Day 2644
Tuesday January 20th 2026
Winchester
Well, I knew it was windy as I practically had to pedal going downhill into town but I didn’t worry about it too much because when I get into the high street, it’s often quite calm. Not today, though. Down at Nando’s it WAS windy and it didn’t let up the whole time I was there, which was an hour and forty-five minutes, at which point I’d more or less lost all feeling in the fingertips. It would have been worth it (almost) if the coinage had been acceptable but as the total was £12.37, it was definitely NOT really worth it!
The gospel hall bloke, who likes my While My Guitar Gently Weeps, stopped during Cavatina and at the end – ‘That guitar is like The Shadows.’
I said yes it was – ‘It’s Fiesta red, the same as his was – Hank Marvin…my name sake. Though Marvin’s my first name.’
‘Oh right…While My Guitar Gently Weeps?’
‘Yeah, sure. I haven’t done that yet so thanks for suggesting it.’
After I do that one, he still wants to chat – ‘Jimi Hendrix did a gig with Cream and Eric Clapton was at the side of the stage and after Hendrix had played he said “I better start practising.”‘
‘Yeah, I think they all sort of said that – Jeff Beck, Clapton, Jimmy Page because he was so good. Or rather he was different from anyone else.’
Just then a gust of wind came and he said ‘Well, at least you’ve got a windbreaker,’ indicating the four foot high Five Guys cloth barrier on my right, which was absolutely no windbreaker at all! Anyway, he actually donated this time which I’m sure is a first for him.
Near the end, someone I had started to worry about (because I hadn’t seen him since November, so I’d assumed he might have “assumed room temperature”) came by. It was none other than Don Lavelle, clutching his latest canvas. He said he’d been working on it – a commission, down at St Cross but had given up, being beaten by the wind (as I am now).
‘You look pale,’ he said.
‘Really? That’s weird. I mean, I’ve got my sunscreen on, so I should look slightly shiny and healthy. Oh well, maybe it’s the cold.’
On the way back through the back street near The Square, I bumped into posh Sarah, who was horrified I’d been out playing –
‘Yeah I know, I’ve had enough and I’m freezing and going home…nice shoes you got there.’
‘Oh these, yes I bought them in the sales. You should go home – it’s too cold.’
‘I am. Anyway, I’ll see you soon.’
‘Not for a few days I hope. It’s too cold for you.’
‘I know…well, January’s cold but good for the sales!’