Diary Of A Busker Day 2441 Tuesday September 17th 2024 Winchester.
It looks like Don Lavelle’s coming to the end of his painting. He was applying tiny strokes of pink to the face of a man sitting on the Buttercross. I set up and started up…and ten minutes later, yes it’s Claire. I’m starting to think she’s got some sort of homing device on her! This is getting ridiculous. She even apologised – ‘sorry, it’s me again!’ I said ‘you don’t need to apologise, just as long as you have fun!’
After a few songs, I decided to stand up – I had the Gretsch so it’s a damn sight lighter than the double-neck. In fact, it’s about 4 lbs lighter because I weighed them recently. The Gretsch is 7 lbs and the double-neck is just over 11. When Don saw me he shouted ‘I’ve never seen you stand up before!’ He then came over and said ‘I reckon you should make more money if you stand up, as it shows you’re putting more effort into it.’ ‘Really?’ I said. ‘Well, let’s see.’
It’s another warm day of around 20 degrees. After 45 minutes, a couple who I’ve seen busk here a few times, turn up and chat to Don then come over when I finish a song. She asks me how long I’ve been playing. I tell her and say there might be a few people in The Square if they want to set up there and they go off and I suddenly feel a bit guilty and think about asking Don (or Claire!) if they can keep an eye on my stuff while I dash round the corner and invite them back to play and I’D pack up and go to The Square…but I couldn’t be bothered!
After an hour and a half I decided to pack up. The coinage wasn’t bad – £25. I don’t know if standing up for around half the songs got me any more coinage but it was good for a change, but I have to admit I was a bit bored and starting to make stupid mistakes so it was time to go. And Claire’s starting to do my head in, ALWAYS turning up just after I start and NEVER leaving until I do!