Saturday 18 November 2006

Melrose On holiday for the weekend. Hooray for kind babysitters and other generous relations. Last time I stayed here was in May 2001, when it was called the Bon Accord hotel, and it was nothing to write home about. In fact, Nicolette, Alison and I escaped across the road after our concert to the classier Burts Hotel to get a decent pint of beer. Well, now this one's been taken over by the Burts people and there's lots to write home (or here) about, but I'm not going to because we're too busy enjoying it. But I will mention that the food is fantastic.

At Harestanes yesterday while eating a perfect Canterbury tart made from their newly picked apples, I spotted a book published in Brechin in 1886 of 'Modern Scottish Poetry' which included work by the St Andrews minister and composer of surprisingly good songs, John Park. The book left with me, paid for of course. John Park is of relevance to the project that John Purser and I have been working on for the last few months, and about which we will soon go properly public.

Melrosealso has its own tiny branch (just 2 tables) of Plaisir du Chocolat. If I lived anywhere near here I would frequent it with shocking regularity, working my way slowly through its huge list of teas and hot chocolate. If it had wifi access I would adopt it as my office, and my disposable income would be disposed of in one direction only. Just as well I don't live here then.

Tonight we watched Howard Goodall's How Music Works on Channel 4: music theory turned into brilliant telly. If you can, watch it.

A reminder that Tuesday will be No Music Day.