Leonard Cohen in Lucca

This shot is of the singer/musician/poet Leonard Cohen taking a final bow at the end of his concert in Lucca. The concert began at 9.15 last night and finished at 00.15 this morning. This shot qualifies as today's blip and it couldn't really be any other.

From my earliest interest in music, Cohen has always been around with his wonderfully crafted lyrics and his distinctive voice. I used to think I liked him so much because I can't sing either.

He re-emerged a few years ago with a pressing need to replace his pension fund which his manager had squandered. We saw him at Edinburgh Castle on a cold drizzly summers night. I felt privileged to be there. I recall the tunes, the musicianship, his humility and his generosity to fellow members of the band. I found it remarkable that such an event was happening at all.

We saw him once more in Glasgow the day after Obama was elected. He played his 'love song to the American people', Democracy, with particular gusto that night. He also declined from playing beyond the allotted three hours because he was 'a union man'.

We saw him in Bratislava on the last date of his last European tour when the affection of the crowd rendered him speechless.

When it was announced he was to play in Lucca this summer, we did not hesitate. We needed to grasp the opportunity to see our now favourite performer in one of our favourite places. We planned the holiday around this. We joined the ranks of people who should know better.

It was terrific. The best yet.

When he played the song 'Marianne' in Edinburgh those years ago, the crowd murmured along. Last night we joined in with full throated enthusiasm. We have all come a long way these past few years.

His pension pot has long been replenished. We all do this now because we thoroughly enjoy it.