11th july 2007 - downstream on the danube, km 1050

it is 8am. We will shortly be passing the golubas fortress. It marks the beginning of the iron gate, the breakthrough of water between Carpathia and the Balkans.

Since I got up and went briefly up to the bridge to see where we were, I have had one of those rare moments of happiness, of wanting to be exactly where I am. Most of the time you are a step (or more) ahead with your mind, almost impatiently bearing the present. Not today, not now – appreciation.

A few hours later: we have just passed the river kilometre 999 and are going to donji milanovac, our next stop and concert. The weather is pleasant, the sky is overcast but clearing. After a week of it being like living in an oven, things finally cooled down yesterday. I used a cover again last night for the first time in a long while. We have barely docked at the pontoon before the wind gets up and gets ever stronger. The danube, which has been in an accumulation area of the djerdap dam for the last 50 kilometres, broadens here like a lake. The wind whips the waves against the barracks ship and it bangs and shakes like an aeroplane passing through a storm. Every few minutes it seems as though a wrathful fist will smash the ship. A few people escape on land. As soon as we arrived I had a look around and had a walk through the place. Memories of last october came flooding back. Peter, my cameraman, and I stopped here briefly in order to get something to eat and drink. Back then the wish arose to play an impromptu concert here, without lengthy preparations and hoopla; and with the idea of inviting everyone here to eat with us. Now I am here and everything is going to plan! If the wind doesn’t put a spanner in the works.

It’s not always a blessing to have one's wishes fulfilled – but this time it is.