'The BIG Mail Out!'

Well, it has taken a LONG time to reach this point! My Christmas album, 'A Nod To Mr. Dickens' has been almost a DECADE in the making and there were plenty of times during that period that I thought it would never be completed. The fact that I have been busy therefore looking up addresses, packaging CD's and making trips to the Post Office to send copies of the finished article to friends and family all over the world is understandably then for me a triumph!

The Front Cover Of My New Album!

It's amazing how many of the people you know that you have either out-dated contact details for or no details at all bar a connection on social media or their phone number! The amount of time I have spent trying to locate this person or contact that one has been considerable but I am glad to say that it has all been worth it!

One of the lovely things to come out of making such an effort is that you re-kindle old friendships and I have heard back from a friend of mine I haven't seen since the early 1980's recently! I met Eric Pitteloud when he came to England from Switzerland to study (I think?) and though we only knew each other for about two weeks or so we managed to almost squeeze a lifetime of memories into that time! Eric was a D.J. back then at home and I think I was either on a Manpower Services Commission Scheme at Debenhams or unemployed - I'm not sure now? Anyway, we met at  the 'Speakeasy' night club in Kings Road when my old mate, Terry Har (Johns) was behind the decks.
I recall one of the big dance tunes at the time being 'The Voice Of Q' by 'Q' https://youtu.be/PAP6OAmbWO0 and Eric and I both wanting to buy the last 12" copy of The Buggles, 'I Am A Camera'. I was a selfish git in those days and bought it for myself rather than letting Eric have it to take back with him - I've always regretted that - but I don't think I had met my old mate, Alan Gaywood then so had not been around people that were likely to be generous.

I e mailed Eric to let him know that a copy of 'A Nod To Mr. Dickens' was on its way and got a lovely e mail back from his daughter, Valerie with some family photos as well! Great to see how he and his family look now and I am so glad that he has done so well in life! I have sent a few pics of me and mine back this morning and we all plan to try and keep in touch more often from now on. I have even been offered the chance to go and stay with them in Switzerland for a while, which would be great! I haven't got a passport these days though and finances are not great but things might change!

So, you see, the 'old fashioned' way of getting involved with Christmas still has its advantages and brings some joy! Ironically, I wrote a new Christmas song called 'Heart Full Of Joy' only the other week so I must have known!

More soon...