Harold Sanditen’s ‘Thoughts ‘round Midnight’ Include His Westie, Blanco

 
Harold Sanditen                                                                        Blanco

Harold Sanditen’s lyrical voice embraces the soul as he captures every nuance of emotion within the words of a song.  He approaches each number with sensitivity and intelligence and puts a new perspective on time-honoured favourites.  I couldn’t wait to hear about his latest show ‘Thoughts ’round Midnight’ which is coming to the Pheasantry, Kings Road next week.

Arriving at Harold’s stunning West London home, I was greeted by a bundle of exuberance, Blanco, a 14 month old West Highland terrier who is the much cherished pooch of the house.

I sat in the conservatory overlooking a beautifully landscaped garden that can only be described as ‘staring out at a Hockney painting’.  Blanco eagerly tried to jump on my lap and Harold laughed:

“He is the total opposite of Homer, our previous Westie.  He is so outgoing and friendly with everyone.  Homer was a little cantankerous.  He was very affectionate with us but aloof with other people.”

“Homer (named after the Greek, not the character in The Simpsons) lived until he was 16.  About 3 years before he died he developed pancreatitis so we fed him the best diet ever - fresh fruit and veg, lean meat but no fat and no gluten.  Two years later he was diagnosed with colon cancer and the vet operated, cutting away what he could.  He warned us that Homer probably wouldn’t survive more than 3 to 6 months.  He went on to live another year but it wasn’t the pancreatitis or the cancer that killed him, it was arthritis.  He was unable to stand.”