2 May 2014
After the news hit yesterday there was a sense of relief as we were all dreading what was coming at us. Robin rehearsed for 20 mins and then we never saw him all day as he collapsed in bed with a fever and only surfaced to eat a little and then curl up under a duvet on the sofa obviously seriously unwell. We’ve been bringing him chocolate and tea and looking after him. He feels terrible about what’s happened but at the end of the day it’s not his fault and no one blames him.
The spots on his back make playing a guitar very painful as the strap rubs them open and we’re very aware of the danger from secondary infections. Other eruptions on his hands add to the discomfort and he is obviously very self conscious about his face which is needless to say not it’s usual handsome self! He’s soldiering on and making a fist of it but we have to draw him in as there is no point in putting himself behind the red line that makes recovery harder to attain.
Yatta and the crew headed home last night with the FTC in the Clown Carrier with our new lighting guy Chris and Vince who’s just arrived at the studio from Birmingham after flying up at 7am! The bus was postponed until Monday and we were left with a strange feeling with all the gear ready to be packed and now standing still set up on the studio floor so we can carry on rehearsing when Robin recovers enough to play.The 3 days we have lost need to be replaced and the pressure on us at the moment is enormous and tangible.
I’d forgotten I’d stripped my bed in anticipation of leaving yesterday so last night I crawled exhausted under a bare duvet on top of a mattress as I didn’t have the strength or wherewithal to put it all together again!
We just have to take it one day at a time and hope the rest allows Robin a fast recovery. I have to remain hopeful and stay positive about all this. It’s not the end of the world and dates can be shifted although rescheduling is a serious pain in the ass for both us and the fans who have already made arrangements and commitments. I feel sorry for them most of all especially those traveling in from other countries who have hotels and flights that can’t be changed. To them I can only apologise.
Robin is still very sore today but the pustules seem to have peaked. He had a bad night’s sleep and still looks very rough but he admits to feeling slightly better. I can only hope we manage to get through some songs later today and start to get the set in a giggable shape. It’s been awkward putting it all together over 3 distinct time frames and this last week was supposed to be bringing all the elements together in one last concerted effort. The derailment that has occurred has really thrown us all a curve ball to deal with and we just have to get through it the best we can in the shortest time possible. Worse things have happened at sea!
Robin wants to thank you all for all your best wishes and messages of support and I echo his sentiments. Thanks for your understanding.