Jools & Mince Pies

We had a very pleasant time last weekend. On Saturday evening we went to see Jools Holland. We have been to see him a couple of times before and as usual he did not disappoint. He had an array of guest singers, most of whom we have seen before, and his big name guest was José Feliciano. He is a Puerto Rican singer, songwriter and guitarist who has had a long and distinguished musical career, working with many different musicians. He is best known for the Christmas song Feliz Navidad, which I didn't realise that he had written. He is over seventy now, small and seemed quite frail. He has been blind since birth and had to be helped to his chair and handed his guitar. However he still has a tremendous voice and was very skilled with the guitar. The concert ended with all the musicians and audience giving a rousing rendition of  "Enjoy yourself, it's later than you think..."

On Sunday it was the traditional hill-walking club Mince Pies outing. David, Chanel and Ally all came along although Cat was not able to be there the time because her Mum was visiting her in London. It's always a happy occasion and this year was no exception. We were picked up by bus at Tollcross Road and travelled to Callander, passing the journey by filling in a fiendish quiz on different types of sweeties. After a fortifying breakfast at Callander we walked for about three hours to Strathyre where the bus took us on to the Mhor 84 hotel at Balquhidder. Some stalwarts walked from Strathyre right to the hotel, but Davie told me that the last bit was quite steep so I was glad that Chanel and I had hopped back onto the bus. Soon Santa made his appearance and it appeared that we had all been nice rather than naughty this year, because we all got presents! I fell fast asleep on the bus on the way back, so I was unaware that the bus driver took two wrong turnings and therefore we arrived home on,y ten minutes before Grandma was due to join us for a fish supper! We all swung into action; James and Ally went to get the fish suppers and Chanel and I collected Grandma by car because it was cold, and soon we were all enjoying our meals and watching the Strictly results show!