Neil’s Birthday Bash

Thanks to everyone who came to my (50th!! Bah!!) birthday “bash” last Saturday. I had a great time and I hope you all did too. I really enjoyed playing the songs that we performed for you, but I’m no virtuoso – as you must know too well. However, the other band members make up for my inability, so thanks to them too! They give me strength and are always an inspiration to play with, so I really hope we can go on making music together until we drop! It was also wonderful to hear Kitasan and Osozawasan playing so brilliantly – an absolute privilege, in fact. I could listen to them all day.

On the (50th!! Bah!!) birthday front, I’d also like to thank everyone who kindly gave me  presents. I was so touched. I’ve already consumed a number of them, but I’d like to feature the flowers presented to me by some of Mina’s Kaijin “senior” students. Not “senior” at all in my book – spring chickens, in fact, and a real pleasure to know. Anyway, they presented me with the most beautiful, sensational bouquet of flowers. The orange roses in particular were stunning. I’ve never seen anything like them before. Gorgeous! But the whole ensemble was something else! Mina did a great job arranging them in vases. Here are some photographs – taken on my recalcitrant mobile phone, but I hope they give you an idea!