I hardly slept last night. There was a very noisy couple in the room beneath me… I don’t know what kind of “stimulants” they were on, but they were extremely noisy until 5am… by which time I had just about given up any hope of really getting any sleep. Having said that, I was able to drift off until around 11am… which made me feel rather groggy!  But at least Hyatt do an “all day” breakfast. The weather has really become cold and extremely windy… Snow is forecast. And driving winds. But I’m, still looking forward to driving home after tonight’s show. The rest of the band WERE going to leave for the London hotel after the gig, but Elton decided they should go to his hotel and stay for a night. I think he’s keen for some company after the events of the past couple of days. Don’t blame him. I left early for the gig… I have had very bad experiences with the security staff at this venue… they are legendary. “You can’t come in here, Sir. I don’t care WHO you are…” etc… But my fears were unfounded. I showed the bloke at the gate my laminated pass, and asked them for directions to the backstage area, anda he just said: “OK, Sir… follow the road right round to the back…”  I could hardly belive it. When I got backstage, I sought out George Hoadley and got a car park sticker (just in case the “jobsworths*” changed their minds suddenly). * Jobsworth – quaint UK saying for a bloke in a peaked cap with more power than he knows what to do with, saying “you can’t do this, do that etc… it’s more than my Job’s worth!”

There was a tense atmosphere at tonight’s show. Not surprising, really. After the emotional uproar of last night, everyone was a bit jumpy. Elton was still feeling very delicate. The lads had spent lunchtime with him, and were planning on joining him for late supper, after the gig. Always a good sign. I had the first of my “Large” guest lists tonight. Four people from Premier Percussion, and my cousin and his family (they drove up from Bristol).  As we went on stage Elton said, to no-one in particular, “Keep me cheerful tonight!”. We all laughed and joked away on stage… Elton made a very rude remark about the reviewer – not surprising really. Actually, the crowd weren’t bad, either, and we all had quite a good gig. After the show, I headed home, amongst the show-crowd firstly… and then onto the motorway, and the wind!  It was a blustery drive home – kind of funny without any passengers  (JJ and DC were in the bus on their way back to Elton’s hotel). I made good time, despite the weather, and was glad to be finally sleeping in my bed. My neck is somewhat worse, though. I’ll have to get to see the chiropractor soon.