Isle of Wight here we come........late!

Back to the Prince Consort after the Chapel Sessions at Victoria Park. Full debrief with RD in good form, full house and cd sales through the roof. In his euphoric state, plus a few beers,all hail to the ale,  he has promoted me to Stage Manager. What can I say? I am truly touched.  I asked whether I could mark this unexpected promotion to this more senior status by putting a stripe on my riding shirt. Richard thought I was being a tad premature and suggested, diplomatically,  that I should perhaps hold back at this stage for whilst I had earned the recognition a small or medium gaff during a show or a missed turning en route could well bring me tumbling down again. Oh how the mighty might fall.  Perhaps after a little more consolidation in the post. Who knows? I feel honoured though  after such a short time in this new role to have been recognised.   It is not just the lighting desk duties that I perform there is a huge list of tasks and some of them, if I am being honest and I think I should, not altogether pleasant which I am unable to write about in this blog. Suffice it to say I am chuffed to bits. Breakfast followed by the recovery of the bikes and paperwork in the morning.  We managed to miss the poor weather.  After a light lunch of tuna steak on a bed of mixed lettuce leaves drizzled with a balsamic dressing RD thought it was time to make our way to the studios in Southampton where a video would be filmed together with an interview with Xan Phillips. I was treated to a pickled egg and a packet of ready salted crisps in preparation for the ride. Discovered guitar had got wet in the short ride.  Solution was dry bags as recommended by yours truly some weeks ago but,it would appear,  poo pooed.  I was dispatched in a taxi to Go Outdoors in Southhampton to secure the necessaries. Naeem, taxi driver, did an excellent job of getting me through the rush hour traffic for which he was handsomely rewarded. I was also able to recommend the work of the Maestro. Naeem promised he would check on You Tube and the website.  When I informed RD of my PR efforts he merely instructed me to ensure that I had a copy of the latest cd on my person at all times. Not a word of thanks.  I enquired whether this included having a copy in the pocket of my winceyette pyjama top whilst in bed? My sarcasm was not altogether appreciated.    Meanwhile back at the studio the sessions had been completed.  With just thirty minutes to go before the desired ferry would set sail Xan agreed to act as escort and outrider to us.  I felt I was in a sprint finish with Cavendish.  I lost of course.  Struggling up and down the hills we missed the ferry by a couple of minutes.   Now we had the prospect of a night ride over the Isle of Wight to Shanklin and the Steamer Inn. Over an hour to wait for the next sailing.  RD had asked me to keep him off the beer just this morning.  I promised. One little sniff of the locally brewed ale and he weakened, the short lived resolution was broken.    I have to say I felt I had failed.  This clear lack of determination on RD's part did not bode well.    At 20.45 the ferry slipped from the mooring and off we went.  Took a late dinner of fish and chips on board. No time for quoits on the poop deck.   I also had a latte to wash it down with but failed to source a caramel slice as dessert.  Settled for a Kit Kat which I generously shared with the artiste.    Landed at Cowes and found to our utter dismay that I had my first puncture of the trip.  Relatively fast tube change and off we went. Up hill of course! Richard who has bragged for eight shows about his £250 bike light was not able to find it in his well ordered baggage when required.  Quite frankly I dispair.  It was a difficult undulating ride and one that took it's toll on patience and endurance.   One or two major rude words were expressed.  Flip and blast. RD hit a low point and I am sure I felt him losing the will to carry on!   The Isle of Wight authorities need to invest in signage.  With the aide of technology and my superior map skills we made our way.   We eventually rolled into the Steamer Inn at midnight.  Straight to bed after a very short debrief the contents of which cannot be written down here.