June 25th, 2017 - Photo 176 of 365

Hope this one doesn't fall down!

For my 50th birthday last year, the family got me this limited edition commemorative print from The Alarm. I ordered it at The Gathering in Llandudno, and ended up, due to circumstances out of my control, having to wait a year before getting it at this year's Gathering at the beginning of February. So why am I posting this photo today? After hanging it up a few months ago disaster struck, as one evening, while watching TV, there was a crash from upstairs, and the print had fallen down smashing the frame in the process 😭 I wanted to get a replacement frame that was as close to the original as possible, and today's job has been to put it back together again. Fortunately the new frame looks like the original, and more importantly it fits perfectly! This time I have dispensed with picture hooks and put two screws into the wall, so fingers crossed this one doesn't come crashing down! I am not sure if Prince is that impressed with it 😊

May 24th, 2017 - Photo 144 of 365

Homemade DVD

So on Monday night there was a fantastic documentary on BBC 1 Wales about Mike Peters,from The Alarm, and his wife Jules. Mike & Jules: While We Still Have Time. It followed their lives over the course of a year that included Jules' cancer diagnosis and treatment. Straight afterwards on BBC 2 Wales there was a 30 minutes highlights show of this year's Gathering concert in Llandudno that I go to every year. So I now have made up a DVD of both shows for my collection.

May 19th, 2017 - Photo 139 of 365

Blood Red by Mike Peters & The Alarm

The postie has done well this week. On Monday I got my copy of Blood Red, the new long-awaited album by Mike Peters & The Alarm. I can't really give an objective opinion on it, other than its flippin' terrific. In fact if I ever meet Mrs Darvell I think I have discovered my first dance at the wedding! Today my ticket for The Gathering next February arrived too, so that's something to look forward to. The only minor blemish was the limited edition music package was missing a promo CD, so I am hoping that can be sorted soon...

February 12th, 2017 - Photo 43 of 365

My 50th Birthday Present

This wonderful print was a long time coming. I first saw it when I went to the annual Mike Peters / Alarm Gathering in Llandudno back in January 2015. I decided that it would be a nice treat for myself for my 50th birthday last February. I ordered one with the arrangement being I would collect it at a gig in Oxford last May. Well the family decided they wanted to give it to me, which was lovely of course. Unfortunately it took a little longer than I realised for me to get hold of it, but I finally picked it up in North Wales last week one year on. A long wait but well worth it, and it is now up on the bedroom wall...

February 4th, 2017 - Photo 35 of 365

Mike Peters at The Gathering

I have just returned from my annual trip to see Mike Peters and The Alarm at The Gathering in Llandudno, North Wales. This was Gathering 25 and my 17th one on the bounce. As ever it was a fantastic weekend with concerts on both the Friday and Saturday nights. There's a new (maybe 2) album coming in 2017 so there was plenty of new material played and it was sounding superb, so exciting times. I got this shot of Mike when he performed a few songs on a little podium at the back of the arena.

On a personal level it was an amazing weekend. I finally have made efforts to come out of my shell and make friendships at an event where I have spent many years keeping to myself just enjoying the music. Everyone was so kind and incredibly supportive of the bowel cancer fundraising book. Over £100 was raised in sales on this weekend alone. It really was quite staggering just how many people I had never met wanted to buy and support the book. In fact over the last year the support I have had from Alarm fans over Mum's illness and her passing has been wonderful and a great help. This continued right through the weekend and I feel it will have played a big part in my healing process for sure. Many new friendships were cemented over the weekend and I look forward to seeing everyone again next year if not sooner...

February 2nd, 2017 - Photo 33 of 365

Packing for the weekend

After a manic day of worrying as to whether the van would be repaired in time, taking and picking up Storm to the vets for her chemo, and rushing around in my car getting my work deliveries done, I have finally got around tonight to packing for my weekend in Llandudno for Mike Peters, The Alarm and The Gathering 25. Having said that the fun is still not quite finished as I have the small matter of a 300 mile drive tomorrow. I will leave Reading and deliver to Northampton and then Liverpool. If time and circumstances permit I hope to meet Kevin Sheedy for my forthcoming bowel cancer fundraising book. So a busy day and I will hopefully arrive in Llandudno late afternoon.

I am taking my brand new Lives & Times rugby shirt with me, so anyone who has kindly bought the book will be able to recognise me. My Alarm camo jacket will also be making its first appearance at the gigs...

February 1st, 2017 - Photo 32 of 365

Book orders for my weekend watching The Alarm in Llandudno

This weekend I make my annual pilgrimage to Llandudno to see a weekend of Mike Peters and The Alarm at The Gathering. It's one of favourite times of the year, and this year promises to be no different. Since I published the Lives & Times charity book in November 2015, one of the most supportive groups has been fans of The Alarm. I have sold an awful lot of books to this great bunch of people. This weekend I have been staggered by the continued interest and as you can see I have plenty of books to deliver over the weekend. Over the last 12 months I have made a lot of new friends on social media, and over the weekend I will finally get to meet many of them in person. Can't wait...

All proceeds from the book are donated to the Beating Bowel Cancer charity. Mum lost her four year battle with bowl cancer last August. The book is not just raising funds for the charity, but also helping to raise awareness about this awful illness. 

January 20th, 2017 - Photo 20 of 365

A host of Alarm goodies!

I had a very timely package arrive in the post today of goodies relating to my favourite band The Alarm. Fellow fan of the band, Monica Scott, very kindly painted the band's poppy logo of the back of my camo jacket. This added to the badges that another fan, Cathi Simpson, had already painted on the arms for me. In addition the camo bear and Glastonbury Alarm t-shirt came from Monica. The camo theme is something Mike Peters has embraced in his battle with cancer and has been taken up by many fans, It was about time I came on board this theme.. This means that I will be fully kitted out at The Gathering in 2 weeks time, which is the annual event of all things Mike Peters & The Alarm held in Llandudno each year, when fans from all over the world come together for a special weekend of live music and all things Alarm.