We’re at The Gathering this weekend. an event put together by Mike Peters of The Alarm. It’s basically an annual get-together for Alarm fans and a pretty effective way for Mike Peters to fill the coffers at the beginning of the year.

For years it was held in Llandudno, a wonderfully Victorian seaside town in North Wales, but five years ago it moved to Prestatyn. Prestatyn Pontins to be precise. In January the place resembles a war prison. In summer I suspect it looks like a war prison too. This year, however, the event has moved back to Llandudno. You can see the relief in the faces of everyone here. This is a Good Thing.

I first came here 11 years ago with Jude, Lorna and Jill. And then for some reason started coming again when it moved to Prestatyn. This is my sixth time here and the fifth in a row – I’m not an old hand at this, but it’s certainly become something that I look forward to at the start of every year.

The days take on a delightfully predictable pattern: Friday night, pub then acoustic set by Mike Peters, rest of band invited up for last couple of songs, followed by more beers; Saturday, a stroll along the promenade, beating Lorna at table hockey, grabbing some lunch, lazy afternoon, dinner at the Seahorse, gig in the evening, followed by more beers. We did try going to the best curry house in North Wales in Rhyl one year, it didn’t feel right – although it was tasty.

 

This kicks off the year of gigging, and it looks like it should be fun. In the first half of the year we’ve lined up Frank Turner, Mike Peters, Elbow, “Gigantic” at Manchester Uni (Wedding Present, Neds Atomic Dustbin, Cud, The Frank and Walters, amongst others), Glastonbury and I’m sure that I’ve forgotten something. Plus U2 should be touring this year, and it wouldn’t be right if we didn’t go and see them… somewhere… abroad.

Janathon finished and I was really very happy about how it went and how it concluded yesterday. My paddle in the sea seemed like the perfect end to the month. That said, when the opportunity arose today to do some resistance training I ended up in the hotel room doing squats, lunges, pull-downs and all sorts of things that a year ago would have been unthinkable. Before I came here I realised that I had dropped a size in my jeans and that I only had one pair in the right size. When I went to the shops to get another pair, I realised that I’d actually dropped two sizes. This is awesome! So if there was ever a good reason to keep going with the exercise it’s that. Plus it gives me a bit more strength for all that jumping up and down at gigs.

One day I’ll act my age.