Blue Sky Over Italy - July 2009

Italy isn't just sunny in postcards. From the point I arrived to the moment I left the sun shone continuously. The enthusiasm and warmth of the Italian audiences is legendary and we all felt renewed and reinvigorated at every show.

Jo and I remained in Tivoli for a couple of days, as it's been a lifelong dream of mine to visit the Villa d'Este, housing the world's most spectacular collection of fountains and waterfalls, often entwined in the same water dance. I urge all fellow fountain enthusiasts to make the same trip. Man's innovation and nature at one in these beautiful gardens.

We also briefly flew through the streets of Rome in our friend Marco's horseless chariot...

My thanks to Brian, the crew and all the boys in the band, to our good friend Nick C for his hard work and kindness, to Mino for all his support, to Mario and Massimo for the TV coverage, to Marco and his mama Lina for their hospitality and to Claudio, Silvio and Salvatore for making the Hadrian's villa trip possible. In particular my thanks to Sergio, Vania, Claudio and all at Blue Sky for making this summer tour an unforgettable Italian experience - a visit that has also been a spiritual journey for all of us. Blue sky is an agency aptly named in this land of brilliant sunshine.

Captain's blog,  Stardate 30 July 2009