Well we finally did the first show. After a seemingly long rehearsal period and a bit of travelling, it feels really good to have gig 1 under the belts. The show itself was really pretty good for first night and incorporated a few firsts, Matt Rollings' first show with the band, Richard Bennett's first show with in-ear monitors (now we're all on them) and Mark's first show in South Africa. The audience were very warm and appreciative. A great listening audience but they also got up and 'rocked out' where appropriate. A few notable 'moments' during the night including Mark's guitar lead kept falling out during Telegraph Road. He was masterly in disguising this fact, he managed to keep plugging it in whilst playing and we only learned of it afterwards. I saw Chad's headphone pack fall off during the 3rd chorus in Romeo & J. he played for a good minute with no in-ears until Harry his tech. whizzed up and replaced it.

Matt shot this pic from the car as we drove in convoy past the venue on the way out. As you can see, we weren't hanging around. Anxious to get back to the hotel bar and .. well do what one does in hotel bars! drink and discuss the show.

Sound check number one. There was quite a bit of buzz on the guitars during sound check which was of course dealt with by the crew before dinner.

Here's me with the Telecaster I use during why aye man. I have to play this without a strap as I also play keyboards in that song so I'm confined to my riser. No guitar shapes thrown in that tune.

Matt took this pic.

Saturday 26th - Well, we're finally on the road now. It doesn't really feel like a tour until you actually step off a plane somewhere new, and warm! and it is warm here. After 3 weeks rehearsing in the UK's gloomiest and coldest month of the year, the band and crew have arrived in Jo'burg with a couple of days off to get a feel for the town before we launch into the first two shows.

As with all first shows, there is a trace of apprehension and first night nerves as we draw nearer the date, but most of all, a distinct eagerness to get on stage and get the tour rolling. In fact, we can't wait.

Sunday 27th - When they said you can see the elephants from your hotel room I thought they were kidding. This shot taken this afternoon from my hotel room window. The hotel actually overlooks Jo'burg zoo.

Sunday night - Had a bit of a 'moment' upon cleaning my hotel room, the maid decided my tea kettle didn't belong there and when we arrived back from a great meal at the Butcher's shop and grill in Sandton, I went to make tea (PG tips) in the room and my kettle was gone. Brand new, only made a dozen cups or so.

After my initial panic and a mild tantrum involving half a dozen irate calls to the front desk, I have to say the hotel staff were brilliant. It took about an hour but they found it at 1:00am. For the uninitiated, this may seem like trivial nonsense but to the great tea drinkers amongst us, a potential disaster. Three and a half weeks on the road without a kettle hardly bears contemplation. Of course now the kettle bears the marks of a true tea addict.

Don't worry, by this time tomorrow, I'll be waffling on about the show and stuff that really matters.