These are the true tales of the rail and the wing, seen from the vantage point of train stations, dressing rooms, airports and the not-so-glamorous back of a cab. Buckle up in the jump seat for this caffeine-fueled 15-day tour of Italy, Austria, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, France, England and Ireland. Don’t forget your passport.
April 29: London To Bristol
It’s a sunny morning as we leave Paddington Station for our train to Bristol. The ride through the country is picturesque, with sheep and cows dotting the green pastures. A momentary stop at Bath, England, reminds me there are so many places I still haven’t been. Pulling into Bristol, I’m taken with how impressive the station is, resembling a castle or cathedral. The show tonight is at a club called Louisiana. With its wrought-iron railing and wrap-around balcony it looks like a building on Bourbon street in New Orleans. The room is small and will soon be rammed with bodies tonight.
We’ve got a small window of time to forage for dinner, maybe find a quiet corner in a cafe along the docks. It’s a banking holiday, the sun is out, and many people have descended upon Bristol this weekend. I’m tired. My average tour day is typically 16 hours long—up early to travel and in late after the show. I’ve got another show in Manchester tomorrow, followed by one in Dublin and in Cork before I can begin to pack for home. By the last show, it will have been nine in a row, and I can feel my voice getting rougher each night. Checking in at home, my wife tells me that our daughter is running a fever and she thinks they both have the flu. It’s going to be a long night for her. My phone rings at 3 a.m. She’s on the way to the emergency. Our daughter’s fever has shot up higher. A half hour later, the phone rings again. The emergency room is full. She’s going to go to another hospital. “Keep me posted,” I tell her. I’ll hope to make up a little sleep on the train to Manchester.
