Having gone through all my ephemera again recently I realise I have nothing which has any link to November. No poppies nothing.  This November we have come to remember more than just the 5^th.  November made me feel very nostalgic, and sad. I’m a December baby.

Petra and Lettie in fancy dress scenes from my childhood

I went to San Sebastian at the end of September to the San Sebastian Film Festival and watched a lot of films! It was a good idea to go since who wants to sit in restaurants every night amongst stony silent couples and anyway they eat pinchos in San Sebastian.  It was very much off season almost too late to call it a Summer holiday. I braved the pool every day even though it was only 18 degrees.  I was the only one swimming.  It closed the day we left.

Swimming pool San Sebastian September 2014

It’s a beautiful town on the sea and the hotel we stayed at was in the middle of a theme park! (By tower on hill in postcard).

The reason I bring this up is because of my lack of ephemera to share this month, I thought I would share some of the postcards I found and photographs I took in this strange amusement park.

San Sebastian Big tides Foto Color Galarza

San Sebastian Vista Panoramica Rio Urumea y puentes Nocturna

It is probably one of the oldest in the world. Some people complained on Trip Advisor about this but all I can say it was the most surreal experience apart from the site of the three very sad donkeys that walked up and down the mountain promenade for the odd child that wanted a ride. We went on the rollercoaster and boat ride and walked into a rather frightening tunnel of terror which only the Spanish can do.

Casa del Terror September 2014 San Sebastian

For some time now I’ve been doing a project based on this Sicilian doll who I have called Dolly and basically there is a concept which is fairly simple.  Donde Dolly is a series of photographs where you have to find her as she is a very shy doll.  Here she is not hiding.

Dolly at San Sebastian fairground September 2014

Choosing postcards San Sebastian September 2014

Dolly seeing how strong she is September 2014

Here she is hiding.

Donde Dolly? Where is Dolly? Can you find her in Inglesa de Santa Maria in San Sebastian Church September 2014

We are back in the studio and we had a nice reunion with Richard Moore an exceptional violinist and top company. He’s only 24 and has played with Nigel Kennedy. He’s a star in the making. Five tracks mixed (two years later) it’s become an ardous journey lately. I work four full days now which has slowed down progress considerably.

San Sebastian was very inspiring.  I had many ideas.  I love hotels the more deserted the better – the view from this one was staggering.

Hotel with a view San Sebastian September 2014

I would just look out to sea. It was totally anonymous.

I live with someone with dementia which unfortunately I am sure people know is a very frustrating thing. My aunt with whom I have been hiding upstairs at for the past 10 years was boring at the best times apart from the film jobs I got her (and she had a very successful film extras career spanning hear early eighties) so now she’s even more so.

Lettie in the bath a few years ago worried – shes still worried

She forgot that when I came back from Spain it was I that found her on the floor got her in a bath but couldn’t get her out then called an ambulance. We don’t know how long she had been there for but I estimate about 8- 12 hours.  So quite honestly I saved her life!  But what can you do? She only likes men so she thinks it was my brother. Anyway, she’s back . People keep saying never give up like this wonderful inspirational lady that releases her own CDs and sits in San Sebastian performing with her friends, but I just can’t see I will be able to it for much longer.  This really does feel like the last album.

Lady singing in San Sebastian September 2014

I have had wonderful news that despite Dave Barbarossa’s commitments to his other projects he has agreed to drum on a couple of the tracks. I’m so happy about this. Mostly though the album has no drums on it at all. It’s pretty bare.  The most important thing at the moment though is to cut down the number of tracks as we have far too many and that’s what I’m going to be doing this weekend. It’s time to focus and try and finish.

Hinkcley Knight Hotel Watling st A5 Route HInkley The proprietors John and Pat Stubbs will make you very welcome Tel. Hinkley 2335

A huge mention again of David Baron who played all the instruments on the song of the year “All About The Bass’ by Meghan Trainor. It’s a really catchy song which is breaking all over the world. It is such an honour to know him and have worked with him on all three of my albums. As I said before without the generosity that I got from David, I wouldn’t be writing today. I used to be on instant message with David every day. These days it’s hardly ever. Simi Stone the most beautiful singer songwriter as well as person, with whom David has just recently been working with has just got signed too.  I first met him in 2008 at the Hotel Edison where the studio was hidden.  The biggest private recording studio in New York. Now it’s gone and so next will it’s famous cafe where you could see Broadway stars having breakfast.

New York’s Art Deco Gem Hotel Edison – In the heart of Times Square- Broadway Theatre District, close to cultural and tourist attractions and many corporate headquaters. Restaurant, coffee shop, lounge, exercise room and business centre

You may have noticed my website has changed address. This was by accident and it’s a long story but the only good thing about it is that I can now update my site more quickly.

For more album news check out www.unbeknownrecords.com 

xxx