WHILE I’m enjoying a life on the ocean wave on my Celtic Music Cruise of the Caribbean, of which a full report next week, there’s still plenty going on back home I notice. Tonight, Skelton’s Duke William, home of the long-standing Cutty Wren folk club, has Geordie fiddler Tom McConville and ace guitarist Dave Newey as their main act, and their popularity at recent Saltburn festivals will ensure a full house and a lively night of entertainment.

Also tonight, popular local lass Judith Haswell is at Darlington Arts Centre. Tomorrow night at Gateshead’s Sage, the current young turks of the Scottish scene, Bodega are in concert, with a lively mixture of instrumentals and songs.

Then, on Saturday, Washington’s Davy Lamp has another night with a Scottish flavour, with a rare solo appearance by Tim Dalling, who is usually seen as part of the New Rope String Band. A varied and somewhat unpredictable evening is no doubt on the cards with Tim being allowed out by himself for once.

Also on Saturday, Swaledale Outward Bound club in Richmond has a star-studded night in store, featuring John Snowball, Pat Baldwin and Loose Connections.

Teesside’s own guitar wizard, Eddie Walker is at Guisborough Rugby Club on Sunday, and on Monday Irish balladeer Anthony John Clarke is at the North Briton in Aycliffe Village.

Our week rounds off with popular duo Lyn Heraud and Pat Turner at Darlington’s Britannia on Tuesday, with their unique brand of folksongs and humour. Meanwhile, the sun is past the yardarm, and they’re about to splice the main-brace here on the high seas, so it’s back to my place in the galleys for me. Pirates of the Caribbean was never like this.