SXSW pretty much finished now. Saw Richard Hawley, Gemma Hayes, Jose Gonzalez, Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs and Martha Wainwright last night. Also bumped into Dave Alder and Richard Bridge which was all a bit bizarre.


Gemma Hayes

I also interviewed the Kooks yesterday afternoon at the Stuff Magazine party at the Velvet Spade. They were quite funny. Very young. We went up onto the roof of the building and did the interview up there, and then as I was climbing down, I put my foot onto a plastic drainpipe and nearly went flying. I was about 20 feet off the ground, so that would have put paid to my marathon plans, if not my life. Some bloke grabbed me just in time.



I really love Austin so much. It's just got a great feel about it. Every time I come here, I feel relaxed. I like to just come here, and not do very much. It's such a nice city to just hang around in. There seems to be a much less hectic pace here than there is in other American cities that I've spent time in. The people are really laid back and chilled. K's friends are all really friendly and interesting. I think I could live here for a bit. Although I'd need a bit of freshness in the air once in a while. The Texas climate would take a bit of getting used to.



Saying that though, today was only about 60 degrees, and I had my first really meaningful run of the week; my first time outside since getting sick. I did a four mile loop of the trail - they really know how to provide a nice trail over here too - the surface is just a nice dry grassy mud, there's an area at the beginning for stretching, and there are water fountains all the way round. It's also a really beautiful route - it goes all round the lake, over a big bridge and then back towards the city with all the skyline before you. It also started raining halfway through which was bliss. If only every run could be as enjoyable as this...