Diary Of A Busker Day 25 Tuesday January 11th Winchester High Street (1. opposite Phase Eight, Time: 11:15-1:45pm, 2. opposite WH Smiths, Time: 3:30-5:05pm).
A double-header, with a break in between where I went home and had some lunch. An old man comes up during The Third Man (naturally) – “I recognise that – The Third Man. That’s a nice guitar. I don’t know if you remember, but before the war (I don’t look THAT old…surely) a Gibson guitar was a hundred pounds.” “Really? But that was a lot of money, wasn’t it?” (It is now!) “Yes, do you read the notes, you know, on paper, or do you learn from ear?” “It depends how difficult something is – both, I suppose.” “I have difficulty seeing” he said, which relieved me somewhat – maybe I don’t look over 80 after all. “…so I use this…” He produced a huge magnifying glass. “But, you see, how can I use it?” He indicated by arm movements the impossibility of playing a guitar while holding a magnifying glass. “I have a problem with this eye (points to eye), I’ve just had an injection at the hospital. There’s nothing they can do, though – it’s age. I’m 96 – my birthday is on January the 30th.” “Well, come by then and I’ll play you a song for your birthday!”
Later on…two men in their 20s walk by, one with a large scar on his cheek. “Hey, we’re trying to settle an argument – who did We Gotta Get Out Of This Place first – The Stranglers or The Annimals?” “The Animals, in 1964, I think.” “That’s great, man, thanks!” Off they went. A bit later… Ragtime Phillip pops by for another quick lesson on how to play Music To Watch Girls By. He’s getting it, he thinks. …and much later…I’m playing La Vie En Rose to the delight of a French lady sitting on the bench opposite. She’s wearing a full length burgundy coat. She comes up and sings the melody right in my ear – in a different key to the one I’m playing in! At the end, she returns to her seat – and not before time! – where she’s been joined by Jeremy, a well-spoken, 60-odd year old, who often chats with me. They both clap vigourously after every tune for the next half hour. Cheers!
It’s closing time at the pasty shop, and they’re going cheap – £1. A lady – “Would you like me to buy you a pasty, or would you like the money instead?” I look at what’s in my hat – I’ve been there an hour and a half, but there’s less than £10. “Thanks for the offer of the pasty – I’ll have the money instead, if you don’t mind.” A minute later, a pasty shop girl comes out, “I thought I better warn you, I’m gonna dump a bucket of water out here soon, and it’s gonna go down there…” She points to the drain right near me. Time to go.
Earnings: 1st session: £17.74p. 2nd session: £10.59p. Total: £28.33p.