Diary Of A Busker Day 167 Thursday October 13th Winchester High Street (opposite Vodafone, Time: 4:40-6:10pm).
A “spur of the moment” session, at the end of the day, which turned out to be a good decision, as I catch the populace of the High Street in a very generous mood – in fact, at one point, I look up and see a £5 note in my bucket and never even saw who put it there. It did, however, get off to a sad start – a lady who I have not seen much of lately turns up. It’s Hazel Hucker, who’s 73 – she told me this earlier in the year. She’s with a younger lady who is possibly her carer. I ask how she is and say I haven’t seen her around. “I lost my husband – to cancer. Like alot of women do – and men.” Oh dear. I say I’m very sorry – what else? She gives me a bit of change and asks me what I’m going to play. “I don’t know…Over The Rainbow…no, I’ll play something cheerful…The Third Man…” She and her friend walk off. Poor Hazel. During The Third Man, a bunch of young guys (students?) stop. One wants to know what it is I’m playing. I tell him – it’s from a 1949 film, The Third Man, also known as The Harry Lime Theme, but YOU’VE heard it in Spongebob Squarepants, right? “Yeah!” I thought so, but it’s usually little kids who know it from that.
Albatross goes down well – Song Of The Day, again. During this, three young persons stop – one boy, two girls. The boy is wearing a Beatles T-shirt so I cut Albatross short and go into When I’m Sixty-Four, but it doesn’t seem to register. Afterwards I say, “Beatles – you know that song?” Nothing. “Where are you from?” “Russia.” “Oh right…um, Beatles – Back In The USSR! Yeah?” Nothing. “You understand me? Beatles! (I point to his shirt), Back In The USSR.” Nothing. (It’s only long after when it occurs to me – he’s too young to know what USSR is). He asks if he can go on my guitar. OK, I let him – as I’m in a good mood. he plonks away for a bit…”I play heavy stuff, you know.” Well, not on my guitar, you don’t. And now it’s time for them to go. I ask their names – they are Nikita (the boy), Natasha and Marsha, soon on their way back to the USSR.
Earnings: £28.42p.