※ This is the interview article of Mr. Geoffrey Richardson for my Japanese fanzine about Canterbury Scene. I open this article to the public in English for fans in other countries. This interview was done in April this year by ZOOM.

Thank you to Geoffrey for your kindness!!

Please enjoy!!

ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー

―I heard that you covered Caravan’s song in Red Acid when you were a college student. How did you feel when you joined Caravan in 1972? How did you plan to get involved in Caravan’s music at that time?　

It was a great surprise. As you said, when I was in college I was in a band called Red Acid. We covered songs from Caravan and King Crimson. They were our favorite. So I knew some of Caravan’s riffs. So when I met Pye in Canterbury in 1972, I was invited to jam with him. Luckily, I knew Caravan's riffs and it all went well. So, it was really an accident. Pye wasn't looking for a viola player, and I didn’t intend to join Caravan. I was invited to join Caravan. At that time I was a poor student in Canterbury and didn’t know what I was doing in the future. I knew I just wanted to do music, but I didn't have a group to join. Then, Caravan suddenly appeared. So, I think……"Yes! Thank you!“ Then, I went on a European tour with Caravan. It was a very happy accident. And it seemed to work, and I've been playing with Caravan for nearly 50 years since then.

―Until you joined Caravan, there were no viola players in the band. I think your joining Caravan had a big influence to Caravan’s music．

　I hope it didn’t change too much. I love the original Caravan with Richard Sinclair and Dave Sinclair. I did what I could do, playing the viola, and subsequently, flute and guitar. It seemed to work. But some fans still look back to the original Caravan, including myself! So I hope I haven't changed Caravan's music too much. I think I've contributed to Caravan for decades (laughs)!

―What is the most favorite album in Caravan？

　Well, maybe it's a live album ... "Caravan & The New Symphonia". I'm proud of that album. I also like "Better By Far" produced by Tony Visconti. But of course ... It’s ultimately "For Girls Who Grow Plump In The Night". It was my first album in Caravan and also the first album for me. Until then, I was a student. Then, I was in the studio suddenly!

　There was a talk event “For Girls Who Grow Plump In The Night” at the University of Canterbury last year before locked down because of coronavirus. Everyone gathered at the venue listened to the album through a very good Hi-Fi system. I, Pye, and producer David Hitchcock participated. It was brilliant. It was so nostalgic.

　Well, I told my wife this morning that I’ve got Japanese copies of "For Girls Who Grow Plump In The Night". As you know, the packaging in Japan is so fantastic that they are all in very beautiful condition. I just found the Japanese version of my solo album on eBay ... It's my own album, but I think I'll have to buy it (laughs)!

ーThat’s good, thank you (laughs). So, what is your favorite Caravan’s song?

　It’s difficult, but I think it’s probably "For Richard". I love the original version, but we have played it for many years and have created a nice version. I enjoy playing it, too. It has really good ingredients. Solos, quiet and beautiful moments, powerful moments, loud endings, it has everything. So "For Richard" is my answer.

ーHow do you feel about Pye’s songs？

　He is great. Pye’s songs contain strange and unusual ways, unusual chords, and time signatures. It's "Quirky". I love Pye's songs and he's my favorite songwriter.

―How much are you involved in arrangements?

　The main songwriter is Pye. During the rehearsal, we play what we want to do and add arrangements. When we are learning the songs, we throw ideas, then we’ll contribute. Songwriter is usually Pye. We say "Oh, that's good" or "I think it doesn't work" ... well, it's a democratic process. Song arrangements will evolve over the years. Because things are changing, getting better. In other words, the song arrangement is done by all of us as we go.

ーI feel the music of Caravan has been increasing the elements of rock and pop, especially after ‘90s.

　I think Pye wanted to make a song that was more like a rock song. I myself ... personally ... The early Caravan albums were gentler. And they were "Quirky". “Quirky” is a good word. It means something strange, a bit strange, or a bit eccentric. But Pye's songs are now a bit more like rock songs. As you say, "The Battle Of Hastings" and subsequent albums have many songs with a rock taste. It would be nice to have a more wistful, unusual, and gentle approach.

ーI think the emotional element of Caravan’s music is supported by you the most now.

　That’s very kind. I’m proud of that. I’m an emotional player. I don't want to lose that. I'm not just a mechanical player. When playing, emotions and feelings are very important. I get emotions from music, and I also like to put emotion into it. I’ve changed that on stage a bit. I put a lot into performance. I hope you noticed it in Kawasaki’s concert. That’s my trust doing.

―You are a multiple player. How did you get the technic to play so many instruments?

　I'm interested in musical instruments, how they work. So I play it by myself. There are many musical instruments in this studio. Viola, violin, cello, flute, clarinet, and woodwind.... I play most instruments except for trumpet and trombone. I have no experience with those two, so I don't know how to play them.

　Because we are locked down now for coronavirus, I had been learning the saxophone, alto saxophone. I've improved a lot. I want to reflect it in my work in the near future. Like this, I learned about musical instruments by myself. I love musical instruments, I collect and look after them very carefully. Also, spoon!

―I would like to ask you about spoon! Why did you start spoon playing?

　Actually, the spoon I‘m using now is made in Japan. At the Kawasaki concert in 2019, the crew was very interested in it when I brought it to the sound check (laughs).

　In 1975, at a Canterbury music shop, which my friend was doing and unfortunately is closed now, maybe I was trying to buy a string or something. But these spoons were on the shelf. They were not expensive. They were just almost toys. I didn't know what to do with them, but I decided to buy it. So I bought it and went home and thought about how to use it. I couldn't hear the sound of them on stage, so I put a guitar pickup on them. This made an electric spoon and I started using it. It worked well and the audience was very enthusiastic at the show, so I've been using it ever since.

―So, you have been using the same spoon from 1975?

　Actually this is a new one. The original one broke on stage about 12 years ago ... I was playing spoons as usual, and it flew away and hit Pye’s head (laughs). So my friend gave me a new one. When I opened the drawer in the kitchen, he said, “Help yourself for new spoons." This spoon, which I'm using now, fitted the original handle, so I chose this one. I still have an old spoon, though. Most of the instruments have been using the same ones from 1975, so they are all quite old ... I’m also old (laughs)! All my instruments are very valuable (laughs).

ーPlease let me ask you a little more about Caravan. I think Caravan's music always has humor.

　Exactly. I think that's one of the reasons Caravan has lasted so long. If you take things too seriously, the group will break up. Our attitude towards music has always been with a sense of humor, which is reflected in the songs. And much of this humor comes from Pye. His sense is great. We are always prepared to laugh at ourselves. That's a good thing.

―You have performed with many other musicians. What do you think is the unique part of Caravan’s music from those experiences?

　I think it's Pye's voice. I think it's a unique sound. There is always "high singing voice.“ throughout the Canterbury groups. And, the sense of humor, you mentioned a while ago, is also reflected in Caravan's songs. There is a characteristic of Caravan. I can't say exactly what, but I think it’s recognisable. That is the characteristic of Caravan's sound that has remained for more than 50 years.

―You said that Pye's vocals are unique, but how about other vocalists? For example, Richard (Sinclair) , who is also an original Caravan member…….　

　Richard has a very good voice, and so does Kevin Ayers. Kevin's voice is more mainstream, rock voice to me. And Robert Wyatt. Robert gave birth to the so-called Canterbury vocal sound. Robert Wyatt, Richard Sinclair, Pye Hastings, there is a thread. Richard is a lovely singer. He has a very gentle singing voice and does not sing in an American way. I myself don't sing that way in my ongoing album. I’m pleased with that.

―By co-starring with a lot of musicians, is there any influence to your musicality when you perform in Caravan?

　I met them all after I joined Caravan. When I joined Caravan, I didn’t have any other musical experience because I was a student before. I had no imports. So all the musicians I've met since then have influenced my play at Caravan.

　Particularly, I was influenced by the experience of co-starring with Murray Head. He is a very good musician. And Rupert Hine. His album is on the wall. He died last year. All the work with him was great. I met Rupert through Caravan, but through him, I met Simon Jeffes from Penguin Café Orchestra, Murray Head, Rachid Taha, Bob Geldof and so on. I met them all through Rupert's connection. My career owe to Rupert. So he is a very important person to me. Of course, all the musicians I co-starred with have influenced me.

―I would like to ask you about Mr. Rupert Hine more. What is your most favorite album or work in that you collaborated with him?

　I think it’s "Immunity“. As I said, that album is on the wall. It was an early session, when I started a different musical activity from Caravan. Rupert was the first person to employ me as a session player. So, "Immunity" was one of the first times that I was employed as a serious session player. The opportunity to play with people outside my group was very good. I'm happy with my contributions to the album. It was the beginning of a long friendship and working relationship with Rupert. That's why it's a very important work for me.

―Please let me know about your own musical activity. You were a student of Winchester School of Art and studied painting and printmaking. Did that artistic experience have an impact on your musical activities?

　Our school was great. Brian Eno was also there at the same time, though I hadn't talked with him at that time. I was there from '69 to '72 and got a first degree. I still draw pictures. Then, at this time, I got the mentality of the art school. Our school was organized in the way of the '60s, so it was very liberal and free. Simon Jeffes, who worked with Penguin Café Orchestra, had that kind of mentality. He didn't go to art school himself, but the way he worked was very like art school students. Of course, Brian Eno does. And I also do my way of working. It has been learned from art school.

― Have you ever designed the album cover?

　No. Well, the new album I'm working on has one of my paintings. This is my 4th solo album, but this is the first time I've posted my own paintings. The album is titled "Completeness“, which means everything or entirement. It's mixing now and will be completed soon. I'm very happy with the result. I think it's my best.

ーI love your solo album “The Gardens of Love”. It’s very emotional album…….

　The theme of that album is "recovery". Because I have recovered from alcoholism. It's been 18 years. I'm doing yoga in this studio. My wife is a yoga teacher. The title "The Gardens of Love" is an image of where I am when practicing yoga. The songs on that album are deeply linked to recovery and healing.

―Your solo music is definitely different from Caravan on Penguin Café Orchestra. How do you feel about your own music?

　 You’re right. I play a lot of instruments in my solo, but I also use the same instruments when I played at Penguin Café Orchestra and Caravan, such as Cuatro and viola. But they are different music. It is just what I want to do. It's the mentality of the art school, as I said before. I just do what I want to do. I come to this studio, play Cuatro, Kalimba, electric guitar and various instruments, and when the idea hits me, I make a song. My solo is not like anybody else I played with, but on the other hand, it’s influenced by everyone. I think it has inputs from everybody I played with.

―What is your core instruments when writing the songs?

　 I’ve just written some hip-hop songs, so I started composing it by Kalimba. Cuatro is quite a good instrument to start from, too. I also use an acoustic guitar like any other musician. I'm not very good at it, but of course I also use the piano. It’s rare that I start with a viola.

　There was a piece on new album, called "Only Sunshine”. It is like a calypso song, but it incorporated the sound of the saxophone and the bells of Canterbury Cathedral. But the riff is playing on the mandolin. It's nice to be able to choose from a variety of instruments.

ーI heard that you have been doing storytelling in elementary school for about 20 years. Why did you start that?

　A friend who gave me a new spoon, Francis Kendall, was working as a storyteller. He's a musician and a guitarist, though. I made some records with him. Unfortunately, he's gone now.

　He invited me to do storytelling because I could bring lots of instruments as many as I could carry. The more musical instruments you have, the more you can color the story. I did storytelling at the school and found it great. It's really challenging to make children interested in. We did also tales from Japan. We did various tales from all over the world.

　It is currently locked down and not done, but I hope it we can do it again. I don’t have much money from that because the salary of teachers in the UK is not very good, so that is reflected (laughs). But it's a lovely thing to do.

ーYou really have many talents.

　Thank you. I'm in good form, so I'd like to carry on. I’ve had this studio for four years now. After a tour with a French singer named Renau, I had a lot of money, so I built it. I can come here forever as long as I pay for releasing my album. I’ll be working here.

　Except for musical activities, I’m enthusiastic about walking with my dog. Her name is Luna. Canterbury is a really nice place to take a walk. Because I’m a bit bored if I only do music, yoga, music, yoga, eating, music, yoga (laughs)!

ーPlease let me know about the future plans of Caravan and your musical activities.

　My priority at the moment is my solo album. About Caravan, we will have a concert with Procol Harum in July. We couldn't do the European tour including Germany last year, so we’ll try to recover the tour in England and Europe once the pandemic settled down ... Of course, I would like to go to Japan again.

ーHow about the new album of Caravan?

　We were about to start. First, a box set will be released. And after that, Snapper Music signed a contract with us for a new album, and we'll start when we will be able to rehearse. We’re not allowed to be close in the rehearsal studio.... We'll start as soon as we can legally get together to rehearse. I think it will be out this year. New Caravan record!!

2021-08-21

Caravanアルバム総選挙開催！

Caravan Das-Association

Caravanのボックスセット「Who Do You Think We Are？」がついにリリースとなりましたね！！

本日Burning Shedから届いてウキウキのかにょです．

音源の充実度もさることながら，ブックレットやカンタベリー地図，ポスターなどなど付属のアイテムも素晴らしい……！これからじっくり楽しんでいこうと思います！！

さて，Twitterのほうでは告知していたのですが，こちらでお知らせするのを忘れていました．

「Das-Association vol.2　特集Caravan part1」発刊に伴い，新企画「Caravanアルバム総選挙」を開催します！

以下のリンクから，皆さんのお気に入りのCaravanのアルバム3枚に投票してください！

結果は次号「Das-Association vol.3 特集Caravan part2」に掲載予定です．

投票期限は8月31日（火）です．

forms.gle

もしくは，Twitterで「＃Caravanアルバム総選挙」のハッシュタグをつけて呟いていただいてもOKです！

もし何か選んだアルバムについてコメントがあれば，併せて呟いていただけたら次号のファンジンに掲載させていただく可能性もございます（匿名です）．

Caravanのアルバムの話を色んな方としていると，皆さん「グレイとピンクの地」はほぼ必ずお気に入りに挙げられるんですけど，その次に出てくるアルバムって結構人によってバラバラなんですよね．

2ndだったり「夜ごと太る女のために」だったり，「Waterloo Lily」「Blind Dog at St. Dunstans」「Cunnning Stunts」…

それで改めて考えると，Caravanって本当に良いアルバムしかないんですよ！！「グレイとピンクの地」が名盤すぎてその印象が強いけども．

だからCaravanのベスト1枚ではなく，3枚にしたら2位または3位以降がかなり混戦になって面白いのでは？と思ったのが今回の企画のきっかけです．

なので投票いただける方は，ぜひぜひ3枚選んで投票していただけたら嬉しいです！！（もちろん1枚もしくは2枚だけでも投票していただけます）

個人的にはCaravanのアルバムはどれも大好きなので，何が1位になってもめちゃくちゃ嬉しいです(笑)．

加えて，Caravanの新作「It’sNone Of Your Business」が10月にリリースされることも告知されましたね！！

amass.jp

ベースのJim Levertonが脱退してしまったということで寂しくはあるのですが，どんな内容のアルバムか非常に楽しみです！

10月にはUKツアーも行うとのことで，こんなご時世で難しいとは思うけどまた来日公演とかないかなあ……．

今後もCaravanの活動にはますます注目です！！

2021-08-16

【宣伝】Das-Association vol.2 特集Caravan発売です！

Caravan Das-Association

こんにちは．かにょです．

この度，先日告知していたカンタベリー・ファンジン

「Das-Association vol.2 特集Caravan part1」発売

となりました！

f:id:kanyo_RSQP:20210815174423p:plain

以下の通販サイトよりご購入いただけます．

das-association.booth.pm

品切れとなっていた「vol.1 特集Alan Gowen」も増刷しましたので，もし前回買いそびれた方がいましたらぜひこの機会にお求めください！

また，vol.1 & vol.2ともに目白のワールド・ディスク様でもお取り扱いいただいております．

wdisque.shop-pro.jp

今回は全88頁と，3冊めにして今までの中で最大のボリュームとなりました．

Caravanの50年以上にわたる長い歴史の紹介やDiscographyに加え，現行メンバーのインタビュー，オリジナルメンバーであるDave Sinclair氏の特集なども掲載しております！

ファンの方々からの寄稿も非常に充実しており，Caravanと長い親交のある方からのメンバー秘話やオリジナルメンバーの素敵な扉絵などなど，Caravanファンなら必見！の内容となっています！

Caravanが好きな方，これから聴こうと思っている方，多くの方にお手に取っていただけたら嬉しいです．

ぜひ，お買い求めくださいませ！

～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～

【体裁】

B5，88頁，本文1C（表紙＆扉絵4C）

【内容】

特集 Caravan

オリジナルメンバー扉絵（「In the Land of Grey and Pink」50周年記念）（寄稿）
Caravan's History
Discography
インタビュー：Geoffrey Richardson，Mark Walker，David Hitchcock
For Girls Who Talk A Lot In The Night～Canterbury女子会でCaravanの好きな曲を語ろう～
Bet You Gonna Like It All, Turn On Turn on（CaravanのUnderrated song紹介）
With An Ear To Caravan～Caravanと私～（寄稿）

特集Dave Sinclair

Biography
Discography
インタビュー

寄稿

Dave Stewart参加カバー曲のあれこれ
みんなのProgレビュー

その他企画

カンタベリージャケット探求シリーズ「Waterloo Lily」

2021-06-24

【宣伝】Das-Association vol. 2発刊予定＆みんなのProgレビュー募集！

Das-Association Caravan

こんばんは，かにょです．

カンタベリー・ファンジン「Das-Association」，次号の vol. 2を8月上旬に発刊します！

そして次回の特集は……Caravanです！！

f:id:kanyo_RSQP:20210623222208j:plain

いや～～～ずっとやりたかった特集ですね……

ただ一回手をつけるとキャリアもメンバーも凄いことになってまとめるのしんどそうなので，正直足踏みしてました…（笑）．

そして実際にやってみたらやっぱりまとまりきらなかったので，2回に分けます（笑）

というわけでDas-Association vol. 2とvol.3はどちらもCaravan特集です！どうぞお楽しみに！！

今回のvol.2はCaravanの歴史から詳細なディスコグラフィー，そしてメンバーのインタビューも掲載した充実の内容となる予定です．

ちょうど同じ月に37枚組の超巨大ボックスセットが出ますしね！

diskunion.net

ぜひこちらと併せて購入していただけたら嬉しいです(笑)

なおvol.3は11月頃の発刊を予定しております．

そしてそれに伴い，今回も「みんなのProgレビュー」の募集をさせていただきます！

募集要項は下記をご参照ください．

＜募集要項＞

締切　：2021年7月16日（金）

文字数：1200字以内（どうしても超過する場合は応相談）

送り先：krautrock.canterbury●gmail.com（●を＠にかえてください）

TwitterのDMのほうが良い方はそちらでも構いません．
受け取った場合は1~2日以内に必ずお返事を差し上げます。返信がない場合は気づいていない可能性が高いため，お手数ですが上記連絡先まで再度レビューをお送りください．

その他：

ページ数の関係により、すべてのレビューを掲載できないこともございます．その場合は，次号に掲載させていただきます．その際は返信でその旨お伝えいたします（次号掲載となった場合でも謝礼はお渡しいたします）．
お名前は匿名でも構いません．希望するお名前がある場合は，レビュー送付の際に併せてご連絡いただけますと幸いです．
レビューの対象はカンタベリーでなくでも構いません．むしろ「あなたがプログレだと思うなら何でもOK！」のスタンスです．幅広いジャンルからのレビューをお待ちしております．

＜グッズのお渡しについて＞

レビューを送っていただいた方希望される方に，御礼としてカンタベリー・グッズを贈呈します．
グッズをご希望の場合は，ファンジンをご購入の際BOOTHから購入し，ユーザー間のメッセージで「○○のレビューを書きました」とご連絡ください．ファンジン発送の際に併せてグッズもお送りします．
グッズはお1人様1点のみとさせていただきます．複数レビューを送っていただいた場合でもお渡しできるのは1点のみとなりますため，ご容赦ください．
今回のカンタベリー・グッズはHenry Cowの「In Praise of Learning」靴下キーホルダーです！

f:id:kanyo_RSQP:20210623222454j:plain

それでは，皆様からのレビューお待ちしております！！

この夏は皆でグレイとピンクの地に出かけよう！！

2021-01-15

Das-Association vol.1 増刷しました＆一部修正について

Das-Association

こんばんは，かにょです。

昨年年末に発刊した「Das-Association Vol.1　Alan Gowen特集」，完売となったためこの度増刷させていただきました！

是非，まだお手元にない方はこの機会にご注文いただけたらと思います。

増刷分についてはBooth通販でもご注文を承っていますが，引き続きワールド・ディスク様でもお取り扱いいただいております。

レアなアルバムを探しがてら，是非この機会に拙ファンジンもお手に取っていただけたら嬉しいです！

wdisque.shop-pro.jp

加えて，大変恐れ入りますが，増刷するにあたり修正した箇所が３つあります。

お手数おかけしますが，下記をご参照いただけましたら幸いです。

━━━━━━━━━━━

①修正前：33P，Hugh Hopper Discography Solo，上から11~13行目「Coral Baby* / Flame* / Digwot Tum*」

①修正後：「Coral Baby / Flame / Digwot Tum」（アスタリスクを削除）

②修正前：39P，Mike Dunneとカンタベリー，下から三行目「MCI1」

②修正後：「MCI」

③修正前：57P，1. ジャケットデザインの概要，上から12行目「罪されし者を地獄に追いやる天使」乱丁あり

③修正後：乱丁修正

━━━━━━━━━━━

この度は修正点が多々あり，誠に申し訳ございませんでした。

上記の旨，何とぞご容赦いただけましたら幸いです。

Das-Association 次の発刊は今年の8月頃を予定しております！

次はカンタベリーの大本流に位置するバンドの1つ，Caravanを特集する予定です。

今後とも，Das-Associationの続刊を楽しみにお待ちいただけたら幸いです。よろしくお願いいたします！

2021-01-02

Richard Sinclair訪問旅行記5日目（最終日） in 2019

Richard Sinclair

前回のあらすじ：Fish & Chips, Love & Peace

2020年1月2日

午前10:00にリチャードが，前日会った友人の1人とともに車で迎えに来てくれました．

実は昨日調べたところ，マルティーナ・フランカからバーリ駅に行く列車が運休になっているようでして．今日中にローマに着かないと日本に帰れなくなってしまうため，畏れ多くもリチャードに送ってもらえないかお願いした次第だったのでした......

リチャードの車は調子が悪いのでバーリまで行きつけるか不安，ということで友達の車で送っていただくことに．

これは今回の旅の大きな反省点でした．

正直行くまでが不安すぎて帰りのことなんも考えてなかった．あとまあ行けば帰りはなんとかなるだろうと思っていたら，マジでマルティーナ・フランカのネット環境が悪すぎてWi-Fiルーターがあっても中々ネットにつなげられず……インターネットという文明の利器を活かせなかったのも予想外でした．冗談抜きで帰れないんじゃ，って前の日の夜は恐怖に震えました．リチャードが快諾してくれて本当によかった……．

今後日本に来た海外の人が困っていたら全力で親切にしよう，と誓ったかにょでした．

リチャードは助手席，私は後部座席で3人のドライブ．

この日もとてもいい天気でした．

初日にヴィンチェンゾに送ってもらったときは夜だったので景色がわからなかったのですが，こんなに美しかったんだなあとしみじみ眺めます．

リチャードもときどき景色の説明をしてくれました．オリーブ畑にさしかかったときは振り返って，「これがオリーブの木だ！」と教えてくれました．

RS：オリーブというのはとても神聖な木なんだ．2000年以上前からある木で，聖書にも登場する．とても重要な木なんだよ．

熱くオリーブについて語るリチャード．リチャードのオリーブへの愛は深い．

途中，ファザーノという街にさしかかりました．道路が崖の上にあるため眼下に街を見下ろせます．イタリアの景色は本当に綺麗で，何度見ても歓声をあげてしまいます．

私：凄い，とてもビューティフルですね！

RS：これが僕がイタリアに来た理由だよ．この景色なんだ．

運転するリチャードの友人が，わざわざ下道におりて街の中をドライブしてくれました．行きはこんな道は通らなかったはず．イタリア語がわからないので状況はよくわかりませんでしたが，きっと「少しでも街を見せてあげよう」という彼の心遣いだったのではないかと思います．優しい……．

が，大変申し訳ないことに，これで私は完全に酔いました．

道が悪すぎた．

こんなに揺れることってある？

街中の道路といえど，ちゃんと舗装されていないところが結構多くて……あと石畳だったりとか……足場の悪い山道走ってんのか？ってくらい揺れましたね．

よく2人は平気だったと思います（もとから私が乗り物酔いしやすいというのはあるけれど）．

ファザーノの街を出るころには口を開けば何かが出てきそうなほど気持ち悪かったのですが，それを伝えるすべもなく，ただ後部座席でだんまりを決め込むだけになってしまいました．このことも大変後悔しています……．

時々リチャードがこちらの様子を気にして，振り返って話しかけてくれます．これからの音楽活動についての話も少しだけしてくれました．

RS：僕のトゥルーロの隣のトゥルーロは今空き家なんだよ．誰か僕の友達がそこを買ってくれたらいいんだけどなあ．そうしたら，その人のツテで他の友人たちもそこにたくさん呼んで，いつでも僕の音楽を共有できるようになるんだ．昨日きみも見たように，僕はいつも家で音楽をやっているんだ．それが僕のスタイルだから，それを他の人たちにも共有できるようになれたらいいなと思っているんだけれど……

日本の友人たちにもよろしくね，と念を押されます．

RS：日本にいる僕の友人たちによろしくね．特にきみの知り合いの人たちには．本当に日本の人たちにはお世話になっているんだ．くれぐれも僕からよろしく伝えておいてくれ．

本当に申し訳ないのですが，このときの私は吐き気をこらえるので精一杯だったため何を話しかけられても頷くことしかできませんでした．次からは三半規管を強くしてイタリアに臨みたいと思います．

有難いことに，高速に戻って平地を走るようになったためバーリ駅に着くころにはだいぶ落ち着いていました．

車を停めて駅に向かうリチャードとかにょ．

改札がないため，入り口を入ってしばらくのところで互いにお別れの言葉を述べます．

恥ずかしながらここでこの4日間抑えていた感情が一気に爆発し，リチャードの目の前で号泣しました．何やってんだ．

リチャードは私が別れを悲しんで泣いていると思ったようで，

「泣かないで～僕らまたいつでも会えるんだから(笑)！そんなに悲しまないで～！」

ってめっちゃ慰めてくれました．

後からやってきた友達にも「彼女，僕と別れるのが悲しくて泣いてるんだよ～」と微笑ましげに説明しています．

本当にすみませんでした．

ちなみに日本帰ってきてからもめっちゃ泣いた．

落ち着いたころに改めてお別れの言葉を交わします．

RS：日本に帰ったら，デイヴによろしくね！スチュワート＆ガスキンの二人とコンタクトをとることがあったら，彼らにも僕からよろしくと伝えておいてね！

リチャードがそう言っていたのだけは覚えています．

その後リチャード，友人と最後の挨拶を交わし，バーリ駅のホームに降り立ちました．そして無事予定通りにローマ駅に着き，ホテルで一泊後早朝の便で日本に帰ってきたのでした……．

帰りは行きのようなトラブルは特になく，ローマ→広東→東京というルートで順当に帰国しました．ただ広東のトランジットの時間が9時間あって，Wi-Fiも使えんし空港の外にも出れんしで何もすることなかったのは地味にきつかったです（便さえあればこの間に日本帰れるじゃん，ってめっちゃ思った）．

あと，正直，帰路はイタリアでの思い出を記憶にとどめておくのにいっぱいいっぱいだったのであんまり覚えてることがない．

一番の奇跡は，何度も言うようにイタリアに骨を埋めることなくちゃんと帰国できたことだと思います．偉い！（めっちゃ色んな人に迷惑かけてるけど）

ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー

以上でリチャード・シンクレア訪問旅行記は終了です．

いかがでしょうか？ここまで5日間の記録を読んでいただいた方々，誠にありがとうございます！楽しんでいただけていたら幸いです．

そして改めまして，明けましておめでとうございます！

お正月休みのなか，こんな個人のつらつら思い出話を読んでくださった皆様にたくさんの幸せが訪れますように……！

今年はもうちょっとブログの更新頻度を増やせるよう頑張ります．

今後ともどうぞよろしくお願いいたします！