October 31

Woke up in Amsterdam all bicycles and autumn beauty. Took an afternoon drive to Lage Vuursche, a little town in a big woods for our first concert here in Holland. Old growth beeches and oaks abound. It's a rare treat to be welcomed back to a country we haven't visited in eight long years. We have lots of music to catch up on, and we are told tonight's concert is sold out with a long waiting list ("in case someone with a ticket dies today," they explained). Plenty more shows to come in the next few weeks. We'll try to stick around after to say a proper hello. Thanks to our hosts Sandra and Luciano for putting this long overdue tour together, and all you Dutch folks who are giving the songs a good life over here. Feeling blessed. Rave on, L&K


November 1

Well now let me see, where were we? It's 1am in Holland and I was asleep, but now it seems I'm wide awake. Circadian rhythms in odd time signatures.

This Sunday morning we took a drive through the countryside and after a few hours boarded a ferry to the island of Tiengemeten (pronounced Ting-kah-may-ton). A perfect November 1st weather-wise, chilly but warm in the sun.

We played a Sunday afternoon concert in a restored barn-like venue on the island (part nature preserve, part lush farmland) with folks arriving via ferry and enjoying beverages at outdoor tables before coming in and filling the seats. The show was "UITVERKOCHT" - sold out. Another appreciative group of folks, many of whom stuck around afterwards to say hello and share a meal...

The venue mascot, "Cargo" kept a close watch on the proceedings and after the line at the CD table died down where we were signing, he walked right up on cue for a good-dog scratch behind the ears. He had patiently waited his turn, the last arrival.

There was a beautiful, soulful horse not too far away that we became a little obsessed with. It's always exciting to me to watch how restorative animals are to Karin. Any dying embers in her heart quickly begin to glow. Animals give a lot back to both of us and after laying it all out there during a show, one feels the empty places quickly refilling with just a little animal communion. A mystery.

Tomorrow (today?) we are off to Bremen, Germany. They are broadcasting the concert live and taping a 45 minute interview prior. They're working us over here. And we picked a good band name for these parts as the Rhine has long been viewed as a deep and vital source of musical and artistic inspiration. One more layer I suppose.

A few images from the day...

Rivers and oceans,

L&K