Loading washing machine a treat after life on the tour bus

I’m so grateful to have such an exciting job at times. A week ago I set off on Sam Smith’s European tour, which, of course, is very exciting.

However, life on the road has its highs and lows. I’m used to working abroad with singers but usually I will fly in for a few days’ rehearsal in one location, or fly to a few gigs or TV shows. This time though, I’m actually touring.

It’s been a bit of an eye-opener for me. Being on a tour bus overnight is fun. We watch films and chat till the small hours then we all get into our bunks and sleep until the bus stops.

On arrival at the next arena we get off the bus and shower in the dressing rooms and then, after the show, either go to a hotel or get back on the bus and head to the next city.

On the nights that I do stay in a hotel though, I’m so grateful for the things we take for granted. Having a leisurely shower or bath, washing your clothes, washing and blow-drying your hair don’t necessarily seem like luxuries but, believe me after a night, or sometimes, two nights in succession on the tour bus, feeling clean is a real treat.

The hotel I’m staying in tonight has everything in the room, from a kitchen stocked with tins of homemade cookies, to a washing machine and tumble drier. I’m washing all my clothes and I’ve had a lovely bubble bath.

It feels like complete luxury. Being on tour feels like a more comfortable version of being at Glastonbury or T in The Park. I’m always puzzled as to why people love going to summer festivals and camping out because in Britain there’s a good chance it will be a mudfest. And as for using those portaloos – not my idea of fun.

They come back needing a holiday and certainly when the two festival-goers in my family arrive home I want to put their washing in the machine without even touching it.

Do we just get fussier as we get older or do some middle-aged people not mind getting a bit smelly? Personally, I think it’s a young person’s game.

At my age an en-suite bathroom definitely beats a portaloo. I can’t think of any acts who I would like to hear sing so much that I would do without my home comforts.

For lovely Sam Smith though, I’m happy to be with him whether it be in a luxury hotel or a bus, but if he hands me a tent I’m out of here!

One person who will be in the lap of luxury right now is our new Royal baby.

As I’m writing this the baby hasn’t been named so I’m doing a bit of guessing. It’s not that hard to work out the sort of thing they would call him because the names George and Charlotte are hardly breaking with tradition.

The Cambridges weren’t likely to go off-piste and follow the likes of the Beckhams and the Kardashians and name the baby after the place it was conceived.

Wasn’t there talk around the time of the pregnancy announcement about Kate and William just having been on a trip to Germany and Poland?

Warsaw Cambridge may sound very trendy, or even Kensington Cambridge, but I think Albert is what I’m going for. I wonder if I should place a bet... Kate looked ecstatic holding her new baby in her arms. She surely has done her bit for the country now and has provided us with three heirs to the throne. She obviously relishes the role of mother, but given how badly she suffers from severe morning sickness, I’m amazed that she didn’t stop at one. Anyway, I’m off to climb into my king-size bed with beautiful fresh hotel linen. Bliss.

Have a good week,

Yvie x

The mezzo-soprano from Methlick and vocal coach to the stars