[Dixielandjazz] viva la difference ( re MildredBailey-Spokesman Review)

[Pat Ladd]

Hi Jim,
I did indeed visit Madrid a while ago and spent a very pleasant evening 
listening to the band. In fact we had a drink with you and some of the band 
beforehand.
Had I been offered a `sit in` on the drums I would have declined. I know my 
place, and it certainly was not in the same frame as your drummer who was 
fantastic.

I remember the occasion well as both Wendy and Nancy an American woman who 
was with us had their handbags snatched on the way back to the hotel.
We asked for it. Stood under the street lamps consulting a  street map and 
generally acting like stupid tourists. My mate and I were walking  ahead of 
the ladies who were talking and not paying attention. There was a sudden 
rush of feet and there was Nancy screaming, her handbag gone, and Wendy 
swinging some youngster round hanging on to the strap of her handbag while 
she tried to kick him in the goolies.
I ran back and chased the two robbers. My Yank mate shouting Let him go. 
He`ll have a knife etc but I was so bloody angry. How DARE they. I chased 
the pair all up the street. No one else about of course. I ran faster than I 
had moved since I left school and got up to the bag snatchers shoulder. He 
glanced back , very surprised to see me there and went into overdrive and 
left me standing. He did have about a 45 years start on me. I have no idea 
what I would have done in the unlikely event of my catching the bastard.
Wendy had no cards and just a little money in her bag but Nancy had ALL 
their cards and All their money in her bag because she didn`t trust the 
hotel safe.
I remember it took about 4 hours to get through with the police, statements, 
translations, stopping credit cards etc and there had been several big 
ticket white goods purchases made amounting to several thousands dollars 
before they could get everything tied up.

All things considered, a great evening.

Cheers

Pat.