Soprano at Sea

Finally, a British Airways direct flight where, joy of joys, you can get an excellent cup of builders’ tea. It’s half-way through the 14-hour long-haul to Buenos Aires, the lights are off, and my fellow cattle chums are attempting to sleep (bolt upright in economy). Never a possibility for me, unfortunately – apparently 2 mini bottles of red and a sleeping pill work for some; a non-active mind works for others; even the sotto voce roar of the engines…

Saturday 11.30am (GMT +4) en route to Mahe, Seychelles You can tell the class of a ship by the quality of its sun loungers. Not-so-posh ship: metal frames, plastic slats, dirty cushions. Posh Ship: a creation so perfect you must go through a rigorous selection procedure to be allowed access, the criteria being: …

Friday 9am (GMT +3) At sea en route to Mombasa, Kenya When youngsters ask me about going into the profession, I tell them three things: Be good at your craft Be nice to other people Do all your studying now, because once you’re in the heart of the biz you might occasionally have to deliver

Thursday 7.30am GMT +3; Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia I’ve flown through the night and haven’t slept a wink. My hair is both greasy and static, my eyes are dry, my lungs are laboured and my bladder is full. I’m carrying 18kg of hand luggage: a rucksack containing 45 minutes’ worth of sheet music