Afternoon On the Union Canal

An interesting workshop today - ballad singing in the traditional style of the travelling people, laced with many stories of the old singers from whom Jimmy, the leader, learned his repertoire.  He has a great voice, both for singing and story-telling. I don't think we did him justice with our attempts to copy his style. I think you probably need time to master it - or, more likely, you have to be born to it. Still, a glimpse into a world that has all but disappeared.

We came out to brilliant sunshine and low temperatures. A quick and bracing walk by the canal - a lot of people had the same idea.

Coffee and cake and then home to fish and chips and now the fire is on.