"We had a lovely relaxing Eurostar journey across to Brussels, accompanied as usual by a few nibblies and a bottle of wine or 2. Rachel's very new baby (Leo) was with us, along with her mum (Mary) to help out when Rachel was working.

We took another train from Brussels to Liège, then decided on taxis to the hotel as it was rather late. What a palaver! There were 9 of us, so pretty straightforward you would have thought, i.e. 3 to a taxi. Rachel and Heather got in the back of the first taxi with Leo, and the driver set off with his girlfriend in the front! None of us realised until, of course, there was Mary standing alone at the taxi rank with nowhere to go. So we had to take an extra taxi for 1 - just because of that driver's girlfriend! Fortunately, it wasn't too far and we were all too tired and confused to argue.

Salle Philharmonique

Sinfonia team at the back of the stage

The next morning's rehearsal was a pleasant surprise. The Salle Philharmonique de Liège was very grand, and the orchestra sounded excellent. There are so many fabulous orchestras who play just as well as all the "first division" bands we know and love. It's a shame we don't hear more of them. Pascal Rophé at the helm had everything under control. This was our 3rd Sinfonia with Pascal and he knows the piece so well. It's always easy when you have a developed a rapport with a conductor, as we have with Pascal. Everything gets sorted out quickly, and the whole experience is much more relaxed.

That evening, after a spot of shopping (compulsory on Synergy tours), we all went out to Enotech - a rather unlikely name for an excellent little Italian restaurant. The only decision you have to make is how many courses you'd like - very good for the 3 indecisive Geminis on the team. There is only one menu, posted outside the restaurant during the day. Fortunately, everything was delicious and we had an extremely enjoyable evening.

Mike Dore was busy wheeling and dealing between rehearsals, as usual. His mobile phone is surgically attached to his hand for texting! To be fair, he had just taken on the job of vocal coach for ITV's "Any Dream Will Do", so there was a lot of schedule-sorting to do.

The concert went extremely well. Everyone was delighted, and Pascal was sure it was the best Sinfonia we'd ever done. Sadly, it was just the one concert this time. When an orchestra has worked so hard to learn such a difficult piece, it seems a shame not to have a few goes at it. Maybe next season.

Mary and Leo

Leo enjoyed the concert from the comfort of our dressing room. I have to say Rachel is very good at producing tour-friendly babies! Oliver was equally amenable on tour back in 2004. We headed to a bar across the road for beer and chips, and Leo slept quietly in his pram as we all talked and laughed as loudly as ever."

Micaela