Thank you 2022, old friends and new so now let’s party in 2023.
As is tradition at this time of year it’s fun to look back on what we all did over the past 365 days.
Of course even the most travelled of us will spend most of our time at home.
And we’re blessed to live by the sea near one of the great cities, Edinburgh, which is why we have been fortunate to receive visitors from around the world.
Swish Swiss
Put them on a podium: With Fran and Myriam
Auld Reekie’s winds and bends have long captivated the most imaginative which is why it’s oft-used for film locations.
And that’s part of the fun of it all as even those who thought they knew Edinburgh’s streets found themself taking detours around building works.
Before alighting on the charming Ondine on George IV Bridge, in between St Giles’ Cathedral and the Camera Obscura.
Royal watchers, of course, would become acquainted with the historic Royal Mile and St Giles Cathedral.
With Queen Elizabeth taking up residence there in September (but more of that later).
We rounded off the afternoon warming ourselves with Scottish drink in the institution that is the Greyfriars Bobby pub which like Bobby we always come back to.
As we will Switzerland, and had, earlier in the year when we tarried as long as we could in Zurich airport and the Montreaux Jazz Cafe Geneva which does exactly what it says on the tin.
Ski and easy in Val D’Isere
Way to go Jo: In Val D’Isere
There was dancing in ski boots on the slopes of Val D’Isere too as skiing got back on the slopes after Covid.
It’s safe to say that I’m more comfortable at the apres than the ski as I raved at La Folie Douce.
And fell on the magic carpet up to the slopes.
With the help of my new amis I managed to stay upright on the mountains.
But it was now and beckoning me on from my Envoy Hotel window.
As was a return to my old haunt, the Irish Black Rose pub and Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market.
And a trek on the tracks to other wonders of New England in arty Providence in Rhode Island and kooky Connecticut with its academia and culinary pizza and hamburger heritage.
More America
Don’t forget the Motor City: Detroit
I wasn’t finished with the Oo Es of Eh, and it hadn’t had it with me either, and while we weren’t dancing in the streets of Detroit we were singing its praises.
Here’s Detroit callin’ out around the world… and to us, Scotland’s travel elite, to get back to Motor City and Pure Michigan.
And follow in the Fingertips of Stevland Judkins who 60 years ago next year exploded into our musical consciousness.
We know him best as Stevie Wonder although back in 1963 he was just 12 and was introduced to us as Little Stevie Wonder.
Walking in Stevie’s Fingertips
Candy baby: Stevie’s candy machine
His debut release for Motown label Tamla, the jazzy Fingertips, still stands the test of time.
With Stevie wowing us with his mastery of bongos and harmonica.
Stevie became the youngest artist to reach No.1 in the Billboard charts.
And the world wanted to know more about the boy wonder from Detroit.
Stevland was born in Saginaw near Lake Huron and an hour and a half’s drive south to Detroit.
Where his musical Motown family took him to their hearts.
And to his favourite candy.
Best bar none
The Wonder of you: Stevie
Stevie, who in a different Bluesier age, would probably have gone by the moniker (or harmoniker in his case) of ‘Blind Boy Stevie’, loved a nutty nougat Baby Ruth bar.
And staff at the Hitsville USA House would be sure to leave the bar in the same place in the machine so he could feel for the slot.
And they were even said to leave coins there for him too.
The Hitsville House has undergone major million-dollar changes completed this year to accommodate ever-increasing numbers of visitors.
All of which our friends from Visit Detroit and Pure Michigan updated us on as we renewed our friendships.
At Hitsville they are still inspiring the youth, the next generation and practically as well as aesthetically.
Founder Berry Gordy is 92 years young and still as wide-eyed about music as ever he was.
And he vowed: ‘Not only will the expanded museum entertain and tell the stories of talented and creative people who succeeded against all odds, but it will also inspire and create opportunities for people to explore their dreams the way I did mine.
‘I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of that.’
And that’s where Hitsville NEXT, the educational center of Motown Museum’s newly expanded campus comes in.
In the Motown Museum‘s words it is the hub of our programming efforts, it is the place in Detroit for talent cultivation, entrepreneurial training and empowerment, music making and professional development for those aspiring to be in the music industry.
Are you ready for a brand new beat? Martha Reeves
I’ve seen first hand on my travels in the States how bringing young musicians from challenging backgrounds and giving them back opportunities can yield huge awards.
And the joy in the young artists’ performance on stage for a group of European travel writers at the Stax Music Academy in South Memphis.
And their euphoria as we broke bread with them afterwards when they were told they were to tour Europe.
The water city: And the Motor City too… Detroit
Just the same glee I feel every time I know I’m going America, every bit of which the Vandellas name check in Dancing in the Streets.
And with Martha Reeves championing the Hitsville reconstruction this year.
