It was an excellent idea to go and hear Nordik Tree last night. If someone can explain to me why Finnish music has always touched me more deeply than Scottish music, please do. Arto Järvelä still looks about 17 when he plays, just as he did when we saw him playing in Tallari in the Swaledale Festival in 1987. And it was a real treat to hear Timo put my harmonium through its paces.

There was bad news by email waiting for me at the end of our productive rehearsal today: Rob Mackillop has inflamed tendons in his left arm and won't be able to play this week. Bum.