MIke Peters & 21

Sunday night saw the Pieman and Georgio Dragonslayer head across the border for a Mike Peters acoustic gig at a new venue in Wrexham called the Catrin Finch Centre on the Glyndwr University site.

The evening was organised to coincide with a new album release of material Called "21" with 21 songs to be played chosen mainly by the audience from each of the phases and albums of Mike Peters career interspersed with questions and chat regarding said songs and times.

It was recorded live for Calon FM a local community radio station. The evening was excellent and the venue intimate. Lasting nearly three hours I think, I lost track after a while. The song choices, performances and chat were excellent.

Set List

The Toilets - Alarm Alarm
Seventeen – 68 Guns
Eponymous – The Stand
Declaration – Tell Me
Strength – Walk Forever by My Side
Eye of the Hurricane – Rain in the summertime
Electric Folklore – Rescue Me
Change – There are no Frontiers
Raw – Rockin’ in the Free World
Standards – Spirit of ‘76
Breathe – Breathe
Feel Free – Feel Free
Rise – Rise
Flesh and Blood – If I Ruled the World
Coloursound - I’m Alive
In The Poppy Fields – 45 RPM
Under Attack - Without a Fight
Counter Attack – Love Hope and Strength
Guerilla Tactics – The Sound of The Alarm Calling
21 – The Rock ‘n’ Roll Still Burns in Me
The Alarm 2010 – Economic Pressure

Another 21 songs could have been chosen and I think it could still have been just as good. It was an excellent evening without playing On Step Closer To Home, Marching On, Rivers To Cross, The Rock, Where Were You Hiding, Close, You are To Me, Statue of Liberty......etc etc.

Lot's of best wishes to Mike's wife Jules who is currently in an Isolation unit in a Liverpool Hospital. Get well soon.

Across The Border - Part 2

Disappointingly the nearest we came to Pie during our visit was the above pictured Walls van. Our third day saw us head by bus down to Leith harbour and the Ocean Terminal to visit the Royal Yacht Britannia. As with our visit to the Gardens we spend longer than anticipated.

It's an interesting tour around with everybody having their own audio guide to use. Half way round we stop for tea and cake on the main deck ....mmmmmmmmm. We carry on round the rest of the fascinating tour and then by bus to Princes Street.

From here we head to the National Gallery on the mound just below the Castle. When we come out the sun has set and it's time to head for the Hard Rock Cafe for nourishment... Oh Yeah Baby !! From here its its a short walk home and bed.

Our last day and the weather is kind to us again. The girls head off shopping along Princes and George Street. Whilst the Pieman heads for the other side of town Holyrood Palace, Arthur's Seat and Scotland's ugliest building the Scottish Parliament ( See picture below. From every angle it's horrible. Eventually we all meet up in the middle of the royal mile to purchase some last souvenirs and head for the train home. Apart from the incident with the Japanese gentleman and a train detour through Manchester City Centre (?) the journey home was uneventful.

Across The Border - Part 1

Last week the Pie Tribe and Nanny Pie headed north of the Border for a short break. We travelled up by train and arrived in Edinburgh just after lunch with the sun shining. Once we'd dropped our bags off a it was off up to the Castle. Even though it was a bit busy it was a great introduction to Edinburgh for the younger and older members of the Pie Tribe.

From the castle we headed down the Royal Mile in search of pie and sunset. No Pie found and we had to settle for Italian. We walked back from the old town across to the new town where our accommodation is. The city is almost as beautiful by night as it is by day.

After a hearty breakfast but no pie we head by bus to the Royal Botanical Gardens. It's quite warm buts rain later on and we take cover in the exhibition centre before scurrying to the Glasshouses which are excellent. We spend a lot longer that anticipated but were not too bothered as we not keeping to a schedule.


From the gardens we bus back into the Old town and wander along the royal mile before organising a caricature drawing of the youngest pie. Whilst this is taking place the Pieman and Supergirl Pie drift around the streets and alleys of the Old Town before finding The Elephant House Cafe which is greeted with some delight by the Harry Potter fan.

We meet up and head for food in a Chinese on Waverley bridge below the glorious Balmoral Hotel. This is followed by a trip to the cinema to see the excellent UP before walking back to the B&B and falling in a heap!