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ÌýÌýI'd like to be able to report that the reason that it is so long since my last update was that I have been so busy.Ìý But that would not be very accurate, I'm afraid. As is always the case, we find more time to do things when we are busy than when we aren't.I have, of course, been away.Ìý I attended conventions in Australia and New Zealand at the end of March/beginning of April.Ìý That was a brief flurry of activity for three weeks.ÌýAs always when I go to there, I met a lot of splendid people. The fans in both countries are so appreciative when one of us treks all the way to see them. The process of travel by aeroplane to the other side of the world is (it goes without saying) quite vile, especially when you are not the size of a flat race jockey on a diet.Ìý If I am comparable to the practitioner of any sport I would perhaps be more like a rugby player gone to seed or â€� oh alright â€� a sumo wrestler at his prime.Ìý So shoe-horning myself into the seats offered to the air passenger these days is no joke.But once the travelling bit is behind you, there a few more convivial people to visit than Aussies and Kiwis, unless we happen to be competing against them in some sport at the time.Ìý I visited Adelaide first Ìýâ€� lovely weather, nice people and appreciative fans, Melbourne â€� where I metÌýSteve Gerlach and Megan â€� greyhound owners ( greyhound called Jazz) , writer and artistÌý and Dr Who fanÌý and partner.ÌýSteve very kindly took me out to lunch in a lovely winery in the suburbs in exchange for my scrawling my name inside his Tardis.Ìý A fair exchange I thought and one that enabled me to get some quality dog stroking time in. Then on to Brisbane â€� got stranded at the airport (saved by Twitter â€� more anon) and got arrested for jaywalking â€� which those of you who check up on my movements via my weekly Bucks Free Press articles may already know about, so I won't go on and on about it again.Ìý Then, it was over to Auckland for a three day layover, where I was entertained by various people and enjoyed the many delights of that city and read a few books. Finally â€� Wellingtonâ€� one of my favourite cities, nestling in a natural harbour amongst bays and hills and with lots of creative people around the place.Ìý It is the home of WETA after all and Peter Jacksons's studios.During the trip I shared platforms and signing tables withsome delightful actors from the UK and USA and elsewhere.Ìý From the latter Kristanna Lokken the bestlooking cyborg from the Terminator films who was very charming and good company,as was Katie SackhoffÌý from Battle Star Galactica. And I spent a great day sitting next Gimli in the form of John Rhys Davies. ÌýThe undoubted draw, however, whose queue of teenage girls snaked around the venues into infinity was Tom Feltonâ€� Draco Malfoy from Harry Potter, who was kept signing for hours after we others were in the bar celebrating a good day well spent.Ìý The Harry Potter franchise is truly phenomenal.Ìý I have to report that Mister Felton is a really nice chap and not at all like the character he plays.Ìý I am never surprised any more when the actors who play 'baddies' are cool and quite opposite to the roles they play.Ìý In fact, in the very odd case of 'difficult' actors who are 'up themselves' â€� they tend to be the actors who play the 'nice'roles. Interesting! ÌýI guess that being a baddy is cathartic.Then the interminable journey back via Melbourneand Hong Kong and the inevitable consequent jet lag.And now the real world surrounds me, which is no bad thing.Other work has included the continuing (hopefully forever)joy of Big Finish. I have recorded a few already this year and am about to enter a phase of recording three more over June, which I am looking forward to enormously as the word I am hearing from BF is that the scripts are very exciting.I am in discussion about doing a play later in the year which I will alert you all to if and when the finer details are agreed.And I shall be strutting my stuff in Jack and the Beanstalk at the end of the year in Mansfield.Ìý A panto I have done before (in both Bath and Malvern most recently) but at a venue that will be new to me, so I am looking forward to that new experience too.I have also recently discovered the joys of Twitter, as I mentioned earlier.Ìý I have resisted Facebook and other chat sites, after realising how time consuming and invasive they can become, but a friend suggested Twitter to me and I find it great fun.Ìý Limited to 140 words, you can follow people who interest you â€� like Wycombe Wanderers footballers, actors I have worked with and people like Danny Baker, Rio Ferdinand, Alan Sugar â€� there's eclectic for you! ÌýYou can also get information out there quickly when necessary and have a bit of merry banter with your chums.Ìý I am able to keep in touch with my dear companion Nicola Bryant much more often than I have thitherto but without it taking up too much of her or my time and it seems to delight the fans too, with whom I can also interact.Ìý Saw if you haven't discovered me yet on Twitter - @sawboneshex â€� give it a go.On several occasions it has proved a boon when I have been in situations where I need help or advice; a quick word on Twitter and I get scores of helpful responses.And I can update you all on my upcoming gigs too.Ìý Although your first port of call should always be this my official website, which is dependent of course on me remembering to update it more often and keep Rob â€� 'upon whom may the Gods smile' â€� informed.See you soon.

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