Today we played Newcastle. After the last few gigs we're now fairly confident with our stage routine and able to sit back to enjoy and appreciate the truly well oiled machine that is this tour. Tour Manager Ross runs a tight ship. Every evening a day sheet is slipped under the hotel room door, detailing the next day's schedule, with the stated departure time adjusted accorded to how long each individual takes to wake up. This ensures that everyone leaves at more or less the same time, ready to roll into the tour bus waiting at the door outside. Those still needing kip can roll on into the bus bunks and those who don't indulge in endless games of Patapon (PAN PAKAPON) and two player GTA Vice City on PSP (which gets frighteningly competitive). Before we even arrive at the venue, our crew (who have their own starliner) have already set up the stage, sound and lights so we can walk on in and sound check (whilst our bags are driven on and delivered to our rooms at the next hotel). The hardest decision we have to make each day is what to eat off the dinner menu - Fiona and Scott head up the catering team intuitively pulling out amazing roasts, pies, curries and christmas dinners when they are at their most needed. Shane has extra help in the form of Joey, friend and PA who ensures timely depatures from hotels, hotel bars, and venues, though on at least one occasion it's been Shane who's helped Joey stumble out of a venue and back to the hotel. Compared with the JJ/DIG experience it's all a little surreal, fattening and inebriating, but when we're in the hotel pool or sauna tomorrow morning before a complimentary breakfast followed by an arena gig, we'll probably get over it...