“…after 20 years….Hello Scotland!”

Posted: May 12, 2009 at 8:39 pm

Got to bed at 3am after updating the Rotherham blog, and alarm went off at 8am -- a good old 5hrs sleep and it was time to get ready for the 240 mile drive to Glasgow (via Pendragon Castle if we could find it!)

MEANWHILE….in Pendragon Tour Bus land, Clive was feeling a little Sleepy and decided to take a nap, much to the amusement of Scott…..

However….10 mins later…the Joke was on Scotty as he snuggles up to Mr Pillow for a well earned nap!

I think the alleged good old Rockstar days of Vodka, Jack Daniels, beer, wine, cider and Strippers are long gone

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Meanwhile, back in Cheshire…….

Picked up Steve at 9:30 and hit the road North, sounds of PURE blasting out the stereo and Coffee with extra shot helping stir that Comatose feeling gained from lack of sleep the night before!

at Junction 38 North on the M6 it was time to find the elsusive Pendragon Castle…a planned detour! 4 miles of the motorway there was a signpost for Wath!!!! (a smaller village that grows its own Tumbleweed for pure ease!) talk about Groundhog Day!!

After 6 miles inland we turned down a tiny country road and consulted some locals…”Where’s Pendragon Castle..?” the conversation reminded me of the scene in American Werewolf in London…stay on the road, turn left at the Fat Lamb, over the Cattlegrid and turn right up the road into the hills, don’t leave the road and go over the dales and down into the Valley -- you can’t miss it!!!!!!!!!!! That was a journey I tell ya! But hey — we found it! and here it is

Pendragon Castle

A little history!!

This is, according to legend, the site where Uther Pendragon, father of King Arthur, died.

The story goes that Uther, also a King, had his capital at Carlisle, and his Round Table at Eamont Bridge, just to the south of Penrith.

The castle ruins are in a dramatic spot in the Mallerstang Valley, the fledgling River Eden flows close by the castle, and above is the forbidding Wild Boar Fell.

It is thought that Hugh de Morville built the castle that the present remains are based on around 1173, possibly fortified at a later date.

The castle was then given to Robert de Vipont along with the castles at Appleby and Brough in 1203, later passed to Robert de Leyburne, and later still to Robert de Clifford.

We found the way back to the Motorway easy enough, and turned into Tebay Services for a quick lunchtime snack -- I decided on a Beef Growler (local Beef Pie and Horseradish) -- very tasty and highly recommended!

I’m sure you’re more interested in what the Band was up to though so here goes…

We got to the Hotel round 2:30 and decided to wander down to the Gig -- The Renfrew Ferry (about a 10 min walk down the side of the Clyde).

When we got there we could hear Scott’s Drums being tested for levels and decided to pop onto the ferry to see what was going on, even though the venue was shut, Rachel, Nick, Clive and Mark were at the bar (ordering Coffee…) so we went across and said hi, and then decided to get a couple of Guinness (as we were there and they agreed to Serve us, which was nice!)

Scott and Peter joined the party and we went out on the deck and had a good chat with Rachel before they all disappeared for the soundcheck.

The Venue had 2 levels, a mezzanine area and lower floor where the band were… great layout for a gig!

We left at 4:30ish and went to a bar called Scotch Corner, had a few more Guinness and watched Arsenal capitulate to Chelsea.

Back to the Hotel…Triple S and it was back to the Ferry!

We met up with the lesser spotted Ian Hemmingway (only known photo in existence here…)

Ian was there with some mates, a great bunch of lads! Pete (Batman), Keith, and one of them was a Scottish Fella called Robin Ingles (you’ll hear him chatting with Nick in the video’s below).

Whilst waiting for the band -- met Benb from the forum! He was back from the Oil Rigs and came across from Ireland for the Gig -- really nice bloke!

Also met Robin Elliot (Rab) and Fiona Foubert -- great to see Robin again after Megadaze and great to meet Fiona.

Abel Ganz played an acoustic set -- enjoyed it, but the main event was about to begin!

Pendragon hit the Stage at around 9 (although can’t be sure as the effects of Guinness had started to wear in!)

Stood at the back of the lower stage area and just soaked it in!!

Here’s the Setlist… with video footage of the banter between songs!

Eraserhead,

Walls of Babylon

As Robin reaquainted himself with the band -- he was touched that Nick remembered his last name after 20 years!! He was clearly quite emotional and was loving every minute of the trip down memory lane!