Chris’ farewell party which was really the end of an era. 30 years!! The end of our life together too, which is sad. The next evening I went to Soho Square, which was full of young people sitting on the grass and enjoying the evening, while Charles 2 looked on. Later I went to Pizza Express which was MARVELLOUS. Lea Delaria was on, with the Jeanette Mason trio, Simon Lyttle and Mark Fletcher. They were featuring the Cole Porter song book.

The first song was a very unusual and extremely funny interpretation of ‘Too darned hot’ with a reference to gardening in the heat, which the audience loved. From then on, the evening got better and better. Lea confessed to delighting in making normally staid British audiences interact with her, and then, when guest singer Clare Teal came on, had her nose put out of joint when the audience spontaneously joined in with the chorus of ‘Doing the Lambeth Walk’. Clare Teal was a wonderful comedian/singer from the north country, and she and Lea spurred each other on. The highlight of their collaboration came when, fortified by drinks, they did a novel and hilariously funny interpretation of ‘What a swell party this is!’

Out to see Ian Shaw at the Vortex- it has moved since I was there, still in Stoke Newington – and it has a lift! No food, but it is above a café, and you can bring food upstairs. Ian Shaw is brilliant, very funny, and good entertainment. I think he has been giving lessons to Liane Carroll, he has said she is very good, so I went along, twice! She is very uninhibited, out-going and funny, and I enjoyed the showsl Supported by Mick Fletcher (of the Jeanette Mason trio), and Roger Carey (bass).

Before that I went to two evenings of Catalan music, 2 duos and 2 trios, all good, but I though the best were Sergi Sirvent (p) and Xavier Maureta (dr). I had extremely good company from Aberdeen one evening, who knew far more about jazz than me. Finally a young singer, Zoe Galant, who was extremely good, encouraging audience participation. Nice name and open face too. (She was also a fan of Michael Garrick). When my club existed in Australia, I was told by a radio celebrity that it was very important to have audience participation, something other than just pure jazz.

As well as going to some good music I have been considering getting a pied-a-terre in Paris. So I spent a fair bit of time trudging the streets.

I love the expressive way Jean-Claude Olivier plays the clarinet (Alligators Jazz Band), and I finally discovered a name for that whirly thing that Jacques Cailloux plays, one of the many ‘odd’ iistruments that musicians delight in. I think it is called a ‘pipette bavarienne’. Then on to hear the Michel Pastre/Louis Mazettier quintet – although there were six brilliant musicians, which is a good enough reason for going. Surprisingly, the PJSM was not packed. Louis Mazettier, (p) Michel Pastre, (sax) Guillaume Nouaux, (dr) Jerome Etcheberry, (tpt) Rafael Dever (bass), Enzo Mucci. (guitar) Then ‘One more time jazz band’ who were really enjoyable; THREE Marchetaux, on the sousaphone, banjo and trumpet respectively, Daniel Pelissier, of the Dixieland Seniors (reeds), Lou Laprete on piano, and Fred Guitton, also on reeds.

Certains l’aiment chaud were on the next evening – unusual arrangements and effective vocals, particularly as it was my last night in Paris, it was nice to catch up with ‘old’ (younger than me!) friends again.

Two of the people I thought I would see weren’t there, but I saw Les Drs. Chouettes Airs with Michel Bescont (sax) and Jacques Gauthier (cornet), then Hot Antic were on, with Martin Sec at piano, he had played in Edinburgh with Stephane Gillot and Aurelie Tropez – with LOTS of boufeurs, including two people that I had come across in New Orleans, Dave Bodinghouse the pianist and Banu Gibson, the all-round entertainer – singer, banjo, dancer and actor. There was also a tap dancer named James Williams. They were all (and some other musicians whose name I didn’t catch), appearing at Le Casino de Paris in the rue de clichy, I went – and LOVED the theatre, all red and gold, and for seats nearer the front there were 2 or 3 grouped round a table, very civilised. Vive la France.

Smile, though my heart is breaking…
I sit alone and cry……………;
Leaving me
After 40 years;
I cant believe it.
I thought it would never happen to me.
Oh,…no….no…..no.
And yet…………. I’ve grown accustomed to his face,
I will miss ‘the nearness of him’ at night, in the bed.
Cry me a river.
Tears are just a waste of energy. What a lot of energy has been wasted over the years.

Back to see Ian Shaw. In the first set he sang and was accompanied by David Preston and in the second set sang, played the piano, and had Liane Carroll on as a guest. I much prefered the second set, and not only for the music, I found the guitar too loud. At the weekend we commenced the dreaded job of ‘clearing the house’, it will take months. On Monday Megan Washington was appearing (from Australia) young, full of energy, and with a fantastic voice. She had sung in ‘Maggie Black’s’ and made a cd. there – ‘Live at Maggie Black’s’. She was accompanied by Paul Grabowsky (p), Phil Donkin (bass) and Ralph Salmins on drums. Then Lea Delaria, not so much comedy as earlier, though she has a quick-witted, good-natured spiel. Accompanied by Londoner Jeanette Mason (p), Simon Lyttle (bass) and Mark Fletcher on drums. Julian Siegel guested on reeds.

The next evening saw the return of two of my favourites, Dave Green (bass) and Steve Brown (drums). They were accompanying Barry Harris on piano, a skilled musician, as indeed, all of them were. Every piece was without music, as they nearly always are everywhere. They play everything by ear and with feeling, that’s why jam sessions are always different, people, reactions, character, feelings – and audience. There was one knowledgeable group with good timing last night.

On Wed. I went to see the High Society Jazz Band, which I thoroughly enjoyed, complete with visual (a pot of bubbles in ‘I’m forever blowing bubbles’ and leaping to their feet whenever the words ‘High Society’ were uttered; and sound effects ( a cap pistol in ‘Frankie and Johnny’ ). All light-hearted, good fun. (Daniel Barda, William Conquy, Frederic Ystban ( Francois Cottin, Guy Champegne and Patrick Deffroi(?) – and accompanied by the bubbly Pauline Atlan ) . Then it was Marc Laferriere, that was terrific. He was accompanied by his good-looking son, Olivier, (whose son had a birthday party, the birthday cake with sparklers was accompanied by a procession of musicians piping out ‘happy birthday to you’); also Simon Boyer on drums, om trumpet and Nicolas Peslier on banjo/guitar.. There were several boeufeurs, including Olivier Michaud who had also boeufed the night before.

I also went to see a group wiith Michel Bescont (reeds) and Jacques Gantier (tpt). There was a boeufeur caled Filou, who gave a brilliant exhibition of tap-dancing, and I am currently at the Ellington conference, where it seems it was quite popular in the 1930's. It certainly adds to the enjoyment of the music.

I had really bad news a couple of days before going to Paris, but I can’t consider all the implications. Back to stay at my super hotel, it is so nice to be recognised and welcomed by name. Off to the Petit Journal Saint Michel that evening, (Paris Washboard were playing), the PJ Montparnasse the next, and back to my favourite restaurant on Sunday, Le Parc aux Cerfs.

Afterwards I walked back through the Luxembourg Gardens. There was a large blue marquee, where one could watch short film clips, and also large notices, explaining climate change. That really impressed me, the mayor was trying to educate the Parisians. But it did not seem to say much, or not enough, it mentioned the Osso glacier (?) in the Pyrenees and said how big it was, but not by how much it had shrunk. (or perhaps it did, and I just missed it, which is possible, as my French is not really all that good.)

I then went on to the exhibition on Vlaminck in the Senate. Maurice de Vlamink lived from 1876 – 1956. The phrase advertising the exhibition was ‘instinct de fauve’. Fauvism was the pursuit of colour. Vlaminck painted portraits, then still life followed, urban and pastoral landscapes. He exhibited in the 1905 Salon d’automne, in the ‘cage des fauves’, when Vollard bought a lot of his paintings and urged him to go to the atelier Methay at Asnieres Vlaminck did so, and made a lot of brilliantly coloured and decorated vases and plates; Afterwards walking back to my hotel (Paris is such an easy city to walk in) I came across another series of stunning enlarged photos hung on the railings of the Luxembourg gardens. They go back over 30 years, and whereas the Middle East conflict predominated the minds of the French earlier, now it is global warming and climate change. Well done, Al Gore, people are starting to talk about the planet’s future.

I spent the weekend at the Norwich Jazz party. On the train on the way up, chatting with my companions, one of whom had recently moved to Stowmarket from London and really enjoyed the more unhurried pace of life, the conversing, and the freedom from violence. That might be partly why we are planning to relocate to Switzerland .

The music was superb. Sir John Dankworth (sax) was delightful, much more on form than last year, reminiscing, he played a marvellous duo set with son Alec on bass. BED were superb. It was lovely to see Rossano Sportiello, Nicki Parrott, Alan Barnes, Karen Sharpe, Katie Brown, (Steve’s wife, they are a super friendly couple), Keith Ingham, Randy Sandke and new friend Randy Reinhart, Butch Miles, favourites Scott Hamilton, John Pearce, Dave Green and Steve Brown and others. My camera is broken which is a pity, no pictures.

While in Norwich I went to the market and to the Cocoa café and also to the Plantation Garden, which was a little Italianate jewel. It was built from money made from the firm of Trevor and Spice, a furniture(?) shop, by Mr. Trevor, in 1856. The materials were brought over and lovingly assembled. Retaining walls, the fountain, and the magnificent slanting Italianate wall at the end of the garden resemble a wonderful patchwork quilt made of stone. There is a great variety of stone used, to form the different patterns. . The garden fell into disuse about the second world war, and has been lovingly restored recently by one gardner and 20 volunteers. It is in Earlham road, next to Beeches hotel.

We drove over the Bolte Bridge, good name I thought, as we were heading for a weekend get-away. What a lot of smog in the air! They were back-burning in the country. Walking around the area close to our hotel I spotted ‘Lord’s Lodge’, accommodation for backpackers, Tel = 04 9510 5658. Nice accommodation for backpackers in St. Kilda. There seems to be quite a strong ‘community’ sense; the Alfred community care; the Coppin Community Hostel Royal Freemasons Homes of Victoria. There were also apartments for lease (03 9867 4200) on the extremely busy St. Kilda road, but then, our hotel was also on it, and I didn’t hear any traffic noise.

I went to Albert Park, you can walk or jog round a 3-mile (?) track around it. There is boating, basketball, tennis and of course, lots of palm trees, which surprised me, I thought Melbourne would be really cold, it’s miles from the equator. [But there are palm trees in Inverarie in New Scotland – all a question of the gulf stream, I reckon.]

For the next three days I heard marvellous music at Bob Barnard’s Jazz Party. Lots of younger musicians too (Michael McQuaid’s Red Hot Rhythymakers with Jason Downes (formerly in Allan Beechey’s Bright Stars in the UK). BED were there, Matt Jodrell, who is equally good on both piano and trumpet, and is going to the Julliard in the USA , Chris Ludowyk on trombone and bass, Andy Baylor and John Scurry on guitar, Jo Stephenson, Dennis Ball, Bob Sedergreen, Stephen Grant, Peter Gaudion, Dan Burrows, Danny Moss senior and junior, Matt Elton and James Clarke, Allan Browne and Lawrie Thompson on drums. Rebecca Barnard and Penny Eames and Nichaud Fitzgibbon on vocals. Penny Eames had sung in Maggie Black’s – George Washingmachine, and others.

On Sunday evening after the BBJP had finished, a lot of the people went to Swallows Hotel for a jam session. I had to leave at 9 to go to the airport and wait for my plane back to the UK, but what I did hear was just epoustoufflant! Jo Stephenson on reeds, mainly clarinet, and Stephen Grant on piano, a drummer and a bass – and Dan Barrett joined in on his cornet. At the end of every piece the audience would erupt in applause (far more French than Brisbane!)

And by a huge coincidence out of 3,000 taxis in Melbourne, the same driver took me back to the airport as had collected me. 'Just me and Mister Shane" To speed things up he even went into the hotel, Baiyview on Pard (03 9243 9999) to collect my luggage, and then kept me entertained with lots of teenage jokes like 'Have you heard about the cross-eyed teacher?.....................she had double the trouble controlling her pupils."

Spent a few days in Sydney. I walked around a bit, found the city Tattersall club, which seems to be a kind or RSL club, noted some serviced apartments in Pitt Street or nearby, but think they are all long lets which have already gone. Meriton Serviced Apartments 1800 214 822.

Michiko cooks well, we had a delicious meal of salmon with mash and egg plant.- and lentil soup quite different Then we went to Linda’s wonderful restaurant, toilets were a bit awkward to get to, but not bad. 9550 6105 340 King Street.

I also experienced a house auction for the first time. The idea is to wait as long as possible before bidding and also between raising bids - often by only one thousand.

At the domestic terminal in Sydney there is a seriously good ‘Oyster Bar and Café. A queue at meal times, but well worth the wait. I had really good coffee, and the best almond croissant. Health cafe opposite called NRG, also good.

A true story and its source was the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service in Adelaide.

A bloke and his family were on holidays in the United States and went to Mexico for a week. An avid cactus fan, the man bought one one-metre high, rare and expensive cactus there. On arrival back home Australian Customs said it must be quarantined for 3 months. He finally got his cactus home. Planted it in his backyard, and over time it grew to about 2 metres.

One evening while watering his garden after a warm spring day, he gave the cactus a light spray. He was amazed to see the plant shiver all over, he gave it another spray and it shivered again. He was puzzled so he rang the council who put him on to the state gardens people. After a few transfers he got the state's foremost cactus expert who asked him many questions. How tall is it? Has it flowered? Etc. Finally he asked the most disturbing question. "Is your family in the house?" The bloke answered yes. The cactus expert said get out of the house NOW, get on to the front nature strip and wait for me; I will be there in 20 minutes.

Fifteen minutes later, 2 fire trucks, 2 police cars and an ambulance came screaming around the corner. A fireman got out and asked "Are you the bloke with the cactus?" I am, he said. A guy jumped out of the fire truck wearing what looked like a space suit, a breathing cylinder and mask attached to what looked like a scuba backpack with a large hose attached. He headed for the backyard and turned a flame-thrower on the cactus spraying it up and down. After a few minutes the flame-thrower man stopped, the cactus stood smoking and spitting, half the fence was burnt and parts of the gardens were well and truly scorched.

Just then the cactus expert appeared and laid a calming hand on the bloke's shoulder. "What the hell's going on?" he says. "Let me show you" says the cactus man. He went over to the cactus and picked away a crusty bit, the cactus was almost entirely hollow and filled with tiger striped bird-eating tarantula spiders, each about the size of two hand spans. The story was that this type of spider lays eggs in this type of cactus and they hatch and live in it as they grow to full size. When full size they release themselves. The cactus just explodes and about 150 dinner plate sized hairy spiders are flung from it, dispersing everywhere. They had been ready to pop.

The aftermath was that the house and the adjoining houses had to be vacated and fumigated: police tape was put up outside the whole area and no one was allowed in for two weeks. And here's what one of the b*stards looks like sitting on a FULL SIZE dinner plate…..

It is my last week in Brisbane for a while. Yesterday Coral Jones put on a cabaret show at the Volunteer Marine Rescue at Southport, a beautiful location and wonderful weather – and, apart from Coral and her huaband Val, I knew one of the other musicians, Andra Szarbo. The week before I had gone to the Gold Coast Jazz Club where Colin Woods and his timbre getters Hames Sherlock. Pat & Joe Marischella had played with a whole heap of talented teenagers. Later that week I was in Kenchington patisserie in Park Road, Milton, where they make such excellent lemon tarts, and Lief presented me with a specially made one!

It must be spring (according to my biological clock, because I am still Down Under where it is now officially autumn!) More likely to be the result of a course of 'embodiments' – a form of healing relaxation which works on the muscle and bone structure of the lower back. Because all the semi-conscious pain is gone, you feel marvellous all the time! Also, I have just 'discovered' the Gold Coast City Jazz Club, held at the Southport Yacht Club which is right on the beach at Main Beach. I have been twice, and the second time was just so exhilerating; John Morrison with his 3-month-bride, the singer Jackie Cooper, Carl Dunnicliffe on bass, Tim Fisher on piano and guests Carl Johnson and three talented youngsters of 15; there was a really good jam, John Morrison played a brilliant drum solo, and 'the joint was really jumping'!

A confused, sad month. The landlord wants to re-develop, and although we have been doing better than ever, it was too little and too late to make much difference. Everyone who came really enjoyed themselves, and I have some very happy memories, like the photo above. I think I will copy some of my abortive attempts at a newsletter : My first day back at the club was the tenth of the tenth – very auspicious in China, so I am hoping for good luck for the club.

It was Jon and Matt’s final complete day before leaving for Turkey for the World Karate championships, so they have our thoughts and very best wishes. Matt is going on to Scotland for a fortnight so I am delighted, being Scottish. Jon took Vanessa and me out for dinner to a jazz restaurant in Toowong, it was doing much better than us, we only had 2 customers in - come on, Brisbane!

Conversely, on Friday night our restaurant was full, there was a lively buzz, and I just loved it, Kate Wighton and Dave Spicer were playing in the restaurant. The Funk Buddies were playing in the skylight room. Quite a number of people came to watch them, including Leah Rush.and also Cheyenne Kavanagh from Soul Zu.

The next night was our best night ever, with the restaurant almost booked out. There was a birthday party, an anniversary dinner, a pre-wedding hens night - which was great fun, they all came in tiaras and luminous bracelets, and our new, sparky night manager, David, had added a special tip for the bride, Rhiannon - ‘a woman who thinks that the way a man’s heart is through his stomach………..is aiming too high!’

The high point of the evening was when Alvin, on the 13-month anniversary of their meeting, proposed publicly to Natasha, going down on one knee!

Strange as it may seem, to look back on this seemed quite busy. At the time not much seemed to be happening, but I began to go out more. I went down to the Gold Coast, met up with friends, had lunch at Omeros and La Porte Verte and stayed with a friend in Cabbage Tree Point. I had just seen a funny movie called ‘The Kranks skip Christmas’ or something. Sure, the deeper meaning was the importance of community, which probably is what my friend and her neighbours have, but we had to laugh at all the Christmas lights and decorations that adorned the houses – although there were no ‘Frosties’.(!) Actually, no snowmen at all, though we did nearly run over a reindeer! When I got back to the club today, I spotted a Santa Claus drummer on the bar top,

I had such high hopes for this week, which started well with a function on Tues, however, the rest of the week did not go very well. I really don’t understand it, because so many people say that our venue is just what Brisbane has been waiting for, and how marvellous it is. And the artists were terrific too. Hannah Macklin and Parvis Rose brought quite a lot of people in, which was good. Parmis Rose, Hannah Macklin with David, sparky night manager Jose and Lisa McLaughlin were good too, while both Koko’s Kortete and ‘Renae and the Swing collective’ were terrific – they each got better as the night went on and Shawn, our assistant cook, who plays both the saxophone and the flute very well, came on and did a number or two. Also, for Renee’s swing collective, he was joined by John Stiefel on the soprano saxophone, who had also been playing with Jose and Lisa in the restaurant.

Saturday I went out to Manly to a simple little café, with the most delicious home-made food. Open 7-5, Tues-Sun, BYO, 07 3893 3177.

Sunday I went to the ‘Breaakfast Creek Hotel at Newstead, to hear Bzazz, who were an all female band, performing in aid of breast cancer and medical research.

The next week Parmis Rose and Clancy Cullen were on, with Shawn guesting on flute. Then Kristen Haynes and Adam Story, a very talented couple, while Nathan Seiler and his quartet played upstairs. The week finished with a wedding function. A lot of work, but fun. Best wishes to Charys and Daivd Brown.

My last night in Paris I saw the Southern Stompers.   New to me was Pierre Ribaud on trombone, and a clarinettist, Marc Breslin.   Several people weren’t there, Laurent substituted on the drums (she is good, with a  percussive sound).   But J-P Morel, Gerard Gervois, Stephane and Sebastien Gillot, Michel Bescont were there - and a banjoist.

Sunday I went to the Petit Journal Montparnasse ;  they have just begun a series of jazz brunches, on the first Sunday of each month.    I am going again in November, and I will stay for the 20th anniversary of Paris Washboard.   Bon Swing, Bon  Genre were playing,  and  there were quite a few children.   It is nice to see young  future  musicians!  

Then back to Australia, where I am now really hopeful that the club will make a success.   All praise to Jon, Glen and Vanessa, also James and Shawn, our cooks (we have a great new menu!) and Matt and Yumi, the main bar/wait staff.   My first evening back I felt really guilty, because we had an awful night, with two people  - and I went out with Jon and Vanessa and spent our badly-needed money elsewhere!

We tried a new jazz restaurant in Toowong, which was doing much better than us.     The music was ok, nothing special, but you cooked your own food on stone grills, which was rather fun.   Jon and Matt have gone to Turkey for the World Karate Championships, (Jon as a judge, he is head of Australasia and Matt as junior Australian  champion!) Attendance has rocketed up since that first night, the bright new night manager thinks word  has got around about him being here!   (he might be right, the following week attendances were up by about 60%!)   We had  several functions on, Mick Hadley had a jam-packed house with A LOT of people dancing, and we had our first public proposal of marriage which was both moving and   exciting., and our jam-singers  jam night, where I met a very enthusiastic lady  from England, most impressed with the opportunity given to  young singers (soon to be musicians too!)

There are two big changes in Paris since I was last here: The introduction of free bicycles (it costs 30 euros pa.) You can use them for an hour, and then return them to the depot. The scheme is an enormous success, and already the mayors of New York and London have been here. It would be nice if London did something about it, though I am hardly ever in London now. The second thing is the ban on cigarette smoking; although it doesn’t actually take effect until 1 Jan 2008; (London is ahead of Paris, for a change.

I saw Philippe Audibert was playing at Caveau de la Huchette, so I decided to risk the cigarette smoke. I loved it, a large cavern, with stone walls and vaulted chambers, and an empty square for dancing in; Regretfully none of my dancing partners were there. The next night I was back at Le PJSM to see the singing banjoist with the rolling eyes, Philippe Ormancy! (He used to be in Vocal Jazz’ with Daniella Barda, before it disbanded.

On the Friday I had a break from jazz, going for dinner with a friend at l’epi dupin. It is terrific for lunch, but too small, crowded and warn (body heat) for dinner. For my last night in Pars I an going to the PJSM again, this time with a friend.

l’epi dupin is overtaking Le Parc aux cerfs as my favourite restaurant, though le parc aux cerfs is still tops on friendliness. On Sat. evening I went to the PJ Montparnasse to hear the band Dixie Memories, with Bernard Mercier; Marc Simondin; Michel Simmoneau and others, including Henri. They played Wabash Blues, mentioning me, which made me feel terrific. A good evening.

On Sun I went to the Parc aux Cerfs for lunch, and on the way back, in the Luxembourg Gardens, went to see the exhibition about bees. I learnt a little, including how endangered the bee is from pesticides – so are we all! Later I met Marie Therese at the 7 Lezards, in the rue de rosiers, we heard Daniella Barda sing, had a meal and chatted. She is overseeing renovations to a family-owned house in the Pyrenees, while still going to see her friends in Belgium and Mexico.

When we left the rue des Rosiers was fairly full, apparently it is the centre of the jewish quarter and there was some festival going on. That evening I looked in Pariscope and saw there was to be a guided walk the next day in the Jewish quarter, so I decided to go along. Ariane, the guide, was extremely knowledgeable, but because she had so much ground to cover she walked and talked very fast.

The first mention of Jews in France was in 562 when one was appointed to be finance minister during the Time of Charlemagne. Their numbers grew, little was known about them and they were mistrusted. The 14th. century saw the formal expulsion of the Jews, and in the 17th. century Voltaire was instrumental in changing people’s opinion of them.. In 1727 there was an edict permitting them, and their numbers grew from 500 through successive waves of immigration to 130,000 by the 19th.century.

Although the marais is considered their centre, there are large groups of Jews in the 16th. 19th. and 20th. arrondissements. We walked along the rue des barres; r. du grenier sur l’eau to the allée des justes where there is a monument to the Jews who died. Out of 1,600,000 Jews deported only 250 returned. A synagogue was opened for us, and the rabbi explained certain facts about the Thora, their Bible, which is made up of the books of the Prophets and the canticles, written on parchment which can only come from the skin of 4 animals: bull, cow, veal and beef. (That doesn’t make sense in English! In French the animals are boeuf, vache, veau and taureau;) The bible is made out of one continuous roll of parchment and at least 2 men are required to move it, and it is written without any punctuation, so the interpretations can be varied. (If the Koran is similar, that might explain the difference between the Sunni and Shi’ite Muslims).

That evening I heard the Alligators Jazz Band. Not quite as good as it once was, although some is still very good. Philippe Gibrat, Philippe Vilyani, Jacques Caillou (another stone [my married name]) and leader, Jean-Claude Olivier.

A good week musically. Nicolas Montier (with Stan Laferriere and Pierre Maingourd, only a few days ago I heard Stan play the drums brilliantly and now the piano, equally well!) There were 4 aspiring saxophonists who boeufed’ SO well. Then Claude Bolling; perhaps best known for his collaboration with Rampal in his symphony for flute and piano; (he was accompanied by Pierre Maingourd and Vincent Cordelette)

On the Wed it was Fabrice Eulry, and Pierre-Yves Plat came along, we heard some brilliant four-handed boogie playing. Francis is trying to seat me with French people, on Wed I was sitting with a couple whose cousin had just been to the musée Guimard.

On the Thursday I was trying a ‘new’ restaurant behind the Tuileries so I decided to go there afterwards. There is far too much to take in, two statues of An ? from south China from the 11 and 12 century? One was the goddess of a thousand arms and eyes, the other was a simple porcelain figure. I stuck to China, although there were objects from about 6 countries. I also saw some vases, screens and animal ornaments dating back to about the 12 century. There must have been considerable hunting in the middle age, there were quite a few pairs of antlers. Not something I associate with China, but a museum like that does show how alike people are. That evening I was again at the PJSM where I saw Didier Dubois, on reeds, in the Pierre Kellner’s (that very good pianist) quartet.

The second week in Paris I really began to enjoy myself. Rene Courdacher next to me didn’t understand me, I probably wasn’t shouting loud enough! The next night was Pauline Atlan’s quintet, ‘Air, Swing and Fire’, they have just brought out their first cd, Tennessee waltz. The first song is ‘I hear music’ which she sings brilliantly. Then the Dixieland Seniors, who are led by François Robinet and Daniel Pelissier, who is so talented musically (most of them are) and has an infectious enjoyment of the music.(is terrific at singing scat too.)

Marc Laferriere was on the next night - he was the person who got me to come to this wonderful jazz club, the ‘petit journal St Michel, because I had heard a recording of his at a French friend’s house. That must have been about 10 years ago, and I’ve been coming back whenever I get the chance. He plays on the third Thursday of the month. He plays the soprano saxophone, a cheeky, irrepressibly happy instrument. Pauline Atlan sang with the High Society Jazz Band, led by Daniel Barda, the trombonist, (whom I shall probably see next in Kiskanet, Hungary at the ragtime festival, March 28-30.2008. )

On the Sat. I went to l’le St-Louis, intending to have a big lunch and skip supper, however, the restaurant had made a mistake, they were closed at lunch so I went in to a TINY café next door: it was absolutely delightful with a charming owner – really good value! Le relais de l’ile 35 r.St Louis-en-Ile ; and even the toilet was on the level. I walked back along the side of Notre-dame and saw a very striking building along the rue de chanoinesse, apparently it is now use for some kind of higher law studies.

A little further along was a very attractive restaurant called www.wildwomanwildfood.com It didn’t look too expensive, but with that wonderful ‘relais d’lle’ so close….. Outside Notre Dame a good-looking young man in one of those pedal-powered cabs smiled at me so on impulse I took that instead of a regular cab, and he didn’t seem a bit fazed by taking the wheelchair too – it was a first for both of us!! He managed to get me up the hill of St Michel which was impressive, although he did admit to slight mechanical help, but it was impressive none the less.

That evening I went to the Franc Pinot that atmospheric dungeon of a jazz club on the Seine, run by the super Jean-Marc and his partner, the Australian singer, Wendy Taylor. One of my favourite artists, Nina Ferro was appearing! [photos] The next day I set off in plenty of time to go to a new (to me!) jazz venue. It is just as well I did, because 3 students who were passing got very worried at me being out on my own, and called the fire brigade!! What has happened to the French ‘laissez-faire’ spirit? (It is not entirely dead, though the younger people don’t seem to have it.) (The same thing happened in Scotland 6 weeks ago. People say I shouldn’t complain, but be glad there are still caring people, but what about personal liberty?) Well, after the firemen had assured themselves that I was not a vagrant, not on drugs, was perfectly lucid and had somewhere to live, they let me go!

I went on to the ‘7 Lézards’, the jazz club, where Daniella Barda, the marvellous singer who had impressed me so much in 2004/5, was hosting a jazz singer’s jam night. Actually, I think it was for musicians too, but I left after the first set, to go and try the restaurant upstairs, which was ok. The ceiling of the music room had giant lizards on it!

The first week in Paris was marvellous, weather-wise. There were 2 bands that I really enjoyed, Pris Washboard and Les Rois du Foxtrot. Then I saw in Pariscope that there was a jazz brunch in Labelleville, in the 20th. I knew one of the musicians, so off I went (by taxi !). It was a superb venue (mind you, I don’t know how they make any money (what I paid for a continental ‘petit dejeuner’ would not have covered the food!) I have been to quite a few jazz clubs round the world, and that is the first one that has come anywhere close to Maggie Black’s, in fact it is better in 2 or 3 respects: there is level access to the music, and more greenery around. Also, knowing the French, I bet the kitchen is better equipped. La Bellvilloise, 19 r. Boyer, 20th. 01 46 36 07 07

My fqvourite restaurant is closed for alterations for 11 months which is tragic but it has made ne look elsewhere. I have ‘discovered’ (with the help of Pariscope) ‘ l’epi dupin’ which is terrific, fully as good as the first ‘au gourmand’ and I think a little less pretentious. L’epi Dupin, rue Dupin, 01 42 22 64 56 You have to book, well, it’s better to because it is very popular, very near a large department store.

John gave me a lift up to Blackpool on Saturday, for which I was very grateful, as I don’t think there are direct trains. That is the disadvantage of Bude – it is not well-served by public transport. That first evening there were four pianists; who each played solos and duets: Rossano Sportiello, Dick Hyman, John Sheridan and Berndt?. (In the rush of coming to France I forgot my programmes). The next 3 days were almost continuous music from: the brass section, John and Bill Allred, John and Allan Banres,, Randy Sandke, Duke Heitger, the guitarists Marty Grosz and ‘my dear old chap’ (who I have seen in Nairn and Blackpool before); the bassists, L Skeat, Nicki Parrot, Martin Creese and someone else, and on drums were Bobby Worth, Ed Metz Jnr. and A.N.Other. A guitar virtuoso, Martin Taylor, came from France where he is now living, lucky thing.

I also went up Blackpool Tower with Martin Creese and Gill, who I sometimes see at the Pizza Express. On the first level is the Grand Ballroom, which looked about the size of a hockey pitch. An organ was playing in front of a mural with a very richly carved wall above it, and at least 3 tiers of boxes on each side, looking down on the dance-floor, which was of parquet but as smooth as glass. The wood looked an old colour too, but apparently not so old because there were newspaper clippings about the great fire of 1956 which had gutted the place, costing £250,0000. Speaking of glass floors, there was a glass panel at the top of the tower, with the inscription: “Do you dare take the walk of faith?”

21.08 - 01.09.07

I managed to see Rossano Sportiello and Scott Hamilton at the Pizza Express, then I went off to the Bude festival. The publicity says it is where New Orleans comes to Cornwall, and that is true! Every morning of the August bank holiday weekend a band would play in the car-park in front of my hotel and fun-loving ladies would wear gay dresses, beads, plumes on their head and pump pretty parasols up and down in time to the music.

On the Monday morning there is a competition for ‘the best-dressed brolly. Impromptu dancing and congas would take place, there was often music in the streets. The nusicians loved this spontaneity too, and on one occasion the conga was led by the trumpeter, with the saxophonist dancing with individuals while playing her saxophone extremely vigorously, (Red Stripe Band).

I saw the Bohen Ragtime Orchestra from Hungary, they were really humorous, there is a rag-time festival in Kiskanet, Hungary, from 28-30 March, and as my favourite band from France is going, I think I might try to go as well. I also saw Caroline Irwin, a Geordie singer with a good voice and a wonderful bubbly personality: Nick Gill (piano) and his nephew Jake (guitar and vocals): Keith Nicoll (piano); Keith Stephens (guitar); Spats Langham (banjo vocals); George Huxley ad his band; Malcolm Hogarth and his wife (piano and cello); 2 brilliant musicians of 15, Amy and Jamie; Joe Penn (trumpeter, but I never actually heard him play); Chris Newham (piano and spontaneous quips), apparently he is known as ‘the mad Pom’ in Australia. The sunsets and general quality of the light is superb. Half-way up Belle Vu” is a shop selling real Cornish ice cream, I succumbed and tried an ‘orange and grand marnier’ one, which was delicious and creamy tasting. I even saw a bright blue bubbe-gun flavoured one!!!

27.07 - 20.08.07

I have had a very busy time, returned to London, became a member of Ronnie Scotts, and saw Jose Feliciano there, great singer, powerful voice. Then to the jazz festival of Edinburgh, a really beautiful city, but steep and cobbled, hard for me to get around, in fact I am sporting an horrific black eye. Among others I saw Chris Barber, Kenny Ball, Tim Kliphuis (violin) and Jacques Loussier and the Mike Hart all-stars the Holmes brothers – and the Gum nut trio, who I loved, from Perth, HUGE repertoire, marvelous and funny too.

Then on to Nairn, glittering array of stars, Caroline Morrison, Frank Weiss, Todd Gordon, Sirus Chestnut, Evan Christopher, Duke Heitger, Rossano Sporttiello, Nicky Parrott, Andy Cleyndert, Dan Barrett, Becky Kilgore, Bob Wilbur, Nick Payton, Warren Vache ETC!!! There were four gigs most days. On two occasions as I was racing down the street, I was stopped by police, alerted by ‘concerned citizens’, who thought I might be escaping from somewhere. At my speed! Then back to Edinburgh, Melissa Western (who was over from Australia hoping to gain experience and possibly find stardom) and Dick Lee who has a lovely sense of humour.

Back in London now, Rossano Sportiello last night, Scott Hamilton for the next 3, next week a German family is camping in our garden - they have 5 kids!   They are also members of SERVAS.  Then off to Bude, Cornwall, then Blackpool both for jazz.

15.07.07

Midnight Syndicate were on – they were really good.   Their ‘warm-up’ band was the 2 Brazillians, with Peter Walters and Jamie Clark, both on guitar,  with lovely glowing and fluid improvisations, I find it hard to name individual tunes.   I found Midnight Syndicate excellent – and the assistant cook, Shaun Ballagh, who used to be a musician, came on stage and played the saxophone magnificently.  Before that was Deep Ends and Bobby McGee, Jimmy Styles, and the jazz singers jam night – at  which the head waitress, Vanessa, sang, but I missed it and haven’t  got her   photo.

10.07.07

We are all busy getting the final things done before the press evening, there never seems all that much to do, I think that’s because Jon insists on doing things for me.   So do Glen, Vanessa and all the staff..   I am feeling much more optimistic about the club, although we still haven’t broken even yet.

There is just a very faint possibility of me exploring some more of Australia later this year.

21.07.07

An amazing last week.   I don’t think we made significanly more money. But the music just got  better and better, culminating in Sunday afternoon when the Jazz Generation Trio were playing, and a waitress, Susie Hull, flautist, and assistant cook, Shaun Balagh, saxophone, sat in.   They imitated each other, with Andy Jenner on the clarinet/s.sax. joining in, while Rupert and Mat Eaves provided back-up.     Everyone thoroughly enjoyed it.   With music of that quality being provided free, please everyone who comes, buy lots  of food and drink to help us pay the high rent!

26.05.07

An energetic day, riding in the Numinbah valley in the morning, lunch with friends at La Porte Verte in Robina and then dancing quite a lot   in the evening, to the music of The Ivory Trio, which I couldn’t dance to, but my partner wasn’t much  better.   That week the takings were abysmally low.   The next week  saw some more  dancing, this time two other couples, to Julian  Jones.

There has been a month of  gradually rising  takings, but we haven’t shown a profit yet!

We had ‘Oz-manouche’ here one evening, which was both successful and enjoyable.

Ewan Mackenzie  and Kaye Sullivan  played first in the restaurant, then upstairs in the skylight room, along with France is Burning (from Melbourne), Mystery Pacific, (including Susan Hill, the talented young flautist, who has just started part-time waitressing at our club).

Big Kitty and the Scaredy Cats, Deep Ends, the Jazz Generation trio and Mojo Webb, (and LOTS of others) also played and were very good. I was in the wars this month, almost doing a backward somersaults off a (stationary!) train and the next fortnight breaking a rib.

The club seems to be doing a bit  better.                                          

27.04.07 - 10.05.07

Nicki Parrott, Jim Gallagher, Dan Barnett, Andy Baylor, Bob Sedergreen, Bob Barnard, Peter Gaudion, and lots more including a very talented trumpeter/pianist, and another trombonist called Mark ? but I’ve left the programme  in England and I’,m getting a bit old for instant recall.   I saw Nicki Parrott the next week in Norwich, where, among many other performances she appeared with friend Rossano Sportiello.   There was a TERRIFIC line-up of stars, including Scott Hamilton, John Bunch, Alan Barnes, Dick Hyman, Steve Brown, Dave Green, Ken Peplowski, Joyce  Breach, George Masso  (and Sir John Dankworth was there, which was a real coup). and  of  course BED.   Unfortunately Dan Barrett had just had some surgery and was not allowed to fly, but he, Eddie Erikson and Rebecca Kilgore will be at Bob Barnard’s Jazz  Party next year.

Then a quick stop in Singapore to visit a friend, and  I was late for lunch because the taxi took me to the wrong hotel.   I usually fly Singapore Airlines, and in one of the in-flight magazines I learnt that to mark an anniversary (20^th) an orchid had been named ‘Singapore Girl’.   I had only a short while to spare, and the botanic gardens (begun in 1859) are extensive, so I took a buggy -   free of charge.   Of course it was a bit late for orchids to flower, but I will go back and spend much longer.

I arrived in Brisbane, Mojo Webb was playing at the club, he was good, and some friends came round.   The following Sat. Stacy Broughton and The Brand New Sweeties were on;  they play swing music which is tremendous.   And the club wa nearly full, which was even better!  

18.04.07 - 30.04.07

Chris arrived  in Brisbane on 28^th, and straight away he had 3 days of intense business meetings to decide the future of the club.   We cannot afford to buy it.

Michael Knopf played the guitar and sung.  I did manage to take Chris to see Sandie Leong, the miraculous masseuse of Indooroopilly (0404 433 700). She knows  a lot about acupuncture and herbal medicines as well. She (and arnica!) cure me after my numerous falls.

Then Sydney, for son Martin’s wedding. It had been totally arranged by him and Michiko, and I was most impressed by  the seemingly flawless operation - both of the wedding and the next  4  days.

The wedding was held in the Botanical Gardens.and had Japanese elements to it.  It was a sunny day, and the setting was just beautiful. At the end everyone formed a huge circle and sang ‘All you need is love’ in accompaniment to a recording. Then the families  went off to the Hunter Valley, where we visited 7 wineries (they’re not called vineyards).   I liked Wyndhams sparkling Chardonnay best.  Then to Port Stephen, which is a suburb of Nelson Bay.   It  poured with rain, so we passed a very enjoyable morning in a 10-pin bowling alley!   We also had a meal in a friendly café with beautiful fresh food. (I’ve left the details in London!  sorry) But it is in Nelson Bay.

Since my last few days in Brisbane I had been.trying, unsuccessfully, to locate my nearly-expired passport which I had sent off to Canberra.  I had not included the fee (! don’t know why not), but they were proving virtually impossible to deal with by phone.   Lyckily I could afford both the time and the money to make a quick trip out to Canberra where a very helpful young man managed to locate my passport and supply me with a new one.

17.04.07

I heard the Brazillian duo; they were not Brazilians, but they played Brazilian-type music. Peter Walters and Jamie Clark. The Melissa Western quintet played upstairs, they played quite a lot of Brazilian tunes too. On Fri.night there was a miserable audience, but it was better on the Saturday night. Tynee Dyer played trumpet, and Bela Piri on bass. On Sunday we had a Sunday like the ones in our first months, 6 people who ate! That will not pay the rent! On Sunday the Sue Bond quartet played here. 

This is an AMAZING venue – please, we are sorely in need of a FORTUNE, well, $1,000,000. It would be a major source of regret to Brisbanians and others if it were to be turned into offices. 

Donald and I ate out in ‘2 small rooms, Donald had rainbow trout, which he filleted from the tail to the head – very cleanly. In Britain one fillets the fish by lifting away the flesh from the head down to the tail, which gave rise to jokes about being ‘down under’. I’ve noticed that a lot of bolts on doors go ‘down under’ too!

I enjoyed the Ivory Trio, although at first I found their music too ‘backgroundy’. In particular the drummer, Paul Young, played in a very rhythmic and percussive style, with his hands and using the sticks on the rims of the drums, which I loved; Brett Fowler was very good on the keyboard and Pamela Ashman accompanied him (bass) Koko’s Kortete was good, with Peter Walters, Paul Henderson, drummer Mark ? and Christine (vocals). Christine was also a lecturer at Griffith University, as was Hose McLaughlin, who played the guitar here with Peter Walters recently. I also enjoyed the Firefly Jazz Combo. Kylie Southwell had a very pleasant voice, Paul Henderson on guitar and Peter Walter, and some well-known tunes, like “Mood Indigo’ were given unusual renditions.

Mick Hadley and his atomic boogie band were in the Skylight room on Sunday afternoon. The music was very loud, people were dancing – and even drinking a bit(!) and the people with strong ear-drums thoroughly enjoyed it.

Back in Brisbane again. We had a very bad week at the club, some people just don’t seem to realise that not only do we pay a high rent, but the musicians, staff and food all have to be paid for, so please, everybody, support us, spend a bit more, and don’t let this unique-in-the-world venue go out of business. I went to one of my favourite restaurants on Sunday, Il Centro. There is a Sunday market trading around Il Centro, and I passed the most marvellous stall, selling dolls, but they hung from the ceiling, called ‘which witch is which?’ If you clapped your hands they would burst into cackles, their eyes would light up with enjoyment, and they would kick their legs in glee. The most novel and funny toy I have seen for a long time.

Melissa Western and Tynee Dyer were playing outside the next restaurant, it was wonderful to hear them again. They are coming to the club on 13/14 April, on the 21 Jimmy Styles is coming and on Sun afternoon 22 April John English and Peter Cupples are on. Apparently they are both very well-known and popular - but I hope people will spend a lot. We are opening on Easter Sunday – Mick Hadley will be in the skylight room so that people can dance! For full details check out our web site (it’s good) on <www.maggieblacks.com.au>

23 March On

I went back to Australia via Sydney, where I saw Martin and, very briefly, Michiko. I will next see her at the wedding, when she becomes my daughter-in-law! Martin’s loo is outside and I lost my balance, fell and cracked my head an hour before going to the air-port. The blood alarmed the staff at Virgin Blue, who called ambulance staff and someone even appeared wheeling a stretcher! However, luckily it was just a scrape, and they allowed me to fly.

Back to Brisbane and the club-restaurant, where Jon and Glen have been working hard in my absence. Jon has put in long bars upstairs, and that first weekend, 23 and 24 March, we thought we would break even, but we still haven’t done so. A group called Stringmansassywere playing, and I was absolutely amazed at how quiet the audience was Kacy, the singer, had a lovely voice, and she could imitate tropical bird-song very well. Arran played the guitar sensitively, and the place was absolutely packed. Ingrid James was playing in the restaurant with Sean (Cliff?) on guitar, what a lovely voice she had. And on the Sunday the charming Clare Hansson trio played a good selection of lively tunes. The skies in Brisbane are a glorious colour - unbroken blue. And the sunsets, although not particularly striking, look good because the colours and outlines are so sharp and clear.

Come Friday night and the High Society Jazz Band with the delightful Pauline Atlan was on; I was pretty tired, and I should have gone back to bed, because afterwards Pauline asked me what I had thought of her new song. Much to my embarrassment I had to confess that I must have dropped off momentarily.

The next day, after a good sleep, I went out for lunch to Simy and Patrick’s, with their young daughter, Rebecca. I had caviar d’aubergines, which I will introduce Chris to, They live on the sixth floor, with a lift that starts half-way up the first flight and comes to an end just before the top and being so high, they have a good view of the street with its Parisian houses/flats..

I happened to see that Nina Ferro was appearing that night at the Franc Pinot, another new venue for me. I was enchanted by it, basically it is just one large room, of 3 storeys (but the owners probably have the 3 above as well. The stage is small, set in a corner between the two floors, and it has been imaginatively designed to ensure that the maximum number of clients can see the stage. And the couple running it were extremely nice and helpful; Nina Ferro was very good, a powerful yet pleasing voice with a healthy sense of humour. She sang ‘Bennie’s from heaven’. I bought a really good disc, with her and Dominic Grant (guitar).

Sunday I met Marie-Therese and Juliet for an extended lunch at Le Parc aux Cerfs; as it was sunny we walked back through the Luxembourg gardens but as it was cold we didn’t linger.

My last night- I went to the Petit Journal where Michel Pastre (sax), Jerome Etcheberry, Louis Mazetier, Guillaume Nouaux and Rafael Dever were on. The sound was really swinging, with a marvellously humorous trumpet from Jerome. This is a young band who will go far! .

I’ve already written this, but I’ve lost my USB stick, so I’ll have to redo it. I went back to London for the weekend. Actually, it was going to be only one night, but I could get a ticket 6 times cheaper if I went back for 2 nights, so I went back for two. I think that is pretty iniquitous of Eurostar.

On Sunday Ian Shaw and Claire Martin were at Pizza Express. They were brilliant, very funny. When I arrived Ian was singing a song about being alone again, in the rain, in Spain – with Wayne! And Claire sang a beautiful, moving song called ‘Estarte’.

Then back to Paris, where I popped in to the PJSM where a more modern group, led by Rene Courdacher, was playing. Not to my taste, and I left early. But the next night saw me at ‘El Mojito Habana’ where the Washboard Kings were playing with Philippe Audibert on reeds, as Papaz had promised the week before; I felt that the washboard was a bit slow in appearing. That was a brilliant evening. Two former members of a very well-known band throughout France, ‘Les Hariocts Rouges’ were also there – Pierre Lacombe on banjo and Jean-Louis Duroi (trumpet) and Olivier Marchand, whom I had heard the week before playing the drums so well, only he was playing the sousaphone with equal ease, and apparently he also plays the double bass; These French musicians are extraordinarily talented – and so little known! It went on till 3am!!! And then Philippe and Madeleine gave me a lift back. Philippe has a son in Australia, so IF he ever goes to visit him he will play at our club; or jazz restaurant.

On Wed Marie-Therese cooked a delicious lunch of ‘aiguilletes de canard’ for Akiko, a Japanese neighbour of hers, and me. In the evening I went to the other side of Paris, near the Moulin Rouge, to the rue le Pic in Montmartre, where Philippe Audibert was playing with Alan Kelly on the guitar. They finished about 8.30, so I went to the PJSM, where I really enjoyed a swinging mainstream group, led by Pierre Kellner (piano), with Didier Dubois on reeds and Patrick Bagueville on trombone. But perhaps the real reason why I enjoyed it so much was because I got chatting to Catherine, a pharmacist, who loved the piano – not only was she excellent company, she kept flattering (?) me by telling me how ‘extraordnaire’ I was! Apparently Pierre Kellner used to be a pharmacist too, and gave it up for jazz!

On 15 March, after having tried unsuccessfully to get a copy of The Mooch played by Sidney Bechet, I went to hear Marc Laferriere, Olivier Ferriere, Simon Boyer and Rene Lavenne on trombone, who was not only good but humorous too. The next day I did some shopping - which included finding a copy of the Mooch played by Sidney Bechet. He adds one or two humorous bits, but I prefer Chris Barber’s interpretation.

A light-hearted month. I am in a good mood, because tonight we are fully booked. Life is serious, but there are always good laughs. I am reading a light-hearted escapist book at the moment about hover car racing by Michael Reilly – a bit akin to Harry Potter, easy to read and fast paced. I have just finished a good book, ‘The Horns of the Buffalo’ by John Wilcox about the battle between the British Army and the Zulus in the 19C. I spotted a good typo the other day, arminquac instead of Armagnac.

I was told about a very good masseuse - and she is, so I have been there 5 times. She is also a doctor, and has been helping my bad falls, The chef, Mitchell Yates, has just brought out a new autumn menu, we had a ‘taste run’ last night; it is simply delicious, with unusual combinations and flavours, and simply delicious rolls, apple and fennel, sun-dried tomato, almond and herb and cheese! And a really wicked chocolate tart! I am leaving on Sunday, but only for 3 weeks.

Brisbane
I’ve found a terrific place to live, less than half the price and twice as nice. It is called the villa boheme, which my family thinks is very appropriate for me. Last night as I returned a green frog hopped over the porch. It is a wee bit further to walk, up a steep hill, but I tell myself the exercise is good for me. Speaking of exercise I went swimming the other morning and now am even contemplating saving myself the 5.30 am start to go horse-riding. Mind you, for swimming I get up at the same time. But it is cheaper, neither does it involve a train journey, and I find travelling stressful. That’s a family trait – punctuality, except that I worry about other people not being ready and then I usually hold people up. I spend a lot of time in the jazz club/restaurant, I feel we are on the right track, but we haven’t even broken even yet. This morning, being the last Sunday of the month, I went to the Brisbane Jazz Club for a wonderful breakfast on the sloping floor of the deck right.

Cairns
Two nephews, two sons, one fiancée and me all spent this time in Cairns.   We did not seem   to do much, mostly lazed around.   We were staying at the Colonial Club in Cairns, with three pools, 3 restaurants and wonderful tropical vegetation.   I even saw the bat plant in flower.

The family played ping pong, (The photo makes then look like a bunch of P.O.W’s, by Australian standards)

Martin had arranged for us to go to the reef, with  an outfit called ’Passions of Paradise’   We went to Michaelmas Cay  and Paradise Reef.   Again I went Snorkelling with the marine biologist and Martin .  The other four went diving.   The three unattached Stones enjoyed it so much that they went on courses that included night dives, which sounds really exciting.

We hired a car and drove  to the Atherton Highlands.   We visited the cathedral fig tree.

Martin was the only one to swim in Lake Barrine, but all 3 of us swam in Lake Eacham  which was so refreshing.

We all went to Mossman Gorge, where all the boys swam but Michiko and I didn’t, but I will if there’s another time.   Then back to Port Douglas, my FAVOURITE town, where we booked in to the Welcome  Inn, which  I found very convenient.

In  the early evening I got on a barstool next to Donald and started  chatting away – only to discover it wasn’t Donald, but a total stranger!   However,   by this stage of the holidays I was collecting cocktail recipes, and I had spotted one with a fascinating name which I decided to try – DRUNKEN CANE TOAD!   Rum, triple sec, passion fruit, lemon juice and ginger  ale.   It was good- but halfway through I fell off the bar stool – who would believe I wasn’t drunk?    

That evening we ate at Mango Jam, which sadly stopped playing live music some years ago.   The next morning we had ‘Breakfast with the Birds’, saw the crocs, koalas, cassiowary and marsupials, and ducks, then made our way back to Cairns.

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