Diary Of A Busker Day 2541 Saturday May 10th 2025 Winchester.
Gareth was in between performances at the top spot but The Square is mine for the taking…and it looks like the children have been hard at work with the chalk over the last few days. Quite a varied array of work, as well. A few feet in front of me there’s a Union Jack with Happy VE Day written under it and a basic lavatory wall depiction of a cock and balls a couple of feet to my right.
A few songs into the set, that arsehole appeared – not the one who runs the shop but the one who lives nearby who can’t handle my rendition of the Gnossienne. He’s dressed all in black and wearing shades and walks behind me. Ten seconds later, I turn my head round to the left and he’s standing outside The Vine looking at me. This is what happened recently and I reckon he’s doing this just so I know he’s doing it. He will stand there until I turn to see him, so I know he’s there. It’s intimidation and I’m 63 in a week and I’m too old for this. He’s lucky I haven’t played his favourite since he came up and intimidated me the first time. However, I think I might start doing it again. It’s a famous piece and loads of people like, which means coinage, so bollocks to him and his pathetic intimidation.
I was getting really worked up about this arsehole but fortunately a few minutes later a man and his wife came up and were very complimentary about my playing. They’d heard me loads of times before and really like it when I play in The Square – ‘We want you to know that a lot of people really appreciate you. They can have a conversation and they can hear you in the background and people really like that.’ Well, that cheered me up and I thanked him.
It was a nice sunny day – not too hot, and some good noteage/coinage; a tenner, two fivers, a CD sale, two QR codes (£10 and £5) coming to £64. Job done.
I’ve just had a thought. I know what I’ll do if that twat comes up and hassles me. I’ll say ‘I’ll tell you what, me ole’ chum. Why don’t you take one of my business cards and if you go out you can phone me or send me a text to let me know how long you’ll be, so I know when I can play your favourite song. And if you’re going to be out longer than you think, or not as long, you can just phone me when you’re back home so I know when I’m not allowed to play it. How’s that? I think it’s quite fair.’ See what he thinks about that, the wanker.