Vacations and nice places to go to

And there I was in Terrassa; it took me a good 4 hours car drive to get there.
I found the Terrassa Park Hotel quite easy, thanks to the help of a nice man working at a BP petrol station. As it turned out, he lived opposite of the Hotel, so I gave him a drive home and he explained me the way to get there! Good service form BP.

The lady at the desk was ever so kind and helpful and with no mistakes Tony had made the correct arrangements, even after I had been asking for a few last minute changes.

Dale Watson and the Lone Stars had already arrived, but the went out for a meal, so I did the same. After a walk through a part of Terrassa I came at this nice park where I found a nice restaurant and had a good vegetarian meal.

After that I went out to see if I could find The Nashville Country Club. They told me it was not to far away. As it turned out I had been heading in the general direction and it was just a 25 minutes walk from the hotel. You can find it at Carretera de Montcada, 740 Terrassa (Barcelona) SPAIN 08227.

Then I went back to the hotel to get changed for the concert.
Just as I left my room I met Gene wondering through the corridors of the hotel, ready to leave for sound check.
Then Dale came out of his room to (just opposite of my room!!!)

I went down with them to the entrance hall and there I met the other band members. A few minutes later Tony came along to pick them up as he was going to drive them to the Nashville Country Club. I was allowed to come along so I would be able to make some pictures during their sound check and get the feeling of the club.

While they were all busy building up the stage (no, no rowdies, no glamour, just Dale and the Lone Stars working hard and help from Tony, who was setting the sound system)

During the sound check I was able to make some wonderful pictures of then as they where building up the stage and trying out the sound. Something one seldom has a chance to see.

After they had set up everything they went back to the hotel to get dressed for the concert. During that time I stayed at The Nashville, had a sandwich and a beer.
Also I had the opportunity to get in contact wit Tony and he showed my around the place. He pointed out all his trophies, being autographed pictures of many famous country artists.
Tony turned out to be a real nice guy, which did not surprise me at all!

After a few beers at the bar all of a sudden some nice lady came over towards me saying: “Don’t I know you?” Now this was a nice surprise ‘cause I could not recall knowing anybody in Terrassa! But as it turned out is was a lady we met at the Dale Watson concert in Amsterdam in august 2003! What a memory (not mine but hers)
After we renewed our acquaintance we hang out together all evening. Thanks for the nice evening together with you Susana!!

The concert!!!!
At about 23.30 hours the band came in and they were presented an award as best Country performer or something. I have to ask what that was all about. ‘cause as it was presented in Spanish I didn’t catch it at all. But anyway Dale was presented a Golden microphone for something.

The show again was wonderful and the crowd was fully enjoying the old and new songs they where playing until 01.30 when Dale decided that they would just have a break and play on later.

About the audience I just can say they where just superb! As usual most where dressed up Texan style and a lot of the guys were wearing white hats.
There was a group of 8 guys and girls that had driven all they way from Bilbao, just to see Dale Watson perform. They were real nice people and they assured me that whenever I should be in Bask country I should call on them and they would show me around Bilbao!

After the break that took just 20 minutes or so the band started playing again.
There was one lady, a definite Elvis fan that went out of her scull when Dale played a couple of Elvis songs.
More old time favourites and songs from the new HEEAAH album. Of course they played all request songs and d they where so kind to play my favourite son 'I see your face in very face I see' from the album 'Every song I write is for you'. It is really a wonderful song and Dale always plays it with whole of heart.

But as al good thing even this show came to an end after a few 'Encores and more , more more....'
After the show Dale and the band held their signing session and autographs where placed on most everything from Lone Star cosys, hats, t-shits, CD's right up to bare shoulders!

We had a sort of after party until late. Talked a lot with Susana, Herb and Gene.
After we had drank and talked enough Susana was so kind to drive us (Gene, Don, Herb and me) back to the Terrassa Park Hotel.

Thanks for your kindness Susana!

And also thanks once more to Dale Watson and Lone Stars: Gene (bass guitar), Don-Don (steel-guitar), Don (5 string fiddle) and Herb (drums) for a wonderful concert Good luck in Switzerland and France and hope to see you all again soon!
Who knows maybe at Newland in Klaaswaal the 28th October 2005!

This weekend (10th september 2005) Dale Watson and the Lone Stars will be playing at The Nashville Country Club in Terrassa.(near Barcelone)
As it so happens I'm now spending some of my vacation in Spain and and I'll be driving my car up north this weekend to see them playing again.
I have a hotel reservation for a room and my reservations was made through Tony Parera from The Nashville Country Club. He was ever so helpfull!
Tony made reservations for a room for me at the Terrassa Park Hotel, which seems to be a nice hotel.
I'm realy am looking forward to see Dale & The Lone Stars again.
I'll be writing how the concert was, next week.

Also read the blogs of August 2005 and August 2003 about the concerts in Holland

Trip to Tabarca

As i am spending my vacation in Spain again, I'm staying at my nephews place.
He lives in Altea, Alicante, Spain.

My nephew proposed that we have a trip to the Island of Tabarca. He was told that it is a wonderful place to got out and snorkel.

We took the early boat from Benidorm and arrived in Tabarca at about 12.30 hours.

It really is a small island and we soon found a place on one of the beaches, put on our gear and went out for a swim.

Without really noticing the time we stayed out for over 1 hour and it was really beautiful. As the area we were it was not allowed to fish, we saw a wide variety of fish.
Then we went into town. Well had a fifteen-minute walk and then we were at the end of the island. That’s how small it is.

We took the 17.00 hours boat back. Unfortunately for me the weather had changed and the sea was a bit bumpy, so of course I got seasick!
But we got home and I survived and a nice new place I discovered. Thank you for taking me out there Patrick.

Diner at Steakhouse Argentina.
When we arrived we drove to P.’a home by car and unpacked and got settled.
As diner time came we decided to go to Steakhouse Argentina.
Now that seems like an odd choice for a vegetarian like myself, but they have a choice out of 3 menus’s for vegetarians.
The formula and quality of Argentina is: ''simple but good''. You pay for the main course and then you have a free entrée of your choice. For non-vegetarians you can choose out of 3 different menu's (also a vegetarian wrap or vegetarian burger).
They even have whine form the barrel! The staff members all seem to be related including mom ( Monique) and her twin sons ( Alain and Steve) and also Retna.
Restaurant is open form 18.00 ‘till 23.00 hours, however the bar stays open until much later.
Address: Avenida del Albir 74, Alfas del Pi, Playa Albir, (Alicante, Spain).
Phone: (+34) 96 686 50 20.

Well its is that time of year again that I take a break for a vacation. Due to circumstances my wife and I will not be going together as planned, but I have to go by myself.
Again I’ll be spending my holidays at my nephew P.’s home in Spain. As he has spent a few weeks in with his in Holland with his mum we will be flying together
We leave Holland by plane. This time we fly with Transavia. (or click here for the English site)

They claim they can fly you to Spain for € 39,00 but I have never been able to find a flight with a price as low as that. A real price-fighter and service on board is as low as it can get. You even have to pay for you drinks (even a bottle of water) or a sandwich.

But we left right on time and the flight was good. That what it really is about getting from A to B at the lowest price and SAFE. Not like this Turkish (Onur air, was banned for a few week in some European countries) or some African companies were the planes are not save or crash all the time. I read their now is a blacklist of insecure airline companies. (also check this)
I have no specialplans for this vacation accept get rest, swim, catch a few rays of sun and of course see Dale Watson In Barcelone.