SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23RD – HANNOVER, GERMANY TO LENZBURG, SWITZERLAND:
I stayed up and talked to Michael for about an hour and then hit the bunk. The guys stayed up in the lounge talking until after 4 am and I couldn’t sleep. Finally went to sleep at 5:30 am and slept off and on until 10 am. Randy was up but everyone else was still asleep…..good indication that the bunk mattresses were better than we had the night before!
We stopped about 20 minutes from the hotel at our favorite “restaurant” ….Marche’. All their food is prepared fresh each day and there is an awesome selection. I had pasta with veal, mushrooms and zucchini with a salad and some grilled vegetables. Great meal!
We arrived at the hotel around 2 pm. I stayed at this hotel for several days a few years ago with Joan Jett and Steppenwolf. It’s a small “village” but a great hotel. The train station is within walking distance. Our performance is at Restaurant Lowen in Boswil.
Our promoter met us and got us checked in with no problems. We have a sponsor dinner and press conference to attend tonight at the venue. I had just gotten out of the shower when Howard knocked on my door. He had left his Ipad in his bed on the bus. Called Michael and he was only about 25 minutes away in a parking lot sleeping. But, he can’t drive again until 11:30 pm tonight because of restrictions on how many hours bus drivers can log. He’s going to bring it back by the hotel when he can drive again tonight. What a guy! J
We left the hotel for the cocktail party/press conference/dinner at 5:30 pm. It really is a small room and they have sold 300 tickets so it will be packed. The stage is small but we’ll make it work. Our hosts are so great. Albert is the man who “found” me and arranged the performance. He actually works for SUISA (Switzerland’s Performing Arts Society like our ASCAP, BMI, SESAC). Then there are two brothers – Rene’ and Peter who are partners at the club/restaurant. Really sweet people and very excited to have us here.
We had a cocktail hour where we met everyone and then a short press conference. Afterwards, the Bellamy signed autographs for everyone and then we went upstairs to dinner. The dinner was amazing – pumpkin soup, mixed salad, carrots, broccoli, fries, curry chicken, and a caramel custard. All of it was freshly made and delicious. I’ll need to run 10 miles instead of 5 miles tomorrow! We sat with Albert and he was extremely entertaining throughout dinner. He’s been to the USA many times – even driving across the country and back in one week!
We were back at the hotel by around 10 pm. I’m going to stay up and wait for Michael to bring the Ipad to the hotel since the reception desk is closed.
Hard to believe tomorrow is our last day in Europe. This has been a very quick trip!
Jude
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24TH – PERFORMANCE IN BOSWIL, SWITZERLAND:
Up for a quick breakfast – coffee and omelet – and then took a one hour jog around the town. It was raining when I left but not cold so it was bearable. After that huge meal last night, I HAD to exercise today.
Came back and got everyone checked in for their flights and then hiked up to the Migros to buy fruit and yogurt for lunch. Back to the room to shower and works some more.
Iris will be here at 3 pm for our 4 pm meeting with Jean Marie at Universal Switzerland. Worked some more and then met Iris downstairs. She has her cute little dog – Ginger – with her. We walked over to a nearby restaurant and sat outside, had coffee, and caught up on all our gossip. By the time we walked back to the hotel, it was time to meet with Jean-Marie.
We had a really good meeting with Jean-Marie regarding a “Swiss Duet Project” for Universal. Been working on it for more than a year but think we may have all the “questions” ironed out and ready to start recording.
Had about an hour to work before meeting everyone for dinner. Lukas and his girlfriend Jacqueline joined us for dinner. Lukas is Gola’s manager and it’s always fun to see him. He brought me this great book about “ghosts” with some military history thrown in. J. Dinner was really good. It was a “set” menu but we had a choice of a venison steak or pumpkin ravioli. You know which one I picked.
Albert picked us up at 9:10 pm to ride over to the venue. There’s no “backstage” and the club was packed, so Iris and I stood outside and looked in the door until it got too cold. Then we sat in the van and listened. Another great show. The audience and the promoters were happy as were the Bellamys and their group. What more can we ask from. Short tour but 3 good performances leaving happy people behind.
It is midnight and we have to leave for the airport at 5:30 am. We were supposed to leave at 7:00 am but there is a “tunnel” between here and the airport. It gets jammed with traffic beginning at 6 am every weekday and can take up to 2 hours to get through it. Better to leave early than risk being late for our flights. Even though I have already checked everyone in, we may have to pay excess charges which is very time consuming. So, I have to get up at 4 am and make sure everyone else is awake too.
Peter – if you are reading this – I love you, Man! J
Jude