Agghhhhh

Aghhhhh, up at 8.00am in order to do college radio at Victoria Uni. Think we could call this tour the lack of sleep tour. Radio is fine, small campus station, we get into an interesting chat about radio in the UK but I'm not sure if my words are coherent due to the lack of zzzz'sAndy and I then set off to downtown Victoria to get a little space and do some shopping for homecoming gifts. There is an abundance of native Indian art shops and I really like that stuff. Could have spent a fortune but I'm saved by the fact that I wouldn't be allowed on the plane home with most of it due to its size. We grab some lunch and reflect a little on what has been a great trip. I have known Andy since I was around eleven years old and it has been good to get out on the road together, have a lot of fun and talk serious too. Much reflecting has been done and it's been good for the soul.Finally its time to get to the soundcheck. The gig is in the Victoria Conservatory Of Music which is a beautifully restored church. The only problem is that the PA hasn't shown up and, after thoughts of doing the gig acoustically are muted, another company is contacted and arrive at 6.45. Miraculously, the show starts 15 mins late but this is where the problems end. Greg Beattie and his brother Dave open up along with local singer SilviaEven though its a wild and wet night outside, the crowd are up for it. I hit the stage and it flows, the connection is instant and we are away. I make up a song about coming home to Victoria and enjoy a good banter with this nice collection of people who have given up their Monday night to have me yell, spit and whisper at them. Two hours later (including an interval) the guys and girl come back and join me to sing harmony on 'All This Time' which is a fitting end to this brief tour of B.C. The room kindly rises to meet me, its a nice moment and I choke up for a brief momentTomorrow we will take the ferry back to Vancouver and Mac will meet us and take us to catch the long flight home. What a privilege it is to travel around like this, make friends, hang with old one's and make music. I love B.C. and I'm looking forward to getting to play in other parts of Canada. This has been a short but worthwhile trip in many ways. I will return to play some festivals in the summer and continue this journey.....lucky meMartyn