...anyway what else have we been up to? That's rhetorical, obviously, but helps remind me that I need to get these things so that I can look back in years to come and remember the good times...
...away from the music we have been to see:
Titus Andronicus at The Globe. One of my favourite Shakespeare plays, and one of the goriest. Evidently there are 'feinters' in every performance...yes it's grim, but surely it shouldn't make you keel over? It was fabulous. I know that many people don't really take to Shakespeare, having been scarred at school, but I genuinely believe that if people gave it a second chance they'd be surprised at how enjoyable it really is; it would help if schools took kids to see performances too rather than make them cram for GCSEs with dry texts in the classroom.
The Cutty Sark in Greenwich. Yes, the fine old tea clipper that Prince Phillip tried to incinerate by tossing one of his fags into the partially-restored hull some years back (allegedly). I have memories from my childhood of visiting the Cutty Sark and finding it a 'bit boring'. But the techniques they have these days for making the whole exhibition fun and interactive mean that we spent a very pleasant couple of hours there on my birthday.
The Mad Hatters Tea Party at the Sanderson Hotel....a special treat for The Cat's Mother. I was counting how many days old she is and realised that in day terms she had a very special one in June, so I treated her. It's a lovely twist with far far too many sandwiches and cakes....
An evening of Jacobean Music at the Wannamaker (that's the indoor theatre at The Globe). Which was OK, but not really my cup of tea, but you can't help but admire the skill of the musicians...
A day at the races...I'd not been to Ascot before, so delighted to get an invitation (The Cat's Mother was away in New York for a few days). I travelled down and back on the most crowded trains I've ever been on...and I was in first class ( a small extravagance allowed because it cost just £19). We had a terrific day drinking Pimms and betting on the horses. I won £126 on the first race which set me up for the rEst of the day! Nobody had mentioned all the communal singing that goes on at the end after the Queen has escaped...every fine British song you can imagine... lovely, lovely day. And I took some pictures
I had my annual trip to Parliament. There is a reception held by the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign for supporters, and I turn up every year feeling a bit of a fraud. I give my money, I lend my support on social media, but do little else. Given what's happening in Gaza at the moment, that's not really enough.
And then there was the Tour de France. I'd volunteered, had been to a familiarisation session and a training session and then the day itself. Essentially I stood in the road telling spectators to stand behind the white line, apart from when it was safe to let them cross. I spent all day waiting to say, "It's more than my jobsworth to let you cross now, luv" But it didn't happen. It was a marvelous party atmosphere all day long, large crowds and the cyclists whizzed past in a matter of moments. They were close enough that I thought I was going to lose my nose. I looked lovely in my green uniform. Very special.
Last week we went to see Monty Python. We hadn't planned to, but the Muffins bought us tickets. They were very good...in fact everything you would want...all the old favourites plus a few more with a contemporary twist. What's not to like? Can't believe they told us to Piss Off at the end
And finally (apart from the things I've forgotten) we went to see Medea at The National. Yes a fine old Greek tragedy by Euripides. I'm not sure that these things translate to a modern stage, and with modern expectations, but it was well produced and directed and some terrific performances on the stage. But I'm still not sure that killing your children is the best way to get back at your ex-husband who has run off with a new woman.....
....oh yes and the night bike ride to Brighton...more of which soon (it's not that exciting...)