The mum stuff ... During half term the kids enjoyed our time indoors, sheltering from the various storms- but doing fun activities and making youtube videos. My boys aren’t allowed their own youtube accounts or any social media, until they are at least 13. However, I have an account , so I agreed to post some of the boys ‘child friendly’ videos on there. Firstly, they made their own ‘merch’ ( running before they could walk!) by drawing with glitter pens all over their only plain white T-shirts ( which I later realised were their PE kits..ooops!), next they made and decorated cupcakes, and finally they ’made over mum and dad’. This involved them raiding my make-up kit and painting us both with lipstick and bronzer. It stained our clothes, made the kitchen into a complete mess and gave Harry an allergic skin reaction, but at least they had fun. We also had a delicious family meal night at Rosemary Greek Restaurant, on Shepton Mallet High Street. We love it because we feel equally welcome bringing children along, as we do on a rare date night. They do children’s portions of most meals, and our boys love the pizza. They have an updated menu, with new additions like ‘Spetsofai’ which is a yummy combo of tomato, sausage, pepper and onion. I opted for Beef Stifado, a traditional Greek stew with shallots. Go along and try it for yourself! XANDER & THE PEACE PIRATES On Saturday, I had the best night ever. Reuniting with an amazingly talented and beloved school friend of mine, who I hadn't seen for over 22 years! Keith Xander, lead singer and guitarist from the band Xander & The Peace Pirates - was born with half a right arm. Aged 12, he showed an interest in playing guitar, and was met with a lot of negativity. Later, aged 15, he almost died- when he suffered a ruptured spleen, collapsed lung, and spent weeks in hospital contemplating his fate. He had an epiphany, luckily, for all of us..he survived- and a school teacher suggested he use his prosthetic hook as a plectrum. The rest is history, and he’s now a world class musician, and a true inspiration. Featuring on BBC 3 - ‘Amazing Humans’ and supporting Bon Jovi, and Manfred Mann on tour. The band entered The Pilton Stage auditions 2020 , and made it into Heat 6 last weekend. I was so excited for Keith, his big brother Stuart, and the band to show what they could do- in front of Michael Eavis and competition founder Neil Templar. Other brilliant bands played including ‘Young Astronaut’ and ‘LeSpectre’ played, but ultimately Xander & The Peace Pirates won the heat, and stole the hearts of an elated audience. I almost cried with joy to watch them, and to hug my wonderful friend after so many years. Now I get to see them play the final on March 28th at Pilton Working Men’s Club, you can too ! Buy tickets at facebook.com/thepiltonstage. You can follow the band at facebook.com/xanderandthepeacepirates and on spotify ! Sadly - now that both Pilton Stage and Glasto 2020 have been cancelled due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, Keith and his band will never know if they'd have won. Theyve also, like all bands and musicians, had to cancel all of their gigs for the foreseeable future. You CAN support them , however, buy buying a copy of their AMAZING CD, or ordering merch from the website. https://www.xanderandthepeacepirates.com/ There may be opportunities soon to watch pay what you want- live streams etc. Keep an eye on , and subscribe to their youtube - https://www.youtube.com/user/thepeacepirates If you're in isolation- I cannot think of anything better to do than listen to the positive uplifting music of this band- and also listen to their regular messages of hope and peace. Peace & Love...xxx
2 Comments
Nina Candy
3/19/2020 03:09:49 pm
I so want to see these guys live.
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Valerie Matthews
3/19/2020 04:53:11 pm
They have worked so hard and overcome so much to get to this point m now EVERY gig, Festival is being cancelled , Must be utterly heartbreaking for them all. Please, support them online on all the usual forums They are all great human beings who have never asked for special treatment , They deserve all the support we can give them right now,
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