tuning peg for this model, but I can put some new ones on, I will restring it, re oil it and it should be £30 ready for tomorrow."

"Urgh. 3 weeks and this is what you come back to me with? You didn't even ring me to let me know what was happening?" I thought to myself. 

What I actually said was a very jolly "okay".

I went in today thinking finally it would be over and I could write that music shop off for repairs and never return. 

I walked slowly up to the door to give whoever was fixing my guitar ample amount of time to do whatever to my guitar when I noticed that the owner was casually standing outside eating a huge sandwich without a care in the world. 

I thought to myself, "ooh he has done my guitar and is eating a victory sandwich. That's good." I walked into the shop and he followed. 

"Hia mate," (I feel that I can pull off 'mate' without sounding too out of sorts.) "I dropped my guitar in for repair and was told it would be ready today."

His response was, "oh, yeah. I'm really sorry but we have been so busy. It won't be ready until tomorrow at the earliest. Pop in then."

"What? You are so busy eating your sandwich, you annoying business owner? I have walked all the way from my house after 3 weeks of not having a guitar in the hope that maybe you would have fixed it, but nope. I have an important gig coming up and I need it. I should get some money off, you absolute w-" I said in my head. 

"Okay, I will pop in tomorrow. Thank you. No worries." 

Damn it.

Day #325

Woah, blurry picture, but I'm sure it's the thought that runs through your head whenever you read my blog.

Today I was playing tennis with my brother, his girlfriend and their friend Luke. I have only met Luke once before but we were a pretty effective doubles team. Within 10 minutes we were playing like professionals, switching sides to cover a shot and pretty much winning in general.

Today and yesterday have been brief but I will get back out with my camera over the next few days.

Until tomorrow

Will :)

Day #324

Evening all. A very quick one tonight. 

Today, I finally got back home to Deal, found a long list of jobs to do from my parents and instructions on how not to burn the house down. In my suitcase is a birthday present. It's a secret who it's to, so shh! I'm off to watch 'Nightmare Before Christmas' with a friend.

Until tomorrow

Will :)

Day #323

Hello there, I'm Will and urm... *Buzz, hesitation*. 

7 hours on a train with hardly any leg room at all, a toddler who kept score of the time left on the train, "5 hours, 32 minutes left on the train...5 hours, 31 minutes left on the train, 5 ho-", you get the idea.

 What I'm trying to say here is to all the people living under a dictatorial regime, I know how you feel, but do you know how I feel? 

After the long and pretty boring train journey home, I was greeted by my nan, brought up to speed on all the gossip and then it was off to the fish and chip shop for dinner....Bad idea.

 Seemingly good, but as we got closer, there was a queue, not a fun queue, but a long, boring one (no idea when a queue can be fun). 

10th in line, behind two 'Proper lads' and in front of a guy telling another guy about martial arts.

 9th in line and the 'Proper lads' have begun talking, they are telling each other where they could get what they are ordering for much cheaper. The martial arts guy and guru are talking about 'sparring', whatever that is. 

8th in line. A woman asks us for our order and the proper lads + martial arts guy and guru look at my grandad and I with such hunger that if the queue was maybe a couple of places longer, they might have considered eating us. 

7th in line. The two proper lads are now talking about sunburn and how it hurts so much. "Maybe you should have put sun cream on, you stupid stupid people!" I think to myself. If I had said that out loud, I would definitely have gone home with a battered sausage...

6th in line. The martial arts guru is talking about how he trained in Thailand and how "they are so vicious over there. You know when you've been beaten out there." No smart comment in my head there, incase he can read my thoughts and that battered sausage becomes a broken whatsit. 

5th in line. The two proper lads are spitting. I don't like people who spit. When I say I don't like it, I mean I don't like it but I tolerate it anyway because society lets it happen. I would happily throw them in a special jail full of other spitters and people who talk too loudly on their mobile phones. 

4th in line. The proper lads have gone because "the queue is way too big bruva." The line is not too big, especially because you've just left. 

3rd in line. I stand awkwardly half in the door, half outside as a man walks out the door with just a portion of chips. A chip connoisseur. 

2nd in line and I can smell the food, see it through the glass cabinet. I hear behind me from the martial arts guru, "and his arm just broke in 3 places from a bad fall." 

1st in line. I am no longer hungry.

Until tomorrow

Will :)

Day #322

Last full day in Scotland and I've got a back-flipping skipping crew, a smiley dog and my granddad in a Russian hat. 

Today Teddy and I had a plan: we would cram the last of the things to do into today's timetable. We wanted to see a free show, climb the Scott Monument and watch some comedy. 

The first show was great, it was about two contract killers giving a presentation and hilarity probably ensued (I was too busy looking away so I wouldn't be picked as a volunteer). 

As Teddy and I lined up to buy tickets for the afternoon comedian, I looked at the leaflet and saw that the comedian we were going to see was blind. He was a blind comedian. 

On the way up to watch the show, we found the best fudge shop in the world. Yes, the world, I said it. I had whiskey cream fudge and Teddy had chili chocolate. His tasted waaaay better. 

Right. Bag packed, blog done. Time to make sandwiches for the 800 mile journey back home.

Until tomorrow

Will :)

Day #321

"Get any good photos of the one o' clock gun Will?" "Yeah, but the gun blew my camera out of focus and off balance."

Teddy and I raced up to the Edinburgh Castle, I batted my eyelids and got in for free using an English Heritage membership card. 

We then had lunch in a very posh gaff. I have no idea what it was called but it was very good. After watching some street music and a couple of street performers, we joined a ghost tour. 

I spent most of the tour hiding behind Teddy in case any ghosts grabbed him. I'm a really great friend.

Until tomorrow

Will :)