Mr Punch - The Musician Leicester

I've just passed a late fitness test and have made it to 'The Musician' in Leicester. Just hoping that my knee will take the strain.Not to mention my bunged up ear.  Looking forward to seeing the Italian 'Mr Punch' who pay tribute to the 'Fish' era of Marillion.Tonight we will be celebrating the 40 year anniversary of the 'Fugazi' album. I will be wearing my 'Fugazi' T shirt in honour of my favourite Marillion album. It is also the Birthday of local Promoter 'Danny Dokter Dyper' so a full on  party atmosphere is expected.

There is a reasonable sized crowd already gathered as we arrived just after 8 pm. No support act tonight and the band are expected onstage at 9pm. Plenty enough time to enjoy a beer or two. We get a good vantage point left of stage. There are a few stools as well which would have been handy. Unfortunately they are all taken. I ponder briefly about telling them about my knee, in the hope of some compassion. I decide against it though and will tough it out. At least I can lean against the wall for some support. A tall man in a kilt is now on the stage. He is looking inquisitively at the drum kit. He seems happy enough and disappears behind the stage curtain.

The Set kicks off in track listing order of what was the second Marillion Studio album. The crowd respond to the keyboard intro to 'Assassing' as we are transported back in time to 1984. Something quite 'Orwellian' about that if you think about it. 'Punch and Judy' and 'Cinderella Search' follow. Singer 'Marco Vincini' is spot on with the 'Fish' vocals.

Marco Fabbri

Andrea Grumelli

 

It is turning into a fantastic night as we are treated to a superb version of 'Incubus'. Guitarist 'Marcella Arganase' putting in a great effort with the 'Steve Rothery' solos. Tonight is the middle date of the short three date tour. Lat night they were down in Camden , tomorrow the venture North to Hull.  The band are no strangers to Leicester though having played as part of the 'Marillion weekends'   previously. A rousing first Set ends with the beautiful 'Sugar Mice' from 'Clutching at Straws'. The band depart behind the curtain for a short break. 

A bit of a surprise after the interval! I wasn't expecting the to hear the keyboard intro to Grendel. Is this just a tease perhaps? Amazingly we get the full rendition of the Marillion epic. A Roller-coaster of a song, that is written from the point of view of the monster in the Beowulf Poem. Marco goes fully into character as he wears the mask just as 'Fish' once did.    

The title track from the first Marillion album 'Script for a Jesters Tear' is a worthy follow up from Grendel. 'Chelsea Monday' also from 'Script' is next giving Marcella the opportunity to show her prowess on the guitar. The highlight for me and probably always will be is the song 'Fugazi'. It's just conjures up so many images, extremely powerful and emotional. 'Fish' has to be one of the greatest lyric writers, his work is pure poetry. The opening lines of the song 'Vodka intimate an affair with isolation in a Blackheath cell. Extinguishing the fires in a private hell. Encapsulates some poor soul battling their drinking demons in abject loneliness. The whole song continues with such power and emotion, truly moving.

Do you realise .. this world is totally..Fugazi

That really was something special, it is turning out to be quite a night! According to my set-list (acquired after the show) something called 'Pippone' comes next. According to my translation search it means 'a long pedantic and possibly patronising explanation' ? Maybe It is a private joke within the band ? Who knows?  What I do know is that we had 'Kayleigh' 'Lavender' and part of ' heart of  'Lothian' next. Just like the Shopkeeper in the Children's TV series 'Mr Benn', Marco disappears  behind the curtain once more. Only to re-emerge in 'Army Getup' as the band launched into 'Forgotten Sons'. A powerful rendition it was too. This is far more than a nostalgia trip for those who were there in the early days. This is as close as we will ever get to the Fish years experience. We are coming towards the end now, and  Birthday Danny and his son join the band for an impromptu Jam session. A version of the 'Led Zep' classic 'Rock and Roll breaks out .

It's all great fun as we end in traditional Marillion style with 'Garden Party' and 'Market Square Heroes'. By this time I have taken advantage of a vacant stool temporarily to rest the knee. Goodness knows what the ear will be like later .... But I don't really care because It's been such a fun and enjoyable night. The band are all excellent Musicians in their own right, and look like they were having a great time too. I would recommend you go and see 'Mr Punch' when you get the chance. You won't regret it! 

 

 

 

Knee Arthroscopy

 

Hopefully It's going to be third time lucky with the twice cancelled Knee Op. Previously Covid and Doctors Strikes have conspired top prevent me going under the knife. Although these days there isn't a knife involved as such. Arthroscopy is used to treat a wide range of knee problems.The surgeon inserts a small camera, called an arthroscope, into the knee joint. The camera displays pictures on a video monitor, the Surgeon uses these images to guide miniature surgical instruments. All very simple really.... Once checked in, I am shown to a private room which will be mine for the day. 'The John Barnes Room.'He must have had his fair share of injuries too I would imagine. It has been an early start and there is still a couple of hours at least to go before going down to Theatre at 10:30. I need to get into the dreaded hospital gown in good time. It was at this point I realised I had forgotten to bring my own Dressing Gown. 

The time passes all too quickly as I am visited by a host of interested parties. The Anesthetist, The Nurse, My Consultant, A Nurse to take my Blood Pressure, and perhaps most importantly the Catering Manager to take my order from the menu as I start to come back to life. In charge today is Mr Odei Shannak who specialises in hip and knee joint replacements,  and arthroscopic (keyhole) surgery of the knee. I'm in safe hands. All other options including Steroid injections have been exhausted. The surgery today is the last resort.
Right on the stroke of 10:30 there is a knock on the door (another one). Like the condemned man I taken down to the Operating Theatre. I have secured an additional gown, which I am wearing back to front to preserve some dignity.The old blood pressure is a bit high, not surprisingly really. After that It's all a bit of a blur really. One minute I was there , and then I wasn't....   

After re-awakening I am wheeled back off to the room. I seem to drift in and out of sleep. Peppermint Tea and Shortcake biscuits provide much needed sustenance.There is also the promise that the soup and toasted sandwich ordered earlier will be arriving soon. My knee looks huge, like it has been inflated with a bike pump and bandaged up.I have no enthusiasm for the TV or my book, or sleeping for that matter. An ideal time to meditate perhaps? Unfortunately that was short lived too. This state of nothingness must be what it is like in the twilight zone? Thankfully in the nick of time the food arrives and gives me focus. It went down a treat, and if not quite rejuvenated I was certainly perked up. The Nurses were very helpful and attentive, keeping me topped up with Painkillers. By about 4;30 PM it was time to go home. Rest being the order of the day! Not that I could do much else really.  As I recall a very good nights sleep was enjoyed.     

After a couple of days the outer bandages had already worked themselves loose. Just the entry points were left covered. It all looks pretty good really. I've managed a couple of short walks and even hosted a Quiz at the local WMC.Have to remind myself not to overdo things. Thoughts of a bike ride are a long way off. Keep doing the exercises prescribed, slow and steady wins the race. I have to return to the hospital on 21st March to have the stitches removed. 

It has been a long process, the best part of 2 years since the original injury. I am really hopeful though that will make a massive difference. My thanks go to all the staff at Three Shires Hospital , Northampton who were incredibly helpful and supportive.

The Market Harborough Round (11) Weston By Welland- Slawston - Hallaton

The last leg of the 'Market Harborough Round'  beckons. The one or two missing parts have been covered off on more than one occasion previously. So I think I can be excused walking those again. Rather than start in Hallaton we have for the splendidly named 'Weston By Welland' instead. The weather forecast is far from encouraging though. For each hour between 9am - 2pm there is a 70% chance of heavy rain. I'm all prepared with waterproof trousers, 2 raincoats and Wellington Boots. Not to mention a fold up umbrella in the rucksack. 

The River Welland pretty much forms the boundary between Northamptonshire and Leicestershire. Leaving the small village behind we pick up the Macmillan Way. There are some excellent views looking back towards Welland. The fields are sodden , the Wellington Boots are proving their worth already. There are a few Sheep about but they show little interest in us. We are walking in the direction of Sutton Bassett. Passing a small farming settlement there are some Shetland Ponies in an enclosure. These are the sort of horses I can cope with , ones smaller than me! We pass the old 'six finger direction post'. I think I've now gone in every direction now. This dilapidated old sign is thought to date back to the second world war. It really could do wit a bit of TLC and re-painting.

 

We are now on the Midshires Way. The river is really high at the moment. All sorts of debris has collected on the banks and around the bridges. The River Welland is about 65 miles in length. Eventually the river drains towards 'The Wash' in East Anglia. We leave the saturated fields for some track walking There then follows  a long steep road session as we make our way towards the village of Slawston.The Wellingtons are starting to rub the toes a bit too much for comfort. Closer  inspection reveals a blister is forming to on my right heal. Thankfully I had the foresight to bring my usual walking boots.  A quick changeover takes place. The relief is immediate. 

On the North bank of the River is the village of Welham.The village has been here since before the Norman conquest.Despite only having a population of around 40 the village has a Church and a pub. We are just about getting our breath back after the long haul up the hill.I must say a swift half at 'The Red Lion' is very tempting. 

Church of St Andrew Welham

The Welland Valley is regarded as one of the most beautiful areas in the Midlands. Welham seems to be quite a quirky place. A mischevious 'Little Miss Naughty' grins at you from a hedgerow. A long deserted telephone box is left abandoned. No effort to turn it into a book exchange or defibrillator hub. Even the phone is still in tact, it wouldn't let me place a call though. We continue onwards to wards the village of Slawston. A huge metropolis in comparison to Welham. After the haul up the long and winding road I'm not surprised the village lies at over 300 ft.Slawston hills (also known as Mill, Barrow or Burrough Hill) exceeds 400 ft.  

 

We arrive in Hallaton home of the famous 'Bottle kicking. The famous old Leicestershire tradition that takes place every Easter Monday. I wrote about this in more detail when we walked through the other end of Hallaton in May 2023. The link is below for those interested. 

  http://peterja-storytellersnight.blogspot.com/2023/05/the-market-harborough-round-6-hallaton.html

I remember at the time lots of Bunting being put up ahead of the King Charles coronation. The charming Butter Cross monument was particularly well decorated as I recall. This would indicate that it was an area where there would have been a market of some sort. No doubt selling locally produced butter and other dairy products. Our path lies to the right down a narrow alley between the houses. It is also a very slippy and muddy alley too...

There has not been a great deal of wildlife sighted so far today. The closest was passing 'Hare Pie Farm' . The significance of the 'Hare Pie' was covered off again in the previously mentioned Hallaton blog. It was on 'Hare Pie Bank' where Historians discovered the lost Chapel of St Morrell. Excavations have revealed the full plan of the chapel as well as the cemetery and evidence that the hillside has been used since at least the Roman period. The chapel is thought to have been a place of pilgrimage in the medieval period. A total of 11 skeletons have been excavated  all orientated east-west in the Christian tradition and radiocarbon dated to the 14th century.

The River Welland

Darkening skies

Amazingly the rain has held off, we have seen it in the distance. The clouds are blowing rapidly in a south easterly direction. Briefly the sun puts in an appearance and we are treated to a rainbow. We have crossed over the River Welland again as we complete the loop back to Weston by Welland. The Market Harborough round is now completed. Today's walk a total of 12.4 miles.  

 

Heart of England Way (7) Barton & Long Marston

Been a while since we ventured on the Heart of England Way. Starting point of the walk is a designated hamlet just south of Bidford. Described as a small but mighty village. Despite having a population of just 80 or so, for the past decade Barton residents have donated a magnificent £50,000 to local charities.There is a traditional country pub called 'The Cottage of Content'. Which I thought was a bit unusual? Just for the record we are walking in a clockwise direction. We are in the County of Warwickshire. Close to Bidford on Avon.

Sadly the weather is decidedly bleak. Whilst not actually raining it is trying very hard. There is rain forecast for later in the afternoon so we might be lucky ?

We are walking walking through part of the Heart of England Forest. Collett's Pond is one of more than 100 ponds in the forest. The pond was created in 2000 and the woodland around it planted in 2007. Ponds play a massive part in the environment and are a fantastic home for all sorts of wildlife. These include; Dragonflies, Bats , Newts and all sorts of Wildfowl. Frogs and Toads are currently coming out of hibernation from the pond bottom. Before long there will be Frogspawn just below the pond surface.

Created in 2003 he Heart of England Forest has embarked on ambitious reforestation efforts, successfully planting over 2 million trees. Local Landowner Felix Dennis was the driving force behind the project. His goal was to establish a sequence of joined up forest in Warwickshire. An area that would serve as essential green corridors for wildlife, and a space for the public to enjoy.

As we approach the village of Dorsington I start to get a strong sense of déjà vu. It isn't very often you see gates like the ones pictured above. Once I saw the Church I knew that this was familiar ground. We walked this part previously in September 2022! The link is posted below , just in case you are interested?

http://peterja-storytellersnight.blogspot.com/2022/09/the-shakespeares-avon-way-bidford-on.html

It's nice to see the Donkey's again though. A scary thought has just occurred to me. We are going to have to pass through the field where we were assaulted by several rampant horses. Not to mention the flooded fields and the Sheep...

Getting through flooded and muddy gateways was a big problem too. Disaster struck when a wooden fence I was clinging to gave way. Thankfully I didn't end up too wet. I did however grab a handful of barbed wire, as I tried to rescue the situation. On a plus side the horses were subdued, happy at the other end of the end of their field.  The Sheep went into a huddle, a bit like the sheep equivalent of Rorkes Drift.    

I was extremely thrilled however to see that my piece of  'Countryside Engineering was still in place. If you can call laying a rusty old gate across a flooded bank engineering? I wonder how many intrepid Ramblers it has served?  Perhaps they will erect a plaque or monument in my honour . People have received awards for far less. Well I can dream at least. Necessity has always been the mother of invention in my book.

I really dislike the metal footbridges like the one pictured above. Particularly when you have walked the best part of 10 miles and struggling to lift your feet. You know about it if you catch your shin too... I'm sure thy are to stop animals like Sheep and Cattle from crossing. My feet are soaked, too many times the water has gone over the boots when I've sunk in a field or puddle. We are on the last part of the walk though , on the home straight you might say.  We have just passed through Bickmarsh. A small hamlet in Worcestershire with a population of around 65. The most famous building is Bickmarsh Hall. According to records it once belonged to the county of Worcestershire.    

Light is beggining to fade as we finish the walk. Just in time too as the promised rain has arrived. This has been a really tough walk once again in rain soaked conditions. In total a distance of 11.5 miles. Hopefully next time conditions will be a little kinder.