The incessant heat of this summer seems to be following us around now, and today I learn that Santiago is experiencing unusually warm conditions. After a very leisurely in-room Four Seasons breakfast (I can make it last all day) we checked out of the Lisbon hotel, said farewell to Portugal and set off for the airport. Pete and Simon, our captain were there to greet us at a security checkpoint and we all fed through the usual screening hut before hopping aboard a Transit van for a short 200 yard drive to the steps of the plane. The 50 minute flight is just about the perfect duration for us to lunch and since Daniella keeps on outdoing herself in terms of what she serves up, the whole band were ready for the imminent feast. Grilled Sardines, huge shrimp, a feta salad and a plate of meaty delights satisfied everyone on board. As we approached Santiago de Compostela, the capital of the autonomous community that is Galicia, we noticed the terrain looked so different to the parts of Spain we have so far visited. I can't recall ever being here before. The hilly landscape is clearly very fertile and enjoys a fair amount of rain judging by the green-ness of the land. As with so many places we visit for the day or even the afternoon, there is just not enough time to take it all in and learn about the history etc. Pete mentioned to me that the old town was worth a visit so I hoped that the venue was situated accordingly. Unfortunately, it was on the outskirts of town and was a 15 minute drive away. I thought I'd grab a car and head off but management rightly pointed out that with show-time looming, any traffic induced delay could be awkward. I was hoping to have some nice pictures of the old town but you'll just have to google the place.









The Multiusos Fontes do Sar is a multi purpose sports arena built I'd guess in the last 20 years and judging by the condition of the crew when we arrived, I'd hazard a guess that it wasn't designed for rock'n'roll concerts. The rigging being the issue of the day. The whole production was set back since there are no direct rigging points from which to hang the truss which supports the PA and lights so Johnny (hotpants) our esteemed rigger had a busy day. It wasn't until I looked up and studied his handy work that I realized the skill required for such a job. I couldn't see a single direct point up there.





There was a very brief meet and greet which involved Mark shaking hands with a local dignitary, none other than Alberto Núñez Feijóo, the 5th president of the Xunta of Galicia. Snr. Feijóo presented Mark with a gift of what looked like some local after dinner brandies and a box of wine. I was on hand to take the group photograph which I have been asked not to publish so I offer you a photograph of a can of Pledge.



With vocal warm-ups completed and stage gear donned, it was time to take a 'slow amble' to the stage whilst the pre-show tracks played. The heat in the arena was quite noticeable by now and the crowd who had charged in 2 hours ago when doors opened were SO ready for the show. The atmosphere in the room was electric. When we took to the stage they went 'mental'. I thought we'd seen the most excitable crowds over the last few days but this lot were off the scale. Maybe it was the acoustics of the hall which weren't exactly brilliant but the noise they made was absolutely insane. They seem to talk incessantly but yet again, when it's time to shut up and listen...they do. Amazing. By the end of Sultans of Swing, they were a heaving, sweating mass that screamed so loudly, I needed to put my in-ears back in for my own protection. By the time we got to the end of the show, nothing had changed. They just wanted more. Time to run.

The runner was just as exciting as the gig in some ways, We nearly didn't get out as a couple of the truck drivers got their timing wrong and were reversing down the slip road in preparation for the load-out but thankfully, Pete and Dave Hall spotted the potential hazard just in time. Our police escort took us out of the area and dropped back so we waved and thought we'd seen the last of him. As we took a slip road a few minutes later however, the police car came tearing up on our left only just making the exit and missing an armco barrier by inches. I guess he decided to take us all the way to the airport, I guess he took a wrong turning. when we arrived at the airport, our intrepid escort took another wrong turn as we headed straight through a security gate since our drivers were in communication with the grounds staff, the gate opened as we arrived. We were waved through and drove to the steps of the plane and waved goodbye to our excitable police drivers.

In the air, Daniella did it again and served up some local steaks which came from a restaurant frequented by Fernando Torres of Liverpool. I thought he was from Madrid. Anyway, the steaks were absolutely perfect. It wasn't long before we were descending for approach into Madrid and our final hotel of this tour. At about 2:30am (right about the time the crew will be setting off from Santiago de Campostela on their eight hour drive to Madrid, ouch) we finally pulled into the hotel and John, Mike, Dan, Richard and I thought it churlish not to have a wee nightcap in my room so as soon as I got there, the loudspeakers came out and we all toasted another wonderful day on this amazing tour.