Holiday Inn, One Mile From The City Centre, Prague.
A grey day in Prague, lightening now & with the drizzle lifted. We have a day off, and leave on the Crimbus at midnight, assuming that its repairs are successful.
This is not the Holiday Inn that gave us board on the last Crim visit to Prague: where Adrian got sick, and where the happiest looking, best dressed people were the working ladies. But this two-year old Holiday Inn has ethernet access - hooray! - and I am able to deal with large amounts of arising e-business. Also scheduled for today - a strategic & important call to David at DGM HQ.
Last night: Tuesday 17th. June: the venue was next door to the Holiday Inn, so only a two minute walk to the backstage entrance. The equipment truck arrived late, the Soundcheck went back to 19.15, showtime ontime at 21.00. A strong onstage sound, reverberant in the hall, but the show had an integrity: it held together. This compared to the appalling sonic mess of the Warsaw Congresshall. The audience were supportive & generous.
Back to today & reflecting on Warsaw. The Congresshall would work for Soundscapes, because Soundscapes work (almost) anywhere, but not for Crimson. There is no power on earth that will lead Crimson back to that building. It hurts, but I don't believe Crimson has ever played in Poland to the standard that's possible for the band. This is hard to bear, traveling long distances to good people & places that we rarely visit, or have not been before, and may never return. If this is our only/last shot, then give us at least half a chance.
Now, to deal with business --
17.42 Met Pat & Bill Munyon in the hotel lobby at 13.15 & we caught the next-door subway two stops into Prague city centre. Walked into the central old square, where Ade was having a coffee & tasty cake. Then we all walked together to the old bridge & I caught the subway back with Ade.
Rain lifted, the sun shone, now rain again.
23.52 John Sinks has been visiting the grave of Dvorak, who is buried in a churchyard very close to this Holiday Inn. Sister arrived safely this evening at Barbara & Beric's near Bredonborugh. The Hello magazine featuring Toyah & our home is out. Sister & Parents-in-Law approve.
Now, to close down & get on the bus. The high-speed access has helped me deal with as much e-mail as I could handle.
We now have a 12-hour drive to Milan.
"The necessary is possible.
The optional is expensive.
The unnecessary is unlikely."
