All Quiet Since the Second Concert

All is disturbingly quiet from the Queen Victoria.
I do know that the second concert went very well.
Actually, they were experimenting with a new venue.
It was smaller, but very atmospheric, and the roof went back to add to the ambiance.
Initially there had been some concern about the sound.
But the sound men did an excellent job and the concert was extremely well received.

In fact, as the venue was smaller, the concert was repeated later in the evening, and many of the audience from the first performance returned to hear it again, despite it being the same programme!

Robin even enjoyed the 'open top' performing as he was fanned with a gentle cool breeze, (a scene I'm finding hard to imagine here in the UK at the moment...) instead of sweating under intense stage lights.

Since then, news has been scant.
Robin was approached and asked if he would perform an extra concert as there was trouble ahead.
A storm was brewing out at sea which was going to delay arrival in Istanbul.
Whether the concert has gone ahead I don't yet know.
Whether anybody felt well enough to go and see it, I also don't know.
Whether Robin was well enough to perform it, you guessed it, I don't know.

The lack of messages isn't a good sign.
From experience, the only time email messages dry up are when seasickness strikes.
The only way to cope with it is to lie down and wait for it to stop.
Those following me on Twitter will have read that Robin has had to wear full evening dress to go to the computer room and send a message on a number of occasions this trip. (His computer is in the local Apple store being repaired...)
If he's prepared to go to such lengths to receive news from home, then the current lack of contact doesn't bode well.

But I may be completely wrong.
Anytime now I could get a call from Istanbul and everything be fine.
Lets hope so.

A Week Flies By...

It has been rather a frustrating week.
We had all been looking forward to having Robin home, for a whole week, but also knew that it would be a busy one.
We hadn't counted on me taking a few days out to recuperate from a heavy cold, but it was a relief that Robin was around to shoulder some of the domestic responsibilities, whilst I felt sorry for myself.

We also hadn't expected a sick, and very vocal, cat.
Poor Ramsbottom was also unwell, requiring a visit to the vets (he protested all the way there) an injection, and a week's worth of tablets.
I now have mastered the art of medicating cats very well, and he is improving daily.

Then there was son number two's birthday party.
We, along with one of his friends parents, hosted a noisy and chaotic party for over 30, 5 and 6 year olds.
All went well, and was greatly enjoyed by all the young guests. I was informed by his teacher the next day that the whole class had been very quiet, and it would be lovely if we could tire them out in such a way more frequently...No chance.

Then of course his birthday itself.
I was just pleased that Robin was home for such a significant event.
Over the years he has missed many of these family occasions when away from home and it's hard for all concerned.

By this weekend, he then had two private functions to play at, whilst I prepared everything for another trip which starts tomorrow.
This week has gone all too quickly, but at least it is only 1 week away from home this time.
We have coped with much longer.

However, communication will be hampered, as Robin is without his computer.
It has been sent away for repair.
This has been very frustrating, as he has been unable to do any recording in his time at home, and also, will not have his Apple back until after this next trip....

But this is the reality of life as a musician.
When travelling extensively, time at home is precious, whatever is going on.
But after a week of chaos, illness, vocal cat, parties, etc. I think there's a small part of Robin that will sit on the plane tomorrow, put on his headphones, listen to some calming music, (without interruption), and feel that a week away from home may just be rather refreshing....

One Down One to Go

At last I have some musical news to report.
Robin did the first of two concerts last night, and despite his borrowed suit and shoes, managed to give an excellent performance.

It was a 40 minute recital and here's what he played:


Malaguena - (Trad. Arr. Hill)

Six Renaissance Lute Pieces - (Arr. Chilesotti revised Hill)
(Andante - Bianco fiore - Danza - Gagliarda - Se lo M'Accorgo - Salterello

Capricho Arabe - Recuerdos de la Alhambra (Tarrega)

El Noi de la Mare - (Trad. Arr. Llobet)

La Paloma - (Iradier - Arr. Tarrega)

Three Pieces - Dilermando Reis
(Conversa da Baiana - Si Ela Perguntar - Xodo da Baiana)


It went very well and later in the evening an Italian lady tapped him on the shoulder and gave him the thumbs up sign. I think she was referring to the performance rather than his attire.
Today Robin was able to take a break from guitar practice and go ashore in Bonaire, just off the coast of Venezuela, to stock up on a few more essentials.
He even found that one of the Officers on board has the same Apple computer and he very kindly let Robin recharge.
Still working on the mobile 'phone...

A Case of the Borrowed Tuxedo....

You can imagine how I felt to see this front page headline in 'The Daily Telegraph' today. It's almost as if the Telegraph have been following the saga!
As David Millward and Paula Sheppard report, BA are the 'worst airline in Europe for losing luggage'.
They are losing 23 bags per 1000 passengers and most of them seem to be Robin's.
Yes, they were responsible for the lost case and guitar only a matter of weeks ago, and the current missing suitcase.
For anyone in the same position, take it from me, the online baggage tracer is a waste of time. It continuously says, 'No information available', and in the last episode we had, it still said that after I'd finally spoken to someone, and they told me it was on the way to our home!
Trying to actually speak to a person is also a nightmare. If you're lucky, you get put 'on hold' and are able to listen to some soothing guitar music, which was infuriating when it was a guitar I was trying to trace, but now, I seem to just get a message saying all the operators are busy, call back later, then the line goes dead. I'm not surprised with the number of bags they're losing.
It's all very tedious and, as yet, Robin is still struggling with a very limited wardrobe.
That's unfortunate as the first of his two concerts is today.
He seems to be keeping his sense of humour though. I had an e mail from him last night saying that he had managed to borrow a tuxedo, which fit him like a glove - it had 5 arms....
The reception area have also lent him a pair of shoes.
I do feel for him, it's hard enough getting up there on stage and playing the notes, without having to worry about your 'thrown together' appearance!
Robin is also currently stalking the decks of the QM2 on the look out for anyone with an Apple computer. He needs to recharge, and, of course, the charger is in the case. So far, he has found two Apple enthusiasts, but they have older models which don't have the nifty magnetic connector that his does.
So if you are reading this on board and have the right charger, please go and find Robin Hill, otherwise our e mails will dry up shortly...