After a full week off at home, it was time to get back to business. I find myself grateful for the days off as the jet-lag this time really took us by surprise, even though we only flew from New York and the flight was really comfortable. So, recovered and on UK time, this morning we were all collected from our homes and chauffeured up to Northolt aerodrome in North West London. The US boys only flew in yesterday so I anticipate a similar struggle to the one us Brits had in Seattle with the time difference for a few days. Mercifully, the adrenaline of the show stands you in good stead, even if you do keep dropping off in the afternoon.  We arrive at RAF Northolt in Uxbridge to the thrilling news that our plane has developed a fault and they are locating a replacement. Off to a flying Euro-start we think. There was apparently an engine warning light which refused to go out during pre-flight checks. Typically, I had an urge to learn the details but I won't bore you with them. A replacement Embraer Legacy was found and dispatched asap. The delay was around an hour and a half, annoying since we had planned an extensive sound check as the band line-up changes today and we welcome back John McCusker. John has spent the last 8 weeks at home with his fiancee Heidi who had their first baby a few weeks ago. We're all looking forward to meeting Molly.

After much catching up with each other in the VIP departure room, we were escorted to the plane which stood a mere 50 yards across the tarmac. In a strange way, there's something childishly exciting in simply walking across the tarmac to the jet. We climb aboard and meet the new crew, more on that later but we all mention our stewardess in the US. If you're reading this Dianne, we miss you. A short hop across to Dublin and we're on approach before we can finish up the lunch. Pete assists Sheila in the clear-up, as has become traditional.



As we exit the airport we are greeted by the smiling face of Mick DeVine. As mentioned in previous diaries, Mick has driven just about everyone who is anyone who comes to Dublin and has many-a tale to tell. A thoroughly cheery chap if ever there was one. We arrive at a very familiar venue within minutes, courtesy of the new port tunnel link which took so many years to complete I wondered if it would ever see the light of day.



The Point, as it will for ever be known to me has been completely rebuilt. When we were here in 2008, it was undergoing the renovations and we played at the RDS, but today we return to a much loved venue as we've played many a memorable show here. The outside looked familiar and I was looking forward to seeing the new dressing rooms since in the past, artists have prepared for the concert in what seemed like temporary portacabins which in fact remained permanent. The dressing room area was completely unrecognizable but nonetheless, roomy and clean with a nice purpose built catering area. We downed our bags and headed for the stage with a quick stop in catering to welcome back our permanent catering team. We were around 2 hours late and sound check was the first priority. When I walked into the main arena, I was completely stunned. I had expected the renovations to be substantial but nothing prepared me for the new layout at the Point. (I refuse to call it by the name of that phone company, even if I AM a grumpy subscriber) Built in 1878, what was once a beautiful, characteristic building has been transformed into 'just another' arena. I would have expected the designers to retain at least some of the beautiful architecture but on reflection, the many complaints about the old venue needed to be addressed. Sight-lines was a major issue as there were many iron support pillars supporting the balcony, where very few people could stand. There was also the issue of the bar and toilets. Huge queues at both meant that seeing a show here was quite a painful experience, particularly for female attendees. Ah well at least the building's exterior remains attractive.



Sound check was long but necessary as we were using different in-ear transmitters and receivers and no matter how much they say that they are the same, they're not. The other notable thing is that this place is BIG. Much bigger than any show we've played thus far on this tour. 28 shows in fairly small theatres and suddenly, you can hear the vast space and how it affects our mixes. In a nutshell...nice. Once we'd run the tunes and John and Mike were happy, it was time to pop back to catering and see what Angus, Chris and Mike had on offer. Oysters! All that was needed was a pint of Guinness. That would have to wait until the encores.



The show was upon us in no time and after the usual vocal warm-ups we launched into the first song. The atmosphere was great but it was nothing compared to the way the Point used to be. I does seem somewhat sanitized, at least from the stage. Having said that, the crowd were unmistakably 'Dublin' and as the show progressed, they seemed to enjoy it more and more. Pretty soon we were taking our bows and since Mark is still playing the show from the stool, we decided to stay on stage and Pete bought us our pre-encore drinks. We toasted the crowd as has become the tradition and launched into the encore numbers. The only time I ever drink Guinness is when I come to Ireland and my first pint was gone before we left the stage. Into the cars again and Mick whisked us off to the Westbury hotel, another renovation job, this time not quite so successful. We arranged to meet up in the hotel bar for more Guinness. Paul Brady came to the show and it was great to see him again, as did our good friends from Newcastle, Gordon and Annie Currie.

As we were enjoying our drinks, Gordon mentioned that during the show, another very good friend of ours was ejected from the venue for....wait for it....dancing. I thought he was joking but apparently it's quite true. Towards the end of the show, Alec (our good friend) couldn't stay seated any longer and stood up from his seat and gave in to his urge to dance. Immediately, a security dunce approached swiftly and told him he couldn't do that but Alec carried on, quite rightly in my opinion. He was immediately shown the door in no uncertain terms. I wandered if anyone else had experienced anything like this at the show. Please let me know if you did, here or indeed at any other venue on the tour. (mail@guyfletcher.co.uk) You can also post on the forum. Tim, our tour manager will be having discussions with the hall manager today.

One thing we had discussed earlier in the car with our driver Mick, was the delights of Guinness and how best to savour it. He suggested that one of the best things to eat with a pint is a cheese and onion sandwich. I thought it might be an idea to test the theory in the bar but I discovered that ordering a sandwich at 11:02pm in a five star hotel in Dublin can be a farcical affair. At first the barmaid, who was incidentally, delightful, said that the kitchens had closed for the night. I suggested room service but she said "only in the rooms". I said "what about they deliver it here". "We can only do cold sandwiches", "that's all we want", "OK, I'll see what I can do". She returned saying they had no onion (no onion??) so I ordered a selection from the menu which included a club sandwich which although was normally warm, had to be served cold. I also asked for some crisps, "we don't have any" came the reply. "Of course you do" I suggested. I enquired about the onion again and she proclaimed "they've found one".  Phew.

I love Ireland!

We all went to bed with smiles on our faces.