Some days start with a real positive others don’t but start they do.

Yesterday was one of those “just okay” starts. Nothing tremendous in either extreme, in fact quite the opposite. No work which was a bonus and an hour lay in but apart from that it was very ordinary.

So I drank tea, which is one of my favourite past-times, read the papers online, listened to music and generally relaxed. I did, however, have a challenge to complete in the form of gaining an Apple Watch Badge for working up a sweat and doing a 3.5 mile jog. Once I had walked the dog and warmed up my ageing limbs I started my watch and phone to record and subsequently submit my distance and time.  Not only was 3.5 mile reached but smashed and I settled on finishing off at 7.1 miles in an hour and 7 minutes.

It felt fantastic and, after so many months of foot pain and uncomfort, it was a real and honest achievement and treat for my mental personna.

That done I visited my partner and had a pleasant chat and cuddly with the smallest dog ever.

I had promised myself an evening out after a busy week but by the time I was ready and spruced up I was billy-no-mates. My first thoughts were to stay put and postpone my adventure into town but as I was half way into the metropolis I threw caution to the wind and marched on.

I found not one familiar face or person suitable to bore and my initial impression was I was in for a washout of a night. To compound this news of a friend reached my ears about his suicide which put a very sad edge to proceedings.

It certainly was food for thought but out of my personal debate I decided to stay out and try and make a fist of what was quickly becoming a poor night. I sure Stuart would have approved and urged me to do so.

After settling into a beer and tab people watching was my only source of entertainment but suddenly an old mate broke my lone existence. Chats and jokes accompanied beer and soon all was beginning to work out for the  better.

Sadly, he only stayed out for an hour or so and I once again found myself as my only companion. “I know” I said, “a change of pub is bound to bring forth some known bodies of fun”. With that in mind I strode off to “The Bell”.

Right choice?

Hell yes.

Still no one to enjoy life with except the bar staff but they have a job to do so one has to leave them to it.

What was turning into a downward slope of thinking enough is enough and ambling home was suddenly swiped away as the three piece band fired into life.

A seat was offered along with friendly chat and beer. The music also filled the gap of, by now, billy-with-mates.

From the first power cord to the last smash of drums the sound was brilliant. The atmosphere changed to an electrically charged happy buzz. Life was once again brilliant and well worth living.

What nearly was a wasted time and effort on my behalf turned out to be one of the best evenings of entertainment and fun I have had for a while.

Long live the pleasant unexpected.