Welcome back to the new term

 Mis queridos compañeros cantantes,

Wow - what a return - thank you so much - it was wonderful that 24 of us were able to make it last night (including no less than 20 naked knees !!!) - it was great to be back in the relaxed company of good friends.

I have to say my vocal chords were a bit on the tight side last night - which necessitated soothing later in the evening with a couple of pints of Shuggyboat blond and a wee nip before I went to bed . How did the rest of you cope??? 

The Boss worked us hard - no mercy shown - but he had to get us match fit for Saturday afternoon and he did a canny job. There was a lot of positive energy and smiling faces last night - we’ve started where we left off in mid July but I think some of us (me!!) will need a bit of swotting up on the words before Saturday - in fact I’ve begun already!

Talking of positive vibes it was great to welcome Richard back to the fold last night after a short spell away. Richard is in the Premier League of bon viveurs so he’ll slot right back in without a problem. It also means that the stage coach to Upper Coquetdale is full once again - it’s a while since that was the case!!!! 

And so to Saturday. 

• The show ground is about half a mile through (west) Harbottle on the road to Alwinton 
• Singers and under 16’s are free but other adults cost £5
• The weather forecast is good - 19 degrees, sunny intervals and light winds
• We’re meeting outside the Music tent at 1pm  
• Attire is country style - which means basically anything you want. The Boss prefers long trousers - so if you want to wear shorts why not buy a pair of cargo pants and detach the bottoms after the gig!!! No problem with Alex’s pastel shirt - looking forward to guessing the colourAlex - I reckon it’s pastel green ?
• The music starts at 1pm and our co performers are really talented so it’s well worth visiting the music tent early and listening to them. We’re singing for 30 minutes from 2 to 230. 
• My suggestion for the singing formation would be that those who are confident they know the words should stand in the front row and those of us who need the written words stand in the back row - hope that works - it’s up to the Boss though!! 
• By the way we’re a bit rural so be prepared not to get a mobile signal there. 

I had an interesting drive home last night - in the last couple of miles after dropping Richard, Martin and Rik off, I had the pleasure of viewing the spectacular Blue Moon, had to swerve to miss a wee hedgehog on the road, saw a beautiful fox hunting before it raced away, had to stop the car to let a hare get out of the headlights and had a roe deer leap across my path - it only happens in the country - no wonder I needed that nip when I got home!!!!! 

Gentlemen, it was great to see you all again last night. Looking forward to a lovely autumn term of good company and superb singing (and of course the toon doing well in Europe [sorry Keith - Hope Sunderland do well too]). 

See you Saturday - onwards and upwards VoiceMale.