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. 

Chapel Sessions Victoria Park Netley

Departed the small city of Chichester at just after 12.00 for the ride to Netley which is located close to Southampton off the A 27.  Coffee and cake prior to lift off. We told our friend from Latvia she had missed a great concert.    Wind in our faces this was not an easy ride. Not always possible to get rolling easily, constantly stopping for traffic lights and roundabouts.   Add to that some rain and it turns out not to be a walk in the park or even a ride!!  We pushed on taking care to stay off the ridge which overlooks Portsmouth. Crossed over the route I took when I cycled to the Auvergne in France in 2012.   Lunch taken in a fairly garish forgettable precinct. Strong gust blew over RD bike smashing his newly installed wing mirror.  So careless." Easy come, easy go!" That is what my father used to say to me. Onwards, we peddled through a few more showers to Victoria Park Chapel in Netley.   All very busy on arrival preparing for the evening gig. 19.30 Showtime.    John and Sonia were the hosts and they had managed to draw in a good crowd.   Victorian building  was the former chapel to the huge hospital that was on the site. Burnt down in the sixties and transformed into a beautiful park.   Stage set, bikes pimped up ready for second half.   Dinner eaten in the tower of the Chapel.   Salmon on a bed of noodles and stir fry topped off with a Japanese Teriyaki sauce. Tasty indeed and delivered by John. Cooked at our hotel,  The Prince Consort.  The concert completed a good days work. The maestro was delighted with everything including yours truly!    I made sure I did not stand around nattering to guests but looked busy at the end packing away. Gold star time. 

Another Hard Day At The Office.

The Chapel Concert

St. John's Chapel is tucked away down a little side street in Chichester. It is was built to assist in providing enough worship space in the 19th century for those of the Anglican tradition.  A beautiful triple pulpit survives along with high balcony.    It makes for a perfect performance space.   We arrived in very good time despite the fairly strong headwind.  We had stopped in at Worthing to source a sound lead but were unable to find one. Richard introduced me to a few more of his loyal fan base.   Just as we left I spotted a specialist Apple shop and we followed the sign.  It turned into what seemed like the famous Monty Python Cheese Shop sketch as RD asked for various types of required lead for the show the answer was simply "No." Lunch was taken at Climping. A very wide choice on offer.  Smoked mackerel and some smoked salmon pâté on a granary roll. Very tasty indeed. It kept us spinning all the way to Chichester.  Having locked our gear up at St. John's we adjourned to a very pleasant coffee shop fifty metres away.   Not only free wifi but the most delicious looking selection of cakes and what is more we had plenty of time to eat them! A very pleasant lady from Latvia served us for which she received a special invitation to the evening concert. Richard selected the date and whiskey whilst I opted for the guiness and chocolate. Sounds like we are eating all day.  Let me assure you now that this is not the case.    Set up for the concert was smooth with no hitches.   In Worthing I had managed to source one or two extra lights for my bike for the show. The resulting display on my bike rather upset RD.  The Maestro played a blinder though. The acoustic was superb which only added to the outstanding performance.     We were on the road back to base by 22.15    Tomorrow Netley and all places west.

Lights Lights Lights

All in! St. John's Chapel

Arrived in good time.    Lovely venue. Just need the audience to turn up!!

The Road to Worthing Pier