Monday, October 27, 2008

Rockin' the UK





Our merry travelers arrive in the UK.   After locating our ground transport, we set off in a van (r.h. drive) toward the town of Peterborough, a few hours north of London.  On the way in, I managed to snap off a photo of the Thames river and London Bridge from the plane.  I prefer window seats for that reason.  Plus, when I get situated on a plane, I don't like to move for anything.  I'm like a rock.  It bewilders people that I can hang for an eight-hour flight and barely leave my seat.   


Here we are, cruising down the "wrong side" of the highway, it's getting dark and we are all hungry.  Many people have said that the UK is best noted for bad food, but I am here to refute that claim.  With the help of Bill's (tour manager) Iphone and google, we happen upon this old inn just off the highway caaled the White Hart.  Built sometime in the 1700's perhaps, this place turns out to be one of the highlights of the entire trip.  More serendipity.  This place was like a portal...a nexus.  An oasis for the weary traveler.  I ordered the "pie of the day" which was steak and potato shepherds pie and it was delicious!  The caesar salad was top notch..lots of parmesan and real anchovies.  The wine we ordered was an Australian merlot/cab called "Blue Cutting Road." For dessert an Apple Crumble with ice cream and custard.  It was so good I had to take a photo.  The house music was playing old Beatles tunes. How apropo!  As we dined we talked about the upcoming shows and what to expect.  Mick mentions that his friend and bandmate Christine McVie will be attending the Canterbury show and I kid you not, as soon as her name is mentioned, the song "You Make Loving Fun" comes on the radio.  A moment of disbelief and then we acknowledge that we are in the "zone."  We finish our meal, take photos with our lovely waitresses, Ela and Natalie (they were starstruck) and on the way out, this gentlemen at the bar stops Mick and they embark on a conversation which reveals that he knows Mick's sister, brings up the topic of Colin Blunstone (the Zombies) and this really trips us out.  We had just been talking about this stuff! Weird.  I can't even describe fully how synchronous all this was.  Right place, right time.  Maybe just dumb luck, nonetheless, worthy of acknowledgement.



Mick reminisces with the fellow at the bar......











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A few more miles down the road and we arrive at our hotel.  Chat it up in the lobby lounge. And retire for the night.  The gig in Petersborough was at The Broadway Theater. A venue which holds 1200.  We only had bout half that, but the crowd was responsive and the acoustics superb.  The theater had a
We are happy to welcome our caterer, Hano, to this leg of the tour. He's from Germany and is a great chef.  We can always look forward to a good hot meal before sound check. Cheers Hano!
cool retro 70's decor.  

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