The world from my window

We're in the pub in Lush Places, our ears ringing from a night of wonderful music. The gritter lorry goes by, churning its contents across the road and over the pavement. Baby, it's cold outside. We're huddled around the bar and having animated conversations about the brilliant night we've just had in My Kind of Town. And then a hush descends. Our cheery landlord, Mr Pie, pipes up: 'The band's here.' And then a colorful array of characters walks in through the door, led Pied Piper-like by our own Ding Dong Daddy. The assembled throng breaks out into applause. Locals from this enchanted village have just had the most wonderful evening, watching, listening and dancing to the Afro Celt Sound System, a band founded by Ding Dong Daddy twenty years ago. They blend world rhythms into an unstoppable force, performing them with sheer joy on the stage. The uplifting spirit of the music is totally infectious and we are all still on a legal high. ...

Back home and the pub is full. We just about manage to squeeze on to a table for two after booking by phone on our way back from the airport earlier in the day. We've quickly learned that if we want to eat in our pub, we need to book beforehand. The Pub Landlord makes a face through the window of the kitchen door and I retaliate  from the safety of a bar stool  by drawing a 'heart' sign in the air to embarrass him. I once had an onion ring with my steak which I swear was shaped like a heart. I haven't stopped going on about it since. (In Greece,  my garlic mash arranged was deliberately arranged in a heart shape. Oh those romantic Mediterraneans...) 'He's told me to wind you up,' says the barmaid. 'Something about chicken fajitas being really complicated. But I couldn't do that, it wouldn't be fair.' And then when the Pub Landlady clears away, she says: 'The Pub Landlord wanted me to tell you he was really cross with you about you...