Colchester. The Birthplace of Human Settlement in the British Isles

Did a gig in Colchester last weekend, to help raise money for our friend Carrie who's off to learn bushcraft (titter ye not) in Africa.

At the urinal beforehand, the guy next to me says "Oh you're the guy who wrote that London Underground song!"

"Er. Fraid not, I do other songs though".

"Oh man! I brought all me mates to hear the London Underground song". (A quite funny, but artlessly foul-mouthed pastiche of "Going Underground")

So I had to start my set by apologising for not being someone else. Which, actually, is better than my normal opening bit...

Also present were BelCanto, the wife's ever-popular Latin Jazz combo. She and Simone breezed through a dozen numbers like they were in their front room - no nerves, no sweat - every note pitch perfect and gorgeous. It's quite a skill to be that relaxed onstage. It was a great set, and the recording sounds terrific. CDs available soon probably.

Oh yes, and Colchester is in fact the location of the earliest archeological evidence of human settlement in the British Isles. Visit the Colchester Castle Museum to find out more. We did, and tried on hats.