A blazingly hot Cottingham

Cottingham Cottingham Cottingham....it's been at LEAST 5 years, more I think since playing at the annual Cottingham Springboard Festival.  Cottingham Springboard is held across a number of pubs and the civic hall. This year I played at the King William IV (the 'King Billy') and at The Duke (of Cumberland). 

With the help of two trains carrying myself, my partner, one pram with baby and one guitar we arrived in to Cottingham for about Midday and yes, a well deserved pint was had.... 

It was a super sunny day and the beer garden at the King Billy was relaxed. I had a good session in the afternoon on Lewis Mennell's stage at the King Billy before moving on to the Duke for a late afternoon set on Dogfinger Steve's 'Hardwired' stage in the lounge area at The Duke. Had I been Steve, I would have melted long before my set time at about half four.... Inside was baking hot! Baby Erin took her chance for an extended nap through my set - luckily I think I managed to keep the attention of the rest of the pub a little more successfully.  The amount of visible sweat by the end of my set was testament to a good 40 minutes full on play (as well as the overall heat of the bar and of course some additional stage lights!).  

It was great to relax with a glass of wine after both sets in the vibrant beer garden at The Duke to the sounds of the acts on the outdoor stage and prepare ourselves for the journey home where I was a bit jealous of Erin for travelling pram style...the first two gigs day I've had for a while..... building the stamina back up!! 

Cottingham Springboard is always full on, vibrant and friendly so worth adding to the  event diary each year. Thanks to Ian 'bones' for getting me involved at the start and to everyone now managing the event (Jayney Wright) and the stages I played (Lewis & Dogfinger Steve). 

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