Had such fun doing In Tune the other day. Sean is just amazing and since they've gone up-market studio-wise it's become an even more pleasurable experience (Jacky now has her own podium instead of the old coffee table of yesteryear!!). Got so many comments about the Tanaka; that piece really gets to people which is nice.

Went back to Kings Place to take part in a celebration of Maxwell-Davies' music. What a hall that is; surely the best acoustic in London. The whole building is fantastic of course. The brain child of the inspired Peter Millican. Lovely to catch up with Peter, Max and Colin..... get some new swan-recipes!!!

Did our third and final concert as part of the excellent 'Migrations' series in Bristol. The audience at St Georges is so impressive. We almost filled the place for quite an uncompromising prog. We had a great evening except that I pulled my A string off the instrument getting a tiny bit carried away during the cello cadenza of Bartok 6 ... all Jacky's fault of course for playing like that!!

Speaking of Jacky. She had a bit of a brain-wave there because there is always the dilemma after those shows.. does one go to a restaurant or head for home!? Anyway, inspired by our experience in Eindhoven last month she ordered a take away to be delivered to St G for after the concert. I can tell we're going to be doing more of that from now on.

In Naples we stayed in the King's former hunting lodge (the proprieter was a charming chap with a very impressive collection of ....... hand-grenades!) and played in his summer palace (figured out why he only went there in the summer..... bloomin' freezin'!!)

Someone told Ian after the concert that Portici (that's where we played) is the third most densely populated place on Earth. Hard to believe but there were a lot of people at our gig many of whom chatted their way through the whole thing in old Italian style. 'Tis somewhat annoying that, having travelled all that way and it's op59/1!!! It's not that they're not enjoying it (we had to do encores) it's just their way. Very delicious sea-bass dinner in front of the Milan derby. Limoncelli on the house..... brill.

Now then. Off to Potton Hall in Suffolk for three days to make our first cd with Daniel. Really excited. It's pretty perfect there; miles from anywhere. Lovely big barn with wonderful acoustic and the very excellent Jeremy Hayes and Patrick Allen to guide us. Recording is tough; very long days of relentless pressure. Still, Helen's mum's soups, the deer outside the window and the Manchester derby got us through it........ ok, and a little bit of Adnams !

SO lovely to be back in Valencia. Scene of so many amazing memories for us over the years. Can't think of a better way to start any year of concerts.

What's most perplexing is that a city like V which has grown so enormously in so many ways over the last 20 yrs doesn't really have direct flights to anywhere outside Spain anymore....weird! We had to go via Madrid ; we're finding the same problem for Bilbao next month.... bit of a bore.

Almost got stuck in Madrid too as another snow shower over here closed Stansted, Luton and Gatwick. Luckily we were coming into LHR so eventually got home. Seriously need an extended and glorious spring and summer now asap!!

It was great to see M@(our unique manager) and our old pals , Peter and Carla Taylor from the BC days. Excellent meal too which is always important. In a little place not long open; just under the Holiday Inn.

Big prog we did there; 59/1 in first half. Woweee.... is there a better quartet than that?? I'm not sure there is you know.

Our slightly odd friend was there in the front row as always. He's an extraordinary guy. He's been to every concert we've ever done in Valencia (that's got to be at least 30); same seat; never moves; never applauds; never smiles; Rather unnerving actually.

Had forgotten what a great hall Eindhoven is. Bit odd-looking but superb acoustic. It was bloomin' freezing there. Main problem is that unless you're into Big Macs it's vert tricky finding something to eat after the show. Anyway, luckily I remembered this little Indonesian place just opp. the stage door. It's up a flight of stairs and they're very nice in there. I managed to get them to stay open for us. Then, during the course of the evening, something happened which made it impossible for them to stick around so rather than leave us in the lurch, we came off stage to find an amazing buffet awaiting us in the green room with beers, wine, the lot.They had prepared it all and brought it over by hand. Lovely example of Christmas Spirit. Fantastic!!

Oh, while we were there we met a quartet and singer who are about to do something in the region of 22 concerts in Holland of a theatrical version of the Juliet Letters ..... more of that anon.