When I last wrote I was about to go to a dinner party at the house of Mark Coughlan who is the friend that Piers Lane is staying with while he is in Perth. It turned out to be a wonderful and highly entertaining evening but not exactly an early night! Mark picked me up in his gorgeous vintage Jaguar car and chauffeured me to his house in style - during our ride we finally worked out the circumstance under which we had last met, which was a dinner in Perth eleven years ago, with various members of the orchestral management plus the stylish and charming Janet Holmes a Court, who has been a long-standing Patron of the orchestra.

We arrived at Mark's house and were greeted by luscious smells wafting from the kitchen and rather scary loud barking of Mark's large dog, who turned out to be more bark than bite thank goodness! It was fantastic to see Piers on his "other home territory" and we had a good catch up on gossip. Soon the kitchen was full of Mark's friends, two of whom had an adorable eight-month old baby so I enjoyed a little cuddle before settling down to dinner and excellent conversation. We were treated to Osso Bucco, saffron rice and pumpkin pie ("peasant food" was how Mark described it - we were the lucky peasants!!!). But before I knew it, the hour was late and as I had a morning rehearsal, I felt it was time to make my way back to the hotel.

I felt really tired the next morning but the rehearsal went well and my next project was to find a restaurant where I could eat some Dhufish for lunch. This variety of fish was the very first that I had on my previous trip to Australia and I had been looking forward to sampling it again whilst in Perth, as you cannot find Dhufish anywhere else in the world. One of the orchestral members suggested a restaurant in a Western suburb of the city, so I took a taxi there and sure enough, my wish was granted. A wonderful plate of this delicate white fish arrived at my table and I enjoyed every mouthful of it. On leaving the restaurant, I made my way to the taxi rank nearby but, after waiting ten minutes, my doubts began to set in that a cab would ever make its way there. This was confirmed by a kind man, striding across the road from the pub opposite to inform me that I'd be waiting there until Christmas as no taxis ever waited there! My knight in armour then offered to ring for a taxi for me and, within moments, a car was outside ready to take me back to the hotel. This is an example of how friendly and courteous the people here can be - ready to help a stranger for nothing more than a simple Thank You.

I really was very tired by the time I got to the hotel and so had a rest in my room and a long sleep. When I woke up, the concierge informed me that a massive bouquet had arrived for me and he brought it up to the room. He was right - it was a huge display at least three feet tall of wonderful and exotic flowers! They had been sent to me by a friend from many years back whose late husband had worked at the Shell Lensbury Club and had asked me to do one of my first professional concerts, after I won the Silver Medal in the Shell/LSO competition aged 17. I had arranged some tickets for her and her family to come to the Saturday concert and this was her generous Thank You.

I got ready for the concert and was taken to the hall by Stephen, the wonderful Artist Liason officer for the orchestra. In these concerts in Perth, the concerto is in the first half of the concert, unlike Kuala Lumpur where it comprised the second half. Right from the first notes of the orchestral tutti, there was the most wonderful atmosphere and I sensed that we were all in for a special concert. Yan Pascal and the orchestra were on amazing form, and really inspired me to give my very best. I think that this is one of the best performances of this work that I have ever given and the rousing reception that we received at the end was testament to the teamwork that had created this performance. I was truly delighted.

I met the sponsors of the concert in the interval and saw Janet Holmes a Court who I had not seen since my last trip. She was as charming and hospitable as ever and I sat next to her during the second half of the concert - Vaughan Williams fourth symphony, which was also superbly performed by the orchestra. Yan Pascal is a wonderful conductor to watch - his face is so expressive and he clearly enjoys the music, sometimes quirkily raising an eyebrow, nodding his head from side to side, or breaking into a broad smile in some of the lighter passages. His final chord resulted in him nearly jumping off the podium! He too was treated to much enthusiastic applause.

Then it was time to go back to the Sponsors reception and meet some more of the guests. I went to say hello to Piers, who was talking to a modest man who hesitated and then asked me if I remembered him. I was at a complete loss so he helped me out and told me his name: Paul Wright, aka "Smilie", as he was known at the Yehudi Menuhin School. He had been one of the "older boys" while I was just starting my time at the school and it was such a delight to see him again. After so many years, there was a lot of reminiscing to be done and at times we were rather a noisy gathering as much hilarity of old stories ensued!

Finally the gathering broke up and the ever-patient Stephen drove me back to the hotel. Now it's Saturday morning and I have my second concert tonight, but the sun is shining and I feel that a spot of fresh Perth air is called for to clear my head. That's where I'm headed now...

Until next time

Tasmin