Banksy, Melting Pots, Ghosts and 102nd thing to do with a dead Cat

What a week!

Wednesday while busking with and amazing couchsurfing musician in Drumshanbo, we were invited by Asha, to have dinner with herself and Banksy (in his own words - the greatest living artist in Europe), and we could only say, ‘Maybe’ - for reasons I won’t go into now.

Thursday, Maija found The Melting Pot while I was busking in Roscommon town. What a find. A initiative to support mental health where as well as internet cafe with great food at good prices, there is a 2nd hand clothes and book shop. It’s been going strong for 10 years and at the door, there’s a sign welcoming you in - whether you want to buy anything or just sit and be comfortable. Again, I won’t go into it all in this ‘round-up’ of the week but will write more about some of then lovely people I’ve met though this place.

Friday was the big busk day for Nepal and I had, as well as some friends, the bucket-shaking champion, Cathryn from China (also a couchsurfing guest), a couple of people from a Roscommon Christian church and between this and the online donate page - as well as a couple of buckets passed at local pub sessions - we have almost raised €1000 - and hopefully over the next few days will get the remainder in.

We were invited for tea by Richie who happened along and after the busk, Cathryn and I went to the most amazing group of houses built by hime over the last 20 years - all built from scrap and leftover materials. Ritchie worked as a stage builder for festivals. A new friend.

Saturday was my friend Martin’s housewarming and there were a lot of people and much music. On our way home from Ballaghaderreen on Friday, Cathryn was listening to a tune on her phone - Sally Gardens. She come across it in China over 10 years ago and one of her reasons for visiting Ireland was to learn to play it on a tin whistle. She was surprised when I began to sing along - she didn’t know there were words - and by Saturday night, she was singing it - beautifully - accompanied by an excellent guitarist at Martin’s party.

Sunday, a trip to Roscommon with Cathryn and a French Canadian couchsurfer, Maude. I’d planned to do a bit more fundraising in the courtyard of Gleeson’s and a few miles before Roscommon, I saw someone coming from a side road and recognised him as Gerry from The Melting Pot. He’d been about to hitchhike and I saved him the trouble of sticking out his thumb.

After Gleeson’s, Gerry invited us back for dinner and what an amazing Alladin’s Cave his cottage turned out to be. I found myself holding a guitar that had been given too him by Philomena Lynott, Mother of the late Phil of Thin Lizzy - how it got there, is another story and Gerry is a BOOK.

The story-teller harper who Cathryn sang Sally Gardens with in Gene Anderson’s Thatch bar with is also another story - I now believe in ghosts, as is the stuffed and very dead cat which Gene totally confused my dog, Clara with for a couple of hours.

Meanwhile, I need €150 more to reach my target. Can you donate a couple of Euro here