I slept well enough. The location of the Copthorne Hotel is right down by the river Tyne, near the old docks… a renovated p[art of the city.  They’ve done a great job of reviving the area. I had breakfast, and then went for a swim and a workout… Davey and John Mahon were down there, too. Afterwards, I felt much better. It’s good to get the muscles going again. John Mahon and I went for a salad and a swift hal pint in a pub nearby,  bafore checking out, and following the bus to the gig, which is only about half a mile away. The Arena is about 2 years old: a really good, modern facility. Not sure about the sound, though. Clive didn’t seem too worried, though. We all had a great jam session… going through a number of “classic greats”…. Beatles, Iron Butterfly…etc… great fun. Avantually, Clive had to tell us to leave the stage!!  Elton arrived, full of the euphoria of last night’s gig.

Just before showtime, Elton met up with two special guests: Sting’s auntie and grandmother!  91 years old, and coming to a rock concert!  She was amazing!  We had another great gig, although they were slow to react at first . By the time we played “Guess that’s Why they Call it The Blues” they were on their feet, and from then on, the place was rocking.

JJ and I made a farily quick getaway.. with the security guard opening a side gate to the compound… and we were on the motorway within 30 minutes.. The journey to Manchester took us down the A1(M) and onto the M62, past Leeds, and over the end of the Pennines, into Manchester. The Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza used to be the old Midland Hotel. It’s an imposing red-brick Victorian building  right next to the GMEX centre (scene of this weekend’s Oasis concerts: we’re playing the Nynex, across town!), and not far from the downown shops.

We arrrived at about 2am, and the road outside the hotel was packed with drunken party-goers, all looking for a taxi. JJ got out and I waited for the porter. Immediately, two people got into the car….. They thought I was a cab!  I told them to get out, and almost instantly, another person got in!   Eventually, I locked the doors and sat in the car until the valet arrived to park the car. What an unpleasant experience. They were all obnoxiously drunk… boisterous, aggressive. Disgusting!  I finally made it to my room, and collapsed into bed.

Saturday 13th December: day off, Manchester. I spent most of the morning relaxing, and most of the afternoon walking the shopping area… amongst the masses!  Unbelievable crowds!  Pre-Christmas panic!  In the evening, JJ and a bunch of our lot went to the Oasis gig at the GMEX, and the rest of us went for a great Indian meal round the corner from the hotel. It was really good, too: not too spicy. Back at the hotel, I was just putting my head to the pillow, when – YES you guessed it: the alarm went off. SO… I threw some clothes on, and went to the lobby. This time the Fire Brigade took a mere 5 minutes to arrive, and discover that it was a hoax. Apparently some “young kids” had set off the alarm!  So we were back in the rooms before 30 minutes had gone by… But: twice in 3 days?  Incredible!