NOVEMBER 11th LEICESTER
The few who went to bed before 3am managed to get down to breakfast. The rest climbed aboard the coach and started the coffee machine. Neil was a bit late having gone to the shop for tobacco. Came back with a tiny smile on his face carrying an instrument- shaped box which he immediately pushed under the coach seats. Then Twaddle with seven takers. Phill is doing a blog for The Times, so he did that while others slept at the back of the bus.

 

Journey seemed to take ages in spite of the game, so we got to The Marriot in Leicester with only an hour before leaving for the gig. Steve, the game master, came to the bus looking pink and scrubbed having swum and sauna'd- Mickey had fallen asleep so had to be phoned, but eventually all were aboard and we took off into the darkening grey skies. There is move to change the first half somewhat to include 'Tent' and maybe 'Rockalyser Baby'. There is a general feeling that the first half is too bitty. John Gorman made the same comment yesterday. The second half is so strong that by the end people have forgotten about it, but the band are very aware. Not sure whether the policy of 'if it works, don't change it', should apply here. Will soon see. Did seem to work - most of the band thought it was a better ending than 'Sound of Music.' Phill nearly dipped out of Rockalyser baby when he mislaid his guitar but he got there in the end. Also Roger was back on the 'leg'. Jo, Tim's wife had picked the necessary part up in London before coming up to Leicester.

Jo next to husband Tim, son of Roger, who is sitting next to other son Justin.
(Both sons do a great job helping Roger with entrances and exits and props)

Neil usually tries to get any musician friends who turn up at a gig to appear on 'Intro & Outro' and today we were expecting Derek Pierce, who is a member of The George Formby Society and a great ukelele player. He did turn up but could not get anyone to let him near the stage without a back stage pass, so he missed it. Saw him afterwards dressed immaculately in double- breasted pin stripe suit, white tie and shiny white shoes. Bitterly disappointed-one of the ushers could have taken the time to find out if he was expected or not etc.

Derek with Neil when he finally did get to play on 'Intro and Outro'

But it was another sell out of a show and afterwards a 200yard queue of people waiting to get CDs, DVDs, and even tee-shirts signed.
A surprise for Rodney tonight. The band had wanted to get him a birthday present in Stratford. but couldn't find anything worth spending money on. This was when Neil brought out the box he had pushed under the seats this morning. He had passed a music shop, seen a soprano sax and bought it as a present from everyone and everyone chipped in to buy it.

 

Rodney was overwhelmed and gave us a few bars of something jazzy. After that everyone was too tired to party and with the threat of a 9.00 am start ahead of us, plus the lure of hugely comfy beds and soft pillows, most, but not by any means all, went to bed. Neil observed that the tour is like 'a happy bubble floating through a sad world.'

NOVEMBER 12th NEWCASTLE
Reluctantly out of bed and breakfasted, the band climb aboard the coach once more - a long journey this time to Newcastle. Bob Carruthers on the bus today and immediately notices we are out of chocolate bars etc so waiting for a quick choc and sandwich stop. Twaddlers twaddling, some sleeping, some chatting. A two minute silence observed for Remembrance Day, which feels odd as it happens the minute our feet step into one of those big brash motorway services where they try to help you out of any spare cash you might have - slot machines etc etc while serving up all sorts of preheated and overcooked food. They had a Costa coffee franchise on site which is arguably the only thing worth stopping for, and that is only if you ask for an extra shot - otherwise you won't taste the coffee at all. Costa cakes are pretty good too but it was a weird post-twaddle experience-feeling we were being sold something subliminally in the two minutes silence. Passing the Angel of the North we all get a feeling of awe. It is awe/fully big (sorry) and dominates the motorway in a way that very few things can.

Apart from that it is a pretty uneventful ride so get to hotel, to find no room at the Inn for Neil and me, at least they have no record of us. Shown eventually to a small room with small double bed - no good. Protest and suddenly they find they have a better room and it was booked all the time. Wonder whether it would have been available if I hadn't protested. No room service either. One of those 'never going back to unless dire emergency, and then think about it', type of hotels. After a brief siesta, band back on to the bus at 3.30pm. I decide to walk and discovered a part of Newcastle I didn't know existed. Wandered slowly past an open-air ice skating ring - new thing in England - small but inspired. Possible the nicest Christmassy thing to appear on the townscape. Then along newly-cobbled pedestrian streets, still buzzing at 6pm. Past terraced cafes-people eating outside IN NOVEMBER !!! Reminded me of Prague. Beautiful old buildings and an easy relaxed ambience. Yea. Got to the Civic Centre to find that not only was it the wrong venue but, when I asked the porters where the Bonzos were playing, they didn't know and were mortified that they were going to miss it. The venue was, in fact, two minutes away-so someone wasn't doing their job and there were more empty seats in Newcastle than anywhere else. Still, those who made it were in for a treat - probably the best show so far. Rod outshone himself, moving across the stage with his sax, being there when he was needed and moving back when he wasn't-totally professional and aware of exactly what was going on. Not playing over backing vocals etc etc. I could go on all night. Which is what we must stop doing one night soon.

Bob kerr and Sam in Little Sir Echo

Neil and Phil playing music and Roger swallowing a sword

Steve in the moment after the beautiful moment!

Sam's wife Judy, met up with Sam in Newcastle and came to the gig where she was immediately put to work making up 'Special Offer' bags - a programme, a poster, a calendar, a keyring and a mug for £10. Would be £20 otherwise but Bob C. does not want to find himself with too much merchandise on his hands after the tour.

Speak no, see no and hear no……. Vernon, Neil and Rodney