This week our fave Vixen’s been relaxing in Greece, making fishcakes for Terry Jones of Monty Python fame, and also readying herself for more festival frenzy. Check out all of Anna’s columns here.

After a week’s holiday in Greece I am finding it hard to step back into the real world.

The week of sun and sea has left me in a strange daze – and slightly at odds with the permanent fifth gear needed for the other 51 weeks of the year.

I spent my holiday in the Peloponnese. After flying into Athens Airport, my boyfriend and I got in a hire car and drove three hours south west – along the amazing European-funded toll roads, and then the not-so-amazing steep and winding roads which take you through the mountains. Let me tell you, it becomes obvious when the European-funded roads run out. Having made it through the mountains and safely on the other side we continued all the way to the coast. A sudden turn down a dirt track road took us through olive groves right down to the water where the house stood.

Our little one-room apartment was 50 metres from the beach, surrounded by olive trees and big old eucalyptus trees. The owner gave us a crate of fresh home-grown tomatoes, peppers, beans and a bottle of home-pressed fresh olive oil as a welcoming present. For the whole week we did not hear a SINGLE English speaking voice – only Greek.

Our day schedule was as follows:
11.30 wake up
12.00 breakfast on the balcony
1.30 beach (sunbathing, swimming, reading and building wigwams out of
driftwood)
18.30 shower and beer on balcony
21.00 dinner
00.00 in bed with wine and crap 80s movies on TV.
Next day: (see above)
Now – that may not seem very rock’n’ roll – or even very sociable – but it was sheer utter bliss!

Back home, and a barrage of 300-odd emails to sift through. Thank you to all the Trans Siberian Orchestra fans for all the lovely messages after the recent announcement – I really, really appreciate it! I had a long chat with TSO guru Paul O’Neill while in Greece and I know that you are all in a treat for this Christmas tour. Although I’ll miss playing to the huge crowds amidst fire and lasers, it’s definitely the right choice for me. Hopefully I’ll be back touring in the States next year!

I’ve been rehearsing with the band getting ready for the Weyfest Festival (www.weyfest.co.uk). If you’re around you should come down. It’s a lovely festival out in the middle of the country in a farm – or strictly speaking, a Rural Life Centre – complete with working steam engine. On September 4, I’ll be doing a set on the acoustic stage with Byron Johnston, then the next I’ll be playing with my full band and guest ballet dancer Maleficent Martini. She’s an amazing performer who combines ballet with a fetish edge. It’s a family show, so I think she’ll be leaving the ropes and chains at home for this one… her website is almost up and running. Check out the pictures here: www.missmaleficentmartini.com

Continuing in the vein of summer relaxing, this week I have some interesting guests coming over for lunch – Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson and Terry Jones (Monty Python). I am making fishcakes. They haven’t met before (What, the fishcakes? – Ed.) but I reckon their vast knowledge of life in general coupled with their equal measures of sardonic wit should make for interesting conversation. As long as no one chokes on a fishbone.

No other news for now. Oh, except that the highlight of the week so far was when I took my puppy for a walk and he left the biggest poo on Neil Kinnock’s doorstep. And then peed profusely on his gate on the way back home. No political message intended – my dog is strictly a Guardian reader.

Inspiration Track of The Week:
Lovin’ Spoonful Summer In The City

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