And finally- yes finally

I'd really struggled with my health during Nicki's tour. Eight shows in seven days was tough, although I wouldn't have changed it for the world.

Having said that, I could have done without the following two months.

Within a few days of the end of the tour I was ill. I had severe diarrhea and a throat infection. I couldn't eat and what food I could get down went straight through. I had to do something so I gatecrashed my Leukaemia specialist's clinic when I was at the hospital for another appointment. Within a few hours I had been admitted, had an X-ray and then a scan. I then had my appendix removed. I still had the other symptoms but had just avoided peritonitis as my appendix was about to burst.
I was in and out of hospital for the next week or so, and six weeks later had a sigmoidoscopy (a camera up the bum) to try and find out what was wrong. They still don't know, but I knew one thing-

This would have to be my final tour. My health had suffered too much. I'd had a month off work without pay and two months off sick. I think my body was saying- no more.

So that's it. I loved touring with Nicki. She's a lovely talented person and I'm proud to have known her. Maybe we will meet again when she next tours the UK. She and Tracy are welcome at our home anytime.

I'd like to leave you with this video. Nicki was staying at our house in between shows. It was a nice sunny day and she was in the garden playing guitar and trying a few songs out. One song she tried is now her new single "Always on my mind"



Nicki Gillis. The best I have worked with.