Up the road to Cavan and a small rehearsal room in the Town Hall, a bash through some songs and off to the show down the road in Carrick. A lovely small venue by the dock, and to top all things a nice curry on the high street. A treat. It was a long drive on the small roads of the Irish countryside but valuable time catching up with lovely Niall. We talked all things but mostly about The Strypes and the future. What is the future. In the back of my mind I keep thinking about the summer shows with Squeeze, it will be good to be back in the saddle with the band, and in my mind I feel confident about what might follow. Because the future takes care of itself. We have come so far and I feel so proud of what we have achieved over the years. Being on my own stage only magnifies the brilliance of what has gone before, and the songs I play constantly fill me with joy. Playing Slightly Drunk for instance, what a song, the chords are so amazing, the changes, its all good and so is the summer. Let it shine on. I wish I could go down under with the band, I would have done had it not been for this flipping fear of heights, but next month I’m going on an intensive flying day! More on this soon. The back of my mind is full of hope. For today though, it is this. A small theatre in Carrick. I was interviewed on stage by the very brilliant Charlie McGerrigan, a pure grasp of wit and wisdom from the man, thank you. A good day to be on the road even with all the weight of the wonder.

Dublin, a workshop at IMOR during the day with Boo, a room full of quizzical writers, then on to the show, a long hang around before the gig at Wheelans and then the night fell open like a banana out of its skin. First a set from Boo followed by an interview with me on stage lead by the skilful Danny McElhinney, followed by my new set, which I love. For a topping Pete and Ross from the Strypes joined me with Becky, Evans sister and a young fella on drums called Oisin (but with the Irish spelling), it was amazing fun even though I felt like an old man, but not in a Jimmy Saville kind of a way. Poor Ev was not well and stayed back home to repair. We raced through some songs and then I fell off stage, fuck it hurt. My back, my hand, it was not very Sting like. Bed was later than I thought it would be. The venue is steeped in history, it largely hangs together by the treads of its past. A great place to play and the audience were lovely, as they were in Carrick the night before. I feel very lucky. But bloody tired.

Belfast at The Empire, the room was peppered with people who seemed to like the show, but not overly so. I managed to get Kathalene Phillipa on stage to sing Black Coffee in Bed, her voice could melt the Pole. She sang so well and with only one run through. After the gig I signed books, and some geezers from South London surrounded me, they were Millwall fans, there was an air of larger about them, we got on well. They asked me if I fancied a drink, I said yes, a sparkling water, I got the looks. I was driving I said coyly. My cousin Trevor came to the show, it was so lovely to see him after all these many years. A face and a voice from my past that carries nothing but love and happiness. Off down South again tomorrow, this time without Boo. A long old drive but thats where me is. We all waved goodbye to the NME on line tonight, with some interesting postings of front covers. Thats it, its almost all over, but then maybe it has been for years. For me it s the start of something new. It has to be. My back, my hand still on the sore side.