Had a night at Simpatico. There was a roaring fire at one end of the room. No-one was cold. But no-one wanted to sit in the seats near the fire. It was hot! A modest turn up (Pete, Neil, Mary, Danny, Jill, Jill, Ange, Geoff, Alana, Mary, Abby = 11) had trouble fitting in. Where we would have fitted one or even two bass players, forgetting any percussion, is a mystery. Perhaps putting out the fire would have helped. But then we would have had the KASPA problem of frozen fingers.

Tried one new tune... Uskudara Giderken. Our first Turkish spot in the repertoire.

The management at Simpatico was very welcoming, even to providing some free nibbles and a drink or two. They are very keen for us to return, and perhaps we will on an irregular basis. But as a permanent venue it has some real problems for us.

Next week we will try out the Red Hill Hotel at Chewton. I wonder if they know of our track record?