Manx Muso, Mr Riff, made his first visit to the Orkey Blues Festival last week and so far as I know this was the first playing visit to the Festival by any Manx musician so congratulations Baz.

In an email to the Festival Website Mr Riff said: "The people were wonderful and very friendly, the gigs were well organised and the reception we got was fantastic. I played an impromptu couple of tunes at The Reel in Kirkwall on Thursday night at a blues club night (I had only popped in for a pint).

The festival began on Friday night with a gig at The Ferry Inn . I have never seen so many people in such a small space ever. (and) everyone was up for a night of boogie.

The gig on Saturday was another good one, with slightly more room this time, at The Royal Hotel. The last gig was the best. I was told that no one had ever played in The Flattie Bar of The Stromness Hotel before. When I saw the size of it I realised why - it was tiny. But no one cared they just piled in. If you wanted money out of your pocket it was easier to ask someone else... they were nearer. But it was brilliant. At one stage there was three hands playing my guitar, and I'm pretty sure I've only got two.

I worked out why Orkney seemed so much like home; the weather. It never stopped blowing. They have a saying on the Island, If your hat blows off, go look for it in Norway.

Overall (my trip) was a total success, I sold a load of CD's and a lot of people expressed an interest in Mr Riff for other festivals. I also made the (local) paper this week, Orkney Today, and there's a big pic of me gurning for Britain!"