It's only May but 2014 has already been a busy year with lots of great performances, travels and adventures; I have seen familiar faces and far-off places, I ate a fish that flies and a bird that doesn't, and I drank the nectar of many gods in many new and exotic lands.

For more photos from these travels visit the Photo Gallery

As I enjoy the gradual change from summer to autumn in Barcelona, one of my favourite times of year here, with the days not so excruciatingly hot, the nights still balmy and some of my favourite Catalan celebrations on the horizon, I have been thinking back on my summer and I wanted share some of the highlights from my time in North America.

It was a very full two months along the west coast of Canada and the USA, traversing almost 4,000 miles stretching from San Francisco to Vancouver Island, Portland to Los Angeles, and finally east to Kansas. Filled with a healthy balance of performances at festivals, recitals, masterclasses and time with friends and family, the tour consisted of 17 concerts, two birthdays, a world premiere and an artisan beer festival. 

To look at a few photos of the trip, go to the Gallery Page.