Belle and Sebastian have alot to answer for

I've always been a sucker for the school gig, be it recorders, choirs, bands or even the far trickier string instruments. It is about learning to work together, learning to perform in front of others, learning to practise hard to be able to play something which before trying you might not have thought possible.

And so it was that we returned to a familiar venue, my high school's assmebly hall for the local inter-school orchestra performance. The window was open but it was still sweltering as the sun beat down on the huge windows.On our arrival, another parent was trying to work out how long it was going to last as he had a prior engagement. It turned out that we were in for the long haul, a three hour spectacular we were told. Were they going to be looking into the works of some of the famous conductors perhaps, or maybe Spinal Tap style foray into progressive rock/jazz.

No, we were advised that our part of the gig would be more a Jesus and Mary Chain style half hour, well without the screaming feedback, rock and roll attitude of the performers sitting backs to the audience kicking over amps as they stormed off stage. Maybe I should simply rephrase that then, what about, 'It only lasted 35 minutes'.

Far better.

That said the support act came, you will be unsurprised to learn, in the shape of the number 1 son and child #2 doing a bit of a wander around in a sort of Laurel and Hardy style. Naturally it all looked like it was going to go Pete Tong as child 2 went out as she felt sick and promptly disappeared and el hijo numero uno decided that he had to be wandering around and the compromise was in my arms, so there I was son in one arm, taking photos with the other hand.

Great time was had by all. Lovely day, able to sit outside in the garden and play at tig with children.

In the car at ome point it did actually read a quite respectable.

17°