FRIDAY, FEBRURY 17TH – PERFORMANCE IN STAVANGER:

We did not learn until this morning that the cyst was the size of a fist! But Howard was feeling much better and no longer in pain. But, he had to wait until the doctor came by before finding out if he could leave the hospital today. I’m sure everyone knows how that went. Doctor did not come by until late afternoon and then only to say that he’s doing fine and “might” be able to go home tomorrow! But, he has to have another blood test tomorrow to see if his infection level is down before they will release him. Fingers crossed.

We made the decision last night to depart the hotel today at 9 am instead of 11 am because a “hurricane” is coming our way! We have a ferry ride and the expectation is that the ferries will be shut down early afternoon. Smart decision. It was pouring rain at 9 am and very windy. We arrived at the hotel by 11 am. I had called the hotel last night and asked that they please have David’s room cleaned first because we would be arriving way before check-in time. Wonder of wonders, David’s room was ready. Everyone else had to store their luggage and most everyone went to find something to eat.

Stephanie and I braved the rain and walked downtown to the few little souvenir shops and bought gifts for grandchildren. We were even braver when we stopped at a Mexican restaurant for lunch! It was actually really good. When we got back to the hotel, our rooms were ready. They had everyone on 8th floor except me and said they had upgraded me to the 11th floor to be near Howard and David. We kept Howard’s room because at the time, we were still hoping he could fly in later tonight. When I went into my “deluxe” room, I was shocked. There was no floor space at all! And there was a small round table and a very low chair. No way I could do any work at all on my computer. Went back to the front desk to ask for a “regular room” but they didn’t have any available. So I plugged my computer in at the restaurant which is closed until 6 pm and worked until time to go to the venue.

Gunnar arrived from Arendal and he will sing his duet with David again tonight. I left for sound check with the guys at 2:15 pm and it took an unusually long time today. Arrived back at the hotel with less than an hour to dress for the show and I still had to get in a room. Finally got a room with a desk and chair, though. The room was freezing and I found a radiator by the window. There was a round knob on the front so I turned it up to the highest number. Nothing! Called the front desk and she said, “Did you turn on the switch”. I explained that I had looked for a switch but could not find one. While I had her on the phone, I laid down on the floor and used my iPhone flashlight to look in the small crack between the side of the radiator and the desk and found it. Had to flatten my hand to slide it in the crack and flip the switch. No idea “who” designs the hotel rooms over here!

We are hoping Howard gets out of the hospital tomorrow and have been dealing with how to get him here all day. The two flights during the day are full and only one that arrives at 6:50 pm is available. All the flights are the little Wideroe prop planes. We asked for wheelchair assistance and Wideroe’s “policy” is that a passenger who has wheelchair assistance cannot fly unaccompanied! They say there is limited “staff” on the flights and if something happens, they would not be able to assist. Everyone we know in Bergen is not available so Kjell’s daughter Caroline will fly to Kristiansand with him and fly back to Bergen on Sunday. So sweet of her to volunteer.

Show was good and sold out again tonight. Howard is definitely missed but David does an excellent job of covering the hits. Thankful there is only one more show because it’s got to be hard on his vocals. Sound was much better at the show tonight, too.

We were back at the hotel by 9:00 pm tonight. Howard is feeling better, thank God. We were actually joking back and forth via text which makes me feel so much better about his recovery. Prayers that they will allow him to leave the hospital tomorrow!

Jude