The Corona Diaries

I don't know if it is because we are in a new year (Happy 2026 btw) or because it feels a while since the 250th, but this episode feels like a new start, maybe a do-over, or even a hard reset.
(of course all of that is merely a figure of speech, and for those of you that worry about these things I am not currently trying to press a little button on the base with an unfolded paper clip).
Anyway Ant and I have been having production chats about what the next incarnation of TCD (...sorry Lucy) is going to sound like, and the first thing that came to mind was 'get some more guests on!'.
And so that is where we have started, and for #251 that means we answered the oft-quoted-call, and got one of the kids in.
Love'n'third-born
h
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It's not every week that you get all five members of the beat-combo on the same episode of a podcast (in fact it is possible that we were popping the 'ol podcast cherry, collectively speaking).
But then it isn't every week that we record the 250th episode of TCD!!
It made for an eventful recording process, and indeed a game of two halves, as we huddled around a single microphone in my hotel room in Utrecht to try and make this semiquincentennial episode something a bit special.
And do you know what? I think we might have managed it! Despite being “post-the-best-gig-in-living-memory” shattered, the boys brought their 'A' game to the table, and Ant (bless him) has put in an extra special effort to wrestle the edit into submission and sprinkle it with sparkles.
It's been a special project for me, one that so many of you have embraced and carried on your shoulders, and for that I will always be truly grateful.
Love'n'milestones
h

I had a rare old time in Poland last week, in fact it may well be the best h natural show I have played there. Despite a little apprehension on my part, it all went swimmingly, as you are about to hear as we discuss the gig and the set-list in some detail.
Of course the next few weeks are going to blur a bit, what with the upcoming Marillion Weekend in Utrecht, and then the run of solo shows that (by tradition) draw the curtain across my musical year. All of which I am looking forward to.
But that doesn't mean that in the midst of all this gigging activity, Ant and I don't have one last TCD trick up our sleeve before we sit expectantly around the fireplace waiting for the big fella.
And we will let you ponder on that, as you listen to this week's ramble.
Love’n’just the one chopstick.
h
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There are so many reasons why we don't do a video version of TCD (...sorry Lucy) but we got the sense that many of you didn't believe us.
So as Ant was round at ours anyway, and as Vibes was on hand to assist with production duties, we decided to tiptoe out 'till our feet only just reached the floor.
What that means is that you get a few mins of audio-only, before we will redirect you to the YT link so you can be hypnotised by the act of Christmas admin.
Huge thanks to my boy, who has slaved over this...
Sound'n'vision
h
Chapter 248 in all it's glory
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It’s a full on chapter of TCD this week (….sorry Lucy) with all the bells and whistles that are now synonymous with our artform.
Firstly we have a guest. The inimitable Lucy J. joins us, bringing with her that wonderful frisson, that you only get when a special personality has rocked up in your own backyard. And of course when Lucy J. is in the house, we get some insider goss, and this time it's all about Pompeii.
Secondly we have the ad-hoc drop-in (in this case twice) both as a preamble, and a post-title introduction. The bit where you have to listen a bit more closely, just to stay with the convo, because we have changed tack without giving you fair warning.
And finally there is the obligatory BLEEP, employed as a protection mechanism because I have invariably strayed into a cul-de-sac of rantiness, or indiscretion. Of course it's normally Ant who has manoeuvred me there, but just because he crosses them over I don't need to head them in.
Enjoy.
h x
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