Timothy Parkes in “Secret Italian Gig Scandal”
So, it’s on the grapevine that I might be performing a secret, solo show, in a venue next door to the July Skies gig on the 7th July in Rimini.
More info to follow…
July Skies latest…
On Saturday 7th July, July Skies will be playing an extended live set.
I’ll be playing acoustic guitar for this set, and rumours are of a possible Timothy Parkes set as support to July Skies.
The performance will be part of the #8 Festival di musica el letteratura.
http://www.julyskies.com/wordpress2/www.assaltialcuore.it
Should anyone find themselve in the Rimini area in July, here’s the address.
Corte degli Agostiniani via Cairoli, 40 Rimini, Italy
Lakefest this Saturday!
I’m on at 1215 to open the show!
It’s been a very busy few weeks in “Tim Towers”. After wrapping things up out in Shropshire, we found a place in town. No mean feat. With some very serious help from some very dear friends, we set off, in a truck like a big blue snail. Seemingly with our lives on our backs.
Driving what was a clearly overloaded vehicle, with all of our belongings, down fast country roads was hair-raising to say the least.
On the other hand, the feeling of being at home hasn’t ever arrived so quickly. My Lady, she works like a cart-horse. -There’s a folk ballad in there somewhere, or a night in the dog house.
Bringing us nearly up to date, I’d like to share my thoughts on the loss of Flt Lt. Jon Egging. (Red 4). It’s always very moving to hear of the loss of life. Full stop. This incident was no exception. I’ve always been a massive fan of the Red Arrows, from my days as an Air Cadet, and having met the display team of 1992.
I like the idea that the gruesome details would be kept from the prying eyes of the press, however, no privacy was afforded, instead, we see wreckage pictures. The death of an expert aviator (or anyone) ought to be treated sensitively. Instead, every newspaper and media company is running with it. Where is the dignity in this?
So what’s the deal with breaking in new boots?
Well, there are a few connections. One or two of them are tenuous, almost cliched metaphors, which I’ll explain presently.
I bought some boots, some weeks ago, from a surplus stores at Shrewsbury Market, I enjoyed telling the trader that I wanted to buy some “British Issue” assault boots. He asked me, “Are you a vintage person?” -(referring to the flea market in the corner). I replied “No Sir, I’m Thirty-One”.
Assault Boots. Note the stiff leather. Nice.
I proceeded to try-on these boots that he handed to me, pair-by-pair, too small, too big, too old, too smelly. etc. -It wasn’t looking good.
Then they arrived. The boots I’d longed to own. Unissued, “brand” new, and lovely. -He asked me what I wanted them for, “Drill and Fieldcraft” I happily informed him. “Royal Air Force?” he asked me. -Well, flattered as I was that he’d mistaken me for one of Her Majesty’s Finest, I had to let him know that I’m a prospective Civilian Instructor in the Air Training Corps, and that I hoped to enter “Uniform Service” as such, hence the boots.
Anyhow, long story short, I’ve been wearing them in for a few weeks now, and I have to say, they are the stiffest boots I’ve ever worn. And they make me happy. -A little reminder for every time I lace them up, of what I’m hoping to do with them.
So, I’ve applied to be a C.I. in the A.T.C., forms and checks sent off, boots broken in, hair “high and tight” and and shirt pressed. All I have to do now is wait for all that to clear, and wait for the O.K. from Wing Headquarters. If all goes well, I my be considered for Uniformed Staff, namely an Officer in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Training Branch). A childhood vision perhaps. But certainly a current aim.
I’ll talk more about the Air Training Corps in the future, and perhaps blog about the process of gaining a commission, should I be granted the honour.
