Trying out my electric mandola (Winnie, as opposed to my acoustic, Nelson) with my new amp. Very pleased. New sound for this week’s gigs - Wed Kitchen Garden Brum, Thurs Devonshire Arms Cambridge, Fri Vic Derby, Sat Real Ale Classroom Leicester, then the big Barnstormer 30th Anni gig at the Dublin Castle London on Sunday with special guests @cleanersfromvenus and @robinince1969 | Attila the Stockbroker

After 42 years of faithful service and nearly 4000 gigs my mandolas, Nelson (acoustic) and Winnie (electric) are finally going to meet their maker next week. Literally. Their brilliant creator John Le Voi will be giving them some much deserved TLC at last - and they both deserve it and then some. Refrets, pickup repairs, the works. People have always meant far more to me than material things but these two have made the soundtrack of my life and feel like a part of me. And the thought has just oc