The Secret Island Location (portaloos just visible in foreground)

I had a lovely time at the World’ Smallest Festival on Sunday (albeit briefly – no fun for the wicked). The festival took place in a secret island location somewhere in southeast London. Or the labyrinthine back garden of someone’s house, for those of you with less poetry in your souls. Thanks to Donal for asking me down!

Ben Goddard and a man climbing a very short ladder

I was around long enough to see Ben Goddard do a great set, rounding off with a song “people say sounds like Craig David”.  The fresh-faced and brilliant Siddy and James followed with some great songs -  really wry, poppy country stuff. I’m not supposed to mention the Toxic cover, but it was very good as well. They’re Bristol-based, so if you’re West Country types, you can see them play Whenever You Want. You lucky folks.

The Thames Beach (St Pauls visible in background)

For those of you confined to London (like me) there are a few consolations. A (very) low Thames tide coincided with my fancying a walk after work, and so I got to walk along the Thames beach from Hungerford Bridge to the Millenium Bridge (about a mile). I was pretty much the only person there. If you want a romantic (solo) date, I can heartily recommend it.