Christmas and New Year seem like a lifetime ago and were notable for loads of frenzied family activity. Susan The FD and I did not go away this New Year but plan to do so again next with Vienna topping our current list of possible destinations.
We did however undertake one of our regular January road trips into Europe as part of the Wishbone Ash entourage and a wonderful time was enjoyed to the full.
With dry January not applying across the Channel I was able to partake of my first beer of 2017 in Leuvens in Belgium (home of Stella Artois) as we made our way to Verviers and the first gig of our tour at the Spirit of 66 Club.
Meeting up with Colin and Ben from England we enjoyed a pre gig meal before settling in at this atmospheric venue for a set from Canadian “one man blues band” Steve Hill followed by a near two hour set from Wishbone Ash. A great start to our week.
The next day saw us make the long drive to Nuremberg and it was only some miraculous driving (if I say so myself) and the grip afforded by the Range Rover that saw us successfully negotiate a mad van driver who pulled into the outside lane with me already on top of his wing mirrors. A close call and proof that adrenaline is indeed brown!
Nuremberg is wonderful and we explored the wonderful walled city and enjoyed a pub meal of bratwurst and beer before our taxi took us to Hirsch, the venue for the night’s gig.
We again met up with Ben but also German friends Siggy from Stuttgart and Thomas, who lives in Nuremberg. The venue is an old industrial building that has been converted into a fab music venue and I estimate around 500 people enjoyed rocking sets from both Steve Hill and Wishbone Ash.
We were up early the next morning and wasted no time in visiting Nuremberg Castle and more of the medieval city before heading for Aschaffenburg.
Our hotel in Aschaffenburg was next to the river and just a short walk from the castle. A couple of beers in a local hostelry together with a meal of knackwurst and potatoes set us up for the evening gig at Colos Saal, a truly exceptional venue in the heart of town. The sets from Steve Hill and Wishbone Ash were superb and the sound and light quality was the best so far. We again met up with Siggy and with Harry & Mo who were handling the merchandising for the band that evening.
The next day we drove to Bensheim via Heidelburg (see picture) Heidelberg is an attractive university city set on the river Neckar and boasting many fine buildings, an impressive gated bridge and several squares and public spaces. In addition it has a ruined castle on the hill overlooking the city which is accessed by a funicular railway. The castle boasts the largest wine barrel in the world which holds a staggering 220,000 litres (314,000 bottles) of wine! We didn’t have long enough to test whether the capacity was accurate but Heidelburg was well worth the visit.
The gig that night was at the Music Rex in Bensheim, an excellent modern venue set in the middle of a retail park on the edge of town. The venue has fabulous facilities and there was an enthusiastic crowd of around 4-500 which included our German friends Peter and Monika plus Harry and Mo, again on merchandising.
The next day we set off for Tubingen via Darmstadt. Darmstadt has a wonderful Art Deco/Bauhaus influenced area (see picture) where a colony of architects and artists lived and worked. The buildings and setting were stunning with a Russian Orthodox church also located within the curtilage. We also visited Park Rosenhöhe which is a large parkland area that serves as the mausoleum and cemetery for the Duches of Darmstadt.
That evening the gig was at the Sudhaus in Tubingen. A multi-story industrial building that had been converted into a music and arts venue. Parking was limited and we had to walk about a mile. This combined with the venue being rammed brought out my grumpy side and, having upset a few locals who didn't like having a 6'2" Englishman in their way, I retreated to the rear of the hall leaving Sue down the front with Siggy and two Swiss friends we have met on previous tours but whose names unfortunately escape me.
The gig was superb, the venue and bands really cooked and I managed to repatriate a large A2 poster from a poster frame on an outside wall at the end of the gig to add to my growing collection. Posters only count if they’ve been nicked from a venue and smuggled past security!
The next day we said goodbye to Muddy, Peter and Sean from the Wishbone Ash team who were up early enough and we headed home via Luxembourg.
Luxembourg City is a very clean and sedate place located on a high rocky outcrop with an attractive old town nestling below. We spent a few hours exploring and enjoying some gluwein and local beverages before an evening meal in a restaurant where my starter of calamari was enough to have fed the 5000! I’m not sure how may octopuses (or octopi!) gave up their lives for my epicurean satisfaction but thank you.
The next day we headed towards the Eurotunnel at Calais and enjoyed a lunchtime stop-over in Mons in Belgium – just long enough for a wander and a croque monsieur with a glass of Leffe Blonde to end the trip much as it started.
Since returning, I have seen the fabulous Della Grants at Dusty’s and have gigs lined up until the end of March involving The Good Old Boys, Bad Influence, Del Bromham, Chantel McGregor, Dan Reed, Rollo Markee, Red Butler, Teed Up, Guy Tortora and, would you believe, Wishbone Ash!
I started by mentioning family and the big news is that Susan The FD and my sixth grandchild is on the way! My son Tom and partner Sian looking to add to the handful that they already have in Jack.
It was my current youngest grandson’s second birthday in January and will be my youngest granddaughter’s in February. With Jack’s in March the first quarter of the year is certainly hectic. Lots of jelly and cake though!
Before I finish, a brief mention of Watford FC (which is all they deserve). An encouraging start to the season has been largely destroyed through multiple injuries and some seemingly inept management. The current manager Walter Mazzarri has not endeared himself to fans with his team selections and ponderous style of play and the fact that he chooses not to speak English to the press adds to the sense of isolation. I still believe that the Hornets can finish in the top ten this year but it will need the new January signings to come good and a greater level of urgency and pride to be shown by all the players.