Summer in St Ives

Our holiday next summer has been confirmed. We have a fortnight in Seashore, our first choice. The girls are pleased. They will have two weeks on Porthmeor beach instead of being dragged round the artistic treasures of northern Italy. Alan and I will have to wait until they leave home before we're able to shoulder our rucksacks and set off for the continent again. It's a shame. The new Eurostar Terminal at St Pancras looks very inviting (and I'm not just thinking of the impressive champagne bar). Perhaps we'll manage a long weekend break in Bruges, or Strasbourg. Meanwhile we'll have to make do with cornish pasties, body boards and the south west coastal path. I'm not complaining.

Karine Polwart

I went to hear Karine Polwart at St George's last evening with Alan and Steve and Moira. It was the first time I had heard her live and it was great. She began and ended her gig with two of my favourite songs ('Daisy' and the 'Heron' song) which was very nice of her! Listening to her sing and talk reminded me of home (Scotland). I liked that.

There was a competition to suggest the cheesiest combination of fish and names of musicians/songs etc. I particularly liked 'Skate Rusby' and 'Pike and Tuna Turner'. We scribbled a few suggestions and one of mine 'Red Hot Chilli Kippers' made it to the shortlist but was outvoted by 'Sushi and the Banshees'. I was, of course, gutted!!!