tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42056693735047036532024-02-20T00:15:38.032+00:00Where ya been, where ya going ?I started this blog in 2010 seeing 53 show in 3 months in the US & Canada, In 2011 i saw 43 shows all over Europe, continued it into 2012 seeing 9 shows in Argentina and 15 more shows in the USA. In 2013 it was back to Europe for 18 shows to include Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria! I didn't do the blog in 2016/17/18 but saw 18 shows including multiple US shows and 3 trips to Mexico to see the end of the tour!
So here we are in 2023, 189 shows and 156, 890 miles later and off we go again!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger503125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205669373504703653.post-55272180507914960772023-12-08T13:35:00.001+00:002023-12-08T13:35:15.122+00:00Dont say it's the end of the road........<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZiBLdXXRSME1kZ2PeySScn9qSm0EcQ9ePrdmjdVenCrKq_vXCCYGKA4_QgM3H7b9De-ZYgUWkUjEw5VigX8ui5oKwv6NgP3aQPsET7OEAUSBZHwxLQ9lQiC7ih-hgqFhtvtbYw0AlaAs8IvQpEXnXlT3i-tzAoxKZu5j3fdjVIbap6dGMU94VVabj7Rou/s1666/IMG_2997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="937" data-original-width="1666" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZiBLdXXRSME1kZ2PeySScn9qSm0EcQ9ePrdmjdVenCrKq_vXCCYGKA4_QgM3H7b9De-ZYgUWkUjEw5VigX8ui5oKwv6NgP3aQPsET7OEAUSBZHwxLQ9lQiC7ih-hgqFhtvtbYw0AlaAs8IvQpEXnXlT3i-tzAoxKZu5j3fdjVIbap6dGMU94VVabj7Rou/w705-h397/IMG_2997.JPG" width="705" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">17 months after seeing the first show in Pittsburgh in July last year, and seeing a further 32 of the shows around the US and Europe, Kamilla and I are heading down for a short weekend in Quito, Ecuador today to see the final show of the 2022/23 "This Is Not A Drill" (TINAD) tour, and what may turn out to be Rogers last show EVER!</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I know we all joke that we've been saying this is the last show for the past 20 plus years but honestly, i really think this is it!</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205669373504703653.post-83136793163639337052022-07-08T20:36:00.002+01:002022-07-08T20:42:20.722+01:00So where's the best seats for the "TINAD" show ?<p><span style="font-family: arial;">After seeing the opening show of the tour in Pittsburgh two nights ago, here's my quick thoughts on a few of the seating sections. I'll maybe do a review of the show over the weekend. I purposely didn't put track names on for those who are trying to stay away from spoilers!</span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_CnietmCfyvygA8C6soYV2EN3S5-IujKc06hpx8Lsq3FM0I6Zk2eAV5WG5houvGSxTz8U8u8Ki1ctKi7H20uFGiVwUadZ0mLzXtA-fGO8FyD0HwJfyPVi0G2r9LRnu-E-qdMGvkmYobHiyT0alWum3OpaQQv0mImVMgIeNnnWaAvMsQdgxrGB7zbNQ/s1951/seating%20plan%20and%20details%20no%20spoilers.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1003" data-original-width="1951" height="349" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_CnietmCfyvygA8C6soYV2EN3S5-IujKc06hpx8Lsq3FM0I6Zk2eAV5WG5houvGSxTz8U8u8Ki1ctKi7H20uFGiVwUadZ0mLzXtA-fGO8FyD0HwJfyPVi0G2r9LRnu-E-qdMGvkmYobHiyT0alWum3OpaQQv0mImVMgIeNnnWaAvMsQdgxrGB7zbNQ/w680-h349/seating%20plan%20and%20details%20no%20spoilers.png" width="680" /></a></p><br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205669373504703653.post-7763519469123369482022-05-25T21:01:00.002+01:002022-05-25T21:01:18.921+01:00Lets try agin in 2022!<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATdrcUF9V86hcO55d8oLFkF8GmJ65iujvXrZ3DzFUrc_A6OHzHuWZtJ_S_WAKyY-FhDwGMg52-jRzO2z9TRZsZEblu7aSm8pq6TPq2EEjQCSwWjD0mgiHSqHgdfDOPmvUPX-VMH8j7uRW2LgYY2FT7tKWu2SM385ZdyHeFdJ5W2dggUPzAndGkLknwQ/s1920/276013494_501375828026057_1989459149865189460_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATdrcUF9V86hcO55d8oLFkF8GmJ65iujvXrZ3DzFUrc_A6OHzHuWZtJ_S_WAKyY-FhDwGMg52-jRzO2z9TRZsZEblu7aSm8pq6TPq2EEjQCSwWjD0mgiHSqHgdfDOPmvUPX-VMH8j7uRW2LgYY2FT7tKWu2SM385ZdyHeFdJ5W2dggUPzAndGkLknwQ/w650-h366/276013494_501375828026057_1989459149865189460_n.jpg" width="650" /></a><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205669373504703653.post-90652322398633010762021-08-31T14:39:00.002+01:002022-05-25T21:01:51.813+01:00It's been a while........2022?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZpjeX9uw4X42uiSH6xuq8sNlFzQDj77PGiUvPfOWPhuKCO92xD3d-FnxjcP6WOpK4wyqQjMRl-fa0bByEI990aYJg8rVtS-ZL8VoVmjp0JIMCc34X8OM1lGdNhnt_fcJJ97ilJmV9-OF/s1333/239448382_10223134241123543_5749273173267173320_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1333" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZpjeX9uw4X42uiSH6xuq8sNlFzQDj77PGiUvPfOWPhuKCO92xD3d-FnxjcP6WOpK4wyqQjMRl-fa0bByEI990aYJg8rVtS-ZL8VoVmjp0JIMCc34X8OM1lGdNhnt_fcJJ97ilJmV9-OF/w645-h362/239448382_10223134241123543_5749273173267173320_n.jpg" width="645" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205669373504703653.post-4416083140408403842017-05-23T18:32:00.000+01:002017-05-24T01:30:45.677+01:00Roger Waters Us + Them Tour Rehearsal<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Sunday May 21 2017</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Roger Waters Us + Them Tour Rehearsal</div>
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New Jersey, Meadowlands Arena</div>
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Disclaimer: As the tour has not yet started, I will minimize
spoilers on content and details of the show beyond the group’s reaction to
them. If there is anything I think constitutes a spoiler, it will be indicated.
My definition may vary from yours, but the intent here is not at all to ruin
anything who does not want it ruined. Read at your own discretion.</div>
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Simon and I woke up early Sunday morning, still fairly tired
from tailgating and a Jimmy Buffett concert with my folks in Bristow, VA.
(Actually, I thought that performance was one of the better Buffett shows I’ve
been dragged to over the years, and the tailgate was mostly with work mates, so
it was fun watching them do tequila with my parents.) (There was an incident
with an inflatable shark, too.)</div>
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We rustled together snacks, drinks, chargers, etc., threw
them in the car, and got on the road for 7:30. We listen to James O’Brien’s
Mystery Hour podcast for 4 hours on the drive up to New Jersey, but the closer
we got, the more excited we were getting to meet up with friends, enjoy the
pre-show gathering, see the state of this “abandoned” venue, and, of course,
see the show.</div>
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After picking Wendy and Matt up from their hotel, we drove
to the nearby “Irish Pub” where, after drinks and a Full Irish Fry Up, we met
up with Other Matt and his friend, Drew, Mike, Wes, Chris, Patrick, Ellie,
Andy, Jackie, Kimberly, Chris, Marco, and Donna (representing everywhere from
Canada to Hawaii and back). We discussed our love and preferences of the new
Roger tracks. (Some people liked Déjà Vu best, some likes The Last Refugee
best. I’m team Last Refugee.) As 4:00 approached, we peeled off and made our
way to the venue—apparently everyone had a pretty fun time trying to find this
no-longer-existent address on GPS. And because of the relative size and nature
of the show, there was a fraction of a percent of usual event staff. There was
literally one guy directing traffic that we encountered before we parked. How
were we supposed to find a place to park in all that open space?!</div>
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Outside the entrance the venue had an obelisk with posters
for Roger’s new album as well as a 10-ft pig specifically for the album. Wendy
and Matt did an obligatory handstand as we waited for doors to open.</div>
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I met outside with my friend Oni and her husband, James.
This would be their first ever Roger Waters show (what an introduction!) I was
twice as much excited for them to see it as I was to see it myself.</div>
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Perhaps due to low staff levels and for crowd control, the
venue only let people into the venue in batches of 100–150. It gave me a
flashback to the old George Pal Time Machine.</div>
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<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYanrgCZ-OTY7UbEU3Gdj8MotgpM-VnmpizbNEuxaCmMSuAPyshwGNhnBb0raGLm232uGfejec8m7_gPzV1VtBHjNtJPdQCItMnAkWaXBlnBurkjiwQvdVaa5OHOAM6qC8JEL9EM7aBpZ/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYanrgCZ-OTY7UbEU3Gdj8MotgpM-VnmpizbNEuxaCmMSuAPyshwGNhnBb0raGLm232uGfejec8m7_gPzV1VtBHjNtJPdQCItMnAkWaXBlnBurkjiwQvdVaa5OHOAM6qC8JEL9EM7aBpZ/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;"></span><br />
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Once in the venue EVERY SINGLE ATTENDEE had to pick up
tickets from will call. I have to give props to the skeleton staff for doing
this relatively quickly and efficiently.</div>
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In the will call foyer, the pillars were covered in
promotional flyers for the tour and another display for the album. Several of
us… um… needed a closer look at those flyers. (None remained upon exit.) I
mention all the décor, because it was stark against the otherwise completely
bare venue. Usually there are advertisements for beer and concessions and local
car mechanics and law offices. Not even a PSA against drunk driving—just the Roger
stuff. The same conditions existed in the arena proper—there were no LED banner
advertisements or colorful posters around the perimeter. It was stripped. That
was nice in its own way—you could really focus on the stage setup—fewer
distractions. </div>
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A scattering of chairs on the very left and right of the
arena floor were speckled with a few first arrivers, but many people either
made their choice of seat anywhere up the stairs either side of the arena or
joined the *hopefully washed* masses standing centerstage. It was all “general
admission,” and you really did have your choice of pretty much anywhere. Oni
and James and I sat 5 rows back, stage left and gushed up until the show. The
row was actually relatively empty! (And after two songs, I actually went up to
the front where Simon, Matt, Wendy. Kimberly et al. were gathered right up on
the front rail!)<br />
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SPOILERS!!!</div>
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The stage was setup with a large LED screen background
approximately the same expanse as the “wall” from The Wall tour arena shows—so
completely one side to the other. 15 minutes or so before the start, it played
a mostly silent introductory video in the vein of Sean Evan’s “Last Refugee”
short film. Perhaps it was only for the rehearsal, but the separate PA system
was playing pre-show tracks, and I definitely caught “Strange Fruit”—a veteran
track from The Wall tour. Will all following shows have a new, unique pre-show
track list?<br />
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Lights went down . . . Speak to Me. . . band trickles on
stage . . . . . . . . BREATHE. Roger and the band perform the first half or so
of Dark Side without saying much—this was probably the weirdest and most
surreal part of the show for me. Did I enjoy the music and the performance?
Sure—I didn’t not enjoy it. But the gig wasn’t clicking with me. Maybe it’s my
old-crotchety fan bias, but getting through all the Dark Side tracks at the
beginning was a chore, like eating flavorless vegetables before digging into
the the Kobe beef and cheesy potatoes. I mainly watch the performers, as the
background video just doesn’t offer much once you’ve seen it already (correct
me if I’m wrong rehearsal goers, but…) it’s the same video footage as used in
Desert Trip and Mexico. Roger has a few scratchy words after “the old stuff,”
then gets to “the good stuff.” Déjà Vu, followed by The Last Refugee. This was
the first time I heard The Last Refugee live, and, yes, I teared up like a
complete nerd. It’s such a beautiful song. (I heard Déjà Vu first when it was
“If I were God” at his gig with G.E. Smith in Sag Harbor in October 2015.) I
really do like both songs, and I actually appreciate both MORE live, even
though Roger was clearly having voice/throat issues from the likely days of
practice.</div>
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After The Last Refugee, we had a REAL treat. The new, as yet
unreleased fourth track from the new album—Picture That. Well, *I* really
enjoyed it. I want to listen to it a dozen more times, but it’s definitely as
Simon described—one of his “list” songs. (I like his list songs...) I think it
got the crowd a little fired up—in part because of the make-up of the crowd and
their relation to Roger or the band—no half-time fans! (Except this one guy in
the crowd who dissed KAOS.) It’s like everyone knew—“This is it! This is the
new song he hasn’t released yet! We haven’t heard this yet! EEEEEE!”</div>
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Then? WYWH that rolled into Happiest Days, then Brick I and
II. During Happiest Days, a group of school kids in orange prison jumpsuits
lined the front of the stage staring downwards during the song, they rip these
off to reveal black and white “RESIST!” shirts. Right in front of Wendy and I
was a little boy who couldn’t have been more than 5 or 6, and I do have to say,
the poor thing looked TERRIFIED. And it wasn’t even a full venue! I just wanted
to give him a hug and let him know it was going to be great and he’d do great
and how precious he was. Wendy and I waved and he quickly waved back before
making sure he was looking down again like he was supposed to. Even though I’ve
personally heard Brick I and II “enough” already, that made the song for me
that night. I wanted him to see that we were there and enjoying it and he was
doing a good job, so made sure to clap along and smile—Wendy and I gave him a
thumbs up before he left the stage.<br />
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Roger had a few more croaky words thanking everyone for
coming to the special gig before intermission. Intermission in which we barely
moved and just kept talking about the new songs and the performers and the
setlist thus far. When would he play Smell the Roses?!</div>
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Intermission ended with my favorite part of the visual
production—the Battersea Erection. Other than that, I’m not going to say
anything about that aspect—I hope you go to see it for yourself at least once!
Definitely damn cool production.</div>
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The band plays through Animals with some new arrangements to
accommodate the new band members and the tweaked Desert Trip/Mexico graphics.
Me personally? I’ll never get tired of hearing the Animals Tracks live. What
can I say—their just so Orwellian and Rock and Roll and In-Your Face Lyrics and
(Dave K’s) Guitar and Drums.</div>
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Roger transitions to the end of Dark Side set with Money
(not my favorite, but some new “fun” graphics) then finally Us and Them—another
favorite of mine live. Before he can start Brain Damage. . . . . SMELL the
ROSES. I don’t know if I’d call the song transitions here smooth… feels like it
would have been better fitting amongst the Animals set.</div>
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I like Smell the Roses. I really do. And performed live was
better than the studio recording, definitely. My one little critique of that
track in the show is that the graphics were a little OTT graphic for me.
Footage from Cambodian political prisons and the killing fields, torture,
violence. I’m not saying AT ALL that we should hide the existence of these
things, but, very honestly, I felt like a bit like this:<br />
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I just generally tend to be an empathetic person—I know
those things exist and are really terrible… I don’t really want to see them
again, (and again) because it hurts my heart.<br />
Maybe this was Roger’s intent? But while he tries to provoke and affect the
disaffected masses, I’m over here in tears T_T.</div>
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I pulled myself together for Brain Damage and Eclipse
(extended edition!), but was honestly so distracted with trying to figure out
what they were trying to do with a remote control orb that I didn’t really get
an impression of the visual production here. The musical performance was great,
though! (Maybe they’ll figure out the orb thing before Friday?!)</div>
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Roger ended with another croaky speech—but you could tell he
was genuinely grateful for the turnout and the reaction. (super fans are good
for something!) He (tried) to introduce the band, but is still learning the
names of the new members. Whoops. We’ll see how that goes Friday in Kansas
City. (They did a great job regardless!)</div>
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The ladies from Lucius and he sang Vera and Bring the Boys back
home, and he entreated the crowd to sing with him. As I have said to friends,
Lucius seems to be getting more comfortable with their vocals and have softened
up from last fall. Their new arrangements are somewhere between the studio
standard and the very experimental and sometimes jarring ones I remember from
Mexico. (I like it better now, but I know others won’t because it’s not the
“same”) Finally—Comfy Numb. Dave K’s solo is still spot on, couldn’t be
faulted. Still gets to me. But admit… I was distracted. Roger did something
that A) He’s never done as far as I know and B) I never ever thought he’d do.
In the latter half of Comfy Numb, he walked down the front rail smiling, saying
hi, and shaking hands. WHAAAAAAT. WHOA. I mean, that was cool. And then the
ceiling exploded confetti. </div>
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END SPOILERS!!!<br />
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We were all a little bit stuck for words after the show. Was
it good? Of course it was! It was awesome! Was it a little disappointing to the
Roger fans who have really been waiting to see him preform his amazing solo
work live instead of the more tired “Time and Money” tracks? Well, yeah. Are
Simon and I going to follow it like we did The Wall tour? Probably not. We’ll
be happy to see a handful of shows in places with lots of friends and good
venues. Yeah, we’ll miss the cool, quirky nuances of each show, but we agree a
more enticing setlist could have been fashioned. What about all of the amazing
tracks from ATD which was remastered and rereleased in 2015? Which is not to
say, again—and I can’t stress it enough—that the show wasn’t fantastic. The
performers look awesome and so so so promising—I mean, the performers really
make it—so much talent and emotion. I’m excited for that and I’m excited for
the new material.</div>
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Simon and I had to rush off home (4-hour drive… definitely
nodded off several times), but made sure we said goodbyes to all the friends we
could. We also saw Ian (who does the fantastic sax solo) on the way out.</div>
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Rolled up our driveway at 2 AM, exhausted, happy, full of
desire for everyone else to just go see it now so we can talk about it.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205669373504703653.post-26145692040345518622016-09-28T14:25:00.000+01:002016-09-28T14:25:53.909+01:00This is big, VERY big!<p> </p> <p>So here we are again! Doesn't seem like 3 years since I was typing about The Wall shows, soon as i get a bit of time over the next couple of days I'll type up “Where I've been, and Where I'm going” </p> <p>Couple of pictures of the stage at Foro Sol as it is at the moment, looks like they are not only using the LED screen behind but projections too. Battersea looks amazing! I think the chimneys are inflatable with the mapped chimneys projected on, we’ll find out tonight at the first show.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1gUIh_S9ZWM/V-vEv3inRJI/AAAAAAAAR00/ViTsH_3YebQ/s1600-h/14360091_157046778082199_7869737746909102080_n%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="14360091_157046778082199_7869737746909102080_n" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="14360091_157046778082199_7869737746909102080_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OIrgwIvO9LE/V-vEwVmAasI/AAAAAAAAR04/0ajoo2FXPmc/14360091_157046778082199_7869737746909102080_n_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="215" height="217"></a> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j-7jNVvgOHg/V-vEwvaIejI/AAAAAAAAR08/J7gjN9gHl7E/s1600-h/14359534_1082524698505694_2444275891132432384_n%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="14359534_1082524698505694_2444275891132432384_n" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="14359534_1082524698505694_2444275891132432384_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zDX_-Cv2baQ/V-vEw0GxiUI/AAAAAAAAR1A/dMuZ2Plrq4k/14359534_1082524698505694_2444275891132432384_n_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="285" height="218"></a> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2IKp_to1XBo/V-vExHVG3BI/AAAAAAAAR1E/BBFYjb5clPY/s1600-h/14440830_10154597100447028_2713710492975857649_n%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="14440830_10154597100447028_2713710492975857649_n" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="14440830_10154597100447028_2713710492975857649_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dqO42qbh7qQ/V-vExjQdQJI/AAAAAAAAR1I/IF6hbzj18sM/14440830_10154597100447028_2713710492975857649_n_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="210" height="219"></a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205669373504703653.post-32011334451737168442016-09-15T01:34:00.000+01:002016-09-15T01:39:27.965+01:00F**k all that we gotta get on with Mexico!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205669373504703653.post-74180457685805360472013-10-27T17:08:00.001+00:002013-10-27T17:52:48.446+00:00Dusseldorf day 1….<p align="justify">We had a 10am train to Dusseldorf booked for this morning, we were all up and out of the hotel at just after 9am and took the train over to the main train station. Wendy and Chris were on the same train as us, we were due to arrive in Dusseldorf around 3pm.</p> <p align="justify">There was lots of sleep going on on the train during the journey, i watched a couple of films on my laptop and wrote a couple older blog entries.</p> <p align="justify">Kami and Wendy resting her foot, Chris was in awe of the Berlin station! Kami and Chris Guess who!</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-veeACf_vIFw/Um1HvFo8VUI/AAAAAAAARMs/y-q6VLFQpJA/s1600-h/P1030889%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030889 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030889 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dpOJcZNmAqI/Um1Hv6JkKAI/AAAAAAAARM0/eA5zvuYNh_4/P1030889%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="225" height="170"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Wh6l8Y7Iqm0/Um1HxW7VctI/AAAAAAAARM8/B6L3j8BH4-E/s1600-h/P1030890%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030890 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030890 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iWvwK-xeHIk/Um1Hx5kyJBI/AAAAAAAARNE/LGuQimkrdbA/P1030890%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" height="170"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cBXEZd6_s8c/Um1Hychvk1I/AAAAAAAARNM/lmlwcgoeJpk/s1600-h/1001279_10201244431566642_1408678426_n%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="1001279_10201244431566642_1408678426_n" border="0" alt="1001279_10201244431566642_1408678426_n" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4ZSITi0HLW4/Um1Hy8DcbWI/AAAAAAAARNU/iaieul59qNs/1001279_10201244431566642_1408678426_n_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="129" height="170"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zgNfEZY1U-M/Um1HzUG353I/AAAAAAAARNc/ibRME4NmtjY/s1600-h/1239302_519170664828260_1652368145_o%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="1239302_519170664828260_1652368145_o" border="0" alt="1239302_519170664828260_1652368145_o" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-L1QKIvg8YCg/Um1Hz1Le1DI/AAAAAAAARNk/1UHfiyzBPIs/1239302_519170664828260_1652368145_o_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="130" height="170"></a> </p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify">Stuart and Ole were on the train an hour behind us and had text to say they were on their way, Frank was also on the train with them. I'd found out hotel a few months ago right in the centre of Dusseldorf and mark had booked it for Him and Beth, Kim and Jo and Kami and i. frank had booked the same hotel, Wendy and Chris were in a hotel a stones through away and Stuart and Ole were in other place close by.</p> <p align="justify">The first thing we noticed when we came up from the underground train station was how warm and humid it was here! It was pretty cold in Berlin when we left and it was nice to feel the warmth for a change! Of course the second we came out of the station there was a huge sign in front of a store with a picture of a smashed iphone screen! How did they know Wendy was here! It took us a while to get our bearings, my Google maps was messing up on my phone and i had Beth in one ear, Kami in the other and everyone else standing around waiting for me to show them the way! After walking for 50 yards one way, we turned around and started walking the correct way! Took us a while to get on the right track but we got the eventually and walked through the shopping area of Dusseldorf with our suitcases in tow, i looked like the Pied Piper with a line of rats following me! Kami took over the directions and became the Pied piper for a while while i dropped back and became a rat!</p> <p align="justify">Five minutes later we could see the hotel and everyone relaxed a little. After checking in the hotel Mark buzzed through to our room and asked if we all wanted to do a boat tour. Sure, we said, i checked into it online and tried calling the number on the website but there was no reply. Kami and i took a walk up by the river where the sight seeing boat went from and found the last one left at 6:30 and there were plenty of places available and we didn't need to book. We let Ole and Stuart know and message Chris and Wendy to tell them we would meet in the lobby of our hotel at 6pm. it was now around five and Kami went off to the store to pick up a few snacks and drinks for the boat ride while i went back and took a shower.</p> <p align="justify">The river walk Twisted spire on the church</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5XZmbgNcTC0/Um1H0XvaxuI/AAAAAAAARNs/yM-PDbRESkY/s1600-h/P1030891%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030891 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030891 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dz_dXDkmLgk/Um1H08N2Q2I/AAAAAAAARN0/7nbeqsor_po/P1030891%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="318" height="182"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uHpWGbLkKqU/Um1H1myEWqI/AAAAAAAARN8/WcqGIT13x9I/s1600-h/P1030893%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030893 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030893 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qPIjc2r9Hxc/Um1H18dGCsI/AAAAAAAAROE/tzKn_85OfRw/P1030893%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="182"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iqlBNnZ7_Fs/Um1H2cggu3I/AAAAAAAAROM/wYRW7XcJu3w/s1600-h/P1030895%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030895 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030895 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kzL5Tx1G0B8/Um1H23hTCAI/AAAAAAAAROU/wnqTUkSnp3k/P1030895%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="106" height="182"></a> </p> <p align="justify">Wendy text me to say her foot was pretty painful after being on it all day and the walk from the station so she was going to sit out of the boat ride but Chris was going to go. Myself, Kami, Kim, Joe, Mark, Beth, Chris, Ole and Stuart all met up in the lobby and walked down to the boar. It was abeutiful sunny evening, the temperature had dropped a little and was just right, the breeze while out on the boat and the company made it the perfect 90 minute trip, well apart from Wendy not being there. </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-d6-VmP2ANMU/Um1H3jOcRsI/AAAAAAAAROc/FXyM5JDJixo/s1600-h/P1030897%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030897 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030897 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4TgOwQSQCc0/Um1H4HzWB3I/AAAAAAAAROk/HT8hmzlw8rc/P1030897%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="138"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sb8XoBPvdNE/Um1H4n8eRLI/AAAAAAAAROs/RWz2R8jPPKs/s1600-h/P1030898%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030898 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030898 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JN_jHT1qG60/Um1H5IPT1hI/AAAAAAAARO0/9gVW4fvmRQI/P1030898%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lMwCc8GyQ2g/Um1H5fDi_NI/AAAAAAAARO8/TjVOtiD1PY8/s1600-h/P1030900%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030900 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030900 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-E9IgNLs__Ds/Um1H59YkAJI/AAAAAAAARPE/9LnI709Gr9w/P1030900%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pZLchmw_7Gw/Um1H6QwnjRI/AAAAAAAARPM/Fo9nY-m5nZ4/s1600-h/P1060996%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1060996 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1060996 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qElJoP0SmfY/Um1H7A4slbI/AAAAAAAARPU/Y1-30w2gYes/P1060996%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="138"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IX_AJAyLWdU/Um1H763C5AI/AAAAAAAARPc/puxsksV4zKM/s1600-h/P1070002%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1070002 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1070002 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nDrxbMR-OGI/Um1H8bKLYEI/AAAAAAAARPk/EBNQxQjmC5Y/P1070002%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="138"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LdFnwAR4_ck/Um1H83IpqwI/AAAAAAAARPs/JZsUEeeyrI4/s1600-h/P1070003%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1070003 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1070003 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-I9roeAkbxbM/Um1H9fpArVI/AAAAAAAARP0/0GfmXk7G4mg/P1070003%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify">While the 9 of us sat on the boat, eating fresh bread, Salami and cheese and drinking wine and beer while watching the world go by, i text Wendy to tell her how what an awful time we were having and how everyone was sea sick and not enjoying it at all! It took her a while to realize that i was only trying to make her feel better but hey, she had just had her blonde highlights done before coming on the trip!</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Dy82V27PcWs/Um1H91eokNI/AAAAAAAARP8/jH2qGPRRoII/s1600-h/P1030908%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030908 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030908 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KUHCyXQJcqg/Um1H-TjdN2I/AAAAAAAARQE/FYWmLdj7sU4/P1030908%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="253" height="144"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dseidblCDPw/Um1H-4tMWbI/AAAAAAAARQM/ld70bQmReEE/s1600-h/P1030902%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030902 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030902 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fgT2y-8hObw/Um1H_eOb55I/AAAAAAAARQU/eIW1_IK_oUM/P1030902%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" height="144"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Lpczkn_NPcU/Um1H_0_wwRI/AAAAAAAARQc/_0dCZ_kONLE/s1600-h/P1030903%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030903 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030903 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-G19VouvwfqI/Um1IATSmLNI/AAAAAAAARQk/Prykv33A-fo/P1030903%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="253" height="144"></a> </p> <p align="justify">It was so relaxing that after a day of travelling there was a little more sleeping going on the boat after the food and drink!</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gYwNOWhvuAM/Um1IA0hMbuI/AAAAAAAARQs/SqX6l9kCDgg/s1600-h/P1030947%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030947 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030947 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7TnYDIpI_wI/Um1IBX4I0kI/AAAAAAAARQ0/uVLZD_f-tfA/P1030947%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ADkHMuTeb7w/Um1IBzmzY9I/AAAAAAAARQ8/FZH53uTdRMY/s1600-h/P1030944%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030944 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030944 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0JZQrVd7sTw/Um1ICFRvnoI/AAAAAAAARRE/cCZ4uWU-WNE/P1030944%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-l5rnlYBC6Es/Um1IDKnVQzI/AAAAAAAARRM/9MiHz8VmImY/s1600-h/P1030941%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030941 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030941 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Mc1o1EJCT7g/Um1IDc3rUBI/AAAAAAAARRU/SmWZ8CXVBqY/P1030941%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify">There were some amazing building along the side of the river/</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--3rONh4GZPk/Um1IECxeTxI/AAAAAAAARRc/JhuILpXHzxY/s1600-h/P1030918%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030918 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030918 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xboyhRnnz58/Um1IEmrWUyI/AAAAAAAARRk/f5_qO1z_Dsc/P1030918%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1o9bpXw62uA/Um1IFHx_evI/AAAAAAAARRs/eFPZ8nxy1R8/s1600-h/P1030920%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030920 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030920 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bzWUtiTTBCE/Um1IFuiypRI/AAAAAAAARR0/P8aXjgQqtvo/P1030920%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nEsg_m5JGrI/Um1IGIRXiOI/AAAAAAAARR8/_Y3r12Pg-Bk/s1600-h/P1030919%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030919 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030919 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rq4SDyJvy40/Um1IGkK10AI/AAAAAAAARSE/7f28M8YpS4E/P1030919%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5tcMtU_hGJU/Um1IHMGtzdI/AAAAAAAARSM/zDI3wwFQfHY/s1600-h/P1030916%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030916 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030916 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Eo5bcq9LWvE/Um1IHnEL2oI/AAAAAAAARSU/tYGMm1_Z4H8/P1030916%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OOFLdtRw2_E/Um1IJL3nwQI/AAAAAAAARSc/Yvt5ZsiKWP8/s1600-h/P1030914%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030914 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030914 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-c0DXf_iTatw/Um1IJWBqNYI/AAAAAAAARSk/r23JJWZ69UI/P1030914%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xPTuuDcTD8A/Um1IKA2eAnI/AAAAAAAARSs/IHP09WgiRr0/s1600-h/P1030915%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030915 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030915 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3aoZv8Da-5I/Um1IKlN2qYI/AAAAAAAARS0/i9FPXAcgPes/P1030915%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify">We found a bar along the riverside that did some fantastic cocktails, we sat there and watched the sun go down and even though we had all been together for a few days now, it was nice to actually sit down without having a show that night and have some quality time to relax and talk together. Wendy was on her way to join us, earlier in the day after arriving in Dusseldorf, Chris had found a place that sold crutches to help Wendy out. 10 minutes later she came hobbling up the river walk waving her crutches in air!! Of course we all had to have a go on the crutches and it was the second we saw Wendy that she got her nickname for the rest of the trip, Tiny Tim!</p> <p align="justify">Tiny Tim arrives! Watching the sunset from the bar drinking Long Island Iced tea!</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3yY5qKDar_0/Um1IMQd9u-I/AAAAAAAARS8/ccum7u9RAD0/s1600-h/P1030950%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030950 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030950 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Xp9TudEWPbo/Um1IMzHXVNI/AAAAAAAARTE/mXZ9YkcwBe4/P1030950%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-v_09qJHPFjc/Um1IOhuTs7I/AAAAAAAARTM/odC2o21b4iM/s1600-h/P1030952%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030952 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030952 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mBw7KKRSOfw/Um1IO85O6II/AAAAAAAARTU/UdOrObCywUk/P1030952%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-C--OBk-auoU/Um1IPQfVK4I/AAAAAAAARTc/vn7hsWk_RF8/s1600-h/P1030954%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030954 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030954 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-94sWXzQYBUw/Um1IPyT-itI/AAAAAAAARTk/rMheJuZGH9U/P1030954%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify">Of course, EVERYONE had to have a go on the crutches and a couple of cocktails it was amazing how Wendy could walk without them! Its funny, you can take Roger away from us all for one night but you cant take the Roger out of the geeks! No Wendy, its a crutch not Rogers machine gun!</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zoiwauR_kSM/Um1IQhG2ceI/AAAAAAAARTs/F_sI-5RXkyA/s1600-h/P1030960%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030960 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030960 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jLbkOBmw_zc/Um1IRPzkueI/AAAAAAAART0/vvjEfREPQQk/P1030960%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="181" height="104"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zNqHGulYjp0/Um1ISh_5rxI/AAAAAAAART8/-9LRfUamqSs/s1600-h/P1030966%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030966 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030966 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YbMSsnOcgOM/Um1ITMXug3I/AAAAAAAARUE/RscWwOwd4QY/P1030966%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="181" height="104"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Aakq6GHjov4/Um1IT-is6UI/AAAAAAAARUM/TbDkPBIOqoE/s1600-h/P1030961%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030961 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030961 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KwAPuVV4KQI/Um1IUVZp9TI/AAAAAAAARUU/L6agjbwuVcE/P1030961%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="181" height="104"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XaNsjnX89no/Um1IUwPWu2I/AAAAAAAARUc/I1cSMdCtIZc/s1600-h/P1030964%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030964 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030964 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0iPNMOXp9ss/Um1IVUQtHPI/AAAAAAAARUk/lf4Ydg50nkI/P1030964%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="182" height="104"></a> </p> <p align="justify">None of us had had lunch, just a few Harribo gummy bears on the train and the snacks on the boat. it was gone 9pm now and we were all hungry so made our way up to the old town to find somewhere to eat for dinner. A couple of weeks before the trip, Kami had been to see Jimmy Buffet with her mom and dad and for whatever reason she had fallen into the grill and burnt the side of her leg! she had been changing the bandage a few times during the trip and her wound was healing and getting better but imagine our surprise when walking up towards old town when we saw this graffiti on the side of a wall!! it was identical to her burn mark!</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6EYIITsp_8g/Um1IV9qzH5I/AAAAAAAARUs/44LchjngTHI/s1600-h/1175176_10100215018927217_1058848283_n%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="1175176_10100215018927217_1058848283_n" border="0" alt="1175176_10100215018927217_1058848283_n" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xmGT5m2uzg4/Um1IWVeMZ5I/AAAAAAAARU0/T0gsOPQemCM/1175176_10100215018927217_1058848283_n_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="183" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rlr6Ai_bMmI/Um1IXx7nG6I/AAAAAAAARU8/U9BhNLznxFM/s1600-h/P1030969%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030969 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030969 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-E16Uuh3f6dc/Um1IYRLlmuI/AAAAAAAARVE/yLBuQfrdwkI/P1030969%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify">We didn't realise that of course it was going to be as bury as it was in the old town and trying to find a restaurant that would seat nine of us, outside was near on impossible! The girls waited at one end of the street while, myself, Chris, mark Joe and Stuart walked the whole length trying to find a restaurant, we turned right and saw a great place with a table for four free and a table for two free, it had a nice big outdoor covered patio and was just what we wanted. The waiter made a few changes to the tables and told us a table nearby were ready for leaving and he would let us know when it was ready. Mark, Chris and I headed back to get the girls, it was then we saw Stuart and Joe were missing! there's a surprise!! We got the girls and by the time we walked back to the restaurant the tables were all arranged for us but we still hadn't found Joe and Stuart. A few phones calls and 25 minutes later they came wondering up to take their places at the table after letting us know they had been back to use the bathroom at the hotel!</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-opLrBMX5aOU/Um1IYxKIiyI/AAAAAAAARVM/d1Fp4ZUXctk/s1600-h/P1030983%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030983 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030983 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YOgi7clcMW8/Um1IZlNUmCI/AAAAAAAARVU/_f7ufaitHg0/P1030983%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mm4KFufQnZ8/Um1IaB8ZfXI/AAAAAAAARVc/2yKaKUV_YWw/s1600-h/P1030981%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030981 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030981 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VqM61NMreXM/Um1IatWrujI/AAAAAAAARVk/bTFe-if5kMc/P1030981%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GI8O1lWwl28/Um1IbpsIaQI/AAAAAAAARVs/A3Z9e3weCFU/s1600-h/P1030982%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030982 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030982 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QXT4QlaOR1w/Um1IcH1tS7I/AAAAAAAARV0/uSkl7fZR7qM/P1030982%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hJk9QHTotMI/Um1Ic8aKlYI/AAAAAAAARV8/sS-cg8dOP7M/s1600-h/1280840_10201244435926751_1001166959_n%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="1280840_10201244435926751_1001166959_n" border="0" alt="1280840_10201244435926751_1001166959_n" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YFoh8PdqCgU/Um1IdXEpJHI/AAAAAAAARWE/vyjJ-nj-oXQ/1280840_10201244435926751_1001166959_n_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="144" height="189"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-a8iUDJ7R3uQ/Um1Id7Gb6ZI/AAAAAAAARWM/CpZlUtDXGNA/s1600-h/1185259_10201244432566667_341038533_n%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="1185259_10201244432566667_341038533_n" border="0" alt="1185259_10201244432566667_341038533_n" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qLf_Y921nak/Um1IeSTdwHI/AAAAAAAARWU/c11QcatOKTs/1185259_10201244432566667_341038533_n_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="251" height="189"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HHvZ5MgX_fA/Um1IfH1Aj0I/AAAAAAAARWc/mlVjok8hwHo/s1600-h/P1070022%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1070022 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1070022 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dD7ePvjA3tU/Um1IfjQLnEI/AAAAAAAARWk/qaFzs1Nx6-I/P1070022%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="331" height="189"></a> </p> <p align="justify">We had a fantastic meal, the food was great, the company was unbeatable and the laughs and jokes we had at Tiny Tims expense were priceless! </p> <p align="justify">Beth and i passed on the dessert as we had spotted a Gelato place on the corner just before we got to the restaurant, however it was gone midnight before we all got up and left the restaurant and the place was closed for the night! we took a walk round to try find a bar or somewhere but gave up and all headed back to our hotels and on the way passed some great bronze statues of Roger and Dave!:) Of course the biggest geek on the trip was all over the Roger one!</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZmIoKwIUb2s/Um1Sx2L-cmI/AAAAAAAARWw/8GgqKAsviAE/s1600-h/P1030986%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030986 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030986 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZiTj8lK8CkM/Um1SyjZEEyI/AAAAAAAARW0/JBqwnE2VPsY/P1030986%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MIEz7SvEnXQ/Um1S0CndPBI/AAAAAAAARXA/QIjtvr6zfLU/s1600-h/P1030987%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030987 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030987 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bReFwtuIWa0/Um1S0tEgidI/AAAAAAAARXE/bQ1sGKArTso/P1030987%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-42rFshOQlfo/Um1S3hk5zXI/AAAAAAAARXQ/jlplTJ2DME8/s1600-h/P1030988%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030988 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030988 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5ADA8HSYSKs/Um1S4CXW8PI/AAAAAAAARXU/TlaZlNpQBes/P1030988%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5bv_GTiRucI/Um1S5DY1FuI/AAAAAAAARXg/lo5FXBVnhTo/s1600-h/P1030989%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030989 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030989 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JfnVQYfmvnA/Um1S5okvBeI/AAAAAAAARXk/ru7FARMtF0w/P1030989%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mpIvhpRGf3I/Um1S7ah7yFI/AAAAAAAARXw/kCX1Zwk_Zjo/s1600-h/P1030991%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030991 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030991 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zWr2an6-0V4/Um1S7n9YswI/AAAAAAAARX0/8tJdiczizGw/P1030991%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify">Album below with pictures from day 1 in Dusseldorf</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:c2f39fd2-16c7-4119-8216-7068e403945f" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><a style="border:0px" href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=d78b5197f3871614&page=browse&resid=D78B5197F3871614!20264&parid=D78B5197F3871614!117&type=5"><img style="border:0px" alt="View Dusseldorf day 1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BJfKTqyOwmI/Um1IgD8AXPI/AAAAAAAARMg/daQNmjkdgrA/InlineRepresentationfb562884-5be7-4a58-bbae-e2663b305f62%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a><div style="width:768px;text-align:right;" ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=d78b5197f3871614&page=browse&resid=D78B5197F3871614!20264&parid=D78B5197F3871614!117&type=5">View Full Album</a></div></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205669373504703653.post-89022611876296043562013-10-26T15:42:00.001+01:002013-10-26T15:42:20.663+01:00Berlin, show day…<p align="justify">One thing i love about the shows and the tour is not just the show itself, not just seeing the people at the gig but arranging a pre show meet up bar for everyone to sit and have drinks and eat and catch up for a couple of hours before the show. Today was no different, a few weeks ago I’d booked a table for 8 people at the hard rock Cafe in Berlin. Ole had booked a table too for 8 too and there were a few others that were just going to turn up on the day. The table was booked for 3pm and we were all going to leave the hotel at 1:30 and head out to the Hard Rock together.</p> <p align="justify">We had the morning free today and no one had any set plans. Beth had gone out to see a few more museums, Ole was out with his mum sightseeing, we bumped into Kim and Joe in the store across from the hotel and they were going to see the cathedral down the street. </p> <p align="justify">Kami and i headed down the street where Kami bought a couple of T Shirts and some postcards. A couple of blocks further down was the Radisson Blue hotel which i had read about on a few websites and in a few guides. It has one of the largest indoor aquariums in the world and definitely the largest in a hotel lobby.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QMfuVftp6ag/UmvSz4J5q7I/AAAAAAAAQz8/lcwdwQSrLgY/s1600-h/P1030700%252520%252528Large%252529.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030700 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030700 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QCQwAD06w9o/UmvS0etOg_I/AAAAAAAAQ0A/3INiX9BoJqY/P1030700%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="143" height="188"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rL840D1ceRM/UmvS1cyp_KI/AAAAAAAAQ0M/aCXmOjTMY0g/s1600-h/P1030703Large4.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030703 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030703 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-osdOr8utR8U/UmvS1o-NXZI/AAAAAAAAQ0Q/ygeKJT4SNOQ/P1030703Large_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="110" height="190"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-H3A_KW8SoXc/UmvS2bzH9fI/AAAAAAAAQ0c/hiJX1LW0LsE/s1600-h/P1030702%252520%252528Large%252529.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030702 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030702 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GhBwpMCsbz8/UmvS2_dB12I/AAAAAAAAQ0g/1JuAlO9lOhg/P1030702%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-U61kk6kWHhA/UmvS3U_c35I/AAAAAAAAQ0s/jMlsbLPFMS0/s1600-h/P1030717%252520%252528Large%252529.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030717 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030717 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-taPnlzlSogc/UmvS33Va5TI/AAAAAAAAQ0w/_ktZZAiP7dQ/P1030717%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify">The aquarium was huge! it also had an elevator that went up the middle of it so you could see all the fish all the way up. It looked like there was a kid school day out as the elevator was full of school kids all jumping and running about inside with excitement.</p> <p align="justify">After sitting in the hotel lobby for 20 minutes and watching the fish we headed outside and started walking towards the Brandenburg Gate. i called Kim and Joe and they were having a look around the cathedral just down the street. They were then going to head to the Holocaust memorial. Kami and i walked down past the cathedral to see if we could see them, we couldn't so we then decided to take one of the rickshaw cycle taxis down to the memorial to meet up with them.</p> <p align="justify"><iframe height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ZkZ8wOCaKZ4" frameborder="0" width="640" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify">We called Kim again when we arrived but they were at the Brandenburg Gate and didn't know if they would make it to the memorial, they were literally just around the corner form us! ah well. The memorial is a fascinating maze of huge dark grey concrete blocks, all different heights and sizes, the paths that go through the blocks both east to west and north to south get lower and higher as you walk along them, its a very eerie feeling walking around which i guess is what they wanted to create and they did a good job.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MiTLUSAgmws/UmvS4eGONOI/AAAAAAAAQ08/h2oPXEUvtFw/s1600-h/P1030738%252520%252528Large%252529.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030738 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030738 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PGtEX2E373g/UmvS49h7FPI/AAAAAAAAQ1A/WHlux47SeNY/P1030738%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="273" height="157"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KbjuhX8GlYw/UmvS5ftqpyI/AAAAAAAAQ1I/GXiWce-8dBU/s1600-h/P1030743%252520%252528Large%252529.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030743 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030743 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-in-ubHVJFRA/UmvS5lf517I/AAAAAAAAQ1Q/xeuE9IYCBCc/P1030743%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="93" height="157"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LNQKzmETErY/UmvS6V028RI/AAAAAAAAQ1c/QX2hTrBttps/s1600-h/P1030740%252520%252528Large%252529.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030740 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030740 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QCWSfXz8MxA/UmvS62WZaRI/AAAAAAAAQ1g/xs85uHJHAtE/P1030740%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="91" height="157"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DrnugWQ8CZw/UmvS7Sy-nCI/AAAAAAAAQ1s/VWGPOYcQt1Y/s1600-h/P1030739%252520%252528Large%252529.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030739 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030739 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gA7_TufhRKQ/UmvS7waLtYI/AAAAAAAAQ1w/mSxbxEWEnRM/P1030739%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="273" height="157"></a> </p> <p align="justify">Ole was wandering around too and told us that the anti graffiti coating that was put on the concrete blocks was actually made by the same company that made the gas that was used ….. well i don't have to go into it, you know what it was used for but what a strange fact!</p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify">Kami and i walked back to the train station down past Brandenburg gate and took the train back to the hotel, chilled out for a while before going down to the lobby at around 1:15 to meet everyone else to head out to the pre show meet up.</p> <p align="justify">Wendy was late again! however this time she had an excuse, she had been to the bank across the street and tried to use her ATM card to take out some Euros, unfortunately she hadn't let her bank in the US know she was in Germany and the ATM had eaten her card! (this was the second thing of three to go wrong after smashing her iphone glass last night) We all suggested she went back to the bank to explain and tried to get them to retrieve her card from the machine. The rest of us headed out to take the train.</p> <p align="justify">30 minutes later i had a text from Wendy to say she had no luck getting her card and they had taken a taxi to the Hard Rock and had just arrived. Ole had booked a table for 8 people and i had done the same online a few weeks ago. Frank, Wendy, Anneli, and a few others were already there when we got there and they were a lot more to come! Id been e mailing a reader of my blog called Raphael over the last couple of months, he was due to attend the show with his father, however he wasn't able to make it so had come alone. I’d given him a little information on how and where to meet Roger and the band and he was staying in the same hotel. I was looking forward to meeting him face to face for the first time.</p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify">Jens, Tina, Phil, Laila, Kevin, Philippe, George, Elzira Nick Waterfall and his dad, and lots of others all knew about the meet up, some of the people hadn't seen each other for over ten years! Emil hadn't seen Joe since 2002 and didn't even recognize him when he first saw him!</p> <p align="justify">After eating some lunch and drinking a couple of bottles of wine between us it must have been around 4:30 when the doors opened and everyone else flooded in. They had all been at Roger hotel and got things signed and pictures take. </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-M0w9J5gKOuk/UmvS8dyiwPI/AAAAAAAAQ18/CvSGgAsBml0/s1600-h/1185970_10201824813043753_908150485_n.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="1185970_10201824813043753_908150485_n" border="0" alt="1185970_10201824813043753_908150485_n" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NS_oYjly4d8/UmvS84pZGfI/AAAAAAAAQ2A/jO0ho8iMC_k/1185970_10201824813043753_908150485_n_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="200" height="202"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fHxW7KaBbNA/UmvS99GE5NI/AAAAAAAAQ2M/1vNjgq53gfw/s1600-h/1236346_10201809230014187_271073337_n.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="1236346_10201809230014187_271073337_n" border="0" alt="1236346_10201809230014187_271073337_n" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mitrf8631UA/UmvS-suPXnI/AAAAAAAAQ2Q/W_cyUIX_-hk/1236346_10201809230014187_271073337_n_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="266" height="202"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VtJJFRlBwXg/UmvS_ifPWWI/AAAAAAAAQ2c/aK2Qu4L6RT8/s1600-h/1236681_10201824815043803_2129180601_n.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="1236681_10201824815043803_2129180601_n" border="0" alt="1236681_10201824815043803_2129180601_n" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DMGwi8-vdEs/UmvTADFN6fI/AAAAAAAAQ2g/N3tft13ia6w/1236681_10201824815043803_2129180601_n_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="142" height="202"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AGyhfHKgVGc/UmvTAlyp1NI/AAAAAAAAQ2s/MxN4nsdV4g0/s1600-h/1011649_10201824812163731_2023867950_n.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="1011649_10201824812163731_2023867950_n" border="0" alt="1011649_10201824812163731_2023867950_n" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PRzBYdG4nXk/UmvTBAjcaNI/AAAAAAAAQ2w/V4zFQ0Qscq0/1011649_10201824812163731_2023867950_n_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="122" height="206"></a> </p> <p align="justify">This was probably one of the largest meet ups of us all seeing each other again since the meet up at JJ Moons at Wembley show in 2002!</p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_n3hxbkcalU/UmvTB93WoWI/AAAAAAAAQ28/3WrU4XYeBOs/s1600-h/P1030758%252520%252528Large%252529.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030758 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030758 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DFRyI4wkhDQ/UmvTCulCzUI/AAAAAAAAQ3A/kjNuyjm_xR0/P1030758%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fduDh-8Rmi0/UmvTDvopWEI/AAAAAAAAQ3M/Jc58f7_Psnw/s1600-h/P1030755%252520%252528Large%252529.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030755 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030755 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MBgvUyHzWG4/UmvTErRsItI/AAAAAAAAQ3U/KU4WsHdDALI/P1030755%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MIGA9mBNQow/UmvTFUojo_I/AAAAAAAAQ3c/PqET3TAVFps/s1600-h/P1030756%252520%252528Large%252529.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030756 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030756 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OfHE_tR8gpE/UmvTGGIyAHI/AAAAAAAAQ3g/u7P_aMrk2NA/P1030756%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify">Raphael IS Spartacus!! Was great to finally meet you! Chris and Roger, or is it Roger and Chris!</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pA_oJE2nAjI/UmvTI8tDT5I/AAAAAAAAQ3s/G1hmvw9he_I/s1600-h/P1030762%252520%252528Large%252529.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030762 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030762 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qpxQt3iI7_I/UmvTJTzmOUI/AAAAAAAAQ3w/o4pKmbJoIeY/P1030762%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="266" height="152"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HAz4as5uArA/UmvTKuW31TI/AAAAAAAAQ38/w3ZVljz6T6o/s1600-h/1239989_10201824787603117_1858890012_n.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="1239989_10201824787603117_1858890012_n" border="0" alt="1239989_10201824787603117_1858890012_n" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0mXQsR7axP8/UmvTLMFMtHI/AAAAAAAAQ4A/kuXL-Sb4Wu8/1239989_10201824787603117_1858890012_n_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="197" height="152"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-y0bUISGOtFc/UmvTLpi0FzI/AAAAAAAAQ4M/Y-8sF03_vzQ/s1600-h/P1030759%252520%252528Large%252529.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030759 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030759 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-J4XTxXon3Ds/UmvTMpgzRII/AAAAAAAAQ4U/ZgPoDVdno-c/P1030759%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="266" height="152"></a> </p> <p align="justify">Beth and Jens Beth, Jens, Tine,Kevin,Kami and her meddle!</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9kJE1JYGcrw/UmvTNcVFADI/AAAAAAAAQ4c/n6AFRz5hgN0/s1600-h/P1030775%252520%252528Large%252529.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030775 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030775 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WWvUnm7a6as/UmvTOeRqZtI/AAAAAAAAQ4g/I-sdkwm3M8c/P1030775%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="256" height="148"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PIy5xINsi1c/UmvTPKoxsHI/AAAAAAAAQ4s/G3cq2_nT6S0/s1600-h/P1030783%252520%252528Large%252529.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030783 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030783 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JmKPbupyHYo/UmvTPrz4DFI/AAAAAAAAQ4w/Xv4Pt0bW9nc/P1030783%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="259" height="148"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KcbA5thECzI/UmvTTM-UUII/AAAAAAAAQ48/YI4BgeBRXdQ/s1600-h/P1030799%252520%252528Large%252529.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030799 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030799 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-s7bodhWgNqg/UmvTTuR7F_I/AAAAAAAAQ5A/iepZsDX3Iko/P1030799%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="217" height="148"></a> </p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4iVSA1HjPZg/UmvTU2MZhVI/AAAAAAAAQ5M/8hnxVgGq1Ac/s1600-h/P1030793%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030793 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030793 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yD7rjdkaKw4/UmvTWxhCFaI/AAAAAAAAQ5U/0L0yh037HfE/P1030793%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="745" height="423"></a> </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JYqqBDvPle4/UmvTaAL5vII/AAAAAAAAQ5c/Oexis6WaDBY/s1600-h/P1030801%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030801 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030801 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7u29qsm68Yk/UmvTbKDWQ-I/AAAAAAAAQ5k/0wCSb9dyVlg/P1030801%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="745" height="423"></a> </p> <p align="justify">Around 5:00pm we all headed towards the subway to take the train to the venue, it was a 20 minute ride and as there were so many of us it was inevitable some of us would get split up, we “lost” Kim and Joe which was now a normal occurrence and after Mark and i walking the streets and platforms for 30 minutes we found out they were on a train to the venue ahead of us!</p> <p align="justify">Tonight's venue was an outdoor stadium, but not just ANY outdoor stadium, it was the Berlin Olympic stadium built for the 1936 summer Olympics. During Rogers show when the 3D columns are projected during the second half of the show, this is the venue that those columns were copied from!</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Azqtem_YmRw/UmvTb450dMI/AAAAAAAAQ5s/BgqiBIHP9yY/s1600-h/P1030822%252520%252528Large%252529.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030822 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030822 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ayQF2ycynmk/UmvTcpEI4CI/AAAAAAAAQ5w/piV7rg9XhkU/P1030822%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eVbZ7jaH7pA/UmvTeT6oL2I/AAAAAAAAQ58/xLPLEJTHvs4/s1600-h/P1030820%252520%252528Large%252529.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030820 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030820 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-axNa5edq5l4/UmvTe9VG70I/AAAAAAAAQ6A/VCcHRTG-jVI/P1030820%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-it8ONmHUPgk/UmvTfydiFUI/AAAAAAAAQ6M/Ga1f4loBTyQ/s1600-h/P1030821%252520%252528Large%252529.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030821 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030821 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RBfQPu8SXaQ/UmvTgK63i0I/AAAAAAAAQ6Q/wMnj-fFHf2s/P1030821%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify">The stadium was pretty impressive from the inside. </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rRlRHbFYtzI/UmvThKuZTdI/AAAAAAAAQ6c/lTS8oG66St8/s1600-h/P1030823%252520%252528Large%252529.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030823 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030823 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vQym34O8Tro/UmvThmeNKQI/AAAAAAAAQ6g/9K5gLhHkSCc/P1030823%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-O7GmIxJGI8A/UmvTiozM90I/AAAAAAAAQ6s/6g5WOZloCCE/s1600-h/P1030829%252520%252528Large%252529.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030829 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030829 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oveiTp5KphA/UmvTjM1JTYI/AAAAAAAAQ6w/R5vZ8Zz7VTE/P1030829%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--g9C5_Kjy14/UmvTkRI6TrI/AAAAAAAAQ68/6-gZo-clAtY/s1600-h/P1030831%252520%252528Large%252529.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030831 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030831 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HlFIGAmQX4c/UmvTkhRzhWI/AAAAAAAAQ7A/TTk1joGKnOc/P1030831%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify">Everyone was in different seats at tonight's show, however, Mark, Beth,Kim, Joe, Kami and myself were all in the 9th row dead centre on the aisle, Ole and Stuart were a couple of rows in front of us and Matt and Phil were a few rows behind.</p> <p align="justify">I met up with a few friends inside the venue, Matt Johns and his friend had flown over from the UK to see the show, i also had a chat with my friend Thomas Mueller who i hadn't seen for a while. Its just shame we all don't get more time to chat before the shows! pat Lennon came out to see Mark and Beth as they hadn't met since the shows in Australia last year. Wendy and Chris had hospitality passes for tonight and Dave K was giving them a stage tour for the first time.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-O8OfHycv6Q4/UmvTldGR9_I/AAAAAAAAQ7M/mwlJ7awd8po/s1600-h/P1030835%252520%252528Large%252529.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030835 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030835 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aIy8PTkhZ1g/UmvTl_arXNI/AAAAAAAAQ7Q/RdHKDHq7E_o/P1030835%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bBWtBsM1v4g/UmvTmUXNMMI/AAAAAAAAQ7c/htwMe8ZuCtk/s1600-h/P1030836%252520%252528Large%252529.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030836 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030836 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FuWCbTHE398/UmvTmzecUpI/AAAAAAAAQ7g/kqI8skGmdhY/P1030836%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-b5VyJCOzBqo/UmvTouyDvgI/AAAAAAAAQ7s/SaKuChipFj0/s1600-h/P1030837%252520%252528Large%252529.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030837 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030837 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YxvGH_vmiuQ/UmvTpCFBp3I/AAAAAAAAQ7w/vkWOv6pQRXw/P1030837%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify">Dave teaching Wendy how to play the guitar, she plays it about as well as she sings! NOT good!</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lC1D_VNmpNQ/UmvTrN_D8iI/AAAAAAAAQ78/LrmCgvWxXYg/s1600-h/1185955_10201244347804548_1186869871_n.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="1185955_10201244347804548_1186869871_n" border="0" alt="1185955_10201244347804548_1186869871_n" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-i4OvFwbTi3E/UmvTrqOxtEI/AAAAAAAAQ8A/O_1S-P-KNpA/1185955_10201244347804548_1186869871_n_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ErYuw9WlX4c/UmvTtitHtwI/AAAAAAAAQ8M/t_rDgPUljq4/s1600-h/1234930_10201244357044779_1509621522_n.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="1234930_10201244357044779_1509621522_n" border="0" alt="1234930_10201244357044779_1509621522_n" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UvdLhffsFF8/UmvTuCxGXNI/AAAAAAAAQ8Q/_PinZ3jGXbM/1234930_10201244357044779_1509621522_n_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2mF6KjakDFc/UmvTv0G8bpI/AAAAAAAAQ8c/4lWbmJ6horE/s1600-h/1238054_10201244349164582_1624807644_n.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="1238054_10201244349164582_1624807644_n" border="0" alt="1238054_10201244349164582_1624807644_n" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-psit5yCCeDo/UmvTwtIiIXI/AAAAAAAAQ8k/n-YNBdKgZyA/1238054_10201244349164582_1624807644_n_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vEPrboi9oxE/UmvTx-zmc0I/AAAAAAAAQ8s/bK-gSdQUycA/s1600-h/1255172_10201244353324686_283733780_n.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="1255172_10201244353324686_283733780_n" border="0" alt="1255172_10201244353324686_283733780_n" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wIxLo-oraCM/UmvTybMWCQI/AAAAAAAAQ8w/q5Iu1MUAlEE/1255172_10201244353324686_283733780_n_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> </p> <p align="justify">Wendy and Chris were sat in where Hitler sat! i kid you not! Although the stadium has had a new roof and being refurbished the exact same box and seats where Hitler sat in the stadium were now occupied by Wendy and Chris! They did have a great view of the venue and the gig but were not with any friends as they were elevated up off the floor to the left away from the floor area.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eI1uYuTd8Vk/UmvTzNW6_-I/AAAAAAAAQ88/vZIuIejRUiU/s1600-h/1208750_10201244361524891_1338991003_n.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="1208750_10201244361524891_1338991003_n" border="0" alt="1208750_10201244361524891_1338991003_n" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BNBqsGSqNmE/UmvTzoS3xuI/AAAAAAAAQ9A/5UrQl1p22wc/1208750_10201244361524891_1338991003_n_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7nMsVzy7Ohw/UmvUKNpNABI/AAAAAAAAQ9M/PQ1VK_-CXgI/s1600-h/1233993_10201244362564917_1326677673_n.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="1233993_10201244362564917_1326677673_n" border="0" alt="1233993_10201244362564917_1326677673_n" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_vQMEbd1wfQ/UmvUKgQT0lI/AAAAAAAAQ9Q/l_JU1k4lgJk/1233993_10201244362564917_1326677673_n_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-htpg745Ru3I/UmvULvJ7zwI/AAAAAAAAQ9c/C0MPesfp6RY/s1600-h/1185754_10201244363804948_393632061_n.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="1185754_10201244363804948_393632061_n" border="0" alt="1185754_10201244363804948_393632061_n" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--7HLx5LgdnE/UmvUMvYeVkI/AAAAAAAAQ9g/KpeMO6-cjeE/1185754_10201244363804948_393632061_n_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify">The show itself while great was a little subdued, the crowd remained seated for most of the time, only standing during Run Like Hell, Comfy Numb and towards the end of the show. At intermission Kim,went to get some drinks and came back with some soda in a very substantial plastic cup! The cups had a return value of 2 Euros on them! i saw a couple on the floor and picked them up and put them under my seat, hey it was 4 Euros! I also got a text from Wendy at intermission telling me she had fallen and sprained her ankle, she had been so pre occupied with looking at the pig behind the stage while she was walking down the concrete steps that she had totally missed the last step and gone over on her ankle! Dave K tried to get her some ice backstage but apparently its not something they have there!</p> <p align="justify">Good job she didn't miss ALL the steps! Wendy’s foot backstage!</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zM93MMUUNEI/UmvUNtFBUcI/AAAAAAAAQ9s/i2Tv60QQxfY/s1600-h/1176264_10201244340244359_1187645447_n.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="1176264_10201244340244359_1187645447_n" border="0" alt="1176264_10201244340244359_1187645447_n" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-J8Qy2n8zIP4/UmvUN_0D8pI/AAAAAAAAQ9w/eoBEjn4S6Lg/1176264_10201244340244359_1187645447_n_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5o1HXvtislw/UmvUOknGYjI/AAAAAAAAQ98/zOqAP8D9jfI/s1600-h/1237045_10201244341164382_552436177_n.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="1237045_10201244341164382_552436177_n" border="0" alt="1237045_10201244341164382_552436177_n" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-D40IHhJD8Jw/UmvUPIj6WBI/AAAAAAAAQ-A/s6SsVoQ52nk/1237045_10201244341164382_552436177_n_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Yx4tsIKR5us/UmvUPoPFJ4I/AAAAAAAAQ-M/_N4Zcdd1OvE/s1600-h/1234311_10201244340644369_1954546783_n.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="1234311_10201244340644369_1954546783_n" border="0" alt="1234311_10201244340644369_1954546783_n" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--g0UaSgaAtA/UmvUQdeeZ2I/AAAAAAAAQ-U/nOaU27-sfqQ/1234311_10201244340644369_1954546783_n_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-awI5vLGZRZs/UmvUQ2RrFaI/AAAAAAAAQ-c/m_4SPCa7QAs/s1600-h/1176223_10201244370045104_2013381985_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="1176223_10201244370045104_2013381985_n" border="0" alt="1176223_10201244370045104_2013381985_n" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2HVvQB9GAt0/UmvURT0Y_sI/AAAAAAAAQ-g/mRqh-LAfwas/1176223_10201244370045104_2013381985_n_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> </p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify">Second half of the show seemed to be over before it even began! This was the first time Kami, Mark, Beth, Joe and Kim had seen the show in Europe and they were more than impressed with the tweaks that Roger had done. Whilst it wasn't my best show, i enjoyed it because of the company i was in and the people around me. To be really honest i thought the performance was one of the worst ones I'd seen! the band just didn't seem together tonight, everyone seemed a little off and a bit looser than usual but that was just my opinion. I noticed it right form the opening of In The Flesh!</p> <p align="justify">Ole, Kami and I Kim, Stuart, Ole and Kami Kami, myself and Kim at the show</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aZxNNZXbIhQ/UmvUSPV4sJI/AAAAAAAAQ-s/HnPHvkRFzcI/s1600-h/P1030856%252520%252528Large%252529.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030856 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030856 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NXidaKNGxxo/UmvUSqA2SmI/AAAAAAAAQ-w/RJXdSB7BANg/P1030856%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-52TAp8z17eI/UmvUV76tzpI/AAAAAAAAQ-8/CJlpE7K9nKs/s1600-h/P1030854%252520%252528Large%252529.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030854 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030854 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-x9CZX0ku7cU/UmvUWvkMRcI/AAAAAAAAQ_A/w31jd24XqEE/P1030854%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IGOVH764DvA/UmvUhMvsWQI/AAAAAAAAQ_M/UY0op16NU3s/s1600-h/P1030855%252520%252528Large%252529.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030855 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030855 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--7OOx3MijPA/UmvUh-4nSNI/AAAAAAAAQ_Q/-rvEfzz-diQ/P1030855%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify">We hung back in the venue a while to let the masses leave and it was then that i started to notice just how many of those 2 Euro plastic cups were lying around on the floor! they were everywhere,not one to miss the opportunity i started to get a stack of cups going in my hands, running along the aisles between the seats picking one up here, one up there. It wasn't long before i had over twenty in my arms and by the time i got back to the bar area to “cash them in” i had 27 cups, 54 Euros!!</p> <p align="justify">me and my cups! i could see cups on the floor even when walking out of the venue</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JYu3fZtUa00/UmvUi63dM7I/AAAAAAAAQ_c/SEeoDMxo4RU/s1600-h/photo3.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="photo" border="0" alt="photo" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8bGlM4l9pYg/UmvUjfIdc4I/AAAAAAAAQ_g/EROCKCF7xXE/photo_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="154" height="203"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-A2vU-FRCBm-LWVXWQeAg8xTZKRhnhpseQXmf2Y-iahm3OHkH4MP93UkhawpjPyZGQ9MjhH5u85iXV8wkbzPp-JEgysZIOhwT9vRrEkDTdlSBlLXi1u4m4Q2Shl3FpW2OgeFrSdNcj3o0/s1600-h/P1030864%252520%252528Large%252529.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030864 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030864 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cx9A79OpyxU/UmvUlJIozBI/AAAAAAAAQ_0/BcbOIYyCTmI/P1030864%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="353" height="202"></a> </p> <p align="justify">As we exited the venue it was a lot clearer to see the columns around the venue and how they were indeed the ones that the graphics were taken from in the show.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EXQjp0EJOp0/UmvUl7r3ehI/AAAAAAAAQ_8/tZUCzTKsdck/s1600-h/P1030868%252520%252528Large%252529.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030868 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030868 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jU9Nuq0nAvw/UmvUmL-uWBI/AAAAAAAARAA/avOYW8Y_G5I/P1030868%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VxoQDyOTIFg/UmvUpglanhI/AAAAAAAARAM/R02NbGRhDRA/s1600-h/P1030874%252520%252528Large%252529.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030874 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030874 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bt82nKBtVbA/UmvUqLygysI/AAAAAAAARAQ/aHm4vHYWJLI/P1030874%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IMdC3Ads_2o/UmvUrJO4XdI/AAAAAAAARAc/QUfNY4YHfVA/s1600-h/P1030869%252520%252528Large%252529.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030869 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030869 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CQfGmRzD4SU/UmvUrsHkBNI/AAAAAAAARAg/7dlA5qqRmq8/P1030869%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify">Everyone headed towards the train station while Kami and i headed over to another entrance where Wendy and Chris were sitting on a bench waiting for us. This was the first time i saw Wendy’s ankle, OUCH! it didn't look good at all. The of us hobbled to the train station to meet up with Mark and Beth, propping Wendy up on the way and then cooling her ankle with a cold bottle of coke as we waited for the train on the platform.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1nA5V7jwgAw/UmvUsXWrhgI/AAAAAAAARAs/wWPfG1ZjQ30/s1600-h/P1030876%252520%252528Large%252529.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030876 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030876 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iI-Pvqbr4So/UmvUsniSKxI/AAAAAAAARAw/g-WAOpdHIBY/P1030876%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-btqNtYDucG4/UmvUtZvmotI/AAAAAAAARA8/FWwoja8Cd6Y/s1600-h/P1030878%252520%252528Large%252529.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030878 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030878 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Xf54t_bsFo8/UmvUt1PeRKI/AAAAAAAARBA/hJZrzOlhErc/P1030878%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--fqUnB0mmSw/UmvUuRmFX1I/AAAAAAAARBM/7eL5klbeLn0/s1600-h/P1030877%252520%252528Large%252529.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030877 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030877 (Large)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOIQrv16k-o1c6xqcQk0Ne77zav7VYTQWOd7CO4xLXUFVi9KZOHPeBPBxIurxIH141LEdeM6b_HIYFc9mTTIkK8EMMYxk8eg4puxdOYCn95c_W_y7vg9prwwottsO4mSPA6CfSS5YFW9IM/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify">We took the first train that came along, only to find that 20 minutes later it stopped abruptly at a station, the lights went out and there was an announcement over the loudspeaker, i guess it was the end of the line for this train We “hopped” off and waited another 25 minutes for the next train which took us right back to Alexanderplatz where we walked back to the hotel, had a couple of drinks in the bar and then all headed to our rooms.</p> <p align="justify">The geek squad at it again!</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oHnsu0JhS9o/UmvUvTuxwNI/AAAAAAAARBc/uAXZYEyH-Qw/s1600-h/P1030884%252520%252528Large%252529.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030884 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030884 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Qm8NwVToG0A/UmvUvzmiolI/AAAAAAAARBg/6koRwoIn-1E/P1030884%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OeWYUFYX9UM/UmvUwsb56cI/AAAAAAAARBs/G4-fuW_EBKs/s1600-h/P1030882%252520%252528Large%252529.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030882 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030882 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WP03QbQ0QYc/UmvUw0h9GTI/AAAAAAAARBw/EfBtNE3hGdc/P1030882%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="318" height="240"></a></p> <p>Berlin day 4 pictures album:</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:eae608f4-eff6-4c52-b7cb-b46064a4285d" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><a style="border:0px" href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=d78b5197f3871614&page=browse&resid=D78B5197F3871614!19678&parid=D78B5197F3871614!117&type=5"><img style="border:0px" alt="View Berlin day 4" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qEiv6_eMV4g/UmvUxfjZG9I/AAAAAAAARB8/dW4hQaWdjU0/InlineRepresentation973585ee-00c8-4e64-858e-ccc9b4f5f6fe%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a><div style="width:743px;text-align:right;" ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=d78b5197f3871614&page=browse&resid=D78B5197F3871614!19678&parid=D78B5197F3871614!117&type=5">View Full Album</a></div></div> <p>Berlin show and pre show pictures album:</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:c49eea05-794f-4e3b-b409-acb9ce3443fa" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><a style="border:0px" href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=d78b5197f3871614&page=browse&resid=D78B5197F3871614!20093&parid=D78B5197F3871614!117&type=5"><img style="border:0px" alt="View Berlin show day" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zfhNSMAwCM0/UmvUxw167DI/AAAAAAAARCA/Q_VgrhHlDrE/InlineRepresentationddf4f659-f309-4348-9f0d-c7527e3b22ba%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a><div style="width:736px;text-align:right;" ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=d78b5197f3871614&page=browse&resid=D78B5197F3871614!20093&parid=D78B5197F3871614!117&type=5">View Full Album</a></div></div> <p> </p> <p>Wendys backstage and show pictures album:</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:90dbc140-26b6-4f85-b4b6-b9daef87276c" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><a style="border:0px" href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=d78b5197f3871614&page=browse&resid=D78B5197F3871614!20193&parid=D78B5197F3871614!117&type=5"><img style="border:0px" alt="View Wendys show pictures" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1EBrKotGug0/UmvUy7RCtsI/AAAAAAAARCI/V9-leHLObig/InlineRepresentation2d4beb7c-b892-4d60-96ab-45b063677170%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a><div style="width:731px;text-align:right;" ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=d78b5197f3871614&page=browse&resid=D78B5197F3871614!20193&parid=D78B5197F3871614!117&type=5">View Full Album</a></div></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205669373504703653.post-37256737723092700372013-10-20T21:14:00.001+01:002013-10-20T21:14:30.770+01:00Dublin….I was flying out to Dublin at 3:30pm so took the train to Manchester airport and arrived at about 1pm. Dora was flying back to Hawaii this morning from Manchester but her flight left at 7am so i wouldn't see her.Frank was flying back to Arizona but John was booked on the same flight as me for Paris so i met up with him in the departure lounge at the airport. <p></p> <p align="justify">Ole, John and i were sharing a room in Dublin, Ole arrived earlier than us in the morning, had checked in and was waiting for us at the hotel. Philippe and Bluenose were due in later that evening too. “The Brazilians” were all flying over but i wasn't sure what time.</p> <p align="justify">Ole and i took a cab from Dublin airport to our hotel. I had been telling John for a while just how friendly the Irish people are and how funny they are! the cab driver did not disappoint on the ride in to the hotel, telling us how “feckin” crazy we were for following the shows and telling me i cant have been born in Birmingham for reasons i cant repeat on here! I’m not sure what was funnier the cab driver telling the jokes or watching Johns face when he tried to understand the Irish accent!</p> <p align="justify">Thirty (Tirty, as the Irish would say) minutes later and 20 Euros shorter we were at the Wynns hotel in the centre of Dublin. The weather wasn't great at all, pissing down with rain but that didn't stop Ole, John and i heading out to the temple Bar area of Dublin for something to eat and drink.</p> <p align="justify">We had a drink in a couple of bars and then had a meal in the temple bar area and were back a the hotel for well before midnight.</p> <p align="justify"> </p> <h3 align="justify"></h3> <h3 align="justify">Day 2.</h3> <p align="justify">Bluenose and Philippe arrived around 10am, the five of us headed out for an Irish breakfast, John and i went back to our room to chill out for the morning. John and i were sharing a room in Paris and i still hadn't booked us a hotel, we only had tonight here and then it was off to Paris tomorrow so i spent a couple of hours online researching hotels. Ole, Philippe and Bluenose went off for a look around Dublin, 5 minutes later there's a picture on Facebook of Bluenose drinking a pint of Guinness! guess they didn't get far until nature called!</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-P-rjFK0Ih1Q/UmQ5LMHyZNI/AAAAAAAAQsc/jlKWgDXlQ6c/s1600-h/P1050528Large2.jpg"><img title="P1050528 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050528 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vMXefEPve3w/UmQ5LvpwPOI/AAAAAAAAQsg/fGNj5iegMik/P1050528Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Bp5daruVXH4/UmQ5MYt3JCI/AAAAAAAAQss/GGl0rpe1GvI/s1600-h/P1050531Large2.jpg"><img title="P1050531 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050531 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-D9FAHj4dSYk/UmQ5NO0ogVI/AAAAAAAAQs0/HtroTLHUYSA/P1050531Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ExtX9Xy7Hh4/UmQ5N8rY2NI/AAAAAAAAQs8/zFr5BSzKcuo/s1600-h/1238098_10153291855250022_1044192269%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="1238098_10153291855250022_1044192269_n" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="1238098_10153291855250022_1044192269_n" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mQd7fkXoo1o/UmQ5Of4KNKI/AAAAAAAAQtA/LOIpq1Fq2Yg/1238098_10153291855250022_1044192269.jpg?imgmax=800" width="321" height="242"></a> </p> <p align="justify">I was really struggling to find a decent hotel in Paris at a decent price, there's no shortage of hotels in Paris but its like they have all clubbed together and said “ right, we are not going to charge any less than X amount, lets all agree and amount and stick to it” and unfortunately that X amount is not cheap!</p> <p align="justify">The guys had decided to go meet Roger and the band outside the hotel when they left for the venue. The band were leaving at 3ish but Roger sometimes leaves earlier or later so they headed out there at 2ish and sat in a bar for a couple of hours. i went for a wander around Dublin and had a break from hotel searching.</p> <p align="justify">Girls, arse, drink! Must have in Dublin A Norwegian leprechaun! Right colour but he doesn't drink!</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XB7U3OPvuRI/UmQ5PGHFGPI/AAAAAAAAQtM/mkphBWy75vI/s1600-h/601546_525479707530689_1634514564_n%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="601546_525479707530689_1634514564_n" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="601546_525479707530689_1634514564_n" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bFElqTuaXD8/UmQ5PhGCpZI/AAAAAAAAQtU/cnR4eT5iRPY/601546_525479707530689_1634514564_n_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9gVMaCHdogM/UmQ5Qc-5BmI/AAAAAAAAQtc/VPdIYUPpl-Y/s1600-h/1234137_525518447526815_245343583_n%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="1234137_525518447526815_245343583_n" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="1234137_525518447526815_245343583_n" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oz9C3-43C9E/UmQ5Q0yNDfI/AAAAAAAAQtg/QgYkSAWoKCo/1234137_525518447526815_245343583_n_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AYRVx2sPECQ/UmQ5Ra0WkzI/AAAAAAAAQts/2yG2cNRNSXU/s1600-h/1236338_525479197530740_1039250746_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="1236338_525479197530740_1039250746_n" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="1236338_525479197530740_1039250746_n" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kwnQlY9kp0E/UmQ5R99tkLI/AAAAAAAAQtw/dhRxuz4yg1o/1236338_525479197530740_1039250746_n_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ytuHRQ022sw/UmQ5SW2-mHI/AAAAAAAAQt8/3hOqSmbVZUA/s1600-h/1230039_525178567560803_1607788448_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="1230039_525178567560803_1607788448_n" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="1230039_525178567560803_1607788448_n" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HATq-0vCxls/UmQ5S1OzOxI/AAAAAAAAQuA/dfTZYg94_1I/1230039_525178567560803_1607788448_n_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> </p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify">After spending another hour online John and i had a hotel room in Paris, the guys had just messaged to say they were on their way back to the hotel in a cab. they had all managed to get their albums, CD’s etc signed by Roger and the band and were all happy faces! Ole got his Animals Vinyl album cover signed to go along with his signed wall album that he has.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Qmn44_6tBsI/UmQ5Tr-gWtI/AAAAAAAAQuM/d36uBOqaPCE/s1600-h/aaaa%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="aaaa" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="aaaa" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MkTXx5rzvdc/UmQ5UKG-ESI/AAAAAAAAQuQ/h5H5fSjb-4c/aaaa_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="115" height="151"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PlMaBCRV0NY/UmQ5U3BM4dI/AAAAAAAAQuc/w-w3CeLa-7g/s1600-h/bilde%2525203jjj.jpg"><img title="bilde 3jjj" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="bilde 3jjj" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VyUhnpVgWpo/UmQ5VU-C60I/AAAAAAAAQug/Prn34iK4Wws/bilde%2525203jjj_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="200" height="151"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-A2loYksphNk/UmQ5V9d3D3I/AAAAAAAAQus/9O9zp2A9Lns/s1600-h/bilde%2525201.jpg"><img title="bilde 1" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="bilde 1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-40wTku_NDMQ/UmQ5WTo2lPI/AAAAAAAAQuw/XgY_g3D7Ym8/bilde%2525201_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="198" height="151"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-h7RM28Px8Ec/UmQ5W2V-e7I/AAAAAAAAQu8/7du2bCIA9ao/s1600-h/bilde%2525202.jpg"><img title="bilde 2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="bilde 2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LOrZHD5csl8/UmQ5XayAyhI/AAAAAAAAQvA/r_S6rvm-Fe8/bilde%2525202_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="198" height="151"></a> </p> <p align="justify">Id arranged a pre show meet up at a bar near the venue, we took a taxi to the bar, wasn't far, maybe 10 minutes, but once again the cab driver was a comedian and had us all in fits of laugher all the way to the there. </p> <p align="justify">Maria Helen Greve was at the bar along with her sister and mum and dad whom I’d met before at a few shows, i had a chat with them an then headed in the pub. Bluenose is a die hard Everton supporter and wont even entertain wearing anything red at all! Ole really stitched him up though by secretly pinning a Liverpool Football club pin/dagne on his jacket without him knowing in the bar and all credit to him, he didn't take it off and I'm not sure he has still removed it to this day!</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Q7tOzCkvKcM/UmQ5X_Uj7aI/AAAAAAAAQvI/2zUUA5__DmI/s1600-h/P1050538%252520%252528Large%252529.jpg"><img title="P1050538 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050538 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-c6zqmNsXT5c/UmQ5YVN5AqI/AAAAAAAAQvQ/6nckdVCXFKc/P1050538%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CARPp-3iFNw/UmQ5ZGkInsI/AAAAAAAAQvc/9Aerj6sA58c/s1600-h/P1050540%252520%252528Large%252529.jpg"><img title="P1050540 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050540 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7Lym5R0NiiA/UmQ5ZjatiCI/AAAAAAAAQvg/gIxrpuLGaJA/P1050540%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-28HCClDQihs/UmQ5aN7lpgI/AAAAAAAAQvs/9VjjO_C-9lE/s1600-h/P1050539%252520%252528Large%252529.jpg"><img title="P1050539 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050539 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-R7oDCGV3ZSg/UmQ5areVprI/AAAAAAAAQvw/0kggvduCO98/P1050539%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> </p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify">None of us had eaten and most of us had tickets to pick up so we didn't have long at all in the bar.It was a seated venue tonight and everyone was spread around in different places but we were all around the first 5 rows.</p> <p align="justify">The venue looked HUGE from the outside and as i walked in i entered in the rear right at the back on the first level seating area. It looked equally as big from the inside as it did from the outside. it was a strange roof and had like a wave shape all the way around.</p> <p align="justify">View from the back</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://s19.photobucket.com/user/simonwim/media/Panoramas/Dublinpanorama2small.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img title="Dublin panorama 2 small" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Dublin panorama 2 small" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jNhQuRk-JdM/UmQ5bGVWKYI/AAAAAAAAQv8/pk9mcEV_4wE/Dublinpanorama2small9.jpg?imgmax=800" width="767" height="261"></a> </p> <p align="justify">View from the front</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://s19.photobucket.com/user/simonwim/media/Panoramas/Dublinpanorama1small.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img title="Dublin panorama 1 small" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Dublin panorama 1 small" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Uzv1BbVF3c8/UmQ5b55UbmI/AAAAAAAAQwE/rQHFAekX0Ic/Dublinpanorama1small7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="766" height="237"></a> </p> <p align="justify">We met a wonderful couple (Dominic and his wife) from New Jersey who had flow in from Mexico for the show! They had just got married in Mexico an this was their honeymoon! They couldn't believe that there were people like Ole, myself, Bluenose etc that followed Roger around the world. Dominic was a big fan and had always said if he had the money and the time he would love to follow Roger around the world, so when he met us guys he really admired what we do.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-z9LhrYiaKMc/UmQ5cZFWf-I/AAAAAAAAQwM/Z1g46O63Ewk/s1600-h/P1050560%252520%252528Large%252529.jpg"><img title="P1050560 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050560 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Xu8vSeJwTtk/UmQ5cwlhCFI/AAAAAAAAQwQ/avdLZ7q12fM/P1050560%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-knP47yEnHhc/UmQ5dtWLwWI/AAAAAAAAQwc/HegR2Jzc4ac/s1600-h/P1050561%252520%252528Large%252529.jpg"><img title="P1050561 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050561 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oPaLKcz4ZpA/UmQ5eZE62FI/AAAAAAAAQwg/94HOISod4Y0/P1050561%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lIwAZpnamVk/UmQ5fOwneSI/AAAAAAAAQws/poY-_VHOEnk/s1600-h/P1050562%252520%252528Large%252529.jpg"><img title="P1050562 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050562 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lTkYIvhwr2A/UmQ5fp_qTQI/AAAAAAAAQww/X28WQtV9Aec/P1050562%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p align="justify">The weather was just right tonight, there was a slight chill in the air but the rain had stayed away and it did drop dark pretty quick due to it being overcast and cloudy. The crowd were already sounding great before the show had started! you could really feel the atmosphere here tonight and the build up and suspense was really present. I was sat front row slightly to the left, John was sat over to the right, the couple from New Jersey were front row left and Bluenose was 2nd row right behind me. I didn't take many pictures at the show as i really wanted to enjoy the last couple of gigs and not have many distractions, however the pictures that i did take came out really well.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7bqMbc6EV1Y/UmQ5gBrk5SI/AAAAAAAAQw8/pSygt9qOhWQ/s1600-h/P1050571%252520%252528Large%252529.jpg"><img title="P1050571 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050571 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-h1fDIDKw63U/UmQ5gzObU9I/AAAAAAAAQxA/b_fN8ug_ZPI/P1050571%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gKnIHC4Jmsg/UmQ5hZB4q-I/AAAAAAAAQxM/4lsh8QYAkVg/s1600-h/P1050575%252520%252528Large%252529.jpg"><img title="P1050575 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050575 (Large)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc5U9OOMF4xVDn9Xk0Bjc6txb2YnpsQYUK3rcVjpuMrhyoYOc2qCdheT6ZC_fWJ0AjsDps1LFMWjtIv-nskT_-F_X5KY55d7FQBVA-7jT4FvHn9GfHTK8ZkeL5TpwM19M44ymY5_MxNBvX/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3mLXPKLB-BY/UmQ5iWT9yvI/AAAAAAAAQxc/BpapdTaZBy0/s1600-h/P1050580%252520%252528Large%252529.jpg"><img title="P1050580 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050580 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Yx82vktJlNc/UmQ5i4b0JjI/AAAAAAAAQxg/qWerSoCB86I/P1050580%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a></p> <p align="justify">The show itself was another great show, the crowd were fantastic, very vocal and the opening to In The Flesh was probably one of the best I've ever seen, the plane was dead time on the pyros were amazing and just seemed to go on and on and on!</p><iframe height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/tYsVu_MCur8" frameborder="0" width="640" allowfullscreen></iframe> <p align="justify">One thing I'd noticed at several of the outdoor shows last year and this was a graphic that comes on each end of the wall during Waiting For The Worms, its only appeared at certain venues and there doesn't seem to be any pattern to it at all and the images are only on for no more than a second at the most. There's been some shows where its appeared and id forgotten about it and others where I've waited with my camera and it hasn't appeared at all!! With only two shows left of the tour i waited in anticipation with my camera focused on the left had end of the wall, knowing the exact moment it appears i was ready and waiting for it 30 seconds before hand and sure enough tonight was my lucky night and i clicked immediately as i saw it appear.</p> <p align="justify">The image below is what's show on the left side of the wall, its a huge TRUST US with what looks like some hand writing across the bottom of it.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-p_W_oy_KqAI/UmQ5jeB8igI/AAAAAAAAQxs/oPx7EKXXXUo/s1600-h/P1050596%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050596 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050596 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tB5u8vcRg2c/UmQ5kDozFwI/AAAAAAAAQxw/wyk2BKdQIVc/P1050596%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="553" height="362"></a> </p> <p align="justify">Not being able to get a picture of the right side at the same time, my friend Martin has kindly sent me the image below.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FCxDV8mRf-U/UmQ5kopgusI/AAAAAAAAQx8/wA5mHxoDB2g/s1600-h/1374933_10201214315539103_1449745521_n%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="1374933_10201214315539103_1449745521_n" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="1374933_10201214315539103_1449745521_n" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YajJ4Wp5O8s/UmQ5lf11URI/AAAAAAAAQyA/H4XowIBVu34/1374933_10201214315539103_1449745521_n_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="557" height="264"></a> </p> <p align="justify">And both of the images togther</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-daahXSLpKtM/UmQ5l_EDIrI/AAAAAAAAQyM/XB_gQ9NYb9o/s1600-h/1186264_10201214293498552_1746278284_n%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="1186264_10201214293498552_1746278284_n" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="1186264_10201214293498552_1746278284_n" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-N-aMtmQNpzI/UmQ5mS8QbgI/AAAAAAAAQyQ/y2ICUn58D2M/1186264_10201214293498552_1746278284_n_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="558" height="329"></a> </p> <p align="justify">After a little investigation and some help from Martin, the image below is what's on the right side of the wall:</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZOElKFOi-PQ/UmQ5nL1cnKI/AAAAAAAAQyc/Y41GaFnF2L0/s1600-h/1391627_10201214308018915_1591445912_n%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="1391627_10201214308018915_1591445912_n" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="1391627_10201214308018915_1591445912_n" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FZtVYzTB-Jk/UmQ5nsvEqEI/AAAAAAAAQyg/ijrwlzVxsmQ/1391627_10201214308018915_1591445912_n_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="326" height="319"></a> </p> <p align="justify">Watch the video below at 1 minute 3 seconds for the projected image from the Paris show</p><iframe height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/T6WhmqTZMSs" frameborder="0" width="420" allowfullscreen></iframe> <p align="justify"> <p align="justify">Here's what Martin had to say “I know the poster for this Jane Russell movie is tame by today's standards, but at the time, the focus on her ample bosom got people in a tizzy. The real story behind this controversy is that the film's director, Howard Hughes, was having a bitch of a time getting the movie released, so he stirred up controversy with this poster in order to incite audience interest. But what's the connection with 'The Wall'?” Martin also said “as far as I know, it appeared in Rome, Padova, Sofia, Zürich, London and Paris..”</p> <p align="justify">Anyone any ideas the relationship between it and the wall ? I’d be interested to see what the hand writing on the left said says too if anyone has a good picture of it.</p> <p align="justify">I couldn't help but think that this was the next to last show and in 3 days time the whole tour would come to an end! if tonight's show had been the last one i would have been more than happy, it was a great show and certainly one I'll never forget</p> <p align="justify">Best picture of the Dublin trip goes to this one! John who doesn't drink!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0lYTH3ouG6w/UmQ5oLYX2_I/AAAAAAAAQyo/xESkeVA0fNY/s1600-h/bilde3.jpg"><img title="bilde" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="bilde" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv8Wkgi9qwCyOg3nbonZcvK7597qHTsMXU1BIR_WmqSs-f3x25t9sn2RY7_24tG5oxzGqMggTMzOScxmp2hCxslHsJ34tMw59LVcrBSQzt6fMoo84wy8mzVj6rvMzj5qMLLsKmVz37fO09/?imgmax=800" width="461" height="348"></a></p> <p>Full album of pictures from Dublin:</p> <div id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:f7d8064b-fd36-4896-af9c-7e4858f55655" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px"><a style="border:0px" href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=d78b5197f3871614&page=browse&resid=D78B5197F3871614!20010&parid=D78B5197F3871614!117&type=5"><img style="border:0px" alt="View Dublin show 2013" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kXurhHK6I9M/UmQ5pBkiaCI/AAAAAAAAQy4/qjtxRtNm6jo/InlineRepresentationa659f08f-1888-4d18-aee4-8dd923f5d771%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a><div style="width:654px;text-align:right;" ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=d78b5197f3871614&page=browse&resid=D78B5197F3871614!20010&parid=D78B5197F3871614!117&type=5">View Full Album</a></div></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205669373504703653.post-85405638556517041792013-10-05T15:03:00.001+01:002013-10-05T15:04:35.018+01:00Berlin day 3….<p align="justify">So i woke this morning to a couple of e mails from friends to say that Roger would be at the East Side Gallery at 2pm this afternoon. This is the area that we walked yesterday with the murals along the old Berlin wall. We arranged to meet Wendy and Chris and Ole there around 2pm </p> <p align="justify">Today was the second day of our sightseeing bus tour, we decided to do a couple of the museums, Brandenburg gate and then head over to the East Side Gallery to see Roger. We took the bus a few stops from outside our hotel and got off at the stop for the Egyptian museum and the Pergamum.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vn95eY4-FwY/UlAaqN-p3ZI/AAAAAAAAQbo/ysTogiYIpVQ/s1600-h/P1030440%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030440 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030440 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OfjoaZskEeQ/UlAaqbn90MI/AAAAAAAAQbs/Rfim733fGdQ/P1030440%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-b5Yj3ITRsKM/UlAarDtIDiI/AAAAAAAAQb4/lsZUfG-QsOo/s1600-h/P1030446%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030446 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030446 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jxaDqocM9n4/UlAarjLzi7I/AAAAAAAAQb8/GKe1DBjCTck/P1030446%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cykYS6aLRIw/UlAasIBRVBI/AAAAAAAAQcI/2yVw-ihsJqA/s1600-h/P1030438%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030438 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030438 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XlaQutLzodA/UlAaskNE-EI/AAAAAAAAQcM/-g_EqNZ4XQo/P1030438%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify">Took us a couple of hours to see both and that was kind of rushing around and not seeing every floor, the highlights been seeing the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pergamon_Altar" target="_blank">Pergamon Altar</a>, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elgin_marbles" target="_blank">Elgin Marbles</a> and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nefertiti_bust" target="_blank">Nefertiti Bust</a></p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qHyDdkYLXwM/UlAatbyg3SI/AAAAAAAAQcY/_B_3kz_EyjE/s1600-h/Berlin_-_Pergamonmuseum_-_Altar_01%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Berlin_-_Pergamonmuseum_-_Altar_01" border="0" alt="Berlin_-_Pergamonmuseum_-_Altar_01" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AEILvw-sMZk/UlAat2cNqJI/AAAAAAAAQcg/LaQoimWb0tY/Berlin_-_Pergamonmuseum_-_Altar_01_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="752" height="236"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CZqpTzQucsw/UlAaui-4hTI/AAAAAAAAQco/hPF-BL97vzc/s1600-h/P1030514%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030514 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030514 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kb9GY4P8H2A/UlAau4wq3PI/AAAAAAAAQcs/vgrdTLOsuu4/P1030514%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="185"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Wb5-Feg_bfg/UlAawrYfJWI/AAAAAAAAQc4/cRuXrivmGGM/s1600-h/P1030511%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030511 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030511 (Large)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNo5QgW65qZ7rAs0zleLf_3nlx999VLxRzEuiP_wjipESL1a9g5zfwXGq8hV-V_SSflcyrNWQOHOQHRHDiXCm4PlZW4f2RBTdvX-r69fbOaWUNl8I4O6WQwHbzP-gd1J19QsOnV0e4tgN7/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1jWKRoBqthM/UlAa0TV1FqI/AAAAAAAAQdI/YMVlKAD1DMg/s1600-h/P1030512%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030512 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030512 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fduR8-omToE/UlAa08_QSXI/AAAAAAAAQdM/x-G0eV8AeNI/P1030512%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vDk3mrHzTpo/UlAa1ToT89I/AAAAAAAAQdY/43B9qKxhYWg/s1600-h/P1030471%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030471 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030471 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0zxKKmeNCWk/UlAa16XCVYI/AAAAAAAAQdc/SBMn33LuZtU/P1030471%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ip2iCbvBCqE/UlAa2qyFCgI/AAAAAAAAQdo/zWGhc1L0a8g/s1600-h/P1030474%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030474 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030474 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BO99901bwoI/UlAa3KwFT7I/AAAAAAAAQds/O3E4Hpwi330/P1030474%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2M7KGelLX_M/UlAa35Q46wI/AAAAAAAAQd4/D1C8Wptkrdg/s1600-h/P1030472%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030472 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030472 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-h8lBGMfRacA/UlAa4RnR3bI/AAAAAAAAQd8/Lpf_goOgioc/P1030472%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify">Kim had a few “encounters” with the security in the museums, the security not letting her tie her hoodie around her waist and then not letting her cross her legs while sat on a bench inside one of the halls! A few choice words came from Kim but nothing a few hugs couldn't calm down :)</p> <p align="justify">We got back on the bus and took another 2 or 3 stops down to the Brandenburg gate, took a wander around, watched a few demonstrations that were going on, took a few pictures and then headed to find somewhere for lunch. A small cafe at the side of the road just down from “the gate” was a needed rest stop for drinks a sandwich and dessert.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-E-sPN9b3yh8/UlAa5GKSY2I/AAAAAAAAQeI/DZD_1duQMRo/s1600-h/P1060933%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1060933 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1060933 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ya90zNSlGfY/UlAa6M7Ur6I/AAAAAAAAQeQ/WxuUrw0EXuQ/P1060933%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-j1jwUtCtxko/UlAa6tHrjaI/AAAAAAAAQeY/krA2m9dpsyA/s1600-h/P1060934%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1060934 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1060934 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rnX31tTLxFs/UlAa7Be93GI/AAAAAAAAQec/71Sf9YdtK8c/P1060934%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6N0AILWXQTE/UlAa8nniquI/AAAAAAAAQeo/0EeRp27TBC4/s1600-h/P1060942%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1060942 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1060942 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-M5SKq0K_Jhk/UlAa9Owj11I/AAAAAAAAQes/WskWP0iguEo/P1060942%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="81" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bNtZIud0hrc/UlAa9gN1F6I/AAAAAAAAQe4/b78zlLlUuXU/s1600-h/P1030547%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030547 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030547 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-S4zJJV7Rbno/UlAa-HPb-iI/AAAAAAAAQe8/kgArImM-F9U/P1030547%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="81" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YMYnzH-otuM/UlAa-hrkIuI/AAAAAAAAQfI/cuVfc4u1Nx0/s1600-h/P1030548%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030548 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030548 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Aw433K-Vbx0/UlAa_CRhKqI/AAAAAAAAQfM/WBVe1k0Oi8o/P1030548%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="81" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify">The Gunzingers having fun with the birds!</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ktQT7elxlIM/UlAa_8kFUYI/AAAAAAAAQfY/f7ciGxGcp24/s1600-h/P1030540%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030540 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030540 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-54cIEZQi3j0/UlAbAhsoZZI/AAAAAAAAQfg/31FDHCnpqrE/P1030540%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EHpGXhupb1o/UlAbCQB6KFI/AAAAAAAAQfo/mokfOP7b_cc/s1600-h/P1030532%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030532 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030532 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eQ_yIPYeTyw/UlAbC4Hbd-I/AAAAAAAAQfs/rynL4ipsuBk/P1030532%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mLt6xCK8G24/UlAbDsaxq6I/AAAAAAAAQf4/pNvHJAGLG6c/s1600-h/P1030535%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030535 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030535 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uxud7JJ7eRU/UlAbEVOxDMI/AAAAAAAAQgA/_27UzU85ohw/P1030535%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify">We took the train over to the East Side Gallery, took us a while to find the right one as there U bahn, S bahn and regular trains in Berlin and it can be a touch confusing to start with. Wendy, Chris and ole had messaged asking where Roger would be. They were already on their way and i said just head to the area where we were yesterday and look for the crowd of people. Sure enough they found them and 10 minutes later with got off the train and headed down to meet them. </p> <p align="justify">There wasn't a huge crowd but the road had been closed off to traffic by the police and I’d guess there was no more than seventy five to a hundred people at the very most. Most of those were journalists and photographers too. There was a small platform set up right in front of the Floyd mural which was opposite the O2 World venue where I’d seen Roger play The Wall in 2011. We found Wendy, Chris and Ole and within five minutes a car pulled up and out got Roger.</p> <p align="justify">He looked in great spirits from the second he got out of the car, smiling all the time as he walked down towards the platform, stopping briefly in front of the mural for pictures. We all laughed as a couple of security guys took a small 1/4 inch wide piece of rope out of one of their pockets and walked along with it at the side of Roger. We were all terrified of crossing the rope! he took to the platform and admitted himself that he rambled on a little but the main purpose of his talk was to suggest that future plans to pull down the East Side Gallery were ridiculous and that that whole section of wall should remain an reminder of the days of what it was like when it was built to separate the East and the West.</p> <p align="justify">Roger arriving The infamous rope on the right!</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vktvzMXJbBc/UlAbFO22rFI/AAAAAAAAQgI/ig8fHD_AXaQ/s1600-h/P1030559%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030559 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030559 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ynJXSSVvjjY/UlAbGLlsB5I/AAAAAAAAQgQ/vlYQywNxIDA/P1030559%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-y6XEsXc4V_c/UlAbHOsg2PI/AAAAAAAAQgY/pFY5pSrDol4/s1600-h/P1030587%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030587 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030587 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jThfxI06y18/UlAbHkG3VDI/AAAAAAAAQgc/rgs_cHIYp78/P1030587%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1o61Lt5IhDs/UlAbIYgkCCI/AAAAAAAAQgo/7OcUicI9UDc/s1600-h/P1060944%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1060944 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1060944 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0bqmNaMs7hk/UlAbI1HxnzI/AAAAAAAAQgs/t8Fi-OwCsvo/P1060944%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a></p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aHSTMVTan5M/UlAbJv2ogNI/AAAAAAAAQg4/T_d0gqsRNqI/s1600-h/P1030573%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030573 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030573 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-n6SZwKlMUDM/UlAbKPbceaI/AAAAAAAAQg8/jCH4MSLad98/P1030573%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ciUPeRCWGHM/UlAbKyXmqzI/AAAAAAAAQhI/u6XQCATQTqk/s1600-h/P1030574%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030574 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030574 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nH-80_Ua8o4/UlAbLU_nAYI/AAAAAAAAQhM/kBe6b3pN0-Q/P1030574%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oLj1i8KSPsc/UlAbL8XvflI/AAAAAAAAQhY/yd6cC1ZWtvA/s1600-h/P1030573%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030573 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030573 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pwM4Ajb83CU/UlAbMcxUFyI/AAAAAAAAQhc/i5lgtBW-k64/P1030573%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--IVOcWgOeCM/UlAbNF6dJAI/AAAAAAAAQho/EweDZf0cIi8/s1600-h/P1030643%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030643 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030643 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_2wvL6rAOno/UlAbNmnaaKI/AAAAAAAAQhs/hR4eJGXjboU/P1030643%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sYI5f1j08h8/UlAbPd121-I/AAAAAAAAQh4/y235UPQcVPU/s1600-h/P1030607%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030607 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030607 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oUSBNDi1t8M/UlAbQI0FfsI/AAAAAAAAQiA/68Aa8qRDmu4/P1030607%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5A6HNxElExM/UlAbQ_e-4yI/AAAAAAAAQiI/QAvXtCS5ayM/s1600-h/P1030617%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030617 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030617 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-i5UKWuT5Omc/UlAbR17Q6qI/AAAAAAAAQiQ/J1mH3lpC6jM/P1030617%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify">Most of Rogers speech at the Berlin Wall (thanks to Beth)</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:9a442b71-421b-40af-b80e-6890c7db50fb" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="17453e9e-53b9-4ed8-8399-d9f0fe44f8cc" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDCfe3-bCaQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player" target="_new"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JII8p3OnY94/UlAbSBE8G7I/AAAAAAAAQoE/743KcTpbGiY/videoe5c83cc4132d%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('17453e9e-53b9-4ed8-8399-d9f0fe44f8cc'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/NDCfe3-bCaQ&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/NDCfe3-bCaQ&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify">Within ten minutes at the most it was all over and he was heading back down the road in the car. A couple of people tried to stop him for autographs but he politely declined saying if he did it for one he’d have to do it for everyone. We decided to walk right down to the beginning of the murals as Ole, Wendy and Chris weren't with us yesterday so hadn't seen it all. Mark and Beth stopped by the cafe an then headed over to the sightseeing bus and got the bus back towards the hotel. We took our time and again walked the full length of the wall. Stopping along the way to take lots of geeky pictures, after all we were with the biggest geek of all , Wendy! She had us posing this way, that way, backs to the wall, yoga poses, you name it, we did it!</p> <p align="justify">The geek squad Yoga geeks! Biggest geek of us all! </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7LOrhuf4n9o/UlAbT_Oxh3I/AAAAAAAAQig/gQGbW9KRD1k/s1600-h/P1030663%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030663 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030663 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5qbzdhYmawU/UlAbVH46OFI/AAAAAAAAQio/KUW0mYfF_fI/P1030663%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="293" height="169"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bnGFc8lNuIQ/UlAbWJX0FRI/AAAAAAAAQiw/ERJaDnKh2Jk/s1600-h/P1030676%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030676 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030676 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eKn61G3PN_k/UlAbW4pxY8I/AAAAAAAAQi4/GBMcLwggScw/P1030676%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" height="169"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gGnQeCC4Hzg/UlAbXsYbdyI/AAAAAAAAQjA/XcMfg4oaBFU/s1600-h/P1030690%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030690 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030690 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nkU5Z-o2Rgc/UlAbYK_2R8I/AAAAAAAAQjE/c-q5Upui9dw/P1030690%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" height="169"></a></p> <p align="justify">Kami leaving her marks on the wall Just for you Jens!</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-anOZ8C0jxR8/UlAbY0z-9fI/AAAAAAAAQjQ/dMVjpbg8UFs/s1600-h/P1030691%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030691 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030691 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aIhutFDo6gc/UlAbZepVMpI/AAAAAAAAQjU/7hjit1N96ko/P1030691%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="274" height="206"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-G8uMcdlQ9F0/UlAbcvsTD0I/AAAAAAAAQjg/M9oc_oY7Vu8/s1600-h/P1030693%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030693 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030693 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DaD-Yvn7KE8/UlAbc60R5tI/AAAAAAAAQjk/cft7fq109Oo/P1030693%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="274" height="206"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_vBZJGljal4/UlAbgPf0ufI/AAAAAAAAQjw/xVxMdRF3t6o/s1600-h/P1030679%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030679 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030679 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FcWEIn8yI2Q/UlAbhIhgWzI/AAAAAAAAQj4/42V1wgWJ5Dg/P1030679%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="157" height="207"></a></p> <p align="justify">Wendy didn't even know what date it was she was so star struck from seeing her idol up close!</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-b8oumklwN4A/UlAbhsdTprI/AAAAAAAAQkA/Dg1e3h7AA7M/s1600-h/P1030694%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030694 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030694 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZTmAspttfGk/UlAbirOb2EI/AAAAAAAAQkI/gvWd3pLI41Y/P1030694%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="210"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HqyMFVsu_C4/UlAbjMiXy4I/AAAAAAAAQkQ/nE--6BI7O8c/s1600-h/1236149_10201244332524166_133595091_n%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="1236149_10201244332524166_133595091_n" border="0" alt="1236149_10201244332524166_133595091_n" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9ozjrnnu8Zs/UlAbjl9LaVI/AAAAAAAAQkY/YfBiTPs1dt8/1236149_10201244332524166_133595091_n_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="158" height="210"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DARk_UqUF-0/UlAbkYqme6I/AAAAAAAAQkg/-WF1VnSxBFI/s1600-h/P1030688%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030688 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030688 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GgzoEt5mDQU/UlAbk5jxNeI/AAAAAAAAQkk/bWzLFJQB9k4/P1030688%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="210"></a></p> <p align="justify">No idea what Chris was doing with his arms on this first picture! 3rd picture with a fan of my blog!</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XWcn39Z54g0/UlAblmbltQI/AAAAAAAAQkw/7SUM2wKokws/s1600-h/P1030695%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030695 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030695 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-U7DIBQRfPAw/UlAbmGBvkSI/AAAAAAAAQk0/-4usHpJhmUs/P1030695%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-L6qN9datDeg/UlAbyTn2UII/AAAAAAAAQlA/63NuQaE1ChQ/s1600-h/P1030697%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1030697 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030697 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3Xa8u23TZ8g/UlAbyzYfsuI/AAAAAAAAQlE/QEQHl9gd9RY/P1030697%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jsg9xE5-Z_k/UlAb-diHxgI/AAAAAAAAQlc/L0JmaD_RcZQ/s1600-h/1209413_10201244331044129_256563746_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="1209413_10201244331044129_256563746_n" border="0" alt="1209413_10201244331044129_256563746_n" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qUy5lfmZFaQ/UlAb-wT8C8I/AAAAAAAAQlg/XRKOloeblao/1209413_10201244331044129_256563746_n_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p align="justify">After walking to the train station again and grabbing some Gelato we took the train back to Alexanderplatz, headed to our hotel and met up with Stuart who had flown in that afternoon. Wendy and Chris headed off to their apartment and Kami and i headed up to our room.</p> <p align="justify">I’d spoke with Dave K a couple of days ago and he was coming out for dinner with us tonight. Mark, Beth, Kami and i took a taxi over to Wendy and Chris’s apartment around 7pm. Kim, Joe, Ole, Stuart and a few others were going out in Berlin and we said we’d meet up with them later on. Wendy had been to a Yoga class earlier today and had got a recommendation for a Thai restaurant about a mile away from their apartment, i had called earlier that day and booked an appointment for 8:30.</p> <p align="justify">After drinks and snacks at the apartment we walked the mile or so down to the restaurant, arriving just after 8:40 only to be told that due to us being more than 10 minutes late our reservation had been cancelled. The place was absolutely packed and there was a line outside the door so i can understand them wanting the tables. After a little chit chat with the waitress she showed us out to the patio and told us she would put us in the next two available tables. Twenty minutes later and just before Dave arrived we were seated and had menus in our hands.</p> <p align="justify">Beth, Mark, Chris, Wendy, Dave and Kami </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4KlCqVcWwok/UlAb_kqtanI/AAAAAAAAQls/IXzGUe-sQzM/s1600-h/P1060962%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1060962 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1060962 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AyG-N_C-0fY/UlAcAZBsRZI/AAAAAAAAQlw/z2h1gntKfMk/P1060962%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UR888RWImJA/UlAcBOvj21I/AAAAAAAAQl8/CVtrf65Ddfs/s1600-h/P1060963%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1060963 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1060963 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OJLwnN0Q2yk/UlAcBkV1LKI/AAAAAAAAQmA/BXbmLRkPzqY/P1060963%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-k9psyc6bCZw/UlAcCRrOrYI/AAAAAAAAQmM/SpV4ViO1iTg/s1600-h/P1060965%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1060965 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1060965 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QLGJHYpKFC4/UlAcC7yAvwI/AAAAAAAAQmQ/0-wSKnTowOw/P1060965%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify">Daves always has fun when he meets up with us, he’s ever such a nice guy and just a normal down to earth Rock star! We all had dinner with him in Paris in 2011 he came to our meet up in San Francisco without hesitation in 2012 and was more than happy to come out to dinner with us all and have some fun. Wendy’s Yoga teacher had not let us down with this recommendation, the food was fantastic! the atmosphere was great and i would go back in a heartbeat the next time I’m in Berlin.</p> <p align="justify">After dinner i called Ole and Kim to check where they were, as luck would have it they were at an Irish bar just a 5 minute walk from where we were. The seven of us headed over there, after taking a few wrong turns while listening to Wendy’s directions we finally made it there around 11pm.</p> <p align="justify">Kim, Ole, Joe and Stuart had met up with, Kevin, Georg, Bluenose, Emil, Kit, Philippe and a few others and were all in great spirits in the backroom of the Irish bar. The bar served Cider on tap so Dave and i were happy, Mark was happy as they had Guinness and Ole wasn't bothered at all as he had his endless supply of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underberg" target="_blank">Underberg</a> in his bottomless pocket! Ole and Stuart, otherwise known as “the Underberg Twins” have been drinking this German shot stuff on the whole tour. Everyone they come into contact with seems to get hooked on the stuff! Mark and Chris were ole’s latest victims, its amazing how potent a little bottle can be!</p> <p align="justify">It was everywhere, Underberg would have made a fortune had they sponsored this tour! I’m sure their sales took an unusual peak over the last 2 months!</p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiydp3rvHjhyQ4sUVCLjReCZEz4NTvtRujqQUsNT5gpxueMlmD0u50KHBq5oUH-tzwRrRc-_SxjWv4YyPt0krRXslSCSisNebHukrVSrUQRgXicyezySeHdHTxXn6zhr7w9haiq7V7ykgWI/s1600-h/1186209_10201244314363712_1265357607_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="1186209_10201244314363712_1265357607_n" border="0" alt="1186209_10201244314363712_1265357607_n" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2xW8S61XIdk/UlAcEKXAdvI/AAAAAAAAQmk/TgUJ07OO3bs/1186209_10201244314363712_1265357607_n_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4jMnC6yVYvU/UlAcHgCGVCI/AAAAAAAAQms/ndPjvgS3VsE/s1600-h/IMG-20130915-00421%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG-20130915-00421" border="0" alt="IMG-20130915-00421" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-d1LukZapjDU/UlAcIGAYi3I/AAAAAAAAQmw/AfF_89aVprU/IMG-20130915-00421_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fK45n1qc6Kw/UlAcI0J6MKI/AAAAAAAAQm8/rp59hML6fms/s1600-h/IMG-20130816-00112%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG-20130816-00112" border="0" alt="IMG-20130816-00112" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_lavwBa1s9g/UlAcJXXHZSI/AAAAAAAAQnA/ne04KH3r6B8/IMG-20130816-00112_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> </p> <p align="justify">Mark, Joe and Guinness Philippe, Kit and Emil Kim, Dave, Wendy and Kami</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_SIKeirt6Fk/UlAcJ-wweSI/AAAAAAAAQnM/5fOqBVhkbOE/s1600-h/P1060968%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1060968 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1060968 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kvLnzcxMq_M/UlAcKYvpBpI/AAAAAAAAQnQ/jqfsoHp4qt0/P1060968%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="274" height="156"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lxMPWH6VlWo/UlAcKzmQ2lI/AAAAAAAAQnc/pIVTcb_dE0Q/s1600-h/P1060969%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="P1060969 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1060969 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bevB-l1Tml8/UlAcLY6FHMI/AAAAAAAAQng/g_H0HGjDVfs/P1060969%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="274" height="156"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GxbO6Nz2IUs/UlAcMAXIVHI/AAAAAAAAQns/Lftjf5PSmws/s1600-h/1231362_10201244334964227_237593054_n%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="1231362_10201244334964227_237593054_n" border="0" alt="1231362_10201244334964227_237593054_n" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FRg44jPvFiI/UlAcM2bhC4I/AAAAAAAAQnw/FrAT5p9Mzug/1231362_10201244334964227_237593054_n_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="207" height="156"></a> </p> <p align="justify">Tonight was the 1st of Wendy’s three things that went terribly wrong on her vacation. As she was talking to Matt she was showing him something on her phone and it slipped right out of her hand and crashed down onto the floor of the bar, normally this would have been fine had it been a carpet or even wooden floor but it was a stone floor and as she picked it up it was visible that the screen was smashed to pieces :( I’m not sure exactly what time it was we all left the bar, i remember getting back to the hotel around 1:30 and Kim telling us the next morning it was after 4am when they got back to their room!</p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify"> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:b0b828ee-c48e-404c-ace0-adb15491a07f" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><a style="border:0px" href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=d78b5197f3871614&page=browse&resid=D78B5197F3871614!19521&parid=D78B5197F3871614!117&type=5"><img style="border:0px" alt="View Berlin day 3" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZgKohbhTYak/UlAcNihP7-I/AAAAAAAAQn8/MjtkxLiGISY/InlineRepresentation3d1ff4a2-4fef-465d-bf71-57a1fed8337b%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a><div style="width:848px;text-align:right;" ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=d78b5197f3871614&page=browse&resid=D78B5197F3871614!19521&parid=D78B5197F3871614!117&type=5">View Full Album</a></div></div></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205669373504703653.post-28689331387218270482013-10-04T20:03:00.001+01:002013-10-04T20:03:22.686+01:00Berlin day 2…..<p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify">Mark had pre booked Berlin sightseeing bus tickets for the 6 of us prior to leaving the US and today was day one of our two day ticket. After a good nights sleep and everyone felling a little less jetlagged today, we met in the lobby at 10am and headed out of the front of the hotel to take the bus.</p> <p align="justify">The weather wasn't great, grey clouds, cold wind and a few spots of rain. It didn't stop us taking seats on the top deck of the bus and fortunately the roof cover was on! The hotel was stop 12 of about a 25 stop route, after a few stops we decided to stay on the bus tour and do the full loop at first but then changed our mind and got off at lunchtime at the KaDeWa.</p> <p align="justify">Kim, freezing cold! Mark, Kim and Joe on the bus Oh did we have fun with the language!</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YNCGr5jpvRg/Uk8PdxKLSjI/AAAAAAAAQTo/hndjvLLZw7Y/s1600-h/P1030278%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030278 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030278 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-06sjv6Pgmns/Uk8Pe4sdvbI/AAAAAAAAQTw/Aqzjyzs2pn4/P1030278%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oSd72oogwn8/Uk8PglS32UI/AAAAAAAAQT4/xe5FoQ2jgDQ/s1600-h/P1030334%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030334 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030334 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lwGZBwvKI60/Uk8PhVo-mvI/AAAAAAAAQT8/Z_qhQzjQV-c/P1030334%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_HqJZfPBUTA/Uk8PjGHaC1I/AAAAAAAAQUI/ywYyoI1KbVU/s1600-h/P1060828%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1060828 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1060828 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-u8kM5oLi7Y8/Uk8Pjvhyv6I/AAAAAAAAQUM/c-wpSpjppgo/P1060828%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify">The KaDeWe is Berlins version of Harrods and has the most amazing food floor full of amazing fresh foods. Breads, desserts, meat, candy, there's anything you can think of. There's also lots of small cooking stations around the floor where you can take a seat and have a plate of some of the food that they sell! there's a pasta station, dessert station but we chose to take a seat at the Champagne bar they have right in the middle of the floor!</p> <p align="justify">The Gunzingers outside KaDeWe Awwwww:)</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--UFL5d3qJWs/Uk8PpQ8IH6I/AAAAAAAAQUY/W9qYfYGRU-g/s1600-h/P1030343%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030343 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030343 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5qOx3ZSkFD8/Uk8PqGpWwvI/AAAAAAAAQUc/8gn8-TSSEFo/P1030343%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--98h8o7JLac/Uk8PtH-ZZ3I/AAAAAAAAQUo/KOpDFNSesuY/s1600-h/P1030345%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030345 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030345 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6-juiHt8g5o/Uk8Pt4Wb55I/AAAAAAAAQUs/OgL_qsRnTUs/P1030345%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify">Wendy and her husband Chris had flown in this morning and arrived around 7am, they had decided to get some sleep before coming out to play later on that night. We’d been messaging during the day and arranged to meet at our hotel around 6pm to all go out for dinner. Ole was due in today too at 2pm and was coming with his mom, again, we arrange to meet him at the hotel at 6. As we wandered around the floor of the store we spotted a small ticket outlet in the store, i had a couple of friends still needing tickets so asked what they had available, unfortunately they didn't have any on the floor, only on the 2nd tier. I also asked if we could have the poster they had on display but was told it was their only one. Didn't stop Joe and i pulling the corner up just to see how well they had it fixed in:)</p> <p align="justify">Kami, Roger, Elton and Kim! Joe and Roger </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-II-nT1fNBb8/Uk8Pz9l3T3I/AAAAAAAAQU4/2HAa6-exULU/s1600-h/P1030348%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030348 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030348 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XhNqcmClxKo/Uk8P020QcJI/AAAAAAAAQU8/FwafWcoUKC4/P1030348%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-M3Sybv2Ftuo/Uk8P2mo5P1I/AAAAAAAAQVI/MT7B5f9MV_Y/s1600-h/P1060810%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1060810 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1060810 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-U4md3fqW8-U/Uk8P3UbftVI/AAAAAAAAQVM/pv-VEiPc_kE/P1060810%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dM9liNwCQ_o/Uk8P6s9QSSI/AAAAAAAAQVY/JLwDl83bg4o/s1600-h/P1030349%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030349 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030349 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-D9LCQ8BqCvY/Uk8P7QZ79sI/AAAAAAAAQVg/plswn7bcDsk/P1030349%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify">After having champagne and lunch in the KaDeWe we headed out of the store to catch the sightseeing bus again. Joe decided to take a wander off on his own and lost us, it took us 25 minutes to find him when he wandered back to where we all were saying he had been there and couldn't find us so had been outside, downstairs and all over looking for us (this became a bit of a theme during the vacation!)</p> <p align="justify">Since going in the store it has started raining pretty heavily, fortunately the bus that arrived had the roof pulled on the top. The bus has an audio system like a lot of sightseeing buses, you plug a pair of personal headphones in, select your language from a digital panel in front of you and then listen as the tour goes on. Changing the channel on Marks system to French without him knowing was the first step. he was in front of Kami and i and with a little distraction to the right, i lent over the left and moved the channel selector down to number 3 but making sure i did it when there was no audio coming through the headphones! Kami and i sat back and waited as the audio came back on, however, we waited, and waited and waited! What was probably 10 minutes later Mark turned around and looked at us with a huge grin on his face, admitting that it had taken him all that time to even realise he was listening to the French channel! This became the fun thing to do, Beth being the easiest target, easily distracted and no idea why her language kept changing to Japanese and German without her touching it! What turned into an even funnier event was watching Beth trying to change everyone else's without them knowing it was kind of like “Simon, look there's a bird in the sky” Beth points finger her up to the roof then leans over and tries to change mine and Kami pulling her headphones out of her ears as she does so!</p> <p align="justify">I’ve been to Berlin several times before and even taken the bus tour twice before, i still enjoy it though. Berlins such a big city that the only way to see it really is to do one of the bus tours. I get a text from Wendy, all it says is “Berlin is a dump” She had only been here a few hours and already had an impression of the city! She later decided she loved i though!</p> <p align="justify">I don't think these pictures that Wendy took increased her love for Berlin at the start.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1IGJZ1ZrWBA/Uk8P8kAo1WI/AAAAAAAAQVo/Yc5Y3QbhkOg/s1600-h/1175688_10201244319923851_1357117255_n%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="1175688_10201244319923851_1357117255_n" border="0" alt="1175688_10201244319923851_1357117255_n" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-D0QyrNL4awo/Uk8P9XpevfI/AAAAAAAAQVs/E1BhJpfzuPg/1175688_10201244319923851_1357117255_n_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jQlXpseNwhg/Uk8P92atNXI/AAAAAAAAQV0/54NhYH3tjRk/s1600-h/1240280_10201244307163532_1959506908_n%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="1240280_10201244307163532_1959506908_n" border="0" alt="1240280_10201244307163532_1959506908_n" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Lc1bpsN1yIE/Uk8P-8HNioI/AAAAAAAAQWA/6SsdF9-NVk0/1240280_10201244307163532_1959506908_n_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> </p> <p align="justify">There are some beautiful building in the city, its a huge mix of steel, concrete, stone, brick and every other type of building material. you have to remember it was two cities originally and when the wall came down it became one huge spread out place!</p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_E-4BY15viM/Uk8QCbFwSJI/AAAAAAAAQWI/aA95TulI74w/s1600-h/P1030323%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030323 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030323 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1QJkTi4NkSk/Uk8QDH1eZ8I/AAAAAAAAQWM/vzV_fCN0iDo/P1030323%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Pa3i3qG6QPY/Uk8QFHiZEEI/AAAAAAAAQWY/AIhbTBVs4Ls/s1600-h/P1030361%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030361 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030361 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WkszXPjJQ8Y/Uk8QFyAj5XI/AAAAAAAAQWc/VM3prUaqFqM/P1030361%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-U7TUaASMS_s/Uk8QJKC7nsI/AAAAAAAAQWo/6G1UmwiGfxM/s1600-h/P1030363%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030363 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030363 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SYO6L-QXQzk/Uk8QJv1I49I/AAAAAAAAQWs/yf-TPUu6bLc/P1030363%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify">Our next stop we decided to get off at was the largest section still standing of the old Berlin wall. Again I've seen this a few times before and always enjoy walking the length of it seeing the murals painted all along the Eastern side.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Mu7bxeYu61Q/Uk8QLxBvVMI/AAAAAAAAQW4/ZTo0HPnE1nQ/s1600-h/P1030396%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030396 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030396 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HS_lyfS3bNQ/Uk8QMctOowI/AAAAAAAAQW8/QTDaS8uLUP0/P1030396%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fxJYWZFblSs/Uk8QNSx4WOI/AAAAAAAAQXI/LWAiQHDsRYo/s1600-h/P1030373%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030373 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030373 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UHpmdLPrp4g/Uk8QOOBLi0I/AAAAAAAAQXM/tt33FKd1o_E/P1030373%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WbqtrZPXOIE/Uk8QVNvIsQI/AAAAAAAAQXY/yRx5ecw4DJ0/s1600-h/P1030379%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030379 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030379 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WlzrLjRht0U/Uk8QVkLfBiI/AAAAAAAAQXc/4WsNQdNgPVU/P1030379%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify">The highlight without a doubt for any Floyd fan though is the mural of “The Wall on the wall! I saw this first in 2002 and the paint was in a pretty bad way, however i saw it again in 2011 and it had been repainted and looked great!</p> <p align="justify">Gunzingers doing throwing the hammers! Kami and myself Kami breaking the wall</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dAub8lalqDM/Uk8QWdmdQpI/AAAAAAAAQXo/7tSPpE3vjUQ/s1600-h/P1030388%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030388 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030388 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3HBFxk0_T90/Uk8QWxBwhII/AAAAAAAAQXs/yrXML3s8Ngs/P1030388%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wdq48NtUBDo/Uk8QXq9MY0I/AAAAAAAAQX4/RF5aLpmCLy8/s1600-h/P1030390%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030390 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030390 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-reMrWl4EpBg/Uk8QYb7E8II/AAAAAAAAQX8/JbaCJfq0LOI/P1030390%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5CCVg1DzRkE/Uk8QaauhSnI/AAAAAAAAQYI/jPhQIgKu5Gs/s1600-h/P1030393%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030393 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030393 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HbHeOY1_ag0/Uk8Qa9QdL3I/AAAAAAAAQYM/hdy8dKWOeIs/P1030393%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify">Beth being Mother! Love this picture. Mark and Beth embrace each other:)</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RFfVazdawCQ/Uk8QbWJ0-eI/AAAAAAAAQYY/-kh-FpBAlRo/s1600-h/P1030394%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030394 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030394 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6y6wNTMkREM/Uk8QcImQjZI/AAAAAAAAQYc/ZCl0mQGNE1I/P1030394%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="146" height="251"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wAaqWPHKNjs/Uk8QczqN-hI/AAAAAAAAQYo/SxXz9CH55gI/s1600-h/P1030364%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030364 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030364 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aqGvc0E1Y6g/Uk8Qdz6e_qI/AAAAAAAAQYw/g10vgVYagE4/P1030364%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="442" height="252"></a> </p> <p align="justify">The six of us walked the full length of the mural wall and as we got towards the end it started to rain heavily, we walked over to the Ostbahnhof railway station and took the train back to Alexanderplatz where our hotel was. I knew of a large Gelato store in the station and the six of us had our first Gelato in Germany on day 2 of our vacation.</p> <p align="justify">We got back to the hotel around 4:30, I’d been messaging Ole during the day, he had arrived with his mom and was staying in the sae hotel. Kami, Kim, Joe and i sat and had a quick drink with Ole before heading up to the room to get freshened up before heading back down to meet Wendy and Chris and everyone else for dinner. Id spotted a place out of our hotel room window that looked like it could be a good place to eat, it was a beer garden type place with an outdoor patio, however the weather wasn't great but i kept it in mind for later on.</p> <p align="justify">We headed down to the bar around 6pm to wait for Wendy and Chris. Ole, his mom and her friends were having a bite to eat in the bar, we joined them for drinks with Kim, Joe, Mark and Beth. Wendy was late getting to the hotel, her and Chris had walked from their place and it had taken them a bit longer than expected. They were renting a private apartment about 2 miles away from our hotel, they do this a lot and did it in Paris which is where i had run in with the curtain in their bedroom one night when i got drunk in Paris in 2011 but that's another story i think i will save for the book!</p> <p align="justify">Around 6:30 Wendy and Chris arrived, it was great to see them again, it had been several months since I’d seen them, Wendy is my BFF, we message everyday and had been messaging for months about this Germany trip, had it not been for my persistence she wouldn't have been there but i was ever so glad her and Chris were. Before we headed out, Chris and Wendy came up to our room to see the view. Not sure if i mentioned in an earlier post but our hotel room had like a glass bubble in one corner which was the bathroom with shower, toilet and sing in, there was every little privacy and when Wendy said she had to use the bathroom, i said “sure, its over there” and watched her face as she looking in through the glass wall that had 2 or 3 strips of frosted vinyl on the outside just to give a little bit of privacy!</p> <p align="justify">Wendys view of Kami, myself and Chris watching her watching us!</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uL6awJW_WMU/Uk8QeftQv0I/AAAAAAAAQY4/caIbz6N_0n0/s1600-h/1175544_10201244312443664_1971021143_n%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="1175544_10201244312443664_1971021143_n" border="0" alt="1175544_10201244312443664_1971021143_n" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wdfygcEK9_A/Uk8QfQACgyI/AAAAAAAAQZA/RwbyjqLAVhw/1175544_10201244312443664_1971021143_n_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="761" height="573"></a> </p> <p align="justify">After Wendy making an exhibition of herself and not in the way she normally does! we headed downstairs and all headed out to the beer garden place I’d seen out of the hotel room. It was only a 5 minute walk across the pedestrian area and across the main highway. As we went up the stairs the sign on the doorway read “sorry, our machine is broken, only cash” the nine of us all looked at each other and started to dig deep in our pockets! We decided we could just about make dinner and drinks in cash between us all and sat down at a long table for our first meal together in Germany.</p> <p align="justify">Ole, Kim and Joe Mark and Beth Kami and I</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-j1HyTxHHPVA/Uk8QhGJZ5lI/AAAAAAAAQZI/T7iTp_n1YsE/s1600-h/1001276_10201244310523616_1693728309_n%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="1001276_10201244310523616_1693728309_n" border="0" alt="1001276_10201244310523616_1693728309_n" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PAgO1vz_OHE/Uk8QiC0QXsI/AAAAAAAAQZQ/biY_WAdsFxw/1001276_10201244310523616_1693728309_n_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="227" height="297"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-j_aTPq6B5KI/Uk8QjJqfVkI/AAAAAAAAQZY/nbsCFYnOqJ0/s1600-h/1186306_10201244310123606_395403843_n%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="1186306_10201244310123606_395403843_n" border="0" alt="1186306_10201244310123606_395403843_n" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0S1QcDZriwg/Uk8QkMRQqGI/AAAAAAAAQZg/dvqdZOXlqWs/1186306_10201244310123606_395403843_n_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" height="295"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zjKED5Qd5g8/Uk8Qlj7DoDI/AAAAAAAAQZo/_ULTBn_kTe8/s1600-h/1186877_10201244309603593_1411981400_n%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="1186877_10201244309603593_1411981400_n" border="0" alt="1186877_10201244309603593_1411981400_n" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-D4eFF7LgpM0/Uk8QmD6nbvI/AAAAAAAAQZw/V7RZ9tigbBk/1186877_10201244309603593_1411981400_n_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="222" height="293"></a> </p> <p align="justify">Wendy, Chris, Ole, Kim and Joe Ole, Kim, Joe and beer glasses as big as Ole’s head! </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9brO0LvVi3A/Uk8QnmdD6sI/AAAAAAAAQZ4/7jb18Wzyx-E/s1600-h/P1060883%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1060883 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1060883 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-F2EP1FYUp7o/Uk8QoG5DwZI/AAAAAAAAQZ8/pqZJ6Xbpzt0/P1060883%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="336" height="193"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-98d-Gltf3M0/Uk8Qo90oVdI/AAAAAAAAQaI/P_jaLR0rjtw/s1600-h/P1060887%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1060887 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1060887 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uS3bfkGuads/Uk8QpZEj9kI/AAAAAAAAQaM/GvYTna9Z3Vw/P1060887%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="340" height="194"></a> </p> <p align="justify">We had a fantastic traditional German meal, Wendy having roast pork Mark having the ham knuckle, and i had a plate full of assorted sausages with a huge pile of red cabbage, this proved to be the dish Kami and i became to love in Germany. I don't really drink beer and Germany pretty much runs on beer! Wendy asked how the Chardonnay was, the wait shook his head and replied” not good, you don't want our Chardonnay!” We ignored his warning and ordered a glass anyway, it wasn't bad but it wasn't the best.</p> <p align="justify">After a fantastic first meal out together we headed down the street to find a cocktail bar, it was throwing it down with rain, the one bar we found stunk of smoke(as do most places in Germany!) so we decided to head back to the hotel bar and get drinks there. There was a guy playing the piano in the hotel bar and we all immediately got on to Joe to get up there and ask if he could play Nobody Home or some other Wall related track. Joe took a bit of pushing but got up eventually and the guy was more than happy to let him do his stuff on the ivory keys.</p> <p align="justify">There was one guy in the bar that recognised what Joe was playing and had a chat with us from the table across, he was going to the show and also to the Dusseldorf show later in the week. Kami has spotted another type of “entertainment” in the bar and as i turned and looked at her on my right she was getting a shoulder, neck and head massage!! There was a young girl that went around people in the bar and offered her massage services for no set fee, just a donation! We had all been sitting and walking all day in the cold weather and without a hint of hesitation i gestured to her that i would be her next customer when she had finished with Kami!</p> <p align="justify">20 minutes later and she moved over to me and started to rub the back of my head with her warm oily hands, WOW! it felt amazing, in fact it was so good that for 10 minutes i totally zoned out and was asleep without even knowing it but oh boy did i know it when i woke up and saw the pictures that everyone else had taken!! Mark and Beth had gone up to their room to bed and i hadn't even noticed, everyone else had been having lots of fun at my expense and taken pictures to prove it! i cannot honestly remember a thing about these pictures been taken on my own camera! I’ll get them all back one day:)</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-348Wh0BXAwM/Uk8QsKyUIYI/AAAAAAAAQaY/wJa-5gzifi8/s1600-h/P1030421%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030421 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030421 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dB9IGpByWdA/Uk8QskYWLtI/AAAAAAAAQac/EXBdkcwJdHk/P1030421%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Kbf4rovZxMs/Uk8Q5j1w1HI/AAAAAAAAQao/QiS6Nb-yPDk/s1600-h/P1030423%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030423 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030423 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4qUz7wTENiE/Uk8Q6PB8nGI/AAAAAAAAQas/7Vh3U-OoyEw/P1030423%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-M5nSju3Ob6c/Uk8Q7A6Z0II/AAAAAAAAQa4/2A1-6Grr9d4/s1600-h/P1030425%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1030425 (Large)" border="0" alt="P1030425 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nzUUx3Sv1Vc/Uk8Q7s7GIoI/AAAAAAAAQa8/eyakvRc9wrQ/P1030425%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify">As some of you will have seen, there's a picture in a post below that my friend Tony did in anticipation that i will turn the blog into a book, well now you know where he got the picture from that he started with!</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hMs1RQLLEoM/Uk8Q8V9S0OI/AAAAAAAAQbI/Oil4SFu0VqA/s1600-h/1236868_675102615833252_1986698661_n%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="1236868_675102615833252_1986698661_n" border="0" alt="1236868_675102615833252_1986698661_n" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KhT16g8vqh0/Uk8Q9XKcx4I/AAAAAAAAQbQ/cfFE6yEF_QY/1236868_675102615833252_1986698661_n_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="315" height="407"></a></p> <p align="justify">Day 2 album of pictures at the link below:</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:d1ca2506-5ed9-46db-a4a0-3d5b15eb4871" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><a style="border:0px" href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=d78b5197f3871614&page=browse&resid=D78B5197F3871614!19853&parid=D78B5197F3871614!117&type=5"><img style="border:0px" alt="View Berlin day 2" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qu1CZOFFLcs/Uk8Q93UYH-I/AAAAAAAAQbY/mF1CTh3btvs/InlineRepresentation74ec5189-0701-46ab-9066-ed523111c830%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a><div style="width:771px;text-align:right;" ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=d78b5197f3871614&page=browse&resid=D78B5197F3871614!19853&parid=D78B5197F3871614!117&type=5">View Full Album</a></div></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205669373504703653.post-6451879465717074192013-09-23T07:29:00.001+01:002013-09-23T07:29:43.598+01:00ilove!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Thanks to Tony for this fantastic book cover should i ever do one from the blog! Arrived home yesterday, catching up with a few things and then its time to catch up with the blog.<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yHMsiPusm5Q/Uj_fvNBk4yI/AAAAAAAAQTM/4_SW20otnQ4/s1600-h/1236868_675102615833252_1986698661_n%25255B5%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="1236868_675102615833252_1986698661_n" border="0" height="578" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-u3XRQ0wajdU/Uj_fv4wjVXI/AAAAAAAAQTU/68nVvAV_JtU/1236868_675102615833252_1986698661_n_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline;" title="1236868_675102615833252_1986698661_n" width="449" /></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205669373504703653.post-90029537938985400652013-09-20T12:02:00.001+01:002013-10-20T18:19:09.867+01:00Manchester…<p align="justify">After arriving home last night from two weeks in Germany ( which i will get around to blogging about), being back for 16 hours , it was time to drive over to Wakefield to pick up John Kelly from Philadelphia, Frank fro Arizona and his girlfriend Dora from Hawaii. They had been in London the last couple of days seen the show at Wembley 2 nights ago and had taken the 10am train up to Wakefield.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fTtOsRH--Jc/UjwqqpVEwQI/AAAAAAAAQO0/r7MSMLvf7YU/s1600-h/IMG-20130916-00423%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG-20130916-00423" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG-20130916-00423" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-u6nvdAa-Sdo/Ujwqrot02kI/AAAAAAAAQO8/AmAIUHwCrtM/IMG-20130916-00423_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="278" height="368"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XXTPZL8T2OU/UjwqtRP1NjI/AAAAAAAAQPE/Forc4yDkej8/s1600-h/IMG-20130916-00424%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG-20130916-00424" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG-20130916-00424" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Y82Ch7at5d4/UjwquqWBi4I/AAAAAAAAQPM/e2rhRyClu2E/IMG-20130916-00424_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="278" height="368"></a> </p> <p align="justify">After picking them up at the train station we headed back to my home town, Holmfirth.They got to meet m dad at the house and we all headed on for a drink and pub lunch in the village.</p> <p align="justify">We started the drive over to Manchester around 2:30 and arrived at the Premier Inn in Manchester just before 4pm. The guys checked in and i waited in the lobby. No idea what these girls were doing in the lobby but the head in their bag looked a little suspect!</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Il7yNJEhEj4/Ujwqw8IIX1I/AAAAAAAAQPU/NGxiFqlbRMQ/s1600-h/Manchester-20130916-00426%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Manchester-20130916-00426" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Manchester-20130916-00426" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NnPZhzUIYRw/UjwqzqTR0-I/AAAAAAAAQPc/Ms7i3CeN3qw/Manchester-20130916-00426_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="270" height="358"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--faBZr5UKBk/Ujwq00zroVI/AAAAAAAAQPk/6RbeZqdz_C8/s1600-h/IMG-20130916-00425%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG-20130916-00425" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG-20130916-00425" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GWWnR5pbPi4/Ujwq4UGexEI/AAAAAAAAQPs/zjpKczz8gKg/IMG-20130916-00425_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="354"></a> </p> <p align="justify">Just as we were about to leave, who should walk out of the bar but Glenn (Povey) he was staying here too and the five of us jumped in my car and drove down to park by the arena for tonight's show. I had arranged a pre show meet up at Henry J Beans in The Printworks which was a five minute walk from the venue. As we passed the box office John wanted to see if he could better his seat for tonight's show, he had second row in front of Jon and Harry at the moment but as he said, there was another row ahead of him that would put him 3 feet nearer! We bumped into Matt Leonard from Boston and his friend Barry from the UK while at the box office. it looked like John had to be content with 2nd row tonight (such a shame huh John? : ) Glenn had been to the box office earlier in the day and managed to pick up a9th row dead centre for the show so he was happy, Matt Leonard had just bought two tickets in the 2nd block back on the side so he was also pretty happy.</p> <p align="justify">We all headed out to the pre show meet up bar, John and i calling at a hotel on the way to pick up his ticket that he’d bought off a guy on one of the forums.As it turned out I'd met a couple of them on the last tour, we had a quick chat John got his ticket and we headed back to the bar. We’d met in this same bar 4 or 5 times over the past few years/tours so most people knew where to go whether they had seen it on the blog or not. Elzira and Alberto from Brazil arrived, as did Mat Johns, Mark from Liverpool and Greg from New Jersey who John had bought a ticket from for Paris and arranged to meet at the bar.</p> <p align="justify">Three or Four months ago I’d had an e mail through my blog from a guy (Gary) who lived in my hometown of Huddersfield and he was going to the Manchester show and wanted to meet up. While John was in London inline for the Wembley show he was stood next to a guy from my hometown and started chatting to him, they went in the show and stood together during the show. John sent me an e mail the next day telling me the above. Not an hour later i got an e mail from gray telling me he had met a friend of mine, John from the USA and had seen the show with him!!!! Small world! Anyway Gary showed up at the meet up too and it was great to finally meet him ace to face.</p> <p align="justify">We all started to head down to the venue a few at a time and on arrival i bumped into Kevin, He’s been in Europe working with Leonard Cohen shows the past few weeks so hasn't done as many Roger shows as he normally would, but he’s happy and doing something that he enjoys and that's what counts:) On entering the venue immediately bumped into Graham Pippet and his wife, we've known each other going on ten year, have met up all over the world and he had also come up from London after seeing the Wembley show, was going out to Dublin as we were the next day and then also flying to Paris to see the last show. I headed down to the floor area, found John and it turned out graham and his wife were sat right in front of him in that row that was 3 feet closer, the front one!</p> <p align="justify">Robbie came out to the front of the stage to see us before the show, Alberto and Elzira posed for a few pictures with him and as always he was chatty and happy to oblige to people asking him for pictures and autographs.</p> <p align="justify">I was 16th row dead centre tonight, sitting next to Kevin, although for the 2nd set we sat 2nd row on the aisle right in front of Roger. The past shows in Manchester have been amazing, the crowd have always made the shows what they are and the help of a few thousand “scousers” from Liverpool has always made it a show to remember with hundreds of people singing and cheering the whole night. Tonight was different though, as much as i knew and had heard there were lots of people there from Liverpool, the crowd stayed seated for all of the first half of the show. </p> <p align="justify">What amazed me more than anything about tonight though was how small the wall looked! It had been a while since I'd seen an indoor show and the Manchester Venue while it is similar to a normal indoor arena, its a very narrow arena with only 3 blocks of seats across and each block only holding 20 seats at the most. This was even more evident when you looked over at where the hotel room would come out, actually right onto some of the sets on the first tier!!</p> <p align="justify">Manchester Arena (post show)</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-N4ccgTYj6Ew/Ujwq7MH-dcI/AAAAAAAAQP0/1SVZY2346o8/s1600-h/Manchester%252520panorama%2525201%252520small%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Manchester panorama 1 small" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Manchester panorama 1 small" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-exTXl7go8dQ/Ujwq8S-dzKI/AAAAAAAAQP8/EohMUXodcGk/Manchester%252520panorama%2525201%252520small_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="758" height="259"></a> </p> <p align="justify">The crowd did pick up a lot during the second half of the show, Roger getting everyone to their feet during Comfy Numb and Run Like Hell.The projections and the sound was incredible, made me decide that i do prefer the indoor Arena shows, until i saw Dublin and again my mind was changed lol. When the hotel room did come out, one guy ran up to behind Roger and took a couple of pictures, he didn't return to his seat though he just stood their watching. it was the nearest I've ever seen anyone get to Roger during a show and Duncan and Todd ( Rogers security) were going crazy on the floor below the hotel room, waving the guy to go back and trying to tell the local security to get the guy back, took probably 60 seconds for this to happen though! Dave’s shadow at the back of the arena during Comfy Numb was fantastic tonight,show three clear “shadow Daves” unfortunately i was a bit too slow with my camera as the solo tonight was unreal and i was concentrating on that! During the first half of the show as Roger was doing his “Mother speech” they showed Roger on the big screen behind him,which looked great! this is the first time they have done that and it just shows you even though there's only 3 shows left, Rogers still looking at things and changing things all the time.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JKb8Nb1XB_M/UmQQQtskxaI/AAAAAAAAQpU/brUWVx-_V2U/s1600-h/P1050464Large%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050464 (Large)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050464 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qxJwwjpdklE/Ujwq_8iOQAI/AAAAAAAAQpY/5EM-oX18xRw/P1050464Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="142"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--FAZSlKOVJA/UjwrA8fpGyI/AAAAAAAAQpk/P8wQbcQO0AU/s1600-h/P1050462Large%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050462 (Large)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050462 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-j-hu7TRTBHA/UjwrDhZ1KfI/AAAAAAAAQps/l5THi9Bt-DU/P1050462Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="248" height="142"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ToY5M4IImNE/UjwrEksMR_I/AAAAAAAAQp0/T0kZZyPEWLc/s1600-h/P1050460Large%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050460 (Large)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050460 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UttC6XXcFxc/UjwrFcnbMwI/AAAAAAAAQp8/7llL3yzVFD8/P1050460Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="249" height="142"></a> </p> <p align="justify">Few shots below from In The Flesh, Run Like Hell and Waiting For The Worms:</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dtgkLph70L4/UjwrF4YXqQI/AAAAAAAAQqE/2qCcEBq0J1Y/s1600-h/P1050467Large%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050467 (Large)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050467 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_Wzrs6S2NRs/UjwrGtZQuVI/AAAAAAAAQqM/jAnZaDX4QUQ/P1050467Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="249" height="142"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ooH1gh_Beus/UjwrH28SvBI/AAAAAAAAQqU/shgUBSkRYak/s1600-h/P1050469Large%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050469 (Large)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050469 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xrgqRpAPlDg/UjwrIrDjXhI/AAAAAAAAQqc/Ddk2PLbvNi8/P1050469Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="249" height="142"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6y7QMyiJZMM/UjwrK_5dQRI/AAAAAAAAQqk/i6QfIvPsB2A/s1600-h/P1050474Large%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050474 (Large)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050474 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5kbp6KjTXbQ/UjwrLs2dSII/AAAAAAAAQqs/Yo2R--8dn8M/P1050474Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="249" height="142"></a> </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-M8dGyTbhJeo/UjwrMZ25ywI/AAAAAAAAQq0/4awrqGChw5Y/s1600-h/P1050477Large%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050477 (Large)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050477 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-u6_cx_hwYcQ/UjwrM5GMtcI/AAAAAAAAQq8/EdlVcYpngD8/P1050477Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="249" height="142"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Hka9Jwd_ceI/UjwrNY71ANI/AAAAAAAAQrE/0jsJFR9NG00/s1600-h/P1050482Large%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050482 (Large)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050482 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1IV0yHbmLtw/UjwrOIlSKHI/AAAAAAAAQrM/u_6ywbJXDpk/P1050482Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="249" height="142"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-spEpQMPZxB0/UjwrOpZrVRI/AAAAAAAAQrU/xy9vvhfWGIs/s1600-h/P1050485Large%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050485 (Large)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050485 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JBbnVTTNOjo/UjwrPJzTXtI/AAAAAAAAQrc/CyXWGm3Jmlw/P1050485Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="249" height="142"></a> </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-a0Zqx6JgC2I/UjwrP_XwqXI/AAAAAAAAQrk/S5wvmSAXdNM/s1600-h/P1050497Large%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050497 (Large)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050497 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IWA-o4KozAY/UjwrQwiTbGI/AAAAAAAAQrs/2Ff4PhTNWXc/P1050497Large_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="249" height="142"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GOF7h3z9QQc/UjwrR1dAvbI/AAAAAAAAQr0/UbQiIEG6dDs/s1600-h/P1050498Large%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050498 (Large)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050498 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-D3exeRnTC_g/UjwrS45rJtI/AAAAAAAAQr8/cYr_XdmgsfQ/P1050498Large_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="249" height="142"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CTlxe1SiLpE/UjwrTnyArwI/AAAAAAAAQsE/EwUxMXNqnmM/s1600-h/P1050501Large%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050501 (Large)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050501 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-foskmEbVd7k/UjwrUfHfVsI/AAAAAAAAQsM/njluuywbZAY/P1050501Large_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="249" height="142"></a></p> <p align="justify">As you can see from the above pictures, Kevin and i moved up to second row dead centre for the second half just off the aisle, and John came across from his 3rd row seat in front of Jon Carin and joined us too.</p> <p align="justify">I kept looking back at my friend Mark Poole from, Liverpool, he had come over with his friends and was having a blast in the 4th row, standing up all the time and trying to get everyone else to, also getting noticed what he was doing by Roger and getting lots of eye contact and encouragement from him to carry on what he was doing to help!</p> <p align="justify">The show its self went without incident and it was a great reminder as to just exactly how far this show had come along, after seeing countless outdoor and Arena shows, to see it in such a small venue again was great! I dropped Frank, Dora and john off at their hotel and i drive the 45 minutes back home. I was getting the train over to Manchester airport the nest morning to meet up with John as we were both flying over to Dublin at 3:30pm</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205669373504703653.post-8129044912136906252013-09-19T01:41:00.001+01:002013-09-19T01:41:31.637+01:00Dublin….<p>Will catch up on the blog soon, great show tonight, audience were great, sound was incredible.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3-vnIyM5Bf4/UjpIJ2dCfiI/AAAAAAAAQOM/j75Ms6N04RM/s1600-h/Dublin%252520panorama%2525202%252520small%25255B4%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="Dublin panorama 2 small" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="Dublin panorama 2 small" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4Svv7mvn7ec/UjpIKk-WI6I/AAAAAAAAQOU/6DhCkN7zeLc/Dublin%252520panorama%2525202%252520small_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="752" height="254"></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Wd7wTI9baMo/UjpIN2ooocI/AAAAAAAAQOc/gf3Vjd25_Ts/s1600-h/Dublin%252520panorama%2525201%252520small%25255B4%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="Dublin panorama 1 small" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="Dublin panorama 1 small" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bEpRvtxglEg/UjpIOs9SfPI/AAAAAAAAQOk/jkzzhuD_V-A/Dublin%252520panorama%2525201%252520small_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="753" height="233"></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205669373504703653.post-66811389054843981132013-09-16T07:24:00.001+01:002013-09-16T07:24:00.759+01:00Berlin, day 1….<p align="justify">So the last two nights I'd been in a hotel slightly out of the city, Kami, Mark, Beth, Kim and Joe were arriving from the US today so i was changing hotels and would be with them all for the next 2 weeks.</p> <p align="justify">Kim and Joe were due in around 9am, Kami, Beth and Mark around 1pm. took a cab over to the Park Inn hotel around 11am and tried to check in. The lady at the desk said they didn't have the three rooms all on the same floor ready yet so i was unable to check in. i told her it was fine if the rooms weren't on the same floor and she immediately allocated me a clean corner room on the 27th floor overlooking the Berlin TV tower.</p> <p align="justify">I’d remembered booking this for us all a few months ago the second i entered the room as the bathrooms were like a glass pod within the room itself. it had lines of frosted glass on the sides which gave a bit of privacy but unless you are very familiar with the person you're staying with i wouldn't recommend it!</p> <p align="justify">After unpacking my case i headed down to the lobby to wait for Kami and Mark and Beth to arrive. Kim and Joe were in the lobby and had arrived a couple of hours ago and were unable to check in their room so had been off exploring. Kim told me about this bowling lounge they had found across the street and was very enthusiastic about us all going there sometime. i took them both over to the reception and managed to get them checked into a room on a different floor,the 26th, one floor down from ours. I then headed back down into the lobby. it wasn't long before the others arrived, it had been nearly 3 months since I’d seen Kami, the longest we’ve been apart during the last 2 years! They were pretty tired, then arrived at Heathrow at 7am, then had 10am flight to Berlin.</p> <p align="justify">Lots of other friends were coming to the Berlin show too. Wendy and her husband Chris were due in tomorrow morning. Ole and Stuart the same but later in the day and Jens, Emil, Kevin, Phil, Laila, Frank, Bluenose Matt and many others were all coming in within the next 48 hours. Kami and i also had two friends in town who we last saw in Buenos Aires in march 2012. Marcelo and his wife Veronica were on their honeymoon and had been touring around Europe for the last 3 weeks and had 3 more weeks ahead of them. They were leaving the next day so i called them up and arranged to meet them for drinks at the top of the TV tower tonight at 6pm as Mark had already made reservations for the 6 of us before leaving the US.</p> <p align="justify">Beth, Kami, Joe, Kim and Mark, 3 hours after arriving The TV tower and our hotel</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mr9iOM96M2s/Ujaj2HjWMmI/AAAAAAAAQLw/a-qUPUht8qs/s1600-h/P1030253Large4.jpg"><img title="P1030253 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030253 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XXmnOR3CU94/Ujaj2mdx5pI/AAAAAAAAQL4/H14844YJSHs/P1030253Large_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="351" height="200"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-G8UDuLp6dws/Ujaj3bDcHLI/AAAAAAAAQMA/_OMJKJlTlk0/s1600-h/P1030272Large5.jpg"><img title="P1030272 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030272 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wsLresV6w8I/Ujaj30m-AcI/AAAAAAAAQMI/3F8t1jVExB0/P1030272Large_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="351" height="200"></a> </p> <p align="justify">We headed over to the tower around 5:30pm only took a 10 minute walk and Beth was excited as we passed both a Dunkin Donuts AND a Starbucks on the way over there! We headed up the tower and took a seat at the bar, al of us needed a drink and it was our first drink together while on our German vacation. </p> <p align="justify">Mark and Kami heading up the tower Kami, Beth, Mark, Kim and Joe Mark, Kim and Joe discuss German beer!</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-g9TpwP_-eJc/Ujaj4hrH8hI/AAAAAAAAQMQ/ua7YXfmi7xA/s1600-h/P1030257Large%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1030257 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030257 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iwftNcyktOQ/Ujaj5BKValI/AAAAAAAAQMY/2B5jVXfdgQA/P1030257Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsSDy2WFmi0TtITsG26HwAwlcrt3nC1p2BDuaN3KWmqqe4ggSTpwNzfboJyMRuazhWNPR79NGbrEZ5tZq-vJ2nw00zXfr6_euzI0W7UOkPng3vQVYs5cOr7KBkE8x1yITAIhhg8ZH_Tvza/s1600-h/P1030260Large.jpg"><img title="P1030260 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030260 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5hdzfJtInH8/Ujaj6VWxa3I/AAAAAAAAQMo/CqGW5pDeH04/P1030260Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iSvANi1SByY/Ujaj7OhJd_I/AAAAAAAAQMw/UFiNTdzphGs/s1600-h/P1030261Large.jpg"><img title="P1030261 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030261 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Hyuc-8S5TdU/Ujaj7olGk6I/AAAAAAAAQM4/h_gO60k0vzQ/P1030261Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify">10 minutes later i called and spotted Marcelo, they had just arrived, it was fantastic to see them again. Kami and i had so much fun hanging out with them down in Argentina and it was good to catch up, just shame we didn't have more time and they were leaving tomorrow. Kim mentioned about having dinner at the bowling lounge, everyone pulled their faces up and Kim continued to tell us it was like no other bowling alley she had seen, with awesome couches to hang out in, bar areas etc etc</p> <p align="justify">Marcelo, Kami and Veronica Myself, Marcelo and Veronica.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_sClx2_Ihow/Ujaj8RLHw0I/AAAAAAAAQNA/rRLwd3eOsXQ/s1600-h/P1030263Large%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1030263 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030263 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-O5K2vnGsUjQ/Ujaj8zU_nSI/AAAAAAAAQNI/0QvA1xG9hNg/P1030263Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_llVpmuiH1w/Ujaj9-6wy4I/AAAAAAAAQNQ/Mku-u-fbhuc/s1600-h/P1030267Large%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1030267 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030267 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-d8ejfXYIEYA/Ujaj-V-LLCI/AAAAAAAAQNY/8Rgr5kwN4Ks/P1030267Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dk94jFIl7No/Ujaj_FkyuhI/AAAAAAAAQNg/jW_zvd5fxGE/s1600-h/P1030269Large%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1030269 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030269 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-st-DJTQxcbI/Ujaj_1b6TMI/AAAAAAAAQNo/St5tPz5mVPw/P1030269Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p align="justify">None of us had eaten most of the day, some had eaten airline food earlier in the day, others had eaten sausages and toast with brown sauce at Heathrow! I got Mark hooked on HP brown sauce the last time i was in Virginia, i took a large bottle over with me and he loved it! so when he saw it in Heathrow he couldn't resist. We decided to give in to Kim and the eight of us headed over to the bowling lounge. It was raining when we came out of the tower and after the 10 minute walk to the entertainment centre and finding it was all closed up, we headed back towards the hotel and had a nice dinner at a restaurant attached to the hotel. It was around 11 when we said our goodbyes to Marcelo and Veronica and the rest of us headed up for an early night and to get some sleep ready for a day of sightseeing on the “hop on, hop off” bus tour around Berlin tomorrow.</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205669373504703653.post-38237571079476420232013-09-08T08:57:00.001+01:002013-09-08T08:57:19.408+01:00OMG, how did they get in here ?<p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify">There were “Arabs with knives” at the foot of the bed, they were at the foot of the bed.</p> <p align="justify">Sorry for the lack of updates, I'm a few days behind and will hopefully catch up soon, I'm travelling around Germany on vacation with family now so have little time to write, however I've just spent half an hour typing out what happened last night while it was fresh in my mind!</p> <p align="justify">So as most people who know me know, my favourite Roger album is “The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking” its my “dessert island” album. So for me to be in Germany where the album is set and to be travelling around for two weeks is a great experience while listening to some of the lyrics and seeing some of the sights. However, what happened last night in the hotel room here where i am in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rothenburg_ob_der_Tauber" target="_blank">Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber</a> at 2am in the morning was more like a scene from Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds than Rogers story about a dream!</p> <p align="justify">Kami, Kim, Joe and i were sharing a separate annex to the hotel here, its got two bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, living room , kitchen and also a hallway that's used to access both bedrooms. It was nearly midnight last night when Kami and i walked back to our room from the terrace of the main hotel, We’d all been sat out on the hotel terrace watching the fireworks and drinking nice wine.. We were both sleeping when they arrived back to the room as I’d been driving for 5 hours today and i fell straight to sleep the second my head hit the pillow.</p> <p align="justify">Our hotel The terrace Wine!</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aPxd8TSLxj4/UiwtuSjmLWI/AAAAAAAAQHg/ZWN9R5UqY8M/s1600-h/P1040281%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1040281 (Large)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1040281 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WUWm1lmBYaI/Uiwtu7EsmII/AAAAAAAAQHo/3zTyWdeZswo/P1040281%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="185" height="140"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HngFuanAfac/Uiwtvets6qI/AAAAAAAAQHw/9Zc69dMUxcw/s1600-h/P1040285%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1040285 (Large)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1040285 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-q9P85d41yNM/Uiwtv0Y_74I/AAAAAAAAQH4/hLNgQ4wE-Iw/P1040285%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QHXKyX5tAyo/UiwtwU7Fg5I/AAAAAAAAQIA/-vAW2CCo8xc/s1600-h/P1040289%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1040289 (Large)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1040289 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-L66c1m27MO4/UiwtwwBC1ZI/AAAAAAAAQII/TCZev-bSIvQ/P1040289%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify">I woke up in the middle of the night feeling busts of wind over my face, i looked at my cell phone and it was 2:30am. i let my eyes focus for a few minutes and while doing so i could hear and see some small black things floating around in the room. At first i thought they were months but they were too big to be moths, it was then a realised they were bats!!</p> <p align="justify">There were only two or three in the room but it sounded like there were a dozen! they were flying from one corner to the other in the room, swooping down to within inches of my head! i turned over and tried to get to sleep but that wasn't happening at all. i turned and looked at Kami but she was out cold sleeping. I then got out of bed and opened the bedroom door a little more to try let them fly out, it was then that i saw what was probably between 15 and 20 bats all flying around in the hallway! Kim and Joe had come home and opened the window in the hallway wide open. I kid you not, it was like a scene from Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds!! I desperately needed to use the bathroom which was the other side of the hallway so I just closed my eyes and just ran across to the bathroom, i was totally naked, running through a hallway with 20 bats flying around my head!! </p> <p align="justify">The hallway The point of entry!</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lrPF0sWgOPc/UiwtxYgxUgI/AAAAAAAAQIQ/8LUHC_1kFNY/s1600-h/P1040416%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1040416 (Large)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1040416 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GQlZ0L4TPN0/UiwtxzHQR5I/AAAAAAAAQIY/JUB__UR_Xek/P1040416%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fgWuMjFu-is/UiwtyWdyXjI/AAAAAAAAQIg/KhAK2ot1dlk/s1600-h/P1040417%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1040417 (Large)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1040417 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vvz3Fh9eOoI/Uiwty7y9AsI/AAAAAAAAQIk/9BwNlRcZkl4/P1040417%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify">As i headed back, i remembered their was another small bedroom with a single bed in off the hallway. I looked across and the door was closed, no bats in there i thought. I went back in the bedroom and laid on the bed for 5 minutes, Kami had woken up by this point and i told her the whole story of my dash to the bathroom. It was at this point that one of the bats decided to “Go on Judge, Shit on him” right on my face! then on the sheet of the bed right next to me!</p> <p align="justify">That was it, i was done, i got back up and opened the hallway door, i just stood there and looked as the bats filled the hallway swooping from one side to the other, i could see them lit up in the moonlight from the open window. i thought about closing the window to stop any more getting in but how would the ones already there get out? Again, i just hunkered down and ran for the small bedroom, opened the door, went inside and closed the door behind me within nano seconds.</p> <p align="justify">The spare bedroom</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6B7itwYNmtE/UiwtzW0zzQI/AAAAAAAAQIw/nRHPTZV7Bjg/s1600-h/P1040418%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1040418 (Large)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1040418 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XLZxvhi4pU8/UiwtzwHJJRI/AAAAAAAAQI4/9So9WNvS1Uo/P1040418%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a></p> <p align="justify">It took me an hour or so to settle down but i finally fell to sleep. the next thing i knew it was 4:30am, Kami was at the door and told me al the bats had gone so come back to the other bedroom.I shook my head, said something i cant remember, rolled over and went back to sleep!</p> <p align="justify">Its now 9am, I've been up since before 7, i headed back to the main bedroom walking through the hallway and noticing that the hallway, both bathrooms and our bedroom had the lights on, it was like some horror film where you have to leave the lights on so the vampires don't come get you! Kami was wide awake and told me how she got the bats out of the bedroom apart from one which she watched crawl up into the top of the curtains and is still there as i type this! We have to get it out by tonight or risk getting shit on again! i so wish i had taken a picture of the hallway as i opened the door, what probably would have been a more horrific picture though was me stood there naked running through the room terrified!</p> <p align="justify">The bats in there somewhere! Picture in our room! looks like me last night!</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_ZSxbD032HI/Uiwt0XN64_I/AAAAAAAAQJA/eQp5Btz6pJA/s1600-h/P1040415%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1040415 (Large)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1040415 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WayVIP54suQ/Uiwt09gr0hI/AAAAAAAAQJI/RtOss2_pBlY/P1040415%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="281" height="161"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RcXx-44uXx0/Uiwt1tVU-vI/AAAAAAAAQJQ/8CcxuNDlOC8/s1600-h/P1040419%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1040419 (Large)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1040419 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_h318mrv2ZI/Uiwt10YwFfI/AAAAAAAAQJY/iF271JJ8HtY/P1040419%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="160"></a> </p> <p align="justify">I know for a fact that Kim is frightened of spiders, needles and other trivial things, i dread to think what would have happened had Kim needed the bathroom and opened the door to the hallway, you would have heard the screams the other side of the world!</p> <p align="justify">I dread to think if I’m gonna get any sleep tonight, it hasn't helped seeing the picture that my friend Jackie posted on my facebook page after hearing the story!</p> <p align="justify">Thanks Jackie, this is gonna make me sleep so much more tonight!</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GowgulwNxJE/Uiwt2k2CVRI/AAAAAAAAQJg/SgHjC7i4dkI/s1600-h/1238809_10151914579333408_2010445434_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="1238809_10151914579333408_2010445434_n" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="1238809_10151914579333408_2010445434_n" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ukfqW4PdBR0/Uiwt3OmtjRI/AAAAAAAAQJo/765yt64nAVw/1238809_10151914579333408_2010445434_n_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="408" height="308"></a> </p> <p align="justify">More pictures of fireworks from last night:</p> <div align="justify"> <div id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:7ea73d4f-dc92-450f-8676-acc662852dbd" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px"><a style="border:0px" href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=d78b5197f3871614&page=browse&resid=D78B5197F3871614!18884&parid=D78B5197F3871614!117&type=5"><img style="border:0px" alt="View Rothenburg fireworks" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Rx1BbJ_f9hY/Uiwt3u8gxXI/AAAAAAAAQJw/1A2P3aL346s/InlineRepresentation8d8e0ed3-5408-4c7f-a230-cfc7df20913f%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a><div style="width:726px;text-align:right;" ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=d78b5197f3871614&page=browse&resid=D78B5197F3871614!18884&parid=D78B5197F3871614!117&type=5">View Full Album</a></div></div></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205669373504703653.post-15699824324551078702013-09-06T08:07:00.001+01:002013-09-06T08:07:47.992+01:00Day two of two exhausting days..<p align="justify">So we hadnt moved on the train for the last 30 minutes, i went to find the hector and asked hi what the problem was, “engine, problem” he said, ugh that's all i needed.</p> <p align="justify">Workman and his bread roll! My sleeper train! (not really) </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HVWXeGATBJ8/Uil_JRK_LUI/AAAAAAAAQFU/guxN6C1dg9g/s1600-h/P1030221%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1030221 (Large)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1030221 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Px4lUv4xkps/Uil_JyNgAAI/AAAAAAAAQFc/LVkvW5a0RGk/P1030221%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oFTioYQCnz0/Uil_KYDapNI/AAAAAAAAQFk/9yPOzyMKHR4/s1600-h/P1030226%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1030226 (Large)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1030226 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rugWYezW444/Uil_K3nHORI/AAAAAAAAQFs/AWs_PikBSU4/P1030226%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eonMyv-Hoas/Uil_LjTMStI/AAAAAAAAQF0/NoFY6RdJP98/s1600-h/P1030219%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1030219 (Large)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1030219 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HOrn_dDz0Co/Uil_MBbX4bI/AAAAAAAAQF8/rmFsvtJv6Vo/P1030219%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify">TWO HOURS later we start to move! the second we started moving i started to try work out if i would make my 11:10 connection, it was close, i would have ten minutes to spare to get form one platform, find out what platform the connecting train was going from and then getting over to the train.</p> <p align="justify">Just for the fun of it i looked on Easyjets website at flights from Budapest to Berlin, they weren't too bad and the flight time was good, however i really wanted to make the train and see the rest of the country as we were travelling through Hungary and Germany. We rolled into Budapest at 11:08 exactly, i was one of the first off the train but unfortunately the carriage i was in was at the far end of the platform, by the time i got to the timetable board it was 11:14, i looked up at the board and the 11:10 to Berlin had left 4 minutes ago! ugh!</p> <p align="justify">I went to the ticket office and asked about the sleeper car for the 8pm train that would get me into Berlin at 7am. The sleeper was sold out and you have to have a compulsory reservation for the overnight trains and the thought of spending another night in a cabin on a train with 5 6 or even 7 other people in the room didn't appeal to me at all. I headed over to Burger King, logged on to their free Wi-Fi and looked at the Easyjet flight. It was now nearly noon and the flight to Berlin left Budapest at 5:30pm, arrived at 6:30 and I'd be in the hotel for 8, perfect!.</p> <p align="justify">Train timetable in Budapest, must have known Kamilla was coming next day!</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-V_0yWd_xfZw/Uil_M5ltQvI/AAAAAAAAQGE/SOwl_N_IsaE/s1600-h/P1030244%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1030244 (Large)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1030244 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-F_ddK0-VUdU/Uil_NRLNWCI/AAAAAAAAQGM/txfpJcTSksM/P1030244%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0NJalJEKPXYiO0I-hbk5lvEwHOUaQbfWzq0tqeUXoUk1szZ6e9vcLRNSKkxn9WtLTOpwxH45prFLP6Bgw3chkvEc_j6BDk4Gq4AjLHSMhpdnYYh8CgZaVQZQQVu1GmTAxtn86gsFAo7N/s1600-h/P1030246%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1030246 (Large)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1030246 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qkGnwhCR39Y/Uil_Oi29WAI/AAAAAAAAQGc/6VqmyBkT0j0/P1030246%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify">I booked the flight online but then found out you couldn't get the boarding pass to your phone, you HAD to pint it out!! I then logged off and found an internet cafe, logged in to my e mail, paid 50 cents to print the page, paid 50 cents for 3 minutes use on the internet and then went outside and took a taxi to the airport!</p> <p align="justify">I got to the airport, found a bar, sat down and just started to breath! where had the last several hours gone ? it all seemed such a blur.</p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify">Flight left exactly on time, i arrived in Berlin around 6:45pm took the train straight into Berlin and then a taxi to my hotel, i was in the hotel for 8:15 and the sort hotel bed has never looked so good! i remember my head hitting the pillow and the next thing i know it was morning.I had this hotel booked for two nights before Kami and family arrived and would then be moving over to their hotel for 4 more nights in Berlin. </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-v_j_uvEMyLw/Uil_PWRd60I/AAAAAAAAQGk/GYjC18oMW6I/s1600-h/1150413_516669281745065_1210913026_n%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="1150413_516669281745065_1210913026_n" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="1150413_516669281745065_1210913026_n" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XGi2oCl1fsM/Uil_P1iClzI/AAAAAAAAQGs/sdqd2J-YkJY/1150413_516669281745065_1210913026_n_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> </p> <p align="justify">The next day consisted of me walking to the post office for a cardboard box! I had to bring my suit and smart shoes with me for Rainer's wedding last week and rather than carry them around all over Germany for the next 3 weeks i out them into a box and mailed them back home! this made space in my suitcase and lightened the load a little. I also need to do some laundry, I looked on Google around where my hotel was and found a place not too far away, i dropped if off at 10am and was told it would be done for 1pm. I didn't do a lot the rest of the day and night, i chilled out at the hotel, watched a couple of films on my laptop and had an early night ready for checking out in the morning and meeting up with Kami and family at the other hotel when they arrived around 2pm.</p> <p align="justify">Few more pics below:</p> <div id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:6d94eee2-0f19-4faf-9a96-430391d9fed3" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px"><a style="border:0px" href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=d78b5197f3871614&page=browse&resid=D78B5197F3871614!18564&parid=D78B5197F3871614!117&type=5"><img style="border:0px" alt="View Bucharest to Budapest" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-anqR6dO4CmI/Uil_Qgj4zZI/AAAAAAAAQG0/FWf6DkuPZeA/InlineRepresentation49219b99-d71e-4d9d-9d09-bc5a7afb32e6%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a><div style="width:754px;text-align:right;" ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=d78b5197f3871614&page=browse&resid=D78B5197F3871614!18564&parid=D78B5197F3871614!117&type=5">View Full Album</a></div></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205669373504703653.post-87190742051069326952013-08-31T13:42:00.001+01:002013-09-01T08:11:36.292+01:00Day one of two exhausting days<p align="justify">So here was the original plan:</p> <p align="justify">I would get the train from Bucharest to Berlin, leaving at 5 pm on Thursday (the day after the show) and arrive in Berlin at 10 pm on Friday night. It was a sleeper train from Bucharest to Budapest, arriving at 9am Friday morning and then a connecting train to Berlin at 9:40am, so i had 40 minutes to walk from one platform to another. That was the one and only “real” day train to Berlin, there was one that left at 11:10am but that didn't arrive until 1:30am on the Saturday morning! After that the next one was pm and that would mean another night on a sleeper train and arriving Saturday. The route i was taking was still 29 hours on two trains!</p> <p align="justify">I went for a wander around by the hotel for a couple of hours in the morning, no idea where i was going or what I'd see but it was a nice sunny day and i had 7 hours to go before my train left. The train station was a 5 minute walk from my hotel so I’d no rush to be back and no taxi or bus rides to take to get there on time. I picked up a couple of Romanian croissant type pastry things at a local shop and a bottle of iced tea and had breakfast as was walking around. </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dPkuib5SHQ4/UiHjowIa0UI/AAAAAAAAP6w/Jq6N9s4G7QI/s1600-h/P1030116%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1030116 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030116 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hp5Lm4dC3YY/UiHjpsbgyVI/AAAAAAAAP64/nxM_Rvf3FSI/P1030116%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WpPlfJm-Q-8/UiHjqsrMfCI/AAAAAAAAP7A/SuaaBVxS-ik/s1600-h/P1030117%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1030117 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030117 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RwKS7xAw5HQ/UiHjrXQDPYI/AAAAAAAAP7I/Rz_26rahxa0/P1030117%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yu5pngG3X5E/UiHjsnYO45I/AAAAAAAAP7Q/2TYErtBxH_w/s1600-h/P1030121%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1030121 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030121 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UycWBymVJvc/UiHjtGxW4KI/AAAAAAAAP7Y/324PVZ9ZPf0/P1030121%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hWhp3peEvcQ/UiHs8iO-_dI/AAAAAAAAP7s/Ec4z58mVahM/s1600-h/P1030122%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1030122 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030122 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rzNaP97YEAU/UiHjupzcjaI/AAAAAAAAP70/Zs9ARIualYU/P1030122%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="275" height="157"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gQvldaMIiBo/UiHjvTmO4DI/AAAAAAAAP78/xBnC9cpZBqI/s1600-h/P1030123%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1030123 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030123 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MSCPQ1pxu4Y/UiHjwJTfUQI/AAAAAAAAP8E/hC3_ehK3eek/P1030123%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="92" height="157"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MRijwe3WP6M/UiHjxHlXn0I/AAAAAAAAP8M/6dRbNqnH6Hg/s1600-h/P1030124%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1030124 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030124 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DRLKf_i-9HQ/UiHjx80lOvI/AAAAAAAAP8U/StR3XOTK7k4/P1030124%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="273" height="157"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-P5_F72aKzG4/UiHjynfro_I/AAAAAAAAP8c/UAOjVytnN8Y/s1600-h/P1030125%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1030125 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030125 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0TRuX1blHj8/UiHjzKpo6RI/AAAAAAAAP8k/LXlS37K0dO4/P1030125%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="92" height="157"></a> </p> <p align="justify">As i walked past one street i saw a market type place so took a wander down. There was an old lady with chillies spread out on a piece of plastic and a bunch of grapes on a piece of cardboard!, a man selling two chickens that appeared dead on the floor until he picked them up by the neck, they hadn't much life in them at all but they were still alive, and of course what would a local market be without a woman selling chrome shower hoses in one hand and wife beater T shirts in the other!</p> <p align="justify">It was obviously a place where locals sold and bought whatever they had. A bit further down was an indoor place with a few fruit and veg stalls and a cafe bar full of locals dinking beer. I sat down ordered a beer an just people watched for nearly 2 hours! Several locals tried to talk to me but not one of them spoke English, that didn't stop them talking Romanian to me and thinking that if they spoke a little slower or louder that I would understand what they were saying! I tried to explain to them that it doesn't work like that unfortunately but they just carried on so i nodded my head every so often.</p> <p align="justify">My initial view of the street market Cafe bar where i sat on the left One of the fruit and veg stalls</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KJYaE_NGNL4/UiHj0OeoLdI/AAAAAAAAP8s/QsnW3203gOQ/s1600-h/P1030126%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1030126 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030126 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LXFTUBKq1gI/UiHj1pGUjqI/AAAAAAAAP80/m1wRR_QOe5Y/P1030126%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pOVivZsMfXw/UiHj2sOrxWI/AAAAAAAAP88/WjaFoQJtJKA/s1600-h/P1030127%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1030127 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030127 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ehRtAQLuivk/UiHj3XtQM_I/AAAAAAAAP9E/IhBdNmXrcFE/P1030127%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-B5lpDVuMye8/UiHj4J799RI/AAAAAAAAP9M/XDGGkoTM3Tk/s1600-h/P1030129%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1030129 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030129 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5GWhKc4f2XM/UiHj46Vi6kI/AAAAAAAAP9U/YKDG1PA_tsM/P1030129%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NiwOblN_l44/UiHj572lO4I/AAAAAAAAP9c/WlIe-gWTZXs/s1600-h/P1030133%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1030133 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030133 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kSZR6OihuVs/UiHj6f8x4TI/AAAAAAAAP9k/fKmLQ55xp5g/P1030133%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BQA6Rv_-8LA/UiHj7Yijz9I/AAAAAAAAP9s/7P5xLrXQ1HI/s1600-h/P1030128%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1030128 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030128 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HIl1g8w9PSc/UiHj736RYdI/AAAAAAAAP90/CGpwRp_Eiwo/P1030128%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7xn2rJdTUmA/UiHj86EWJiI/AAAAAAAAP98/fRFv-I1vOAw/s1600-h/P1030131%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1030131 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030131 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pydygyuqwh4/UiHj9ZPoaSI/AAAAAAAAP-E/qWu2Ncuk1ws/P1030131%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify">I could have sat there all day and watched the world going on around me,it was kind of sad seeing some of the things. The old woman with the chillies, the guy with the chickens but i guess in a way they don't know any different do they ? Have to say it did make me realise just how lucky i am! especially when a woman came walking down the street with a child in the push chair and tried to sell me a pair of odd (one red and one green) flip flops! that's all she had to sell.</p> <p align="justify">It was now gone 2pm and i headed back to the hotel and packed my case and took a shower before walking over to the train station. I stopped off at an outdoor cafe and ordered some lunch and a coke, i wasn't sure what type of restaurant was going to be on the train and i was going to be on it al night so thought i would get something to eat now. As i was sat there enjoying the peace and quiet, drinking my beer and taking in the surrounding area, i saw a your “lady” walking towards me on the other side of the railings that i was sat up against. As she got closer the grip on my laptop bag increased and i put my foot kind of around my suitcase, something just didn't look right. She came up to the railing where i was sat, lent over and in broken English she said “Cheap pussy, you want?” Now I’m guessing she didn't work at the local vets of the local cattery or her cat hadn't just had kittens that she was trying to get rid of! i just looked up, shook my head and looked back down at the can of coke on the table, she mumbled something in what i presume was Romanian and went on her merry way! As i got up to head over to the train station which was just on the other side of the road, i turned the corner and saw the shop in the picture below, i wonder if it literally was a sex shop ? maybe my kitten selling friend had come from there</p> <p align="justify">Where i was propositioned Maybe she worked here ? </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KyJgYHPHOxU/UiHj-e3pqbI/AAAAAAAAP-M/JARAxGIbVhg/s1600-h/Bucure_ti-20130829-00287%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Bucureşti-20130829-00287" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Bucureşti-20130829-00287" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-l8gD5sNMY8c/UiHj-_5nMQI/AAAAAAAAP-U/FmKZrfkc2Lk/Bucure_ti-20130829-00287_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-o9FMwBwr-Xg/UiHj_or5SPI/AAAAAAAAP-c/cL0SqBUqEd4/s1600-h/Bucure_ti-20130829-00288%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Bucureşti-20130829-00288" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Bucureşti-20130829-00288" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rviRKBh5A_s/UiHkAD1yEzI/AAAAAAAAP-k/tSAQ08yCpXg/Bucure_ti-20130829-00288_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> </p> <p align="justify">The trains in Germany and fantastic, they run on time to the exact second, the in car restaurants are as good as ones you’d eat at at home and the service and cleanliness of the carriages is second to none. My months rail pass is first class, so I’m also able to log online while travelling on most of the German trains and also allowed to travel in any country in Europe on any train. The German train website even has the entire train timetable for you to download on your laptop or iPhone/blackberry so you can see pretty much plan any journey throughout Europe from wherever you are without having to be connected online! if you are connected online you even get real time train delays! The Romanian and Hungarian trains though i wasn't holding out too much hope as to what they were like! As i headed over to the station i took a picture before i went in and then saw a picture inside promoting how nice the strain station was.</p> <p align="justify">Station from my eyes How it looks to the Romanian tourist boards</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Rx3z3Gzp4HE/UiHkBIBNtVI/AAAAAAAAP-s/7niU88flNko/s1600-h/P1030134%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1030134 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030134 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SR59EU1O1f8/UiHkBhDdpDI/AAAAAAAAP-0/1kw7WEtonyQ/P1030134%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="206"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9MXcRO2PF60/UiHkCqZ33DI/AAAAAAAAP-8/GuMlmEYPK6E/s1600-h/P1030138%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1030138 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030138 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Lg0_O8FiqhE/UiHkDA4k_zI/AAAAAAAAP_E/50clfHrdg3k/P1030138%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="358" height="204"></a> </p> <p align="justify">The building was what you’d expect from some Eastern Europe country, big, busy and old. it looked fantastic inside though with old metal roof trusses and huge marble floored ticket offices and old fashioned timetable boards.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_4Yfhe8HtL4/UiHkEnkNLxI/AAAAAAAAP_Q/zksNZ9T5ClM/s1600-h/P1030144%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1030144 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030144 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LlNjBONJI9I/UiHkFLMipGI/AAAAAAAAP_Y/p0N61ISnAlM/P1030144%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3tiGFuNO2RA/UiHkF-l4-kI/AAAAAAAAP_g/X67PKVm70n4/s1600-h/P1030139%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1030139 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030139 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nzCttLQLKWE/UiHkGiIYpdI/AAAAAAAAP_o/d6iRQK8NecQ/P1030139%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JbwGYsAVWAU/UiHkHfOXKhI/AAAAAAAAP_w/sxxKZ8zlBZ0/s1600-h/P1030142%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1030142 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030142 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-S07ygEmoEx0/UiHkHydHC_I/AAAAAAAAP_4/v_mdTIOVIJs/P1030142%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7TvK8uL6940/UiHkJJBMOMI/AAAAAAAAQAA/YrsNAMCmMZE/s1600-h/P1030140%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1030140 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030140 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QgB_6IdDl9k/UiHkJ27SgRI/AAAAAAAAQAI/VVX7hcbV8po/P1030140%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WBzqabELLmM/UiHkK9-zggI/AAAAAAAAQAQ/vqgW99q6Mgs/s1600-h/P1030141%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1030141 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030141 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UyV6C1u02Qo/UiHkLkODSXI/AAAAAAAAQAY/25oLLDrgtVM/P1030141%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6LSWw-omo74/UiHkMgQp76I/AAAAAAAAQAg/QBRPw-DgprQ/s1600-h/P1030145%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1030145 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030145 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Mtua4_q21BU/UiHkNSrZe6I/AAAAAAAAQAo/guemCM4oxO0/P1030145%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify">I still had a while to go before the train which was actually 17:40 17:00 I sat down at a cafe in the station and again ordered a local bottle of beer, not even 1 euro!! An older guy pointed to the seat next to me at the table and asked in Romanian if the seat was taken, i said no and gestured for him to sit.</p> <p align="justify">5 minutes later as I’m swigging my beer i hear, “eins, zwei, drei……..” i look over and the old guys watching a video from last nights gig on his phone!! I look at him and say “you went to the show” pointing at his phone. he nodded and held his thumb up. i didn't have any blog cards in my laptop bag they were in my large suitcase so couldn't give him one but i did have my camera and showed him some pictures and video of the sound check, his eyes opened wide as he saw Roger walking on the stage, he pointed to his watch which i could tell meant what time was the sound check, i held up 4 fingers on one hand, he pointed to him self and held up six fingers, i guess he got there at 6pm!. He didn't speak a word of English but him and i had a 15 minute “conversation” about the show with gestures, hand signals and pictures!! he looked the most unlikely guy to have gone to the show but i guess that just shows what a diverse audience Rogers music has.</p> <p align="justify">Romanian Roger fan! Local beer</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eFSFGfi1VDs/UiHkOA5mzbI/AAAAAAAAQAw/KDrPPihWfxU/s1600-h/Bucure_ti-20130829-00291%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Bucureşti-20130829-00291" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Bucureşti-20130829-00291" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6G_dO9tgf4I/UiHkO7Jg6bI/AAAAAAAAQA4/yvhr1apWEpE/Bucure_ti-20130829-00291_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oPtbrauDC1Y/UiHkPnElBPI/AAAAAAAAQBA/hEQ1hKF-P_M/s1600-h/Bucure_ti-20130829-00290%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Bucureşti-20130829-00290" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Bucureşti-20130829-00290" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JihmilqtMJ4/UiHkQNydLWI/AAAAAAAAQBI/vbPx8T2jEc0/Bucure_ti-20130829-00290_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> </p> <p align="justify">He finished his beer, shook my had and smiled as he pointed towards one of the platforms, i did the same and head over to see what platform my train would be on. 13, lucky (or not ! ) for me! I knew Marek from Prague was on the same train as me heading back home, he saw me on the platform and came over to say hi. Him and his friends were very hospitable to me, Kevin, Jens, Phil and a few others when we al visited Prague in 2011 and took us all to their local cafe for drinks and even gave us some great Floyd gifts! I hadn't seen him since then so it was good to catch up and chat. As the train pulled in (on time) headed to my sleeper cabin and he headed to his seat. </p> <p align="justify">There's sleepers for 2, 3 and 4 people on most trains and then couchettes which have 6 or sometimes even 8 beds in them. My train ticket doesn't cover the bed so I’d paid for a reservation for the sleeper at the train station in Saarlouis before I’d left Germany a few day ago. A single person sleeper was nearly 100 Euros so id opted for the 2 person one at just over 40, you’ve no idea who will be sharing with you or if as sometimes is the case you an end up alone. I’d booked the lower bunk and put my case on the rack and plugged my laptop and phone in to charge.The sleeper cabins have a top bunk bed and a lower bed that also converts into seats and a table, you also have a small area with a sink and an area for luggage up the top.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-R5APlNcm3zU/UiHkQwNKr6I/AAAAAAAAQBQ/ms6PerzPxC8/s1600-h/P1030147%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1030147 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030147 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RfPlxJE-O2g/UiHkSZy2YoI/AAAAAAAAQBY/fd6Lw0lCQ9A/P1030147%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gpM_xQaa0dc/UiHkS8jjrbI/AAAAAAAAQBg/JLhzpdWUD0c/s1600-h/P1030148%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1030148 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030148 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fnmpgSdBixQ/UiHkToLdzjI/AAAAAAAAQBo/fJMgP9DRdH8/P1030148%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-apBBKFw_kHE/UiHkULjbBsI/AAAAAAAAQBw/U3tgx4fxOpI/s1600-h/P1030149%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1030149 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030149 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-K1UwvOHotLM/UiHkU7GpNhI/AAAAAAAAQB4/pOvRJ4eCz1w/P1030149%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify">Ten minutes after the train leaving, a young guy comes into the compartment, he had been backpacking around Europe and was on his way home for a week to Holland,a nice guy but quiet and didn't talk too much. </p> <p align="justify">I love travelling on the trains, i love just looking out of the windows at places I’ve never been and seeing things i may never see again. The countryside was pretty barren with a lot of older dilapidated buildings, hundreds of corn fields and thousands, no, millions of of sunflowers in thousands of fields! most were dead and withering away but every so often there would be a field full of ones that were still in full bloom</p> <p align="justify">Fields of sunflowers Mostly dead and withering away Horse and cart and railroad crossing</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ovy_n7yoAIc/UiHkVm5kwnI/AAAAAAAAQCA/fhMW9DUO1bw/s1600-h/P1030232%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1030232 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030232 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zkWAqb0RG88/UiHkWSLZQyI/AAAAAAAAQCI/hPULqp8bTfs/P1030232%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rv7_jm0GMcQ/UiHkXmMfuYI/AAAAAAAAQCQ/FxfCqD9ILEo/s1600-h/P1030234%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1030234 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030234 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1vNhNsAN0TA/UiHkYRBPVfI/AAAAAAAAQCY/imZm3gUj51Y/P1030234%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WO62DsmowE8/UiHkZPzNTNI/AAAAAAAAQCg/3l94G2zxdBA/s1600-h/P1030152%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1030152 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030152 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jViyYIHflhE/UiHkZk2_CcI/AAAAAAAAQCo/BykAg9X8rw4/P1030152%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify">Few of the building i just took random shots of on the way.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Cb9aaASvB-s/UiHkaYwhySI/AAAAAAAAQCw/hapgxdB5-FA/s1600-h/P1030172%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1030172 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030172 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-o_9kbH0ZjL4/UiHkbGRr8bI/AAAAAAAAQC4/yrJfUMdIX7s/P1030172%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LHhotOXnhQc/UiHkb3yUEsI/AAAAAAAAQDA/2V1kopuoTKs/s1600-h/P1030176%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1030176 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030176 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Qo4gS_LWzwI/UiHkcsDdzJI/AAAAAAAAQDI/PP90QuklTB8/P1030176%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4TBb59NclZU/UiHkdiBG1OI/AAAAAAAAQDQ/nG7irKLFfFU/s1600-h/P1030183%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1030183 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030183 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ddgb6_G5JMQ/UiHkeKi5sZI/AAAAAAAAQDY/hcAlHdl4tts/P1030183%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1N23wy1GSbM/UiHkfMUph7I/AAAAAAAAQDg/KBFRFb_T8R4/s1600-h/P1030178%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1030178 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030178 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_JAjp0E7Qzs/UiHkfsDoExI/AAAAAAAAQDo/qHE-VCVN2H4/P1030178%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SWxmDNuDCUw/UiHkgbLNwdI/AAAAAAAAQDw/UdAXYDC7Mp0/s1600-h/P1030179%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1030179 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030179 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TQ_aru2-CVk/UiHkhXIYIFI/AAAAAAAAQD4/kG1J19kcQ_8/P1030179%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-p7Enppha2CA/UiHkiJ4G9sI/AAAAAAAAQEA/-XUpCqSZCuo/s1600-h/P1030180%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1030180 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030180 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xdanNE5oigg/UiHki_2RIxI/AAAAAAAAQEI/kB7fCYJQi-4/P1030180%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify">The trains here don't go fast at all, in fact to do the drive from Bucharest to Budapest is about 8 hours, the train takes going on 16 hours! apparently its to do with the tracks, most of the tracks are so old that its not safe to travel at speeds above 40 miles an hour on them! </p> <p align="justify">Around 10pm, i pulled the seats around to make up the bed and tried to get some sleep, me being 6ft 22 and the bed being 5ft 5” doesn't work real well and after an hour of trying to sleep i gave up, sat up and watched the latest episodes of Breaking Bad and Dexter on my laptop, i tried again to sleep about 2am but the banging a clattering and the train going so slow and moving all over the place meant i got probably no more than 2 hours sleep before i was up again at am when the Hungarian boarder patrol board the train and knock on the compartment doors asking for passports. Minutes later the Hector comes around with a plastic shopping bag with “breakfast” in. A bottle of water, bottle of peach ices tea, a packet of cookies and a small plastic tub of marmalade! No… marmalade:) i HATE peaches! lol, had he bottle of waters an washed a few of the bone dry cookies down with some and then had a wash in the sin using both of the freshen up wipes that were supplied in a little “welcome” packet on the inside of the sink door. Both the freshen up packets looked the same from the front but after using them both and then turning them over i read what was written on them!!</p> <p align="justify">Breakfast! No…… Marmalade Well at least i had a shiny face!!</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KSy2RektD2c/UiHkj40lV3I/AAAAAAAAQEQ/er_3SeLVjxc/s1600-h/1170748_516460281765965_502705969_n%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="1170748_516460281765965_502705969_n" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="1170748_516460281765965_502705969_n" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mFX2vNt7hHM/UiHkkkoI8lI/AAAAAAAAQEY/F5417Jh8nb4/1170748_516460281765965_502705969_n_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="336" height="254"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lF3X4EJMHUM/UiHklYpbAgI/AAAAAAAAQEg/RJhakl1-uI0/s1600-h/IMG-20130830-00297%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG-20130830-00297" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG-20130830-00297" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4GYNSfuHaIM/UiHkl4BWx6I/AAAAAAAAQEo/7PUiHkaCDYA/IMG-20130830-00297_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="192" height="254"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DhIpN_hEca0/UiHkmhjhnlI/AAAAAAAAQEw/t7yWuAdOuK8/s1600-h/1176183_516477935097533_500211534_n%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="1176183_516477935097533_500211534_n" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="1176183_516477935097533_500211534_n" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-G40zs9Yedso/UiHknCdh1TI/AAAAAAAAQE4/KLyqDiDwJd0/1176183_516477935097533_500211534_n_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="192" height="254"></a> </p> <p align="justify">It was now 7am, we were due into Budapest in a couple of hours time (or so i thought!) i headed out to use the bathroom and saw the hector (train guard) and asked if we were on time for Budapest, “no, we are one hour late” he said. UGH that means i missed my connection for the 9:30 day train and would have to get the 11:10 train and wouldn't arrive into Berlin until 1:30am the next day! that was another 14 hours on a train plus 1 1/2 hours wait in Budapest.</p> <p align="justify">To be continued…….</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205669373504703653.post-49911415273429410412013-08-30T12:39:00.001+01:002013-08-30T12:58:14.889+01:00Bucharest show…<p align="justify">So after getting back to the hotel last night i crashed out the second my head hit the pillow and didn't wake till gone 9am. As i looked out of the hotel window i was a little worried about the weather, it was blowing gusty winds and raining. A couple of online weather sites said it was going to clear up.</p> <p align="justify"><font color="#ffff00"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wNI-JxmeimU/UiCCqICv8gI/AAAAAAAAPek/_BAw0mvykJg/s1600-h/1002640_515608481851145_229907404_n3.jpg"><img title="1002640_515608481851145_229907404_n" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="1002640_515608481851145_229907404_n" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vlx2TkswRWU/UiCCtJo2HGI/AAAAAAAAPes/5Uo-bVdH4I4/1002640_515608481851145_229907404_n_.jpg?imgmax=800" width="363" height="207"></a> </font></p> <p align="justify">I headed out of the hotel around 11am initially planning to come back later on before the show, however i took everything i needed with me just in case i didn't make it back.The walk to the venue took about an hour, having never been to Romania before i was amazed how stunning some of the building were. Not just the official building but also some of the houses too. </p> <p align="justify">I’d seen a picture of a promotional “brick” on Matt’s website and wanted to go take a few picture of it first. it was a mile or so in the opposite direction to the venue but just as i was looking on the map to figure out which was to go i spotted another one in the middle of the road! As i got near the area where the gig was i could tell something was happening, even at noon there were guards and security everywhere, there were even people lining up outside the venue gate to get in! There were half a dozen press there too at the side of the street. </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nLdcX7nmnOE/UiCCxE-L0-I/AAAAAAAAPe0/ZP8c9PDILD4/s1600-h/P1020811Large.jpg"><img title="P1020811 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1020811 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YWM-C-YwvCQ/UiCC4J7HRJI/AAAAAAAAPe8/c5es4eYc4-I/P1020811Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xVNLgvyLoWE/UiCC5d_XZqI/AAAAAAAAPfE/84TJZNJyvX8/s1600-h/P1020812Large2.jpg"><img title="P1020812 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1020812 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gxu02-NFsUQ/UiCC6Mk621I/AAAAAAAAPfM/rBuDgX9G84s/P1020812Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jxTFEHb6MPQ/UiCC6lQFv9I/AAAAAAAAPfU/e60Eop7K44o/s1600-h/P1020809Large.jpg"><img title="P1020809 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1020809 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pLmko0vxn0M/UiCC7hqHO9I/AAAAAAAAPfc/rAJ0OgprhD8/P1020809Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QPI6d2NIs74/UiCC8jCpRzI/AAAAAAAAPfk/nQPlt-BGtho/s1600-h/P1030065Large1.jpg"><img title="P1030065 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030065 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uxdZga55uR8/UiCC9BW3ZFI/AAAAAAAAPfs/pKzYh8JFb2k/P1030065Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NmiqDCv_z0w/UiCC-3Ge7YI/AAAAAAAAPf0/rAQRcYFHTAg/s1600-h/P1030066Large.jpg"><img title="P1030066 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030066 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-u7dpe9baOoY/UiCC_aIge7I/AAAAAAAAPf8/ERhh38irXrw/P1030066Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JZoW5L_CpgA/UiCC_sc97pI/AAAAAAAAPgE/jkP--sPK3dg/s1600-h/P1030067Large1.jpg"><img title="P1030067 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030067 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SWW08hS9lP0/UiCDA2NfNpI/AAAAAAAAPgM/MGMf4D_aFzE/P1030067Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify">I was fortunate to be able to go into the venue today to watch the stage build up and the sound check, i had nowhere to be and no one to meet really so could sped some time relaxing and watching everything get put together.Well that's a lie, i did have a couple of friends who were coming to the show, Thomas from Austria and Marek from Prague. I’d arranged to meet up with Thomas at a restaurant close by at 4pm but i let him know earlier i may be a little late.</p> <p align="justify">I was stunned when i walked in and saw the setting for the show, as big as the wall was it was dwarfed in comparison to what was around it! The buildings around the stage were in a crescent shape and towered up above the wall and the stage. Then directly opposite the stage as you looked across was the heaviest building in the world, </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4bCYDNAB89E/UiCDBZxBtaI/AAAAAAAAPgU/vdtJEltmsQY/s1600-h/Bucharestpnorama2small3.jpg"><img title="Bucharest pnorama 2 small" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Bucharest pnorama 2 small" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Kl2lCL-QNQ8/UiCDB5wI76I/AAAAAAAAPgc/FRfhpmbD6qE/Bucharestpnorama2small_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="760" height="226"></a> </p> <p align="justify">The area around the stage and between the fence at the back was immense too. There was a section of about 1500 seats directly in front of the stage, then an area that would be the golden circle, then a standing area, a raised seating area with about 4500 seats and then a huge lawn area.Then at the back of the lawn area was THE biggest building I've ever seen and one that's the heaviest in the world, and second biggest (only to the Pentagon in DC) the Palace of Parliament </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kqW4GPGI_xs/UiCDEK2o0DI/AAAAAAAAPgk/oZTqJZ-9hAU/s1600-h/BucharestPanorama3small3.jpg"><img title="Bucharest Panorama 3 small" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Bucharest Panorama 3 small" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yiBNhtX25CM/UiCDE9rOPLI/AAAAAAAAPgs/cVPA_t0m0S8/BucharestPanorama3small_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="760" height="204"></a> </p> <p align="justify">It took me a few minutes to take in everything that was around me, it was simply a stunning setting to have a show and the wall just sat right in there, probably the best “venue” I've ever been too.</p> <p align="justify">I took a wander around and went from corner to corner of the place. I got to see a lot of things that most people don't get to see and had my camera with me so was able to snap picture anywhere and everywhere. The “fixed” section of the wall was already built but due to the wind they hadn't built any of the loose brick sections yet. The seats were all set up but there were fences still to be added, the stage ha all the equipment on but the pyros were still to be done, again due to the weather, it was still a little cloudy but the sun was breaking through and it looked like another hour and it would be clear skies.</p> <p align="justify">The Stuka was still on the ground in the flight box and i know they usually do a test run around 3pm for it so i thought id hang around the rest of the day and get to see that happen. The lower part all along the bottom of the wall still had to have the black cloth attached, this was a great time to take a few pictures of something that's not usually seen. Even though the scaffolding behind the end parts of the wall is metal and heavy, when you add all the facade of the brick on it become a real wind trap and need the whole construction holding down firmly to the ground. This is done by using large plastic square containers that are filled with water. the are placed on then floor section of the scaffolding to hold it all in place and prevent any movement at all. This system is also used on the projection towers, these have to be rock solid and as you can imagine, half an inch of movement at the projection tower become 6” of movement for the projections projected on a wall a few hundred feet away! As you can see on the pictures below, they even use pallets filled with bricks to ensure the whole thing isn't going to move at all!</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EuCjVp5MMhw/UiCDFkUsSmI/AAAAAAAAPg0/2x0zzI4ZtgQ/s1600-h/P1020751Large.jpg"><img title="P1020751 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1020751 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-epXDFb4lm6c/UiCDGf-0ggI/AAAAAAAAPg8/pd3BGuNquKs/P1020751Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8Ql0o6GCl6Q/UiCDIJ4hRrI/AAAAAAAAPhE/RdJcfn8-bpQ/s1600-h/P1020752Large.jpg"><img title="P1020752 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1020752 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qzIJL8JVgaU/UiCDJTvb2UI/AAAAAAAAPhM/iLiQDKUsuDY/P1020752Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-z6nGj0usw_M/UiCDJ0Vn31I/AAAAAAAAPhU/YzZJ1riTd1E/s1600-h/P1020753Large.jpg"><img title="P1020753 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1020753 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eospRgQTCCo/UiCDKSQTsiI/AAAAAAAAPhY/VWnCjmXYygU/P1020753Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify">The guys who look after the Stuka unpacked it out of the box and assembled it on the floor in front of the wall, its amazing to see how much work it takes to set the line up, make sure its taught enough, then lower the line down, mount the plane, pull it along on the ground as far as it’ll go with a rope, then get a rope fed down from the guys in the cherry picker up by the top of the crane and then they pull it up the rest of the way, they do all this twice as they do a text run first which is timed and then do it all over again to get it back up ready for show time.They also build the wall up enough for the plane to know down a few bricks when it goes through on the test run.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-juC84feUeyE/UiCDK8xJCWI/AAAAAAAAPhk/ihw3RPWcpIs/s1600-h/P1020750Large.jpg"><img title="P1020750 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1020750 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kj1hNgdwua4/UiCDLX8KHtI/AAAAAAAAPho/hBNFAjwW8L4/P1020750Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-E3Gp7fRfdJE/UiCDMLIL3UI/AAAAAAAAPh0/IYEkd-4CUIY/s1600-h/P1020895Large.jpg"><img title="P1020895 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1020895 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7wjXbaLZ4hw/UiCDNMvJfpI/AAAAAAAAPh8/XmGWiUigAOk/P1020895Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-m1wqwqdhD-o/UiCDNl_6GDI/AAAAAAAAPiA/dvVf3hzI6Mo/s1600-h/P1020896Large.jpg"><img title="P1020896 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1020896 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aW_3-ewxDFk/UiCDOTlL_0I/AAAAAAAAPiI/dVWsB-VYA-A/P1020896Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eMZZ3M-3F8c/UiCDOxt2FYI/AAAAAAAAPiU/f952fsJshNg/s1600-h/P1020938Large1.jpg"><img title="P1020938 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1020938 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_MCJtjRUDuE/UiCDPZfi2AI/AAAAAAAAPic/CcNKIYIrKdA/P1020938Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JX78cqkKcTA/UiCDQISb5rI/AAAAAAAAPik/C8Dv7GHLWOw/s1600-h/P1020944Large.jpg"><img title="P1020944 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1020944 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dRKIlk1Tl-c/UiCDQoGWUDI/AAAAAAAAPis/Bcsx0BJwq_U/P1020944Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eUgcnrzUyxY/UiCDRqQlLgI/AAAAAAAAPi0/RpuQ5jsDnAw/s1600-h/P1020945Large2.jpg"><img title="P1020945 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1020945 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-w9pz9GKzvbw/UiCDR8B8uzI/AAAAAAAAPi8/SQe0sOAchlY/P1020945Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify"> </p> <div id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:f084efc0-139d-4e03-8928-3e3ac76bdbfb" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px"><div id="1aab07c7-f0e9-4966-86fe-cb5713fee2af" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pHrPJi3oCw&feature=youtube_gdata_player" target="_new"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cRkyknQmeUI/UiCIwERKKLI/AAAAAAAAPvM/D70F7bVtI5o/video0ac55b382159%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('1aab07c7-f0e9-4966-86fe-cb5713fee2af'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/6pHrPJi3oCw&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/6pHrPJi3oCw&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8VhJmf0WmgA/UiCDSwmrGjI/AAAAAAAAPjM/GLdyO0r7mc0/s1600-h/P1020925Large.jpg"><img title="P1020925 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1020925 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IKQjLuE9zJo/UiCDTnCqBxI/AAAAAAAAPjU/LfJteTQbUxo/P1020925Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="202" height="154"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-D_BJfJqyUOM/UiCDULTTJvI/AAAAAAAAPjc/JcNpMQOuCe0/s1600-h/P1020952Large1.jpg"><img title="P1020952 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1020952 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VaDvbQit4uI/UiCDUt8EuoI/AAAAAAAAPjk/3BuX8AuXVcU/P1020952Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="154"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RMjiYbZ1tJw/UiCDV34UxUI/AAAAAAAAPjs/lAP_DGeKdUA/s1600-h/P1020955Large1.jpg"><img title="P1020955 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1020955 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Sw5v3kxdt3M/UiCDWsYz57I/AAAAAAAAPj0/yN3JsRErAtI/P1020955Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="269" height="154"></a> </p> <p align="justify"> </p> <div id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:b7802684-adc3-4a5f-ab78-00fc2c511880" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px"><div id="aaca3aad-029c-4c81-9097-60def5212bfb" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ug2SfZP-EYc&feature=youtube_gdata_player" target="_new"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6HjNlM7bWCs/UiCDXibmg8I/AAAAAAAAPvU/3x2wqtjrCpw/video8f71301a01ce%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('aaca3aad-029c-4c81-9097-60def5212bfb'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/Ug2SfZP-EYc&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/Ug2SfZP-EYc&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p align="justify">The sun was out by now and the skies were clear and blue, didn't look like there's was going to be any worries about the weather tonight at all. I headed around the back of the stage to look at the Pyros.At the outdoor shows there are usually a lot more pyros than the indoor venues. As your watching the show you’ll pyros shooting up from what looks like the roof. These are actually all shot up from the floor behind the actual stage. they are set up in a curve shape around the back with barriers to stop people going anywhere near. The pig is also inflated well in advance and parked up around the back of the stage.</p> <p align="justify">Pyros ready at the rear of the stage</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wPOJ_5CCjQw/UiCDYV-GVhI/AAAAAAAAPkE/TkeQAbcCnAE/s1600-h/P1020915Large.jpg"><img title="P1020915 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1020915 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pV9Z16LjPqs/UiCDZNAU7KI/AAAAAAAAPkM/UYxVmox5iE8/P1020915Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2IcjXSqnr5M/UiCDaCXN-JI/AAAAAAAAPkU/LuQpAUDctXo/s1600-h/P1020916Large1.jpg"><img title="P1020916 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1020916 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-53ZkTIBDC4E/UiCDav9R7hI/AAAAAAAAPkc/01WzT3sCw8o/P1020916Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="140" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1zcet6oJyh4/UiCDk9NJ7eI/AAAAAAAAPkk/mX_cBs03BfA/s1600-h/P1020918Large.jpg"><img title="P1020918 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1020918 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-p-vilCxhsPI/UiCDlL8LsMI/AAAAAAAAPks/on6OLws1vI8/P1020918Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p align="justify">On the right side end of the wall at a few of the shows there's been a large mural painted as like an end stop for the wall, tonight was one of those nights and there was a guy on a hydraulic lift with spray cans doing his stuff.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-o3rQg5afJkc/UiCDlrJ9MUI/AAAAAAAAPk0/ox8Nfdc-Deo/s1600-h/P1020737Large1.jpg"><img title="P1020737 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1020737 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-r6DX-Q6fCfQ/UiCDmCmC0fI/AAAAAAAAPk8/_4yjeQtvA5s/P1020737Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aM4z8Om-k94/UiCDm1rqwVI/AAAAAAAAPlE/n6ENPU0aLs8/s1600-h/P1020834Large.jpg"><img title="P1020834 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1020834 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4hSRCf4WmZA/UiCDnRhHmdI/AAAAAAAAPlM/2BGBbn73wjw/P1020834Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-t7yJ4xX_Dhw/UiCDn-PwNZI/AAAAAAAAPlU/9LgLl8y0c_8/s1600-h/P1020894Large.jpg"><img title="P1020894 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1020894 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nDEvl1oRTw0/UiCDoaal4ZI/AAAAAAAAPlc/qvi1c-fXh1I/P1020894Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify">You don't realise how much more has to be done for the outdoor shows than the indoor ones, a simple thing like providing power for the show show is a huge ordeal and its not so simple as running power lines like in an indoor venue, you have to have huge generators to provide it! There were seven of the huge generator trailed around the back of the stage for this show.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fnJ_IVJh1Ms/UiCDr_rIP0I/AAAAAAAAPlk/GnGYwG5bqAw/s1600-h/P1020779Large2.jpg"><img title="P1020779 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1020779 (Large)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWDC6LEBg4DZB8WAWMDQFRGGMBTy45FZ8oRmq08ueGxGGsu4OPJYHykCTquGzSHX1d4x-8h4X5uEKOyXZbXdtWsf-nK7AlEdHj8rAnD7jTxwwkEvZNuaXjVtRQJjelnNnyT6dzMZxdCL4G/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5GA5DpVWXlM/UiCDti1v5OI/AAAAAAAAPl0/REnYvaV-rlg/s1600-h/P1020781Large2.jpg"><img title="P1020781 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1020781 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FVmzDb5hQ6c/UiCDuB1zHrI/AAAAAAAAPl8/i3jW4RKFdGE/P1020781Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oFyrMsqdH6k/UiCDvWRuuxI/AAAAAAAAPmE/vDqUWAt-hWw/s1600-h/P1020783Large2.jpg"><img title="P1020783 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1020783 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ca_av7wdB4s/UiCDw_x92PI/AAAAAAAAPmM/5hEIohwC6bI/P1020783Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify">I took a walk out of the venue at the back just to take the few shots below to get the stage and the building in the same picture.</p> <p align="justify"> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oFUkBpsno5g/UiCDxv_GIiI/AAAAAAAAPmU/tXVm69sJ4ZI/s1600-h/P1020790Large1.jpg"><img title="P1020790 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1020790 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6Bxpt-3KHnQ/UiCDyhJWfdI/AAAAAAAAPmc/Cd3AuRMVq8A/P1020790Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-T1vD04U8lqQ/UiCDzSWpiMI/AAAAAAAAPmk/kszyQWkv50k/s1600-h/P1020800Large1.jpg"><img title="P1020800 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1020800 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jt1MZy3-osA/UiCD0Pp0twI/AAAAAAAAPms/F0inDcz-ecs/P1020800Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LrX5P4I0fS0/UiCD1DaqfXI/AAAAAAAAPm0/aa2VCACv0Zs/s1600-h/P1020797Large1.jpg"><img title="P1020797 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1020797 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JRikjIMDOAQ/UiCD1pvBiPI/AAAAAAAAPm8/Il8qBr2v1tI/P1020797Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <p align="justify">As i came back into the venue, Roger and the band arrived. They weren't staying in Bucharest but had been staying in Budapest and flew straight in fro there for the sound check and were then heading out to stay in Sofia straight after the show. The band usually stay in one place as long as they can, if the venue is close enough to fly in and fly back then they will base themselves in one place for as long as they can and only move on when travelling to the next show becomes a little too far.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YHpTRkNHSPo/UiCD2EUnRrI/AAAAAAAAPnE/qUvuFQZbb4k/s1600-h/P1020981Large1.jpg"><img title="P1020981 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1020981 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9UUd-6RJYls/UiCD3Lodi1I/AAAAAAAAPnM/VA0d6kGrKco/P1020981Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" height="150"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-upjvlIEyBmw/UiCD3-7dNCI/AAAAAAAAPnU/kAaZit8cR0M/s1600-h/P1020975Large1.jpg"><img title="P1020975 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1020975 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wfavhitpG3U/UiCD4ujyJ_I/AAAAAAAAPnc/ek0uizF-Wp0/P1020975Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="264" height="151"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3K1ss9jJKLc/UiCD5Y9uNOI/AAAAAAAAPnk/sntEHTSjKi4/s1600-h/P1020993Large1.jpg"><img title="P1020993 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1020993 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7Yb5GgcyWm4/UiCD6KfezfI/AAAAAAAAPns/dOxwU_FJA50/P1020993Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="200" height="152"></a> </p> <p align="justify"> </p> <div id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:f9e93b99-f15f-41e9-9193-ab8514acef96" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px"><div id="b1ad5743-19cd-4ba9-a226-9b28d38c74d9" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyQnnMORzA0&feature=youtube_gdata_player" target="_new"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1IObwHzIK_E/UiCD7K3VP5I/AAAAAAAAPvc/diC2APpg0Vo/video842478d5e2cb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('b1ad5743-19cd-4ba9-a226-9b28d38c74d9'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/AyQnnMORzA0&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/AyQnnMORzA0&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p align="justify"> </p> <div id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:59b4b693-1cdd-4829-be3b-3e0255ef7ad1" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px"><div id="a944c704-4922-4803-b727-46ad0f6b9d15" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APCJh3HQA6k&feature=youtube_gdata_player" target="_new"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2Xc-p2VAOgk/UiCD7vGxXxI/AAAAAAAAPvk/ktrA6CjpfDY/videodeecf700b71e%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('a944c704-4922-4803-b727-46ad0f6b9d15'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/APCJh3HQA6k&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/APCJh3HQA6k&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p align="justify"> </p> <div id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:7239079b-16b2-4e02-b7bc-730238ebcde5" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px"><div id="7ab8ee84-f842-4bcd-8413-57f2d55099e3" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=De1HHjWFT_o&feature=youtube_gdata_player" target="_new"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aTlYMTx0Tuc/UiCFqW2rzGI/AAAAAAAAPvo/F9v7lkX5qKw/video69d61a33af19%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('7ab8ee84-f842-4bcd-8413-57f2d55099e3'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/De1HHjWFT_o&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/De1HHjWFT_o&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p align="justify">They usually always do the same sound check too, a bit of In The Flesh, Run Like Hell, Mother and Goodbye Blue Sky.They then practice Another Brick with the kids, Roger and Kip and John who look after the kids and teach tem the moves and what they should be doing. The kids don't get a rehearsal until the day of the show and the sound check, they have however before hand seen a video that John’s made explaining what they should be doing and when. Earlier in the day they had been playing the airplane sound effects that they use at the end of In The Flesh, they had really cranked it up though and it was totally deafening to hear. The video clip below doesn't do it justice at all, it sounded incredible.</p> <p align="justify"> </p> <div id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:13f2e012-05aa-4bfc-8c34-4afd7484816a" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px"><div id="e1714ce7-8816-46b8-964f-bb490c2f8842" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxSizFDVpAk&feature=youtube_gdata_player" target="_new"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kpdhFhdf3tg/UiCD8EmItJI/AAAAAAAAPvw/NL73D_6fA_A/video12d0301de953%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('e1714ce7-8816-46b8-964f-bb490c2f8842'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/gxSizFDVpAk&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/gxSizFDVpAk&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BhyraKuEbZA/UiCD97e6YwI/AAAAAAAAPoM/xc6L_um62UM/s1600-h/P1030017Large.jpg"><img title="P1030017 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030017 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SUH6IYyBYjs/UiCD-a-dJAI/AAAAAAAAPoU/1C_1oM6JAI8/P1030017Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ckwWF67q4z0/UiCD_iSi43I/AAAAAAAAPoc/EEHIRfI09z4/s1600-h/P1030021Large.jpg"><img title="P1030021 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030021 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TMqkRDb_XgI/UiCEAYisZXI/AAAAAAAAPok/XKXtlDH5CQU/P1030021Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XNXMehNqXSc/UiCEBwImqII/AAAAAAAAPos/JW6bqbSgCGg/s1600-h/P1030023Large1.jpg"><img title="P1030023 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030023 (Large)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEVtEnbkXU6uplfQIS2_1XvNgJIGPYToNUXhMJYVCToJo9m1ha7__QU7T_GzxST9Hg0CQL4_Pstx-zcrE9jIpXiKiEs53XIQGyGDMhfJlPrPS7RHCzGYqg7fQ_Ua8yUOzyES-Vfh-zNu5/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> </p> <div id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:b9b8b472-f428-40ee-8a73-0e11297252d4" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px"><div id="dc22dce5-b481-44f8-9c86-c7e2e096b065" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UtKFw1uYto&feature=youtube_gdata_player" target="_new"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XM81UGSiFhY/UiCEEtPajiI/AAAAAAAAPv4/Mziv2fKyWRA/videob6f7f7749e47%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('dc22dce5-b481-44f8-9c86-c7e2e096b065'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/2UtKFw1uYto&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/2UtKFw1uYto&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p align="justify">After the sound check i headed up to the restaurant to meet up with Thomas and his girlfriend Carolyn<font color="#ffffff">, he had flown down for three days and the same as me, had never been to Romania before and really liked it. It was his and <font color="#ffff00"><font color="#ffffff">Carolyn</font> </font>anniversary of being together for one year today and he had bought MMMMM tickets for valentines day. She had only seen the show once before and enjoyed it and was looking forward to seeing the outdoor show. By this time i realised i wouldn't be going back to the hotel so we sat for an hour and a half chatting and having drinks. I’d had a message from Marek that he was going to try come to meet us but later heard he had a problem finding the place.</font></p> <p align="justify">The three of us headed down to the venue around 7pm, Thomas was in the golden circle and i was in the seats in front of the stage tonight, 16th row dead centre,,,,, yup you guessed it, right on the aisle:)</p> <p align="justify">The gates had been opened while we were having a drink and the place had filled up a lot, there were people up on the balconies at the palace behind us and some braves souls up on the rooftops of the building at either side!</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZFArkebWDkg/UiCEF2fBsdI/AAAAAAAAPpE/sUEbijE_vdM/s1600-h/P1030073Large1.jpg"><img title="P1030073 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030073 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Q29MP9nD0zs/UiCEGSkInCI/AAAAAAAAPpM/GbRULFa6FCM/P1030073Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="181" height="104"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-I8k4Sgq278U/UiCEGw4LB6I/AAAAAAAAPpU/cpRke63EH8k/s1600-h/P1030074Large1.jpg"><img title="P1030074 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030074 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FrFOU1GJhZY/UiCEHbso13I/AAAAAAAAPpc/eNfi6Et3dss/P1030074Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="181" height="104"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zmBk0-MoPjE/UiCEINJF49I/AAAAAAAAPpg/oAoDOc8pcz4/s1600-h/P1030075Large1.jpg"><img title="P1030075 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030075 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-r-VKQ0PBX2U/UiCEIgqfFuI/AAAAAAAAPpo/5Lr5ytiH8-w/P1030075Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="181" height="104"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-F6lw1H6lk5M/UiCEJMDWUrI/AAAAAAAAPpw/n04MRyOBfn4/s1600-h/P1030076Large1.jpg"><img title="P1030076 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030076 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-P-0JA0XZURo/UiCEJqN2DBI/AAAAAAAAPp4/iuLZf3ohbKA/P1030076Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="181" height="104"></a> </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LN0xY6u25ZU/UiCELuE6RyI/AAAAAAAAPqE/jfC3x0BbLBA/s1600-h/P1030069Large1.jpg"><img title="P1030069 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030069 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-f85WFCpccv8/UiCEMMczzRI/AAAAAAAAPqM/OVFemvFWmXo/P1030069Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eq6BuBlBXTA/UiCEMgEpI8I/AAAAAAAAPqU/j-9IDQUcoJw/s1600-h/P1030078Large.jpg"><img title="P1030078 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030078 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IeFrpsr1R3I/UiCENZKldeI/AAAAAAAAPqc/8WGJNQ0TKBU/P1030078Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dTyfF0oHYhI/UiCEN_JPgTI/AAAAAAAAPqk/iv_Xk-YjO2Y/s1600-h/P1030080Large1.jpg"><img title="P1030080 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030080 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CIH76tCUz8g/UiCEORhdZeI/AAAAAAAAPqs/oMpHfX56ZLg/P1030080Large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a></p> <p align="justify">The seats in front of the stage were the equivalent of around $300 each, the golden circle about $150, the standing $100 and the lawn about $60, this is Romania, its cheap and poverty stricken, the whole of the lawn area sells out first, then the standing then the golden circle. Its a very limited market for the $300 seats here and its usually not the “real” fans that buy these. All of the areas were packed out, ticket sales were reported to be 40,000 but were confirmed to be 50,000 in the press the next day.</p> <p align="justify">I was surprised by how dark it was at 8:30 when the show started, however we were a lot further south than we had been for Sweden so the projections looked great, very bright and visible even with just the projected white bricks before the show.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IFJq848jj78/UiCEO3V-7hI/AAAAAAAAPq0/Va6lfBnF6Wc/s1600-h/P1030083Large5.jpg"><img title="P1030083 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030083 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-n4JFQb2Qnxs/UiCEPbUooYI/AAAAAAAAPq8/QkCgNZQFdl0/P1030083Large_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="372" height="212"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-y6EOXOb4voM/UiCEQUgoSuI/AAAAAAAAPrE/F7p-EmGRSIc/s1600-h/P1030084Large4.jpg"><img title="P1030084 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030084 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tbbqDk1B52M/UiCERMiX61I/AAAAAAAAPrM/wjoHnOfS1IY/P1030084Large_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="372" height="212"></a> </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DXEFa0HVROs/UiCESYwxqVI/AAAAAAAAPrU/EDBZK2oOMdU/s1600-h/Newpanorama4small3.jpg"><img title="New panorama 4 small" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="New panorama 4 small" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yYrOgrsdb4I/UiCES14gtdI/AAAAAAAAPrc/gnDrWZm8hgk/Newpanorama4small_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="747" height="243"></a> </p> <p align="justify">The crowd roared at the opening to In The Flesh, the projections looking as bright and clear as ever and the added effect of the searchlights from the stage projecting onto the facade of the Palace! At the end of In The Flesh It took maybe 20 seconds for the clapping and cheering of the crowd at the rear on the lawn to reach us at the front. This was really noticeable as Roger tried to do his speech for Mother, he started to speak and then the cheering was heard as he was a couple of lines into it and he had to stop and thanked the crowd. <font color="#ffff80">Can anyone decipher what the word is below in black writing that's over the letter C in Capitalism ? if so please let me know.</font></p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4sZLr6tI9PA/UiCETFnJJAI/AAAAAAAAPrk/Px4nA83nFHU/s1600-h/P1030093Large4.jpg"><img title="P1030093 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030093 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vMHPNCOX88Y/UiCET9HtSnI/AAAAAAAAPrs/nz1UiIX5xhw/P1030093Large_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="268" height="153"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-B5oa3AMDgGg/UiCEUSpfbcI/AAAAAAAAPr0/ALuG1mbmsXk/s1600-h/P1030092Large4.jpg"><img title="P1030092 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030092 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LpmImorqYyg/UiCEVE97mwI/AAAAAAAAPr8/uQSxyOLS7qo/P1030092Large_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="269" height="154"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BUev9fY43-Y/UiCEV6OGDAI/AAAAAAAAPsE/QWpAewHeFFI/s1600-h/P1030090Large6.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="P1030090 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030090 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uOwi11g3bLw/UiCEXH0B6gI/AAAAAAAAPsM/bePzHhqhmdU/P1030090Large_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="156"></a> </p> <p align="justify">The sound was incredibly clear and loud, not as loud as it had been when they were sound checking the airplane effects earlier in day but it was certainly loud enough to be heard at the Palace! Roger was blown away by the crowd,a couple of times thanking them both in English and Romania, also commenting to them how he had never been and played in Romania and what a fantastic welcome they had given them. I've meant to post before about the video footage right on the end of either side the wall during Spare Bricks, the video of the rabbits is still there as are all the other things but watch the very left side for two guys doing underwater boxing! and the very right side for the guy mounted on a horse that dives into a huge tank of water, funny stuff.</p> <p align="justify">As i said earlier, the crowd in the front seats were not your usual crowd and this was evident by most of the shouting and cheering coming from the golden circle and beyond. Everyone in the seats stay seated for the show and even for the intermission! no one really got that it was a chance to go pea and get food and drink and everyone remained in their seats. I remember this happening in Lodz, Poland in 2011. I’m not sure if the translation of the word “intermission” doesn't come across or they just think its all part of the show,but they al just stay seated and don't move but it was strange.</p> <p align="justify">Pictures below of the crowd at intermission. </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-K2-0D92iMEk/UiCEXvjciXI/AAAAAAAAPsU/53c9A07bQ9Y/s1600-h/P1030112Large3.jpg"><img title="P1030112 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030112 (Large)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cA-PuIu6tUg/UiCEYKBYmtI/AAAAAAAAPsc/o9tjyw-WSPc/P1030112Large_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="269" height="154"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JgHQ9hhk320/UiCEYox1eII/AAAAAAAAPsk/t6lsWTZSUK0/s1600-h/P1030113Large6.jpg"><img title="P1030113 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030113 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iww6OpxNyiQ/UiCEZKhWYLI/AAAAAAAAPss/MnaRy1TEAws/P1030113Large_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="266" height="154"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lXuOTeGnHhg/UiCEZzbpycI/AAAAAAAAPs0/DV0osbjUaN4/s1600-h/P1030115Large5.jpg"><img title="P1030115 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030115 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-L8UlnayHCjQ/UiCEacBRprI/AAAAAAAAPs8/IQZrWsSwniE/P1030115Large_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="202" height="154"></a> </p> <p align="justify">Second half of the show was probably one of the best I’ve heard music wise, i didn't hear a single fault or glitch the whole time. Dave totally nailed Comfy Numb as always and if there was any criticism at all then I'd says Robbie's vocals seemed off a little tonight, just didn't seem like he was hitting the notes with as much ease as normal, he seemed to be struggling a little.</p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify">Shadow Dave on the Palace Shadow Robbie on the Palace</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dIIkya1RAJU/UiCIzjMVonI/AAAAAAAAPwE/KbJn3KRY_fM/s1600-h/1239446_515920585153268_1680828685_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="1239446_515920585153268_1680828685_n" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="1239446_515920585153268_1680828685_n" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3S74to8fmlY/UiCI0QwLqQI/AAAAAAAAPwM/35i6r0fvnAM/1239446_515920585153268_1680828685_n_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-P-NCcAZwhl0/UiCI0rRK3BI/AAAAAAAAPwU/HD0zBQ1wyVs/s1600-h/1238206_515874301824563_1209983940_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="1238206_515874301824563_1209983940_n" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="1238206_515874301824563_1209983940_n" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RdTTVJwUFUs/UiCI1KSBzRI/AAAAAAAAPwc/qvDKUEWM584/1238206_515874301824563_1209983940_n_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> </p> <p align="justify">The wall came down great, one huge fall but with a large piece of it left hanging at one side for a good 30 seconds before the mechanical hammers that run up inside the bricks were raised up again and knocked the bricks forward. Due to there being a pretty large gap between the front row and the stage and it coming down in one huge piece, most of the bricks ended up on the floor between the stage and the barrier and not ON the stage.Again, Roger thanked the Romanian crowd for been such a fantastic audience and this was met was another huge cheer that took several seconds to come from the back of the venue.</p> <p align="justify">This was such a unique show, just for the venue alone, out of the three shows i was planning to do in Easter Europe and the one that i actually ended up doing i couldn't be happier, id have sacrificed a few more shows just to have seen this one alone! the funny thing is, until i got to the venue i just thought it was a regular outdoor show, i had no idea what sort of setting this was and in a way that made it so much more special. Its certainly a show that I'll never forget and one that i wish we had arranged for a lot of us to come and see and get together at. Stuart, you could have been drunk every night for 7 Euros!!</p> <p align="justify">Few show pictures, click pictures below for full album below:</p> <div id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:a8a8e109-4e9e-4f3b-b97a-91db11d90de5" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px"><a style="border:0px" href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=d78b5197f3871614&page=browse&resid=D78B5197F3871614!18520&parid=D78B5197F3871614!117&type=5"><img style="border:0px" alt="View Bucharest show" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LxCmKN4tDfA/UiCEanGns-I/AAAAAAAAPtE/mmSnJToxk8o/InlineRepresentation7993352b-9870-4483-969f-ec8f732ce307%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a><div style="width:752px;text-align:right;" ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=d78b5197f3871614&page=browse&resid=D78B5197F3871614!18520&parid=D78B5197F3871614!117&type=5">View Full Album</a></div></div> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Sound check pictures, click pictures below for full album:</p> <div id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:44b94654-c3b2-434f-8bf8-88bbb81b1b61" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px"><a style="border:0px" href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=d78b5197f3871614&page=browse&resid=D78B5197F3871614!18264&parid=D78B5197F3871614!117&type=5"><img style="border:0px" alt="View Bucharest Soundcheck" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kGr-PzHdsQw/UiCEbFJFRTI/AAAAAAAAPtM/YOWBq4uXX9Q/InlineRepresentation1b78bf08-5cc6-4450-8255-458e97d36da3%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a><div style="width:748px;text-align:right;" ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=d78b5197f3871614&page=browse&resid=D78B5197F3871614!18264&parid=D78B5197F3871614!117&type=5">View Full Album</a></div></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205669373504703653.post-11533644417226764192013-08-29T06:36:00.001+01:002013-08-29T06:41:56.882+01:00Bucharest……WOW!……………<p>An amazing show last night but what really made it was the setting for the stage!</p> <p>View from the lawn seats</p> <p><a href="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b168/simonwim/Panoramas/BucharestPanorama.jpg~original" target="_blank"><img title="Bucharest Panorama small" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Bucharest Panorama small" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dXw84gwMt6U/Uh7d4gFjUQI/AAAAAAAAPdk/PGAFwkl6oNo/Bucharest%252520Panorama%252520small%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="768" height="264"></a></p> <p>View from the standing area</p> <p><a href="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b168/simonwim/Panoramas/Bucharestpnorama2.jpg~original" target="_blank"><img title="Bucharest pnorama 2 small" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="Bucharest pnorama 2 small" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XYgncnSVaeM/Uh7d5Zkk-II/AAAAAAAAPeQ/my6IunQlsPY/Bucharest%252520pnorama%2525202%252520small%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="769" height="228"></a></p> <p>Looking back at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palace_of_the_Parliament" target="_blank">Palace of the Parliament</a> from the stage</p> <p><a href="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b168/simonwim/Panoramas/BucharestPanorama3.jpg~original" target="_blank"><img title="Bucharest Panorama 3 small" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="Bucharest Panorama 3 small" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7VUgvw2g-xY/Uh7d55TuHUI/AAAAAAAAPd0/r1y-MCRvMxA/Bucharest%252520Panorama%2525203%252520small%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="769" height="206"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p></p> <div id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:36f62259-7b65-4e9f-9aa1-3cc1734e91fc" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px"><div id="70e981ff-910f-4c85-a60f-012a6126ee64" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyQnnMORzA0&feature=youtube_gdata_player" target="_new"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6Z3iqUa6uoU/Uh7d6S2YRfI/AAAAAAAAPeY/rOXIW8opjsI/video0b9f85fef193%25255B16%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('70e981ff-910f-4c85-a60f-012a6126ee64'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/AyQnnMORzA0&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/AyQnnMORzA0&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p> </p> <p>Full album of pictures from the sound check below. </p> <p></p> <div id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:2e1f7682-5752-440f-af23-a399d1c5c6b0" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px"><a style="border:0px" href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=d78b5197f3871614&page=browse&resid=D78B5197F3871614!18264&parid=D78B5197F3871614!117&type=5"><img style="border:0px" alt="View Bucharest Soundcheck" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KpAmk8htX-w/Uh7d6z-xD7I/AAAAAAAAPeE/NlhV5_0rKP4/InlineRepresentationd37be8df-195d-42bd-9732-c8e1488ab908%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a><div style="width:732px;text-align:right;" ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=d78b5197f3871614&page=browse&resid=D78B5197F3871614!18264&parid=D78B5197F3871614!117&type=5">View Full Album</a></div></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205669373504703653.post-54735249331714907312013-08-28T08:23:00.001+01:002013-08-28T08:42:43.409+01:00Bucharest or Bust!<p align="justify">So after my friend Kevin having to change his travel plans, I'd decided to go to the Bucharest show on my own and then head up to Berlin and miss Sofia and Belgrade.</p> <p align="justify">I flew out of Brussels Charleroi yesterday at 2pm on the cheap “wiz air” flight to Bucharest. 39 Euros one way and the flight took two and a half hours.This was the second time id flown out of here as I’d got a cheap Ryanair flight here and back to the UK when I’d come out earlier in the tour for the Werchter show. Its a very small airport with nothing much to do at all, The transfers to hotels and to downtown Brussels are a total rip off. Last night i had to take a cab to the hotel i was staying at, not even 1 kilometre distance from the airport to the hotel but due to the way the roads are and the whole airport been fenced in you cant walk! it cost me 10 Euros for the cab!</p> <p align="justify">I also had to order a cab from the hotel to the airport this morning, i arranged this with the hotel and behind the reception is a sign that says cab rides to the airport can be UP TO 8 Euros. When my cab arrived he started the meter and when we got to the airport it read 5.50 Euros. I offered him 6 and he said no, no its 8 as agreed with the hotel! believe me i argued over 2 Euros but the guy wasn't moving. The ride in and out of Brussels is the same too, the airports an hour away from the city and you have to have a special train ticket to the airport, no other ticket is valid. You can get a ticket to almost anywhere in Brussels for the day for 4.5 Euros but the 45 minute train (and connecting bus) ride to the airport is just under 15 Euros. </p> <p align="justify">Anyway, rant over. I fell asleep on the flight almost instantly, i cant even remember taking off! i had an emergency exit row seat so had plenty of legroom and no one sat next to me. I woke up with the worst crick in my neck but only 30 minutes to landing and the plane had just started its decent. I took a look in the in flight magazine and there was an article on Romanian food, some of it sounded good so i took a couple of pictures to remind me what was what for when i got there.</p> <p align="justify">Wizzair flight Piss poor advert! Traditional Romanian food</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uA7jmO9YFo4/Uh2kt5wGaMI/AAAAAAAAPYA/bDdDu7_j9WQ/s1600-h/Charleroi-20130827-00218%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Charleroi-20130827-00218" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Charleroi-20130827-00218" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CtTGH3msopQ/Uh2kurMiXqI/AAAAAAAAPYI/UJt4x6S20pg/Charleroi-20130827-00218_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="105" height="137"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFciEmjLjahsw6r1WtyRp0Kj7BGUqPDvfnwcT-CpnWe6J5htRVqQtXkc2coxhGO6rpNTO-raTS9YnE21S-1QOxlbQ82T_MRAWgihRhSSvtFEu-cPGim5koNJev2Lc239T8IIQHYVslnfpS/s1600-h/IMG-20130827-00217%25255B8%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="IMG-20130827-00217" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG-20130827-00217" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ru2TeSW0hFY/Uh2kv1silHI/AAAAAAAAPYY/eqqPN0AFuOI/IMG-20130827-00217_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="107" height="138"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-E7QK8XdirNI/Uh2kweHjkRI/AAAAAAAAPYc/1B3mvt4OISs/s1600-h/P1020698%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1020698 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1020698 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IQh0KoBfNYw/Uh2kyT5ESKI/AAAAAAAAPYo/_8q4MXCQwjo/P1020698%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="238" height="137"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RCxarM0eubA/Uh2ky7JFiFI/AAAAAAAAPYw/g1g4EHE_Fgw/s1600-h/P1020699%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1020699 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1020699 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-b1UAq4RXYUI/Uh2kzDVmNMI/AAAAAAAAPY0/SSuL4cTRGwo/P1020699%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="237" height="137"></a></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify">After going through immigration i looked on the board and it said carousel 1 to pick up baggage. After standing there for 35 minutes, baggage started to appear, 3 carousels down on number 4! Most places warn you in the guide books not to accept rides from unlicensed taxis, there was a big page display in the in flight magazine saying the same as well as a large sign over each carousel with huge red warning letters in red! The god thing was it also gave you al the details of the transfers and the times and prices. Even though the price of the taxis was fantastic 1.39 LEI per kilometre ( 1 Romanian lie = $0.30) so that's about 89US cents per mile, i decided to take the bus in that takes about a hour and costs about $2.25. There was also the train option too but i wanted to see things on the ride into the city and thought the bus would give me the better option to do so and it did.</p> <p align="justify">I’d been thinking though, what if i were able to rent a car in Bucharest and i could drive to the Sofia show and then up to the Belgrade show and then get the flight i had booked back to Berlin on the 2nd. As i passed the car rental booths i gave it one last shot and asked all 6 of them if it was possible to rent a car here and drop it off in Belgrade. I got the answer i was expecting and that was, No. Even now just as i was typing that last sentence I'm looking on Google maps at the distances between Bucharest and Sofia and Sofia and Belgrade and its only 6 hours by car between each, why on earth is the train ride 12 hours!! where does the train go exactly ? Anyway, I've given up on the idea and am content with just the one show here and then the train ride back up to Berlin.</p> <p align="justify">I had to change some Euros for Romanian LEI and i did this in the arrivals hall, there were about 4 LEI to the Euro and as i handed over my grotty old paper Euro notes i was given back plastic money!! yup, the money in Romania is plastic, you cant tear it and it doesn't wear! on most notes there's a little see through window too that is just clear plastic, bizarre but great!</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JIMGFMV8kfY/Uh2kzllAf4I/AAAAAAAAPZA/LpLBwW6ATiI/s1600-h/1186233_515302745215052_2127341366_n%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="1186233_515302745215052_2127341366_n" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="1186233_515302745215052_2127341366_n" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Aolyl1zCs5Q/Uh2k0VvaT2I/AAAAAAAAPZI/lPgrZzYKtlw/1186233_515302745215052_2127341366_n_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="235" height="311"></a> </p> <p align="justify">On the ride into the city it was a mix of what looked like new building that had either being started and not finished or new buildings that were half pulled down, along with old building back from years ago to new car showrooms, i passed BMW, Volvo and even a Ferrari dealership! it was a bizarre mix.As the bus topped at one place there was a house at the side of the street and the owners had opened up their front windows and hey were selling beer to the locals out of their living room! they;de placed a table on the sidewalk and a couple of locals were sat down drinking beer while the woman in the house looked on with a table full of al different bottles for sale behind her in her house!</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gjTLKQokNXg/Uh2k1SrwN8I/AAAAAAAAPZQ/qu-qoeNGLZ0/s1600-h/P1020705%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1020705 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1020705 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TA9xy7-c6P0/Uh2k1_JL6DI/AAAAAAAAPZY/e8QZGRLqMo0/P1020705%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="155" height="118"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0OaU9PyrhNU/Uh2k2lJ46uI/AAAAAAAAPZg/v7bvVtT0ovU/s1600-h/P1020706%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1020706 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1020706 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8RAz0Sm89y0/Uh2k3F-0OOI/AAAAAAAAPZo/GBG8Q97r4ts/P1020706%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="151" height="116"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JvOBFxvh1Z4/Uh2k3rfG-wI/AAAAAAAAPZw/hKRNVRVIiGk/s1600-h/P1020710%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1020710 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1020710 (Large)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xIeuLLDIfZw/Uh2k4ZcIiEI/AAAAAAAAPZ8/E0brGVzQsLE/P1020710%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="201" height="117"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CV3XxnIImME/Uh2k5AtzY8I/AAAAAAAAPaE/lRjutma-WDA/s1600-h/P1020712%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1020712 (Large)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1020712 (Large)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-m-iHdnGeZCM/Uh2k5lBu5oI/AAAAAAAAPaM/Hx1sTYNU3_M/P1020712%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="206" height="118"></a> </p> <p align="justify">The bus dropped me off at the North Railways station, I’d booked a cheap hotel (24 Euros a night) that was a 5 minute walk from the station. The fist thing i see when i stepped off the bus is two or three bright red signs lit up with the words SEX SHOP flickering away. Why are all areas around stations sketchy ? I opened my blackberry and tried to log on to Google maps, i guess the mapping isn't that great in Romania and i resorted to asking a local if he knew where the “Hello Hotel” was.I swear to you, it was like something off a comedy programme. “Hello” i said to a local taxi driver that was standing outside his cab, “Hello” he replied, “ hello hotel” i asked, “hello” again he replied and then said “what hotel ?” in broken English. “Hello hotel” i said again, “Hello, which hotel he replied” i gave up and walked across the street, there was a woman with a flower stall sat on a crate in front of the stall and i said “excuse me, d you know where the Hello hotel is” just didn't even lift her had or look up and just pointed down the street. I crossed the road and soon as i got to the other side i saw the big red sign that said HELLO HOTEL! i looked at it and in my head i just said “hello”</p> <p align="justify">I checked in and the receptionist asked if i was here for the concert, i said yes and she said “see you tomorrow then” i thought yeh maybe if i spot you out of the 40,000 other people! Kevin had recommend the Hello hotel and its great, its clean has everything you need inc free Wi-Fi and at 24 Euros a night it couldn't be better.</p> <p align="justify">After unpacking and grabbing a shower I Googled a few of the restaurants that I'd seen in the in flight magazine, took me a while to find them online due to the mapping and after looking at them online i decided to pass on them and went downstairs and asked the girl if she could recommend anywhere that had traditional Romanian food and wasn't too far away. She wrote the name of a a place down and a street, i walked outside grabbed a cab and showed him the place name and street, he just nodded, flicked the meter on and 10 minutes and $1.50 later i was there.</p> <p align="justify">The place was amazing, it was like stepping back in time! as i waked in the door i was met by a couple of people ballroom dancing around the tables! the hostess shoed me to a table and i sat and looked at the place in awe! unfortunately i only had my cell phone camera so the pictures aren't great but you get the idea!</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cbBwhwiPE30/Uh2k6P_GJ7I/AAAAAAAAPaU/IF0SKHVOhTA/s1600-h/Bucure_ti-20130827-00229%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Bucureşti-20130827-00229" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Bucureşti-20130827-00229" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-q6MmVW3Pq30/Uh2k6pOSLwI/AAAAAAAAPac/rPQwkasAM50/Bucure_ti-20130827-00229_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OPjjzXLxlFA/Uh2k7rRKkpI/AAAAAAAAPak/2ln5snzBtXw/s1600-h/Bucure_ti-20130827-00241%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Bucureşti-20130827-00241" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Bucureşti-20130827-00241" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-11wyGO98KjA/Uh2k8KypnVI/AAAAAAAAPao/dNGyIdyWYYs/Bucure_ti-20130827-00241_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9YR1uStHJpk/Uh2k9ObehQI/AAAAAAAAPa0/1XnCFpLE_cs/s1600-h/Bucure_ti-20130827-00242%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Bucureşti-20130827-00242" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Bucureşti-20130827-00242" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Q1wls0rMyTk/Uh2k9q1jWEI/AAAAAAAAPa4/XoD-VH2ClSM/Bucure_ti-20130827-00242_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SmWqGt_DWIE/Uh2k-gH7NbI/AAAAAAAAPbE/LMRo-6wL-xM/s1600-h/Bucure_ti-20130827-00243%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Bucureşti-20130827-00243" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Bucureşti-20130827-00243" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-L22ZLaclzRU/Uh2k_Pfi75I/AAAAAAAAPbI/VzM59i8RNco/Bucure_ti-20130827-00243_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xxvCn9niIBA/Uh2lAfzNUrI/AAAAAAAAPbU/5vd5WsdxuUQ/s1600-h/Bucure_ti-20130827-00244%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="Bucureşti-20130827-00244" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Bucureşti-20130827-00244" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ef7rGkVOaYA/Uh2lAyqrt9I/AAAAAAAAPbY/hZOkF_1nU-Q/Bucure_ti-20130827-00244_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="167" height="218"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZaiOhTZZ0Pc/Uh2lB2nZrZI/AAAAAAAAPbk/68qGQqdr3AY/s1600-h/Bucure_ti-20130827-00245%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="Bucureşti-20130827-00245" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Bucureşti-20130827-00245" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--XWw4Nvcbus/Uh2lCtX7wYI/AAAAAAAAPbo/sZ3--oqx_4o/Bucure_ti-20130827-00245_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="288" height="218"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SrzyP3RVvhU/Uh2lDs56uGI/AAAAAAAAPb0/w9H99JQk5qE/s1600-h/Bucure_ti-20130827-00246%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="Bucureşti-20130827-00246" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Bucureşti-20130827-00246" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-34jFxUJPuvI/Uh2lEWONATI/AAAAAAAAPb4/vMLF-pg8oBU/Bucure_ti-20130827-00246_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="288" height="218"></a> </p> <p align="justify">The menus were like newspapers and fortunately written in English as well as Romanian, something that the in-flight magazine had mentioned was that a lot of restaurants don't offer English menus but it the waitresses speak English they will help you out. I hadn't eaten since the airport at noon where I’d had an orange juice ad a croissant, it was now gone 10pm and i was starving. I looked over the menu and ordered the mixed grill, i;d read that the pork and the sausages in Romania were a must try and this had both of them so i thought id give it a hot and ordered a glass of wine and bottle of water too.</p> <p align="justify">Before After Dessert (yes i know what they look like!)</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ECHsKBoa4jA/Uh2lEzZiqlI/AAAAAAAAPcE/ATZQTv5ity4/s1600-h/578436_515382711873722_1407019748_n%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="578436_515382711873722_1407019748_n" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="578436_515382711873722_1407019748_n" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1rEwQ4HYtAA/Uh2lGKHsY7I/AAAAAAAAPcM/18EzW6ByXKk/578436_515382711873722_1407019748_n_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="238" height="314"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1bmQucNYAtI/Uh2lGXlEw7I/AAAAAAAAPcU/EzlL_u69o54/s1600-h/1236399_515389421873051_881666503_n%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="1236399_515389421873051_881666503_n" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="1236399_515389421873051_881666503_n" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fj3JSM74dv0/Uh2lRmyeZDI/AAAAAAAAPcc/Lcsjieh6LqU/1236399_515389421873051_881666503_n_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="238" height="314"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3vPoTKzbfZ8/Uh2lSKkGAvI/AAAAAAAAPcg/LbNQsB-_G_8/s1600-h/576556_515402001871793_1858240458_n%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="576556_515402001871793_1858240458_n" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="576556_515402001871793_1858240458_n" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8kkpwuQ0REo/Uh2lSl6ON-I/AAAAAAAAPcs/nslA4PK6Lm8/576556_515402001871793_1858240458_n_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="238" height="314"></a> </p> <p align="justify">The food was amazing and i also saw on the menu they had traditional Romanian dessert, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papana%C8%99i" target="_blank">Papanasi</a> it was great but there was way too much of it and i left more than half on the plate. the grand total was less than $10 for the water, wine, mixed grill, dessert and the 24% tax!! As i slowly walked out of the restaurant i took a cab at the end of the street and got back to the hotel around midnight. I have one friend at the show tomorrow, Thomas and i think Werner maybe here too, I’ve arranged to meet up with them at 4pm and hopefully the rain will stay stay for the show!</p> <p align="justify">Its 10am on the morning of the show when I'm writing this and below is the view out of my hotel window, its not raining so much but the wind is very blustery, I'm hoping that settles down for the show as its not just the rain that could cause problems for the wall! I'm gonna grab a shower and take the subway over to the venue and see how the walls holding up i think. For those of you that don't know, the venue is outside tonight, in front of the huge <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palace_of_the_Parliament" target="_blank">Palace of the Parliament</a> its a fantastic building and looks like it gonna be an amazing setting for the show</p> <p align="justify">View out of window Venue for tonight's show!</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fmHI7zf75I8/Uh2lTHESBEI/AAAAAAAAPc0/23jTqzVZkzo/s1600-h/P1020714%252520%252528Large%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1020714 (Large)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1020714 (Large)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7uMiFuxjn5g/Uh2lTv-41dI/AAAAAAAAPc8/lay_mygJdxo/P1020714%252520%252528Large%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7SkzZd6t-Os/Uh2lUQfBczI/AAAAAAAAPdE/df5qPPwwNmo/s1600-h/b.968_palace-of-parliament%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="b.968_palace-of-parliament" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="b.968_palace-of-parliament" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9gwrs_-QEnE/Uh2lUuf-j0I/AAAAAAAAPdM/FJRgSsowmvk/b.968_palace-of-parliament_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="268" height="137"></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205669373504703653.post-1779821837118416412013-08-27T22:48:00.001+01:002013-08-27T22:48:02.008+01:00Bucharest!!<p>Got here earlier today, more details and pictures tomorrow.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Wo8VwXrtvqs/Uh0eZ5dKQmI/AAAAAAAAPWA/Y1wQw7YtNcM/s1600-h/577295_10153216297965192_626803852_n%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="577295_10153216297965192_626803852_n" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="577295_10153216297965192_626803852_n" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dc6wuY-UpVU/Uh0eaiK_IDI/AAAAAAAAPWI/1i0sTf0i0is/577295_10153216297965192_626803852_n_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="761" height="207"></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FrZE-OdekiA/Uh0ebAUyAuI/AAAAAAAAPWQ/b51urYaeR7o/s1600-h/945984_10153216297740192_1895269195_n%25255B5%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="945984_10153216297740192_1895269195_n" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="945984_10153216297740192_1895269195_n" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8xkPMW0sy1Y/Uh0ebwW4h5I/AAAAAAAAPWY/3oGzPVehgP0/945984_10153216297740192_1895269195_n_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="277"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sg125GVOOMw/Uh0ec9UG89I/AAAAAAAAPWg/EMlaNiNPNmo/s1600-h/1239813_10153216297820192_1944049502_n%25255B5%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="1239813_10153216297820192_1944049502_n" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="1239813_10153216297820192_1944049502_n" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-b1nCAxXdSUA/Uh0edVs67TI/AAAAAAAAPWo/aUkFeasqsHs/1239813_10153216297820192_1944049502_n_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="367" height="278"></a> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7UFU_d2_wavUTKc6gdqUtE_EQDO-aX5BbMohbdGYecrxpb_j9Cml2nI6F4EOnXIq7BaiGzQui9mtuxHCafRJsq350ax__DMy96qTXq7UrjSdH6QyGcEjyR-kNBQyeCz_4LzoBmtyIxVZs/s1600-h/64449_10151815563329507_1057868678_n%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="64449_10151815563329507_1057868678_n" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="64449_10151815563329507_1057868678_n" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Iaix3xrBmwc/Uh0ee-QmpzI/AAAAAAAAPW4/qQe9zs-tHQI/64449_10151815563329507_1057868678_n_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="154" height="253"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tbJVA1Bj40M/Uh0efa47cyI/AAAAAAAAPXA/L9jiu6PZcxE/s1600-h/1016991_10151815563499507_1790541576_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="1016991_10151815563499507_1790541576_n" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="1016991_10151815563499507_1790541576_n" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SpLdUWB7IC4/Uh0ehNiL-kI/AAAAAAAAPXI/OhBrKFbhK9o/1016991_10151815563499507_1790541576_n_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="192" height="254"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Hq78Vy_fQJs/Uh0ehnnUT9I/AAAAAAAAPXQ/eZ3xAhGoszk/s1600-h/1184894_10151815563069507_307202535_n%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="1184894_10151815563069507_307202535_n" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="1184894_10151815563069507_307202535_n" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LvMsgYOVMMg/Uh0eicjdkqI/AAAAAAAAPXY/OQHEfV4R71o/1184894_10151815563069507_307202535_n_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="171" height="255"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ClStQzu7NrQ/Uh0ejEkRJdI/AAAAAAAAPXg/iX8iV9bGD2E/s1600-h/1185364_10151815562999507_2066481913_n%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="1185364_10151815562999507_2066481913_n" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="1185364_10151815562999507_2066481913_n" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-b6jnm56Hkok/Uh0ekHgACjI/AAAAAAAAPXo/I6g7x5QBo0k/1185364_10151815562999507_2066481913_n_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="159" height="254"></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205669373504703653.post-58683164040264134862013-08-26T22:23:00.001+01:002013-08-26T22:23:40.013+01:00Slight change of plans..<p align="justify">So the original plan was to see all 3 shows, Bucharest, Sofia and Belgrade with my friend Kevin, we have flights booked to Bucharest and i have a flight booked out of Belgrade to Berlin on the 2nd, however, Kevin had to change his plans at the last minute and cant make this leg of the tour.Kevin's friend was due to drive us between shows as, the distances are not huge , about 5 hours between each but the trains in Romania are horrendous, they go 5 miles north to go 1 mile south! so getting from venue to venue on time and then to Belgrade was proving impossible.</p> <p align="justify">After uuuming and arghing for several hours last night and this morning, and listening to Kit and Emil telling me how werewolves roam the Romanian night trains and it’s the country where Dracula comes from! I've decided to fly to Bucharest tomorrow,see the show on Wednesday night, then on Thursday i take the night train to Budapest, it leaves Bucharest at 17:40 and arrives at 8:50 in the morning. I then take the 9:25 train from Budapest and arrive in Berlin at 21:15 on the 30th August. That's a total of 28 hours and 35 minutes on the train! I will be missing the Sofia and Belgrade shows but there's nothing i can really d about that. One show is better than none at all and I'll also be in Berlin for 2 nights before Kami and her family arrive.</p> <p align="justify">I'm now at a hotel at Charleroi airport in Brussels ready for the flight tomorrow afternoon. 8 hours of trains, buses and a cab today to get here from Saarlouis and I'm shattered, can wait for 28 hours of this!</p> <p align="justify">More soon….</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4205669373504703653.post-9847242565318577052013-08-25T21:50:00.003+01:002013-08-25T21:50:30.421+01:00Help needed...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
If anyone reading my blog is driving from Bucharest to Sofia to Belgrade, drop me a message, thanks</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0