Where did summer vanish to I ask myself? It was blisteringly and uncomfortably hot for days on end and the dogs had had enough after a while the same as I did, but I did have a great time in the studio working with Erik Jordan on the templates for the Starmus music and also spent a great day with Stuart Morley the conductor and orchestrator for the festival. It's going to be rather splendid and I'm really looking forward to it.

So here we are in September and guess what?… it's as busy as ever. For the first few days of the month I'll be working on the music I am going to be performing on the piano for the Moon Bears in Vietnam. 60% of the concert will consist of new, bear related pieces which I hope the bears will appreciate!!!

On Friday I leave for Lytham St Annes for 3 Wakeman and Son concerts with Oliver at the Lowther Pavillion. I really enjoy going to the theatre as it's so brilliantly run and cares about art, drama and music in their area and put on a great variety of shows… including myself and Oliver on Saturday 5th, Sunday 6th and Monday 7th. These will be the only Wakeman and Son shows in the UK so if you're in the area, please pop along.

Wednesday 9th is a busy old day as in the morning I will be at the BBC taking part in a Radio 4 programme that I love… Add To Playlist… I have no idea who else will be on the programme at the moment, but it's always so enjoyable to do.

In the afternoon I head over to Bethnal Green to record another Radio 4 programme, this time with Susie Dent, called Unspeakable. I have been asked to take part in the programme in previous series but regrettably have never been available so it will be great to meet up with Susie again and reminisce about the great days of Countdown!

A few more days of writing and preparation for both Starmus and Vietnam, (more about that very shortly).

On Monday 14th I'm back in the studio with Mark Jeeves to record some more podcasts. (They are such fun to do and such great questions being sent in as well).

Then on the 15th I'm meeting up with Dominic Marshall and Janet Lewis to go through musical details for the Alice in Wonderland ballet which I am really enjoying working on, I'm at my happiest musically when I am fortunate enough to be involved with different and diverse projects.

Wednesday 16th sees me at Dance East in Ipswich as part of the "Make a Difference" Awards organised by Radio Suffolk. I have judged the animal award for them, so I know who has won… but I'm not telling anybody obviously!

On the 17th I've got a series of interviews for Animals Asia about the concert for the Moon Bears at their sanctuary in South Vietnam.

It's back to Mars Yard on the 18th for filming and playback of the new album Return to the Red Planet. I'm so thrilled with how this album has turned out and it's great that Dave Colquhoun, Lee Pomeroy and Adam Falkner are all hoping to be there as well to answer questions about their wonderful participation.

On Saturday 19th I will be at Trinity Park in Ipswich to watch and listen to the Ipswich Hospital Band of which I am a patron. They are really good and this particular concert is to celebrate their anniversary and during their set I'm going to play two or three pieces on their digital piano. Should be fun… usually is!

And then I fly to South Vietnam with Peter Egan, Leslie Nicol and a film crew. Upon arrival there will be preparation for the concert and filming. There is a stage/plinth built just outside the sanctuary fencing and I will be on that, playing music just for the bears who I hope will be inquisitive enough to wander over and have a listen!!!… I know that the people at the sanctuary have been playing them my piano music for some time now and so only hope that when I start playing they don't all go "Oh no… not that music again!!!"

We are filming the whole trip which will be used to create even more awareness of all the wonderful work Animals Asia do in rescuing the bears from the vile practise of bile farming.

When I get back, it's straight to London to start promotional interviews for the Wizard of Prog book and the new Return to The Red Planet album which include doing Songcake TV with my old friend Philip Wilding.

And then it will be October!!!!

I'll be back then with more ramblings as October is just as nuts!!!

Cheers Rick

---