Gosh it is hot hot hot. Up to a few years ago I loved the sun and loved beach holidays but now am not sure that I feel the same way. Sitting in the shade with a cool drink and a book seems more preferable to me nowadays. I had to go into town this morning to do some errands, I normally avoid going in as much as possible, but there are times when it just has to be done and of course, it had to be today when the sun was beating down. Apart from the traffic and the dust and dirt to contend with (and I keep reminding myself to be thankful that I am not commuting and stop moaning Elaine), we have to face the emergence of the White Limbed Brit from its winter hibernation.
Before I go any further, I wish to make it quite clear that I do not in any way regard myself as a slim super model type. 60+, carrying some extra weight and not exactly under endowed in all respects, I have nothing to boast about in that area, but, and it is a big but, I try to dress according to my mature years and to the climate. Women of a certain age, big boobed and big bellied have no business wearing ra ra skirts
up their backsides, t-shirts with no bras and flip flops. Men of a certain age, big boobed and big bellied have no business striding around town in knee length shorts of hideous hue and pattern, coupled with dirty trainers and coloured socks, with either their shirts open or not wearing any at all, so that their white slug like embonpoint is exposed to all and sundry.
Then there are the teenage boys, also exposing their pigeon chests, baseball caps on back to front accompanied by teenage girls who seem to be walking down the street in their bra and knickers with little legs teetering on high heels that look lethal to me.
OK yes I am in Grumpy Old Woman of Colchester mode, no need to tell me, but I do find all this parade of white flab acutely distressing. I am the possessor of white flab, I freely admit, but I keep it covered up as I have no wish to frighten the horses and I cannot understand how some of these people I saw parading this morning thought that they looked in any way attractive.
Oh well, enough Elaine enough...
Came home and have spent most of the afternoon on the sofa with all the windows open and a gentle zephyr floating through the flat (and flies and a wasp or too but I must not repine) and am feeling rested now. Noticed that we have a new little family of cygnets on the lake just round the corner from me and I stopped myself from rushing out and taking dozens of pictures as I did last year as they would all look exactly the same, but oh they are soooo sweet and already loads of mums with their children oohing and aahing at them. Such a joy to see them.
Off up to London tomorrow to the opera and I am driving. Yes driving. My friend Rosemary who is accompanying me, has very bad arthritis and the journey would consist of taxis, trains and more taxis which she finds very difficult to manage. So we made the decision that we would stay overnight as getting the late train back is very exhausting for her, and then I had a think and tracked down a hotel I knew in Bloomsbury which has a car park and have booked us in there. I have also had to pay the congestion charge for two days which I am cross about but cannot avoid but even with all these related costs, plus petrol, it will still be cheaper than travelling by train and we can go door to door. So a little bit nervous about the drive but as it is in an area I know well, and my drive to see my lovely Florence takes me not far from the City, I know my way which helps.
We are going to see La Fille du Regiment with Juan Diego Florez and Nathalie Dessay and so looking forward to it. It was on TV last Christmas and enormous fun and has had marvellous reviews this week. I saw Juan Diego last year in the Barber of Seville and he was simply wonderful and tomorrow night is going to be just as good. As the cost of tickets and travel would fund a week on the Costa del Sol, he had better not break a leg or fall ill that is all I can say....
So will be back on Wednesday with a full report of the evening and related matters. Until then, au reservoir.
