I didn't get to sleep until 1.30am so when the alarm goes off at 8am I have to drag myself out of bed to order breakfast. I'm aware that at times it seems I'm a little spoilt but my working hours in the day are 8pm-11.30pm and I hate to feel half asleep when I go on stage. I'm also not at all good at taking afternoon naps, they make me feel worse. Call me kooky but I like to give my all when I'm on stage.

After breakfast I set about writing yesterday's blog before the usual morning run. Freshly showered and awake we leave Cologne at noon for the drive to Mannheim. It's a two hour drive so I settle in to watch "Wedding Crashers" on my computer to pass the time. One of the bonuses of being away is that I can watch the occasional movie that is meant for people over 9 years old.

We arrive in Mannhein at 2pm and check into the hotel. It's right in the center and (you guessed it) opposite another Christmas market. I dump my bags in the room before setting off on a mini sightseeing tour of the local area. The markets are getting a little old to me now (although I did like the bird houses) so I don't linger, instead choosing to walk the main shopping streets. It's freezing cold and after 15 minutes my ears are burning, luckily it's just a precursor to them going numb. The main streets are not that interesting so I start to explore the side streets where I find the Mozart church and end up at the Mannheim Palace. It's then time to get back to the hotel for my daily morning video conference with the family.

I potter around the room answering e-mails and reading before starting the evening vocal warm-up and ordering some food. At 7.30pm we're on our way to the show. The performance is our best yet and its nice to note that each night we're getting more comfortable with the band. The reception was fantastic and we leave the stage on a high. 

We're back at the hotel around midnight and (as usual) stop in the bar for a nightcap with other NOTPers.

Tomorrow is mittwoch (such a great word).

EZEZEZ

Papa S.