MAY 2007

DREW McADAM. MAY 2007 DIARY / NEWSLETTER.

Hello, Folks, how are you?

(If you receive this it's because we've had some dealings in the past, you're a personal friend, I met you in a pub, or because you've expressed an interest in receiving the newsletter… or all of the above. However, if you have no wish to receive further issues - just hit reply and enter "unsubscribe" in the subject box. I won't take offence!)
Tel: 01506 873013www.drewmcadam.co.uk


ON MY BIKE
The story of this month is the charity bike ride in which I took part with my colleague, David Tod. Well, it was SUPPOSED to be a charity ride, but on arriving we discovered that it was called the “London to Paris Cycle Challenge”. Yes, CHALLENGE. And what a challenge it turned out to be. 300 miles in four days to help build a school in a village in Zambia.

The first push from London to Dover was almost 100 miles across Kent. I always thought Kent was flat… No, it’s hilly. BIG hills, too. Rain, a head-wind and hills. And the story continued in France.

It was hard; harder than I expected it to be. However, by Day Three the sun was out. The scenery was fantastic and the hills were rolling, rather than majestic. Sure, there was pain and fatigue, but now the challenge was enjoyable – ‘cos we were DOING it! Mind you, David and I probably weren’t too bright; while the other riders were on space-age light-as-air thoroughbreds, he and I were riding the equivalent of pit ponies.

My machine was referred to as a “granny bike”, and the real cyclists there told David that he had done the equivalent of 3 times the actual distance, and they “wouldn’t go down the shops on a bike like that!” So, well done to him, I say. Mine was bad; his was worse!

On an emotional high in the company of 48 other riders we entered Paris. Escort vehicles and flashing lights took us round the Arc de Triomphe, down the Champs-Elysées to the Concorde, and on to the Eiffel Tower. People cheered, waved and applauded. Car drivers tooted their horns, and two young lads on motorised scooters kept us company doing wheelies.

I’ve had a lot of really fantastic moments in my life; and now I have one more. So, to riders and organisers alike – and especially to Dave – it was an honour and a privilege to experience it in your company.

SPECIAL NOTE: Thank you to the sponsors. I have been surprised and saddened by a couple of long-known and highly thought-of individuals who did NOT care to offer support, even just £1, for whatever reason - be they too busy, or forgetful, or unconvinced that building a school and helping educate children who, literally, have nothing else in the world, was a good cause. The sponsor page at http://www.justgiving.com/drewmcadam will be there for a couple of weeks, so it’s still not too late to show your support. That would mean a lot to me.

That said, I have equally been surprised – and greatly touched - by all of you who did make the effort and take the time to support me. Some of you I have barely known, yet you thought enough of me to offer sponsorship. Your support will make an enormous difference in the lives of these children. Thank you. Thank you. Your generosity has warmed my heart. Additionally, the outrageous generosity of some of you has really blown me away, so a special mention here to DON JACK, DOUGLAS CAIRNS, IAN ROWLAND, STEVE HARLEY, JAYESH TAILOR, IAN “WAXMAN” CUTHBERTSON, JOYCE and YVES, TOD MACDONALD, and last but not least, MAGGIE WATSON. Your generosity was above and beyond the call of duty.

XXX

GIGS THIS MONTH…
included: GLASGOW Hilton, a James Bond them night at The Prestonfiled in EDINBURGH. Then there was TELFORD International Centre (Hey, a stadium gig!), The Europa Hotel in BELFAST. (Interestingly, this hotel is the most-bombed in Europe… My friend Billy texted me to remind me of the Europa-vision Song Contest winner “Boom-Bang-a-Bang.”) There was also a gig at the Norwood Country House Hotel in ABERDEEN, and then a wonderful three days on the scenic island of SKYE in the company of several wonderful acts – and now new friends. Special mention to Stewart and The AbbaGirls.

All this was interspersed with great social functions including a wedding in Edinburgh – congratulations to Mr and Mrs McLurg! – and a birthday party in Ayr; also celebrating Mrs MacDonald’s 60 years of kilt making. Didn’t we have a lovely time?

Of course, there was the usual impromptu performance while in France, which means I’ve performed in London, Paris and New York… which just leaves Peckham. (Viewers of “Only Fools” will understand.)

XXX

NEXT MONTH’S GIGS:
Dalmahoy, EDINBURGH, the Hydro in CREIFF. Also, ABERDEEN and BATHGATE GOLF CLUB, Then there’s a big one at CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY, followed by a 700 mile drive to the RAF base in LOSSIEMOUTH. Oh, yes, and there’s more work to be done on the BBC project.

XXX

Want to see a really clever piece of guitar playing? Try this: http://youtube.com/watch?v=QjA5faZF1A8

xxx

And if you want to see something really, really, really laugh-out-loud funny, try this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRPi_dNLliY You WILL love this, I promise. (There IS a sweary word – be warned.)

Best wishes to one and all,

Drew McAdam
www.mindplay.co.uk