Amanda and Graham's Great Pig Adventure

Thursday 19th and Friday 20th February

The usual pattern to the day – buses arrived at the hotel in the early hours, we had breakfast there and access to rooms from 8.00. We spent the morning on iPad and MacBook waiting for the rain to stop, then went out for a walk. We found on Google Maps a river with footpaths so aimed for that, but we had to walk through a heavy industrial area with huge roads. This is the dairy where the milk is from in this region – right opposite our hotel. Nice view!

On the walk we had to stop at railway crossing and an extremely long train went through with the whistle blasting. It must have been a mile long. I took a video which lasted almost three minutes!

Eventually we came to the river and immediately saw a great white egret and a blue heron. Then I spotted something in the water – it was a beaver! Our first ever! So excited, it was worth the trek through the grim industrial waste!

Back at the bus and hotel, we spotted a Mexican/Seafood restaurant so went in for dinner. A very strange place with Mariachi music blasting out. There was a man on the next table wearing a cowboy hat – we’ll no doubt see more of that later in the tour. The food was good though. We had a quiet evening in the hotel and an early night.

Friday 20th February – show day! It was about a ten minute drive to the venue but took about half an hour to park the buses as the access was so tight. They were reversing in and out tweaking the angle slightly every time to get both buses in. They have to try to get the trucks at the back of the buses near to the loading bay to get all the gear in. I don’t envy them the task of reversing out tonight. Our drivers are lovely, a father and son team and very friendly. It is a big Arts Center, which is surprising in what seems like a cultural desert, with a huge stage and wide auditorium. We didn’t bother going anywhere so holed up in the theatre all day.

4.00 sound check, 6.30 show, ate leftover lasagne from Santa Rosa then back on the bus, ready to roll at 10.00. Long drive to tomorrow’s venue – LAS VEGAS!!!!!