New Season

The opening concert of the new CBSO season last night.  We left it a little later than usual to get our tickets so were sitting in a different place from the usual, but actually found the change quite refreshing!  Sitting in our "normal" place, up in the balcony, we get a fine view of everything but sometimes feel a little remote from the happenings on stage.  Here in the main body of the hall, the sound quality was far more immediate but this came at the expense of the view. In the second half, I found myself looking at a member of the orchestra who appeared to be doing nothing for at least two movements of the symphony.  I worked out he was probably a woodwind player - suspected a piccolo which was confirmed later in the final movement.  But until he picked up his piccolo and began to play, that still little face amongst all the other musicians playing their hearts out was quite a distraction and rather strange!

When Symphony Hall rigs up a floating basket hovering somewhere central in the auditorium, we'll be in it!  Until then, I think we are already committed "upstairs" for the next few concerts at least.

It was a cracking concert and the first sell-out we've seen in ages.  Die Meistersingers followed by Brahms Piano Concerto #2 and then Beethoven's 5th.  Wow.   We weren't the only ones to be thrilled by the whole performance - had we been on the other side of the Atlantic, the whole audience would have been on their feet immediately, but being British, only a couple of people stood to applaud whilst the rest of us simply clapped as enthusiastically as we do for rather longer than usual.

Of course, we hummed all the way home as well. 

Miffed

Opened the garage door this morning and spotted a huge scrape on the front nearside of my car.  Immediately knew when and where it happened – Tewkesbury car park on Monday morning when a silver car was really badly parked in the space next to the one where I parked mine.  Checked and yes, there’s silver paint on the scraping.

I know it’s only the bumper and it will be replaced.  I know it’s only a car and not a person.  I know it’s only money – but I’d rather spend it on fun than on unnecessary car repairs caused by someone else's carelessness and negligence.  I know I could claim it on our insurance but no doubt there’ll be a very good reason why I can’t.

So I’m miffed.

Daily routine

My first full day at home for a while and a little more time to spend on those parts of my life that have been a little neglected of late.

Like washing and ironing, which doesn't go away but sits there staring me in the face until I do something about it.

Baking.  With a glut of fruit threatening to take over,  there's now not quite as many apples and blueberries as before but still heaps of plums to freeze.  Clive's mother needs feeding each morning and the breadmaking success continues.

I found time to run round with the watering can, after all, there's only so much "studied neglect" a plant can take.

Later on, I may well sit down and knit - haven't touched this since last week.

Or read.  A heap of books has appeared and doesn't even include the one I'm reading right now.

I am also setting aside a little time for learning something new each day, having signed up for another of Shimelle's classes.  Though I've done her Christmas Journal class a couple of times now, I've never done a digital journal before.  This time it's all online in PSE and though tricky at first, I'm quite enjoying playing about with brushes and layers. 

But look what still lurks there, waiting to be unpacked...

...and there's another two just like it around the corner.

Going home

All packed up this morning and just hoping that everything finds its way home.

 

It's been quite a responsibility keeping track of everything!

A little break

After three and a half days of being there in the Abbey, absorbed in the whole exhibition thing and the trials and tribulations that are associated with it, a day off came as a welcome break.  Not that I don't enjoy being there amongst my friends in such a glorious place, but from time to time, the tiredness kicks in and a change of scenery is called for.

7am yesterday and I was setting off towards Moreton in Marsh, to judge some classes in the home and Garden section of the annual show. 

It's one of my favourite shows of all.  Large enough to be interesting but small enough to be friendly and not too commercial.  Beautifully organised and very professionally run, it's a pleasure to go along there and spend time in such beautiful countryside, this year blessed with sunshine, thank goodness.

There were some magnificent entries and it was a tough job to find winners, but find them we did and just a few minutes after 12 noon, the rope was loosened, the visitors streamed into the Home and Garden marquee and we judges ran for cover!

I headed for my favourite part of the showground and spent time with these delightful creatures, chatting to their owners and appreciating their hard work in getting everyone brushed up and gorgeous, ready for their moment in the spotlight.

The atmosphere was relaxed, several competitors snoozed in the afternoon sunshine and some sat around chatting.  There was a general air of contentment and this was a good place to be.

Only the Supreme Champion was a little twitchy and uncomfortable as she waited for the final visit from the judges, long after she'd normally have been milked.  Her owner was twitchy too, anxious for the well-being of his prizewinner and clearly not enjoying the sight of her discomfort.  Along the row, the owner of a more "traditionally-built" entrant eyed up the bony Holstein, referring to her as a "mere milking machine".  I couldn't disagree.

Unable to resist another walk amongst these handsome fellows, I supposed that much is expected of them as well.  Hard work, but some bull has to do it...