The TRU 80s Spring Tour Of North-West Cheshire finally came to an end at The Crown Inn in Lower Peover on 2nd May; 10 gigs in 8 weeks. There is now a breather for 5 weeks to facilitate holidays, preparation of additional songs, rehearsals and twiddling with new equipment. The next rehearsal is 29th May and the next gig is 5th June. See the schedule for full details.

Of these 10 gigs I’m ashamed to say that I attended only 4, largely due to work-related travel and illness. This isn’t a good record for the band’s nominated blogger, biographer, archivist and stalker. I wasn’t missed at the other gigs because no-one knows what I look like; as Agatha Christie once said, anonymity is great as long as no-one knows who you are.

As for myself, I have been inspired to begin work on a spy novel. I have some background in publishing, having worked as a proof-reader about 15 years ago. As a journalist, I understand a little about words and how they might best be put in the right order.

The motivation for this is a little fuzzy; I woke to find some plot notes scribbled on a pad on the floor by the bed, but I have no memory of where the pad came from, let alone the words written on them. This is unsettling, but no more than I expect since I became embroiled with these TRU 80s chaps. I have decided not to think about it and just go with the ideas provided.

I don’t think it’s likely to be another Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. More a Carry On novel, given the content of the plot notes.

The working title of the book is Mikka Gtetch And The 9 Shire Bells. I would never use the digit 9 but would write the word Nine, so this seems out of character. Maybe someone broke into my room and left plot notes for a comedy spy novel on the carpet by the bed. That must be it.

The main protagonist is Soo D’Nim, a Thai piano teacher operating under cover in Jakarta’s music conservatoire.

I hope things are going to improve; this is The Beano Does Bond.