"The Little Mermaid" opened successfully yesterday with a first performance at 4.00 pm and a second at 6.00 pm attended by The Lord Mayor of Leicester.

The second show was followed by another of those civic receptions that we seem to be invited to in every country that we visit - the kind of social event that I dislike.

After the speeches the Director of the festival brought the Lord Mayor to meet me (I gulped some cheap wine in preparation as they moved towards me) and we made some small talk about Leicester, the surrounding area and, of course, the show.

Trying to wind up the conversation so I could get out for some air I said, "Thank you so much for coming to the show - it was great to have you there".

"It was a pleasure," he replied, "It has been the most interesting engagement I've had".

"Well, thank you. How long have you been in office?" I asked.

"A week".

Hello from Leicester.

I've just finished a twelve hour day - techincial rehearsals for the show, which opens tomorrow afternoon.

The journey to Leicester from Belfast took, wait for it, TEN AND A HALF HOURS. For some reason the festival we are attending decided to fly us to Luton airport (which was clearly madness for a start) and so we found ourselves at the mercy of EasyJet who delayed our 11.15 am flight to 4.00 pm. Upon arrival at Luton two of our party failed to retrieve their luggage, or to put it another way, EasyJet failed to ensure that their luggage was onboard the flight. That was yesterday and they still haven't heard anything.

We got to Leicester last night and I went straight to the venue to start work. I was back there this morning at 9.00 am, enjoyed a great Indian meal this evening at the end of a busy day and then returned to the hotel only to find that the bar closed at 10.30 pm. 10.30!!

Tomorrow we have a dress rehearsal followed by the first show (4.00 pm), the second show (6.00 pm), a civic reception hosted by no less than two local mayors (7.30 pm) and then a meal hosted by the festival organisers (9.00 pm). When I eventually go to bed I will do so in the knowledege that I have the rest of the tour, including a transfer to Serbia, stretching ahead of me.

Still, spirits are high, the show is in good shape and I have all of my luggage. How can I possibly complain? I must go to bed now, but I'll post some news on our progress once we get tomorrow over with - there's WiFi in the hotel room so it seems that I have no excuse.

Montenegro has voted for independence from its union with Serbia, according to unofficial projections. If confirmed, the vote would erase the last vestige of the former Yugoslavia.

From the BBC web site tonight.

And I'll be there in two weeks! Belgrade has only just recovered from severe flooding and now this! Seems I am destined to be blog.co.uk's version of Kate Aidie - reporting to you live from the world's hot spots.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/5003220.stm