The long Voyage back...

After a few hours sleep I meet up with Charlie, SD's FOH engineer for our last shop for Merino.

With only Half an hour to shop decisions are made fast and we're back and waiting for the shuttle to the airport and the beginning of our voyage home.

It's a long line of band and crew for baggage check… our family is now starting it's long voyage back to it's various corners of the world.

And just enough time for a coffee and a brazilian gurn before mounting our first of many flights.

Goodbye New Zealand.. Goodbye Australia.. we had fun!

And thanks to my new Dickies gloves and boots my feet and hands are still intact, thank you Len ;)

Just a short matter of getting around the other side of the globe to be back home.

Meanwhile Steve, Cal, James and JT hang for a couple of days before hoofing it to Japan for a spot of Winwood- Clapton!

Well folks goodbye until the next tour....

Napier Church Road Winery 5/11/11

So it's back to the airport and on a slightly larger propellor driven plane, this time an Aerospatiale ATR 72-500

Our in flight hostess Tiffany, fills us in on the subtle differences between each craft, namely that this plane has more grunt.

And very soon we're back stage, and what a sight to behold.. the famous NZ countryside at last... Hoorah!

Summers, Kimber and I grab a burger from catering and hit backstage to build.

Soon enough it's our time and as it's super windy so much so that we have to disregard our mid stage curtain..

Jet stands guardian of stage right.. but who's this behind him? Why it's that lovely man Mark Butler trying to make a hasty retreat.

And so with all the chairs set it's time to get to front of house and make sure my lights are focused..

But where is the Mix Mogul? Has he been replaced? Fear yea not audiophiles our award winning Mogul will be back in the hot seat for tonight's performance!

And so the last show calls for a group photo and we all assemble pre show to take our place in remembrance of a fab tour!

Check here for the full picture :)

Eventually everybody arrived an the full photo was taken.. much to the amusement of Ricardo and monitor engineer Peter.

So it's still daylight and my show consists of bright white and some muted colours as the day light fades.

As this is the last show we have to wait until all the Steely Dan gear has been loaded into trucks before we can load ours.

At this point Ricardo's fireworks go someway to pass the time…

And it's passed the witching hour so we can fill the truck with our gear.. or turn into a pumpkin!

Back to grab a quick pint before bed in a fine Irish bar in Napier town..

Good night Napier..

Happy Bonfire night.

Vector Arena Aukland 4/11/11

And it's up and out early looking for Merino!

James, Summers and I all go in search of this mystical wool.

But very soon it's time to get to work.

And so our last indoor gig and a fine indoor arena it is too!

Mitch, Steely Dan Production Manager hit's Jet Star up for some air miles.

And very soon Steve is sound checking with Steely Dan for his last appearance with the band.

And what a banging show!

Best audience yet, they really let their hair down.

When Steve asked all to stand for Gimme Some Loving not a bottom was left on it's seat!

With help from Mark my lighting show runs super smooth… Thanks buddy!

And yet another guest on stage for SD's encore! It's our own Paul Booth blasting downstage to Road Runner!!

Meanwhile after the Show Ricardo SD production assistant, Summers, Cal and I all go in search of a clear spot to light some fireworks :))))

Happy 4th everybody!

Aukland Travel Day 03/11/11

It's time to get on another plane! This time something considerably smaller, just 50 seats but with propellors…

A Bombadier Q300 no less!!

We waste no time after getting to our hotel and wonder off into the town of Aukland.

Paul, Summers and I end up down the docks and wishing we had time to grab a ferry and do some island hopping.

Back to our Hotel rooms and spruce up in time for our evening meal with band and crew of Steely Dan..

Although I forgot my camera to capture the event my phone did a less than average job!

Mr. Becker snaps away...

The Mix Mogul cuts a deal while Elsbett our Danish waitress calls for more Tiramisu.

Frontiers man Brett, pictured far right.. looks on to the end of the night and his cocoa..

And a fine night was had by all!

TSB Arena Wellington, NZ 02/11/11

Dawn stretches it's golden tendrils across the bay and dance shadows across my hotel room..

It's another beautiful day in New Zealand and I'd better get moving!

Early call today as we have to prepare our newly hired drums and percussion.

Joe set's it up on the deck as the stage is not built yet.

But what's this????

Why it's Olivia our helpful local member of staff who was insistent that Joe had this new look.

We soon get the stage and are hot to trot!

I have the joy of reprogramming my lights but have the fabulous Mark Butler to help out...

After a spot of tasty chicken roast it's showtime!

Thanks to G I'm taught a couple of new sheep jokes, NZ style!

I'm joined by my dear friend Rhiannon whom I've not seen for what feels like a lifetime, she enjoys the show.

And our first show in fabulous New Zealand is over...

Kimber, Summers, Rhiannon and I head out to catch up and wind down over a beer...

Quando Qantas Quando?? 31/10/11- 01/11/11

Ok so why did they have to strike the day we were flying??

We plant ourselves near food and free wifi and try not to demolish anything more than our styrofoam cups!

We find ourselves sitting at our gate endlessly waiting for our late leaving plane..

Reporters are filming us as we wait.. and wait..eventually we take off, and subsequently..

Miss our connecting flight to New Zealand..

Once again thank you Qantas.

We stay overnight at a hotel and eventually hit Wellington!

Steve finds a new hero!

After a quick bag drop we all get out of our Wellington hotel rooms and wonder around for a while marvelling at Merino Wool garments.. Mmm warm and yet coooool!

And so we find ourselves in a fine Mexican eatery celebrating the Day of the Dead with Black Margarita's !!!

We also had some amazing food.. including some great tortilla soup!

Adelaide Entertainment Centre 30/10/11

Another day, another flight, another venue ....

We check out of Melbourne, grab a flight and are picked up at the airport and dropped at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre to the sound of flaming galahs!

Sound check soon comes around and the Mix Mogul gets a hand on it while the band run through an old favourite..

And it's a fast running production manager that gets the worm! Mitch gets a wriggle on!

A pre show Booth gets a tootin' on his flootin' and before we know it, it's show time!

It's a grand one too with Steve joining Steely Dan for Pretzel Logic and Road runner.. great!

And it's back to the hotel and sleep.. boy Adelaide looked nice from the hotel window!

Yarra Valley 29/10/11

Our penultimate gig in Oz has come really quick!

And we're driven further into Victoria and on to our last outdoor gig in Oz.

Craig and James pause for thought and reflect on the last couple of weeks..

And it's show time!

A blinding set is played and the skies part to reveal the final rays of sunshine fro the day.

And a post show drink with our driver Justin, a diamond geezer indeed!

Goodnight Melbourne 28/10/11

So I get a trip round Melbourne and stop off at a Department store for a chat with a familiar Pirate.. Ta Linda, it was really good to hang out!

And it's back for tea and biscuits and a rain storm... wasn't it sunny yesterday?

And a night out with all invited :)

Full and happy we get back to the hotel and to bed...

Rod Laver Arena Melbourne 27/10/11

And it off to work.. We build and at Sound check Cafe show's Paul his Tambourine.. Isn't it nice?

A good session is had and everybody is vibing up for a great show!

And what a blinder! Linda had a top performance...

Just afterwards Paul takes Cafe's suggestion on how to build a tambourine too seriously...

Jet however is phased not!

Meanwhile we're waiting back stage for a ninja roadie manoeuvre...Ninja Rock Summers!

Australia is treated to another guest spot by our glorious leader who once again rocks the joint with Pretzel Logic!

Melbourne and a Haircut 26/10/11

Melbourne... a short drive from the airport and we hit the ground running...

Food is our main aim and Paul has a hot tip from his buddy - Pellegrini's.

Summers, Kimber, Richard, Paul and myself head out.

It looks like someone else knows this too and we're joined by Wayne, Ricardo and Cindy from the Steely Dan Entourage :)

With bellies full of home style Italian food we make our separate ways and I join Paul for a haircut... it wouldn't be a tour without one!

And it's back to the Hotel and a reunion with my dear friend Linda.

As it's been 3 years we waste no time and put the Kettle on!