Not long back from a visit to Sunderland to see son and daughter-in-law, punctuated either side of the weekend with a stay in Yorkshire on the way up and Rutland on the way back down. Lovely trip, very well looked after and we got lucky with the weather as well.
Three for two at Snape
Saturday and Monday evening at Snape Maltings to see, firstly, Clare Teal and then Lau, supported by the Elysian Quartet. We’ve seen the “British Queen of Swing” before (at Snape I believe) but this time she was accompanied by a small combo (piano, bass and drums) rather than a big band.
By Royal Appointment – Here is the News
The princess has given birth to a boy, who weighed 8lb 6oz and is yet to be named, at 16:24 BST on Monday the 22nd July 2013. Mother and baby are both doing well and will stay in hospital overnight. Prince William was present at the birth. And that’s the news, isn’t it?
Lowry In London
Or more accurately, a Lowry retrospective at Tate Britain. Went down on Sunday for a couple of nights, primarily for ‘private’ showing at the Tate on the Monday evening, the result of a competition win by Denise through the show sponsor, the Independent.
Ely Festival 2013
No festivals for a while and then two come along at once. Maverick last week and Saturday at Ely this week. Previously went to Ely in 2011 and always said we’d return – this is our folk festival for the year (at least for now, unless we make the long trip to Glemham Hall for Folk East) as we are again giving Cambridge a miss.
Saturday at the Maverick Festival 2013
Third visit to Easton Park and the second where we should have turned out for the three days rather than just the one. Definitely next year! Paul Spencer and Ken Ansell have clearly got friends in very high places – another cracking, sunny day to accompany the excellent music, good food and fine ales. I was less familiar with most of the artists performing this year, so it’s good to report such a terrific standard across all the stages on Saturday.
Growing Old Disgracefully
Virginia Ironside’s take on reaching 60 and beyond at the Mercury in Colchester last night was a warmly funny 75 minute show, if a little formulaic in the topics discussed. Memory, book clubs, cruises, ridiculously energetic friends and ‘foot care’ all featured in a series of wry observations.
Comfy Cotswolds
Just back from a very pleasant week in the Cotswolds, preceded by a weekend in Bath with friends. The weather wasn’t always kind but it improved as the week went on. It was, however, very difficult to believe that it was the end of June on a couple of days when the temperature was more typically representative of a typical cold British autumnal day.
The Audience – Live Theatre Stream
A live screening of the Audience (from London’s Geilgud Theatre) at the Riverside Theatre, Woodbridge. Thoroughly enjoyed the play, which is a funny and moving if somewhat slight conceit where we get to see the imagined detail of the weekly meetings between prime minister(s) and Queen.
A Game Of Golf
Saw this last night at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester. Part of the Intimate Exchanges season, for a number of reasons this was the only one we got to see. Typically Alan Ayckbourn in its themes and humour, in this particular setting the two actors played seven distinct characters. Or, to be more accurate, Ruth Gibson played five and Gynfor Evans just the two.
Zero Dark Thirty
Finally got around to seeing Bigelow’s film about the search for and subsequent discovery and killing of Bin Laden. Undoubtedly a fine piece of film making but not without its issues. Whilst it has received many critical plaudits, it has also attracted a certain amount of controversy and criticism.
Spain Sojourn
Other than Barcelona, we have spent little or no time visiting the Spanish cities that are renowned for their history, architecture and culture which is, I’m sure you’ll agree, a remarkable oversight. Very pleased therefore to report on a pleasant week in a couple of lovely Spanish cities coupled with a pleasant trip down the Guadalquivir River. Fascinating to watch a relatively large ship navigate its way down quite a narrow river and its accompanying locks…..