Lancaster Christmas evening

It's Wednesday evening and that means it's Dan's guitar lesson in Lancaster. Abi, quite understandably, doesn't fancy the hour-long round trip or sitting about in the pub for 45 minutes waiting, so she usually goes back to her mum's as she did, this evening. 

It does seem quite an effort and there are, of course, guitar teachers at school, which is where Dan learnt from Mr Kellett up until last summer. Unfortunately, he's retired from teaching in school and Dan doesn't want to be taught by anyone else. Dan's so easygoing and so laid back about so many things that when he does insist he wants something to be a certain way, you know he's serious.

I remember on the sleeve notes from one of Julian Cope's albums (probably 'Peggy Suicide') where there is a quote to the effect that it's all very well being talented but it's wasted if you don't work. Dan really does put the hours in on the guitar (and, to a lesser but still significant extent, the piano and drums). So although I might have the odd internal grumble about these trips to Lancaster, I'm glad he's getting what he wants, which is the opportunity to learn from someone whom he likes and admires.