Amazing video. Have read the book, which I think is your best, and loved watching this. Such a brave thing to do, and its inspired me to do something similar next year. Thank you! PS...you're violin is worse in real life than I thought from the book! Makes it even more inspiring.
@@al_humphreys 100% a compliment! My wife is a violinist, and said that to be able to do what you did in 6 months is incredible. Hardest instrument to pick...do you wish you'd gone for a guitar?
Al.. This is quite possibly the best film I have ever seen, and I genuinely mean that! So inspiring, and thats coming from me as an ex-pro musician (London Symphony Orchestra). I wouldn't have the nerve to busk in public, even after performing at the Albert Hall! I've got your book with me here on my walk in the Pyrenees. Thanks for this film Al, I've shared it with friends & family (my cousin is a professional prizewinning cellist : )
Here is a challenge... Practice one song for 5 minutes a day for the next two weeks. Then one sunny afternoon go on a hike to a nice town - not a busy city, not an empty village. Set up outside the pub of your choice and busk until you earn enough for a beer. (If you're struggling, get a cardboard sign saying "DARE FROM A FRIEND: Busk for the very first time to try to earn enough money for a beer" - that should help.) Send me a photograph. And then walk home. Are you up for it? Deadline: summer solstice.
Oh my - as a musician and busker (and huge supporter of buskers) I loved the description of the agony and ecstasy of busking... the fear, the triumph... it is a whole world of highs and lows. Your written description is brilliant... but oh the reality... lol... excellent form! Well done. Glad you kept it up. I encouraged my Daughter to busk - she plays trumpet... as a result she paid for the two of us to travel for the weekend to Melbourne! We have a simple rule... ALWAYS pay the busker!
Alastair, truly inspirational. I remember you posting something a while back (maybe a year or so ago) about this and then I had forgot about it. So glad I stubbled across your page again to see that you had just posted the full documentary. It's really impressive and as I said before- inspiring. I have a Ukulele and have been learning a little so that I too can enjoy a similar experience.
Can't help but feel the Ukulele would have been a much more powerful weapon for your beer fund Alastair! Same size, same number of strings but even an idiot could develop proficiency in 7 months. I know, because I did it! And that being said, you've inspired me to try a busking adventure of my own, so thank you! Another brilliant piece of content, please keep them coming.
Al, this is another great video! Thanks for all of the time and effort you put into sharing your adventures with us from around the globe. I love this adventure because you are pushing yourself out of your comfort zone.... that is what adventure is about, is it not? Thanks for the inspiration and as always a couple of chuckles!
Alastair - So good- love it my friend. You inspire me so much. I like the idea that adventure does not always have to be huge. This is clever and fun. Also loved the book- loved hearing you wrestle with being a dad, adventurer and everything else going on in your mind. Thanks again. Steve aka The Talking Fly
I loved this, the idea, the practical and the founder of the feast. Laurie lees cider with Rosie was one of my favourite books as a teenager, I havent yet read this book so shall embark on my own literary journey, thank you, long may you continue adventuring!!!!
Well done, amazing, my life has not been the same since reading your round the world cycle. Please keep doing this kind of thing and I'll keep telling people about your books and vids.
I listened to your audiobook, and I love this video. I was skeptical, because Laurie Lee's book is one of my favorites, but this is awesome. You were very brave to busk when you can't play, but I was laughing out loud here by myself.
Great to watch your violin escapades and adventures, Alastair. Loved the film. Your are clearly happy with your outcome. 125 Euros! Bravo! Excited to have your book and Laurie Lee's, ready to read when next in Spain. Hey. let me know if you want to visit LL's childhood village and local pub. Stay with us - or camp wild on the Cotswold Way! Greetings from Martin and I. Cheers.
Hi Alastair. We had a brief chat about this trip at the Brompton event and It’s great to see the video. As I mentioned I absolutely love the concept. I hope I can summon up the bravery to emulate you Calais towards Marseille with guitar.
I should say that that comment was in reference to your first attempt at busking! Well done for sticking with it! It's one of my favourite books and I have been dreaming of recreating his journey some day. Perhaps without the violin though! 😅
I love the violin. The body of the violin represents stasis and centered-ness whereas the bow represents movement and journey. The body of the violin, played by the left hand, represents the feminine and the bow played by the right hand represents the masculine. It is in the meeting of the two: the feminine and the masculine, the stasis and the movement, that the music is made. To improve the left hand, microscopic attention needs to be paid to intonation, a focussed close analysis of each note. To improve the right hand it must become looser, more active, less stilted. The left and right hands need to work not only independently but also in completely different modes to create the music. Best of luck with it all. I wonder how you're getting on with it now a year later?
Loved it!!! My only complaint is that i wish it was longer, I could of watched this all day 👍 you have really inspired me to have my own little adventures since reading your microadventure book, I hope you can visit my page to see my little adventures and the plenty more to come 😊
Alistair you're an inspiration to oir trips: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-fWW-61T7G0g.html 18:42 happiest moment of life is when you have a healthy daughter or son Alistair👌