DAY 2-Heathrow to Leeds

After a hot and stuffy flight into London, we spilled out into Heathrow airport. I realized I lost my superfine sunglasses that deb made for me in toronto-most likely in carry on baggage checkpoint while going outside for some fresh air w/ bob and ed. i really dug those glasses and feel abit of the bad omen comin on-i just never lose me glasses-abit unsettling, everone assuring me that they are in my luggage somewhere, i know that they were in my coat side pocket and then they were not...shite

heathrow is pretty intense, much like jfk, especially after a long flight the airport seems to flow against you, like you are way out of phase with the space you are presently in. then off through customs and to baggage claim. getting that passport stamped seemed like more questions than i remember, but through with no prob. baggage claim we get our gear and bob goes out of the airport to smoke a fag and can't get back in-security giving him the hassle while we are waiting for him not knowing where he is or if he is waiting on the other side, however if you go to the other side and he comes back to where we were, good luck ever finding each other for most of the day-we got a car ad driver to catch up with-finally he turns up and off to the first breath of fresh air since we g0t to london-her name is sarah, a friendly sweetheart that graciously accepted the challenge to transport us and our gear to leeds.

after introductions and some light banter, more goofin and some roasted eggplant sandwiche, and some much needed coffee to get back in step we were off to car to leeds.

great little van with a snub nose front. sarah had a great cure for all of us in a car full of pressurized cabin addled brains and sleep psychosis sufferers-dub, a cd case full of roots music and fantastic dub.

we skanked our way through the busy highways of london cutting through the rush hour and jackrabbit stop and go traffic arteries and sarah's weighted lead foot. i dozed on and off smiling and enjoying the countryside as we leave london far behind.

we get into leeds and into our hotel where we meet up with lucy, also professional and chaming.

we get our room assignments. marshall and ed in one and me n bob in the other-move our stuff up the elevator (see pic) and move in. get cleaned up abit while lucy picks up a tiny practice amp for bobbo-nice one too, right at the front desk and much appreciated-like an early xmas present (see pic)


That evening we went out on the town to check out Leeds-we met up the Festival Director, Alex King-very nice, professional-top notch! Got to have a much needed beer finally, Stella, though it would be something a little more local but Stella was pretty much what they has and i do love Stella soooo...

We went back out into the cold night to grab some dinner that was set up by the Festival.
The restaurant was called Darbar, fantastic Indian food in a palatial setting.

really great food. during dinner i was really feeling the disconnect for a moment-that instant where you have no frame of reference-i was here one instant and now i am, well not certain where-i could be anywhere. Marshall and i make some eyecontact and start to gabbing. So often Marshall is centering to me. He just knows me so well-how i am eating, job got me down, homesick or when i am learning at crucial times in my life and noticing the signs.