We arrived at Schoenfeld airport to a sombre mood. We learned as we greeted Simon, our captain that the control tower had just a few minutes ago, closed the airfield due to an air crash within the airport perimeter. A vintage DC-3 plane carrying 25 tourists and three crew made an emergency landing just after take-off. Apparently it lost most of its power as soon as it took to the air and tried to turn back and land on the same runway in the opposite direction. It didn't quite make it but landed about 200 yards away, within the airport boundary. We went through our normal security checks before boarding our plane as the news was that the airfield would soon re-open. Unfortunately there was no information of casualties as yet but by the time we arrived in Leipzig, the news was good.

Mercifully, all 28 people aboard left the aircraft under their own steam and seven were taken to hospital for minor injuries. We boarded our Embraer and had a light lunch served up by the returning Daniella. Simon came into the cabin to say that he had received a new take-off slot in half an hour. When I asked, he also told me that the site of the crash was just to the left of the end of the runway we would use for take-off. I snapped this shot as we took to the air.



Also these pics from Berliner Morgenpost





The accident is being investigated by the German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation, "Raisin bomber" tours are offered on a regular basis by Air Service Berlin, a company that specializes in plane, helicopter and hot air balloon tours for tourists in Berlin and other German cities. The company uses original 1944-built planes for the 35-minute-flight over Berlin. The Berlin airlift, which began June 26, 1948, was an ambitious plan to feed and supply West Berlin. The Soviets, one of the four occupying powers of a divided Berlin after World War II, had blockaded the city in an attempt to squeeze the U.S., Britain and France out of the enclave, which lay inside Soviet-occupied eastern Germany. Allied pilots flew 278,000 flights to Berlin over 15 months, carrying about 2.3 million tons of food, coal, medicine and other supplies. The planes dropped the food and other supplies onto the city, which is why Berliners dubbed them "raisin bombers."





I'm not sure that our drive from the Leipzig airport to the arena fully illustrated the true architectural grandure of the city named after the Slavic word 'lipsk' meaning the place where lime trees stand. The Latin name is Lipsia. This largest city in the state of Saxony (Eastern Germany) was another that was heavily modified by allied bombing. Leipzig is also well known for its associations with some of the great classical composers. Richard Wagner was born here in 1813, Johann Sebastian Bach worked here between 1723 and 1750, Robert Schumann was active here and Gustav Mahler worked here in the late 1880's.

Porsche decided to build a facility situated near the airport where the Cayenne and the Panamericana are now produced. The 911's are still built in Stuttgart. Porsche also built a test track here which was inspired by many of the most famous circuits in the world. A few of our team of drivers have experienced it's glory.



We sound-checked and decided to put the newly rehearsed song into the set this evening. I remember this arena from our 2005 tour when, I distinctly recall there being a problem with the mains power. Our boys sorted it out of course but it's funny the things that stick in your mind and what triggers the recollection, in this case it was the sight of the wobbly stairs to access stage-right.

Another wonderfully warm gig in front of nearly seven and a half thousand Leipziggians and although the potential for what we call slap-back was high as there is a large back wall facing the stage, it never really materialized. Well at least not for myself, Matt and Danny. Those at the front of the stage suffered a little more but this is normally the case as there is more interaction with the PA columns the nearer the front your are. I can testify to this as I spend two of the songs in the current set standing down-stage strumming my Martin.

After the show, we retraced our route to the airport where we took a 50 minute hop to Cologne where we met up with Bernie's team who drove us to our new 'hub' of Dusseldorf. 35 minutes later we were in our rooms and I was setting up the speakers for tea and music for Dan and Richard. We reflected on a long FOUR city day, of very mixed emotions and thanked our lucky stars once again that we are all here, and well. DJFletch's brief playlist for this evening...



Strings competition...Some good guesses coming in. In case you were wondering, Piano strings ARE included (think about it now before you modify your entries)

How many strings tour competition

Thanks to all who entered the competition

The total number of strings on all instruments carried buy the tour is 287. Stage Right (Kevin) 83, Stage Left (TC) 114 and MK guitars (Mr. Saggers) 90. The winner is ALBERTO ANTONETTI

Instructions

The question was...Guess the total number of strings used on all stringed instruments carried on this tour. This includes basses, ethnic instruments and violins.

First prize, one of Danny's drum heads, used on this tour, signed by ALL the band.