Day 2660

Day 2660
Tuesday February 24th 2026
Winchester

Out again, and an almost mild and sunny day. And I’ve got the Faith 12-string with me, which I haven’t played out here for months. Rob is at the top spot so it’s down the other end for me…and it’s refreshing to be playing the 12-string again. Some things sound great on it – better than they do on the Squier, such as the chord just before the chorus of Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, the Gnossienne, Space Oddity, Tales Of The Unexpected and Albatross – the Faith has more sustain, which helps AND because it’s a lighter guitar I can swing it round easier while I’m playing. Not that I’m doing any Hendrix style stuff, just the occasional back and forth during the waltz time tunes.
Also, as far as tuning up goes, I haven’t got to turn the volume down, pick up the electronic tuner, attache it to the headstock, etc. All I do is press the tuner button on the top of the 12-string – that shuts off the volume, tune up, switch the tuner off and away I go. And because it’s lighter, it’s less weight to cart back up the hill on the way back.

Rob and missus came by after an hour or so – ‘A 12-string, eh?’
‘Yeah, I’ve had it for awhile but it’s expensive and I sometimes have a fear of crashing the bike with it. But I get bored with playing the same guitar so I bring this out now and then. You done OK, Rob?’
He shakes his head – ‘Na, not really. It’s the cold I think, and the rain. People don’t want to…and the wind, so windy up there today’
‘Yeah, I know. I was there yesterday and I could only manage just over an hour and my hands…I couldn’t do it. Very sensitive hands, you know!’
It’s a good job I’m down here then – hardly any wind. If there was there’d be no way I could have done two hours.

At the end of the two hours, what I was hoping for, finally happened – a tenner was dropped in the case. It was near the end of the Everybody Wants To Rule The World’s second outing – the last song (apart from a short Walk Right In rendition – a must if you’ve got an acoustic 12-string on hand). It was from one of a group of young Chinese blokes – ‘Sounds great, keep playing. Thank you!’ ‘Thank YOU!’ I retorted. This was indeed good because up until then I’d made a mere £10, so that single contribution doubled the takings, to £20.93. Anyway, Song Of The Day – Everybody Wants To Rule The World.

After packing up, I walked the bike across the road and parked it against the Sainsbury’s wall – I had to get some milk. When I came out, one of my regulars (a non-paying one) was parked outside the entrance in his buggy.
‘No playing today, Marv?’ (arrgghh, I don’t like that abbreviation). Does he think I normally ride around with all my gear when I’m not playing?!
‘Well, I’ve just done two hours there.’ I point to the spot.
‘Oh…well, you’re looking smart…you look like you’re in the Gestapo.’
‘What? Oh, the coat, yeah.’ My black leather double breasted trenchcoat, which I’ve been wearing out here lately. ‘I’ve had it for awhile and not worn it so I thought I’d air it a bit.’
‘Yeah…well, “Ve have Vays of making you talk!”‘ says my man.
‘Yeah, I know, ‘VE ask the questions” and all that.’
‘And your shoes, very smart.’
‘Oh, the boots. They’re Doc Martens.’
‘Oh, they’re boots, are they?’ I roll my trouser leg up a bit so he can see.
‘Very smart…and green.’
‘Yeah…and they SHOULD look smart, they cost enough. But I wear them out here. They’re pretty heavy duty.’ Yeah, I AM pretty smart out here – crisp white shirt, dotted cravat and green corduroy waistcoat. Why not? I mean, I’ve got to look smart for my public.

He changes the subject –
‘You remember Murielle, the french singer? She’s working hard now,’
‘Oh right, yeah, I remember her. Your friend.’
‘Yes, she’s singing in nightclubs. She sings in one in Poole. She lives in Alresford and has to drive there and sometimes goes to Bournemouth. Doing a lot of recording as well and on her website all day.’
‘Well, that’s how it is but as long as she’s busy. I know what it’s like, with recording and gigs – I did all that a long time ago when I had a big record deal. You’re working all the time, going up and down the country doing gigs, recording, all that. Oh well, as long as she’s getting paid and stuff, she has to do it. I mean, you don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow, do you?’
‘No, well I won’t keep you…you out again?’
‘Maybe tomorrow.’
‘OK Marv (arrggghhhh!), see you.’
‘Yeah…sorry, what’s your name again?’
‘Peter.’
‘Right, see you Pete!’