Day 2662

Day 2662
Monday March 2nd 2026
Winchester

Shock, horror, what’s this? The Buttercross is surrounded by scafolding – it’s even blocking off the alley so you have to go on a side street to get to The Square, and it’s extended a few feet into the high street so you can’t really set up. That’ll piss Rob off in a big way, if it’s still up when he comes here next. Oh well, that’s out for the forseeable future…down at the crossroads (I took the side street to get to The Square then down Market Street) there is someone halfway up The Pentice and someone else down near Marks & Sparks, so the Nando’s spot is out. I head back up to The Square but there is hardly anyone about, even so, I stop the bike in the centre to mull it over for a few minutes. I know! I’ll go down to the spot opposite Gieves & Hawkes. At least it’s in the sun! In fact, it’s a sunny day with a temperature of 13 degrees but a bit windy so I could do with being in the sun for a change.

So, third time out with the Faith 12-string – not Lavelles favourite guitar. I can see he’s about, working on the same painting he was working on last week, at the spot opposite Starbucks. Actually, I can’t see HIM, but I CAN see a few inches of the left side of the painting. That’s fine, I won’t bother him with my 12-string, not as if I’d care!

This spot is traditionally a bit of a last resort but I might have to rethink that, as it’s not really that bad. First off, there is a constant stream of people coming and going to the cathedral grounds, and also coming down from The Square, and I’m facing that direction so anyone coming down from there can easily hear me. Secondly, it’s in the sun!
I did an hour and a half and got £14.69, which includes a fiver donated via the QR code, and a five euro note, which isn’t too bad for a Monday, when no one’s feeling very generous. The wind blew the case shut a couple of times but apart from that, it was fine…and what a relief not to have to worry about the fingers freezing up. I also got a compliment about the 12-string so screw you, Lavelle!