No Bad Days: when you have wheels, friends and music

By Maureen Aspinwall

A light-hearted memoir from a music-loving lady of advanced years coping with the effects of MS and following the band BASTILLE.
It shows the importance of the internet during the Covid lockdowns, from like-minded fans connecting with each other to remaining up-to-date with BASTILLE news and live 'living-room mini-shows.' It describes how some of her online friends became real friends in person when Covid eased off. Her good fortune to choose to follow a band well known for their upbeat songs about disasters (?) is noted. Her interactions with the lead singer, Dan Smith, were a surprise to everyone and we discover that the entire band are kind and generous to their fans and colleagues. Her trips around the UK for shows are recounted and found to be unexpectedly enriching her life, touched by the amount of kindness afforded to her by companions, fans and venue staff. Written primarily for fans of BASTILLE, it includes a puzzle challenge to find familiar song titles and lyrics within. The story may also chime with disabled concert goers with the pre-concert preparations required to gain tickets and also the logistics needed to attend. What particularly comes across is the affinity that developed between multi-aged fans over the course of two fun-filled years.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Grosvenor House Publishing
• Release date: Jun 20, 2024
• ISBN: 9781803819198

Maureen Aspinwall

After writing entries in her diary about interesting days out this retired office manager was encouraged to share her recent story with others. After successfully getting her 3 children off to school Maureen then worked for 30 years with scientists from around the world remaining throughout the only non-scientist in the building. Retirement was a challenge and not helped by Covid but things definitely became more interesting when regular life returned. The discovery of the indie-band Bastille and their music and their followers has immeasurably invigorated her life. She has coped with a gently progressing form of MS for over ten years and her story tells how she has managed to follow the band with wheels.

Book preview

All proceeds from the sale of this book will go to the charity Choose Love https://chooselove.org/

We are pioneering a new movement in humanitarian aid: fast, flexible and transparent. We go where the need is greatest, find the local organisations doing the most effective work, and give them what they need to help people – whether that’s funding, material aid or volunteers. With this model, we’ve managed to reach over 4.8 million people through over 476 projects in 41 countries, with 82% of your donations going directly towards supporting refugees.

For Rita and John

This is an account of the fun and games I had over a two-year period following the band B∆STILLE, written primarily for fans of the band.

I have included over twenty familiar song titles, some hidden, some not, and a few favourite lyrics for genuine fans to find.

My descriptions of the band are mostly my own opinions and hopefully some true facts. Any mistakes are unintentional.

‘Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt’

Contents

Dedication

1.  Not so close encounters

2.  Let me introduce you to the band

3.  A trip to the royal palace

4.  Up close and personal

5.  Off to the seaside

6.  We must go down to the sea again

7.  When we discover that it’s not grim up north at all

8.  Summer nights

9.  Last but not least

Credits and Acknowledgements

Photo Credits

Copyright

NO BAD DAYS

WHEN YOU HAVE WHEELS, FRIENDS AND MUSIC

1. Not so close encounters

I was diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis twelve years ago and was sent on my way without any treatment available. For me it seems to be one of the least debilitating versions of MS with the effects appearing extremely slowly. Currently I only have disobedient legs, difficulty balancing and talking. Most of the rest of me works perfectly well. At concerts, shows and events I use a variety of contraptions to get around.

My full name is Maureen, but all my special friends and family call me Mo. I have lived in