We had our final band practice last night before the tour, where I got to be my favourite person – bossy in-charge Rachel – and hand out itineraries to everyone as well as a list of things to remember. I drew the line at ‘toothbrush’, but instead tried to just stick to band-related things to remember, like  instruments and spare strings.

I’m getting genuinely excited now. This tour has been a brainchild of mine and Hank’s for over a year, and the impending reality of it has not really sunk in yet. I have never been to the Caribbean, or any kind of tropical island before, so the lack of a frame of reference for where I’m going to be probably adds to the exciting unreality of the whole thing. I have a feeling I will learn to adjust pretty quickly, though. Today’s summer-like temperatures help to get me in the right mood.

Bring on the blue drinks with umbrellas!