A FORMER vicar is set to share stories of his incredible journey from Hadrian's Wall to Rome, all the while balancing his beloved cello on a fifty-year-old bicycle.
Kenneth Wilson, known as the ‘poetical cellist’, will be reading excerpts from his new book Highway Cello as well as delighting audiences with a musical performance at Carlisle's Cakes and Ales Cafe on November 2.
The epic journey that took place last year is aptly described as a work in 'Three Movements' - England, France, and Italy.
The 1800-mile journey saw the 63-year-old, who lives just outside Penrith, strap in his carbon fibre cello for a ride from Carlisle's Tullie House through challenging terrains, including the Pennines, Dales, Alps, and Apennines - the equivalent of climbing more than three Everests.
On the way, he would perform for locals ranging from formal concerts to impromptu busking.
"In the UK, I had concerts booked every night on the tour. When I got to France and Italy, it was a bit pot luck and sometimes it worked out and sometimes it didn't," Kenneth said.
"When you're on a bike with a cello on your back, it's the countryside you prefer to the cities which can be a bit dangerous. When I was out on my own with nothing going on, that was nice.
"It's quite scary going down an alpine slope with a cello on your back but we survived!"
On his 40-day journey, he graced various locations, from the Canterbury Cathedral to the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa.
With an inclination to respond to whatever unfolded in front of him, the former Church of England vicar found himself quite often at the mercy of fascinated individuals insisting on impromptu performances.
"Quite often I'd meet people and they say this is so 'odd' you're just going to have to play for us. 'We can't see a cello on a bike and not play for us'.
"I had an idea of when I left to respond to whatever happened, as long as it wasn't illegal or immoral, then why not," he said.
Tickets for the event, which begins at 7pm, can be bought via Bookends Carlisle.
Copies of the Highway Cello will also be available on the night as well as from Kenneth's website.
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