Regents Park and a sunny day, Suggs, The Strypes, the wonderful Gregory Porter and the exceptional Guy Barker. Dennis Greaves and Mancie Baker with her very proud Father Danny. Guests up to eyebrows and more. A fantastic Songs in the Key Of London event, the third and most successful of them all. The first was at The Barbican four years ago, and then two years ago in Greenwich Park, its a bi annual love of London songs. It was a day that reminded me of my wedding, it was all go and then it stopped and i wondered if i had been there. Everyone gave up their time for free and Home House supplied everything else. This was to raise money for Elton’s Aids charity, sadly i don’t think we raised nearly enough. The intension was everything. Thank you everyone who took part, thank you. Moving house is normally a stressful event, the first week of June was all of this and more, three vans full of our home, from Firle to the new barn in Berwick. No rain just sun, no tears just smiles and happiness as we put in place our lives in this big old barn on the Old Coach Road. For 100 years cows and birds have lived here and now its our turn to mill around and be part of the passing of country time capsule, a clock that is slow, a time that goes on forever. Within three days pictures are up on the walls and we have moved in lock stock and all. The builders wake us each morning as the building work is still not completed, but thats ok we love them. The children are searching for a new pace of life, but its the same, school and home for tea, thats all they need, food hugs from Mum and sleep in the snuggle. Louise and i are happy with the move we think we have finally settled in the field of dreams. Back at work and Squeeze play a warm up show in the village (Firle), its surreal and wonderful having the band on my doorstep, they all pop over to see the barn and the thumbs up prevails. The show itself was fun, loud and on the back of a lorry outside The Ram. Festival season is here, Hop Farm and others follow. My book is coming on a pace, Rufus Purdy, my editor, comes over to see me and to wade through the last few top ups, its time to deliver the book and time to let go of what we have, i need to read it again but i can’t find the time as time is slipping into the future. A writers week pops up, Glastonbury and Pennard House. 24 song writers and a wonderful home filled with love food and sunshine, its so hot out there. Some great songs are written and i get to hang with some old friends over a hot piano. Peter Bradley who helped me put this one together has given me a new guitar made by Alistair Atkin, its a beauty, black with a white scratch plate, yum. Im a happy and a very lucky boy. Peter is a dear chap, and fast becoming a good pal. The writers week is the most successful one i have known for many years, i have now been running them for over 23 years, thats so many songs and so many friendships sown in the ground. I drove home filled with love and happiness up my favourite street, the A303. Josh from The Strypes loved it and new young lad Dom stole the nights performances with his bold and tender songs, and he only 16! A very moving month in so many ways, my heart is filled with the joy of being moved, even though i might seem otherwise. Squeeze, writers weeks, moving home, love and happiness, Grace is 22 Louise is 42 and Pebbles is 9. Gemini landings from Mars. I complete my month with another fact finding solo show, this time in Eastbourne, a Charity afternoon in a park, i play to about 6 people mostly passers by, a few children in buggy’s and an Ice Cram van which does better business than me. I play four songs and race off to Curry’s to look at TV’s. Cissy is now enjoying London and living in a flat in the East End near her sister Grace, im so proud of my girls they are so wonderful. London girls it seems for the time being. Riley has gone to America with his dog to start a new life, he will do well there i know, as mad as it seems and he is mad. If he keeps it simple and loses the fantasy that he inherits from his Dad. Nat bags has promotion at work, she will go all the way to the top of the form. Im nervous for the want, the need and the desire to be myself but in letting go i find the ultimate challenge of being in the now as it slips like hot sand between my finger tips. Nice one! And watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aCcO39fa2U