T h e E u r o v i s i o n a r y

God Moron!  That's not an exclamation about an inept person, it is Swedish for "Good Morning", and it's pronounced "maw-ron". So, day 2 in the press centre brought us the unbridled joy of Austria, the power and passion of Cyprus, the absurd banality of the Czech Republic, refugee chic from Bosnia and the cloak of doom from Malta... Let's start with lovely Zoë from Austria.  She is quite the most charming young lady, and her smile is just glorious.  She took to the brightly lit stage in a peach dress and delivered a perfect performance of her jolly little French language ditty. Compared to the lady from the Czech Republic (or Czechia, as everyone is now calling them), who delivered a sterile peformance of her bland ballad and then stood stone faced at the photo session after her press conference and asked "does my hair look good" without so much as a smile...  "yes, Dear, your hair is fine - it's your torn face that needs a bucke...

Before starting with my review of Monday's proceedings, I'll just leave this here for the time being... OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So, Monday was day 1 of rehearsals for the first 9 countries in Semifinal 1.  Look at me beavering away in the press centre... (I'll be the one in pink...) There were highs, there were lows, there were gasps, there were cheers, and there there was one truly outstanding performance that absolutely blew everyone away in the press centre....and it wasn't Russia! Enter stage left, Iveta Mukuchyan of Armenia.  Let's just call her Ivy Munchkin for simplicity...  Now before we came here this was a bit of a "meh...whatever" song for me, but what she delivered on stage yesterday was nothing less than sensational!  Sometimes is really is just all about the performance. Looking like a sexy Beyoncé-clone Ivy stood, strutted, posed and generally slayed.  The song on its own is nothing special, but the way Ivy sells it is mighty i...

It's the first day of rehearsals in Stockholm and we're off...  Eurovision 2016 is officially underway! But before I begin to regale you with stories of Swedish fabulousness, I thought I should really bring you up to date with my Eurovision season so far. For me, things began back in mid February, when Simon and I jetted off to stunning Reykjavik for a few days break (and to enjoy Songvakeppnin - Iceland's Euro selection show). As you can see, we had a very jolly time in the snow, and then basking in the fabulous Blue Lagoon (and before you ask, that's a special silica face mask we were enjoying - nothing rude - wickedness!). Felix and the RUV crown very kindly asked us along to the pre-recording of the "30 years of Iceland in Eurovision" segment on the Saturday morning, and the first person we bumped into was the ever-lovely Paul Oscar! Nearly all of Iceland's former entrants took part in the eleven minute medley of their old entries and...

For the second year running I was in bits at the end of the voting as the result was announced!  Tears of joy were pouring down my face and I was hoarse from screaming. STOCKHOLM 2016! No more words from me tonight... apart from YAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!! Photo: Lilian Brunell PS - Congratulations to the lovely Graeme Hawley (who once came to our preview party dressed as Joan Franka, replete with Indian headdress) for this morning correctly predicting the Top 4 in the right order (Sweden, Russia, Italy and then Belgium).

OK, so the great day is finally upon us!  More about that in a wee bit, but first another country... Yesterday, Andrew and myself had a day out of the Eurovision bubble and went off to Bratislava, the capital city of neighbouring Slovakia.  It is only a 50 minute train ride away and for 16 Euros return it would have been churlish not to. It was gorgeous!  Although the rain had started and it was very dull and overcast we still had a lovely time wandering around the little pretty streets. Last night Simon arrived very late on, and today we have been out doing bus tours in the torrential rain.  I can't remember ever having been so wet!!!  It really is POURING down here today - and hasn't stopped once in the past 20 hours or so. Si got his first taste of authentic Wiener Schnitzel... ...and then we went to the impressive Cathedral to pray for Saint Måns of Sverige to be victorious (even though Italy is still my favourite...just!). So ...

Well, who'd have thunk it?  Me at a high-brow classical music concert! But that's exactly what I did last night as I went along to an evening of Mozart played by the Vienna Symphony Orchestra in their fabulous Concert Hall. It was all very glam, and there was me in my jeans and Converse trainers sitting in the second row trying the blend in. The place itself was stunning and very opulent... And what's more, I really enjoyed the music! This morning I met up with my friend Howard and we did the traditional Café und Kuchen.  Yum! Then I went into town to see the Italian boys do a signing in a big music store.  Sadly we weren't allowed time to take a selfie, as there were around 400 folk in the queue waiting, but I did get my copy of thier Grande Amore EP signed and was able to wish them Good Luck for Saturday night. And now onto my predictions for tonight.  These are the 10 songs I think will go through, but being a far stronger Semi this one is mu...