Today began way earlier than I would’ve liked. I was out of bed and climbing into a cab by 4:30am! On the plus side, I’m now in Belfast where we’ve just finished our first performance of Backstage in Biscuit Land since Edinburgh.

The journey was mercifully smooth, and I got plenty of help from the staff at the airport. But while the plane waited for take off I felt the familiar sensations of a ‘ticcing fit’ coming on. I was put out to find that Leftwing Idiot, who was sitting next to me, seemed to be finding this amusing. Flying itself doesn’t bother me, but landings and take-offs still fill me with dread, and I didn’t like the idea of being out of control of my body just as the plane shot into the sky.

As it turned out I just about managed to avoid my first runway fit, but what I didn’t escape was the passenger next to us telling me that I could be ‘cured’ through prayer! I gently explained that I’m happy and healthy and don’t need fixing.

I always find it insulting when people suggest prayer as a cure so it was odd to find myself praying before the show that a new ticced song I’d just started singing would stop before the audience came in.

It didn’t stop completely, but despite this we had an excellent show and the audience really seemed to enjoy it.

We’re here for the Bounce Arts Festival and will be off to Down Art Centre in Downpatrick for another performance tomorrow. Please do come along if you’re local.

But if Northern Ireland feels too far away, we’ve got a London run later this month, details of which can be found here.