But, with true German diligence and a steadfast eye on getting the job done, everything was made ready for our performance at 6.30pm. The concert was part of a two day event organized by local employers Logo Pak, and had featured a special tennis event of all things featuring a Wimbledon theme and 3 ex champions, among whom was Pat Cash who has himself, been known to strap on an electric guitar from time to time. We played an energetic show after deciding to include the obvious song, Standing in the Rain. Then, it was back to the hotel in readiness for some early flights home the next day.
Just like last time, I returned home to find an overgrown lawn, TVs down, internet down and numerous other issues. In trying to get my wireless network functioning again, I ran into password issues and it took me all afternoon to get back on line working with good folks at Apple. I have this built in confusion with passwords and pin numbers. I’m always losing them or forgetting them. Any one else ever do that? Joe has recently helped me reset my laptop due to this issue. Later, while I was mowing lawns, it got me thinking what a simple world it all used to be when I was growing up. I like mundane stuff like mowing, since it gets my mind wandering. I’m currently using this ancient gasoline powered lawn mower, which I inherited when we moved into our house here in Connecticut, in 1987. The mower was already old back then, being one of the first rotary models. This thing never fails to start first time, despite being abused by me and our kids over the years. I never put the right oil in it and frequently use old gas but it’s never let me down in over 22 years….. unlike my computers.
This European trip allowed me some nostalgic time in the U.K. where I visited my old grammar school, Apsley Grammar in Hemel Hempstead, Herts, now a comprehensive school. It was amazing to walk through this 1950’s building which in my day was a shining example of British post war modernity. I found a rather shabby place, admittedly going through quite a lot of renovation. Certain things were just the same like the original mahogany lab tables in the science rooms complete with graffiti, and other bits of infrastructure. Judging by the pictures of the staff and kids, it still looked like a happy productive place and I got word from the caretaker that one of the ex pupils - turned teachers was compiling a history of the place. Must get in touch with him.
Another little pilgrimage was to visit one or two of the little gigs I used to play in the Hertfordshire area. One place called Hillside Hall in Abbots Langley looked exactly as it had back in the day. During World War I and II, they built these kind of temporary structures in England and the colonies, called Nissen huts, and this place was built along these lines. I was amazed to see it still standing. I remembered standing on its tiny stage, when I was about 14 or 15years old, bashing out All Day and All of the Night by the Kinks among others – great times.
Well, right now in America, I’m looking at the weather channel and wondering which way the various hurricanes and tropical storms are going to go, since next week, we all head down to Florida to start the 2008 AshFest. Whatever happens weatherwise, it’s going to be a blast and will kick off a half dozen dates in the USA before we head over to the UK to do it all over again with AshCon the UK fan convention. See you on the road somewhere!
~ A.P.
