Posted: 26 April 2009 at 6:20pm | IP Logged

Hi All - just thought I'd post something here cos I've been a bit absent lately.

I'm in France. Here's the story. A mate of mine was getting married yesterday in Switzerland and asked me to come and play at teh wedding. So we thought it's be a good idea to drive down to the south of france for a few days and then back up via Switzerland.

First day we had a blow out on the Atutoroute just north of Paris. Had to call out the RAC (thank goodness for european roadside assistance!) who got us sort of sorted. They put the space saving tyre on which meant we had to drive the rest of the way at 50mph. Took a while. Stopped in Clermont Farrand but as it was a Sunday and the Monday was Easter nowhere was oopen to sort our tyre out.

Ate mussels for tea. Up at 2am and so were the mussels.

Got down the south and managed to sort the tyre. Actually had to buy two as they have a law that tyres have to be changed in pares....

So we're on our way again, spent a day siteseeing when the van dies. Really dies. So we call the RAC who tell us we've had our call, can't help, sorry. So much for 'Comprehensive insurance...'.

Found a garage who picked up the van and said it was the fuel pump. At least i think that's what they said. 2000 euro's apparently. Hmmm....

Then they changed it to the cam belt. Only 500 euros. That's better.
So they set out to find a replacement on Monday and couldn't. Nowhere in france had a cambelt for my Nissan Largo. I know it's an unusual vehicle but....

So i phone my garage who told me the name of a european stockist. I called them and they told me the name of there distributor in france so i called them. they had one in stock! YES! so i called the garage who then called the distribution  centre. It would be there in 24hrs!

SO, The following day, they call. They ordered the wrong bit. AND, they don't work over the weekend. Yes folks this has taken 2 weeks and I'm still here, still vanless.

Wife and kids flew home yesterday and I've been writing songs in the rain here by the med!

So, dedicated to the fantastic service I've had from the RAC France and AGDE Assistance I've uploaded my version of Carry Me Home on to myspace. It's off my new album which you can get from my site and will help immensly in paying some french mechanics bills.

www.myspace.com/halliganmusic

www.robhalligan.co.uk/shop.htm

Posted: 27 April 2009 at 10:21pm | IP Logged

Hey where are you now, any closer to home ?

Had any more mussles lately (oh thats not funny, is it..... he he he !).

Have arranged for the Power of a Jet to Carry You Home, back to Life in the City where your Laser Love is waiting just for You.

Love the new CD by the way and read your Christians Brother story on your website too. Took a while, but read it all. Answered my question regarding you having a brother called Christian. Thought you were just talking about being a christian !! 

Good luck with getting home. Might be a good idea to try and get back before the next show date !

Find the ruby slippers and repeat to yourself................. There is no place like home. Somewhere over the rainbow, thats where you'll find me (get it, Zippy...Rainbow. Yeah, sad....... sorry).