Cast Off From Cape Town

To prove that Robin really is in Cape Town this is the view just before he set sail earlier today. I assume it is 'Table Mountain' in the background.


A rather uneasy looking musician about to do the lifeboat drill....



But now they are at sea and he can concentrate on preparing for his recital.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:

As I mentioned the other day Robin will be playing in London on the 18/19/20th March.
It is part of the international food and drink event being held at the ExCel centre.
He will be there on the Sunday afternoon and all day Monday and Tuesday.
Anyone with an interest in food should have a great day out as there will be stands from around the world.
As for Robin and why he is there, well, it's connected with the Brazilian rainforest, but more details soon.
It will be an excellent opportunity to see and hear him play, with the added bonus of the less formal setting allowing you to ask questions if you want to.
You will need to check your diary and get tickets in advance.

Cape Town Now Calling

Robin has now arrived in Cape Town and made the short journey from the airport to join 'Crystal Serenity'. On the way he passed the Groote Schuur Hospital where Professor Christiaan Barnard made medical history in 1967 when he carried out the first human heart transplant.
The weather so far hasn't been quite as predicted, it's currently cloudy and wet. Apparently the locals find it very difficult driving in the rain and it has a similar effect to the traffic problems the UK faces when it snows!
I'm sure it is only temporary as he said the sun was trying to come out. I was rather amused to be able to report that it is a beautiful sunny day here.
He can however console himself in his luxury suite, with balcony, currently overlooking Cape Town's most famous landmark Table Mountain. (if he could see it for the mist...)
If he takes a walk to the other side of the ship he can see Robben Island. Yes, that is the prison island that held South Africa's first democratic President, Nelson Mandela.
OK, that's the end of your geography/history lesson.
Robin is delighted to be reunited with his guitar, which coped well with the journey, and is no doubt putting it through its paces now.
He had a funny e mail waiting for him from Leeds University. The students have to fill in an evaluation form and under 'any further comments' one of them had put 'Robin Hill's Fab'......

Cape Town Not Quite Calling

As I write Robin is heading towards Cape Town.
He left at 7.30 this morning for a short hop to Heathrow, a total of 147 miles, he then waited 5 hours for his flight to South Africa. For those of you that like facts and figures that journey is 5996 miles and will take 11 and a half hours.
That should allow him to get quite a way into 'Hard Times'.
Still, I'm reliably informed that it is a wonderful 79F there at the moment, so I'm sure that will ease the aching joints of a travel worn musician.
Most people these days are aware of the environmental impact that flying has and we are no exception.
The problem is that when it is due to work there really is no alternative. We do all we can when at home, recycle, walk instead of using the car whenever possible, etc, but it remains an issue we are concerned about.
We have however made a contact that could well help us sleep easier in our bed(s) at night.
It's all connected to the Brazilian rainforest and I'll tell you more in the next few days.
But for now, any of the UK readers in the London area, you could well get to see Robin play later this month.
Watch this space for more details.