The QE2, the Giant Cat, and Plenty of Practice.

Here's an image of the QE2 in Acapulco bay:



I can only assume that guests are transferred to shore in order to visit, and that she hasn't left port leaving Robin on land, as I have since had messages from him.
What a beautiful setting though.

It's another day at sea, which for Robin is good, as there will be no distractions for him, as his first guitar concert is tonight.
He happened to mention that yesterday he practised for 3 hours, 16 minutes and 34 seconds, before lunch...(he'd timed it on his iPod stopwatch.)
Whilst I could get concerned at this obsessive time keeping, I know that it is the effect of many hours isolation on the high seas, and he'll be fine. (If you saw some of the photos he has sent with the toy monkey you really would think he'd lost his mind!)

Luckily his neighbour, a German guest, is still enjoying all this music.
He may not feel the need to actually go to the concert though, as from experience, I know that Robin will run through the entire programme, at least twice, and probably more, over the course of the day.
But I hope he does attend, as it is always very different when you see pieces performed in public, with the atmosphere of a concert, and all the introductions.

Robin did take a little time out to sit in the sun and listen to Cecilia Bartoli and some Respighi.
He also informs me that the worlds largest cat is on board.
I know there are a lot of cat lovers out there, and many are fellow bloggers, so I have asked for a photo, as soon as possible.
This should be interesting.

Acapulco Again

Robin spent yesterday in Acapulco, Mexico.
As his first concert isn't until Friday, he allowed himself some time on land, and went to visit a few familiar places.
He was, after all, only there a few weeks ago, and likes it very much.
But Robin doesn't always seek out the tourist sights.
His obsession with the guitar is all consuming.
This is one place he found in one of the back streets of Acapulco.



These guitars may not be like his Miguel Rodriguez 'Churchdoor', but it's a great photo, and a scene you are unlikely to come across in any street in the UK!

If cars are more your thing, then the Mexicans seem particularly keen on PT Cruisers.
Here is the latest delivery:



Robin is now back out at sea and will be cruising the Pacific for the next two days, on the QE2.
So that should give him plenty of time to prepare for his concert.

Meanwhile I am recovering from the early start that the new school term brings.
I'm about to make another cup of coffee to ease my way into the day, and any guilt of drinking this stimulant, has been dispelled by this recent report.

Interview in 'Lancashire Magazine' Plus Robin Hill's Travel Tip

For anyone able to get hold of a copy of 'Lancashire magazine', March edition, you will see a familiar face on the front cover, and a lengthy interview with one Robin Hill.
Angela Kelly talks to Robin about his musical career to date. I wasn't actually in when this interview took place, but it appears to have gone well, as the article covers a great deal of ground, and makes for very interesting reading.

It did cause some mirth in our house though, both children were very amused to hear their Dad described as 'quietly-spoken', not something they are familiar with. Also, son number two was delighted that their ages had been muddled up, and he was now 10.
Age is all important to small children.
Whilst son number one had been relegated to the meagre age of 5. But he wasn't too phased, he has had enough publicity in his own right, and had his age miss printed enough times, not to be bothered about it.

There are even some very nice photographs which show the distinctive markings on Robin's beautiful Miguel Rodriguez, guitar.

News from Crystal Symphony.
Well, the pressure is now off Robin as he performed his final concert, of this trip, last night.
More details when I get them.
I do know that Robin did go into Acapulco yesterday. He allowed himself a little time to relax as he really likes the harbour, and town beyond.
One problem everyone faces when travelling abroad, wherever they are, is being inundated with local men, woman and children, trying to take you places you don't want to go, or sell you things you don't want to buy.
They go to the trouble of learning standard phrases, in many languages, and it is often difficult to extricate yourself from the situation without appearing rude.
Well, Robin has devised a cunning new method.

As the locals corner him, and start offering everything, and anything he may desire, (and I mean anything...) Robin has taken to looking straight at them in a bemused way, shrugging his shoulders and gesticulating wildly, whilst muttering, "Mish mash mush," in as thick an accent as he can muster.
A path clears around him and he goes on his way.
I can imagine these poor people going home and 'Googling' 'Mish mash mush', in the hopes of finding the origin of this new language, so they can become fluent within a few days.
Good luck to them.

Jose Feliciano and the Ventriloquist

Crystal Symphony has spent a couple of days out at sea, so communication has been limited.
The last time Robin was on dry land, he ventured into Puntarenus, Costa Rica.
He proceeded with caution after the bus driver told him a few facts about the area.
Costa Rica has 36 types of poisonous snakes, they have anti venom for 35 of them, so advised not getting bitten by a sea snake....

Not to be deterred Robin continued into town where he found an interesting shop.
His ability to spot guitars at more than 100 paces is legendary.
From a great distance he saw a very old shop, with some dusty guitars hanging in the window.
His heart leapt.
Could there be a priceless guitar hiding in the back of this place? Maybe even one of Barrios's very own...
But he was to be disappointed.
The shop was full of guitars, all very old and tired, and all without strings. (For the non guitarists amongst you, guitars should never be left stringless.)
I breathed a sigh of relief.

Meanwhile, back out at sea, life on board Crystal Symphony continues.
Robin has been enjoying the company of a friend he made some time ago, and occasionally their trips coincide. His name is Mark Merchant and he is a comedian and ventriloquist.
He's a very funny man, I know because I've watched his DVD, 'Naked in a Full Length Mirror'.
They have also enjoyed attending each others very different performances.
Not only that, but they have managed a couple of games of paddle tennis, and eaten out together a few times.
He, like Robin, has travelled extensively and worked with many interesting people.
On one occasion Mark spent a few weeks opening for Jose Feliciano in Los Angeles.
Jose Feliciano is a guitarist, born in Purto Rico, who has managed a successful career despite being blind from birth.

After the first week, Mark and Jose still hadn't met.
But as Mark walked past Jose's dressing room, his voice called out, "Is that you Mark?"
He went inside.
Jose continued, "Hey, good to meet you man, you are a great ventriloquist - I haven't seen your lips move once."
Nice.

Anyway, Crystal Symphony will be arriving in Acapulco later today. I'm not sure if Robin will go ashore this time as his second, and final, concert is tonight. But it's only a couple of weeks since he was there anyway.
Mind you, I seem to recall that he liked it very much, so maybe he will allow himself a short excursion.
We'll see.

An Ornithological Day in Acapulco

The Queen Victoria was in Acapulco yesterday.
As Robin has completed his concerts, he was been able to have a good look round, and liked it very much.
There's a huge sweeping bay, and houses dotted all over the hillside, which he anticipated would look spectacular after dark.

First though, a trip to town turned into rather an ornithological day.
First there was his new friend a parrot:



Apparently he was very heavy but had, 'beautiful plumage'.

Then there were some pelicans having a rest on a small fishing boat:



Even the taxi rank looks interesting, made up entirely of VW Beetles:



So, whilst Robin had 'Fun in Acapulco', I took our two children to the nearest town, so they could spend their Christmas/Birthday money, that was burning a hole in their pockets. We had a good day too!