Africa. The name of this continent even sounds mysterious. It feels good to say the word. I'd been to North Africa, Morocco, back in 1969 when after passing the mythical audition, I told Miles Copeland, Martin and Steve that the band, as yet to be named Wishbone Ash, would have to wait a month or so while I 'found myself' in Africa.

40 years later, here I am landing in Johannesburg's totally modern international airport waiting for the rest of Wishbone Ash to arrive from London. (I'd flown in from New York). Jo'burg and the other cities we visited were totally in Soccer World Cup preparedness, with 4 people assigned for every one job at the airport and a slew of new national football stadiums ready to go. The hustle started the moment we arrived, when a fan, masquerading as our driver in order to hang and get autographs, got everyone in a state of confusion. But soon we hooked up with the right driver and were being whisked away for interviews and photos at the opulent Westcliff Hotel. There, I was also to meet up with one - time WA bassist Trevor Bolder, in town with his long term band Uriah Heep, also on the bill of the aptly named Masters of Rock tour. There were hugs and hand shakes all round with Trevor, Mick and the guys. At dinner, later that night we also met up for a drink with Bob Skeat's old friend, Purple's Don Airey.

After equipment checks and a sound check the next day at the Coca Cola Dome, we met our South African crew, Gorskie and Suni as well as fixer supremo, Norman Dugdale, an old friend from back in the day. There was no time for dinner. Before we knew it we were the evening's openers in front of 13,000 ecstatic rock fans. Yes, a big stage, stadium screens, great sound and a brilliant gig for us, portentous of things to come. Bob, Joe and Muddy were all really fired up for this and the band gave its all. I was right proud.

What I didn't know was how much more they would give the second night in Durban!

On leaving the hotel the next day we were asked to sign the hotel's guest book. Some of the hotel's recent other guest names in the book, definitely impressed. Cliff and the Shads and Spandau of course then there was the Aga Khan, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, Queen Noor of Jordan and Al Gore. Oh yes and even the Dalai Lama himself, had also recently stayed a while at the Westcliff.

A short flight to Durban, the next day, saw us into the Hilton, not far from the beach and this time, the vibe was all about marathon running. To be specific; the Comrades Marathon was finishing right outside our hotel, next to the ICC Centre where we were to be playing. A 90 kilometer run, it is one of the world's oldest and biggest attended marathons in the world with over 18,000 participants this year. Joe and I spent a while at the finishing line watching the first runners, these supermen and women as the came in. We were amazed at their finishing pace having climbed the 5 hills on this course in around 5 hours. The next day I spoke to this female runner who I joined in the lift. She was a fit looking American lady and after enquiring if she'd run in the race, she quietly answered 'yes' with a big smile and whipped out a badge denoting she'd come in at 4th place!

Later that night Wishbone totally delivered the goods. One of the best gigs we've ever done and the congratulations were forthcoming from our friends in Uriah Heep and our new found friend, bassist, Roger Glover from Deep Purple. The next night, it was Steve Morse who came visiting, so that gives you an idea of the good vibes around and for sure these two veteran bands themselves, also delivered the goods that night, making this package one of the best value for money shows I can imagine. Certainly the crowd thought so.

To cap the whole thing, Wishbone decided to stay on in Cape Town for two well deserved days of rest and recreation after our equally successful show there. With visits to Table Mountain, Cape Point and to the wine region around Franschhoek, we were lucky to experience beautiful sunny days for the whole trip. What a beautiful country South Africa is. Words can' t really do it justice so I just took a lot of photographs. On our last evening, we visited a great club on Long Street in Cape Town. It was called Mama Africa and we'd been told it was great for live African music. There was a kick ass marimba band entertaining folks with dancing singing and playing - the full program. These guys got the place going I can tell you - a perfect end to a perfect trip and a great primer for the World Cup.

~ A.P.

P.S. Forgot to mention Joe abseiling off Table Mountain and later, together with Bob, visiting Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for all those years. Perhaps we'll get more on that from them later. P.P.S. Big Thanks to Big Concerts - Attie, Desirée and John for being such great hosts, taking care of us and for arranging our two day, post concert break on the Cape.

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