A perfect afternoon on Hampstead Heath, even if the wind has started to blow colder. Bright and still warm enough to sit outside. We had the team in place, and Canice, my emergency replacement. I’ve got a gig on the 30th now and won’t be doing the Halloween walkies that night and it is peak season. Good to get a replacement in early. Canice and I took it in shifts to stand on a podium on the South Bank for a long hard summer carnival barking for absolute fucking peanuts. Producer was half man half cocaine. There was a sword swallower with great skill and no talk. Inside: “Right this is a sword. I’m gonna swallow it. Now this one this is bigger. Here I am gonna swallow that too. What about this one? It’s big isn’t it? Here I’ll swallow it. Great there we are. I swallowed all of them. Shall I do the first one again?” Outside: “Roll up roll up ladies and gentlemen for the sideshow of your dreams! Come one, come all and experience things you have never experienced before.” etc etc. Some of the other acts were better – Aleesha mistress of pain was a strong act. But my takeaway from that job was Canice, who costumed himself (they didn’t bother costuming us.) I love the fucker and he’s kind and sharp and motivated and funny. I’m always nervous about availablity on the Halloween walk so getting him in feels like a weight off cos I know it is gonna be covered and entertaining unless I’m there.
We started where the walk starts, at The Old Bull and Bush. I booked a table and had their trio of roasts which is still good but was better two years ago. I needed a coffee after it though, so it did the trick. We wandered out onto the Heath and staggered through the skits and the stops. It feels like it’ll be a fun year this year. Part of the joy of the whole thing is these afternoons and evenings planning it as we walk in the light from pub to pub.
I didn’t find it as hard as I might have not to drink. Didn’t really want to feel bilious and I’m getting used to feeling things again instead of avoiding them. It’s a month tomorrow I decided to fully pull out of that habit after I thought I was gonna die in my sleep.
Walkies and laughter and plans. And I’m home by then, feeling chipper.
AlBarclay 