We had some great meals and I caught up on some movies and music DVDs like Jeff Beck Live at Ronnie Scott's (v.cool) and the Bowie Reality Tour (excellent). Saw a great live Ash recording of the recent Paris show, courtesy of Christian. Engine Overheat, totally rocked that night. Partially read a book (thanks Joe) called Elite Squad about the police in the Rio favelas – a kind of counter view of things as seen in the movie City of God about the kids and gangs there. I believe this book has been made into a movie too.
I did increase my alcohol consumption, which I swore I would not do. Glen and his mate Fiddich accompanied me on quite a few evenings (along with Cal and his mate Vados – thanks Michel and Serge) especially during one crazy party night with some 30 year olds, who were celebrating 3 birthdays! We were told this would be in the house next to our ski lodge and at 11.00 p.m we set off only to find that it was a forced hike by diminished moonlight in a freakin' snow storm, across what seemed like Arctic tundra. We finally made it and the event did not disappoint. These Frenchies really know how to have a gay old time. 4 hours of dancing after a full final days' skiing at 5,000 feet just about wiped me out – but I'd do it again in a heartbeat and in fact hit the slopes the very next morning in a shambolic fashion, I might add. Hey, we should hold a fan convention in the Alps – how about that? For skiers and non skiers alike! A concert at this altitude would be a natural high.
Tomorrow, we have to make it down, off the mountain after digging out the Merc. and it'll be an 8 hour schlepp to Salzburg, IF the roads are cleared. We then drive to Vienna the next day, where we'll rejoin the rest of the guys who'll be converging from all points. We'll continue our trek northwards once again, through Bavaria and up to Scandinavia. More snow, perhaps? I'm really excited about playing some more gigs.
Oh, by the way, talking of Bowie, I had a nice conversation with Trevor Bolder recently and he's on board as one of the guests for the 40th show in London. Trev along with Ben G. will up the rock quotient by a factor of 10! Now, if we could just persuade a certain guitar monster or two to also share the stage with us, we'd be cooking with gas come May 16th! Word up? I have a special feeling in my bones about this show.
Hasta la Vista, Baby ~ A.P.
