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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11TH – PERFORMANCE IN GAVLE – MY SECOND HOME FOR SO MANY YEARS! Got up, showered, did my stretching exercises, had breakfast with most of the group and walked to the bus at 9:30 am. As soon as we got on board, I noticed that the trash had not been emptied. I checked the toilet and same thing there. About 10 minutes into the drive, we were told we had to stop to fuel up! Jim and I emptied the trash and put in fresh bags. When we stopped I asked the drivers why they had not done this and why they had not filled up with gas during the two days that the bus SAT at the venue in Stockholm. They said they did empty the trash (not true) and at first said there are no gas stations in Stockholm where they could fill up with diesel. I asked why they didn’t drive a few minutes outside Stockholm and take care of this since they had days to do it. Their excuse this time was because they would “lose” their parking spot at the venue! We were the only artist performing and the only bus there the entire time. So lame!!! It was about a 2 ½ hour drive and out hotel rooms were ready when we checked in. It’s another “Elite” hotel and the room is a little larger but still not large enough to put a suitcase on the floor and open it. I had twin beds pushed together to make one bed and since I wasn’t going to sleep here to night anyway, I put the suitcase on the bed. I had a little time before leaving for sound check so I went out and walked around the town where I spent so much time in each August. Very bittersweet to see everything again. I found the town square and took some photos and then headed back to the hotel. Met everyone in the lobby for the taxi to take us over to sound check. A couple of the guys had walked over. It’s a really nice venue and we sold out the floor and first balcony. One of my other friends – Joakim — from the Furuvik Country Festival that we held here for so many years came by sound check to see me. It was so great to see him and talk with him again. Sound check was over at 4:30 and a taxi took most of the guys back to the hotel. Joakim walked back with me and we talking about all the times we were here for the festival. I literally ran to the Sushi restaurant next door and got some Udon soup and one sushi roll for dinner. Several of the guys were there eating and said it was great. Took mine back to the room but only had time to eat the sushi and saved the soup for after the show. We left for the show at 6:30 pm and at 7:00 pm, my dear friends Kjell and Thomas and his wife came backstage to say hello. So very nice to see the both again. Kjell’s wife didn’t come backstage with him, to I had to go hunt her down. It was another really good show with a truly great audience. I know the country fans in this area were thrilled to have “real” country music performed for them again! Show was over at 9:00 and we were back at the hotel by 9:30 pm. Bus call at midnight for a TEN HOUR DRIVE to Lycksele….it is in the Lapland of Sweden. Tomorrow night is a “dinner show” at the hotel – with the Laplanders! Jude |
