Had a great little mini tour with my duo partner and girlfriend Ida Kristin over the St Davids Day weekend. Idas from Sweden, and this was her first visit to Chicago. We stopped off at the Heartland Gallery in Urbana IL on the way up to Chicago. Great to play for Jan and John Chandler again a wonderful Celtic store and great vibe Welsh cakes (best outside Wales!) provided by Sylvia and Ernie Sullivan, whos Irish Inn B&B is THE place to stay if you are passing through this way. The relaxed (read lengthy) breakfast table conversations are always such a joy :O) Who says we cant solve the worlds problems!!!
Staying with my good friend Katie Thompson in Chicago, we got to see some of the sights, and yes, got our photos taken jumping up and down in front of the Bean, before joining up with the Chicago Tafia at the Red Lion Pub for a great little concert. Thanks to Dave Parry for setting this one up, and contacting the other gigs for me too! As I travel around the US, a keep bumping into the odd Welshman/woman, but here I got to spend time with two from my little home town of Mountain Ash ah, the memories come flowing back!
Then the appropriately named Llywelyns Pub in Webster Groves MO. Hell, more Welshman here too! Swansea Jack of the Saint David's Society of Greater St. Louis,and Cardiffian, John Evans (see photos). Thanks Jack and Mary for putting us up.
I think Ida said it right - Theres a joy, a genuine friendliness to the Welsh. The do talk a lot, but they are also really interested in you too
Big thanks to everyone who came out and supported us at the gigs, and bought CDs etc!!! Thank you.
Best
David and Ida

With Ida Kristin at Llywelyns Pub

With fellow Welshmen at Llywelyns Pub in Webster's Grove, Missouri

At the Red Lion Pub in Chicago with the Chicago Tafia, photo by Katie Thompson

With Ida Kristin at the Red Lion Pub, photo by Katie Thompson