I brought in a fellow clarinet player who we met on a cruise, and he is today (January 9) getting on the Queen Victoria in Southampton, where he performs with the orchestra on board.
The drummer, Baby Jools, whom I had booked to join us, emailed me just after 9am to say he could not get on the M5.
He was coming down from Birmingham due to the latest snow conditions. So, all in all, the session worked out just fine under the hands of Mike Henry, our guest trumpet player. It can be seen on YouTube over the weekend.
Since contracting this chest infection, my surgery, based in Overton, has been nothing but amazing.
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Three appointments so far, each booked on the same day, time spent in the hands of these medical experts, giving so much time to try and find a cure, another appointment already booked in. Now, for all the news about how hard it is to see a doctor when there is a need, they are incredible.
The fires in Los Angeles are nothing but frightening. The ground is so dry that they have not had any rain for eight months. Even now, when they should be getting a downfall, they are getting nothing.
We have a very good friend over in those parts and are keeping in touch, but what is frightening is what they build their houses with.
As a house is raised to the ground, all that is left is the occasional chimney stack. The matchwood they use for construction, even the roofs, are covered with a hardboard material, which is unlikely to withstand the flames.
Graeme Hewitt
The Vale
Oakley
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