Irish Folk Music At The Cutting Edge.

What do you do of a Sunday night?

Watch the telly, read a book, go for a pint, yes! Go for a pint at the Old Fruitmarket and listen to the greatest Irish Folk band on the planet. Solas, headed up by Seamus Egan played a set which was indescribable. They did a version of "A Fond Kiss" which could only be described as, almost spiritual.

The fiddle playing of Winifred Horan was mesmeric. I was glad I didn't take my big digital cameras as the whole gig was so spectacular I would have spent the entire time with my eye glued to the viewfinder.

I hope they come back next year, I'll be first in the queue for tickets.

Wee Doggie-But Not For Long!

Just after the new year, I visited my oldest pal Alastair in Edinburgh. What can you say about the latest addition to his family ?

Meet Skye.

Puppies are always great but especially, Golden Retrievers. My own dog, who is pushing 15 years, didn't quite know how to take the wee girl.

I was back in Edinburgh working a few weeks later and the wee dog has just about doubled in size and is chewing everything and anything it can get its wee sharp teeth around. My poor old thing is losing teeth but as I am always saying, none of us get any younger.