Feeding the ducks

What an insane couple of days. I have a vague memory of being in Copenhagen yesterday where half the town was closed because it was Sunday. After the gig we had to load up as quickly as possible for the mammoth drive to Warsaw. We set off at about 1 am and arrived at 9.40 in the evening to find a cold crowd waiting to get into the venue. The bus was stopped by the police on the way and the drivers were fined for a couple of minor indiscretions - probably a bit of beer money for some bored coppers. We unloaded and set up for the gig in a record-breaking 45 minutes, though I've insisted this should not be used as some kind of benchmark. The place was packed - the first time on this tour I've seen adoring, autograph-hunting fans (and a mosh pit to boot), and it was a good show considering the circumstances. I said to Les that we'd be okay if no-one breaks any strings, so Vinnie broke two in the first song. After the gig it's customary for Mick and I to distribute picks and set lists and whatever to the front row of the audience, and it's often difficult to decide which of them to hand the potential ebayables to. A favoured technique is to hold a set list aloft and then let it waft downwards and watch the ensuing clamour. Another is the scattering of picks. It really is like feeding ducks, and you often get the impression you've made someone's day. Oh yeah, Hull City are third in the Premier League and still one place above Arsenal. It does make me chuckle. Krakow tomorrow..