Hey all! Thank you for all the recently lovely comments, it's always a joy receiving visitors, especially kind, complimentary, old AND new ones! You are warmly welcome- though I should warn you, I waffle ALOT!
Anyway, I began writing about my camping trip a week ago or so! I shall continue in this vein.
On the Sunday, CBC and I enjoyed a largely dreamy afternoon reading in the glorious sunshine in the arboretum. The arboretum is a glorious place, rather like the secret garden- full of beautiful trees, wonderfully soft grass, one or two benches, flowers. It is rather like a secret spot you can go to dream, paint, dream or snooze. I didn't take any photos of it sadly. At the start of the week, there were very few people there in the afternoon- later more people discovered it. I nipped off for half an hour or so to audition for a solo in the choir items (I was given 2 solos in The Merry Wedding by Grainger and some recitatives in Jonah by CarissmiOn the Monday of camp, only one of which I got to sing in the performances due to losing my voice on the Friday during the Grainger performance :( )
Then on Monday afternoon, CBC and I went for a cycle. This was my first time on a bike since London to Brighton due to my horrendously busy June/July schedule which didn't bode well! It was the hottest day that England had seen this year. It is very very hilly in Buckinghamshire where we were so I was roasting hot with the exertion. Our ride was extremely interesting and picturesque.
We rode past an RAF site...
As you can see, I was NOT impressed by the hills- let's just say I was very very grumpy with CBC for dragging me out on the cycle!
We reached Chequers- the country residence of our British Prime-minister- here I am at the entrance gate, closely scrutinized by security cameras
There was what felt like a stonking great MOUNTAIN riding onwards from Chequers into Great Hampden, but the views were absolutely stunning and I managed smiles as the afternoon heat started to quell and it became cooler.
Everyone else was absolutely amazed that we had cycled 20miles in the sweltering heat!!! I was not as I know CBC well! A shower was MOST welcome at the end! We had more rehearsals in the evening including one where I played flute 1 for a Brahms choir and orchestra piece called Schickasleid which had some gorgeus flute moments!
The next day, after more rehearsals, I nipped into High Wycombe to visit a postoffice to post a parcel to Ohio :) , buy a new little tent and an air bed in the Blacks sale and buy or two items I wanted. Then the greatest excitement ensued as it was the night of the swing band dance, where everyone dresses up and people put together a swing band and we dance for hours to 30's, 40's, 50's classics.
I wore my favourite Vivienne of Holloway red polka dot dress which is perfect for that style of dancing, with my matching petticoat, white pumps and a flower (plus red accessories!)
We had such fun despite it being roasting hot. I danced many dances until midnight when the hall had to be returned to orchestra set-up.
CBC and I practised our Lindy-hop moves, my friend M. and I swirled around the dance floor in mad routines and CBC and I introduced some crazy 60's dance movements to the mix.
His hands look huge here in- strange perspective!
Honestly, I was enjoying myself!!!
We were really tired the next morning, but it was great fun! Unfortunately, I spent a little too long shouting over the top of the music, which resulted in hoarse voice the next day...
Has anyone else ever done that- needed to save their voice and completely forgotten this in the hype and excitement of dancing?????
1. The indescribable joy that is music. The wonder and beauty of making music large and small - the opportunity to sing and play new repertoire, to share the performances and the rehearsals and the experience with others, especially friends. The delight and opportunity of being given 2 solos even if I only got to sing one of them croakily and with the intense need to cry.
2. Glorious cycle ride- so thankful I can enjoy this skill (and my Ulner nerve behaved)
3. Delightful weather (sunshine most of the time)
4. Wonderful food. (and comedy earrings!)
5. The company of dear friends -old and new
6. A wonderful new tent that was both spacious, kept us dry and warm.
7. The joy of dancing (and of swishy dresses)
8. Lovely walks (the ability to breathe!)
9. The miracle that was managing to pack the car at the end, despite the fact that we already had a ram-packed car and yet had bought lots of new items over the week.
10. The beauty of the rainbow that greeted us on the way home and fun cloud spotting, when we might have been feeling gloomy! (What does the white cloud look like to you??????)
Actually, these flowers were a gift from my headteacher on behalf of the kids to say thank you for my hard work organising the school concert!
These flowers were gorgeous roses from a darling Polish girl in my choir who is sadly moving up north am soo sad she wont be singing in my choir anymore.
