Raport Nicko McBrain'a - NAGOJA/LONDYN HEATHROW

[WICKER MAN]

Nicko: Back at Heathrow.

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Park Inn hotel Heathrow
Time; 6:15am
November 2, 2006

Well, well, well, here we are AGAIN with the cursed jet-lag.
I think that I’m destined to have the ‘Kin lag forever!

It’s worth it all boys and girls. I get to play to our fans all over the world, meet great people, enjoy wonderful food and get to see beautiful places. A blessing and a small price to pay for this great gig.

Well, we played our last show in Nagoya, Japan, two nights ago. It was a truly great night. We hit the stage 10 minutes early so that we could make the bullet train back to Tokyo.
The show went very well. The crowd was, in my opinion, the wildest of them all. They were very vocal and jumped with us all through the gig.
A massive THANK YOU too all our fans in Japan for making this trip so good. You rule.

After the gig we hit the vans and did a runner back to Nagoya station. We made the 10:09pm. After arriving in Tokyo we transferred into vans and headed out to Narita airport. We stayed at the Hilton. I went straight to bed as it was 1 o’clock in the morning.
We had an alarm call for 8am and I went down to breakfast with Geezer and Ian. Checkout was at 9:15 and we were all downstairs for a 9:30 departure from the hotel. We made our way over to the terminal and were checked in by 10am. I went to meet the Virgin Atlantic station manager a guy named Kimihito Hibino. He and I met the last time I was in Japan. He made arrangements to bump Lauren up to Upper class. He’s a great guy a very good friend of Lisa’s. Thank you Kim you’re a star mate.
After checking in, Geezer, Ian and I went straight to the clubhouse. I had a sausage sandwich and a nice glass of champagne. They called our flight at 11:15am and we made our way to the aircraft. I have to say a big thank you to June and all her staff at Virgin Atlantic for such a warm welcome and unsurpassed hospitality. Richard Branson has sure got it right with his wonderful airline. ‘THE BEST’!!!!!!!!

Well, the flight home was a little over 12 hours. We arrived into London at 3:45pm. We were met at the door of the aircraft by two lovely Virgin ladies. They were to escort the boys through passport control and customs. Nice that, even better when I ended up with them both on my own. One of the girls asked, “Where are the rest of the group,” ‘I said that they had all bolted away in front of me’
I’m a little slower walking than the rest as I have a pair of dodgy knees at the moment.
So I had them ALL to myself!!! TEEHEE.
After going through customs I met with Geezer and Richey the guitarist of Lauren’s band. We all boarded our transport and the guys dropped me off at the hotel. I made a bunch of phone calls and then had a nice early dinner. I made it until around 8:30 before I had to turn off the lights. Well, you know the rest don’t you. I awoke at 1 in the morning but was fortunate enough to get back to sleep until 5:30. What a ‘Kin joke.

I’m heading back to Florida this morning to see my family for a few days. My flight leaves at 11:25am. I think I’ll pop downstairs and have a spot of breakfast and then head over to the airport a little earlier than usual. I’ll most likely buy a couple of gifts for me misses and Justin.

Hope you’re all safe and well.
God bless you all.
Speak at ya later.
=Nicko=