Too Much Inflammation.....

Since my last post Robin has actually been back to Norway and performed three more concerts!
However, today I am talking about something completely different.

Regular readers will know that this year has been very busy.
Robin has travelled to all corners of the world including three trips up the Amazon, one to Egypt and the middle East and one visit to Mumbai.

It was therefore with some irony that in a visit to our local park he was bitten by an unknown insect probably a spider or an ant.

An allergic reaction followed, in the most frightening place for any musician....his hand.

To highlight the problem let me first show you Robin's normal left hand.




As you can see, it is very strong and used to many hours of playing, every single day.
If you follow the regime outlined in this post, 'Music Practice Tips - Classical Guitar' this will be the outcome.

However, currently, Robin's right hand looks like this...




As I'm sure you can imagine, this has caused a great deal of anxiety.
A very sore and swollen hand certainly affects playing and on the brink of a lengthy trip this is far from ideal.

Although I have written about hand problems before, 'Recording For Teldec With Sutured Finger...'.

I have also referred to Robin's hands frequently in posts such as, 'Robin Hill, His Hands and an Unknown Mozart Score' and here, 'Guitarists Hands - and Nails'.

The inability to play is worrying on many levels.
Obviously his income depends on it, but the issue runs far deeper than that.
Musicians who perform at this level live for their playing. The fear that something may prevent them doing this is very frightening.

Luckily for us, our dear friend, and also doctor, quickly prescribed various medications and, hopefully, the problem will resolve in the next few days.

Meanwhile, I shall attempt to calm the nerves of this musician whilst he is restricted in his playing....
Wish me luck.

The QE2 - Final Journey

Now this is confusing as Robin is actually on the Queen Victoria.
But as he has performed many times on the QE2, and I have many QE2 fans who follow this blog, I couldn't let such a significant day pass without a mention.

I am referring to the preparations for the final journey of the QE2 as she leaves Southampton.
You can read an article by Caroline Gammell here.

The QE2 is very special and Robin has had many happy times on board.
I have written so many posts about her over the years, and you can see some of them by typing QE2 into 'search blog', but here are a selection.

'The QE2, the Giant Cat, and Plenty of Practice', 'Comedy on Cunard, Coffee and Clapping and YouTube', or maybe, 'Post Rodrigo's 'Adagio'.

There has been a minor problem though in the early hours of the morning.
Apparently the QE2 ran aground, but even this event was so gracefully done that most passengers were unaware of the problem!
You can read Kate Kelland's report here.

We wish her a safe final journey. Meanwhile, Robin and the Queen Victoria have arrived in Port Said, Egypt, and his second concert is tomorrow.

Queen Victoria Concert and Arrival in Alexandria

Since my last post it has been a busy time.
Robin joined the Queen Victoria on Saturday in Valletta, Malta, and immediately started preparing for his concert on Sunday.
I'm pleased to report that it went very well and he now has a few days until the second, and last concert.

The timing has worked out perfectly for Robin as today the Queen Victoria arrived in Alexandria, Egypt, a place he hasn't been to before.
So he is allowing himself some time to look around.

Someone told him the Bazaar was one of the scariest places they had been, but also that it felt like you were walking onto the set of an Indiana Jones film! I am waiting with interest for some feedback.

Robin however is very excited at the prospect. He has spent the morning working on a concerto he is performing next year, (as always work comes first...) and will be walking the streets of Alexandria this afternoon.

It looks a fascinating place.
It is the second largest city in Egypt, and is often referred to as the 'Pearl of the Mediterranean', as it has an atmosphere more Mediterranean than Middle Eastern.
I'm sure there will plenty to do and see.
With such an interesting past, to read some examples try, the 'Lighthouse of Alexandria', one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, or the 'Library of Alexandria', the largest library of the ancient world, or even the 'Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa', the ambiance must surely be incredible.

In fact I have often read that you should explore Alexandria at random and enjoy the atmosphere as much as the sights.
I just hope he doesn't get lost.