Friday, 29 November 2013

The Nutcracker 2013

It is that time of year - the start of Christmas.
I arrived in town early, but my plan to do a bit of shopping was foiled by traffic diverted from the M6 so I arrived at the Hippodrome with an hour to spare.  I went to the box office and booked a few future shows - another ballet, an Opera and a couple of Musicals - so my diary for 2014 is filling up!!!
I hung around in the foyer and chatted to the doorperson, Teresa, and then had a big hug, and all encompassing hug, a squash, from another doorperson - loud laugh, wide body and merry dispostion!  C arrived and on our way back outside we both received a hug - think bearhug!!  We settled into the Dragon Inn and had a very enjoyable meal and then made our way back to the Hippodrome.  Guess who was on the door?!?!?

Much laughter later we went to find our seats, this year we sat in the Circle, a few rows from the front.  Twas only then that we admitted to each other how excited we both were!!


The music started, the curtain went up and Christmas arrived!
How the story unfolded, the party goers danced and then the Tree changed, the fireplace grew and Clara woke up!  how I love it so!
Not Matthias but same costume


I break here to ask Susan - Art in Stitches -  do you know that your son is being stuffed into a box each night?  Matthias danced the part of the Jack in the Box - energetic and brill!



After the interval we saw Clara arrive on the back of a flying swan .... across the night sky she flew until she reached fairyland ....
 ......... then came the flowers, the national dancers and the Sugar Plum Fairy and then it was all over, Clara woke up and went back to bed ....aaaahhh!!!
Another good show but then when did The Birmingham Royal Ballet ever let us down, well done my friends, well done!

We look forward to seeing you all next year .....

Monday, 25 November 2013

Staying busy

So much going on at this house!  It is being transformed before my very eyes!  I hope to post soon and bring this little Blog up to speed.

I have a half completed front lounge, part finished bathroom and nearly usable kitchen!

So here we are ... off to B &Q again .... more wallpaper seeking, paint choosing followed by delivery checking, box opening, wall painting, wall papering, floor covering and ....  PHOTO TAKING!

Then we will go up into the loft and erect the tree and decorate it for  ..... Christmas!!!!!!!



Some body has already had their Christmas pressie early! ....



Wednesday, 6 November 2013

Bonfire Night part two

The people were just great, the food excellent and the fireworks .... outdid the neighbours!!!!
PJ looked after the bonfire, although it smoked a bit at first (blast all that rain the last two days), Scrubbie looked after the barbie, J & M provided scrumptious food - especially the pork! - and M sorted a super amount of stupendous fireworks and set them off into the night sky ....



I wish I had a camera to show how great they were but I have a few sort of photos ....

Bonfire

Lighting up the sky
More lighting up the sky!




Monday, 4 November 2013

Bonfire Night part one

It's that time of the year again!

Bonfire night!

Seems to be slightly quieter than earlier years - maybe people have realised that it is much more fun to go to an organised night than go it alone.... maybe shopkeepers are a bit more aware (one hopes!!)

This is an English celebration but why you ask.........?

Remember, remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, Treason and Plot.
I know of no reason why the gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.


That's what we chant and here's why .... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Fawkes_Night

So the fireworks have been banging and lighting up the night sky since Friday evening, for a few hours each night ....
but then you see..........

our neighbour has a Bonfire Night Party - a real bonfire, barbecue, drinks and ..... lots of fireworks!  He spends a fortune but everyone has a brilliant night.  The fireworks are stupendous!  Rockets big, noisy and high in the sky!  I am so looking forward to it!

But ....

First there is the tidy up ......
PJ and M have been cleaning up ready, working all day.  All the leaves have been gathered, all the wood cut up, all the fireworks bought ........ food shopping tomorrow.
Glad it's not me ... I've been parcelling up ATCs and putting them into the post.... in the warm!