Apparently there were great celebrations yesterday as the QE2 left Fort Lauderdale, as it will be the last time she leaves the port, before retiring.
As yet, I don't have any further news or pictures, but I will add some if, and when, they arrive.
Today she is cruising the Atlantic, on her way to New York, and tonight is Robin's third, and final concert, before he makes the long journey home.
Whilst he prepares for that, I have been busy here.
I have just had news that the latest CD to be released, 'Arrival', will be ready in the next few days.
So there will be more on that, probably next week.
Today though, I have many things to do in preparation for this event, so I will direct you to Izzy Cooper's blog, where you can read all about her impressions of performing Rodrigo's Adagio with Robin the other night.
Enjoy!
Showing posts with label Fort Lauderdale. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fort Lauderdale. Show all posts
Friday, April 11, 2008
Saturday, January 19, 2008
All Animals are Equal....
Robin sent me this photo the other day, taken whilst in Fort Lauderdale.
This one is of the Queen Victoria, in dock, whilst passengers, and Robin, enjoy some time on land.
He has now arrived in Aruba, but as yet, hasn't sent me any photographs.
There's a reason for this.
He daren't.
Today is son number ones 11th birthday and he has 6 friends over for a sleepover.
That makes a total of 8 children in the house.
And me.
Robin has 'phoned and spoken to the birthday boy, and sent him an iCard.
Plus he did set up a drum kit before leaving which somehow I managed to keep hidden.
Thankfully, so far, the party goers haven't asked to try them out.
I'm desperately hoping it stays that way.
Robin has, quite rightly realised, that to see images of Caribbean beaches, may just be too traumatic for me.
Maybe by midday tomorrow I'll be able to face it...
This one is of the Queen Victoria, in dock, whilst passengers, and Robin, enjoy some time on land.
He has now arrived in Aruba, but as yet, hasn't sent me any photographs.
There's a reason for this.
He daren't.
Today is son number ones 11th birthday and he has 6 friends over for a sleepover.
That makes a total of 8 children in the house.
And me.
Robin has 'phoned and spoken to the birthday boy, and sent him an iCard.
Plus he did set up a drum kit before leaving which somehow I managed to keep hidden.
Thankfully, so far, the party goers haven't asked to try them out.
I'm desperately hoping it stays that way.
Robin has, quite rightly realised, that to see images of Caribbean beaches, may just be too traumatic for me.
Maybe by midday tomorrow I'll be able to face it...
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Freedom in Fort Lauderdale
At last I can speak to Robin.
The concert yesterday went very well, and the audience were highly enthusiastic, with many standing to applaud at the end.
He did manage to acquire some nail damage during a lively performance of 'Malaguena', but didn't need to carry out any 'on stage' repairs which was a relief.
The cruise director was very pleased and said, 'Fantastic as always', so I think he should be happy.
Robin has now arrived in Fort Lauderdale, and took great delight in telling me he was sunning himself on a lounger, and it was only 9am.
Particularly annoying for me as I had just returned from a very wet walk in the park with the dogs.
He has also had the chance to frequent the fabulous, two storey library on board, and is now enjoying, 'The Secret Agent' by Joseph Conrad.
So, for now, he can relax for a while as his next concert isn't for a week.
I knew I should have done more practice.....
The concert yesterday went very well, and the audience were highly enthusiastic, with many standing to applaud at the end.
He did manage to acquire some nail damage during a lively performance of 'Malaguena', but didn't need to carry out any 'on stage' repairs which was a relief.
The cruise director was very pleased and said, 'Fantastic as always', so I think he should be happy.
Robin has now arrived in Fort Lauderdale, and took great delight in telling me he was sunning himself on a lounger, and it was only 9am.
Particularly annoying for me as I had just returned from a very wet walk in the park with the dogs.
He has also had the chance to frequent the fabulous, two storey library on board, and is now enjoying, 'The Secret Agent' by Joseph Conrad.
So, for now, he can relax for a while as his next concert isn't for a week.
I knew I should have done more practice.....
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Fort Lauderdale and the Multiple 'Phone Calls
Once again Robin is in Fort Lauderdale. He was only there at the beginning of April! The QE2 docked in Port Everglade, Pier 21, if you are of a nautical persuasion. This is also the day that he jumps ship.
His bags are packed and he has a free day to while away before his flight. Unable to practice, he decided to leave case and guitar in a safe place, and take himself off on a shopping spree.
As this is one of the rare days that we can actually speak to each other, I keep getting 'phone calls telling me of his progress.
1) He's enjoying feeling the land beneath his feet, especially as it is very warm, and sunny.
2)After a short trip into town he found a huge shopping mall. One that he should have been directed to last time he was there when trying to buy clothes to last until his suitcase arrived. The taxi driver told him he was lucky to get out alive from the place he was taken to last time.....
3)He has found a very interesting CD shop where he had purchased a DVD of Joni Mitchell featuring Jaco Pastorius. You will recall that this is Jaco's hometown after all.
Also, a DVD of Chick Corea and some flamenco music.
I look forward to seeing them both, but for now, hopefully, they will keep Robin amused whilst he does some seriously long journeys.
He has more work to do yet, even if it is only to pay for the 'phone calls...
His bags are packed and he has a free day to while away before his flight. Unable to practice, he decided to leave case and guitar in a safe place, and take himself off on a shopping spree.
As this is one of the rare days that we can actually speak to each other, I keep getting 'phone calls telling me of his progress.
1) He's enjoying feeling the land beneath his feet, especially as it is very warm, and sunny.
2)After a short trip into town he found a huge shopping mall. One that he should have been directed to last time he was there when trying to buy clothes to last until his suitcase arrived. The taxi driver told him he was lucky to get out alive from the place he was taken to last time.....
3)He has found a very interesting CD shop where he had purchased a DVD of Joni Mitchell featuring Jaco Pastorius. You will recall that this is Jaco's hometown after all.
Also, a DVD of Chick Corea and some flamenco music.
I look forward to seeing them both, but for now, hopefully, they will keep Robin amused whilst he does some seriously long journeys.
He has more work to do yet, even if it is only to pay for the 'phone calls...
Monday, April 02, 2007
The Robin Hill Saga
And so it goes on.
Robin made it to Chicago, but his suitcase didn't. He's making a habit of travelling very light these days.
He then had to endure another flight to Miami, unsure when, or if, he will get his case back, before the QM2 sets sail.
He spent the night in a hotel, and when he got up early the next morning, couldn't face his travel weary clothes.
The only shop open at that time of day was part of the hotel, so he ventured in to purchase a shirt. No such luck, the only thing they had was a t-shirt, with 'M*I*A*M*I' emblazoned across the chest. I think he's more distressed to be seen wearing it than he is about the loss of 10 days worth of clothes.
There's a bigger problem though. If the case doesn't arrive before 5pm US time, then he won't see it until Thursday when he docks in Bonaire.
Thanks to the security alerts last year, strings, nail kit, footstool, all have to be in the 'lost' case.
Whilst Robin's guitar obviously does have strings on, he needs to change the treble strings prior to every concert. Therefore will need a set of Savarez very quickly.
I read the other day that Fergie, from the Black Eyed Peas, recently suffered a similar fate with the loss of luggage, except they lost all 30 (!) of her cases. How does she remember which case she packed her nail kit in? I'm sure it's tiny compared to the one Robin needs. Which brings me to another point. Every day minor repairs to nails are required. No nail kit, no repair.
So, having settled into his very nice room on board ship, (at least it didn't take long to unpack), he decided it best to assume the case wouldn't appear, so urgent supplies were needed.
With the help of a local taxi driver he found a music shop and got himself some strings and a footstool. He was delighted to see a huge picture of Jaco Pastorius on the wall, and when he asked the shop keeper if Jaco had frequented this store the owner replied, "Hey, he was just a local guy"!
His friendly taxi driver then took him for some basics, you know, toothbrush, razor etc. He even managed to get a few pair of socks, but I, and Robin can't understand why they don't appear to sell underwear in Fort Lauderdale. Anywhere.
If any of our American readers can offer an explanation I'd be delighted to hear it!
So if you have been near Port Everglade, Hollywood or Fort Lauderdale today, and come across a rather dishevelled, unshaven, guitarist, sporting a 'M*I*A*M*I' t-shirt, I hope you were kind to him. If you see him again, will you lend him some suncream.
Robin made it to Chicago, but his suitcase didn't. He's making a habit of travelling very light these days.
He then had to endure another flight to Miami, unsure when, or if, he will get his case back, before the QM2 sets sail.
He spent the night in a hotel, and when he got up early the next morning, couldn't face his travel weary clothes.
The only shop open at that time of day was part of the hotel, so he ventured in to purchase a shirt. No such luck, the only thing they had was a t-shirt, with 'M*I*A*M*I' emblazoned across the chest. I think he's more distressed to be seen wearing it than he is about the loss of 10 days worth of clothes.
There's a bigger problem though. If the case doesn't arrive before 5pm US time, then he won't see it until Thursday when he docks in Bonaire.
Thanks to the security alerts last year, strings, nail kit, footstool, all have to be in the 'lost' case.
Whilst Robin's guitar obviously does have strings on, he needs to change the treble strings prior to every concert. Therefore will need a set of Savarez very quickly.
I read the other day that Fergie, from the Black Eyed Peas, recently suffered a similar fate with the loss of luggage, except they lost all 30 (!) of her cases. How does she remember which case she packed her nail kit in? I'm sure it's tiny compared to the one Robin needs. Which brings me to another point. Every day minor repairs to nails are required. No nail kit, no repair.
So, having settled into his very nice room on board ship, (at least it didn't take long to unpack), he decided it best to assume the case wouldn't appear, so urgent supplies were needed.
With the help of a local taxi driver he found a music shop and got himself some strings and a footstool. He was delighted to see a huge picture of Jaco Pastorius on the wall, and when he asked the shop keeper if Jaco had frequented this store the owner replied, "Hey, he was just a local guy"!
His friendly taxi driver then took him for some basics, you know, toothbrush, razor etc. He even managed to get a few pair of socks, but I, and Robin can't understand why they don't appear to sell underwear in Fort Lauderdale. Anywhere.
If any of our American readers can offer an explanation I'd be delighted to hear it!
So if you have been near Port Everglade, Hollywood or Fort Lauderdale today, and come across a rather dishevelled, unshaven, guitarist, sporting a 'M*I*A*M*I' t-shirt, I hope you were kind to him. If you see him again, will you lend him some suncream.
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