The Basement Show - 3rd March 2009

After a long flight from Bangkok and the Basement show, James and I had a day off in Sydney. I met with a cousin of mine who I had never met before. She told me of some very interesting facts about our family history. It seems that I am a direct descendant of Captain Kidd the pirate!! Well well well! My mum always said that she knew I would run away with the gypsies ( meaning James and his gypsy roots) but James never thought that he was marrying into a family of pirates! Ha ha!

So all becomes clear now - I always wondered what that map with the X was all about!

So the Basement show went very well and we had a day of sightseeing - walked past Russell Crowe's house - which is just across from our hotel. We went up to the top bar in the Shangri La Hotel where we had some drinks and looked at the stunning lights of Sydney - wow pretty spectacular I must say.

In the afternoon we had an interview live on Eastside Radio Station - the lines were really busy with callers and the presenter Eric Gyors played a lots of tracks from 1 AM and also Martin's solo album Double Standards. That's me, Eric Gyors, Wally Wrightman and Martin in the picture at Eastside Radio Station Sydney.

Next day - Martin and I are off to Melbourne - early flight - so a bit of re-jigging the old suitcase. Airports are a pain in the bum! All the liquid stuff is a piece of nonsense. Had all my toiletries confiscated in Bangkok even although I hadn't left the airport from security in Heathrow. I tell you - my bouffant has suffered for it! I'll need to get a stick on one like Amy Winehouse - it would save a lot of bother.

We arrived at Melbourne airport and were whisked off to do another live Radio session at 3 AW with presenter Denis Walter. We played live in the studio and then spoke to callers on air. Seemingly the phone was red hot at Dizzy's - all looking for tickets! Good stuff! Then off to the hotel.

So here we are in Melbourne - 3 shows at Dizzy's and the last show is tonight. A guy from PBS was at the show and was really very enthusiastic about the the music and the concert, so we are trying to set up an interview and some TV if we have time.

With a little bit of sightseeing today and the last show tonight - I'm a wee bit tired but will take a rest this afternoon.

Tomorrow we're off to the Gold Coast - early flight with an afternoon show we don't have much time to catch our breath after the show tonight.

OZ - Sydney - 3rd March 2009

Hello there from hot Sydney

We arrived safe and sound after a long flight and checked into the hotel.

James is arriving tomorrow and I'm really looking forward to seeing him.

Tuesday 3rd March

OK good sleep - breakfast and James arrived! We headed out for a light lunch and managed to get on line to up date blogs and facebook etc.

Show tonight and we need to rest up for that. Thinking about hiring bikes tomorrow as it is a day off before the back to back dates all over OZ!

News of the show to follow later.

Pip pip
Ali B
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Travel Day - 2nd March 2009

Very early start to get to Bangkok airport. The flight to Sydney is just over 9 hours and we'll get into Sydney around 9pm. Time to get a reasonable early night. James arrives tomorrow.

See you in Oz Land
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Day Off Pics - 1st March 2009

Started the day by going to an amazing temple having lunch with Tao and doing a bit of shopping. We went to see a massive reclining Buddha and took a few boat trips down the river.

What a great way to end the trip in Bangkok.

Tao and Hucky were amazing and I just can't wait to come back again.

Ciao for now Bangkok

A x

Day of The Concert - 28th February 2009

Well hello,

Had an early night last night - looking after my voice. Soundcheck at 1pm and it is sooo hot. Managed to get some great pics of the venue. We had a live radio interview to do back at the hotel so sound check went well and then back to base.

Gig went really well. We had one of the main TV stations in to film the first 3 songs and we had a heap of signings to do afterwards. The concert was being sponsored by a number of businesses including AER. Udo from AER was at the concert and we all went out for dinner to an Italian restaurant close to the hotel.

I was really looking forward to a day of sightseeing and shopping on Sunday - which was great. Although we did have some Mango rain at the start of the day but that didn't last long. Visited some temples and had lunch at the riverside. Tao took us to a crazy sukiyaki restaurant for early dinner. We ate from a cooking pot on the table - veggie stuff first so as not to contaminate the stock - then the fish went in. By that time I had eaten a load of veg and millions of beancurd - Mmmmmm!

Must pack for Oz when I get back to the hotel as it's an early start on Monday morning to get to the airport.

Ciao for now and speak from OZ!

Alison
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Ancient City, Tigers, Crocodiles. Monkeys and Elephants

Have you ever seen a painting elephant, men wrestling crocodiles, tigers walking about and a monkey in a football shirt?

Well it all happened to me today - only in Bangkok . This place is truly bonkers but a good bonkers!

We went to the Ancient City and saw all the attractions of Thailand in one place - in minature. Although minature means just slightly smaller. It was fantastic!

We then went to the Crocodile farm where we saw men wrestled with crocs - not the shoes, tigers and a monkey in a footbal shirt. There were hundreds of crocodiles - some of them were massive and a bit frightening looking. Then we went on to see the elephants. One of them painted a picture and I filmed the whole thing. Martin bought that painting and I bought one as well.

After that we went to the coast and had dinner before heading back to the hotel. AER are here too so the guys all met up for drinks - but me - an early night as I've got to sing tomorrow.

This place is fab! Highly recommend it and our Hucky and Tao are really looking after us!

Speak soon for more news. See the pics from today.
Love
Alison
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Interviews Squid Ink Bread and Ravi Shanker

We had such a bonkers day today. Back to back interviews with press, mags, Radio and TV. At lunch the bread basket had Squid Ink Bread in it - jet back - didn't eat it though - too scared! Would make a fabulous byro. You can't get blood out of a stone but you can get Ink out of a Squid. Mango mad!

Interviews went well then we went for dinner with Hucky and Tao back to Hucky's house and met his gorgeous cat Micky - see pic.

Seemingly I am in Ravi Shanker's room!!! I can feel the vibes.

Alison
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