As a veteran racing cyclist specializing in time trials I have not been getting out to play my fiddle for the past 10 years or so, though I have kept up a bit of practice at home. Any way on Boxing day at the end of last year I cycled out to a local hostelry where there was some morris dancing taking place. Well besides the dancing that was going on outside there was a session commencing inside the pub, this rekindled my desire to play again. An old friend of mine from way back was there and he told me of a fortnightly session in my home town of Barnsley here in the UK. Well once the Christmas holiday was over I called in to see what was played etc, I took my fiddle with me, and I am glad that I did because most of the tunes that they played, I knew and fitted in straight away. I enjoyed it so much it will, from now on, be an integral part of my life.

 Update on returning to the fold. I have been to every session there since I first went and also joined in a session at a Barnsley town centre public house. On Monday at the club the had a guest group on and the were brilliant. the fiidle player was exceptional, Details on the band are here.   http://www.reverbnation.com/#!/boweavil 

 I am really enjoying it all, learnng new tunes and my playing is at last improving a bit, I think.

I always seem to be practicing alone, then I found this link to a virtual session  http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/r2music/folk/sessions/   the start is a bit quick, so once you click it's away before you get the bow to the fiddle, but it's good fun playing along. might even improve my timing.