Folk-Punk Crawl of Brighton and Portsmouth

Bill Badger was away last weekend looking after his father, leaving me to entertain myself. As the train line was down between Farnborough North and Portsmouth, I thought I'd go via Clapham Junction to Brighton, do some shopping, drinking and catch some live music.
Got up at crack of sparrow, and trains were all running fine towards Brighton, arrived at 11.30am before the Evening Star was open, so had a browse down Queen Street and a quick look at the sea. Then back for the Evening Star Beer Festival and Robb Johnson's gig. The pub was packed and a lot of people were singing along to Robb's songs, so I guess at last he is developing the following he deserves! 'Breakfast in Kamnitz' and 'This Song is a Rose' were amongst his set. Got chatting to a bloke sharing a table with me, who is a friend of Maggie Holland (must keep an eye out for her) and Twiggy!
Drank some Dark Star Hophead, Nottingham Stout and Eastwood & Sanders Porter, then headed off to the Bugle in St Martins Street and had some Harveys Best (they also had Taylor Landlord and another ale). I'd got there too early, so had to wander round North Laines in a state of pisstitude - luckily I didn't buy anything too wacky! Had coffee and cake at the Rotunda before heading back.
Nick Burbridge was at the Bugle playing the Irish Session which takes place from 4-6pm every Sunday. He was pleased to see me, I'm helping out with festival-pestering for McDermott's 2 Hours, also moderating their messageboard. The 2 fiddle players whom Nick was playing with were also very good. Recognised some of the songs, especially 'Dicey Riley' and 'Bone's Farewell' from the new album. An old boy was doing Pink Panther type dancing in front of the band which was funny - Nick looked amused as well!
Wandered back to the station - had just missed a train so I headed back to the Star for some Dark Star Rods and Mochas at 7.3%.
Got to the Levellers concert in time to see Seth Lakeman's set - recognised his brother and Ben the bass player but not new guy on bodhran - very good! The Levellers were on their last gig and were putting lots of effort into it, dancing and playing their best. Simon forgot the words to 'This Garden', tsk tsk. Boaksey was in a kilt, pink suspenders and pink feather boa with luminous makeup. As he did his Marylin Monroe impression over the fan and high-kicks to the audience, was glad he's not a true Scotsman!
A cracking good day! Must do it again sometime :-D