Back in the Queen's Crescent studio, 7th September 2008

We are increasingly conscious that a lot of our current working material has not yet been properly recorded. The track that most people ask for and which fits into this category is 'The Bite' - our song about the experiences of George Wheeler in the Spanish Civil War. We also know that we haven't got enough video material either on You Tube or on our myspace site (www.myspace.com\namaramusic) .

So, we had a session with our great friend Andy who both video-ed us and made a recording of The Bite.

Various gigs lie ahead of us. A lot of these are with our great friends Tam Lin over the next few months, and we have a wonderful project to work with Rob's wife on recording an album (or two) of songs for toddlers. So, a busy time ahead. We are also moving new material forward. I think I have already menationed Le Vent du Nord and Nic Jones. I am also working on a La Bamboche song (which I am calling The Child Mother - a tragic tale) and a version of Annan Water - taken from the wonderful singing of The Voice Squad.

However, as na-mara we have gigs at some great clubs to look forward to, namely, Ely, Barnet (both of which are new to us) and Cambridge (which is something we always look forward to).

Recharging batteries - a wet week in Devon

Rob and family in Tenby and me and the family down in Devon, both drenched and pebble-dashed by the rain. However, rainy days meant a greater than otherwise focus on looking at new material.

Rob, who is not from a folk background, has just discovered Nic Jones and is absolutely blown away with his consummate skill and musicianship. He is very keen for us to attempt a version of 'Billy Don't You Weep For Me' - so, I've been working it through having worked out the basic chords.

Other material has been French Canadian. I have been paying particular attention to the work of Le Vent du Nord. If you haven't come across them, I strongly recommend their work. Occasionally they choose some odd material - but I don't know the folk scene they operate in - but they are superb musicians playing wonderful material.