Jon Anderson

My wonderful husband feels like I do about music and especially about the band Yes. I am thankful. I have been known to listen to them exclusively on long trips, hours on end. He never complains, he welcomes it. This year, I have just recently had the tremendous pleasure of seeing Jon Anderson live solo. All true Yes fans know that he IS Yes. The voice, the lyricist...so much of the essense.
A few miles from our home, he performed at a small club we enjoy, called the Robin2. The same club Steve Howe of Yes performed at awhile back to my joy and thrill.
It was a gorgeous Friday evening, warm and lovely. We caught a quick Balti at a nearby Pakistani place that was delicious and we were set.
Jon came onstage at around 8:30. He was accompanied by his wife Jane who sat happily off to the side not so far from him. The bond is apparent. He dedicated a song or 2 to her and glanced at her, blowing a kiss nearly after each one. A bit much some might say, but considering that she cared for him in the past year with complete devotion when he was near death, not so much, I think.
The entire show was accoustic. Matt nor I realized that he played guitar so well. He did much of his own work, and of course did softer versions of some of the more popular Yes tunes, as well as, the not so popular, for us 'real' fans.
It was an intimate affair. A few hundered of us packed in to the heavily warm room. Camera phones blazing. It eventually became a sing a-long involving what seemed to be the entire place. Old songs, Jon's or Yes', no matter..most knew all of the words. He came out for 2 ancores and if we would have had our way, it would have been more.
What a wonderful way for a fan to see an idol. A close, small pub, only a few that really appreciate his art. It brought me back to childhood. The endless hours of listening to music that sounded like what would be in dreams. Peaceful escapism. He looks frail now. Tired. Age has crept up on him and his health is not so good. Sad. Yet, it is obvious that his life is and has been so rich and complete. I am grateful for the music. It has played in the background of my life for as long as I can recall and will as long as I am able to listen.

Newquay, Cornwall

After returning from the USA on what was, as usual, a quick and exhausting trip, I went to North Cornwall with friends. This trip had been planned for several months and I actually was really looking forward to it.

The drive is never great: Lightening speeds on the motorway (without me driving), traffic and just general jetlag was to play a part this time. Not a bad run...some rain, some shine...a 20 minute stop at a 'rest area' inundated with people from all over the country. I had forgotten that the Glastonbury Festival was the same weekend and surely most of the youngsters were heading there. Trust me, if you ever plan a weekend outing in the U.K., pack your own provisions. Sure beats waiting in line 1/2 hour for what ends up being a $8 sandwich.
We were going to a caravan. Here, a caravan is another name for a camper basically. I never questioned someone on how to pack....summer duds, toiletries, socks. Camping stuff really. Wrong. We were in a trailer park near the sea. A trailer/mobile home for the not-so-outdoorsy types...unlike me. I must say, it was nice....even if the shower went from scalding hot to ice frigid every 10 seconds or less the entire time...(for me as little time as I could muster). Can't have it all I supppose. We otherwise could have been down the road in the "camping" section. Hundreds of tents already lined up in rows ready to roll. Looked like a boot camp to me. No thanks.I travelled and roomed with 5 other ladies that packed for a 2 week stay in the best motel in the country. Hairdryers, straightening irons, clothing iron, phone chargers...most any electrical beauty necessity needed. Thank goodness...for I packed set for the outback. All those years of tents, pop-ups and pull-alongs. No good here.

The place was a haven for children. I love kids, but do I want to spend the weekend with them in all their napless, overtired glory? Uh, NO. No mind, at least the evenings they went in to mommy and daddy leaving us with much needed silence. Even the middle of the main service area was a huge play area for children complete with closed-down water slide....(figures, I would have fought the little blessings for that...) Of course, the chippy and pub were around the corner...either for parents or childless adults, like us...so few as they were.

First night, fish and chips....no vinegar thanks. After I peel off the inch of breading..not bad. A quiet evening in...the ladies are tired. Well...who was the last one up? The one that had just spent 2 rushed weeks in the states...me. Hmmm. Once a nightowl, always a night owl...especially when I am still on midwest USA time.

Next morning the early to slumber arose with much bang at roughly 6-7am. Oh joy. I was still on holiday...so I wasn't fussed. I was the resident latte maker since I was the one who brought the coffee and espresso pot. I wouldn't have left without that! Saturday started gray and quickly became bright and WARM. The breakfast at the site's "cafe" was one of the worst yet...(the ladies would agree on this one). We hopped a bus into Newquay and suffered winding English roads for nearly 45 minutes. My seat partner and I a bit green upon arrival into town. Into the shops we go. Tourist heaven. Keychains, fudge and t-shirts of every size, shape and color. I'm not an avid shopper...but, if it's small shops on the street, I can occupy myself.

After an ice cream break, we headed to Fistral Beach...supposedly an international surfing capitol. Maybe the waves appear at some point. Not a bad beach though. The sun was out, I was pleased. People here swarm beaches in the warm sun, due to it's lack of showing. I think some hide in their homes because they are allergic to heat or sunshine. Anyway....I got a bit too much sun...most of us did. We went back so that 1/4 of us might shower and get ready (again..) for the evening. My vote was for Mexican food. Mistake it was. I keep forgetting where I am and the how bad that cuisine is here. I have tried MANY with no luck. All dressed up and poor food, tired women and me jetlagged, sure to be up to watch the sunrise. Not quite. We headed back, I sat with a magazine catching glimses of Glastonbury on television....the ladies all fast asleep. Tom Jones...hmm...haven't seen him for awhile...wait...at Glastionbury.....? Surreal...

Sunday we returned to Newquay for the day. Hazy, Rain....town clustered with people. I splurged and had a true Cornish pasty. Yummy... close to how mom used to make.

I fancied time alone and walked the town looking for tshirts for my best friend's kids....the girls leaving me behind to return to Fistral. I needed a walk anyway. I'd forgotten how much I enjoy rambling into the little novelty shops all alone. Browsing on my own time...something I used to enjoy at times over the years.

Again, back to the 'camper' for showers and beautifying. Tonight's choice was a local pub, a carvery. The girls rejoiced. I just shrugged, knowing quite well that a cavery is not my first choice. Buffet type food, usually 2 or 3 meat choices, tons of vegetables, a type of potato, perhaps a yorkshire pudding all swimming in a bath of gravy. Usually canned or fake gravy...ugh. The carvery was sold out...no more meat! The girls sighed in disappointed. I rejoiced....privately. We drove to the next pub and ventured in. They had meals, but no carvery. Hunger won and we stayed. Best choice of the weekend. We all had roasted chicken that was to die for. I would even say perhaps the best I have ever had. It WAS that good.

Another relaxing evening in our haven and we would be off to an early start in the morning. The long drive back to Birmingham in nearly 90 degree heat. Roadside cafes LOADED with Glastonbury recoverers. Good on ya kids....bet you stayed up past 11!

All-in-all, a nice trip. Good company and good times. I returned not so much rested, but happy. My bag full of magnets and Newquay rock. :)