Escape to Harrogate

It's as if we've never been away - Henry is out in the barn with James cutting/grinding/hacking something for the new building (which is progressing, albeit slowly - maybe two more weeks?).

But - we're not long back from our night away (having called in at Booths on the way back for the weekly shop).

Henry is an avid fan of Squeeze Official (always has been since the 70's) - and I'm not at all averse. So when the new tour was announced I was poised and ready to click when the ticket sale went live. I thought I was doing well to get two seats in the centre of row B - but did even better than well as it turned out there was no row A - so we were on the front row. I know some people say the sound is better in the middle of the stalls, but nothing compares to being right there at the front - especially with a lowish stage.

We left home as soon as Henry had finished work (about 12) and stopped off for lunch at The Bull at Broughton, arriving at the Holiday Inn in Harrogate just in time to check in. I don't know why, but we were upgraded to an "Executive Club Room" (maybe it was our posh Barbour/Landrover luggage). So there was a comfy chair for me and a large comfy bed for Henry to instantly fall asleep on.
The hotel is about 20 yards from the venue so we had plenty of time to have refreshing drink before we strolled across. We knew that all the shows were being recorded and CD's of the show would be available right after the show. So we ordered one and went to sit in our very comfy seats. The show was a sellout, but not all the seats were taken for the support act - Doctor John Cooper Clarke. He was OK - but maybe better in small doses.

So a quick dash to the toilet in the break (and a long wait in a long queue) and we were geared up and ready to go.

The next two hours went by in a whirl - old songs, new songs, songs we had forgotten about - all performed with joyous abandon and great showmanship. About a third of the way through we were urged to stand and move around. This is when being at the front comes into it's own - I was able to dance, clap, wave and sing with the best of them (with occasional leanings on the stage). The final song finished with the band unplugging their instruments, marching round the stage and off through the stalls to the foyer, where they sat ready to talk and sign albums etc.
Being at the front we were able to pick up one of the set lists.
I put my plan into action - Henry joined the signing queue and I headed for the Merchandise Stall to collect the Live CD and a vinyl album.
I joined Henry in the queue and briefly spoke to the band while they signed my set list, vinyl and live CD.

Then it was a short stagger back to our room and a couple of drinks to recuperate.
On the way home this morning we listened to the CD in the car - and it really was like reliving last night.
As you will have gathered from this rambling - we had a wonderful time. (And we get to do it all again next month when Bellowhead are at Harrogate - you have been warned.)

I only grabbed a couple of photos - the show was too good to view through a lens - so here's one.