Summer Gigging

So I survived another birthday. Lovely mini holiday in West Wales with my beau, an intimate acoustic set from Patti Smith in Laugharne before I headed off to do a mini gig as part of the Jam Bones crew of Cardifferent poets at a blustery first outing of Dinefwr Literature Festival. We performed in a flappity tent on the Saturday, but many of the acts were forced indoors due to the bad weather. Still, I managed a walk in the woods and over marshes, spotting deer etc and dosed up on a fair bit of good country air. I also proved my poet credentials (bad at sport and coordination) in a game of boules with Nasty Little Press and was read a Revolting Rhyme by Mr Joe Dunthorne during a patch of sunshine. (He read this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5DS2DnsJ04). I also waved farewell to my trusted travelling companion - my starry tent - who had survived a decade of festivals, but finally snapped this weekend. Sob sob. I think I have to admit that me and camping are almost through too.

I am fairly quiet on the gig front this summer as I knuckle down to some writing instead, but you can catch me at the following curating a gaggle or poets and writers at DISRUPTION2 on Swansesa High Street 2-4pm, Saturday 21 July and performing as one of the team of Poetry Patrons at the Celtic Womenfest 2012 at the National Botanical Gardens, Wales (August 26 & 27). 

Finally then, some congratulations are in order:

• CONGRATS TO My mate Gemma Copp, who just won Wales Artist of the Year 2012 and is getting married on Friday.
  
• CONGRATS TO my darling pal Rhian Edwards (pictured above), who just got married in a whirlwind trip to New York wearing a gorgeous polka dot 50s sailor dress. As such I have a life-is-all-topsy-turvy post-wedding hen do to look forward to this weekend.

33 will be a rock and roll year, I can tell you. This summer I shall also be learning to make bunting and bread, trying to not kill some plants and embarking on an ambition to make my own patchwork quilt.