My Great Uncle Ron introduced me to the piano when I was just 3 years old. He had a garage full of dusty old pianos that he bought, sold, tuned, and played. When he came to visit he would always tune my piano. He did it the old fashioned way – with his ear and a simple tuning fork. When he was satisfied with his work he would play the most fabulous tunes – old honky tonk numbers were among his favourites. Then we would play a little duet together. Usually heart and soul.

Last week my Great Uncle Ron passed away.

I wrote a little piece of music a few months ago, and although it’s incomplete I found myself playing it over and over again last week, while thinking about all the fond memories I have of my Great Uncle. If it wasn’t for his love of pianos, I’m not sure I would have ever learned to play. So thank you Uncle Ronny, this one is for you. I thought that maybe if I put this out in the airwaves, it might reach you, somehow…

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Our welcome home gift to The Netherlands has been 48 hours of incessant rain and near darkness. You may think I exaggerate when I say near darkness, especially those of you who live even further north than I do, but having just come from a land where sunlight manages to shine through concrete walls, you can forgive me for thinking this place is dark.

Don’t worry mes amis, I will get over it! I will find the beauty in all that surrounds me again. Just give me a little time. And allow me to weep freely as I mourn the absence of my sunny homeland on this grey wet day.

To top off my melancholy mood, it’s my mum’s birthday today, and I am not there. I did however, leave her a little gift which I hid in the seat of the piano stool. I wrapped the gift in a turquoise silk scarf which I bought at the Bondi Markets on Sunday.

So happy birthday mum! Here is a little clip I just made for you. Right now the sun is about to set on the bay over there, making the water sparkle. and about this time of day I would be playing a little song on the piano…

So, here we all are. In le petit bateau. With me. Hmm. Has everyone got a drink? Is everyone comfortable? I suppose you just want me to get on with it, right?

Please click on the flower button below which is currently loading, to hear my first ever piano solo composition, accompanied by one of my little whimisical drawings. This piece is called Mes Ailes. Which is French for ‘My Wings’. I do hope you enjoy. Thank you in advance, for lending me your ears for the next 3 minutes…

…and I shall not keep it to myself any longer. Would you like a little hint? Here you go…

Yes, you will need your ears. and I need to take a deep breath and make myself a stiff drink. It’s coming up next…

PS perhaps you need to pour yourself a glass of something too, let me know what you’re having and I’ll have the same. In fact, make it a double…

As the day turns into night, we will hear our last soundscape for this series. Here, I take you with me into a most intimate moment: a time of evening when I am in Sydney, just before dinner. My Dad is cooking in the kitchen, my Mum is nearby and I decide to play a tune on the piano as the sky turns from pink to the deepest, darkest blue. I haven’t played this piano in a while and it is out of tune and dusty, which is quite how I like it. But now is the time I must let you know, I never play with an audience. I have only ever played for family and very close friends, and then, not even. So this is a very intimate moment…like opening a hidden away jewellery box and hearing a secret little song, this time, I play for each of you.

Please click the play button below…

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…and be patient while I prepare my seat. The night sky takes the stage…

…I lift the lid of my old friend…

…I click on the lamp…

…and I play. Just for you. Please enjoy…

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**Update: If you’d like to hear more of my piano playing, please click here. Thank you. xx