Have had a busy week and another one ahead of me so thought I had better post something before I get bogged down. As I have mentioned before I now have wifi so am writing this in bed propped up on pillows. Have been awake for ages, in the summer months where the mornings are light I seem incapable of sleeping beyond 5.30 am which is a tad annoying as it means by the early afternoon I am keeling over.
I was in London yesterday for a family get together to celebrate the arrival of Beatrice who gets cuter and cuter each time I see her. I had done some cooking to help with the lunch but most of it came courtesy of Waitrose and it certainly looked impressive - an entire salmon, wonderful raised pies etc. Other guests arrived with salads and desserts etc. It was a good day weatherwise and we were able to sit out in the garden for most of the event and it was really delightful sitting around chatting, talking, laughing and quaffing champagne. I was driving home in the evening so had to be careful but even so managed a glass or two.
Poor Florence came out in chickenpox the day before so there was frantic ringing around to friends who were coming with small children and babies to warn them which led to a diminution in numbers, but we still had a good turnout. Florence did really well but by the afternoon her energy levels were totally depleted and all she could do was cuddle her dad and weep. I felt so sorry for her. In the end she curled up on the sofa to watch Winnie the Pooh as she loves her DVD but within five minutes was fast asleep. She cannot go to nursery so I am stepping into the breach and driving back up this evening and staying for three days to look after her. I know I shall be tired myself by the end of the week but as I am off to Madeira for a fortnight next weekend I am not feeling too worried about that.
I will be taking my laptop with me to London so I can post when I can as I have a review or two to do and also wish to alert you all to the programme for the Felixstowe Book Festival at which I am speaking and with which I am involved. All is now in place, great prog and now we need lots of lovely people to attend so our wonderful speakers are not talking to empty rooms. I will be writing about it further this week but do check out the website.
Quiet reading week, I have finished the wonderful Capturing the LIght and will be writing about that more fully in a day or two, re-read the Blue Castle which I have already posted about ( I Simply Adore that book) and the rest of the time I have been chilling and reading more titles by Erica James who I enjoy very much. Well written, full of human interest and very relaxing to read.
And to close, last night when I arrived home I was in time to see the broadcast on Sky Arts of Rheingold, the first part of the Ring Cycle from the Met, all of which they are showing over the next few weeks. There have been some criticism of the production and I can see why, I found some of it a bit lacking, but the entrance to Valhalla at the end was terrific and of course, Bryn singing Wotan means that I would love it anyway. His Wotan gets better and better and I am so looking forward to the rest of the Marathon. Then this week I am going to attempt to purchase a ticket for Die Walkure at the Proms this summer as, once again, Bryn is singing and I would not miss that for the world. Fingers crossed.
Back soon, chickenpox allowing....
