I have made a significant investment in my retirement. In about 5 years, I will reach state pension age, and with luck I will finally be able to stop working. Perhaps, by that time, I will still feel like returning to research and writing. But I owe myself, and those around me, some cheer and inspiration.

My investment? A banjo. I am teaching myself folk songs, Pete Seeger style. If I get a chance (finally!) to visit West Africa I hope to learn from xalam or ngoni players. I tried to play a banjo many years ago, when I had seen Taj Mahal and Tony Trischka, and simply gave up. Now I know why I am learning, and I have no expectation that I will ever be any good; I just want to bring a bit of music with me. If I keep at it for a few years I should know some songs.