Sunday
Got up at 5.30 am. Arrived at Chorley for 6.30 departure, but no coach. Established myself on back seat upstairs – one advantage of being principal trumpeter this year. Mahler's 6th on iPod and fell asleep.
Boarded ship at Dover and my phone promptly ran out of credit. Drove through France all day and evening with stops for food – French surprisingly very cool towards us. Not too much sleep on coach, partly due to 3am power chat and partly due to very average seats.

Monday
Woke up – in Italy ! Breakfasted on ham and cheese toasties and, after 33 hours, finally arrive at hotel in Rome at 5pm. It looks nice from the outside, but it is – how can I put it politely? - eccentric. Sharing with James, Loz, and Michael in v. small room. Our fridge doesn't work so we are storing our boxers and shorts there.
TV is dead and shower changes temperature erratically. We have to pay for air conditioning, but it doesn't work, so no problem. Have to video wall with plaster falling off to avoid accusations of vandalism. Pasta and chicken for supper. Bed on time at midnight. Fast asleep – very nice.

Tuesday
Day began with disgusting hotel coffee, but improved with guided tour to Colosseum and ancient parts of Rome – good, but concentration not easy when it's 34 degrees plus. Jess Regan had her wallet snatched, but it was rescued by tour guide who grabbed the girl thief. Let her go as police would not be interested – seems strange to me. After lunch went to Trevi fountain. It was – what's the word? – monumental, and pleasantly wet. Photographers everywhere and Chinese and Indian vendors trying to sell roses and teddy bears – quite annoying. None of these in Fishergate. Rehearsal in Basilica Santa Mariacle (choir school) for Friday's concert. Three hours – fortunately it is illegal to do more. I was happy with my rehearsal performance, but we are all keen to play a full concert now.

Next week… Our opening concert, my shopping starts a trend, yet more pasta and chicken…